<p>Neon, I imagine others may be in the same boat as you…coming without parents and staying the night before. Maybe you can check on the USC facebook group and ask the question whether anyone would want to share the hotel room?</p>
<p>I thought I saw a shuttle for less than $20. Can’t remember where I read that. Also, when do we pay the $50? I didn’t notice that fee. Neon, we have paid more than $120 for my son’s flight, and we are on the west coast!! Does anyone have the link to the facebook group so we can talk about sharing rooms?</p>
<p>^yeah, but the $120 is after the 1/2 discount from usc. did you include that?
the stuff about the $50 fee was in the scholarship envelope.</p>
<p>i can only assume the facebook group is this one: [USC</a> Class of 2014 - Official | Facebook](<a href=“Facebook Public Group | Facebook”>Facebook Public Group | Facebook)</p>
<p>edit: oh and also, the $40 shuttle bus is for both ways. i talked to my sta agent, and he gave me a $20 estimate per trip.</p>
<p>USC provides a free shuttle back to the airport. The total cost for flight was $247 - 1/2 = 123 + 30 = $153.</p>
<p>it provides free shuttles at 2pm and 3pm, but my plane tix is later than that, so i’m out of luck :/</p>
<p>We are coming from cold and snowy midwest, and here is the estimated and projected cost for the interview (lol): </p>
<p>Son’s ticket: $200 (half price + fee)
My wife and my tickets: $350 *2 = $700
Radisson hotel for 2 nights: $139 + tax = $150/night ===> $300
One extra night at JW: $169/night + tax ===> $190
Food, taxi and misc. $150
Grand Total: ~$1450</p>
<p>This is going to be an expensive trip, but for our son’s future, I guess it is all worth it (haha). </p>
<p>Good luck to you all!</p>
<p>yeah i would go. this honor only comes once…and i would take it up. unfortunately i didnt get it so ur really lucky to be selected.</p>
<p>Are you kidding me? If USC is your first choice, then ABSOLUTELY. Its worth spending the $500 because the chances of receiving a scholarship once nominated are very high. Like people mentioned, having that ~$16,000 GUARANTEED money is very helpful for your financial package. Who knows, SC might reduce your financial aid one year or, if your family makes more money one year, it could also reduce financial aid, so having that guaranteed scholarship money is very very VERY nice to have.</p>
<p>OK, does it make sense for national merit finalists? The award is the same as the presidents scholarship and does not entail travel or other expenses?</p>