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<blockquote> <p>January admits are for students who don't quite have the credentials of regular admits but USC believes can do the work.<<</p> </blockquote>
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<p>I think a better way to say it is that January admits are students that they really wanted but didn't have room for. But they know that a certain percentage of each fall class will wash out, so they offer January admissions to take their place and keep the class closer to full and make better use of expensive resources.</p>
<p>We know a woman who was a January admit at Berkeley and it worked out fine for her. She soon got caught up and had a wonderful experience. They don't stamp "January Admit" on your diploma.</p>