<p>I received my admissions packet today (woo hoo!) with notification that I'm a finalist for the Presidential Scholarship. I'm also a NMSF who marked USC as my top choice, and there's no reason I wouldn't advance to Finalist standing.
My question: can I receive the Nat'l Merit Presidential AND the regular Presidential scholarships? If not, is there even a point of me going to interview during Explore USC? How does USC usually deal with this?
Thanks!</p>
<p>No, they do not stack major scholarships- you can only get one Presidential. There are some reasons to go, however. You will get to visit as an admitted student (much different experience), enjoy being wooed by USC (they want you to attend), and have the possibility of being bumped up to a Trustee scholarship.</p>
<p>Thanks for the quick reply :)</p>
<p>You are welcome and congratulations :)</p>
<p>lauren44 you asked my question verbatim! :D</p>
<p>Thanks for the information camomof3! Do you know how often those sort of bumps happen?</p>
<p>In addition to LonelyHapax’s question, I wonder if anyone knows what exactly they are looking for in the interview? I’m starting to get really nervous!</p>
<p>My older son interviewed for Trustee (SCA) 4 years ago and was awarded Trustee, so I can try to answer (only a guess) what they may be looking for in your interview. For one thing–they want to see that you are interested in attending USC. You may think this would be a given, but it is not. When my son and I were at Explore, you would not believe the number of families who talked quite openly about their hope to attend Stanford or Yale (if admitted in March) and almost expectation they would have many better offers in a couple of months. I suppose if a student goes into the interview with that sort of attitude, it might not go so well. </p>
<p>They will most likely ask you to talk further about your ECs or your essays–anything in your application, so it’s a good idea to re-read all that right before you go to Explore so you remember which essays you sent. :)</p>
<p>They expect students to be a little nervous, but try to present a calm and happy vibe if possible. They loved your application so the closer you are to that enthusiastic or intellectual or outside-the-box or humanitarian or humble or hilarious kid you presented in your essays, the better you should do.</p>
<p>Finally, there is a finite number of scholarships at each level. Even if every one comes in and does a totally amazing job on the interview (and really–most DO), there will be decisions to be made on who gets what. In some majors, they may be looking for students who have a real drive and passion for the future of their field. If you can articulate why you must go into this career and what you plan to do once you get there, all the better. USC is looking for leaders and is willing to reward you with generous scholarships. These leaders will be academic stars OR community service stars OR talent stars or any number and combination. In my son’s major, I think they may have been looking to hear his explicit vision for where he wanted to take his creative work. And how can anyone know if they get 3 interviewees who all say they want to work in the same small subfield. You can’t! So some of this will be out of your control.</p>
<p>You will need to speak up and give details about your accomplishments and interests while remaining gracious. Those are great skills to develop in life, btw, so don’t worry. Be happy!</p>