How to Know if You Got Into Usc
The University of Southern California (USC) is a highly-ranked private school located in Los Angeles, and, as a result, information technology draws thousands of qualified applicants each year. If you're applying here, you are probably wondering what the USC admissions requirements are and what y'all'll need to stand out equally an applicant. In this commodity, we explicate how to get into USC, offering you specific tips for what you lot tin improve in your awarding. Only showtime, how hard is information technology to become into USC? Feature Image: Ken Lund/Flickr USC is a very selective university with an acceptance rate of simply nether 12%—this means fewer than 1 in 8 students gets accepted. Here'southward how USC's official news website describes its student body: "Average GPA held steady at an impressive iii.88 unweighted, with more than a 3rd earning straight A's throughout high school." Looking at this information alone, we tin can say with confidence that it'due south by and large pretty hard to get into USC. So what kind of applicants is USC looking for? Let'due south take a look. Because USC is so competitive, and because in that location are so many applicants applying each yr, this schoolhouse is looking for the all-time of the best when information technology comes to applicants. Hither's what USC writes about applicants on its website: "Nosotros look for those students nosotros believe volition thrive at USC. Our application process is designed to observe your individual story, so that we might run into how y'all would take advantage of the many opportunities bachelor at USC. … We will review your performance in school, the rigor of your program, writing skills and test scores. Nosotros as well consider personal qualities, every bit revealed in community involvement, leadership and achievements." In add-on to strong numbers (i.e., test scores and grades/GPA), USC wishes to admit applicants with strong "personal qualities." These qualities can be illuminated through either academic or non-academic accomplishments, community service/volunteer efforts, or leadership experiences (for case, possibly you're the captain of the runway team or you once organized a successful food bulldoze at your school). As PrepScholar co-founder and perfect SAT/Act scorer Allen Cheng discusses in his detailed guide to getting into Harvard, USC, like Harvard and other summit schools, prefers applicants with "spikes" in their extracurriculars—those with potent passions for specific activities or interests. After all, with USC's over lx,000 applicants each year, y'all'll definitely demand something to assistance your application stand up out! Here'south how USC describes its almost successful students to give you more of an idea of what they're looking for in applicants: "USC students pursue ambitious intellectual and professional goals by studying across disciplines and taking reward of the diverseness of programs bachelor. They are willing to venture outside their comfort zones. They are interested in the globe, in other peoples and cultures, and enjoy examining important issues from a global perspective." As you can see, USC is looking for applicants who aren't simply academically gifted but who are too willing to challenge their limits, acquire nigh new fields, and assume a global perspective. Different many other private and prestigious universities, USC does not offer an early action/early decision plan to get-go-year students. Therefore, anyone applying to USC must do and so by the same deadline (refer to the side by side section for more information on important dates). While you can't employ early to USC, if USC is indeed your starting time-choice school, it'southward a smart idea to tell the admissions committee this so they can note it in your application. Here's what USC admissions proficient Joe Beltran recommends applicants do in the case USC is their first choice: "Students oft ask me how they tin can let the admission function know that USC is their kickoff choice. It's unproblematic: Just tell us. Tell usa in your application, over email, telephone or in person. And we brand annotation of that. Nosotros add these things to your files if you ask u.s.a. to, and we keep them in mind likewise."* *Assuming emphasis mine Although you can't utilise early to USC to demonstrate your interest in attending the academy, you lot tin can (and definitely should) let the admissions commission know near your interest in it so they can take this into consideration as they sift through the thousands of applications they get. All freshman applicants to USC must employ through the Common Awarding. Here's a checklist of all the major USC admission requirements: As indicated above, certain schools and programs at USC require additional materials from applicants. The following table shows the schools and programs that require supplementary documents and data (in addition to all the components listed above): *Exact supplementary materials required for admission will vary depending on the major. Now, allow'due south accept a expect at all the major USC deadlines , ordered from soonest to latest. Freshman application deadline (this is the regular freshman application deadline without merit scholarship consideration) (For freshman applicants) Terminal mean solar day by which merit scholarship notifications will exist sent out Transfer application borderline for all other programs (For freshman applicants) Fiscal aid deadline for FAFSA and CSS profile applications (For transfer applicants) Financial aid deadline for FAFSA and CSS contour applications (For freshman applicants) Last day by which final access notifications volition be sent out (For transfer applicants) Final mean solar day past which final access notifications volition be sent out (For transfer applicants) Last day by which scholarship status notifications will be sent out At present that y'all know the logistics of applying, permit's accept a look at how to go into USC. What do you demand in your application to increment your chance of getting into USC, one of the most prestigious colleges in the land? Admitted applicants to USC typically have very potent GPAs. For the fall 