They do waste a lot of money by doing USPS priority mail. Why not just update on the portal, and /or follow up by regular mail?
I know @f2000sa , I did the math and I think it must cost them over $50k just to ship out acceptances, which is insane
They just love the old school tradition and if ya go to USC, you see tradition everywhere. While I agree it can be the most painful of processes, especially for the many that don’t get admitted, for those that do, it is spectacular and a once in a lifetime moment that is unforgettable. Getting into college is a big deal, they just want to acknowledge that and this is the way they start. It really does initiate a bond with the school that is impossible to duplicate with an online update. Not to mention that with what is paid to attend, they can afford to send a wonderful admission packet.
Okay–I’m absolutely dying here. Will not survive until mail comes today sometime between 3-6:30 pm (never know when it will show up!). Darling son applied to SCA (IMGD) which only picks like 15-20 kids each year. I CANNOT STAND THE WAIT. (oh, my other twin son applied to USC too, but I’m more worried about the SCA son). ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH…
3 day zone here. Portal update will have to do for us. Although we can wait til Monday’s mail to arrive, I’m guessing that’s not an option for my son. Any 3 day zoners waiting for the Monday mail?
He’s avoided the dream school trap, but as a film major, this one’s tough not to hold out hope for. SCA is in a different stratosphere.
@lakergirl6232 I feel your pain. Reliving 2017. Ultimately… my daughter’s package then was two days late (do not wish that on anyone), and she thus found out online. Got into USC but not SCA… so Undeclared. She still committed to USC and internally transferred into SCA later. So that is always a potential option for some too.
Good luck… both in terms of managing the wait… and getting in 
@WWWard I still remember that so well, you even posted a “well, she didn’t get in” post, and wished everyone else the best, it was so gracious and sad at same time. Ahhh, our hearts broke for you. Then after portal update, we were all happy to see the, “oops, nvm, she got in” post. Then the package coming on day 4, ugh. What a ride that was.
Ya, it’s great to get in, but yes, it can be too much to take sometimes!
@CADREAMIN Yep… and 2017 strangely feels like just yesterday. In reality, in the case of our family, the mailbox moment was denied twice. For my older daughter, she got that SDA RSVP invite a week early, so she knew that she had already been admitted. For my younger daughter, the box was anti-climactic on day four. But still… all’s well that ends well. So no complaints here.
Here’s hoping that this cycle all admitted applicants get the mailbox moment that they deserve…
@romns116 3 day zone here also. I was really hoping for that mailbox moment (if I was to be accepted) but I will have to check online I guess…
Same @paceorama . I get that they really want the moment with the big envelope but I don’t understand the point of paying for that if they’re going to release portal decisions before all acceptance letters arrive in the mail and if they’re going to make the 3rd day of delivery a Sunday.
Yes, I guess the packages are pretty large and the acceptance letter is in a faux leather portfolio
@drumminggeek87 It’s all about them saying you are special. They are obviously more concerned about those admitted than not. With their tuition rates, they can afford it. I thought the UCLA admit package (came after portal) was pretty sweet too actually. But USC wants their admits to have a moment they remember their whole life. And it works tremendously well for many admitted.
@CADREAMIN Fair enough, I definitely understand the reasons for it and would definitely prefer getting the moment with letters to getting a portal update, I just think it’s too bad for the people for whom relying on the portal is really the best option.
@drumminggeek87 Oh totally agree, the angst is unbelievable, it took me a while to figure out why they put people through this, then I realized, oh it’s just about the admits. It’s like someone having a baby lol, it’s soooo painful, but once that baby is in your arms (re: admissions package) they disregard all that pain they just went through. But those not admitted don’t get that reward. It can be downright awful, no denying that.
The best thing is the portal update is earlier this year - and just a few years ago, maybe 5-7? there was no portal update, you waited for days by the mailbox for the lost box (hoping) or rejection letter and it didn’t show up till a week later because they waited till after all acceptances were received to mail them. That was double awful.
@CADREAMIN Lol that’s a good analogy! And that anecdote definitely makes me happy the portal update is when it is this year lol.
BOTH OF MY TWIN SONS GOT INTO USC~~ 1 into School of Cinematic Arts for Interactive Game Design and the other into Dornslife for PHysics. I almost fainted when I saw the postal carrier carrying 2 white boxes and then I yelled for the boys to go out to the front porch!!
@lakergirl6232 Wow! Congrats… times two! That SCA admit itself is super-impressive. Only 1-2% get in to that program traditionally.
And you were so angsty and panicky earlier today… Now it turns to a new form of panic - can we afford two at USC simultaneously? lol
Congrats @lakergirl6232 ! That’s so exciting!
Congrats @lakergirl6232 ! That’s so cool. Hope to have a similar experience tomorrow!
This is what the packages look like
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