What makes up for an okay GPA when applying to USC as a transfer

[sedssei]

My GPA will for sure be lower than a 3.7 and of the schools I’m applying to as a transfer USC is the most prestigious and also my goal. I applied before and got rejected but my GPA was lower than it was now and I wasn’t in any ECs besides orchestra. I’ve been working on my essays and they definitely sound more mature and I have much more involvement. I’ve also taken courses more applicable to my major.

But is there anything else I can have to make myself a competitive applicant given that my GPA isn’t anything persuasive? I joined a few clubs that I’m active in and in the clubs we have projects and all that however I’m not involved in any research with like faculty or off campus stuff.

ALSO my family is moving to the west coast in the new year and I was thinking of going with them and attending community college in the spring semester over there. I also know that the UCs and USC take more from california community colleges than elsewhere so would coming in from Santa Monica college increase my chances? I know it would be better for transferring credits but would it help me admissions wise if I was there in the spring?

[Needmoreec]

Hey, I’m trying to transfer to USC as well. As far as I know, they do place a big emphasis on academic performance but if you can explain any hardships or make up for it through something else to show that you’re ready for college. The average GPA was a 3.7 but then again, that’s an average right?

[CADREAMIN]

In 2017, USC took 1500 transfers from 350 different colleges. About 800 of those came from community colleges. So it’s actually pretty close to 50/50 CC and 4 years. Your overall application, your gpa and courses taken count way more than the community college you came from. CCs are formal feeder schools to the UC and CSU system, not for private USC. Transferring credits will help you so if SMCC helps you do that then it is a good move. A lot of people apply from SMCC.