What is TTP?
@Clgteacher2018 TTP is the Trojan Transfer Plan. This thread explains it better than I can…
Do you guys think that having a LOR from a usc faculty could help? I heard usc is really trying to get a stronger yield. I’ve shown as much interest as I can, I’m a URM with 3.89 UW 1320 SAT. did the optional interview, handwrote a letter to my interviewer, and I’m even in a usc program. applied to dornsife
@CADREAMIN Thanks for the clarification! You are so helpful 
@ihopeigetintbh It certainly could help. Demonstrating a sincere interest in USC and then actually communicating a firm commitment to attend if admitted is likely the best course of action. Of course… for many, that will hinge on financial factors too.
But both of my daughters were not shy about telling USC exactly that in no uncertain terms. They directly stated that they will attend USC if admitted. And they followed through.
Let’s face the cold reality of #s… last year, USC admitted 9,042 applicants by this week in March, but then 5,684 of those applicants ultimately enrolled elsewhere. Only 3,358 enrolled at USC. And that 37% yield rate was USC’s highest ever. USC clearly has to hope to get that yield rate percentage up over time. Using one of the admission spots on someone that they are extremely confident will attend is a prudent way to do so. Effectively communicating their intent clearly worked for both of my daughters.
Good luck to you… hopefully it also works out in your favor.
@WWWard That yield is amazingly low to me as I would have expected it to be at least at Notre Dame’s level of approximately 50 percent considering USC’s well deserved level of prestige and respect as well as a good financial aid department. With the trend of sending a dozen or more applications out, raising such a yield will become even harder.
@WWWard thank you so much!:))
didn’t anyone else see on USCs insta story that they were doing 5 minute resume reviews? are they still reviewin
Does anyone know what the mail package would look like if someone is offered TTP? Or is that something that would only be shown on the portal?
TTP’s get a regular letter, like someone denied, but it will mention TTP. It is uploaded to portal and mailed like the other letters. They get the same acceptance white package when they are formally admitted as a sophomore.
@ihopeigetintbh you’re welcome
@JohnGaltIII Indeed. And it just jumped last year from around 33-34% in the most recent few years.
I have to speculate that the sticker shock of how much it will cost to attend is a big factor. USC is committed to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need, but their FA packages usually include federal work study and loans along with any potential university and federal grant money. For many, the leftover # deemed the family’s projected contribution is still simply too much to afford… leading to many enrolling elsewhere.
You never really know what the final #s will look like until you get to review the FA offerings. Last year, my daughter was fully committed to USC regardless… but it was interesting to see how the #s compared. For example, in her case, had she chosen UMiami, it would have cost double to attend there. UTexas would have cost 4 times as much as USC. Thankfully, USC, Princeton, Rice and Emory were all on par with each other in terms of their FA offerings… making our decision easier.
I wonder if USC’s lack of ED or REA is the main factor for their low yield. Most every top school has it and takes 40-50% of their students through it.
Can someone please tell me if USC has accepted low end SAT scores but very high end GPA and extra curriculars? Or if it really is all about scores?
@amominaz That could certainly affect their yield. We certainly wish they had offered such. We could have skipped a # of other applications elsewhere…
@polololo They have. In USC’s case, it is never just about stats. If so, they would not routinely reject thousands of applicants with test scores in the 99th percentile. It is about GPA, Rank, Test Scores, ECs, Leadership Roles, Community Involvement, Essays, Demonstrated Interest, perceived Fit with USC, potential creative supplements, potential athletic skills or other exceptionalism and / or anything and / or everything else they choose to evaluate. But it is decidedly not just about scores.
@CADREAMIN @WWWard Our unofficial admissions officers - you two truly show the Trojan spirit! I went to USC for grad school and was so happy to find whenever I needed help, someone was there, just like you two!
Something to share about my son’s application this year while we are waiting. USC is his #1 choice for dance. It’s a reach for everyone as they only take about 20 out of 600+ applicants. My son was really nervous at his audition and told me he messed up parts of his solo. His ballet teacher had been encouraging him to compete in YAGP (Youth America Grand Prix) and he only reluctantly agreed but complained it was a waste of time since it would be after college application. After his competition that was held at USC last week, he texted me “YAGP was totally worth it”. Turned out the director of the dance program was one of the judges so he got another chance of audition. We’ve learned that take every opportunity because you never know who’s watching.
Good luck everyone!
@SCMHAALUM Good luck to him. I know that their admit rate is super-competitive, but sending out positive vibes I wonder how many they accept for Dance via internal transfer (for example, if he is admitted… but only Undeclared). That worked for my daughter in the case of SCA. Either way… best wishes.
@WWWard We asked that and were told they do not accept internal transfer. If he was not admitted this year to dance school, he could apply and audition (if he passes pre-screening again) next year and start fresh in dance major if accepted. My son has good stats and was accepted at UCLA. His 2nd choice of major is biology. If accepted for biology, that could be an option. Show up at dances classes offered to everyone and make the teachers like and accept him next year :))
Hey everyone. Is it too late to show usc that you are actually interested in attending if accepted. Also how on the website it said that there is no difference in acceptance among people who choose to interview. Is this true? And what else can be done to help your chances?
@kasonp24 I emailed my admissions counselor on March 11. A bit late, but I heard they were still making decisions. My AO never replied, but I’m trying not to look into it. I wrote “…the University of Southern California is my top choice school, and if admitted, I will attend.” I did the optional interview back in October. I did one of their ExploreUsc summer tours. I got a letter of rec from a usc faculty, as well as followed up with my interviewer after my interview. I even listed specific classes and clubs that I’d take at USC. I enrolled in one of their high school pathway programs. I’m not sure if there’s any other way I could show interest hahaha. I think at this point, since decisions sent tomorrow, there’s not much you can do. But there’s always a shot! Rather do it now than wonder in a few days if it would’ve made a difference. Maybe @WWWard has more suggestions for how you can show interest
Boxes go out tomorrow, so I’m going to say its too late. I don’t know how to interpret the comment about interviews. To me its expressing interest, which does seem to be important. When my D interviewed last summer, her interviewer said that her notes would become part of the package that would be reviewed to determine admission.