<p>Firstly - thank you :)! I'm applying to USC as a junior via RHP, but I can only afford to go if I receive at least a half-tuition scholarship. </p>
<p>I know chances are arbitrary, but if you can provide some realistic input (e.g. "Laurier, you need a serious reality check if you bank on getting a scholarship!"), I would greatly appreciate any insight.</p>
<p>Thanks again!</p>
<p>Academics
GPA: 3.96 UW, 4.1 W
Class Rank: 11/650
SAT: 2360 (780 CR, 780 M, 800 W)
SAT II: -- (taking Math 2 next week)
AP Scores: 5, 5 (Euro, Comp Sci)
Junior Year Schedule: 5 AP's</p>
<p>Honors
FBLA National - 10th place
FBLA State - 1st place
Scholastic Art & Writing - Silver Key journalism (state-level)
National Honor Society</p>
<p>Extracurriculars & Community Service
FBLA: chapter representative (at state level), designed a service-learning campaign (later "officially" adopted by the school)</p>
<p>City's Business Development department: desk intern (volunteer - 10 hrs/wk), learned business office procedures</p>
<p>As all accepted RH students are already awarded the Deans 1/4 scholarship, I really question whether they would bump you up to a 1/2 tuition scholarship, instead of offering merit $ to other top seniors that they want to attract. Did your PSAT score qualify you for NMSF? If so, you may want to get 1 more year of HS under your belt, continue earning great grades and AP scores, apply as a senior, and if you are accepted you WILL automatically get a 1/2 tuition scholarship as a NMF. food for thought.</p>
<p>Laurier,
Have you read through the points in the USC financial aid thread? SC uses both the FAFSA and the CSS profile. Calculate the financial aid you might receive. Students MAY in certain cases, receive aid in addition to a scholarship. Also, a summer job and work study job at SC should be of some help.</p>
<p>Will you apply as a music major? In that case an audition is required if you will be a performance major.</p>
<p>You have an excellent record at your high school.</p>
<p>menloparkmom - Hmmm, good point. Thanks for the feedback. I definitely need to evaluate the cost-benefits of one more year of high school vs. starting early at USC. Frankly, the latter sounds much more exciting and challenging, but in light of financial restraints, perhaps applying as a senior would be more beneficial. </p>
<p>Do you think I have a shot at Trustee/Presidential? Or should I wait til senior year to apply, given that my PSAT will likely fall above the NMSF California cutoff?</p>
<p>Georgia Girl - Thank you for the pointers! I don’t think I will receive any financial aid though, since my parents are somewhat “upper middle-class.” However, my parents also expect me to fund my own tuition (they are willing to pay “some, but don’t count on it”), so that’s why USC - with its excellent merit aid opportunities - stands out for me.</p>
<p>Are you a current student? If so, would you say that USC is worth it - if you had to take out a $90K loan? </p>
<p>if you had to take out a $90K loan?
NO COLLEGE is worth a $90K loan, not these days, so get that idea out of your head once and for all . [Would you ask your parents to buy a $90k Mercedes instead of settling for a Nissan?] In addition, YOU would not be able to get a loan of that size- your parents would be the ones that would have to apply. Since you are in Calif, you CAN get an UG degree at a UC or a combination of a CC and UC for a lot less $$.
That said, why dont you call admissions, ask to speak to a supervisor and ask them if RHP applicants with PSAT scores that exceed the NMSF’s cutoff would qualify for the 1/2 National Merit scholarship/ Presidential scholarship. I’m sure that most accepted RHP students have also had hi PSAT scores, so they should be able to answer that question.</p>
<p>I think the answer will likely be no,as you are a JR not a Sr [lots of paperwork is involved with NMF and your GC at your school, and that paperwork is already being processed for NMSF seniors] so my advice is to stay in school one more year, continue to do great, and apply next year, when you have a FAR greater chance of BOTH acceptance at USC AND winning at least a 1/2 tuition scholarship.</p>
<p>And you need to sit down with your parents and have a serious discussion with them about $$ , how much college , room and board, books, etc actually costs these days and how much exactly they are willing/ can afford to spend. Nothing will be gained if you apply to colleges that are too expensive for their budget, are accepted and cant afford to go. I also suggest you spend a lot of time over on CC’s Financial aid Forum, and check out colleges that DO award full tuition scholarships, and even free rides to top students. There is a lot of Merit $$ available for tip-top students. You can and will go to college, but dont make the mistake of going into debt in order to do so.</p>
<p>Also, just keep in mind that even with the generous NMF Presidential and additional merit funds, it is costing us around 31-32k for USC for D this year (full pay parents). We are very thankful for the wonderful merit scholarships, but it is still expensive and you will need to discus whether they are willing to make this substantial commitment.</p>
<p>There is a student who started USC in the RHP program with the dean’s award (1/4 tuition) that is usually granted to RHP admits. But in his first year at USC (would be his senior HS year) he achieved NMF so that for each following year at USC he had the NMF Presidential (1/2 tuition). This guy was in an expensive private HS, so his parents were able to avoid paying for senior year there, at least. </p>
<p>So for some students who are already bored by HS, running out of AP classes to take, and ready to start their college life, this can make sense.</p>
<p>Best of luck. Every family and student has different needs.</p>
<p>"But in his first year at USC (would be his senior HS year) he achieved NMF so that for each following year at USC he had the NMF Presidential (1/2 tuition). " </p>
<p>I will go ahead and apply. No harm in that. </p>
<p>But if I don’t get half-tuition with RHP, then at least I will have a second chance to apply again in senior year - and that time with (hopefully) a higher GPA and an even better testing record.</p>
<p>“But if I don’t get half-tuition with RHP, then at least I will have a second chance to apply again in senior year .”
Um, you may want to let the RHP admissions office know that you just cant afford to go to USC on only the Deans 1/4 scholarship, and your PSAT numbers would qualify you for the 1/2 tuition scholarship as freshman applicant. Let them know that you REALLY, REALLY want to go to USC ,one way or the other.
That way, if you are accepted into RHP, but you have to turn them down because of lack of $$, they hopefully wont reject you next year, cause you already had a
“chance”.</p>
<p>NC Mom,
If their PSAT test scores are above the NMF minimum for their state, RPH students can be bumped up to the 1/2 Tuition NMS scholarship that USC offers accepted NMF students. That is a separate procedure from the one for a Trustee scholarship. A student can ONLY get a Trustee scholarship if they are invited to USC to interview during the application process, which happens in Feb or March.</p>
<p>NC Mom–I don’t actually recall if RHP applicants are in the same pool for consideration for Trustee & Presidential interviews/scholarships. Can’t remember from previous years, but maybe someone here knows for sure. You can always call the admissions office and ask. If you find out, let us know.</p>
<p>Good luck! Son is freshman/Mork and received several merit scholarships. If you need a merit academic scholarship, leaving your junior year will hurt you overall in case you are interested in other schools/IVY league. It looks like you are very talented. Consider doing your senior year and then applying to multiple schools–which is what advisors told my son . It is like dating…you are much more appealing if multiple suitors are interested in you. :)))
However, I do not have any inside information about USC scholarship awards. My son is very happy and we feel blessed and lucky.</p>
<p>“I saw from the USC admissions website that there were only 20 Mork scholars.”</p>
<p>OP, The MORK scholarship is 5000/ year more than the Trustee Scholarship. There are 140 FULL Tuition Trustee scholarship winners in the freshman class. Most of them, I dare to say, were probably also NMSF, which means they ALSO recieve $1000/ year for 4 years [ as long as they send in the paperwork letting NMF know that USC is their first choice by May 1 of their Senior year]</p>