I feel like same day isn’t an option even in the same city, so I think we’ll hear tomorrow at the earliest.
Is there any hint that someone will be receiving a white box through the USPS delivery digest system? I can see I have a couple of packages coming but I assume it is just Amazon etc.
I think that year people tried to see if they have anything through the USPS and it did not work. hang tight.
Nothing received today in Los Angeles
@collegegal223 there is more info in the first post here:
Generally, it is up to the sender to enable tracking, but it is possible that Informed Delivery Digest from USPS changes that this year. That is an evolving update to the postal system. I am sure plenty of folks will be checking that over the next few days but surest way is to check your mailbox. We will see if that changes this year, but I tend to think not unless all packages are now scanned by USPS, but I think USC will do what they can to protect the mailbox moment.
@just4years In looking at it a different way, I don’t think these busy seniors typically go to an interview just for mom and dad’s bragging rights. For many invitees, the interview and Explore USC is their first visit to the school and with the possibility of that much money versus full pay Ivy or other choices, ya have to give it a chance. My D had full tuition offer from another school and we visited 3 times, spending $ on travel and lodging, including going to the President’s reception for full scholarship kids because we were hoping she (and we) would start falling in love with the school and program since they were giving us almost $200k over the four years. We invested a lot of time and in the end driving home after that last reception visit, she said she just couldn’t feel it there (and neither did we but we held our opinion and feelings till she said it). So we knew we had done all we could and really learned as much as we could about the school to ensure walking away from the $ was the right decision.
I get a listing of letters AND packages in my Informed Delivery. Only thing I see for future delivery is something from Pitney Bowes. 
I think this is key from USPS:
“For items with USPS Tracking®, users will be able to view delivery status of packages, provide USPS Delivery Instructions™, manage their notifications, and schedule redelivery from the dashboard. Users can also receive USPS Tracking updates for incoming packages via separate email or text notifications.”
The way I read it is the item has to have USPS Tracking. The thing is, for sure in the past, USC did not “enable tracking” - that is something the sender had to do (and pay for btw). So I do not believe they will end up in Informed Delivery Digest. However, if someone sees it there, I am sure they will let us know.
So don’t be discouraged if you do not see it in there in the next couple days. It could still show up in your mailbox.
@CADREAMIN What you described is a typical scenario sure. I was talking some kids, esp those who think they have a shot at top ivies, know most likely won’t go to USC even if given full ride.
How often do people who were invited to interview for Trustee/Presidential end up getting awarded something worse/better than what they interviewed for?
t’s a competitive process, have to earn it in the interview, and some of that includes demonstrating passion for USC which some have, some don’t.
Does anyone know if most of scholarship recipients got the packages on the next day in california? I’m wondering if it takes longer for those in northern cal
@caleegalee, I recall reading that Northern Cal will usually be second day. If merit packages were mailed out yesterday (not yet confirmed), you might find a surprise (if you are one of the lucky ones) in your mail tomorrow. Parts of Southern Cal including San Diego may get next day, but it appears to be hit or miss, some are next day, some 2nd day.
If merit awards are mailed today, then Thursday would likely be the earliest in Nor Cal, along with many major cities on the East Coast.That being said, we supposedly were in a two day delivery zone last year for another school and it arrived third day, so not getting a package on the USPS predicted day does not mean nothing is coming. The only way to be sure is to check the portal on Friday.
do you guys know how important mid year grades are??? like i sent in my 1st mp transcript (which i did great on) but this mp im doing really terribly in calc…( i’m more of an english/artistic person) so how much do they affect decisions?? i’m really worried and it’s really dumb because i want to pursue art/film and i’m not even going to look at any math or science beyond high school so the fact that my calc grade might affect my college decisions is really upsetting.
@18121812 I would not worry if I were you. USC does not even look at midyear reports as many students have not accessed them yet (including me) for scholarship consideration.
Even for other schools, I am confident that they are completing a holistic evaluation and are not going to be thrown off by a bad grade in calculus. If anything, they are going to appreciate your effort in an advanced class, which is so different and deviated from your major. Either way, mid-year reports are just an indication that you have not given up on school because of senioritis. So, don’t worry! Just try to keep your GPA up and you are going to be okay.
Most all of SoCal gets it the next day after mailing. But some in San Diego, Irvine and other areas it was the second day when a lot of the country receives it. Not sure why some in San Diego it is second day, maybe mailman took a nap in truck and missed finishing his route. Norcal is always the second day. Someone asked about Ohio - around Cleveland, Cincinnati, Columbus - should be second day, rural areas may be next day - really depends on typical delivery service to those area. It also seems to get to FLA and major urban areas up and down the east coast on second day (except to posters on here wink wink) after mailing. Most everybody has it the second day after mailing which is why they update portals that night - most everyone has got it and I would think they want to end the misery for those still wondering. At that point excitement is pretty much dried up and only angst remains.
Just a few years ago they didn’t update portal about deferral and used mail (snail mail) for the “you did not get scholarship letter” until a week+ after packages. So people were literally left checking their mailbox for that “possibly late or lost” package for days and days. It was cruel and unusual punishment. Much better now.
^^^ Indeed… so much better now.
By Friday, it should update… either offering something related to merit offerings (for only 3-4% of those who applied by Dec 1st) or simply noting a continuation unchanged without such (for the remaining 96-97% of those who applied by Dec 1st.)
No one is officially rejected this week. 800-1200 will receive welcome news… but 28K+ will still be waiting until late March.
Good luck to the 30K+ waiting this week for encouraging news… but try not to stress too much. 98% of all of the eventual 55K+ who apply do not learn their eventual fate until late March. These #s are stark, but hopefully they offer this year’s applicants some perspective. 9000 or so will have an USC admission letter in hand by late March. So 15-16% of all of you (the 55K+ applying overall) will then eventually get your turn to decide. USC will then be courting you. I of course feel for the 84-86% of the 55K+ who will eventually be disappointed, but this is the reality of today’s ultra-competitive college landscape.
I see from my USPS Informed Delivery that my daughter has a flat letter arriving today from the USC Financial Aid office - might this be merit rejection?
No, that is just a financial aid letter.