I swear usc is trying to kill me. still no update. Oh well by this point that means i didnt get it, so I can start getting excited to go to UCF! It’s kinda nice to know for sure where I’m going now! (No chance of being able to pay for usc without a huge scholarship)
Has anyone heard on Long Island yet? No word here for my son or his friends who applied.
I do remember there being posts last year around 8:30am PST of a few stragglers. Ya, the numbers are insane, 39,000 applying early which is 7,000 higher in one year! I am still curious to see the overall applicants to see if just more are applying early or if it is that huge a jump in applications (which I think it will be).
Ah the process - well at least they updated at 12:04am and didn’t make me look bad. Other than that, it is brutal. Of course if your are one of the 1200, you forget the agony that came before the package. Like a women that goes through labor forgets once holding that beautiful baby!
I agree with @wwward about his perceptions of honors. 10 years ago, when USC was a very different place, I think honors was a different experience and had unique perks. While I get honors and have had kids in it, I didn’t like the feeling on here or anywhere that presented them as a different class or level of student. There are many kids that didn’t get a scholarship and may not even get admitted in March that aren’t different than those that did. They don’t lack passion or high grades and scores. There just isn’t enough room. Now the students at USC may be diverse, but academically, they are more homogeneous than ever. With the student profile what it is these days - more than 31% admitted have a 4.0uw. Kids with 4.5 kids and 800 subject test scores are turned away. Wow. Yet those receiving a merit scholarship remains at just over 2%. No question the kids chosen are great kids, but so are the many many that don’t get it. It’s not an exact science - they are forming an honors community between things you have no control over - the amount of scholarships per majors, per schools, demographic targets, and a little bit of luck. And guess what, nowadays, that looks pretty much like the rest of the school. So if you got it, yes, you are exceptional and demonstrated that well, congratulations. But I believe there are a lot of exceptional students that don’t get the scholarship and won’t even get admitted in March. Don’t think you or your student is lacking or didn’t do something well enough. Again, there just isn’t enough room.
So yes, there are other perks for scholarship kids but today, I think honors is more about money and freshman housing preference than any other benefit at this point in time. They have an entire class of exceptional students - of course resources have to be available to all - professors and opportunities are accessible, a gorgeous campus and LA at their doorstep, more super interesting classes than one can take in 10 years, a zillion cool majors and clubs to choose from, and that Trojan alumni network that is stronger than any other and available to all Trojans. The dorm life at USC can be fantastic in any building - even without air conditioning - (shout out Birkrant, which was the former honors housing) the students make it that way. The benefits of USC are available to all that attend.
The kids at USC are all great kids, with or without a scholarship. Good luck to all as your college process continues into spring and to those back around here in March - hang in there. 
I never got an email, but I checked the portal this morning and I was accepted (in running for Presidential, CS+Business at Viterbi)! I’m in NorCal (Sacramento) and didn’t get a package yet, hopefully it comes today so I can surprise my parents.
I will also be a National Merit Finalist. Does this mean that I will be getting a half-scholarship for sure anyways?
Any Central Jersey people? See update? See box?
Were emails sent out to everyone? No email here.
dd applied Viterbi CS, so not expecting great news, but were expecting some news.
@MrPotatoHead Congrats! Yes you are guaranteed the half but you should interview - you may get bumped up and Explore USC is fantastic, they roll out the red carpet. Nothing to lose!
So sweet you want to surprise your parents!!!
No update still! I’m refreshing every minute. I just want to see the deferral letter!
@CADREAMIN Thanks so much! I will definitely be going down to interview; I want to visit all the schools I have applied to down in LA anyways. I’ve been stalking this forum for the past couple days and you’ve really helped me understand this process (which I was unaware existed until two days ago… lol), so thanks for that as well!
@ugradbiz I feel you. :-/
My son is applying for dance. Auditioned/interviewed is scheduled for tomorrow. No magical box no emails no portal updates.
Good luck and @MrPotatoHead! Don’t hesitate to ask any questions, I had 4 admitted to USC, 3 attended in last 6 years, so been there done that.
Curious to see whatcha think!
@jdawg24 The wait is killing me! I am in SoCal as well. Maybe they are saving the decisions for their favorite region!
Everyone I know has gotten their decision. Should I be worried? I haven’t got any updates from them.
Same here. My S applying to Thornton as composition major. No emails or portal updates. Nothing. Anyone know the merit notification process for the Arts schools that have separate prescreen components?
ugh @schaalum, but how exciting. But focus on tomorrow and put this distraction behind you for now. Good things ahead!
@ugradbiz Haha. I’m in SoCal, too.
The tab to register for admitted student programs is up now! @carmen00
@winjammer My son is applying to Thornton as Music Industry major. Had to submit pre-screening materials, but no audition. No email or portal update.
I would think, since Thornton is still auditioning into February, that Thornton admissions needs to wait to see the whole pool of applicants who are academically qualified for merit scholarships and who pass auditions before deciding on offering academic merit awards. Thus, it would make sense to have no notification now.
@croaswife Sorry to hear your son didn’t make it. We 're on the same boat. My D’s stats are similar to your son, she also has some awards at national level. I think USC may not just looks at stats. My friend’s son received trustee scholarship last year. He had couple Bs. By now, I think the essay plays a very important role. How to present yourself with passion is the key.