@WWWard I see SCA=School of Cinematic Arts. SDA=?
@CADREAMIN Yes, I know last year’s and that’s what I was asking were the references of 30,000 in above posts based on last year’s stats or were any stats already out for this year - i.e. is there any way to know prior to receiving the award letter approximately how large the applicant pool was for the 12/1 merit deadline for this year’s incoming class.
The issue I see is that to be considered for engineering, it has to be your first choice major. They do not consider second choices for engineering applicants. This is 100% certain in regular admission anyway, but I don’t think that would differ in RHP. They say that over and over again at any dog and pony show they do on the road. Engineering must be your first choice major to be considered for engineering.
If admitted, you can apply to add it as a second major and take the prerequisites to get in and get certain grades, but no one goes in as a double major at USC, you are admitted to one, then add after you get there.
@sandiegodad2017 Decent shot… certainly. But in prior years, USC has rejected 3K or more applicants in a given cycle with test scores in the 99th percentile. They even have to reject 90% of all legacy applicants. I would suspect then that the 1200 or so hearing this week are as strong when it comes to ECs and Essays as they are related to GPA, Rank and test scores. But I concur that being in the 99th percentile is helpful 
Unfortunately, it seems that many who have that factor going for them also fail to persuade with other elements in their overall application packet.
@WWWard thank you!
Nothing here in my mail today. Northern San Diego county.
@pdxtigermom Thanks! I see from your previous post your son should qualify for National Merit, which will get him half tuition scholarship. Congrats on that! My son just missed the cutoff ugh!
@devon123 you’re welcome
@SCMHAALUM School of Dramatic Arts / School of Cinematic Arts.
As I think many have said, posters stop relying on grades and test scores! It is much more than that. I know a top kid with a 35 act and didn’t get anything. Another guy with almost sane gpa ( maybe lower) and 35 denied from usc! It is not all about stats
@SCMHAALUM Yes… all such programs within USC… Kaufman, IYA, SCA, etc. offer that extra similar challenge. Last year, we heard that only 20 of the 2000+ applicants to SCA got in during January. That’s less than 1%.
@CADREAMIN My son is difinately more interested in Computer Science than Viola Performance but we are all aware of the reality—it’s extremely competitive for Asian boys to get into engineering even though he has good scores to back him up. The only thing that makes him standout from his peers is the viola. He did have a video interview with RHP director and they did talk about the double majors possibility.
On Way … hang on tight … Congratulations to the lucky ones!
Fight On!
Yes many do double majors but a student is only admitted to one. If he gets in the other he can add CS. I had a CS last grad last May. Exceptional program. Good luck!
Can you clarify: so your would get either the white box acceptance OR a scholarship rejection letter in the mail?
@WWWard I could be wrong but did you say your D or S got the box in Jan but for Undeclared last year? If so did he/she get interview or just box w/o invite (like 1/4)?
@WWWard Wow that’s insane! I saw that your younger one turned down ivy schools to get in SC undeclared and then transferred successfully. That’s incredible determination! Kaufman is quite new and I don’t know if they are open for that in case it does not work out for my son after his audition but I’ll ask!
has anyone received a box yet? good luck to everyone
@WishinWell check out first post
http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/university-southern-california/2048320-merit-packages-what-when-how-p1.html
Do any Thornton applicants get admitted in January? I just auditioned last week so it seems pretty unlikely.
@ChenXiaoYun When did your daughter and her friends hear about their scholarships?