<p>I know that USC doesn’t have an option for deferring enrollment, but an applicant can update the application for up to a year. I read on the USC website that if the student completes coursework over this period, transcripts can be sent in to the Office of Admission. How is this any different from transferring?</p>
<p>Since there is no deferring, if a student selects not to matriculate next year, they will be starting over. If they choose to re-apply-- they update their original application, which makes the paperwork a little easier since USC will have HS transcripts, LORs, etc on file, or–if they have taken college course in the meantime, they can put in an application to transfer to USC–again, just by updating their original application, plus adding college transcripts, and perhaps new LORs if desired. In each case, it’s a fresh round and USC has the choice to offer admission or decline.</p>
<p>So if I have decided to attend another college in the meantime but then wish to attend USC in the end, would it be considered transferring or not? I checked the box for updating my app to next year but I wouldn’t consider switching if it meant losing out on merit scholarships, which I heard aren’t available to transfers.</p>
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Um, yes, attending another college and then transferring to USC would be considered transferring.</p>
<p>From the USC website:
</p>
<p>Merit scholarships for which transfers are eligible: [USC</a> Financial Aid](<a href=“http://www.usc.edu/admission/fa/grants_scholarships/undergraduates/meritbasedft.html]USC”>http://www.usc.edu/admission/fa/grants_scholarships/undergraduates/meritbasedft.html)</p>