USC interview dilemma

[thaliagoo]

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What would you do if you were me...

So I got invited to USC and first I was like yay. Then I realized I don't really want to go to USC. Here are the reasons:
1- they require this weird Human Communications course and if I go there, I have to take class over the summer so my vacation plans are shot (I was planning to go to China)
2- it's a private school so I can't save $$$ on tuition. I'd rather go to UCSD or UCSF but I know I'm gonna get rejected from UCSD b/c my interview was HORRIBLE (i'm ashamed).
3-i'm dead last on their interview list so i dont have much of a shot anyway. this is partly my fault b/c i postmarked my app on Nov 1, their deadline and was writing my essay the night before (don't ask)

My interview at Univ MD went well so I think my chances are much higher at MD and I'd rather go to MD than USC, though UCSF is my first choice. So my question is, should I still go to USC for the interview????

 

[thaliagoo]

Oh, and another reason not to go to USC-- it's in a bad part of LA!
My conversation w/ my friend:

Friend[2:56 PM]:
ya i went to usc
Myself[2:57 PM]:
is it in a ghetto part of LA?
Friend[2:57 PM]:
The campus is safe....but right outside the campus gates...it's ghetto
Myself[2:58 PM]:
oh ok
Myself[2:58 PM]:
are ppl shot outside of campus?
Friend[2:58 PM]:
no

 

[TrojanAnteater]

uh, yeah don't come

 

[Baxter81]

uh, yeah don't come

LOL...Campus is crawling with gangsters..I'm in a gang to..west side fo life!
Yea, don't interview, so my other friends can get a chance to interview.

 

[gmohamma]

I hope I get to be a TrojanAnteater too!!!!!!!

 

[thaliagoo]

Ok, I didn't mean for anyone to take offense. If my post was a little cocky, then my apologies. I'm not good at planning so I do everything the day before, and that's the truth. I realize that some people spent a lot of time on their apps and are still not hearing from USC, so I guess what I said might have sound insensitive.

The truth is, I've already spent a lot of $$$ on interviews and if I think about it, then I only need to get into one school. Why waste $$$ if you aren't planning to go there? And honestly, I don't think I have as strong a chance as getting in USC anyways. And really, the whole conversation was meant as a joke.

If you have advice, then I'm open. I'm not here to brag or make anyone feel bad.

 

[blizz]

If you don't really want to go there, then you should not interview. You will be giving someone a chance to go to a school they like. It sounds like you don't want to go to USC because of the "ghetto" area that it is in. I wouldn't take this as the main reason you don't want to go there. Have you done enough research on the program, extensive network, research, rotations? This is much more important than the location. In summary, every school has a negative, but if you truly don't want to interview, then don't! And from a traveler's prospective, a summer comm class should only take a month to complete, you'll still have time to go to China if you plan accordingly.

Also, I'm curious to find out why you are ashamed of your UCSD interview?

 

[LittleMissB]

Where are you located, Thaliagoo? If USC is driving distance from you AND if it's before your UCSF interview, then I'd say just go. Since you feel your UCSD interview didn't go that great, maybe your interview at USC can serve as a little additional practice? I think the more questions you encounter and the more you put yourself out there in front of interviewers, the stronger of an interviewee you'll be. I've gone to a couple of interviews where I knew I wasn't going to attend the school for that reason (additional practice). Also, you seem to have not-that-great of an impression of USC. Perhaps attending the interview, speaking with the students and faculty, and asking questions during the Q&A with the P4s there may give you a new perspective. What if at the interview you find out that you really do like the school after all? You don't know that you won't get in... and it would be a shame to miss out on such an opportunity.

 

[thaliagoo]

Hey guys,

Thanks for your honest responses.

To answer your question about the UCSD interview blizz-- I felt stupid that I did so horrible. At the interview, whenever I said anything out loud, it sounded... bad. Maybe it was a mental thing, but pretty soon my mind was blank and my throat was dry. I stalled with my answers and looking back now, I'm not sure if anything I said even made logical sense (yes, i'm serious). They were obviously questions I could've answered in a normal frame of mind, but I can't even explain the feeling. One thing for sure: I was definitely unprepared. I got home from abroad Jan 19 and my interview was Jan 21. Some people do fine at these things, but I'm not sure what got into me that day. Does that make sense? It's a shame too since UCSD is an awesome school.

