I will warn you guys, the wait can be even more brutal because of the delay between the scholarship notifications and the status update letter received by those not getting a scholarship. It can be a nearly a week between the two. I thought my friend’s S was gonna lose it. They started reading on here that people were getting scholarships and waited for the mail ever day only to go to the mailbox and nothing. Then repeated this process for 5 brutally long days assuming it must be late or delayed or something. Eventually the status letter came after an exhausting wait. Yes it is a sad story but that is because their expectations were unrealistic. Unfortunately that outcome is one that the large (really LARGE) majority will encounter. Only 3% get these offers. That means 97% do not. Don’t mean to be a buzz kill, I just hate to read about devastated teenagers. So keep dreaming, but prepare and expect nothing so the fall isn’t too far, and unexpected good news is even that much better. Good luck to all.
I’m praying for all of us!!
@CADREAMIN Thank you, you are totally right. I mean I know the numbers and I know my own stats but I can’t stop hoping for the best…
@CADREAMIN so if we’re not being considered for a merit scholarship, do we still receive a letter saying we’re accepted or not, or do we have to wait until mid-march to hear about our decision?
You just recieve a letter saying you’ll get your decision in March. No acceptances/rejections unless you’re being accepted w a non NMF related scholarship @ccggp101
I have this message on the login to my portal:
“youSC will be down for scheduled maintenance from 2am to 4am, January 22, 2015. We apologize for the inconvenience.”
Wonder if this means anything… X_X
@tinyone
I’m definitely in the same situation as you - I would absolutely love to go to USC, but it’s not happening without a scholarship 
I saw on their Facebook that they had already finished reviewing for scholarships before winter break.
@ILSenior15 For some reason I think that too, but University typically have one like once of week. I think Illinois has a weekly maintenance thing.
@thebingbong I can’t find the post on facebook that says that? Is it the official USC Admissions page?
@ILSenior15 Maybe it’s an update for accepted students? 
@stahboy It’s the official USC Admissions page, it was submitted around December 23. Like the 12 days of Christmas thing.
@thebingbong Oh it’s the 12th video of their 12 days of Christmas advice. But it just says that scholarship recipients will hear back by February.
＠stahboy but the description says something that they are finished with reviewing for the scholarship candidates.
I’ve been reading comments from people saying they can’t afford to go to USC if they don’t get a scholarship. That is NOT TRUE. I have 2 sons, one graduated and one currently attending. Son #2 got a NMF Presidential Scholarship. Son #1 got a very minor University Scholarship – only 1 or 2K, if I recall. But the financial aid meets your needs. Yes, it was a tad more attractive for son #2, but still very doable for son #1. Don’t despair if you aren’t part of the big scholarship pool. Fight on!
Let me clarify: I have FOUR sons…but 2 are Trojans so far. #3 has applied to USC but, honestly, he would have to get a Trustee for him to pick USC. Fight on!
@LegacyMom I do not think people can not afford it. I think they are in the same boat as your son #3. They have to get scholarship to pick USC. For the full pay some might have other options.
OK – fair enough. I just didn’t want kids to be discouraged about the price tag.
beanch, It is possible to get accepted to USC, without getting into your desired major. Fight on!
jmek, that is certainly true, but one is not necessarily contingent on the other. My son didn’t get into the School of Cinematic Arts, but did get into USC. In some cases, where one wouldn’t necessarily get in on grades, but would get in based on talent, they let the individual school take the lead. In other cases, as with my son, he earned his way into the University basedon academic merit, even if he wasn’t one of the lucky few with talent to get into the SCA,
@LegacyMom Make sure to tag the people with a @ or else they won’t be able easily respond. It just helps them answer you faster.