<p>today i found out that i am a candidate for the presidential scholarship, and while i am honored and extremely excited, i am also surprised. compared to other people posting on this site who have received the candidacy, my test scores are very average (31 ACT). i'm just wondering how heavily test scores influence their decisions. i have a 4.0 UW and am an extremely accomplished writer with many unique extracurriculars and i feel like i interview very well (in fact i think the past interview was what got me in so early with a scholarship). do i even have a chance? and if i don't get the presidential, is it true that i am basically guaranteed to get a dean's scholarship</p>
<p>My stats are lower than most here too, but I think my portfolio in architecture made up for it. I’m pretty sure they don’t conduct these interviews for your stats - they already have that on paper. I think they’re trying to see if you’re a responsible student that they can trust with paying for so much of your tuition, and also to see how much of a fit you’ll be for USC (since they don’t want to give a full ride/half to someone who’ll just transfer out, of course.).</p>
<p>the thing that frustrates me about USC’s process is how random their decisions appear to be… from looking through the ‘stats only’ thread, it seems that the higher your ACT/SAT , the less chance you have to get the Trustee or Presidential scholarship. Obviously that probably isnt true, but its still sucks when you work hard to put up great numbers only to be passed over by applicants that appear less qualified. considering these are merit based scholarships i feel they should put less weight on extracurriculars, especially since most kids embellish this part of the application anyway</p>
<p>Congratulations heg123 and Arctic92! I am absolutely SURE that USC saw in your applications the qualities that make the two of you excellent candidates for scholarships. Good luck in your interviews!</p>
<p>in case you were unclear alanemom, i wasnt implying that either of those two werent qualified… it was a general comment. Congrats Arctic92 and heg123, its not you two that im irritated at… thought i might clear that up since alamemom is trying to portray me as the bad guy here</p>
<p>the SAT is just a number. i mean, the difference between a 2100 and 2200 is like 4 questions and a good curve. it seems the more selective schools are these days, the more interested they are in personalities and accomplishments than raw numbers.</p>
<p>Yeah, a “number” that I invested a hundred hours of self-study into improving. I can’t complain, because it got me NMF status (and therefore a half-off scholarship if I get accepted), but still… The whole process is frustrating. I had what I thought to be amazingly good extracurriculars (a self-created community service/humanitarian organization, cooperation with the Humane Society, published a 700-word political editorial, served on a “teen editorial board” for the biggest newspaper in my state, publishing 5 or 6 letters to the editor in the process), especially for a homeschooled student. I did an interview that went great and had good essays. But apparently they don’t hold me in such high regard. Seems like all the kids that are getting these early decisions have some kind of hook - and I suspect the ones who don’t mention their hook either won’t admit it or aren’t aware of it. :/</p>
<p>I also find it doubtful that universities can accurately size up your personality through a couple of statistics and an essay. I think it is more likely that they look for people who fit in to that particular institution’s utopian ideals.</p>
<p>“I also find it doubtful that universities can accurately size up your personality through a couple of statistics and an essay. I think it is more likely that they look for people who fit in to that particular institution’s utopian ideals.”</p>
<p>woulda made a killer application essay.</p>
<p>
Not at all, ajaku3714. In fact, I did not mention you at all *in my post on this thread *- I directly addressed the accomplished and qualified accepted students who posted above you. I am sure you are a fine fellow. In looking at your past posts I am impressed at how encouraging you were to other USC applicants asking about their chance for scholarships. To kindly keep them from being disappointed, you cautioned them that the scholarships would be going to “elite” students such as yourself. That was very kind.</p>
<p>I really don’t think that there’s a particular “hook” to get a scholarship interview. I’m sure that everyone who can an interview has fantastic extracurriculars. Maybe they had a great essay or something.</p>
<p>hi! How do you qualify for this scholarship? Do you have too be selected by the committee or is there a place where you can sign up?</p>
<p>lol…
uhh</p>
<p>You have to apply by december 1st.</p>