<p>I'm currently a senior in high school and I am trying to decide whether to apply to Harvey Mudd or USC. I know that they are not really comparable schools in terms of size, programs, etc. However, I understand that both are respectable schools and I am trying to narrow my list down. (By the way, I am considering both schools because I want to major in engineering.)</p>
<p>I am planning to make this decision based on financial aid because without any aid,
I would not be able to attend either school. I know that both schools offer need-based aid and very competitive merit scholarships. Therefore, I am interested in getting an idea of profiles for students who were awarded the Mork Family, Stamp Leadership, Presidents, or Trustee's scholarships from USC.</p>
<p>Right now, I have a 3.93 GPA, a 2120 for the SAT, and a 750/770 for Chemistry/Math 2 SAT Subject Tests. I know it's on the lower end of the spectrum, but I am hopeful that they factor in at the courses I've taken and my leadership/extracurricular activities. </p>
<p>If I can get an idea of the cut off/averages for these scholarships, I think I might get a better idea of my chances at USC's other scholarships.</p>
<p>Merit aid at USC: There are no cut offs for USC merit scholarships and averages are not published. Applicants who apply by the December 1st scholarship deadline are considered for merit scholarships. </p>
<p>In recent years, they’ve been rejecting kids w/ scores around/just below 2100, so I don’t think a 2120 would get any merit. </p>
<p>My friend’s D had an ACT 35 was Val of her class, applied early, and got NOTHING. She’s now at MIT. </p>
<p>USC is a need-based aid school, so any merit you’d get would get applied to need anyway. How much merit do you need? How much will your family pay?</p>
<p>DS was invited to interview for the Presidential and offered the Presidential with a 2200. I think USC allows the different departments to choose their interviewees based on their own criteria. DS showed an early interest in his major by taking online courses in middle school. He also went to the state magnet for Science and Math. I am sure coming from NC didn’t hurt any either!</p>
<p>"I think USC allows the different departments to choose their interviewees based on their own criteria. "
This is true. The Full Tuition scholarships are allocated to the various colleges and a students real interest in attending USC [ which requires more proof than just applying early and writing an essay saying they want to attend] is a factor in the selection process.
When DS applied to USC, he visited twice, sought out the head of the dept he was intending to major in, sent in a CD of his musical abilities[ though music was only an interest, not his intended major] and had a strong letter of recommendation sent to both the head of the dept as well as the admissions office by the scientist he was doing outside research with. That dept at USC ended up really wanting him, [his choice of major is not a popular one] and he was selected to receive a full tuition scholarship.
Showing sincere interest can never hurt , since USC these days receives thousands of early applications from many exceptional students.</p>
<p>Being “test score crazy” according to one poster should not deter you from trying in a process most regard as holistic. My own single-source anecdote was a candidate with a 34 ACT who received full tuition last year. Her GPA, class rigor, essays, ECs, and performance in interviews must have allowed her to shine over the MIT admit in some way.</p>
<p>well, well, well, isn’t this interesting, menloparkmom. thanks so much for this information. you have been helpful to me again. </p>
<p>Two questions: 1) can you tell me where I can find this information about the decisions being made at the department level? 2) What do you think the equivalent of two visits would be if D lived on other coast and the travel was not something she can afford right now?</p>
<p>I am sure coming from NC didn’t hurt any either!</p>
<p>Most probably! Being regionally desirable sure is a plus to a private. They like to have students from all 50 states. </p>
<p>And, as you said, each college has awards.</p>
<p>What was his M + CR score? </p>
<p>The student that I know (now at MIT) was a female from Calif. Being from Calif was a negative, but we thought that being an eng’g major would help…but not. It’s all good…she’s flourishing at MIT.</p>
<p>Students who are offered the chance to interview for Merit scholarships are first notified of their acceptance to USC in late Jan and early Feb. Trustee, Mork, Stamp and Presidential scholarship decisions are made after the accepted student has been interviewed by a committee made up of 3 people - normally a current merit scholar, a prof or chair of the dept the student has applied to and and someone from the Admissions office.
I cant put my fingers on how I learned that merit scholarships are spread out among different colleges at USC-I probably first learned it at an accepted scholars event at USC. But I’m not the only USC parent who has learned how and by whom Merit scholarship decisions are made.</p>
Being regionally desirable sure is a plus to a private. They like to have students from all 50 states. </p>