Apply to USC or not?

<p>USC is very generous with non-need based scholarships.
One half tuition is currently offered to NMF. NMF does not guarantee admission to USC.
If you are full pay with NMF USC is one of the best choices, except for great state flagships or attending college in the South if that appeals to the student.
There is a great general information chances thread on the USC link.<br>
Admittance to USC is never a sure thing.</p>

<p>For sure. He knows it’s a reach school. He has safeties on the list like Univ of Colo. Colorado Springs, SDSU, and possibly Cal Baptist for engineering. I guess UCI would be a match even though his SAT is in the 75th %ile of applicants.</p>

<p>Op,
Stats wise, I think that Uci will be a safety. He may even receive the $6k regent scholarship from UCI (I think that this is 1/2 off of tuition?)</p>

<p>Stats wise usc would be a target if he was applying to dornsife majors. USC just becomes more of a lottery when applying for video game design.</p>

<p>^Not necessarily, I wouldn’t count on it. CS is very impact on most UC campus. </p>

<p>I count any school that admits less than 50% of its applicants not a sure thing. Also, the fact that my son is a homeschooler/part time community college student might work against in with more “in the box” schools like the UCs.</p>

<p>Frankly, I know why my oldest didn’t apply to UCs and I wish this son had that option: they are too big, rather impersonal, impacted, classes are large, etc. etc.</p>

<p>But UCI does have some things to commend it. Obviously USC has the number one game design program, thus making admissions very, very selective, I have no doubt. I guess it would come down to my son’s portfolio. As I said before (I think), I helped a girl with a 1700 SAT get in, and her portfolio was a big reason why.</p>

<p>But of course, my original question was about affording it, should my son actually get in…</p>

<p>I meant not to count on Regents at UCI, I think he will be admitted.</p>

<p>Yes, I never even gave Regent a thought, to be honest. He’s not a superstar student. He will show better at schools where he can submit a portfolio and write more essays and possibly interview.</p>