Anyhow, my biggest reason against USC would be the summer course (you're right, only a small sacrifice) and the tuition which I calculated to be about $40k/year as opposed to $20k/yr like the other schools. Then again, maybe they give fin aid. And I'm from the east coast so travelling to cali has made quite a dent on my pocket, that would be the last reason. I haven't done much research on USC but I'm not worried about it-- I'm sure USC is a fine school in that area.

I get the feeling from reading posts that a lot of ppl have already been accepted so I thought there were only few spots left but I may be wrong. And you're definitely right about feeling different once I get there. I usually like the schools a lot better when I visit.

Anyhow, thanks for the replies and good luck w/ your interviews as well.

 

[calrx]

Thaliagoo-- a successful interview does not guarantee that you will be accepted to UMD. I'm not trying to be mean, I just want you to think realistically. Hundreds of people interview at schools every year and don't get accepted. Have you been accepted anywhere else? What if something happens and you don't get accepted to UMD? If I were you, I would keep all of my "doors" open at this point.

I hope you get that acceptance letter from UMD soon!🙂

 

[DC1120]

Hi Thalagoo, did you get an interview for UCSF yet?

 

[DC1120]

I read from somewhere that if you get your interviews for usc on the feb date or the march date, your chances are pretty slim because they only accept 20 out of 150 people they interview? is that correct?

 

[homersimp]

---i agree wid Calrx---

 

[sweetemo]

i went to the 1/21 interviews at USC and they explained that for EACH of the FOUR interview dates held, they will immediately (meaning about a month after each interview date) admit 20 people out of all the interviews for each given date. Those "immediate" acceptances will amount to about less than half of the class total (80 out of 185). Then they will put several people on hold or reject you. Later on, all these people on hold will be reviewed near the end of the admissions cycle (around April) and then they will send out the rest of the invites for more than half the class.

They also explained that they have a ranking/point system that uses your GPA, interview and interview essay scores. They will look at the rankings and review the applications personally for a final invite decision. You should take into consideration that they probably invite more than actually would enroll too. If you look at the overall matriculation rate, out of all the applications they get, USC interviews 500-600 out of 1000 applications, so the odds are 1 out of 2 to get an interview. Then the invites would be about 185 out of the 500-600 interviews, the odds would be then about 1 out of 3. Honestly, the odds aren't that bad at all so if you've done your homework, and checked all the boxes, finished up all your requirements, you have nothing you should worry about.

taking one communications class isn't a big deal you could probably still sign up now to take it this spring at some local JC even if you want to spare your summer. plus the interpersonal communications is actually very useful and it is an easy A, a very laid back class. i had a lot of fun with mine, and you can learn more about relationships and how to handle your own emotions and other people's emotions, something that will be invaluable down the line.

at an information session early last fall, the admissions director mentioned that they prefer entering students to have taken their pre-reqs before summer and have it all done by end of spring. but if you still got an interview invite you shouldn't opt out since you did make the effort to apply in the first place. if you are just anxious about the outcome and the whole application process that is one thing to consider and calm yourself down about. but if you really don't want to go to USC then make that serious decision and don't waste more time and money to go to an interview.

Cheers and good luck!

 

[LittleMissB]

i went to the 1/21 interviews at USC and they explained that for EACH of the FOUR interview dates held, they will immediately (meaning about a month after each interview date) admit 20 people out of all the interviews for each given date. Those "immediate" acceptances will amount to about less than half of the class total (80 out of 185). Then they will put several people on hold or reject you. Later on, all these people on hold will be reviewed near the end of the admissions cycle (around April) and then they will send out the rest of the invites for more than half the class.

