<p>This is a great question - you would be surprised at how many applicants ask this question AFTER the application deadline! </p>
<p>Aim for the scholarship deadline of December 1st. There is no downside to applying by the scholarship deadline, even if you don’t think you will be considered for scholarships, and you have plenty of time to get everything in. Try to submit the online application at least a few days before the deadline - the site gets very tied up on that last day (it crashed last year) and applicants become very stressed trying to submit.</p>
<p>Yes, USC requires one recommendation, which may be from either a teacher or a counselor. They will accept more than one recommendation, and it seems most students submit two, some submit three.</p>
<p>Yes, you need to submit transcripts. You can send in an official, sealed transcript in an envelope along with your recommendation(s), or you can have your school registrar send it directly to USC. If possible, write your USC ID# on the outside of the envelopes. </p>
<p>Yes, you must request that your SAT and/or ACT scores are officially reported to USC. You can do this when you register for the test, online, or by calling up The College Board (SAT) [SAT</a> Scores - Get Your SAT Scores Online](<a href=“http://sat.collegeboard.com/scores/]SAT”>http://sat.collegeboard.com/scores/) or ACT, Inc. [ACT</a> Score Information: Send Your Scores to Others](<a href=“ACT Test Scores | ACT Scoring | ACT”>ACT Test Scores | ACT Scoring | ACT) USC requires either the SAT or ACT with Writing and suggests two SAT subject tests in addition to the SAT/ACT.</p>
<p>Submit the Part 1 application now to get your USC ID# and to save $15 on the total application fee. Try to get all your testing done by November - USC will accept December test dates, but it tends to be stressful for applicants waiting to hear if everything has been received, so save yourself the stress if possible.</p>
<p>Interviews are “informative” rather than “evaluative.” USC has over 35,000 applicants every year and cannot interview them all, so they do not give an advantage to those who are able to interview.</p>
<p>Don’t forget about FINANCIAL AID deadlines! Get the FAFSA and CSS/Profile in by the end of January, and send in copies of your tax returns as soon as possible (tell your parents this is the year to file as early as they possibly can).</p>
<p>Here is a toolkit of links to help find the USC application information you need. <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-southern-california/952301-new-applicant-toolkit.html?highlight=toolkit+2011[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-southern-california/952301-new-applicant-toolkit.html?highlight=toolkit+2011</a></p>
<p>GOOD LUCK!</p>