@CADREAMIN But is it only for spring admits it are the kids that are still being considered for “other scholarships” being considered for Associates?
@s0meUSCkid95 There are total 16000 NMSF, assuming 20% of them apply to USC, given USC gives large amount of scholarship, that is 3200 students. In the Jan. round, around 1000 students are admitted, and will be interviewing for 100 trustee and 200 Presidential scholarship. So the absolute max number of NMSF will be admitted this round is 300, since Presidential scholarship is guaranteed for NMF (15000 over 16000 NMSF will be promoted to NMF soon).
I would assume that USC would have to limit the number of NMSF that they admit this round. Vast majority of the NMSF will be left out this round. That is why we see that some of the NMSF who have extremely impressive qualifications didn’t get offer today.
@apple349 I didn’t follow your reasoning fully. It seems to me that nmsf status is more likely to affect the March round and not the January merit round.
There was an earlier post that McCarthy houses about 500 students. So even assuming usc finances are not a constraint on admission of nmsf applicants, doesn’t the housing situation create such an issue? It just seems whether they call it a quota or not, usc has to be looking at nmsf status when building its freshmen class. I don’t see any other way. Am I missing something?
The more I think about it, usc’s half tuition pledge for nmf is a great way for usc to attract high stats applicants (assuming a high psat score is a proxy for high stats in general is not a great leap). Then usc chooses to accept within this pool of high stats applicants many of whom may not have otherwise applied. Great for usc but not sure it’s so great for the kids. As with so much in the college app process, I wish there was more transparency in what’s going on.
@glasshalffull123 In Jan. round, around 1000 students are admitted to compete for 300 scholarships (trustee+presidential). Since scholarship for NMF is guaranteed, the max NMF could be admitted in Jan. is 300.
For non-NMF, nothing is guaranteed. The number of NMF could be admitted in Jan has to be limited.
@apple349 I think a nmsf applicant who is invited to interview for a merit scholarship in January could still be “denied” on the scholarship, but since he is already admitted, he would get the default presidential scholarship later. So I don’t think it’s “guaranteed” in January. The nmsf applicant is in no better or worse position than a non-nmsf applicant in the January round. March is a different story.
@glasshalffull123 the point is that if NFM is admitted in Jan, they will get the money. So the number of admitted NMF needs to be controlled in Jan. round and March round.
@Apple349 I think we are basically saying the same thing. I still think usc has more freedom in the January round to ignore nmsf status because it can always make the final adjustment in March.
Anyway, I really hope I’m wrong about this lol! If someone can convince me, I would love it!
@Apple349, it seems USC really really wants to enroll NMF and other tiptop stat kids. It’s the reason they offer so much $$ to NMF admits in the first place, and so much $$ to others highly regarded applicants in their merit pool. USC has spent the past few decades building its reputation by investing in a more highly regarded academic student body. Matriculating large numbers of NMFs has been one way they’ve moved further up the college rankings. However, not all NMF candidates are exactly the same, and USC adcom uses a holistic method of application review, which takes into account “fit” and the specific needs of each School and majors when building a diverse and interesting class mix. So, historically, they know about how many NMFs who are admitted will, in the end, attend USC. The end point of the equation is not simply admission, but where these top students decide to go to school after they’ve heard yes from Stanford or Columbia or ???
I have a hard time believing the adcom dings applicants for being NMF or holds them to any higher standard than other applicants–simply to curtail spending–since the very reason they offer the scholarships is to bring these same kids to campus. But that’s my sense of logic.
I have noticed that USC really believes in their ability to “build” a class and they like to add a percentage of introverts, a percentage of students of great character, students who have overcome great hardships, students who are incredibly creative, students who express themselves authentically in their essays and students who really want to attend USC for specific reasons.
Oh, and one of the reasons I don’t believe they are closely tracking who is/isn’t NMSF is the fact they invite finalists to interview for the Presidential merit scholarship when, obviously, this makes little sense. They are already going to GET the Presidential by virtue of being NMF, but USC hasn’t made that connection.
Hi Dolemite. Upthread (p. 6) you mentioned that Merit Aid finalists should accept Tuition Exchange acceptance about a week following the ltter of admission. Was this your experience in 2018? Do you have any idea about how many TE awards there are for incoming 1st year students.
May I know if the shortlisting of Trustee/Presidential scholarship applicants is only for the batch that submitted their application before Dec 1st? If i submitted my application by 15th Jan is it right for me to only expect hearing back from them by April?
