University education is one of the most essential steps in anyone’s life and marks the transition into adulthood. Your university experience should be a mixture of high-quality education that prepares you to have a successful career along with a fun, social adventure that also teaches you many life lessons. That’s why the choice of university is the first major decision you’ll make for yourself as you become an adult in the making. The University of Southern California (USC) is a popular choice for many students for being one of the top universities in the U.S. Here’s all you need to know about what it takes to get into USC.
1. Working Hard in High School
When it comes to a selective university like USC, your performance in high school is the basis of the many requirements you need to get accepted. Your GPA is the minimum requirement that determines whether you’re considered or immediately rejected. To have your application move into the next level of the admission process, you need a mix of A’s and B’s (with more A’s) and a GPA ranging between 3.72-3.99 which was the average for the class of 2019. Lower GPAs can pass if they are compensated with AP, honors, or IB classes which are much harder and will show you are different from the average student.
2. Acing Your SAT or ACT
The University of Southern California requires applicants to submit either an SAT or ACT score, but you still have the choice to present both. The minimum score for the SATs is 1350 which puts you in the ‘below average’ category. Having a 1530 and higher SAT score is what it takes to be considered ‘above average’. Luckily, USC’s score choice policy is ‘highest section’ which means you can take the SATs as many times as you want and submit the highest scores you highest section scores across all SAT dates you submit, also known as ‘super scoring’. As for the ACTs, the average scores range between 31-34. The university technically has no minimum score required for ACTs, but scores below 30 are improbable to help you get in. The best thing about ACTs is that you can choose which test score to send whereas with SATs, you have to send the scores for all the tests you’ve undertaken.
3. Going The Extra Mile
Trying to get into the University of Southern California is all about setting yourself apart from the thousands of students applying. If you have already decided that you want to get into USC, try to get ahead and take as many useful and unique extracurricular activities at school. Whether it’s sports, volunteer programs, social clubs, etc, it can go a long way in getting accepted into USC. You can do some research on which extracurricular activities that colleges like USC are interested in and use your strengths to stand out among applicants.
4. Getting Your Paperwork in Order
Your paperwork is the most important aspect of the admission process because it contains all the things that will get you into USC. If your submitted paperwork is missing any forms or required admission papers, it could highly jeopardize your chances of getting into USC. The admission requirements of USC are as follows: the application form, your high school transcript, and GPA, SAT or ACT scores, a letter of recommendation, and the USC supplemental essay. These are the basic admission requirements, but you should still check if the program you’re applying to requires any additional material like a portfolio or writing sample.
5. Writing Awesome Essays
As a part of the admission process, you are required to write three essays. Each essay should range between 250-650 words and you will be given several prompts to choose from. You should know that the USC acceptance rate ranges between 13-17%, so you need to make sure your essay stands out. These essays should not only show you advanced writing skills but also your personality and strong personal traits which are also taken into consideration during admission. Make sure you read and follow the instructions carefully and mention things you’ve achieved or express opinions that show your passion.
6. Dazzling At Your Interview
When it comes to what it takes to get into the University of Southern California, academics aren’t everything. Once you’re a USC student, you would be representing the school for 4 or more years, which is why the admission office also puts one’s character into consideration. They are conducted by admission officers, admission interns, or USC alumni. The main aim is to get to know more about your background, interests, and what motivates you. They are usually 25 minutes long and require a business casual attire dress code. All you need to do at this interview is to relax and be yourself, there’s no need to treat it like a test.
That’s pretty much all it takes to get into the University of Southern California. It may seem like a long, difficult process but all it needs is some hard work and patience mixed with creativity and you can make your USC dreams a reality. Approach the process with confidence and after a lot of research regarding the university itself as well as your major’s program to showcase your knowledge in your application and interview. It will show your dedication and passion toward wanting to join the USC family and won’t go unnoticed.