National Merit Finalists Rejected?

<p>I’m a little worried, I’m a NMF with an application with no serious flaws as far as I can see in my app: 2210 SAT, 4.57 GPA, leadership ECs with strong essays, if I can brag a little bit, haha.</p>

<p>Anyways, I’ve gotten into Berkeley and UCLA (OOS), Northwestern, University of Rochester, Michigan, (OOS) though I’ve been waitlisted at Rice. But I still haven’t heard anything back from usc, and it’s looking like these few days more rejections are being sent out than acceptances.</p>

<p>Students,
This year SC had a record breaking number of students apply early to be considered for merit scholarships. The number was around 20,000 out of the entire applicant pool. In other words 20,000 of those applicants felt their scores, ECs, grades were high enough to be seriously considered for the generous merit scholarships SC awards. </p>

<pre><code>These were the tip top, with many exceptions, of the pool. So those of you who are NMScholars are in good company. SC wants future professors, scientists, writers, actors, musicians, doctors, dentists, producers, engineers, etc. They are building a class, not just picking students with high scores alone.
</code></pre>

<p>SC is not a safety school. It is ranked 98% by Princeton Review in selectivity. Admission to Tier I, highly selective universities these days is a mystery. One student posted last year he was rejected by his three safety colleges and was admitted to his two high reach colleges. </p>

<p>If SC is your dream school and you can present compelling reasons to be admitted which were not included in your original application I suggest you consider an appeal.</p>

<p>

I didn’t know this (still wondering what ranking we are talking about), but it helps my argument. A guaranteed scholarship makes finalists a lot more likely to apply to the school (cannot overstate this), and the vast majority of NMF are admissible candidates. </p>

<p>Another ranking factor, which is in the published US News formula, is the % of students in the top decile. That’s a line in the sand that gives ranking impact of every individual applicant in a way that the SAT middle 50 and other factors do not. It would make sense to offer the scholarship to all NMF to get them to apply, and then reject those few who aren’t worth the $20,000. There’s nothing ridiculous about that for a school with finite resources. </p>

<p>You may very well be right. But why you are so sure that a financially prudent behavior would be “ridiculous”, unless you work in admissions? </p>

<p>I don’t know whether I got in yes, so this is hardly personal.</p>

<p>Over four years a NMS enrolled student receives over $80,000 assuming a slight rise in tuition and the student maintains the required course load and a 3.0 GPA.</p>

<p>@lockn
I’m actually not certain exactly what your argument is, but alamemom is trying to say that if an applicant receives a rejection from USC, it will NOT be because he or she is a NMF. You initially claimed that USC rejects some NMF so that they will not have to give out so many scholarships. Frankly, I cannot see why one of the most generous universities in this country would go to such lengths to hold onto money. Alamemom does not work in admissions, and nor do I, but we’re sure that USC will not send out a rejection just to avoid having to give money to a student. Like alamemom said, if anything, being a NMF will help you in the admissions process. Rejecting a NMF will be due to other factors. You say that it makes sense for USC to “reject those few who aren’t worth the $20,000” and you’re right. Out of their entire applicant pool, USC will try to admit only those they feel will thrive at the school. Why would ANY school admit a student they didn’t feel would be right for them, regardless of whether that student is NMF status or not? </p>

<p>Giving merit scholarships to students who they feel have a very strong chance of succeeding as adults (who will very likely give back to USC as alumni) is infinitely superior to “financially prudent behavior” in my opinion.</p>

<p>Bottom line: USC will not reject NMF’s on the grounds of avoiding giving out a scholarship.</p>

<p>

You are exactly right, lockn. Which is why students in the lower deciles are less likely to be admitted. If they are NMF, USC will give them extra consideration, but being ranked lower than the top 10% is a big negative in admissions to USC. </p>