@cheezy Yes, you will hear back around March 22nd, along with everyone that didn’t get a scholarship that applied by Dec 1st about 41,000 people and another 20,000+ that applied by Jan 15. They say by April 1st, but it’s before that.
March is the big time of decisions, this release only went out to about 1,000 applicants.
Hi All - If anyone can post the “no scholarship letter” on here that would be helpful. I keep track of these things over the years. 
Of course, remove your name. Just the body text. Thanks in advance.
Congrats to all that got good news of acceptance and good luck in the interviews. There are posts and videos on line with info about what to expect, what to wear, etc. Some of you will make your next forever friend(s) at Explore and get great news. Some of you already know you are going to USC 100% - welcome to the Trojan Family!
Some got this great news but will still not be able to fund the balance due after scholarship and/or financial aid results. Go in with realistic expectations within your family about what you can and can’t do to keep tensions at home at a minimum, and the college decision process a positive one.
And to everyone else still waiting - hang in there. So many expecting/hoping for a package this week didn’t get one. It is no reflection on your greatness. It is simple supply/demand and frankly some luck. Things out of your control - major and school you apply to, the other applicants, demographics and more play a part in the decision and you can’t do anything about those. This two step process can also make the USC admit process even more drawn out and a bit more agonizing for those hoping to get a package this first round, but didn’t. For the UCs (and others), you apply by Nov 30 (or there abouts) and don’t think about it till mid/end of March. So put USC in the back of your mind for now. This thread will be here the week of March 18th - the likely week of regular decision release. Good news is for the March release, USC admissions posts when they are put on the truck so we all know when they have left the building!
Try to immerse yourself in all that is good about your senior year - your friends, activities, breathing a little bit now that mid year grades are posted. What will be will be in March - you have done all you can. Let it ride as they say and focus on life that is right in front of you as you await all your options. Wish you all the best in this very exciting, stressful, sometimes painful, but hopefully and ultimately, happy time for you.
Dear _____,
I am sending this update to first-year candidates who submitted applications by December 1, the deadline for USC Merit Scholarship consideration.
Scholarship Selection
Over 42,000 students applied in time to be considered for USC Merit Scholarships. We recently offered admission to approximately 1,000 students who will proceed to the next phase of consideration for our top awards: the Mork Family, Stamps, Trustee, and Presidential scholarships. _____, I am sorry to say you were not selected for further consideration for these awards.
This notification applies only to the awards I mentioned. You will still be considered for other scholarships listed on our Scholarships page. Also, if you are named a National Merit Finalist, offered admission and select USC as your first-choice institution, you will receive a USC Presidential Scholarship worth one-half tuition.
Financial Aid
I encourage you to apply for financial aid if you have not already done so. Visit the Financial Aid website for application instructions, or to see an estimate of aid you might receive.
Admission Selection and Notification
Your application is still being considered for approximately 6,000 additional first-year offers of admission. We mail notifications in late March so you will receive it by April 1. I am grateful for your patience as you wait for us to finish this difficult work. If you are no longer interested in pursuing admission to USC, you can withdraw your application at the USC applicant portal.
Mid-Year Reports
If you or your school counselor has not already done so, please submit your mid-year report (your final grades from the first term of your senior year). You can upload a copy of your grades online at admission.usc.edu/status, or your school can send them to us.
We wish you the best of luck. If you have further questions, please feel free to contact us online or at (213) 740-1111. Thank you for considering USC.
Sincerely,
Kirk Brennan
Associate Dean
Director of Undergraduate Admission
Here is a copy of the email, @CADREAMIN !
Thank you so much @clairebear4396! Best of luck with your college decision!
Thank YOU for all your helpful insight during this crazy time!! You too, @WWWard & @s0meUSCkid95
You’re welcome. I would accept you for having the user name clairebear. So good.
Congratulations to those who have been admitted! My daughter was in your shoes a year ago and this year she will be hosting during Explore. I’m happy to answer any questions you have about the Explore weekend! Good luck!
@collegemom111111,
Thanks ! This is our last tussle with the college acceptance process. Glad to have an early admit, because we know how anticipation-filled the next couple months can be from our previous son. Crossing my fingers for your S or D ! Good luck
I agree with @madbean. I think their explanation captures my understanding. I will only add that I think you’re conflating numbers in your example. The 1000 admits aren’t competing for just 300 trustee and presidential scholarships. 300 is the number that will end up enrolling. Closer to 600+ of those 1,000 will be awarded a trustee or presidential, but only about half will end up enrolling. The yield on these scholarships isn’t much higher than the overall yield.