<p>Hey guys,
So I have a question regarding the USC Presidential Scholarship. A few weeks ago, I got a letter in the mail stating that I was two steps away from receiving a Presidential Scholarship Award: I had to become a National Merit Scholarship Finalist (which I did), and I had to name USC as my first choice school. According to the letter, "After you have advanced to Finalist standing, National Merit will ask you to select your school of choice. Finalists designating USC as their first choice will receive the USC Presidential Scholarship." Later, the letter also states "you should be proud that you are among the 18 percent of our incoming freshman class to receive some kind of merit award from the university." The letter does not mention the word interview even once, but some friends of mine at school keep telling me that I had to do an interview in order to receive the scholarship. The letter does not talk about any interview whatsoever, and it seems to me that if I designate USC as my number 1, I got the scholarship. Does anybody have any knowledge on the subject? Do I need an interview or not?</p>
<p>Hmm… well I’m eligible for the Presidential Scholarship too, but in a different way. I never took the PSAT (I had no clue how important it was… smh.) but I was accepted early to USC and they told me I was a finalist for it. I’d assume that yours is a whole different process than mine, because you’re a NMSF. So if they’ve never said anything about an interview, it makes perfect sense that you’re already seen as a qualified enough individual that they want you enough to straight up offer you the scholarship. But congratulations either way!</p>
<p>allez, There are two different USC scholarships being discussed here, and both have “Presidential” in their name.</p>
<p>Your friends are talking about the USC Presidential Scholarship, which requires an interview. This year’s interviews (such as wadawada"s), have already been set up.</p>
<p>You are eligible for the USC NMF Presidential (CONGRATULATUIONS!), which is automatic for accepted students who are NMF and name USC as their first-choice by the deadline. There is no interview required for the NM Presidential.</p>
<p>alamemom and wadawada, thank you so so much for your input. You have brought peace to my mind! =)</p>