<p>So my son sent an email to USC Admissions on the study abroad program. Here are their answers:</p>
<p>Should you decide to attend AUP in the fall, it would be the equivalent of attending a local community college or four-year institution for a semester and having those courses transfer to USC when you begin your tenure here as a spring student. Our partnership with AUP (and other study abroad institutions) has to do with the coursework being transferable, and USC is currently working with AUP to ensure that classes available to you would be. It does not change your spring status. You would need to apply to AUP for financial aid for the fall semester and it does not impact your status as a spring applicant at USC, as you will need to apply for financial aid at USC for your spring term. They are separate institutions and it may help to think of them that way.</p>
<p>Because this program has just launched, we are not sure of the number of participants in the fall at this time. Many are simply looking into it as a possible option, as you are.</p>
<p>They gave us a contact at AUP by the name of Brad Walp <a href="mailto:bwalp@aup.edu">bwalp@aup.edu</a></p>
<p>So we will be reaching out to him for answers as well.</p>
<p>I just learned that a website for this program will be available next week. A few features that I was told about:</p>
<p>The application process is easy. They will get a copy of your USC app, review it and then admit.
Financial aid will be available. They use FAFSA.
Housing will be in apartments with other AUP students; not necessarily just USC students. In a way this is good because students have someone who already knows how things work and how to get around.
There is no official meal plan but housing does have kitchens, there is a place called the Amex at AUP for meals and, of course, restaurants. (My son does not cook and is a picky eater so this should be “interesting” for him.)
Importantly, they will have reviewed and vetted all the courses that will transfer over to USC. So this takes all the guesswork out of that process.
They will be taking up to 4 courses in the Fall.
This is the first year of the program so there may still be kinks to be worked out.</p>
<p>This is an exciting option, GamerGal and your S may be a pioneer. Thanks for keeping up the great reports.</p>
<p>If anyone is thinking about the Fall semester for USC Spring Admits program at AUP, there will be a separate online application to complete so you should not be applying via their standard application process. </p>
<p>I was looking at the Spring Admits Facebook page and someone said they had already applied to this program. I am not sure if they used the regular app link or what they used but the AUP USC page should be posted next week and we will be notified via email when it is available. If the USC Spring Admits Facebook page is any indication there are a lot of Spring admits who want to do the program… probably more than they can admit.</p>
<p>I just got out of a USC admitted student session with my son. I was able to speak with the financial aid director about the AUP program. He said the only FA that will be available is federal student loans: no grants and no scholarships.</p>
<p>All Spring Admits just received an email with the AUP Study Abroad link. I am not sure if CC removes links but I thought I would try:
<a href=“USC: Fall Semester | The American University of Paris”>http://www.aup.edu/admissions/undergraduate/university-of-southern-california-fall</a> </p>
<p>I spoke with the admissions director at AUP yesterday and so far 40 spring admits had signed up to have their USC apps sent to AUP for review. In a previous conversation he said they were taking 30 students max. I have a feeling many kids may decline once they see the cost. </p>
<p>Does anyone know when they let students know if they are admitted to the program? I sent my app into AUP a few days ago so I’m not expecting anything soon but it would be nice to have some idea whats going on during the fall semester.</p>
<p>They said that once you submit your name and other info in that short form that that authorizes USC to send them your application materials. Honestly, if USC accepted you I am fairly sure AUP will as well. It is almost a technicality.</p>
<p>I understand that part however my concern is the amount of spaces- this program seems to good to be true and it would be such a shame if many spring admits couldn’t do it because they’re capping it at 30 people. </p>
<p>I think that if you respond quickly whenever they ask you to do something including sending in a deposit to reserve a space, you should be fine. I also sense they may increase the cap beyond 30. I think they are surprised at the positive response.</p>
<p>Oh, ok! Glad to hear it. And now more waiting! </p>
<p>They have also sent this same offer to Sophomore admits as well. My daughter has already sent in the request and is now waiting to hear. This may impact the ability for Spring admits if many sophomore admits commit to 1 year, vs 1 semester, the revenue driven by the university would be greater. I hope they do open the up more spots, but the cost is very high when you factor in travel and food, probably $65,000+ for the year!</p>
<p>For those who already were accepted to the AUP program you should have received your NetID today. Since your place in the class is first come first serve you will want to pay your 500 Euro deposit ASAP.</p>
<p>My son received an email yesterday from the President of AUP (link to a 2 minute YouTube video) telling him he had won a scholarship. We have no idea of the amount or whether it is need-based or merit-based. Anyone else get this?</p>
<p>Yikes! Congratulations GamerGal27. You and your son are exploring the new frontier with this new AUP option. And a scholarship!! How cool.</p>
<p>So my son’s full admission packet and scholarship letter came today. The scholarship is a merit scholarship and was pretty small. Actually we didn’t expect anything and he got $0 merit from USC so we should be satisfied with receiving anything. I am not sure when the full FA letter arrives. We will probably get the other half of the subsidized and unsubsidized loans (since the USC Spring FA package only had half the amounts) and that’s about it.</p>
<p>Looks like I will need to come up with a hefty amount to pay for this. Good thing I have been saving and this year my business is doing well.</p>
<p>So my son was not bumped up to the Fall which means he will be going to AUP! Now I can serious about the Visa, flight arrangements, etc. For those also waiting to know about being bumped up, you need to create and check your USC email. </p>
<p>Congrats to all your students pursuing the USC TTP Freshman Year in Paris for their inaugural program. I saw this CLOSED FB page. You are welcome to join. Lots of info are being shared on the site…</p>
<p><a href=“https://www.facebook.com/groups/617943298283760/”>https://www.facebook.com/groups/617943298283760/</a></p>
<p>It does not allow the link but if you search USC Parents of AUP, you can find it. ;)) </p>