<p>mdcissp–
- Perhaps “unexpected results” applied really late which explains getting admission in the spring, not the fall.</p>
<p>As long as an application to USC is received by the deadline, it is considered equally with all others. There is no advantage in applying earlier in the cycle except that those submitted by the first deadline will be up for consideration for merit scholarships. USC doesn’t have a waitlist as many colleges do, and traditionally has offered spring admission to a small number of students instead, but they have never explained what their criteria is for making those spring offers. It works out well as most of the new spring freshmen can use AP credits to make up time, and often they graduate with their original class, and unlike a waitlist, there is no nailbiting to see if you get in. It can just be a bummer to have to wait until January to start college. And like with a waitlist, with a pool of students who are admitted to spring semester, USC sometimes will find they can move several up to fall if room becomes available. </p>
<p>2) I doubt that the UCs and USC (as well as any other highly regarded university) is going to take a large class of high school kids from the same high school.</p>
<p>While this might be true of a private university, I don’t think the UCs can make a student’s sending school a disqualifier if they are qualified by the numbers. Of course, a lot of highly qualified students from one HS might affect a student’s ranking. Anyone know how this plays?</p>