@zinhead That is not accurate about USC. If you apply before the Dec 1st scholarship consideration deadline and are invited to interview for one of their merit scholarships, then the implication is that you are accepted and may also get a merit scholarship. Otherwise, for all other applicants, even if you applied before Dec 1st, you will not learn your fate until late March. I know… we went through this already with D1 3 yrs ago. D1 is a junior there now. As for D2, she is very serious, has visited there and applied day 1… Aug 1st.
Here is what it says at USC.edu:
All first-year applicants who submit a complete application by the December 1 deadline will be considered for USC Merit Scholarships and will receive notification of their status in February. Applicants who are not selected to receive or interview for scholarships will still be considered for regular admission. All first-year applicants who submit a complete application by the January deadline will be mailed an admission decision by April 1. USC does not have an Early Decision or Early Action program. Only notification from the Office of Admission constitutes an offer of admission.
@PurpleTitan I suspect that it does as well…