Sorry USC didn’t work out but appreciate you being here and congrats on UCB!! Greatness awaits you there! Enjoy that adventure!
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As stated above, it is just a factor of numbers. This cycle, 12% of the 8K or so applicants admitted had legacy connections. That equates to circa 960 admits who were Scions (having legacy connections). USC Admissions has published though recently that they now receive over 10K legacy applicants each cycle. So, they could ONLY admit legacies, and they would still disappoint over 2K legacy connected applicants. Being a SCion or legacy can still aid you, but that will likely only be the case if you are also a stellar applicant otherwise. This year, the average GPA for those 8K admitted was 3.9 unweighted. Circa 3280 of the 8K had a 4.0 unweighted GPA. And those averages also factor in the recruited athletes, URMs, FirstGen, etc. So, an applicant who does not fall into one of those special categories has to be even more tremendous to really stand out… and that is the case with or without a legacy connection.
So, YES - I would still of course mention it. I would just not expect it to move the needle all that much as that one single factor. The 960 or so admitted with legacy connections this year also clearly made their “Why USC” argument a convincing one or shined on multiple fronts.
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Do you know when orientation usually is? And you mentioned parents would have to pay to attend?
You will find a ton of info and other helpful links about the summer orientation program for freshmen via this link…
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I went to Berkeley. Congratulations on your acceptance and Go Bears!!
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As I stated before, be sure the offer is complete. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to ensure they aren’t still working on your package.
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Got it! Thank you for your reply!
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Hi Navelle, my son applied EA then deferred then denied this year but was offered the Trojan Transfer option. I don’t think legacy status hurt him, we knew it was a reach anyway with the low admission rates. Legacy may have helped with the TTP offer however I know another student that was offered it and was not legacy.
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Update: FWIW, USC Financial Aid was very generous. It isn’t quite as good as WashU’s, but close enough to where it won’t be a deciding factor one way or the other.
USC still has loans as part of their aid, which isn’t a deal-breaker. But it would be nice if they could get to the point where other top tier schools are when it comes to not having loans as part of their aid. Also, USC won’t allow you to stack outside scholarships, while other schools will. That is a bit of a bummer but probably won’t be a tipping point for us.
Our son has said the FA package from USC makes him more inclined to go with USC. We’ll see…
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Should we be worried? My son was admitted RD and still doesn’t have a FA update. It seems everyone else has received their Financial Aid package! His still says “under review.” It shows green check marks to indicate that everything from our end is complete, but we were expecting a FA offer by April 1, so I’m really nervous! Is there anyone else out there that still hasn’t heard?
We just heard last night – so give it some time.
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They are still working on quite a few. It rolls out till around the 10th, (unless folks have outstanding items) but many will get it this week.
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We heard yesterday and are heartbroken and seriously bewildered. Offered $7000. Expected to pay 90% of our annual income.
Similar situation…Single income now between the jobs and twin also has to enrol in college.Still offered $3,500.
I guess that’s my concern - that the later you get your FA package, the less money there is to offer. I’m assuming since we are on the tail end we probably won’t get much. 
That makes no sense. Are you sure the package is complete? I would call the FA office and make sure that is right. Ours was right in line with what FAFSA determined our EFC to be.
Omg, if we could get in line with our FAFSA I could sign him up this very minute. 
I would cry for joy. It seems to be complete, though, and when I called this morning, the person said, you can send in an appeal but don’t hope for much.
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Our kids all got accepted on the same day, so I don’t know if there really is a tail end. They probably have the ability to give a tremendous amount of aid to thousands of students, and I am pretty sure something is going wrong with our numbers. I hope it goes far better for you!
My only guess is that it has to do with assets, of which ours are ridiculously modest (so what the heck is happening?) Our FAFSA says we can pay 22,500, and USC believes we can pay $75,000. Something worth $50,000 is in that CSS.
That is not true. USC will meet the financial aid as they determine it, even if you are on the tail end of the calendar. And if you appeal and are successful, there is money available to meet the appeal.
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