<p>mccormickt12, if the additional recommendations add something to your application then, yes, it might help. If one recommendation covers everything, then it won’t “hurt” to send just one. In posts here on College Confidential, it seems most applicants send two simply because they needed two for other schools and have them available.</p>
<p>The official word is that not having an interview won’t hurt your chances, but it is my personal opinion that in some cases an interview can help. Just like the extra recommendation, if you can manage to have an interview that adds an element to your application or pulls it all together, it will change the way they see your application. On the other hand, if you think you might have a “bad” interview - don’t sign up for one!</p>
<p>Kabizzle - No, there is no interview for the NMS Presidential Scholarship. It is still worth applying by the scholarship deadline, though - if you are invited to interview there is always the chance you will be awarded the Trustee.</p>
<p>Applicants who apply by the December 1st scholarship deadline will hear about admission decisions by April 1st - an agonizingly long time. Those selected to interview for the Trustee and Presidential Scholarships will hear before then, but that will only be ~800 to ~1,000 applicants. USC has a unique timetable for acceptances - check the first page on the FAQ for admissions thread stickied at the top of the USC forum for cc411’s schedule of mailings.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>