Did anyone else get an email from USC yesterday that started with:
“Thank you for your strong interest in the University of Southern California and for submitting your first-year application. We have completed a preliminary review of your application file and are writing to request further information. Specifically, we would like to see the results of the first term of your senior year course work before we take final action on your application.”
Is this just a reminder email because my school hadn’t sent mid-year reports yet? On USC’s website they posted that they send “many” requests like this in Jan & Feb to applicants they need additional info from. So could it mean something like “borderline” applicant?
Not everyone at my school who applied got it so I’m stressed/scared. Really love USC… :-S
@reinawrites You’re overthinking it. They generally like to see first semester senior year grades from most applicants and yours haven’t been received yet. I don’t think that it’s a sign of anything good or bad, just that something’s missing. I would have your counselor send them right away.
@basicluis - it means you are in their system. Sorry, at this point, no white box means you need to wait for the rest of the decisions to come out. We went through this last year with two kids. Its not easy, but you need to be patient. Neither of my two were accepted. They are both at great schools and loving it. Best of luck.
This year’s fall class was larger than anticipated by I think about 400. There were also a larger number of spring admits who accepted. It was hard to find housing spots for everyone. Anticipating a similar yield, they are accepting around 7000 this year which is more than 1000 less than last year.
@CADREAMIN - I agree with just above a 10% acceptance rate for class of 2023. Based on the numbers for the past several years, and the reported % jump in Dec 1st applications, I posted my estimates a couple weeks ago and I don’t believe they’ll be that far off.
The combination of increased application numbers, rising yield, and over enrollment are driving the admit rate down. Fall admits last year ended up at 8,339. I believe that will drop by more than last years % drop from 2017.
Merit/Overall applications last year - 39,000/64,352
Merit/Overall applications this year - 42,000+ (8% increase)/estimated 69,500 (8% increase)
Yield 2016/2017/2018/2019 - 34%/37.1%/40.8%/estimated 42%
Class of 2023 estimate (class size 3,024; last year was over enrolled at 3,401)
I don’t believe USC will dip below 10% admittance rate this year. Likely it will happen next year. Applications and yield continue to increase driving down the number of admitted students.The yield increase from 2016-2018 went from 34% to 40.8%. That is having as dramatic an effect as the increase in applications from 2016-2018; 54,282 to 64,352.
@jcwjnw99 Pretty impressive math. You are right, it will not go below 10% this year as @marcie123 was already told directly by USC folks that 10% is the admit rate this year (they passed the info on to me). As they mentioned above your post, accepting 7000 is quite a low figure compared to other years. Over enrollment has caught up with them and they are trying to even things out this year, so it is gonna be a tough year on these applicants. Even with the Village, housing continues to be a challenge, but at least sophomores are covered better now. They weren’t prior to the opening of the Village and it was a general stress fest for many.
This information is so incredibly disheartening especially for the kids, like my son, who love USC so much they gave up ED opportunities at other schools.
@AggieMom68 As of 2015, the Presidential also came with supplemental funding should your student take extra credits during a semester or do a summer program. There is a cap on the dollar amount but it was (IMO) generous. For example, my D received more than half the cost of a summer abroad program, and we did not have to pay any extra tuition for the semesters she took over the amount of credits covered by tuition. @CADREAMIN may know if the NMF half-tuition award has this benefit as well, but it could be a reason to go for the Presidential. Good luck!
@jmek15
I think you mean “credits” she took over those covered by tuition rather than “semesters”…That perk, which is also offered through academic achievement, to even those not on scholarship, can easily shave a semester off graduating even with a double major. It’s a great benefit.
Hey everyone Does anyone know what kind of departmental scholarships USC Roski gives? On their website it says:
"The USC Roski School of Art and Design annually awards departmental scholarships to its undergraduate students. Talent awards for incoming freshmen are based on quality of application portfolios. All incoming students are automatically considered for these awards; a separate scholarship application is not necessary.
Awards are made for four years. Some awards for continuing art majors are targeted to advanced students, or students working in a specific medium; other awards have no such restrictions."
I was just curious if anyone had some insight on exactly what kind of talents they are given for or for how much, thanks!
Hi!! Right after I received an email saying I didn’t get a scholarship, I got a thick letter in the mail regarding applying to financial aid. I was wondering if anyone else received mail regarding financial aid? I may be digging too deeply, but is it a hint that I got accepted? Not sure if they mail everyone those thick packets about financial aid. Thanks!
It is not a hint about getting accepted. The financial aid office does not give admissions information or hint at decisions. They process financial aid applications. Their job is to gather the required financial aid applications and materials for all financial aid applicants.
If anyone attended the USC Explore event, can you please post some updates and your experience here. We are going for the last one on March 4/5. Haven’t seen any post on the explore event. Is there a separate thread? We are super excited to learn more about USC next week. Best wishes to all!
@AggieMom68 Explore was amazing! USC really knows how to throw a party, and “brainwash”. The speech by the provost was incredible. You could hear a pin drop. Thematic Option session cannot be missed. I loved hearing Dean Brunold mention details from applications to get a sense of who else will be in the class. SAT average was 1550 and 35 for ACT. They’re expecting an 11% acceptance rate, 7,000 students. 67,000 applications. D loved meeting other admitted students and interview was like a conversation. Very nice overall. Fingers crossed!
@Mkate75 you mentioned SAT average was 1550 and 35 this year? This would be a significant increase from last years students where average was 1400-1530/31-35. Here is last years profile sheet. http://admission.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/Freshman-Profile-2019.pdf. I thought you might be referring those already admitted but you put 11% and 7,000 so that would indicated total admitted. So they must have already concluded the process and are just waiting a month to send the decisions?
Appreciate all your help on this thread!