<p>You are correct, xiggi, I am not confused and am quite sure that USC does not have an early action or early descision progam - they have a merit scholarship program where the scholarship candidates are invited to interview before others have heard about admission. It isn’t an early action program because those not selected for the scholarships do not receive their decisions until late March/Early April. I am sorry you were confused by my post.</p>
<p>emberjed, as Leye13 and texaspg have told you, if you are 1) accpted by USC, 2) named a NFM and 3) name USC as your first choice* by the deadline, you will be awarded a USC Presidential scholarship + $1,000. Hopefully you will get good news by April 1st.</p>
<p>*No need to name a first choice yet - you have until late April to do so for USC.</p>
<p>I think this process certainly leads to confusion, in part because USC is one of the very few private universities that give over 100 full tuition scholarships based on holistic evaluation. Some public universities who offer full-tuition or even full-ride base their decisions on pure numbers or NMF, but the way USC chooses finalists catches some parents/students off guard. I think that’s regrettable, since the intention (my belief here) is to encourage top candidates to apply and ultimately attend. The extra complication (like there needs to be more) is that finalists for these top scholarships must be notified of their candidacy at the end of January to have time to travel to USC for the interview. It makes no sense to invite someone for a scholarship interview if you don’t, at the same time, confirm they have been admitted. So…at a university that offers NO EA or ED, you have an earlier than regular deadline for scholarship hopefuls and for the lucky 1000 (3%) selected for interviews, you also get early notification of admission. In contrast, a school like WashU invites a few dozen finalists to campus to interview for their top scholarships, so it is less likely that so many students hear through the grapevine about fellow classmates up for the honor. And WashU does offer ED, so those who really want to get an early answer have that route.</p>
<p>But back to USC. In days of old, when there was not an internet or CC type of forum, perhaps these issues were a little less fraught with worry. Frankly, less people knew when a deadline whizzed by or not. Less were aware when a letter was delivered in DesMoines. </p>
<p>If I were proposing a change, I’d keep the earlier scholarship deadline since the various Schools/adcoms need time to evaluate their selections. But perhaps they could have a set time when scholarship info was posted online and everyone could log in if they wished and get their news. I’d also suggest that EVERY finalist (at this stage) be awarded a Dean’s Scholarship (1/4 tuition) and be invited to campus, if they choose, to proceed to the next round of interviews. It could be stated that (for example) 1000 students have been awarded Dean’s Scholarships, and after Explore interviews, up to 200 from that group will be offered Trustee/Mork/Stamps, and up to 500 will be offered Presidential. Perhaps this would allow all 1000 finalists to be excited for making it to the next round without setting some up for disappointment (some do get bumped down).</p>
<p>Jump in and point out the faults of that plan. I just hate to see perfectly reasonable, crazy smart kids and parents feel blindsided by what is a most generous program that benefits thousands of USC’s students.</p>
<p>emberjed, my son is a National Merit Presidential Scholar, Class of '16.</p>
<p>To receive that award two things are only required: 1) be a NMF; 2) name USC as your 1st choice.</p>
<p>If, you receive a USC acceptance letter; that scholarship is automatic and offered to everyone who meetts those two requirements. NO interview required! Plus, $500/semester stipend.</p>
<p>Bravo @madbean. I think that sounds like a great plan, but not being an insider I certainly don’t have the expertise to comment, but I give your idea gold star! I am still reading many posts where people say they got in and do not have/are not getting a scholarship. Can someone answer the question…is everyone of these that found out they got in during this round getting some amount of money? Cause if there are some getting in now but not getting any money, then that is early admission.</p>
<p>I think communication could definitely be improved and they can choose to ignore it cause they have a zillion more applicants than they need, or they can look at ways to improve moving forward. As progressive as they are, I would hope the latter.</p>
<p>Can one apply to USC by the Dec 1st scholarship deadline if you are also applying to a ED program? </p>
<p>And I think everyone is trying to figure out if it is possible to get admitted from the early pool and NOT receive any money. Would sure appreciate an answer to that. </p>
<p>Does USC consider the mid-year report for the those that applied by the Jan 10th deadline?</p>
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<p>I’m beginning to get really worried about even getting in. My GPA is nothing better than a liability, and while my other credentials are pretty good, I feel that they’re just looking for reasons to eliminate candidates quickly at this point.</p>
<p>So my question is: If I got the email with rejection of big 3 scholarships, but still being considered for others, does that mean I am in even though I have no formal notice of it-sorry stupid question probably</p>
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<p>It’s not a stupid question, but I doubt that you are in by now. I got the same email. Such a communication seems more like an attempt to keep you focused on USC and, for fairness’s sake, tell you what’s happening to your application at the same time as others, even if some of those others have gotten great scholarships.</p>
<p>Wondering. Were there any rejections sent out?</p>
<p>No rejections until the end of March!</p>
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Hi CADREAMING,</p>
<p>We are starting to see posts now from some of those admitted without mention of a scholarship in their packet saying they have been notified of Dean’s scholarships (or, pending final NMF confirmation, NMF Presidential scholarships*). Those of us who have watched the process for a few years have been suggesting that would happen, but we hesitate to speak in absolutes because of the possibility that procedures have changed - we don’t want to cause disappointment! It is important to remember that not everyone comes back and posts their result - so we can’t say for sure that all have/will hear about scholarships.</p>
<p>Procedures HAVE changed over the years - for example, a few years ago the scholarship invites for Trustee and Pres also came a week after the admission, just as the Dean’s notifications are this year. Last year, no emails were sent about status at this point - a snail-mail letter was sent. There was much complaint about the snail-mail letter on this forum, and I feel the email may have been a response to some of the complaints here - we know from statements at Explore events that USC admissions DOES look at this forum. The email procedure is not perfect - this is the first year - but there seems to have been considerably less angst this time around, so it is a step forward.</p>
<p>No promises, but as an observer I have watched as many early applicants who did not hear until the end of March were awarded some of the many, many additional scholarships that USC offers. Again, the notice did not arrive with the acceptance, but came during the month of April. Please also do not discount the possibility that need-based financial aid may make attendance possible for some of you. There is no need to commit to a school or decline an offer of admission until May 1st. </p>
<p>Best of luck to all!</p>
<p>*NMF who haven’t been notified yet - YES, you are still eligible for the scholarship if 1) you are admitted, 2) You are a NMF, and 3) you name USC as your first-choice by the deadline</p>