<p>So I will likely be a NMF. From what I've read, if accepted to USC I would get a half tuition scholarship for NMF standing. However, I was wondering if this fact would hurt my chances of admission. I am a borderline applicant and nowhere near the level of student they would normally give scholarships too. So would being NMF hurt my chances of acceptance because they don't want to give me the scholarship? If not, then how much exactly would NMSF help in getting accepted?
Obviously, half tuition would be great, but my primary concern is just getting in, and I would rather get in with no scholarship then get rejected. Should I note this on my application, that I would forgo scholarship for admittance?
For reference, my basic stats are 3.5 UW (rigorous schedule) and 1550/2310 (1 test).</p>
<p>If you go to a challenging high school that is well known to USC, I doubt you're a borderline candidate - especially if you're not applying to a hyper-competitive major. Personally, I think the NMSF will help your chances because SC loves to rank high in that category. It's an achievement they value. </p>
<p>And the admissions process is need-blind, right? So they aren't going to factor the money into it. For at least some NMSF's, the half tuition might be the same money they would otherwise have gotten in need-based aid, so there's no reason for the school to care whether they have to give that person a scholarship or not.</p>
<p>I go to an average high school school in MI. But I'm applying to political science, which isn't that competitive, I think?</p>
<p>My understanding is USC has to first accept you. If you are accepted, and you put down USC as your FIRST CHOICE university on the paper work sent to you by the National Merit Corp., then you are eligible for the half tuition presidential merit scholarship. You need to meet those two conditions: be accepted to USC and to declare in writing that USC is your FIRST CHOICE university. I don't know why you think you are a borderline applicant. Perhaps you can ask your college counselor at your high school to compare your stats with your high school scattergram to see where you fit on the graph.</p>
<p>I don't even think that the admissions committee takes the financial info into account. Their job is to assess you based on your scores, courses, essays, and qualifications. They will see that you are NMSF, but that can only help you I'd think. Political Science is in CLAS, so not in the super competitive schools such as Cinema for example.
Best of luck!</p>
<p>Your SAT indicates that you go to a competitive school, I think USC will take into account of that. I would not second guess admission officer. I would just list that you are NMF. If you don't get in, you don't regret. $80K+ is not a chump change. There are other colleges besides USC, you will get accepted to a school that fits you.</p>
<p>If you get in with your GPA, it will be because of the NMF, so put it down, it can only help-not hurt!</p>
<p>Ok, thanks for the answers guys. The reason I think I am borderline is because my GPA is below their average. Hopefully they really weight the standardized testing!
The thing is with NMF, they KNOW I would be taking 80 grand if they accepted me, and perhaps they wouldnt mind accepting me as a regular, full paying student, but don't think I'm worth 80k to accept?</p>
<p>First, you have to apply for NMF and see if you get the award. National Merit Corp. will be making a determination about your total application which includes your test scores, GPA, activities, essay, school recommendation, and awards. If you get NMF with a 3.5 GPA, then your next step is to put together your best efforts at your application to USC. I don't work for USC, but I sense it is a well balanced university looking for outstanding talent in a variety of areas. It is possible that you have so many other outstanding talents, awards, etc. that will over come a 3.5 GPA. There is a big unknown as to the numbers and quality of applicants this year because of the economic down turn.</p>
<p>NMF can only help. It will not hurt. USC is very proud that so many NMFs choose USC.</p>
<p>Putting on your application that they don't "have" to give you a scholarship sounds desperate and whiny (and presumptuous, since you are not yet a NMF) and suggests that you believe the ridiculous stereotype that USC chooses students based on wealth. I think noting on your application that you would "forgo the scholarship" would be a huge negative. </p>
<p>Have confidence in your record. Good luck.</p>
<p>Alright thanks for the advice guys. The rest of my application, such as EC and essays, are pretty good, probably above average, although I don;t know by how much. What I'm wondering now is if the SAT alone will negate whatever losses I have in the GPA category? As in, would they canel each other out?</p>
<p>I think your best way to answer your question is to go to your high school college guidance counselor and ask to see the scattergram for your high school. You can then compare where you are in the scattergram. If you don't have a scattergram, you might get some ideas from your school counselor if your high school has sent students to USC.</p>
<p>Seriously, don't underestimate NMF... USC brags about its collection</p>
<p>
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I am a borderline applicant and nowhere near the level of student they would normally give scholarships to.
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<p>Where is the confidence that made you apply to USC in the first place? You are an excellent student and don't you let anybody tell you otherwise.This second-guessing can only undermine your confidence. You put your best foot forward which includes the honor of being a NMSF (and most likely NMF because 15000 out of 16000 make it) and let the chips fall where they may. To suggest you'd exchange possibility of scholarship for admission would be similar to offering a "donation" if you were admitted. As an AdCom I would consider it an affront that would make sure your application quickly went to the bottom of the pile if not the nearest shredder.</p>
<p>USC gives NMF money because they want NMF to attend. </p>
<p>Don't try to over think the system, just go ahead with the best you have.</p>
<p>But not all NMF will be accepted. Last year I read one CCer was suprised that USC rejected him eventhough he was a NMF.
However, I don't think OP has any reason to worry.</p>
<p>It's not that I am not proud of NMF, but wasn't sure what it was worth. Anyway, thanks for all the advice. I put it on my application, hopefully I will get in to USC and also be able to get the scholarship. It now comes down to decing between this great school and the University of Michigan, where I was accepted ER, for where I will end up next year. With the potential scholarship from USC, both schools will cost the same.
I'm really liking the LA location and california weather though, plus my sister is at Pomona college. So I'm crossing my fingers for USC :)</p>