2021 class, the 25th/75th percentile loftier schoolhouse GPA range was 3.75-iv.0. This means that the majority of admitted applicants had relatively strong grades, getting generally or all As and possibly a few Bs. If your GPA is below 3.75, yous'll most likely have a more difficult time getting into USC. Therefore, it's all-time to aim as high as you can, preferably at least around a three.85, so yous volition exist well to a higher place average but won't suffer too badly if you get a B in one or two classes. If y'all're having problem maintaining a high GPA, figure out which classes are bringing down your grades and then consider spending more time studying for those classes or hiring a tutor to requite you the extra back up you need. Another important aspect USC wants to see in applicants is evidence of a strong and challenging course load. Ideal applicants will have taken a fair share of AP, honors, and/or IB classes. Here'southward how USC describes its ideal applicants on its undergraduate admissions website: "No specific curriculum is prescribed or required, though students offered admission typically pursue the most rigorous plan available to them in English language, mathematics, scientific discipline, social studies, strange language and the arts. Conscientious attention is paid to preparation for the intended major." In addition to doing well in classes, strong applicants will take excelled in a rigorous academic program, especially in classes relevant to their intended majors. If y'all're a inferior or younger and oasis't taken whatever challenging courses yet, try to sign up for some AP, honors, or IB classes the following academic year and for each subsequent year you're in high school. It'south best to choose challenging classes that focus on the fields in which you're already strong or have a large interest in studying. For example, if yous're a science vitrify, yous could take AP Bio or AP Physics. While you don't demand to make every class you take a super hard one, aim to accept well-nigh three to 5 upper-level classes each school year, at the very least starting your junior year. This doesn't necessarily hateful you lot must take the AP tests that go with these courses, though information technology'south not a bad idea to practice so since it might earn you some higher credit! Note: For students applying during 2021-2022, USC is test-optional. For the 2020-2021 application year, 47% of applicants submitted Sat or ACT scores. However, you may yet desire to consider submitting test scores if yous take particularly high scores, or if you feel your scores represent your abilities better than your GPA. In general, USC expects fairly high SAT/ACT scores from potent applicants. Below are the middle 50%, or average, score ranges* for both the SAT and Human activity for the fall 2019 USC freshman form: Sat ACT *The lower score in each range is the 25th percentile (meaning 25% of applicants or fewer got this score), and the college score is the 75th percentile (pregnant 75% or fewer got this score). Clearly, you lot'll need to have a pretty high Sabbatum/ACT score in order to exist considered a competitive applicant to USC. For the Sat, virtually applicants have a minimum score of 1420, or the 95th percentile nationally. Meanwhile, for the Human activity, near applicants have a minimum score of 31, or the 95th percentile nationally. In other words, you'll need to score in the summit five% of exam takers in order to come across only the 25th percentile score at USC. Although getting a score below USC'south 25th percentile threshold doesn't automatically mean y'all'll be rejected, information technology does indicate that it'll probable be harder for y'all to get into USC unless yous have other significantly impressive qualities. If you don't meet this "minimum" threshold (1420 on the SAT and 31 on the Human action), the all-time course of action is to try to heighten your Sat/ACT score. One mode to do this is to make an SAT/ACT study plan that caters to your weaknesses. I also recommend checking out our guides for some tips on how to increase your Saturday or Deed score. If you prefer having more hands-on guidance in your test prep, consider using our online SAT or Human action prep program, which is 100% customized to your exam-prep needs and includes realistic questions written by existent top scorers. In improver to the Common App essay, you're required to write two shorter essays as office of the USC Writing Supplement. Each essay must exist no longer than 250 words, or virtually half the length of a typical college admissions essay. For the offset USC essay, you lot must cull one of iii prompts to respond to: USC believes that one learns all-time when interacting with people of different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Tell us about a time you were exposed to a new idea or when your beliefs were challenged by another bespeak of view. Please discuss the significance of the experience and its effect on y'all. USC kinesthesia place an accent on interdisciplinary academic opportunities. Describe something outside of your intended academic focus about which you are interested in learning. What is something well-nigh yourself that is essential to understanding y'all? Choose the prompt that appeals to you the most and that you'll be able to respond to easily and effectively. For the first prompt, y'all should write about a specific incident in which a belief or opinion of yours was challenged. The central hither is to focus on your reaction and what this detail incident taught you lot about yourself. This could be a political stance, a religious belief, or a personal opinion on a social event. The second prompt is all nigh a field outside your intended major that y'all're also interested in studying. This is a great opportunity to discuss how yous became interested in this particular field and what you lot might exercise with it in the hereafter. For instance, perchance y'all plan to major in calculator scientific discipline but have recently realized, past taking a required art form, that you also have a stiff involvement in learning about the history of paintings. The tertiary essay prompt is quite broad and allows