<p>I'm still debating between UCLA and USC right now. The thing I love about UCLA is its fantastic Regents Society that is very active and supportive of its members. Is there a similar organization at USC for Trustee scholars?</p>
<p>The Trustee scholars are part of ATPS, with the Presidential and Associates scholars as well. Here is their website:
ATPS:</a> Associated Trustee & Presidential Scholars</p>
<p>Nikara, thanks for this info! It sounds great.
Do you think it's best to join in August at the start of the 2008 academic year, or now? I guess there will be new officers for this group next year.</p>
<p>They are electing officers for the group now. You will be automatically joined with the group if you qualify. There will be a fun session during welcome week were you will learn more about the group and get a t-shirt! Good stuff!</p>
<p>Nikara, is there anything for Dean's scholars? or are they not as esteemed</p>
<p>Very cool. Do you have any info on the Winter Trip (which I saw mentioned as one of the three main events)? Thanks.</p>
<p>sounds like there are a lot of extras for trustee and presidential, right madbean? too bad my s didn't get it. =(</p>
<p>Aw... any chance they ever kick a dean's back up to presidential? Can we all wish really hard for bmom's s? </p>
<p>Philosopher's alert! I am reminded how life is so strange--that kids who have been admitted as spring admits feel a little low. But that, in relation to the almost 30,000 kids who got out-and-out rejection letters seems like a win to me! And so it goes up the chain. But sometimes what we receive ends up working out to be just right in the end. Or so I hope!!</p>
<p>i struggled with that philosophy, madbean. I try not to complain as we are already better than some internationals who didn't get any scholarships at all and that s is actually accepted. </p>
<p>by the way, I really shouldn't complain as s actually got the international dean's scholarship (another 1/4) also. </p>
<p>too bad 2 dean's does not put him into the presidential category for the extras.</p>
<p>You're so right, madbean! It's hard not to feel a little disappointed when others don't fully recognize your child's talent or brilliance, but my S is feeling pretty happy about that Spring admit right now. All the film wannabe's at his school gasp when they hear of his success! </p>
<p>And bmom, I recall your son was admitted to production, and was good enough to be invited to interview for a scholarship. He's one of only a handful of kids identified for that honor. Even though he didn't get top dollar, I imagine he's feeling pretty good about himself and his future. [p.s. - just read your post about the extra scholarship - congrats!]</p>
<p>So Nikara, I'm assuming the membership of this group is open to the National Merit Presidential folks too. Am I right? It would be a nice way for my S to connect with some people if/when he does start at USC in January. (No official decision yet, for those inquiring minds who want to know ;)</p>
<p>I couldn't go on the retreat when I was in school but my friends did and loved it. On one, they met one of the guys who invented THX. </p>
<p>I lived in Deans' Halls as a freshmen, so that is another way to interact with other scholarship recipients.</p>
<p>They met Tomlinson Holman? That's awesome! He's one of the reasons I applied to SCA in the first place :)</p>
<p>Thanks for the info, trojanchick. Can you recall anything else? How many days was the retreat and where did they go? I think I read there are about 1200 members of ATPS--about how many go on the trip?</p>
<p>And speaking of numbers... If I calculated this correctly, the SCA usually projects a freshman class of 200, for which I'm guessing they accept about 250 (with an estimated 80% yield) and they also routinely announce an admission rate of about 4-6% (but I have heard no new numbers for this crazy year). Therefore, assuming 5% admit rate, and a total of 250 fall slots, they are likely receiving about 5000 applications. Five thousand! And so, taking into account several great students who are accepted into the dept for spring (yes, I am a spin master!) there are likely 4700 or so students who were told no. Mind boggling, yes? </p>
<p>So, on that note, I'm planning on staying in celebration mode for quite some time.</p>
<p>My husband and son went to Explore USC on April 21 the SCA rep. said 50 production students were accepted out of 1200.</p>
<p>4.1% admit rate. WOW!</p>
<p>About the ATPS Retreat- generally it is in January, so that classes for second semester aren't to crazy yet. You leave on a Friday and return on a Sunday. They go up in the mountains to a retreat, and hang out. Lots of fun games, making snowmen, sledding etc. It isn't too structured- really just a way to get to know each other off campus. This year they had to move it to March, because there was too much snow!</p>
<p>Sometimes other people can come in on ATPS activities. For example, with the My Fair Lady tickets, they didn't sell out, so they opened the activity to friends of ATPSers. </p>
<p>I agree that by living in Dean's Halls, you can get experiences that fit in with the scholarship students. Yes, presidential people who got it through National Merit are in ATPS as well.</p>
<p>bmom,
Once a student is at SC he/she can contact the financial aid office regarding scholarships available to current students. Some of these are merit based. A few of the alumni clubs give merit scholarships, Trojan League, Greek organizations and many others. SC makes every effort to keep their students to graduation and will try to assist, if at all possible.</p>
<p>thanks Georgia Girl and thanks Rainmama.</p>