<p>We’re a tuition exchange family too - though my DD is a B+ student, so looking at a different set of colleges from the list than OP. It’s almost easier for us, because the less prestigious schools often offer a higher % of awards. We’ve had a very focused search, and we’ve contacted the Tuition Exchange liaison at each school she’s interested in to see what they’re looking for. Some use it to add geographic diversity, some are “first come first serve”, and some are purely academic competitions. My advice - choose at least one school that gives the award to everyone or almost everyone (ie, Syracuse) as a financial safety in case USC doesn’t work out.</p>
<p>Yes, thank you. I will use Santa Clara, UCSB, and Villanova as backups. But for the sake of this conversation, let’s just assume that I get in. I know people on the adcom, and they have told me what is necessary to get in the pile with the top applicants, and I fit their description. </p>
<p>@mom2collegekids: My math/cr score is 1400. On my school’s Naviance, it shows that students with my GPA and scores have traditionally gotten into USC. My HS is the #2 feeder school to USC.</p>
<p>free is always good.
going away from home is a really important part of growing up! usc is not in a safe place and living in LA leads to the need to head east on at least north.
I looked at the list and i see a ton of great choices! including bucknell and knox college.
I.m.o. I would go out of state!</p>
<p>usc may not be in a “safe” place, but i am fairly comfortable as i spend much of my time in the area. i definitely do think that going away is a big part of growing up, but i’ve also heard this side of the argument: no matter where you go to college, be it all the way on the other side of the country or 30 minutes away from home, it’s just like going away since i’m living in a dorm, on my own, etc.</p>
<p>Do you want to do tuition exchange with my D at Villanova. She wants to go to USC!</p>
<p>wow thousands would kill to have your opportunity. its not a hard decision, at least i dont believe you needed to make a thread on this. you can attend an elite university for free. if there is any financial burden on your parents/family, then attend USC. if there’s no burden, feel free to look at other schools. most kids don’t have the choice of going to a different state let alone city for college. you are unbelievably lucky that your parents work at a top school. just decide how much being in the area matters and then make a decision and don’t look back. i would go to any elite school in my area if i could for free.</p>
<p>i think i will work for a top school so my future children can attend for free :P</p>
<p>Very true, that’s an incredible opportunity. I commuted to the flagship state university 30 miles away, and attended with about 50 other people in my graduating class. I can’t say I’m friends with any of them now. So it’s really less of a worry than people seem to think. I think a year abroad is a much better change of location than going out of state.</p>