you lot to talk about annihilation you feel is important for the USC admissions committee to know about you. You could introduce a specific interest, skill, or feel you have, or even offer an explanation for a problem in your academic record, such equally a dip in your grades ane semester or a beneath-boilerplate SAT score. In add-on to this first essay, y'all'll have to write a 2nd essay for the USC Writing Supplement. This essay only has one prompt (so you don't get a choice here!): Depict how you lot plan to pursue your bookish interests and why you desire to explore them at USC specifically. Please experience free to accost your outset- and 2nd-choice major selections. This essay prompt simply wants to know what you plan to major in at USC and how you'll achieve your bookish goals as a student. Basically, what's the intellectual path you lot expect to accept at USC? For instance, if you plan to major in English, you could write about how you intend to have a more interdisciplinary arroyo by integrating strange literature classes into your course load. Overall, in order to ensure y'all're submitting two first-class essays to USC, be sure to use specific details, be honest well-nigh your experiences and feelings, and edit and proofread each essay before sending it in. Become more than proficient tips by reading our guide to the USC supplement. It's also important to note that some programs and schools require additional essays or brusk answers. For example, those applying to the Schoolhouse of Architecture must reply extra questions in the Architecture Writing Supplement. These school-specific essays are just every bit important every bit, if not more than, the three general USC essays you must write. Why? Because these essays ask you even more specific questions that chronicle to your intended subject field. Thus, you'll demand to be able to clearly explicate exactly why you're interested in the field/program/school you're applying to. Some programs at USC require the submission of creative portfolios forth with the more than general requirements listed above. If a portfolio is required, it'll probable be one of the about important parts of your application. Make certain your portfolio follows all instructions, is 100% original, and is emblematic of your own creative mind, abilities, and goals. Hither are all the schools at USC that require the submission of a portfolio: USC is a nifty higher in California, but it'south non the only one in that location! If you lot want to attend college in the Golden State, you'll benefit from learning how to utilise to the UC schools and getting info on the cheapest colleges in California. How does USC'southward selectivity compare with those of other top colleges? Get the answer in our guide to the nearly selective schools in the nation! USC likely isn't the merely school you're applying to. Check out our guides to acquire more than near how to get into Columbia and how to go into NYU. Want to get into USC or your personal top choice higher? We can help. PrepScholar Admissions is the earth'south best admissions consulting service. We combine world-class admissions counselors with our data-driven, proprietary admissions strategies. We've overseen thousands of students become into their top choice schools, from state colleges to the Ivy League. Learn more about PrepScholar Admissions to maximize your risk of getting in. 
How Hard Is It to Get Into USC?
What USC Looks For in Applicants
Can Y'all Apply Early Activeness or Early Conclusion to USC?
Don't hide your true feelings—if USC is your showtime choice for college, let them know! Getting Into USC: Logistics and Deadlines
School/Program Required Supplementary Materials Schoolhouse of Architecture Portfolio, Architecture Writing Supplement Roski School of Art and Blueprint Art/Design Essay, list of artistic experiences, portfolio Iovine and Young Academy for Arts, Technology and the Business of Innovation Proposal video, portfolio, interview (if selected) Marshall School of Concern — World Bachelor in Concern Program Video introduction, World Bachelor's Business written prompts (on USC Writing Supplement) USC Schoolhouse of Cinematic Arts* Cinematic Arts Personal Statement, writing sample, creative work sample/portfolio, artistic portfolio list, video/photo sample, video introduction, aspirational portfolio, image essay, audio portrait, autobiographical grapheme sketch, creative challenges, "Most Challenging Moment" task, project question, collaboration question Glorya Kaufman School of Dance Portfolio, which includes: dance resume, short answer, video response to a question, two video solos and descriptions, three video demonstrations, two photographs (a head shot and an action shot), live audition (if selected, depending on COVID-19 situation) USC School of Dramatic Arts* Headshot, drama resume, "Accept Iii" image chore, alphabetic character from drama teacher/coach, essay questions, creative submission, pre-screening audition videos, live audition (depending on COVID-19 state of affairs) Thornton School of Music Portfolio, music resume, repertoire list, introductory video (certain majors but), audience recording, live audition (if selected, depending on COVID-19 situation) December 1, 2021
January 15, 2022
Feb 1, 2022
February xi, 2022
March two, 2022
April 1, 2022
May 31, 2022
Heed these next tips so you tin be the happy face. USC Access Requirements: 5 Tips for Getting In
#1: Go a High GPA
#two: Have a Rigorous, Challenging Course Load
Strong exam scores—and possibly super strong back muscles—volition definitely catch USC's eye. #3: Earn Stiff SAT/ACT Scores
#iv: Write Excellent Essays
A great tip to call up as I write my best-selling novel y'all write your USC essays. #5: Craft an Impressive Portfolio (Required for Certain Programs)
What's Next?
Hannah received her MA in Japanese Studies from the University of Michigan and holds a bachelor'southward degree from the University of Southern California. From 2013 to 2015, she taught English in Japan via the JET Program. She is passionate about education, writing, and travel.
Source: https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-get-into-usc
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