My chances into USC - advice about coursework

[druggpharm]

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I graduated from UCI with a cum 3.5 and a low 3.4 science gpa. I have recently completed an econ course at a CC where I got a B 🙁 and am currently taking intro psych and an interpersonal comm class (gonna get a B too). I also need to take public speaking, statistics, anatomy lab and microbiology lab.... which I dont think will be possible to complete by this fall with my full time job. I only have a months experience as a tech with no volunteering experience. I was wondering if I should hold off on applying to USC until next year and attempt to get some hospital volunteering in. Also, is it possible to retake pre-reqs like those two Bs or is there a way to have them not reported if I re-take them at another comm? Also the econ and psych course are both online classes and I know that USC doesnt accept them - but the transcripts dont indicate that they're online - do you think USC will ignore the econ class if I put that it was an online course?

Thanks a lot

 

[SPEC456]

I think you need to report all transcripts from all the universities/colleges that you attended. Im not sure why you are taking online classes when USC specifically states that they do not accept them, and i would expect them to not accept the online classes as credit. Also, i would make sure that you are honest with USC as to how you took the class, since you may run into trouble later on down the road if you are not honest.

 

[druggpharm]

I think you need to report all transcripts from all the universities/colleges that you attended. Im not sure why you are taking online classes when USC specifically states that they do not accept them, and i would expect them to not accept the online classes as credit. Also, i would make sure that you are honest with USC as to how you took the class, since you may run into trouble later on down the road if you are not honest.

It doesn't say that it's an online class in the transcript according to others - but Im deciding on whether or not I should just retake it to get that A.

 

[Drug Doc]

I agree with the second post in terms of avoiding trouble. You can definitely play the cards the way you are planning to do, but just be aware that you might get screwed over later on down the road. For example, hypothetically, lets say they overlook those online courses during admissions and you get interviewed and accepted. Then out of nowhere in the middle of the summer they are like, oh by the way you still need to take these two classes cause it turns out the ones you took didn't satisfy the requirement. Then that would just f'n suck. I know it sounds ridiculous, but admissions is composed of humans after all, so these things happen. If you really do retake the classes I would retake them so that you have them done as regular classes, not to improve your B. Having already graduated with like 150 units, raising two B's to A's is going to have pretty much no affect on your gpa. As far as your chances go, its hard to say. If it was based strictly on gpa I'd say you can expect an interview (I got one with a 3.1, also from UCI). However, I know my ps and ec's were what helped me get all my interviews, so you have to factor all that stuff in as well cause if neither are good then this will detract from your gpa. Best of luck, I'm sure your application will do well.

Oh yeah and almost forgot to say, definitely don't pass up applying if you think you can get all the prereqs done before fall 2009.

 

[LuvCaramelFraps]

Hey drugpharm. I don't think you can retake the econ class if you got a B. I took an online macroecon class at a cc and when I tried retaking the same class in fear of an online class not being accepted, I couldn't register for it. You'll probably have to sign up for the microecon class, which is what I signed up for. USC takes either one. I'm from UCI also.

 

[cystapharm]

they won't take online classes it it says on the transcript that it's online but if it doesn't then they will take it because the structure is made to be like a regular class. i think they won't take online science classes like chemistry etc and some community colleges do indicate that they were from online.
plenty of people have applied to USC with GE courses that were online and from an accredited 2 year college and transferrable.

 

[laimyours]

USC will take online classes, just no science or communication classes. You might want to wait till next year. It seems you have a lot of pre reqs on your list to take and that will only put you at a disadvantage to the students with the same stats and all completed pre reqs, but if time and money aren't an issue for you do it. Your stats are good, you just need some sort of ECs that show leadership, either through a club or volunteering at a hospital would be good also.

 

[Farmercyst]

You've got until August of 09 to finish your coursework. Why would't you apply this year? I applied with Stats, Micro, Molecular, Anat/Phys I&II left and just finished them up Fall/Spring. Granted I was taking 16 units and going to 2 schools while working full-time, but it can certainly be done. (That's right, I had no life...and still don't.)

Report all grades, don't waste your time replacing B's, and call if you're worried about the online courses. If they need you to take a standard course instead of online, register for micro-econ as mentioned above in lieu of trying to redo macro.

 

[druggpharm]

You've got until August of 09 to finish your coursework. Why would't you apply this year? I applied with Stats, Micro, Molecular, Anat/Phys I&II left and just finished them up Fall/Spring. Granted I was taking 16 units and going to 2 schools while working full-time, but it can certainly be done. (That's right, I had no life...and still don't.)

Report all grades, don't waste your time replacing B's, and call if you're worried about the online courses. If they need you to take a standard course instead of online, register for micro-econ as mentioned above in lieu of trying to redo macro.

Did you get in?

 

[druggpharm]

USC will take online classes, just no science or communication classes. You might want to wait till next year. It seems you have a lot of pre reqs on your list to take and that will only put you at a disadvantage to the students with the same stats and all completed pre reqs, but if time and money aren't an issue for you do it. Your stats are good, you just need some sort of ECs that show leadership, either through a club or volunteering at a hospital would be good also.

I have 0 volunteer experience up to this point. If I submit my app and start volunteering this fall, will they take a look at it in time for admissions and interview?
Thanks for info.