<p>texaspg, I was responding about self-worth and why I feel concerned each year by a few posters who feel that their value as a person has been challenged. We all deal with this differently, yet I cannot support the idea that a college’s decisions about notifying kids they are getting a scholarship or not is menacing, in itself.</p>
<p>This is my guess as to why some get letters of admission so early–but no cigar, I mean, invitation to Explore. I suspect (I have no evidence) that these terrific candidates were selected by their departments as finalists and when it came down to picking THE 2 (or 4 or however many that major could select) this candidate did not make the final cut. Who knows why? Since we have seen kids bumped up and down in the past, we know the final criteria are not precise. But in any event, if my guess is right–the department has identified these wonderful applicants as so well-qualified to have almost made the invitees. At this point, USC Admissions chooses to send out admissions packets to them as well. As we’ve seen, many (most?) get a Dean’s scholarship but for some reason, USC is not prepared to notify them at this time when they are organizing Explore invitations which have a quick turnaround time. I guess you want us to feel badly for the kids who maybe got justthisclose to getting invited for big scholarships–and I really do. I also feel badly for those who are also exceptional but did not get into the final pool at all (so so so many applicants, especially in the larger/most competitive Schools). I also feel badly for kids who love USC but whose applications do not stand out significantly but are extremely well qualified. Competition is just difficult. </p>
<p>But for those who do get selected, AND really want to attend USC, it is just a great program.</p>
<p>I thought you were seeking sympathy for those whose feelings are hurt? As I stated: of course I sympathize. My son was not invited for a top scholarship and he’s an amazing guy. There are, indeed, many amazing applicants each year! </p>
<p>I just don’t think it’s a dark conspiracy by a school if they do not decide to give their money to you. And sometimes it takes a little while to get the information out. But when you enter the pool, you may not be a big winner. If the school takes a little time explaining what you will get–it’s annoying, but the information does get out. Perhaps the internet (and cc) has made everyone just that much more hyper. </p>
<p>Since your own son was disappointed in this process, and went on to success elsewhere, why not give some personal stories so they can see that things work out well?</p>
<p>I have no idea what you guys are arguing about.</p>
<p>Like honestly it seems as if Texas was giving a perspective on how she thinks parents and students feel when they have “amazing” credentials and they don’t get in. However, they see others with “lower” credentials and get in?</p>
<p>Correct me if I am wrong but what are the “credentials” being discussed? To be quite honest, this whole “My daughter/son was qualified and another wasn’t” mess really strikes a chord.</p>
<p>What is considered to be qualified?What is considered credentials? High scores on a test taken on a Saturday morning? High GPA that has accumulated over 4 years? Being president of a club or class? Curing cancer?</p>
<p>Please inform me, because I really have an issue with this. The “qualified” and “credentials” myth is what really gets these people on CC confused. It is not all about your numbers. Atleast I feel it shouldn’t be.</p>
<p>A person with a low test score and GPA may not be the best on the numbers side, but definitely has the will power and the motivation to do well at his given school given the chance. I think it is important to take in the certain aspects of where did their character come from and who they are. Numbers say nothing about a person. That is where the California public university system got in trouble. </p>
<p>They have this whole system concentrating on “stats” and they end up admitting a classes that consists of intelligent people, but not a class of divergent thinkers.</p>
<p>Maybe one kid did not get the scholarship not because his numbers did not “qualify” but because he was not the kind of merit they were looking for. That doesn’t necessarily mean he won’t get in. But this round he did not stand out.</p>
<p>But I agree with madbean when he/she says if Texas could give a personal story about your student from last year =)</p>
<p>CCers choose to be blind to the fact that grades and scores are not everything in the admissions processes. Sure, grades and scores count a lot, but everyone in a HIGHLY selective applicant pool will be academically qualified.</p>
<p>That’s when grades and scores cease to have any bear and your personality, achievements, and essays come into play.</p>
<p>And still, CC chooses to ignore that truth.</p>
<p>See, SpaceDuck
I cannot see that to be true. Not the CC chooses to be blind part. That is fact.</p>
<p>But the part where, they look at your test scores then everything else. I cant see that. Actually when I talked to an admissions officer that came to my school he told us straight up “Stop stressing over numbers” He was from UPENN</p>
<p>We didn’t even ask him how much it counted, he just brought the subject up himself. He said that to be honest, they only spend less than 2 seconds on the scores from Tests. They only start to eject applicants if there are major disparities or they see they will not thrive at Penn. </p>
<p>When he said that, I thought to my self, “I spend 4 hours plus months of studying so you can spend less than 2 seconds looking at my score”</p>
<p>People spend all this money to get good scores on these tests and it creates inequality for those who cant do that or for those who have serious test anxiety. </p>
<p>There is just so much to be said about the subject and this illogical “Tufts Syndrome” but I would be wasting time. </p>
