Yes only EA accepted get big$ (with the exception of nmsf) so that’s the hook.
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Daughter was deferred to Dornslife - Economics/Mathematics (NMSF, 35 ACT, 3.97 UW; 10 APs w/ 4’s and 5s, 7 varsity letters, good ECs w/ leadership). While NM could be a negative based on sizeable scholarship they can’t give to everyone, from what I can tell USC has accepted some incredible candidates and I’d hate for this theory to suggest that those who got in were any less deserving.
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If an EA admitted student receives the Trustee Scholarships (full tuition) then the cost of attendance at USC is $20K-$25K per year. That makes UC more expensive than USC for an in-state student. There are only 100 Trustee Scholarships awarded, but if admitted EA the student might be in the running for one. My son’s friend (not a NMF) received the Trustee Scholarship and chose USC over UCLA because it was almost half the cost to attend USC over UCLA. It happens.
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USC is need blind. Admission decisions are unrelated to financial consideration.
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My daughter deferred as well. 3.98 UW GPA, ACT 36, NMSF, strong ECs, 6 AP completed and all 5s. @zenmaster0 I hope you’re right on your NMSF theory otherwise I’m worried about her other admissions!
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All of these kids sound so amazing! Congrats on raising such motivated young men and women. They will all do great wherever they land!!
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I got in as a NMSF. Not sure about overall stats on that though
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Yes, I reported NMSF as my 3rd award in the honors section. Honestly kinda regretted that after hearing rumors about whether NMSF ultimately helps/hurts but everything worked out in the end.
Edit: Sorry, just realized I replied to the same person twice 
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That is my fear, too! If USC is trying to hook the kids that they are worried about losing to other schools, that means they are not worried about losing the kids that were deferred (unless NMSF theory is true). Definitely worried about other admissions decisions at this point.
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No, this is high. D22 is currently a USC sophomore and has a 1/2 tuition NMF scholarship. We paid $45K this year (tuition, on campus room & board, all fees). Even last year, as a freshman, she had the most expensive room (single in McCarthy) with the required most expensive meal plan, and we paid $52K for the entire year. Granted, cost may rise next year but not by 25-35%.
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Correct, one is not considered for the Trustee Scholarship if they were not admitted early. Any NMF that was admitted early was admitted to interview for the Trustee as they are already guaranteed a Presidential Scholarship.
We are CA residents, and similar to @anniep625, we told our children that any private school had to come in at, or below, the cost of a UC. I believe USC realizes that. For us, a half tuition scholarship wasn’t going to lure my student away UCLA or Cal. As has been mentioned, there are additional scholarships that can stack on top of Trustee and/or Presidential to further lure in students that USC wants to hook.
Sorry to hear that, but we all know stats are not the only deciding factor in any college admissions. Good luck to your child.
Great - this is extremely useful information and makes it comparable to a UC, only 5-10% higher which is awesome. Fingers crossed my S24 gets in RD
For what it is worth, the UC estimated COA is also inflated. UC fees vary by campus yet, for the most part, USC’s fees are higher. Housing at USC is expensive, but is comparable to some of the more expensive UCs.
In addition to housing and dining, Presidential and Trustee scholarships do not cover or discount the following fees:
Norman Topping Student Aid Fund (approx $22/yr)
Student Health Fee (approx $1200/yr) - Note, this is on top of student health insurance.
Student programming fee (approx $130/yr)
New student fee (approx $450/yr)
Transportation fee (approx $185/yr)
Edit to add: If a NMF does not receive the NMSC $2500 scholarship or a NM corporate scholarship, USC will award an additional $4K ($500/semester).
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Hello, just wondering, do you think this year for EA they filled most of the Viterbi class? Or there will be significant openings for RD round. Just trying to manage expectations for my kid that was deferred. TY
There is no way they filled the entire class EA. There will be plenty of students accepted to Viterbi in March.
The best advice I can give is what was mentioned up thread. Look at other schools. Look at safeties and find reasons to fall in love with them. If USC sends an acceptance in March, it is a win. If they don’t, your student will already be able to envision attending other schools. Note, this applies to all universities, not just USC.
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Not sure if this is valid info but our college counselor said that Engineering and Business took the lowest percent of applicants EA last year. They know they have the demand to have a high yield RD. Overall USC accepted ~35% EA so there are still a lot of spaces available!
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Accepted Dornsife, Biological Sciences (BS) Major
4.0 UW / 4.49 W GPA, 1540 SAT, 12 AP courses, 11 community college courses, (including Calc II and III), California public high school
In terms of ECs, they were okay but I think my essays were solid.
Congrats to those who got admitted, and to those who got deferred or applied RD I wish all of you the best of luck!
FIGHT ON!
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I concur with collegemom12345. My S21 total costs with NMF (1/2 tuition) were:
Freshman: $52K (includes $14K McCarthy honors dorm + $6.6K dining hall)
Sophomore: $45K (includes $12K honors dorm + $1.6K apartment meal plan)
Junior: $35K (not including off-campus apartment or meal plan)
Senior: Most likely same $35,000
These numbers will vary some depending on room and board (what type of dorm, how many roommates, which meal plan).
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How would this resonate with financial aid, if someone applied for one? Would the balance be covered in some ways?