Does anyone know if there is any correlation between the timing of financial aid reminder post card and the decision to be considered for merit? I saw on another thread that someone got his/her financial aid post card today and we got ours a while ago.
Ha, my mind can’t wrap around your speculative correlation. Let’s see… if one gets postcard early it is because they are getting merit money, so it is for USC to determine how much merit they should give that person, or second option - one isn’t getting merit money so they should apply for aid? Then enter the timing of the arrival of the card- too many variables, I’m not so good at word problems. “If a postcard leaves the house traveling three weeks ahead of scholarship notifications, but another leaves one day prior to scholarship notifications and person x gets the Trustees, but person y gets nothing…” lol.
@CADREAMIN Ha ha…I haven’t really thought it through, whether or not it means anything at all. …let alone good or bad. I just thought it odd that someone is just getting that post card today, when I live in the Midwest and got it last week if not sooner. Anyway, it is probably nothing. I figured i’d throw it out there and maybe we can establish a pattern for future years if there is a method to it.
LegacyMom and CADREAMIN, do you both have applicants again this year? Oh boy. Sending you best of luck vibes and keeping fingers crossed.
Ya USC follows patterns, that is why I was suspect of the notification posted today. They are typically mailed on Fridays, as they were last year.
Hi @madbean – Yes, son #3 is in the applicant pool this year, but there is a little less stress this time. For sons 1 and 2, USC was their one-and-only. For son #3, it is one option. Whether or not he gets considered for Trustee will probably make or break it for us. So, I’m watching with interest, but not so desperately invested this time around…more just curious to see how his fate is shaped by this decision.
Hi @madbean - yes, here we go again! I am having a hoot with it this time around though, pretty entertaining, zero stress, much more a “what’s meant to be will be” attitude. S #3 already has some amazing options - with offers coming in advance of early or regular decisions (which I didn’t know happened), we are in same boat as Legacymom. Go big or go home!
S2 renewed for next year. Loves it and it is so easy for us. Good recommendation, thanks. #2 done this year for you? Or one more to go?
Hi @madbean - my son is applying this year too! I see you are still active on this board.
This may be my last year on this board, mpebbles. My S2 is graduating this year and I have no more coming down the pipeline. I bow down to those with 3 and 4 kids. You are all amazing moms. Sending extra special good luck to your kids, and I agree: there are so many incredible schools out there (USC as well as many others) and the right one will find your kid. USC had the exact specific programs my sons were looking for, and that made the wait pretty tough.
wow @madbean last year maybe? I thought that may be the case, time marches on I suppose. I may have to get your permission to make a “Madbeans Greatest Hits” thread and collect your classic posts there! There have been so many, besides the recent ones, I stumble on some from over the years and they are still spot on and very helpful. Like you I am glad to have two at USC, otherwise it would be over to fast, for me too! My senior graduates with yours this year, I have a soph there and still two to go to college somewhere. Will PM you and catch up soon.
I’m done with college admissions in this household. Keeping happy thoughts for those of you going through it again. There isn’t enough Valium in the world for me to survive this multiple times 
OK, FWIW, my son was accepted and is in the running for Trustee and we got our financial aid post card a while ago. I would be interested in knowing if other merit admits got their FA post cards earlier than the others?
@LegacyMom I got mine on Saturday (my dad said something had come from USC and I literally ran to the door … only to find a postcard 
), but I got the trustee invite today. Hope to meet your son there!
@LesPronoms , well that blows my theory! Thanks and congratulations. I guess we can shut this thread down. Hope he does meet you there!
LegacyMom–wow wow wow!!! Big congratulations to your #3. Although, if I’m reading your previous post correctly, perhaps this is now a new wrinkle in his decision since–yes, indeed–his is up for the full-tuition award. I’m sure he’ll have many excellent options. Woot! And let’s keep this thread going a bit longer. It’s great to hear how your kids are doing.
@madbean — Thanks, I am thrilled for him and very proud as a Trojan. But, yes, this makes things more complicated. But what a problem to have! Congrats to you, as well, on your youngest son preparing to graduate from USC! Fight on!
We got our postcard quite a while ago, and D got her acceptance package Monday. She is in the running for a Presidential Scholarship. USC is her top choice school, so she’s is walking on air.
Does anyone have any sage advice for a USC newbie going through this process?
One thing I was wondering is whether the nomination comes from the admissions department or the selected major (she was accepted into Viterbi for ChemE). I gather from the literature that Viterbi will be very involved in the interview process, so I am trying to figure out if they are likely to select a student who doesn’t have top scores but is generally strong with a solid arts resume (dance & music). In other words, how holistic is the review is when it gets to actual decision time? Do they end up basing decisions on who has the highest score or does the rest of the “package” count? Does that make sense?
Any advice or insight you could offer would be very much appreciated! I’m in over my head on this one!! We checked flights and ordered some USC swag online today (we’re all house bound from the blizzard).
From my point of view, it looks like the finalists invited to Explore are on even footing. The interview is the deciding factor at this point in time-- in this case, they’re looking for leaders who have a vision of their future at USC and can contribute to the university. So directly answering your question, the interview process is very holistic.Your daughter stood out from so many other applications during the application process that she just needs to keep up the good work for the scholarship (and maybe being bumped up!). Good luck!
Thank you. Started psyching myself out about the scores, but you are right. They recognize that she brings something significant to the table or she wouldn’t be nominated. I am always telling D not to judge herself by comparing to others but rather focus on doing her personal best in her own style. (That’s hard for a competitive dancer to do!!) I need to chill and take my own advice.
Part of the interviews, I believe, is USC seeing who fits well into the department and university. Some kids look fabulous on paper, and in application essays. We all know some kids get a lot of help, so their ability to articulate their passions and goals off-the-cuff will be great. At the Trustee Explore several years ago, a number of kids (and parents) openly talked down about USC. Can you imagine? There were, sorry to report, rankings snobs present who said (to other parents) that USC, even with full tuition merit, was their kids’ safety. Or their kid was already in at Yale (or whereever) and was just there to practice interview skills (!) and try to collect a trophy of sorts. I was actually shocked. There are professors at the Explore parents dinners and I wondered if they were taking notes. So my advice is to just be honest, enthusiastic, and confident about fitting well at USC. Sincere interest and a vision of what you want to bring to your field/the school goes a long way. Since many 17year olds may not have thought deeply, yet, about what they can contribute to college, their field and the world, this is a good time to start composing their thoughts. If there are current events that affect their major (such as controversies or international developments), they may be asked their opinion. Having a clear vision and a confident voice could really help.