<p>Just wondering if anyone else is a little puzzled as we are. My D just learned that she is a NMF but was also selected last week to interview for a Presidential Scholarship. I phoned the Admissions Office and they said she cannot combine the scholarships and does not need to interview now as the half tuition scholarship is automatic for NMFs. But I'm loathe to cancel Explore USC before receiving any official notification of that. Is there anyone here who is in this situation now or dealt with it last year? We live in Northern CA so it isn't a huge deal to go even if there is no need to interview. What do you recommend?</p>
<p>^ I think she should still go. There's still a chance for her scholarship to be upgraded to trustee, and even if it isn't upgraded, Explore USC is a great chance to find out more about the school and meet people :)</p>
<p>Oh thanks so much for the quick reply Misoobishi. From reading some of the amazing stats on this board, I kind of doubt she'd get upgraded but I agree completely about meeting other students That said, she isn't eager to interview if she doesn't have to.</p>
<p>She just had me ask another question for her in the 2011 USC section about housing - if you have time to look that would be great.</p>
<p>Ok I'll check out the thread :) </p>
<p>Just remember that stats only play a little part in the scholarship process. My SAT scores were in the 2300's but I know of plenty of other trustees who had 2100's-2200's. The 100 points or .1 GPA difference or whatever really doesn't affect scholarship decisions; it's all about the interview. My friend originally interviewed for the presidential (pretty good stats, but not amazing), but he had a great interview and was bumped up to a trustee. </p>
<p>However, if your D doesn't want to interview, that's totally fine too; if she attends USC, she'll meet a lot of great people at orientation and when school starts. :)</p>
<p>What qualities do they look for in the interview?</p>
<p>
[quote]
What qualities do they look for in the interview?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>...There are a few threads with this information already. Best not scatter it around in multiple threads. :)</p>
<p>How/when are the National Merit Finalists notified (confirmation letter from USC) about the scholarships?</p>
<p>Entering Undergraduates</p>
<p>USC administers 17 prestigious scholarship programs ranging from $500 to full tuition. Unlike loans, scholarships do not have to be paid back. They are awarded based on academic excellence, leadership, service, talent, and the criteria detailed below. Recipients must enroll full time (16 units each semester) and maintain a cumulative GPA at USC of 3.0 or higher. If an interview is required, candidates will be contacted. Selection for an interview does not imply the awarding of a scholarship or admission to USC. Meeting application requirements and minimum criteria does not guarantee that you will receive a particular scholarship. Recipients of our scholarships often exceed the minimum criteria.</p>
<p>Trustee
Amount: Full tuition (approximately $33,500)
Number of Awards: 100
Selection Criteria: For entering freshmen only. Candidates are selected by USC faculty and staff from an extremely competitive international pool. Applicants pursue the most demanding curriculum and achieve at the highest level. Average SAT and ACT scores are in the top 1-2% of all students nationwide. In addition to academic criteria, candidates' talent, involvement, and leadership are considered.
Application Process: Freshmen must submit a completed 2007 Undergraduate Application with required materials by December 11, 2006. An interview required for final candidates. Candidates will be contacted by the Office of Admission in February if they have been selected to interview.
Notification: By April 2, 2007</p>
<p>Presidential
Amount: Half tuition (approximately $16,750)
Number of Awards: 200
Selection Criteria: For entering freshmen only. Candidates are selected by USC faculty and staff from an extremely competitive international pool. Applicants pursue the most demanding curriculum and achieve at the highest level. Average SAT and ACT scores are in the top 1-2% of all students nationwide. In addition to academic criteria, candidates' talent, involvement, and leadership are considered.
Application Process: Freshmen must submit a completed 2007 Undergraduate Application with required materials by December 11, 2006. An interview required for final candidates. Candidates will be contacted by the Office of Admission in February if they have been selected to interview.
Notification: By April 2, 2007</p>
<p>National Merit Finalist Presidential
Amount: Half tuition (approximately $16,750)
Number of Awards: Varies
Selection Criteria: Selected on the basis of PSAT performance. Entering freshmen are considered if they have been designated as National Merit Finalist and name USC as their first-choice college with the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.
Application Process: Students will be contacted by the sponsoring agency.
