Do USC merit scholarships come out in waves? Like do the presidential and trustee candidates get it first and then the dean scholarship recipients get it later in February?
No. This round comes out all at once, then there might be some smaller ones, which may include Dean’s but usually just smaller ones at time of admission in March. These do not trickle out, or come out in rolling fashion. What’s done is done till March/April, at least that is how it has been in the past. Typically, those getting Dean’s now got accepted but with no scholarship info included in their packet.
@blueskies2day
So basically if we would have gotten the Presidential/Trustee/Deans we would have already known if we live in SoCal. 
I really think so, sorry. You can give it a couple more days, but I think it is easier to assume not and move on. And if it comes it is one heckuva surprise. Parents can endure this a bit more, but it is he[[ on the kids to keep waiting for the mail. It also makes kids feel they aren’t wanted unnecessarily, which is true to some extent everywhere of course, but this method just drives it home too much imo. Everyone should get the scholarship or no scholarship notices at the same time.
@blueskies2day
Yeah that definitely sucks but you are right, time to move on. I hope not getting this scholarship isn’t indicative of my chances at other top schools. Thanks for your help, you’ve definitely been one of the most realistic people on the thread.
The decisions are mailed in waves by college. While dornslife scholarship notifications were sent last Friday, Marshall notifications were mailed yesterday. I live in SoCal and I just got mine today!