What are my chances of getting into USC?

Question

I had a unweighted GPA of 2.8 that counts sophomore and fresh years, but now I'm currently in my junior year. I got mostly all A's and B's sophomore year but freshman year was mostly C's and D's. This year I plan to still get plenty of A's and B's again. I'm involved in a community service club, the class of 09' club, CSF(California Scholarship Federation), and a school pride club. I'm also considering joining track and field this year. I haven't yet taken my SAT's this year though but I'm planning too. Also I had my heart set on USC but now as I'm getting older i am keeping my options open.

Also I am only in one AP class which is my AP English class which I will be taking next year as well.

Oh yeah and I'm in the AVID program.

Answer 1

Since you mentioned CSF, I'm assuming that by USC you mean the University of Southern California, not South Carolina. I think that keeping your options open is a good plan. Over the past few years, USC has become far more selective, in part because they have upgraded themselves academically, and in part because over the past few years they have gotten a lot of media attention because of their football success, and have attracted applications from people who never would have considered them otherwise. I'm not sure if USC looks at freshman year grades or not (some schools do, others don't), but without mostly A's, they aren't going to be interested in you. Another possibility is that you could go to a community college for two years and then transfer. Given that you seem to have become much more serious about your studies, that might be a good option.

Answer 2

You should clarify if you mean South Carolina or Southern California...

Average high school GPA 3.71
SoCal
http://education.yahoo.com/college/facts/9392.html;_ylt=AkuaKDF6Zs4wsJOSMuMf5ZwZvskF

Average high school GPA 3.86
South Carolina
http://education.yahoo.com/college/facts/9382.html;_ylt=AkuaKDF6Zs4wsJOSMuMf5ZwZvskF

Your GPA seems well below the mark, but you have some involvement and SATs to factor in... I'd say plan a back-up, maybe community college for a year, then transfer in. The GPA required will probably be lower (and you start fresh, so you don't have to fight against your freshman year grades).

Answer 3

If you mean USC as in the one in California, you really just don't know until you apply. Work hard and get those service hours and extracurriculars. They are interested in the whole package. Make sure that you let them know about your change of heart with your grades. They aren't interested in the most perfect human beings in the world, they want someone who's down to earth and who really wants to go to their school to work hard and learn. Just try hard to show them that you're a capable, willing student. Good Luck!

Answer 4

slim