<p>If they were following your logic,** all **Presidential Scholarships would be given to NMF so they could reap the ranking benefit, but they are not - 288 students entered USC in 2009 with the Presidential Scholarship who were not NMF. </p>

<p>Are you aware that USC is a need-blind university that guarantees to meet 100% of USC-determined need? Using your rational, they would not do so. They could get two NMF for the “price” of one 0 EFC student, couldn’t they? USC has one of the largest merit and grant budgets in the nation totaling more that 191 million last year. [USC</a> Financial Aid](<a href=“http://www.usc.edu/admission/fa/]USC”>http://www.usc.edu/admission/fa/) I think they can afford a few NMF Presidential Scholarships.</p>

<p>Are you aware that USC enrolled 232 National Merit Scholars last year? With an approximate yield of 30%, that means USC offered admission to approximately 700 NMF for 2009. <a href=“http://www.usc.edu/admission/undergraduate/private/0910/FreshmanProfile2009.pdf[/url]”>http://www.usc.edu/admission/undergraduate/private/0910/FreshmanProfile2009.pdf&lt;/a&gt; It does not seem NMF are being discriminated against at USC.</p>

<p>Being NMF is a plus to all applications, but it is in NO way a guarantee of admission. Congratulations to all of you with your wonderful admissions to other schools, but the admissions decisions of other schools have nothing to do with USC.</p>

<p>*I agree with blissfulting’s post above - thanks!!!</p>

<p>If you go over the ranking system for U.S. News 15 indicators are considered. Each of the 15 have different weightings. One of the most important is peer assessment. For example, some of the categories are graduation rate, faculty resources, selectivity and alumni giving. SAT percentile is just one of the considerations.</p>

<p>As far as peer assessment SC is ranked at 3.9, just a tiny percentage point below Emory, Rice and Vanderbilt at 4.0.</p>

<p>Party-
My son is a NMF got his acceptance last week (econ) and I was waiting and nervous so i searched cc and found only 1 posting of an NMF who was rejected. What I have also found out is that the high school class of 2010 was born during a mini baby boom and ALL colleges are just flooded w/ applicants this year…UChicago (son was waitlisted) had a 40% increase in app’s and acceptance when from 25% to 11% (4 years ago their acceptance was 40%!!)…hang in there but remember if it doesn’t work out it’s not you its just a wildy crazy year for college apps</p>

<p>national merit finalist and rejected
UW and W GPA were definitely at the average level</p>

<p>National Merit Finalist rejected. Top 5% of class. 4.4 GPA weighted. All 5 APs except one 4. (5 AP Cal. BC, with 5 AB subscore). Honors Calc 3 and Diff Q. 99% on ACT (all 36 except 1). Sports (JV and Varsity). Volunteering/community service (not for college apps - - have been active with same program since middle school).</p>

<p>My son is a NMF and rejected as of today.</p>

<p>Accepted at Rice and Virginia OOS…go figure.</p>

<p>Congratulations to all of those accepted and condolences to those who didn’t make it and don’t have a great alternative.</p>

<p>Another NMF officially rejected!</p>

<p>Is this half-tuition offer for freshmen year only or for each of 4 years?</p>

<p>OT</p>

<p>The half tuition scholarship remains in force providing:</p>

<p>The student maintains the required GPA.</p>

<p>The student takes a minimum of 16 units per semester.</p>

<p>If an applicant is accepted and receives the half tuition scholarship it is still possible to receive financial aid in addition providing:</p>

<p>The student has filled in all necessary financial aid forms completely and turned them in by the proper deadline.</p>

<p>USC, after due consideration, determines there is need for additional funding.</p>

<p>Please see alamemom’s detailed posts regarding financial aid.</p>

<p>Wow as someone graduating USC in a month I’m pretty sure that I would have been rejected had I applied this year. Feeling very fortunate right now.</p>

<p>Good luck to all of those that don’t hear good news, you guys are sound like strong candidates and I’m sure will do well wherever you end up.</p>