<p>The kids who apply by the early deadline and are offered merit scholarships are kids the university is recruiting to attend there. The merit scholarships are a tool that admissions uses to increase the probability that top students will choose USC over other colleges. Putting your name in for a merit scholarship will not affect your chances of admission at all. It is a completely separate process from need based aid. Even if you do not believe USC’s claim that they are “need blind” in admissions, applying early enough to be considered for merit aid cannot in any way hurt your chances of admission. Conversely, not applying early in order to be considered for merit aid will not help your chances of admission. You have absolutely nothing to lose by applying by applying by the early deadline. You may gain something, though! Good luck, I hope you get in!</p>