<p>Hi all. I was sent a message saying that the USC Part 1 of the application would be due October 15. It says that one incentive to complete it is saving $15 on the Part 2 Application--but the Part 1 itself costs $10. So, besides saving $5, is it really optional? Is it optional if you are trying to apply for the scholarship consideration deadline? (which is a few weeks before the regular deadline. It would help if anyone who has applied before or knows how this works can help. Thanks so much!</p>
<p>Also, about how to pay for the applications in general. Can I just use a credit card rather than send in a check? Seems so much simpler to just have them charge your credit card than mail in a check.</p>
<p>1) The part 1 application is optional regardless of the deadline you plan to meet.</p>
<p>2) The overall savings is $15, not $5. Part 1 costs $10, and if you submit it Part 2 costs only $40 for a total application cost of $50. Submitting Part 2 alone costs $65.</p>
<p>3) Why do Part 1? For the $15 savings. USC also says that getting the files started ahead of time helps smooth and speed the application process, but probably the real reason is if you submit Part 1 and spend the initial $10 you are more likely to return and comnplete your application. The more applications, the more selective USC becomes, and the higher the rankings inch.</p>
<p>At USC you can pay your application fee with a credit card. I think most schools with an online application (which is all the schools I can think of) will have credit card payment as an option.</p>
<p>Thank you so much for your answer. Exactly what I was looking for. Do you happen to know what the Part I consists of though? I was told it is basically demographic information, and none of the “heavy application” materials like essays, recommendations, etc.</p>
<p>You are correct about what Part 1 is - name, address, high school, etc. There are spaces for test scores that you can leave blank if you want to, and it is fine to choose “undecided” for your major. If you choose a major on Part 1, it is FINE to choose an entirely different major on Part 2. No essays or short answers or transcripts… No problem!</p>
<p>This might be a change of subject, but I was curious about what the December 1 scholarship consideration deadline is. Does this mean that if you postmark or send (online) the application by December 1 they will consider you for a scholarship? I understand that it is difficult to get one, but is this what they mean by scholarship consideration? From friends I have heard that the way it works is that the admissions application will also be used to judge whether USC will provide a scholarship. Is that correct or am I just really misinformed?</p>
<p>Also, I am thinking that this is different from financial aid, is that so? Are the CSS and FAFSA different from the scholarship consideration or do we need to provide those at the time of applying as well? </p>
<p>You are correct about the scholarship deadline: The December 1st deadline is to be considered for USC scholarships, which range from the $2,500/year University Scholarship to the $41,000/year full-tuition Trustee Scholarship. This year approximately 450 full-and-half-tuition scholarships were awarded to the incoming class along with hundreds of other awards. 25% of USC’s entering class Fall 2010 was awarded a merit scholarship, and they all became eligible for those scholarships simply by having all of their application materials in by December 1st.</p>
<p>Applicants who apply by the January 10th deadline are not awarded scholarships.</p>
<p>Yes, merit aid is different than financial aid. USC guarantees to meet 100% of USC-determined need. They calculate your need using the CSS/Profile, so the amount you are expected to contribute may differ from your FAFSA EFC. </p>
<p>I see. So it is theoretically possible for someone to get both merit and financial aid? Does that happen often, or is that only for the really lucky and/or out-of-this-world talented applicants?</p>
<p>You can access Part 2 now by submitting Part 1 - it will give you a link to Part 2. </p>
<p>If you don’t do Part 1 (and save $15), Part 2 is not available until October 16th.</p>
<p>Part 1 takes about 5 minutes to complete and saves you $15 - why not do it? Generally the only people who don’t do Part 1 are those who don’t get started on the application until after the Part 1 deadline, but you have the opportunity… I can’t think of any reason not to do Part 1.</p>
<p>Recently the USConnect log in page does not seem to be working. It used to be able to log in, but now when I enter the username and password the log in page does not do anything. I have had the same browser and all, but could it just all of a sudden not let me log in? I haven’t been on the website for a week or so–do they delete them after that long?</p>
<p>I am not applying, so I do not have access to the online application system and can’t answer specific questions about it. First, try the standard stuff: Clear cookies, shut down and restart, and disable popup blockers. If that doesn’t work post on the general USC forum <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-southern-california/[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-southern-california/</a> - there are many other applicants posting there who are also using the application and can probably help. If all else fails, find the “contact us” tab and ask USC for help.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Edit: I see another applicant posted the same question this morning on the USC forum - it may have been a server update and might be all cleared up today.</p>
<p>Further information: A poster who appears to be genuinely a part of USC enrollment services has posted on the USC forum that the system is down and the Part one deadline has been extended to October 18th.</p>
<p>Yes! It came back today. I didn’t urgently need to log on, but just found it wierd that it wouldn’t let me, and then I wondered if it was my computer that had the problem or if they deleted the account. </p>