i decided to apply to USC mid December and I just submitted my application. Meanwhile, I also realized that I missed the scholarship deadline as well… anything I could do? I know people that went to USC but that’s really it.
What if I get accepted but choose to defer admission for a year? Would I be qualified for merit aid?
Sorry, you missed the merit deadline and there is nothing you can do, it is way too late for that. Deferring admission - as you are saying it - getting accepted and choosing to defer, which means they are “holding a spot” for you, would not give you a new chance for merit.
Not to sound condescending, but do you believe you have an academic profile that would 100% guarantee you receive merit aid anyway? USC has several applicants with outstanding grades and accomplishments that aren’t even considered for merit aid.
@Tinaa33 You make a good point. Honestly, I believe I’m an average USC applant. Sat is a 1440. Gpa 3.85
Yes, merit at USC is very tough. The hardest thing I see from applicants is thinking getting merit from USC is not that hard, then being incredibly disappointed at the end of January. Only 800-1000 get merit awards in January from the about 30,000 that apply early (it was 27,000 a few years ago). The end result is 315 half or full tuition awards (not all the 800-1000 attend USC in the end). Some NMFs get added in March, but it is a small figure as well, the guess is there is 150 NMF awards. There are also some Deans (1/4) given out in March, that number has fluctuated over the years - it seems to depend on how many they see accepting the bigger awards.
Of the 55,000+ that applied last year, they didn’t accept 3,000 students with scores and grades in the 99 percentile. So those students didn’t get merit or even just get admitted. But in holistic admissions like USC, lower scores can be overcome with a passionate application that shows why you are a good fit and what you can bring to USC.
As a warning, students and their parents that get merit tend to show up on this site at end of Jan to post about it, making it seem like everyone in the world is getting merit (except you). So don’t let this become a source of anxiety - there is enough of it already in the college process. Good luck!