<p>Hey everyone.</p>
<p>I was admitted into USC as a finalist for the USC Presidential Scholarship program about 2-3 weeks ago.</p>
<p>However, 3 days ago I just got the word that I became a National Merit Finalist.</p>
<p>Now here's my dilemma.</p>
<p>I already registered for ExploreUSC, which is mandatory if I want to be considered for the Presidential scholarship program. But being a National Merit Finalist, I realized that if I chose USC as my first choice school after admission results in April 1, I would get 50% (Presidential scholarship, same thing) of my tuition paid for my USC.</p>
<p>So.. could I just email them and tell them I can't make it to ExploreUSC, and wait for admissions results?</p>
<p>USC is my 3rd choice school (behind Yale and Princeton) - so if I fail to get into Y/P (sigh lol), I'll just end up taking the 50% tuition at USC using my NMF status.</p>
<p>So.. is it okay for me to not go to ExploreUSC? Will they refuse to give me the scholarship later on even if I choose USC as my first choice because I opted out of the ExploreUSC event?</p>
<p>Please respond ASAP, anyone! Thanks a bunch!</p>
<p>As far as I know, if you are a) admitted to USC, b) NMF, and c) choose USC as your first choice school, then you will get the 50% tuition scholarship.</p>
<p>However, if you don’t attend Explore, you have zero chance of being bumped up to Trustee, which does happen occasionally.</p>
<p>thefreakedout,</p>
<p>At this point you have been admitted to USC, one of the fortunate ones out of an applicant pool of 38,000. </p>
<p>If you can afford the time and funds you might wish to consider attending EXplore because there is the chance you may be “bumped up” to a Trustee Scholarship. That is a full tuition scholarship, renewable for four years. It will rise, if tuition rises. The Trustee–if you are “bumped”-- is worth $160,000+. Right now the NMScholarship is worth $80,000 + the $1,000 given yearly by the NMF. That is $84,000+.</p>
<p>If your family CAN AFFORD one of your two other choices and you know positively there is no chance you would attend SC if admitted elsewhere, then decline the invitation.</p>
<p>Later if you decide to enroll at SC and name them as your first choice college after April 1 you will still receive the National Merit Scholarship and the $1,000 renewable scholarship.
SC will honor the NMScholarship if you decide later to attend. They have selected you as part of their class of 2015. It is your choice to enroll or not. </p>
<p>Are your parents/guardian aware of the amount of money involved in this scholarship?</p>
<p>I think you should go to Explore. You will not only have the chance of getting bumped up to a Trustee scholarship, but you will be able to take a closer look at USC. My daughter chose USC over Princeton and Yale–and she is very happy about her decision. The best way to tell which school is for you is to go spend time on campus.</p>
<p>" Will they refuse to give me the scholarship later on even if I choose USC as my first choice because I opted out of the ExploreUSC event?"
No you’ll still be awarded the 1/2 tuition scholarship. But…</p>
<p>I agree with the above posters- Go to Explore, do the interview, because there IS a chance you could be awarded a Trustee’s- mine son also was it saved us $160,000 in tuition costs. He has recently been accepted at Stanford and Cal Tech for grad school, so going to USC, as opposed to the Ivy"s he was accepted at, did not “hold him back”. If you have plans to go on to grad school[ law, business, med], it will cost you more big bucks. isn’t that worth a plane ride to USC?</p>
<p>I agree with all the above but also think you should go just for the experience. The events, dinners, meeting new people and interviews are all good “life” skills if you think about it. Also from a “bucket” list point of view - when else in your life are you going to have the chance for a Scholarship Weekend.</p>