Hopeful news for this year's applicants to USC

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Southern California
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<p>In today's L.A. Times, there was a fascinating article regarding the anxiety felt by universities' admissions committees as they cannot predict how many students will accept their offers of admission this year (as opposed to past years), due primarily to the uncertain economy which may push more middle class students to state schools vs. private. The economy may make families/student find taking on college debt particularly unappealing this year so state schools may get more admits, but on the other hand, there is a fear among students that state budget cuts may adversely impact the quality of education. Other factors that make this year so tough to call are the slight dip in total number of hs graduates (from the all-time high in 2008), the announced 3% decrease in students being accepted to the UCs this year, uncertainty about substantial FinAid due to endowment decreases, and the historical evidence that more people do go to college during harsh economic times rather than right into a depressed job market. Whew!</p>

<p>What good news is there in all of this for USC applicants? Here's a quote from the article:</p>

<p>"Other private schools, including USC, Boston College and Colgate University, also say they expect to raise admittance rates by a couple of points or so in case more accepted students than usual choose to enroll at public universities instead.</p>

<p>L. Katharine Harrington, USC's dean of admission and financial aid, said that if the school decides to exceed last year's 22% acceptance rate, she will happily take the risk that more students than expected might show up in the fall.</p>

<p>"That's the thing I'd love to get my hand slapped for," she said, jokingly adding that she would open her home to students left without dorm rooms.</p>

<p>USC received 35,600 applications this year, about 200 fewer than last year. But to help ease families' financial concerns, the school is boosting its budget for undergraduate financial aid by 8%."</p>

<p>For those who want to read the entire article: Colleges</a> share applicants' anxiety - Los Angeles Times</p>

<p>Best of luck to everyone!</p>

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<p>I'm glad to see the statement about the FinAid. It's a huge factor in which college I'm going to.</p>

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<p>thanks madbean for the reference. The same article says at the end:
Colleges say they will pay more attention to recruiting wavering admits. For example, American University in Washington, D.C., will host 11 out-of-area receptions in April, said Sharon Alston, interim executive director for enrollment. The school also plans to mail acceptances a week earlier than usual, in mid-March. </p>

<p>"There's value in being the first out," she said.</p>

<p>But it appears that usc has pushed out the decisions in waves unlike last year (other than for scholarship folks). So adcoms are truly confused on what strategies will work.</p>

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<p>SC uses a holistic approach to admissions. Also, admission is done by schools in certain cases such as theatre, fine arts and music. </p>

<p>According to another thread here applicant numbers were down for a large number of colleges, notably Penn. Other colleges which were listed on the thread were: Colby Gettysburg, MIddlebury, Ohio Univ., Kenyon, St. Olaf, Hamilton, TCU, Ithaca, Syracuse, Bowdoin, Elon, Tufts and Bucknell.</p>

<p>Top tier colleges such as Emory and Washington Univ. at St. Louis extended their admission deadline.</p>

<p>The targeted class is 2600. Even if the committee admits 23% still 77 out of every 100 applicants will not receive an acceptance packet. SC does not use a waiting list.</p>

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<p>
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SC does not use a waiting list.

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</p>

<p>Instead, USC offers Spring Admits. I wonder how that might be affected?</p>

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<p>I read that article too :) grabbed the paper way from my mom haha</p>