Everyone will get a letter, I was saying don’t give up hope on your specific scholarship until you get a letter saying you didn’t get it.
@CADREAMIN, Will everyone get a letter in the portal? Some are reporting not getting a letter notification in their portal yet while quite a few already have. I suppose this could be a rolling release but seems odd that USC would not be able to technically handle releasing 1200 letters all at once.
Some people won’t know until tomorrow and some that don’t get great news don’t post or just disappear altogether cause they are done. Way less get the scholarships than the 1200 sent out in January, and cc is a small sample so the scholarship posts dry up pretty quick. But USC could just be really slow putting them up. It happens every year. S-l-o-w to update portals.
Chinese water torture!
Full Trustee awarded. Updated about 7 pm. 
Congrats @925275!
Don’t mind that admissions told you the wrong day anymore, do ya? See how that works! lol. You said she even conferred with a colleague on that conspiracy. Makes me laugh, every year.
@925275 Congratulations! Great news! I won’t know until my son checks the portal. (Fingers crossed.)
Docked down to deans. I literally feel horrible right now. Like what did I do to make them think I wasn’t deserving of more. I just hate myself.
Do you guys think they take financial situation into account when choosing scholarship finalists?
@yungsnake99 They do not take financial situation into consideration. Don’t be so hard on yourself, this process is brutal and sooo competitive. You were part of a selective group to interview - but I understand the disappointment. Get some sleep and approach this with a rested mind. These last few days have been stressful for sure.
@CADREAMIN — feeling very blessed right now!!! Big decisions to make - and this would be a very hard one to turn down. Thank you so much for all of your guidance!!! Good luck to everyone waiting!
@hafamama - good luck!!! Keep us posted. @CADREAMIN - we didn’t qualify for any financial aid - so my question to you earlier about this being need blind - I thought I’d just let you know.
When it comes to scholarships they want who they want and need blind really should be in play. Some like to say they give scholarships to people that would need financial aid anyway…to double the bang for the buck. There are always conspiracy theories. But if you got a Trustees, they want you regardless!
So is there a decision? Ivy or other elite perhaps? Best of luck, let us know what you decide!
I interviewed for Trustee. I got an email that I received Presidential, but I was also awarded an additional $25k from Annenberg. It isn’t in my portal yet though.
It definitely took me by surprise because I didn’t even know it was possible. I never heard anything about this scholarship before. Nevertheless, I’m excited that they offered this to me. Over four years, the difference between this and trustee is going to be somewhere near $17k depending on the amount tuition increases. (I estimated 4% each year, but in recent years it’s been less.)
Since USC is my top choice, I will be looking for ways to reduce the amount of debt I am in. Hopefully it works out!
Congrats @carmen00! That sounds fantastic!
So if we haven’t got any message yet we will most likely receive one with our merit decision in the following hours?
No portal update yet… is that a bad sign? My last name starts with a “U” so maybe they’re doing it alphabetically?
It’s weird like this every year. People post then it drops off, then just a couple more post in the early morning hours but not sure if they didn’t check earlier or what. But they are historically painfully slow at updating portals. Which is odd because their online systems for students are unbelievably fantastic.
@CADREAMIN just wanted to say thanks for all your advice/help!! Your posts have been tiding me over these last few weeks, I’m waiting on my trustee decision too
I don’t think not having an update yet is a bad sign, because everyone is getting something they say - so everyone has to get an update! And if you don’t get the one you hoped for they still have to tell you that too.
Sorry to say, it just works this way. The other portal update for regular decisions can be totally whacky-doodle too.
thanks @Armdrone Good thoughts for you! Any chance you can sleep? (maybe dumb question) Here’s some help: