We got accepted during EA but didn’t get a link to Zee Mee . What was the link for ?
I cannot be certain as to how they have specifically proceeded or shall in the future behind closed doors when finalizing admission decisions. But, I have been a keen observer of the process and the final results - especially at USC - dating back to 2013.
USC could elect, for example, to fill their entire freshman class solely among those with legacy connections to USC. They could likewise do so with just applicants with 4.0 unweighted GPAs and test scores in the 98th-99th percentiles. They have never done so. And they never will do so.
Over time, the percentages of FirstGen applicants admitted has slowly but steadily increased. The percentages of Scion (or legacy) applicants admitted has slowing decreased.
The eventual demographic make-up of enrollees in terms of ethnicity and geography, etc. has remained rather consistent. They aim to enroll applicants from every state and from scores of other countries. And that manages to occur.
While they will not specifically admit to considering race moving forward, as a result of the SCOTUS ruling, it will forever remain a factor. Every admitted applicant at USC could be Asian or Asian American… or white… or other. These days, there are clearly enough highly qualified applicants from each and every ethnic group. But that will never occur. Diversity will still prevail I suspect, and the freshman class profiles in the years to come will be quite similar to how it has been in recent years. That is all I am saying.
If any elite college or university will be truly blind to ethnic considerations moving forward, the result would be a stark change in those terms. But I suspect that each and every one of the top 50 colleges and universities in the U.S. will find a way to still deliver the sought after diversity to their freshmen classes.
Time will tell of course. But that is simply my prediction. It will take a cycle or two to see where the truth lies. That SCOTUS decision was in June of 2023. So, this will be the first test for each of America’s colleges and universities. I suspect though that diversity will prevail both in terms of those admitted and enrolled. Admissions offices across the nation will find a way to still deliver the results that they are seeking.
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Congratulations to all students accepted EA and best of luck to those waiting for RD!
The USC website states that an email will be sent on January 30th to early accepted students regarding consideration for merit scholarships. My understanding is the email will confirm whether a student is to continue on in the process (interviews, etc.) for the larger Trustee and Presidential scholarships. Is that correct?
How does the process work for the additional scholarships such as the Associates, Deans, Leadership, etc.?
Thank you!
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Didn’t USC say they will likely admit another 4600 in March, not 5500? Which is also more like 7600 admits as well.
An online group encouraging applicants to connect I think. I did not get the email my student did so not sure about details.
Affirmative action has been banned in California for college admissions since 1996. I am sure private schools got around it though; I am sure the public schools got around it too. Example: admit students from racially underserved areas and you are 95% going to admit students who aren’t white.
My kid isn’t a legacy because neither her grandparents or parents went to USC but her great grandparents did and her great great grandmother did.
What is just odd is that my kids grades (3.97 UW; 4.29 W) and extra curricular activities (tennis MVP x 2, tennis captain, and national dance team competition x2), a few AP classes (she has taken 7; including 4 in her senior year), and a 1200 or so SAT score (her PSAT was 1070 so because USC and every other school she applied to was test blind she didn’t even take the SAT) would’ve gotten her admitted with sort of scholarship even 10-15 years ago.
I also truly wonder if the school is test blind even though they tell you no scores are needed to apply or be accepted.
My daughter applied to Dornsife for Human Biology, and was deferred.
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If so… I would go with their numbers. I was simply speculating using past experience and also including the likely Spring admits too. Spring admits can vary a bit… but they are usually somewhere in the 300-900 range if I recall correctly over the past decade or so. When they quote such #s officially, they are only speaking in terms of the Fall admits. They do not list the Spring admits in those #s. They tend to aim for 3000-3300 fall enrollees, so the number that they admit in total for the Fall all centers on their projected yield rate. Do we know the exact # admitted EA already last week? I’m curious to know what that projected yield rate is now. It was 41.2% in 2022… 3420 enrolled out of 8304 admitted. I do not recall the #s for 2023.
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Good luck to her in the RD round.
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Don’t forget UCs have been race blind for decades and their demographics aren’t that much different. That being said obviously NMSF and high SATs are correlated with higher income. Likewise kids can write about heritage, etc. Certainly there are clues in some applications but my kid (who actually is diverse) had zero indication on her application of that fact and she still got in. At the end of the day the school looks for kids that would fit at the school in terms of personality, interests, activism, etc…. There are lots of smart talented kids but they may not all be a good match for USC specifically.
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I believe 2950 were accepted EA. Last year’s yield was higher than expected. I think around 44-45%. I’m sure that’s why fewer will be accepted this year. USC has to have space to house them. I think CarGar is being renovated soon which will eliminate a lot of sophomore housing.
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Thanks. If so… 2950 + 4600 = 7550. So, they are likely projecting a yield rate of circa 42-43%. So, just slightly higher than the yield rate for 2022. Plus, as usual, a few hundred more will likely be offered admission for the Spring term.
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If they are doing it the same way that they have in the past, there is one interview. The students learn which scholarship they are awarded sometime in March.
Thank you. So if the student is notified they are being considered on the 30th, they will definitely have an interview? Approximately what percentage of students interviewed receive any type of scholarship?
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Were the percentages in your student’s email? When my student was accepted in 2020, they listed approximately what percentage they would give of each. Note that they award a total of around 100 Trustee scholarships across all departments.
I’m not so sure that was the case, even 15 years ago. My eldest son applied 14 years ago, had a 1520 or so SAT (I can’t recall exact score because, back then, there were 3 sections and a 2400 scale, so I am adjusting to today’s scale from foggy memory) near-perfect GPA, standard ECs etc. and didn’t get any sort of university scholarship. He did get a SCion Scholarship. But, these days, those aren’t open to incoming freshmen.
I applied to USC 37 years ago, with a similar resume to your daughter’s, and I got a Dean’s Scholarship.
It is crazy-tough today and, yes, it was easier 15 years ago. But, even then, the competition for scholarships was pretty tough.
That all being said, I am sure your daughter is a great candidate and it stinks that the process has gotten ridiculously competitive.
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Thank you. The emails are not set to arrive until 1/30. I know it’s extremely competitive but was just curious!
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A southern California student that I work with did. It came at the same time EA results were released.
When my student was admitted in 2020, the email said approximately 2/3 of those that interview will receive either a Presidential or Trustee scholarship. I’m not sure if those numbers have changed.
Race cannot be considered directly but students are allowed to talk about their race in their essays per the SC decision. Furthermore, just as how University of California hasn’t been allowed to consider race in admissions since 1996, schools will use other proxies such as first gen status. That said, first gen is already an institutional priority at USC.
USC aims to admit less than 8,000 students this year presumably because the yield rate has gone up, so less of a need to admit 8,000+ students.