how I got into usc (stats, ec's, essays, etc.)

hi!! I'm excited to finally upload more than just my usual video montages and whatnot haha. I've gotten questions from a lot of people regarding applying to USC or just the whole college application process as a whole, so I wanted to make this video for you to use as a guide and give you an example of what one applicant can look like. I know it's long, so here are time stamps for specific sections:
00:45 background
01:55 ACT/SAT
03:37 GPA
03:55 classes
04:52 advice regarding stats
05:55 activities/extracurriculars
09:52 advice regarding activities
11:49 common app essay (12:23 actual reading)
16:46 USC supplements
21:57 additional info
22:30 advice regarding writing
23:50 recommendation letters
25:18 final advice!
I hope you find this helpful, and good luck on your applications! you'll do amazing and end up where you belong :)
if you're interested in the Al Neuharth Free Spirit & Journalism Conference, check it out here: www.freedomforuminstitute.org...
Camera: Canon Rebel T6i
Editing: Adobe Premiere Pro
Thumbnail: Procreate
follow me on IG! @_gginaaa
EDIT: someone I went to school with told me that I was definitely not below average at my high school, and it was a good reminder of something I want to share with you, too, if you read down this far I guess. I thought I was average/below average because of my lack of talent in STEM, but I tend to forget that I did excel in other areas. being terrible at chemistry and biology and choosing to take the bare minimum doesn't make me any lesser than those who went on and took organic chem or ap physics-calculus. students can be great in different ways.

[@patclmnt]

thank you so much for this video!! usc is my dream school, and this video gave me so much insight into the college application process (especially for usc). wishing you all the best in your college journey!!

[@festivegina]

thank you!! i'm so glad it helped! :)

[@monkeydevil6663]

This was such a great video, GINAAAAAAA! love and miss you ❤️

[@festivegina]

omg katy thank you!!

[@saraholiveiracondelli9792]

i absolutely loved this video!! everything you included was so insightful. you’re an incredible writer

[@saraholiveiracondelli9792]

i have a question though, how do you find information on professors? I’m struggling in my research a little

[@festivegina]

@@saraholiveiracondelli9792 thank you so much sarah!! i usually google searched "[university name] faculty directory" or i would go to the specific department/school on the university's website and search up or dig for a faculty directory. they usually have a little bio or background that will help you recognize more specifics in that department that might interest you! hope this helps :)

[@yanntanyi]

What an amazing video!!! This is my dream college (I’m in 11th grade) and I hope to be here in 2 years 🤞🏾🤞🏾

[@festivegina]

thank you omg! wishing you the best of luck!!

[@Bojocampo]

did you get in LOL I just noticed its been 2 years

[@user-mk3yi2ol9c]

such a beautiful common app essay

[@SubhiSundaram]

this was very helpful thank you for sharing!! USC is my dream school gah

[@festivegina]

ahh I'm so glad it helped and I hope you get in!!

[@prettyclassybear7683]

I hope she starts uploading college vlogs. I would love to watch them. 💕

[@albinaerbolatova22]

You have the best personality

[@astra1911]

Your common app essay was so interesting! Also, what song did you use at 10:50?

[@tramvu1042]

Thank you for this video! I really like your writing style and usc has the cutest merch I swear :P i’m in the process of applying and pls do more usc related videos (like life at usc and stuff). Also i was wondering if you’d be open to read a draft of my essay since you went thru that process? Thanks~ :)

[@festivegina]

aw thank you!! good luck with your application! feel free to dm me on insta and I can definitely give your essay a read. as soon as I'm able to move out to LA, I will for sure be filming and uploading :)

[@stevenbest6470]

Congratulations! I earned undergraduate and graduate degrees from usc. Very challenging Marshall course but definitely worth the long study hours. Best wishes

[@festivegina]

thank you so much!!

[@ngocvo5992]

This is so amazing! Thank you. Do you have to address both choices of major in the why USC and why major essay?

[@festivegina]

hi!! thank you sm! yes, I highly highly recommend addressing both. not only does it show you didn't bs and put some random major with no reason, but it also shows you're being open-minded and willing to explore different areas of study :)

[@davidha202]

Really good job. What is USC ?

[@festivegina]

@@davidha202 university of southern california!

[@davidha202]

@@festivegina thanks Gina

[@e1is4km]

hey gina! this was an AMAZING essay! my dream school is usc annenberg and i was wondering if that was where you were admitted for journalism? how has your experience been so far?

[@festivegina]

hi!! thank you SO much. yes I was admitted into annenberg. I've only taken one class so far at annenberg and it's been really chill tbh. it was ascj 200 which every journalism and comm major has to take, and I really loved how the course maintains a certain structure and learning objectives throughout the years, but no two semesters are the same. the professor integrates pop culture and current events into the lessons and discussions which is pretty cool and makes it more engaging (which we desperately needed for online school). I hope you get in!!

[@e1is4km]

@@festivegina thank you so much!!! sounds absolutely amazing 😭✌️❤️💛

[@aysenurpamukcu6868]

Hi gina i love your vid i hope you get more and more successful at yt i have a question im in my junior year and i literally have no extracurriculars plus i don't live in usa do you have any tips that might help me. I hope you have your best time in usc it's my dream college too!!!

[@festivegina]

aw thank you!! if you don't have extracurriculars available to you in school, i highly recommend going out into your community and look for opportunities there! look into local organizations or events you might be interested and reach out to them to see if/how you can get involved with them. if you have any interest in certain careers, it could be beneficial to see if there's anyone in your area that would allow you to shadow them just to learn more. extracurriculars don't always have to be academic or school clubs--they just tend to be the most readily available for students. hope this helps!! :)

[@aysenurpamukcu6868]

@@festivegina ok thank you so much.. i'll def utilize your tips i just hope I'm not late to it thanks again for this beautiful vid :))

[@brandonalex466]

usc is my dream school my mom dad and older sister went there im in 7th grade

[@festivegina]

good luck when the time comes for you to apply!

[@satyendrag4941]

Can someone please help me out with my essays?

[@JordansChronicles]

I’m applying for 2021

[@festivegina]

good luck!!!

[@arianaescober3108]

Hello!! I graduated next year I have to apply this year or I hace I to wait until the next?

[@festivegina]

hii you would have to apply this year! the deadline to be considered for scholarships is december 1!

[@arianaescober3108]

@@festivegina can you help me explaining me more plisss how is the application my ig username is @arianaescober19

[@yeuemgiuadoiquenlang]

Do you need to have a car if you stay in school dorm? Thank you

[@festivegina]

hi! so as far as requirements, no you don't need a car. however, i haven't been to campus yet so i can't say whether or not you should bring one. it might help to be able to go do stuff off campus, but since i live so far away, i'm just gonna hope my friends in california will have cars

[@cameronthomas3249]

We all dream to be as cool and accomplished as Gina Nguyen

[@festivegina]

no u !

[@AM-id5ry]

“So basically, my parents…”