USC acceptance letters

pmcharkins · 01-14-2007, 09:45 PM

I know that this topic has probablly already been adressed, but when are they sent out? and are they sent out all at once or in waves?
thanks

sfgiants · 01-14-2007, 09:52 PM

In waves, all the way up through early April.

bluebeard · 01-14-2007, 10:56 PM

ok so i want to get this straight because i know there's a chance i might be getting a letter in the mail in a few weeks. what exactly does an acceptance look like in the mail? what if i get a merit scholarship? does it look any different? is a request for a merit scholarship interview packaged along with the acceptance? i'm really freaking out about the merit scholarship, so i basically want to know if i'll find out right away with my acceptance if i'm accepted.

lovetocamp · 01-14-2007, 11:45 PM

It is exciting. It has the USC letterhead. It is addressed to the student. Along the left column is has "Office of Admission and Financial Aid".

January xx, 20xx

Your name
Your address
Your city, state, zip

The first paragraph:

Congratulations! I am pleased to offer you admissions to the University of Southern California for the fall 200x term. This offer is being extended to you as a result of your outstanding achievement both in and out of the classroom - for all of your late nights and weekends devoted to study, and for all the times you went beyond what was expected of you.

The USC faculty, world famous researchers on the forefront in the creation of new knowledge, are especially eager for you to join us. They look forward to working with remarkable young people who will bring intellect, curiosity, and persistence to the university community. We believe you are such a person.

Each of our students brings special qualities and a range of interests. This makes USC one of the most exciting universities in the world. You will become part of an international student body of enormous talent, depth and diversity. You will work with scholars of all disciplines, from all sciences to the arts, from the humanities to the social sciences and professional disciplines. You will learn from others, we will learn from you, and you will grow to become a leader for tomorrow.

Past the tall trees of our beautiful campus is downtown Los Angeles, the heart of the vibrant city, you will call home for the next four years. Our city is a living laboratory, providing opportunities for learning in formal and informal ways, in areas such as global business, community service, and national politics. You can find just about anything here -- music, art, theater, a variety of cultures, beautiful beaches, snow - capped mountains, even expansive preserves of natural wonder.

The solutions for the problems of tomorrow are unknown to us today. A USC education will provide you with a broad base of knowledge. This breadth, combined with your mastery of one, two or even three academic fields, will equip you to make a difference in a world characterized by constant change. We look forward to sharing this journey with you.

Welcome to the Trojan Family!

Sincerely,
signature

Timothy E. Brunhold
Associate Dean
Director, Undergraduate Admission.

---------------------

footnote: My hope (from LoveToCamp) is that each of you who long to attend USC will receive such a letter. Good luck to each of you.

pmcharkins · 01-15-2007, 12:03 AM

that letter is beauutiful....i really wanna get to see one in person...ah

lovetocamp · 01-15-2007, 12:17 AM

I hope that you receive one.

In addition to the letter, there is a certificate (8.5 x 11). The entire page (background) is gold. The lettering is in red. It reads at the top (and all text is centered across the page):

CERTIFICATE OF ADMISSION

UNIVERSITY OF
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

This is to certify that

Your firstname middlename lastname

has been admitted to the University of Southern California
with all rights and privileges accorded thereto.

Singed by Timothy Brunhold

krys · 01-15-2007, 12:25 AM

they also give you a housing booklet and some other thing i think. It quite is beautiful. I got it during spring break last yr.. it was an exciting moment

lovetocamp · 01-15-2007, 12:29 AM

If you are being considered to a Trustee or Presidential Scholarship, you will receive a letter the next day (after the acceptance letter), or shortly thereafter. It reads:

Congratulations! You have been selected from among several thousand qualified applicants as a finalist for one of USC's most prestigious merit awards: the Presidential (or Trustee) Scholarship. This award pays one-half (or full) tuition (equivalent to about $16,000/$32,000) for four years. If you are named a Presidential (or Trustee) Scholar, you will be eligible to apply for USC's Thematic Option general education curriculum, as well as being eligible to apply for a housing space in one of our Dean's Halls.

To progess further, you must attend one of our Explore USC programs on

* three dates listed.

additional text in the letter (omitted).
.....

The Expore USC is a two day, overnight visit to USC. You stay in the dorms the first night. Your parents leave for a dinner with faculty. You have dinner with existing students. There are group activites that night. The next morning, you eat breakfast with existing students. After breakfast, you go to an interview. The interview determines if you are selected as a Presidential (or Trustee) Scholar.

I hope that you also receive one of these letters as well.

Good luck to each of you.

For5aken · 01-15-2007, 01:20 AM

The folder that the letter comes in is absolutely gorgeous.

margaritasalt17 · 01-15-2007, 02:00 AM

goshdarn that folder really is beautiful. and i still have that certificate taped to my bedroom wall to stare at. currently it is approximately 12 inches from my face.

Nikara · 01-15-2007, 07:48 AM

Yup, it's definitely a lovely package. Occasionally, people will get the letter and package on the same day (I did), or even get the letter before the package. Your in no matter which one you get first. The first wave comes out in the beginning of February, which can be very startling if you aren't expecting it!

jbusc · 01-15-2007, 08:13 AM

I actually found out by email before I actually got any print stuff, but I think that was cause there was something funny going on with the way they were handling my app, they didn't send the neat folder and certificate and stuff until really late. I'm not sure exactly why, but considering they let me in, I didn't complain

stressed0ut · 01-15-2007, 04:37 PM

Beautiful letter..

I could cry just reading it..

On the other hand, what does a rejection letter look like? Does USC send out the congratulation letters in thick envolopes and rejection ones in small, thin envolopes?

bluebeard · 01-15-2007, 05:04 PM

i'm pretty sure they smear the rejections in dog poo and light them on fire.

at least that's what it will feel like for me...

but hopefully i'll get a big, beautiful package!

Ned5555 · 01-15-2007, 06:00 PM

I agree, the thick packet does come as a surprise. My giant envelope arrived a few weeks before I was expecting to get decision letters, so I thought USC was just sending me more glossy promotional materials.

What a pleasant treat to open it up. I remember the front of the main folder said "Welcome to the Trojan Family" and it was filled with all sorts of information about housing, tuition, etc.