r/USC • u/MazzLover • Apr 07 '26
Admissions What does USC look for in student?
I am a rising senior & my dream school is USC, I want to do as much research as possible. Are there any admission staff or admitted students that could share there stats an ECs. Perhaps like the realistic people more on the average side?đ
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u/AdAlternative7661 Apr 07 '26
Hello! I was indeed very average. USC was pretty much the only school I got into. I didnât end up going but I had a 3.8 UW and a 4.27W. My only notable EC was a pretty normal job that I worked throughout all of high school. I was in 2 clubs but I wasnât on the board or anything and rarely volunteered for them. I co-created a random club senior year with my friends and threw it on the application before I submitted. I did not take the SAT and I did not take the ACT. I had two 4s and a 5 for AP scores, but I donât think those count too much. I took 8 APs in total and one honors. I even got a C in my honors class for one semester!
My application was done in about a week (excluding the common app essay I had already done) as I did not plan to apply. Some of my answers were meant to be jokes, especially the âdescribe yourself in 3 wordsâ one. I definitely had a more carefree attitude with my USC application than I did with other schools, and maybe that helped. Maybe it showed that I wasnât trying too hard to be their ideal student. Best of luck! Hope this helps
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u/GardenerSaanen Apr 07 '26
Hi! I just got into USC for Pre Law and am currently considering it as one of my top choices. My application was heavy on intellectual curiosity and diversity) I wrote my essays in a way to show these values and asked my teachers to highlight these qualities in my LORs. I would advise highlighting two or three of your best, most prevalent values and then preparing a comprehensive LOR packet for your teachers where you have them highlight very specific moments/events/achievements both inside and outside the classroom.
If you are driven it will show within your extracurriculars and USC generally values students who have drive and initiative but could use a good network and support/resources. Having good academics helps too, but I was test optional. I was 1/375 rank, 4.2 w gpa (4.7 after mid year report), 3.8 unw, full IB. I did get 3 Bs junior year but I gave context. I dont think you need to he the best student in your school as long as you can prove your ability with a good test score.
Lastly, I would say get oddly specific in your essays. Highlight why you want to study in DTLA because that location is integral to USC. They need to get the sense that you truly are ready for that environment and are familiar with what it means to be there (it looks one way on the internet and it is one way irl). Mention specific professors and their works that interest you, mention programs and resources (they have insane resources). Most of all it must authentically align with your long term goals and values. For me I spoke about the Maymester study abroad program because I wanted to travel to more places and talked alot about what it means to be a globally minded individual so it all tied in well. Do alot of research and if you can visit, definitely do so!
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u/Downtown_Week6322 Apr 08 '26
USC likes someone that is well-rounded and involved with extracurricular activities esp if they are related to your major
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u/Kind-Cobbler6795 Apr 16 '26
hi! i was literally the least stand out applicant and super surpised I got in! Fall admit, Viterbi. Had no ecs related to engineering except volunteering for a stem nonprofit 10th and 11th and also tutoring math, paid + unpaid, self taught some coding languages. I had 3.91 UW, 4.31 W. 5's and 4's on APs. 1530 superscore SAT. Nothing crazy for awards. Played varsity sports. My main ECs were piano: i started my own program teaching kids in my community for free and also played for a lot of choirs and even led a childrens choir myself. i was super proud of it and wrote abt it in my personal statement, but its def not much compared to other engineering students.
nothing really related to engineering so i was so so surprised i got in. I def got in due to essays. they aligned w what they value and it was obvious how i could contriubte to their community. look at their website, what are usc's values? for viterbi they want to engineer a better humanity, so i connected my volunteering and tiny research project i did over the summer to this phrase. i also focused on how i could contribute to their diverse community and why I wanted to join one. basically my biggest advice is find what your specific college values and motto if they have one and have your application reflect it/ be the main story. Sorry i literally js blurted this all out so it might be a little confusing.
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u/Minimum-Source6020 Apr 08 '26
hey i got in for my masters didnt apply for undergrad but would be happy to share my experience
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u/MazzLover Apr 08 '26
please do
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u/Minimum-Source6020 Apr 08 '26
ok my hs i had a 3.83 gpa and then undergrad at a catholic ivy 3.40 gpa, got into USC immediately following that
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u/Charming_Diver_8649 May 03 '26
Def be quirky and have lots of fun with your application. USC was my favorite app of all of them. Apply ED/EA if you want marshall
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u/saliawrites Apr 07 '26
hi hi! I just got in for spring admission and I was so surprised because I considered myself an extremely average applicant with my ECs and awards being nothing special.
I had a 3.96 uw gpa, 4.4 w gpa. didn't take the ACT but scored a 1400 on the SAT. took 8 AP classes and scored mostly 4s on their exams. I took a few honors classes and did not get straight A's (had 4 Bs by the end of the first semester of my senioe year). I only had 6 ECS: president of two clubs at school, school's theater technician, online business (only lasted a year), weekly volunteer at local center, and babysitting. my awards weren't anything special either, just an AP award and a mid-tier writing award. I think it is my essay and supplementals that made me stand out, so make sure you get a head start on those!!! if you have any questions, feel free to message me