@sagra Sorry, I just read the one post by itself when I said I didn’t know what you were asking and didn’t put it together with your earlier post, duh on me. I don’t think you can do it before starting, but when you pick classes at orientation, they will help you choose ones that work you into Viterbi and likely fit both majors anyway to start. There are so many GEs to do that are the same in both majors, but they will let you know if there is something you have to take to get in. The right classes depend on which major you are trying to move to in Viterbi.
Just got my financial aid package and it is honestly riduculous and not at all affordable, I am definitely planning on appealing…does anyone know how often the appeals process works or results in a significant increase in aid? (I am expecting a nmf half tuition award but even with the half tuition award, I would still have to pay about 5k more then my fafsa’s EFC and 10k more than I can reasonably afford. Usc was my first choice but at this point it does not seem plausable…its riduculous that they don’t stack university scholarship/grants on top of the nmf award.
For appeals does anyone know how to format the cover page?
@yikesonbikes You are looking to attend one of the most expensive universities and there are many choices for a more affordable education. You can also consider working throughout your college years, a lot of students do. College is obviously not a free service provided to everyone. A significant adjustment is unrealistic unless there are changes made to the figures you turned in or there was a blatant error. But most time, people are just surprised to realize they are expected to fund more of their college education than they thought. The confusions often centers around what “need based” means. Need to you is different than what USC sees as need.
“its riduculous that they don’t stack university scholarship/grants on top of the nmf award.”
USC is the one that funds the National Merit 1/2 tuition scholarship , AS well as the $1000/ year NM payment.
And yes, most U’'s dont stack merit awards. But you can appeal and see if they are willing to sweeten the pot with additional grants ,loans.
@blueskies2day obviously I understand that college is not a free service provided to everyone, i am willing to put myself 20, even 30 thousand dollars in debt, however with the current amount I am being offered, I would end up closer to 100k in debt, which is a lot, and honestly I would be stupid to take that deal, especially considering I will most likely go to grad school and end up doubling that amount. To address your other point, I do plan on working in college as well as summers, and I already have college money saved up from working the past three years in high school. However, this money will do little to make a dent in the $100k loans, and will probably pay for little more than transportation, books, and other personal expenses. Lastly, you’re right in that I am confused about what usc considers need-based as for some reason they think I can afford to pay about $27k more than fafsa does. I understand that usc is a private institution that can basically do whatever they want, and I’m not going to hold it against them for not giving me more money, but I’m just annoyed that they offer so little financial aid. If they aren’t willing to give out enough money to make it affordable, then what is the point of giving any financial aid at all? I am also annoyed because when I first called their financial aid office, I was assured that my half tuition scholarship would stack onto university grants/scholarships. I then assumed that I would be able to afford the college, and became excited about attending. I researched the college, checked out housing options, and started planning a trip to visit, sure that I would attend. But when I received my financial aid several weeks later and called to confirm that this would stack, I was informed that it wouldn’t, resulting in a lot of disappointment. I am not angry at the university, and I am incredibly grateful to have been offered admission, rather I am just disappointed and confused.
@yikesonbikes You want to pay less than for a 3rd tier state school a year for a school with a 9:1 student:faculty ratio? I want to pay Sizzler price for a Palm Porterhouse but I do not expect it to happen. There are a lot of folks that would quickly trade places with your current FA offer. By the way, you state in one post that they want you to pay 5k more than your FAFSA and in your most recent you state 27k more than FAFSA. Which is it?
By the way, look at folks applying to Mich or Ga Tech where they offer almost no aid and certainly no half price tuition for NMF. And Michigan OOS is about the same as USC tuition.
Now, ask me if prices for college are obscene and I will give you an emphatic yes. Costs are spiraling out of control and the system is most hostile to the working middle class. If you are very poor you have programs like Questbridge and Posse and if you are very rich you just write a check. But if you work you have to make over a hundred thousand BEFORE taxes to cover a year at a top tier school and FA awards seldom close the gap enough for many families…
@JohnGaltIII I assume you mean oos costs for state schools, which I agree are very expensive, and honestly I am not sure why people dish out hundreds of thousands for a 3rd tier school when they could just go to an in state similarly rated school for similar. It makes sense that usc is more expensive than in state tuition at a state school, and as I stated earlier, I am not angry at the huge price tag, but rather at the approach to financial aid. If they don’t want to offer financial aid that’s fine, but why offer such small amounts and then tell people they can afford it, when they can’t? And why boast about their generosity and financial assistance as many universities do, just to get people’s hopes up to crush them later? I am also not convinced that “lots of folks” would love to trade places with me and assume $100k debt for undergrad when they plan on going to grad school. I would advise these folks to carefully consider before “quickly trading places”. About my efc, usc states than I can afford to pay $27k more, but after a nmf scholarship (which is not factored into my fa on the portal bc I haven’t yet listed usc as my first choice with nmsc) I would have to pay $5k more (than fafsa’s efc, and even the fafsa efc is substantially higher than my family can/will actually pay. I hope that clears things up.
