Mid years aren’t necessarily required. Most merit recipients don’t send mid years because they aren’t ready by the merit notification date. And, if mid years were required, it would be listed under “required documents” for everyone right now and it’s not. USC does specifically ask for mid years from some people because they are on the fence about admitting them, and actually tells them their application is incomplete without them. But, the portal page says " We often like to see the mid-year grades of freshman applicants." It doesn’t say anything about requiring them.