Notification: April 2, 2007</p>
<p>USC Associates
Amount: $10,000
Number of Awards: 10
Selection Criteria: For entering freshmen only. Applicants take the most demanding curriculum and achieve at the highest level. Competitive candidates will be in the top of our applicant pool with respect to GPA and SAT or ACT. Strong emphasis is placed on leadership in school and community service.
Application Process: Freshmen must submit completed 2007 Undergraduate Application with required materials by December 11, 2006.
Notification: April 2, 2007</p>
<p>Deans
Amount: One-quarter tuition (approximately $8,375)
Number of Awards: 250
Selection Criteria: For entering freshmen only. Applicants take the most demanding curriculum and achieve at the highest level. Competitive candidates will be in the top of our applicant pool with respect to GPA and SAT or ACT.
Application Process: Freshmen must submit completed 2007 Undergraduate Application with required materials by December 11, 2006.
Notification: April 2, 2007</p>
<p>lovetocamp's link I guess means that the stats from the USC site for '06 freshman profile for prez is offered scholarships vs granted? Diff is 200 on link vs 361 on profile. It would sure seem like the freshman profile for entering students would be granted not offered scholarships. Maybe it's the NSM part that screws up the stats. NSM is 209 on profile. Trustee is right on, but the prez pool is whacked out. I give up, I guess you just have to go and see what happens</p>
<p>"National Merit Finalist Presidential
Amount: Half tuition (approximately $16,750)
Number of Awards: Varies
Selection Criteria: Selected on the basis of PSAT performance. Entering freshmen are considered if they have been designated as National Merit Finalist and name USC as their first-choice college with the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.
Application Process: Students will be contacted by the sponsoring agency.
Notification: April 2, 2007"</p>
<p>I guess I'm just uncomfortable with the word "considered." If the NM Presidential scholarship is guaranteed for all Finalists, why was she asked to interview? Is it just me, or is this confusing?</p>
<p>It is confusing. The letter calivi posted in another thread for people that aren't being considered for either of the big2 said:</p>
<p>
[quote]
In addition, if you are admitted, named as National Merit Finalist and choose USC as your first-choice institution, you will receive a USC Presidential scholarship.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>So I think you are pretty much guaranteed the half-tuition, but definently phone USC at 213-740-1111 and get this sorted out, it may just be a mistake on their end.</p>
<p>an interview is not necessary for NMFinalists
the only case in which a person interviews is if he/she qualifies for regular pres. and gets the NMScholarship, then he/she has the chance of being bumped up to trustee (though the two cannot be combined)</p>
<p>I think the "considered" refers to considered for admission, since if the applicant is not in the initial pool of acceptances, he/she will prob. find out their national merit standing before he/she receives the decision</p>
<p>2005-2006
New Freshmen: 2741
Trustee: 110
Presidential: 258
Deans: 53 (I guess this was different back then)
National Merit: 194</p>
<p>2006-2007
New Freshmen: 2763
Trustee: 101
Presidential: 361 (woahh o_o)
Deans: 77
National Merit: 209</p>
<p>2007-2008 (us..!)
Expected Numbers for Scholarships:
Trustee: 100
Presidential: 200
Deans: 250 (woah)
National Merit: Varies</p>
<p>Soo, I'm guessing they are changing things a bit this year. Less Prez, More Deans.</p>
<p>*** why dont they give us more presidential like 450 and no dean</p>
<p>Haha, yeah seriously... =/</p>
<p>
[quote]
*** why dont they give us more presidential like 450 and no dean
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Funding for 200 presidential / 250 deans over four years is 13,400,000 + 8,375,000 = 21,775,000.</p>
<p>Funding for 450 presidential = 30,150,000.</p>
<p>Lol. Yes, I am aware; I am not that stupid.</p>
<p>But something like 300 Presidential and 100 Deans would be nice...</p>
<p>yah agreed.</p>
<p>actually, what would REALLY be nice- 1000 trustees :-D</p>
<p>
[quote]
Lol. Yes, I am aware; I am not that stupid.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Seeing that I do not know you personally, I can only base any judgments on your posts. If I see I post written in ALL-CAPS or with ten explanation points trailing the sentence (!!!!!!!!!!!) or there are a series of O-o faces littering the post I can only assume the poster is rather ignorant and I respond as such. If I read a thoughtful, reasoned post I do my best to respond in kind.</p>
<p>I think we would agree that the post in question was not particularly thoughtful. Like it or not, people on this forum are judged by the quality of their posts because there is nothing else to go by.</p>