Part of it is answered in my post. FA is a finite line item. For every added person in a program like Questbridge there is that much less FA in the pool for folks that can afford something. The problem is not with the FA department nor with programs to help the disadvantaged but with the spiraling costs.
I just paid my housing application fee today. I placed Parkside A & H as my top, do I have a high chance of getting that choice?
@yikesonbikes And I did not mean to sound so harsh in my first post. I should have shown empathy because it is tough and means sacrifice to even pay the amount the FAFSA suggests for most families.
@hannahmars18 Of course. But there are also ways to enhance your chances. 1) locate a roommate in the next few weeks and align your preferences exactly. 2) potentially apply for a Special Interest Community within Parkside if any of them appeal to you…
https://resed.usc.edu/resources/special-interest-housing/
If you do… change your housing application to reflect it too.
@hannahmars18 You will get that, most people get what they want. And it is a very comfortable place to be!
@hannahmars18 my daughter submitted housing for Parkside A&F too. Want is your major?
So I am planning a visit to USC, but I heard the traffic is crazy and the area is seedy – Is this true?
yikesonbikes
gotta say – i feel your pain. My S got $1K loan… yep… that’s it. dont you think if you can afford to pay $74K that you can pay $75K? This must be why their numbers for offering FA are so high…So you don’t know our family’s finances… but EVERY other school offered aid.of some sort… EFC was $15K… as we cannot pay full price. yes, its a private school and they can do what they want… but agree that the marketing hype and selling to students about how great FA is — is over the top. I would have expected at least similar FA to other private schools. Personally, i am not a believer in ANY grant aid. Makes more sense to provide VERY affordable loans to any student based on merit that a school offers acceptance to - and lower overall price for everyone…why should one kid graduate at 22 (as an ADULT) with 80-100K in loans and another kid has $10K loans bc he has lots of grant aid?? yes, some parents have more than others – but in the end - they are ADULTS going to college and def ADULTS graduating at 22. OK… sure I’ve upset some people now. BTW - my S was planning on working all four years, working summers AND we were even going to let him take on a substantial amount of loans in addition to our contribution from income and 529s. But still does not equal $75K /yr. BTW – the people who answer calls and try to assist in the FA office at USC are genuinely nice and helpful. It is just something about their process/evaluation …
Hi,
I was just wondering how hard it is to transfer majors from Dornsife to Marshall?
So my son found out this afternoon he got in Stanford (biology). Still waiting on USC dance. I am so happy for him because he is such a low key kid it’s hard to see him on paper. After rejections from Ivies, we did not have hope for Stanford, but I guess his application probably landed on the right hand and someone saw him. The letter reads “Everyone who reviewed your application was inspired by your passion”. He does inspire me all the time. This still doesn’t change his #1 choice, USC dance, but before he gets off wait list, where we are putting down deposit may change now. We only know there are many super talented dancers at Stanford, but they don’t have a renowned dance major, so we will do some more investigation. Thanks everyone for your help and the journey, especially all the help you’ve given me @WWWard and @CADREAMIN
Just logged on and saw that my D’s financial aid was finally posted - I am ecstatic. They met my FAFSA EFC with no parent loans and very minimal student loans and work study. Less than it will cost for in state school. As a film production major we were praying for the absolute best as it is such a prestigious and special program to be accepted into. SOOOO Happy!!!
@sagra Yes… L.A. traffic can be hectic, especially during rush hours/commute times. But I have been there many times and find the claims of it being a traffic nightmare rather overblown. Traffic is generally worse in Tampa… where I live. If you choose your drive times wisely, you can get from USC to almost anywhere nearby worth going to in 25-35 mins… including Venice Beach, Santa Monica, The Grove, Beverly Hills, Hollywood… and even up into the Hollywood Hills. Downtown L.A. is only 10-15 mins away. Plus there are like 3 metro stops near campus too.
The area around USC is urban and is going through a revitalization program. It has already improved a great deal over just the past 4 yrs. It is what it is… urban. But it is hardly seedy. That being said, I do not recommend simply roaming beyond the patrolled DPS zone… that is monitored 24/7. It can get sketchy quickly if you just walk off beyond the recommend boundaries. But it is a huge area covered. Link…
Plus USC offers free campus cruisers and free lyfts throughout that whole DPS zone. So you don’t have to hike around on foot anyhow.
http://transnet.usc.edu/index.php/campus-cruiser-program/
The campus itself… and especially the new USC Village is very nice.