University of Southern California is my dream school but my GPA isn't the best in my class. Does anyone know the minimum GPA required to be considered for admission? And do they have a holistic approach towards considering applications, like will they consider other factors if my GPA is not that high?
The University of Southern California (USC) does not have a specified minimum GPA for admission. However, the admitted students' profile suggests that the majority of admitted students have GPAs that are quite high. For the incoming freshman class at USC, the middle 50% of students had a high school GPA between 3.7-3.9 (unweighted).
While a high GPA is important, USC utilizes a holistic review approach for applications, which means that they are looking at more than just your academic performance in high school. They're interested in your extracurricular activities, your fit with the school, your personal essay, and the qualities you bring as an individual. If your GPA isn't in the top range, strong performances in other areas of your application can potentially offset this.
For example, if you have distinctive or high-level (Tier 1 or 2) extracurricular activities, these might help to demonstrate your passion, determination, or leadership skills. Or perhaps you have a thoughtful essay that tells your unique story and demonstrates your ability to contribute something special to the USC community.
Keep in mind, though, that USC is a very competitive school and it is essential to work on raising your GPA as much as possible while also focusing on other aspects of your application. Good luck!
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