<p>From our experience, truly blind. Double blind in a way as there is not a separare application for merit awards. Admissions looks over the applications and invites students to attend merit interviews and students and parents to attend an informational weekend. Neither my daughter nor I knew USC offered merit aid.</p>
<p>With an 18% acceptance rate, USC likely does not need to offer merit awards, but I think it illustrates their commitment to scholarship among their students. My daughter and I were incredibly impressed by USC on the interview trip and a subsequent visit to USC which led to her choosing USC over Ivy’s/Stanford.</p>