They also explained that they have a ranking/point system that uses your GPA, interview and interview essay scores. They will look at the rankings and review the applications personally for a final invite decision. You should take into consideration that they probably invite more than actually would enroll too. If you look at the overall matriculation rate, out of all the applications they get, USC interviews 500-600 out of 1000 applications, so the odds are 1 out of 2 to get an interview. Then the invites would be about 185 out of the 500-600 interviews, the odds would be then about 1 out of 3. Honestly, the odds aren't that bad at all so if you've done your homework, and checked all the boxes, finished up all your requirements, you have nothing you should worry about.

taking one communications class isn't a big deal you could probably still sign up now to take it this spring at some local JC even if you want to spare your summer. plus the interpersonal communications is actually very useful and it is an easy A, a very laid back class. i had a lot of fun with mine, and you can learn more about relationships and how to handle your own emotions and other people's emotions, something that will be invaluable down the line.

at an information session early last fall, the admissions director mentioned that they prefer entering students to have taken their pre-reqs before summer and have it all done by end of spring. but if you still got an interview invite you shouldn't opt out since you did make the effort to apply in the first place. if you are just anxious about the outcome and the whole application process that is one thing to consider and calm yourself down about. but if you really don't want to go to USC then make that serious decision and don't waste more time and money to go to an interview.

Cheers and good luck!

I hope you're right about USC only admitting 20 people from each round... but my P1 friend there who was working at the interviews told me they accepted ~ 60 from the first round. Also, I read this on one of the threads from back in December:

This is something another SDN user stated: "okay, I got my "active consideration" status letter from USC...anyone else get theres? For the curious minds, the letter states that of 150 applicants 62 were admitted and 88 are on the "..." "

😕

 

[sweetemo]

hi littlemissB,

i was just reporting what they told us at the interview session, they gave us a little talk at first to sorta get us relaxed and let us know exactly what to expect.

but yeah you are right, i also heard they admitted 60 from the first round, and then again i also realized that they told us at the interview that everyone gets a small envelope whether you get in, or are on hold, or are out. but then i ended up getting a large envelope yesterday, and it just says that i'm admitted pending my prereqs are all complete (which is another question I have since I did complete everything). so after all this, i'm starting to think maybe they were just psyching us up to be on our ball by telling us only 20 out of the entire group of interviewees that day were getting admitted =P. i'm sure they make exceptions but i had thought it got more competetive with each subsequent interview going by, but they were trying to reassure us all that the odds were the same for each interview date.

well i think overall you have great odds of getting in once you are interviewed, but yeah i agree its a little confusing

I hope you're right about USC only admitting 20 people from each round... but my P1 friend there who was working at the interviews told me they accepted ~ 60 from the first round. Also, I read this on one of the threads from back in December:

This is something another SDN user stated: "okay, I got my "active consideration" status letter from USC...anyone else get theres? For the curious minds, the letter states that of 150 applicants 62 were admitted and 88 are on the "..." "

😕

 

[LittleMissB]

hi littlemissB,

i was just reporting what they told us at the interview session, they gave us a little talk at first to sorta get us relaxed and let us know exactly what to expect.

but yeah you are right, i also heard they admitted 60 from the first round, and then again i also realized that they told us at the interview that everyone gets a small envelope whether you get in, or are on hold, or are out. but then i ended up getting a large envelope yesterday, and it just says that i'm admitted pending my prereqs are all complete (which is another question I have since I did complete everything). so after all this, i'm starting to think maybe they were just psyching us up to be on our ball by telling us only 20 out of the entire group of interviewees that day were getting admitted =P. i'm sure they make exceptions but i had thought it got more competetive with each subsequent interview going by, but they were trying to reassure us all that the odds were the same for each interview date.

well i think overall you have great odds of getting in once you are interviewed, but yeah i agree its a little confusing

Yeah seriously!! They don't totally tell the truth . I think it is what you said... that they want to get us all hyped up for the interview / get us to give it our best thinking that only a handful will get in. I don't know... maybe. I get the feeling more than 20 people got accepted on January 21st. I mean, it looks like a lot of people here on SDN got accepted from that date. There's got to be many non-SDNers who got in too. I wonder... if any of you from the first USC interview are reading this, did they tell your group that only 20 were going to get in?

 

[ICA]

Yeah seriously!! They don't totally tell the truth . I think it is what you said... that they want to get us all hyped up for the interview / get us to give it our best thinking that only a handful will get in. I don't know... maybe. I get the feeling more than 20 people got accepted on January 21st. I mean, it looks like a lot of people here on SDN got accepted from that date. There's got to be many non-SDNers who got in too. I wonder... if any of you from the first USC interview are reading this, did they tell your group that only 20 were going to get in?

Haha.. they told us approximately 15 - 20 students will be accepted immediately back in November. I'd like to think that I was one of those 15 - 20. 😉