<p>I don't have stellar grades, scores, or anything. I just have 4.3 W GPA (3.8UW GPA) and 2060 on my SAT. Im just curious just how likely is it that people get scholarships by applying by the scholarship consideration deadline (dec1)? The reason why I'm asking this is that I really want to spend time extra time working on the essay and I haven't submitted my SAT scores yet (I want to take my dec SAT too). I already got my rec letters in but I have no idea if its really worth it for me to apply by dec1. I'm definitely not applying for USC Merit scholarship because my PSAT was terrible.</p>
<p>“I’m definitely not applying for USC Merit scholarship because my PSAT was terrible.”</p>
<p>As far as I know, the PSAT factor really only applies to National Merit Finalists. </p>
<p>Unless the steep tuition poses no problem for your family, I do think it is worth it to get your application in for scholarship consideration. You can submit your application prior to the December SAT sitting and just have the score sent to USC. Likewise for having your other scores sent. They will incorporate it them into your application, along with references, etc. Only you know if your essay is in shape and ready for submission. If not, can you hone it by tomorrow. There are quite a few other application questions that require thoughtful consideration.</p>
<p>There are other scholarships offered by USC Alumni Groups, etc. to children or grandchilren of alumni.</p>
<p>Your GPA is slightly higher and your SAT is about average for admitted students. That alone would suggest that you probably won’t get a big scholarship, because the big ones go to the students at the top of the stats ladder. So it’s not crazy to decide to wait and submit your essays later. But if you have some other special talent or activity or community service that makes you stand out from the crowd, you might actually have a chance at a scholarship. It’s good to be realistic, but don’t sell yourself short!</p>
<p>I’m a Junior right now but if I apply early, how would it affect my chances of admission? More importantly, if all the big scholarships go to the top students, would I get much less financial aid than if I applied by the normal deadline?</p>
<p>My stats are similar to yours. There are only so few scholarships given to the thousands of applicants USC receives. I know I don’t have good enough stats to be one of those few to get one. I’m not being pessimistic, but rather realistic. I rather wait and perfect my application rather than send it in early with little chance of getting a scholarship.</p>
<p>roylikeswaffles, Whether you apply on the scholarship deadline or the regular deadline will in no way change your financial aid. Your financial aid will be based on the information in the FAFSA and CSS/Profile.</p>
<p>Hope this isn’t too basic, but USC has two kinds of aid it offers students. The first kind is Financial Aid and it is based entirely on your family’s economic situation. For this kid of aid, you don’t have to apply by the Dec. 1 deadline. You must submit a financial aid application with your family’s financial info and your family has to need help with the cost of college. Once you are accepted, with this kind of aid, it doesn’t matter if you were USC’s top choice student of the last student they admitted; the aid depends entirely on your family income and resources and not on who you are as a student.</p>
<p>The second kind of funding is merit aid and depends entirely on your achievements as a student; it has nothing to do with whether you are rich or poor. For merit aid, you have to apply by Dec. 1. For some students, merit aid is tied largely to academic criteria, GPA, ranking etc. EC’s and community service also figure into this. But if you have solid academic stats and are also, say, the kid who had the best violin audition for Thornton and were well liked by the faculty there, then your talent could be the decisive factor.</p>
<p>Thanks for the info. But then, what’s the difference between turning in applications early and regularly besides the possibility of merit scholarships?</p>
<p>Um, the difference is the possibility of merit scholarships.</p>
<p>Apply by Dec. 1st, eligible for merit scholarships.</p>
<p>Apply in January, no merit scholarships.</p>
<p>As Nester says, financial aid is not the same as merit scholarships, and either deadline works for financial aid. You must submit the FAFSA and CSS/Profile for financial aid. Check those deadlines carefully.</p>
<p>For goodness sake, if you think there’s the slightest possibility you’re in the top 20 percent or so of applicants, if you are a terrific prospect in your proposed major, if you have really interesting EC’s or major community involvement – even if you end up with a small scholarship, the next 25 hours could save your parents (or you) thousands and thousands of dollars. Obviously, if you haven’t written your essay yet, this might not work out. But if it’s a question of just filling in some data and pushing the send button…</p>