Hi, everyone!
I was just wondering… does anyone knows what weight mid-year reports carry in the admissions process? Please let me know, thanks!
good question^^ someone please answer, thanks
Our 1st semester doesn’t even end until Friday, so I hope not much!
My feeling on mid-year grades - they are more for checking on those admitted. A significant drop in grades, from all A’s to C’s, could lead to a rescinded offer.
I suspect that first semester senior year grades, if available to be reviewed, carry at least as much weight as the previous six semesters… but they could also be a potential swaying factor, if an applicant is on the bubble and the grades are extremely positive or show a positive trend.
Overall, given evaluations of your cumulative GPA through seven high school semesters, the difficulty of the coursework undertaken, your rank in class, your SAT and/or ACT test scores, your AP or IB results, your ECs, your Essays, etc., one single term’s grades may not be a deciding factor… nor might a single standardized test score… but with 84% of all applicants facing rejection by March, all applicants should be looking for a way to stand out above the crowd.
No single element will be the deciding factor - unless it is significantly negative. And even a single “off the charts” component is no guarantee of admission. Otherwise, USC would not be rejecting 3K applicants with test scores in the 99th percentile or kids with all 5s on 7+ AP tests, etc. Additionally, 90% of all legacy applicants are rejected.
USC does evaluate applicants comprehensively (holistically) & is looking to create a well-rounded and diverse freshman class of individuals who may bring something positive and potentially unique to USC & who have also hopefully demonstrated how USC might be able to uniquely serve their goals. It is a delicate balancing act, but at least 9K or so of you will then get to decide, once admitted, if USC is ultimately right for you.
Good luck…
So the date that most people have agreed on for the early merit acceptance packages to be mailed is the third friday in january right? Is that the day that they have been sent in previous years? I’m so anxious to know.
@DontNope CS in Viterbi is a very competitive program. I would guess that it is harder than being accepted to Purdue for the same major. I’m not sure where else you applied and if the rejections were for early acceptance (maybe with scholarships), so it’s hard to compare. But, in any case, it is fair to say that it is quite difficult to get into CS at USC. Best of luck to you!
@syd24ranger I suggest reading the full prompt here…
So I’m applying for transfer to USC from a cc. My gpa is a 3.9 and I’ve done well over 30 units for them not to check my high school grades or test scores. Do i have a good chance of receiving a merit scholarship? I know that a 3.9 for a high school applicant might be too low but I’m not sure if its different for transfer students.
I just got this package about financial aid for my parents. Did anyone else get this? I’m confused because I applied over a month ago?
Yes, received the letter and booklet a few days ago. I think they send it to everyone.
Thanks for the response @CaveMom ! My secondary major is business so if CS falls through hopefully I get in there
I just want decisions to come out, Im so scared, USC is my dream school but idk if I have a shot.
@syd24ranger, I believe last year they were sent on a Monday, January 23, but if I recall, someone posted on last year’s thread that previous years, they tended to be sent on Friday, but not the last Friday of January. Of course they can change the process any time they like. I would speculate that it could be this Friday or Monday, January 22. Might be best to just try to relax and check back Saturday to see if anyone who lives near USC in Southern CA got something. Next date to check might be Tuesday, January 23. If people start to get boxes on Saturday, then the portal should update by Tuesday/Wednesday, based on what I’ve read on CC. Wish there was a way to know for sure, but unfortunately there is not. No doubt many really hope to get a scholarship. Hopefully the answers will come in the next three to seven days or so.
@shimainu Yes, it is $200. You can either book through USC travel or you can submit receipt and they will mail a check. I don’t think that frequent flyers would qualify you for a subsidy as form of payment must be shown. Depending where you are though and we are east coast, you can get flights for as low as $225 RT. We have been to visit several times since she has begun at USC and never paid more then $300 for a RT flight.
@s0meUSCkid95 – are you still out there? We’d like to know when the boxes are getting mailed out! Thanks
I live in northern San Diego county - not too far from USC. I’ll post if my D gets anything for those interested.
me too! I live in northern San Diego; I’ll be sure to update everyone too 
good luck to everyone
i got a letter today from viterbi that just says that they wll let me know if anything is missing and to keep my eye open for mail. Is this the letter that means I didn’t make it as a semi finalist for any of the scholarships? did anyone else get this letter?
Me three, in Poway. Good Luck!