How lenient is USC on applications because of COVID-19?

Answered

Not lenient at all is the simple answer. USC mostly likely will not consider admitting a non-ALDC candidate with lower than a 3.0 GPA . In the last common data set 98.92% had an unweighted GPA above 3.00. Only 1.6% had a GPA between a 3.00 and 3.24. The most likely explanations for admitting someone with a lower than 3.25 GPA is that they were recruited athletes for key varsity positions the coaches advocated for on their football or basketball teams. Or they were development candidates whose parents donated $$$$$. It's doubtful that even if you were a legacy or a child of faculty you'd get in with a 3.00 or even a 3.4.

Otherwise your standard USC admit is going to have to have a 3.83 UWGPA according to their filings. I looked at the 2019-2020 CDS as well and they only show 1.62% having a GPA under 3.00 and the avg UWGPA being 3.81.

My recommendation is to look at other universities. Getting to a 3.8 will not be possible with the limited time you have left which is 2 grading periods.

Good luck.

I'm so sorry the pandemic was very tough on you. Unfortunately, GPA is pretty important these days, especially now that schools like USC are test optional. Given that the average unweighted GPA of accepted students at USC runs from around 3.59 to 3.89, you can safely conclude that a 3.0 is far out of range. In fact, it's likely so far out of range, that you won't be seriously considered, even if you have excellent test scores and extracurriculars to make up for it. While admissions officers will definitely take the difficulties you faced during the pandemic into account, a 3.0 is probably just too low.

This doesn't mean you can't get into great schools and have a terrific college experience! There are many good schools that will accept students with 3.0 GPAs. You might have time to raise your GPA before you graduate high school, and, if you're unhappy with where you begin college, you can always transfer.

Wishing you the best of luck.

that's not too low, apply and see what happens. if you don't get in have backup schools to fall back on.