USC is my dream school but I’m not sure if I would get in. Though I am only a junior (and will graduate 2018) I want to prepare as much as possible in order to get in. I plan to apply to the Thornton School of Music.
Korean male living in SoCal
16 years old
School: Public (around 2000-2500 students)
GPA: 3.5 weighted, 3.3 unweighted
Rank: Top 40%
ACT: 31
SAT/ SAT II: n/a
APs:
AP Psych (took my sophomore year, got a 3)
AP US History
AP Lang
ECs:
Vice President of a film club
Photography Director of school’s performing arts conservatory
Have played piano since 6 (didn’t play when I was in 3rd to 4th grade though)
Lot of chamber music experience
Will be performing a concerto with orchestra summer 2017
Pianist at high school orchestra
Volunteer:
Volunteer at a local theatre as an usher (15 hours)
Work:
Teach kids piano, twice a week
Awards:
A bunch of state/local awards for piano competitions
Won local videography contest
USC is definitely a reach, maybe even impossible. My GPA and volunteer hours are probably the weakest. But I’m determined to do better (especially 2nd semester) so that I can get accepted.
I’m open to any criticism, and feel free to chance me at other schools as well!