@CADREAMIN Since the Raiders are looking for a home for next year, maybe they should play there! They need all the magic they can get! 
@cdr2001 did u get that email recently? We got that long tome ago after submitting the application in December first week. Just wondering if this is something new.
How many packages are expected from USC?
My son received an email the other day about applying for the USC Topping Scholarship. We assumed this is an email everyone receives.
No, that email was not received by all. Congrats and apply.
In case anyone is wondering, here are the eligibility requirements for the Topping Scholarship:
Eligibility Checklist
If you answer “yes” to all three questions, we encourage you to proceed with the Topping Scholarship Application Instructions below:
- Are you applying for USC admission for Fall 2019 as a full-time freshman, transfer or graduate student?
OR Are you a USC Spring 2019 admit? - Do you have high financial need (expected family contribution less than $20,000)?
- Do you demonstrate a strong community awareness and contribute to the betterment of a community through volunteer efforts?
I also got the Topping Scholarship email but they probably send it to all first-generation applicants, I wouldn’t consider it a harbinger of acceptance just yet
A little bit more info from the USC website:
The purpose of the NTSAF is to assist students with high financial need who demonstrate an extraordinary level of community awareness in their pursuit of higher education at USC. First-generation college students and local area applicants are given primary consideration in the scholarship selection process. However, please note that the scholarship is not limited to these populations.
@aggiemom68 Around 1200 (of those who applied by Dec 1) will learn that they got in and are continuing via the merit process this week. No one is actually rejected in January. So most of the 60K+ who applied overall will learn their fate in late March.
Are we expecting decisions to be mailed out tmr based on last year’s timeline?
How is MLKJ day going to effect the packages? Will people start recieving them a few days later?
i went through this 2 years ago and MLK was not on that Monday. I am not sure if @CADREAMIN knows about this, but I suspect that the packages MIGHT go out tomorrow Tuesday. I think last year they might have gone out on a Tuesday anyhow? or Monday afternoon? There used to be a birdie on this forum who worked for USC, not in admissions, that usually could tell us when they were going out…And I do seem to recall pictures on twitter (maybe instagram) showing the boxes loading into a truck to be mailed.
Last year merit packages were received Jan 24-25. Should we be expecting them to come later this year?
Last year send/receive/portal info:
2018
MERIT MAILED Tuesday the 23rd
FIRST MERIT ACKNOWLEDGED Wednesday the 24th at 1:44 pm
Portal Update 01-26-2018 at 12:04 am (Friday am) Seen under Check application status
REGULAR ROUND
MAILED March 22, Thursday
First to post 9:48am March 23
Portal updated at 12:03am on Saturday night/Sunday morning 25th March
2017
They were also MAILED on the 23rd which was a Monday and first (legit) received was posted on Tuesday the 24th at 1:24pm!
(Yes I have tracked this info for last 8 years, ha)
So it is safe bet they will get sent tomorrow, UNLESS the holiday causes them to be pushed out to a Wednesday send. Good luck everyone!
@CADREAMIN
Is the “Check application status” a button or tab that shows somewhere on the portal?
Currently my son does not see it on his portal. Maybe it’s supposed to show up only when there is something to check…
gl to everyone! usc is my dream school and a scholarship would def help, sending out good vibes to everyone!!
@jamgolf It shows up when something to check. So the portal will either link you to Explore USC info or you will be referred to a letter that says basically, “No scholarship, check back in March.”
THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN UNTIL AFTER PACKAGES SENT, ONCE PACKAGES GO OUT WE WILL KNOW WHEN PORTALS WILL UPDATE TO THIS:
IF YOU RECEIVE SCHOLARSHIP, THE FIRST PAGE OF YOUR PORTAL CHANGES TO THIS:
Admission
Admission Decision
Enrollment Commitment Deposit
Withdraw Your Application
Submit Documents
Financial Aid
Apply for Financial Aid
Financial Aid Summary & Tasks (FAST) page
On-Campus Admitted Student Programs
Explore USC
Preview USC
Admitted Student Day
Campus tours
Off-Campus Admitted Student Programs
Apply for Housing
FOR THOSE THAT DO NOT GET SCHOLARSHIP
If admitted the very first screen changes, if not, a letter appears under “check your application status.” This letter below will be in you portal under Admission Decision,
it will appear as a “Current Message”:
Dear ________
I am writing to first-year candidates who submitted their applications by December 1, in time for consideration for USC merit scholarships. I want to update you on the status of our admission review, and our scholarship selection process.
Scholarship Selection
Over 40,000 students applied in time to be considered for merit scholarships. We have offered admission to approximately 1,200 students who will proceed to the next phase of consideration for our top awards: the Mork Family, Stamps Leadership, Trustee, and Presidential scholarships. I am sorry to say you were not selected for further consideration for these awards.
This notification only applies to the scholarships I mentioned. You will still be considered for other awards, including but not limited to those listed on our Scholarships page. I encourage you to apply for financial aid if you have not already done so. Visit the Financial Aid website for application instructions. Also, if you are admitted, named a National Merit Finalist and select USC as your first-choice institution, you will receive a USC Presidential Scholarship worth one-half tuition.
Admission Selection and Notification
Your application is still being considered for admission. We are planning to offer admission to approximately 8,000 additional first-year students. We will mail these notifications so you have the decision by April 1. I am grateful for your patience as you wait for us to finish this difficult work.
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 report them online at you.usc.edu, or your school can send them to us.
@CADREAMIN
Thanks for your help. Much appreciated!
Is the portal:
(A) https://applyto.usc.edu/apply/status
Or
(B) you.usc.edu
A