<p>IF we had it my way, colleges would be applying to me. Not the other way around. But unfortunately that is just my ego.</p>
<p>I don’t even know how to even identify my “stats”. I have a well qualified GPA and “mediocre” test scores. People on CC would always tell me to try to raise my SAT/ACT to the high 2000’s and 30’s despite my “qualified” GPA. That’s where I get confused. When it comes to it, what is more important? Some test you took a couple times on a Saturday morning or the GPA that has grown substantially over the past three to four years??? </p>
<p>^ I don’t know if one is more important than the other. I think that you need to reach a certain threshold in both categories in order to be a competitive applicant. In my opinion, GPA is an incredibly flawed metric due to the inherent variability. That isn’t to say that the SAT/ACT isn’t without its flaws, but those tests are at least standarized. By the way you framed the question I take it you think GPA is more important though.</p>
<p>"Since your own son was disappointed in this process, and went on to success elsewhere, why not give some personal stories so they can see that things work out well? "</p>
<p>Madbean - As I told someone in post 24, it is not an indication of success or failure at other schools. My kid got a likely a week later from an Ivy and forgot all about it. You were the voice of reason last year and we pulled the application before you mentioned that people do get stackable scholarships even at a later date. Thanks for all your posts.</p>
<p>@madbean when you said, “This is my guess as to why some get letters of admission so early–but no cigar, I mean, invitation to Explore. I suspect (I have no evidence) that these terrific candidates were selected by their departments as finalists and when it came down to picking THE 2 (or 4 or however many that major could select) this candidate did not make the final cut…”</p>
<p>I would assume it is also done so USC doesn’t lose these exceptional students and tries to get them to emotionally lock in now rather than having them looking elsewhere over the next couple months. Like the kid on here who had amazing stats but no offer who will now go to Yale.</p>
<p>I’m not mad about a thing like some of these posts, but I will say I found this process confusing and I do think that can make people frustrated. “It’s just the top tier finding out, no, it’s also people getting early admission without scholarships… there is more merit money coming later, there isn’t more merit money coming later.” I don’t think it’s a conspiracy, that’s silly, but I do think it should be better defined. I have friends that think any and all merit offers are done and assume they are getting zero and do have a sour taste. For some even covering books is a nice gesture and a big deal, makes them feel wanted. I don’t know what to tell them cause I still don’t know either. The explanations posted by the experts, while thoughtful, sometimes sound like they are from a brochure, not providing the specifics people are looking for. Just trying to give constructive suggestions during a crazy time.</p>
<p>"I have friends that think any and all merit offers are done and assume they are getting zero and do have a sour taste. "</p>
<p>cadreamin - I am paraphrasing and could be wrong but I believe madbean mentioned one of his children receiving 3 separate stackable scholarships at a later date along with a late admission.</p>
<p>Can someone shed some light about this statistic? On the surface it looks similar to the usual press release from the military academies.</p>
<p>Any links to the Common Data Set for USC to clear it up. USC does release one, right?</p>
<p>EDIT. No need to clear it up. Without an ED or EA round at USC, the quoted numbers are as meaningful as the USNA admission rates, namely as bogus as they come. Are there any Spring admits a la UC?</p>
<p>I think this thread, at least the original intent, could be useful to middle income famillies who will be considering USC in future years for high achieving students, who are in need of siginificant financial aid. Many students, in this category, applying to top tier schools (HYPM, Stanford, Caltech, etc) might consider USC a “match” or even a “low safety”. This thread will reveal that the USC approach to awarding scholarships is not that predictable and USC will not neccesarily be a “financial safety” school even if it is an academic match or safety school for some students.</p>
<p>keesh17, USC offers financial to all students who submit the CSS/Profile. FAFSA, other requested documents and demonstrate USC-determined financial need. Financial aid packages will be presented in early April. There is no need to have been accepted in January to receive financial aid. </p>
<p>USC is not a “safety” for anyone.</p>
<p>
xiggi, this isn’t a press release, it is me taking two numbers and dividing one into the other…</p>
<p>Well, we knew right off the bat that my D would NOT get the top scholarship offers, her stats were no where near top 1-2%. But she did receive an email to apply for the Topping Scholarship since she’s first generation (she sure doesn’t fit the rest of the criteria).</p>
<p>USC is probably 6th on her list. Right now she only cares about Miami, we find out EA decisions on Friday (and thru the month of Feb) since that’s her #1 choice.</p>
<p>Last year at Explore USC, the Dean of Admissions explained to us that +48,000 students applied for admission. USC sent out +8000 letters of acceptance.</p>
<p>What is interesting is that the Dean stated USC COULD have sent out acceptance letters to the NEXT 8000 and there would be NO difference in the class profile.</p>
<p>There was no explanation of why Student A receives and acceptance or why Student B does not. Nor, does this explanation why Student B would receive an acceptance to HYPSM.</p>
<p>It’s an interesting process and unless you are on the inside there is no explanation (to me anyway) who gets a cardinal and gold package in the mail and who does not.</p>
</p>