Yes. But it is common sense. Around January 15 is announcing for EA. But many schools have semester systems and cannot submit first semester transcript by January 15. However they can rescind your admission if 12 th course works are different from Common App or bad grade. So far this information is mostly accurate.
Has anyone with an EA applicant had difficulty submitting the Parent Tax Supplement Form?
We completed it last weekend but weren’t sure if it went through successfully. Our kid’s portal doesn’t reflect that it was received, so we’re planning to submit again tonight. Looks like the office is closed till January. 
Does USC require first semester senior year grades to be sent in for EA applicants. Ours will not be in until January 15th, would you recommend sending them in then or wait until the EA decisions are announced.
My DD and her boyfriend both 4.0 students and NMF taking the most rigorous courses available were both rejected from USC. Multiple students from both of their schools with lower stats (they were at top of class) were accepted. So we think National Merit is a negative to a USC application. Anecdotal of course. Both attend Vanderbilt now 
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DD and 2 others from her high school: NMF tippy top students, 4.0’s, maxed out on APs, well-rounded, etc. were all accepted to USC. Other non-NMF students with similar stats from their HS were not. So my anecdotal evidence seems to differ from yours.
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Would you mind sharing if they were they at a public school or private school and in CA or OOS ?
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My son’s friend who attended a California public high school and non-NMF was awarded the Trustee Scholarship (full tuition). I don’t think school attended matters. USC admissions and scholarships are holistic, so the entire candidate is considered.
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Last year one girl who was NMSQT finalist in our school deferred from EA round. But she got in regular round, she went to uc berkeley. She got in NYU but didn’t get in Wharton ED and all ivys .
Public HS in California. But not sure if that matters?
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Thanks, yes, I am not sure that it matters but trying to determine if there is any pattern there.
Yes… the scenario that you described above is simply anecdotal. These days, USC now routinely rejects circa 4K applicants with 4.0 unweighted GPAs and 98-99th percentile test scores. So, that alone will not guarantee admission.
With USC, it will never simply be a matter of proving yourself - as an applicant - to be well-qualified in terms of GPA, test scores and even potentially NMF status. All of that is great and will never be held against an applicant. But, alone, it is insufficient. These days, tens of thousands of applicants are by definition well-qualified.
An applicant’s individual success will instead depend on too many potential factors for anyone to correctly evaluate… making predicting admission nearly impossible. Indeed, as you suggested, USC does admit many without perfect grades or test scores. They are after all seeking to craft a well-rounded and diverse freshman class comprised of those who actually have a strong affinity for or connection to USC. So, they are seeking well-qualified + that demonstrated connection to or affinity for USC. They aim to admit those who they project will thrive well at USC and bring something unique to the campus environment. That pool of worthy applicants - as they deem it - is not necessarily also one with stellar stats alone.
An applicant’s admission decision will likely come down to a composite and holistic analysis of stats coupled with writing ability / essays, ECs, potential leadership roles, potential other unique qualifiers (URM, First Gen, geography, demographics, etc.), your Why USC? explanation/reasoning, etc. And that “Why USC?” explanation is likely the most important single component of your application. Many applicants fail to make that a primary focus of their application.
An applicant does need to provide a well-thought out and well-researched answer as to why attending USC is truly significant and important to you specifically. And… applicants need to let the readers understand what USC may be gaining by admitting you. What will you be uniquely contributing to the greater USC community if admitted?
For those who have still not applied yet, I suggest reading this first…
The insider’s guide to USC admissions:
https://tfm.usc.edu/a-guide-to-uscs-college-admissions-process/
Good Luck
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When is be EA results coming out ? Jan 15th ?
Jan 23 according to their website
Can you link it?
Their website says: Applicants selecting Early Action will be notified of their admission or deferral to Regular Decision in mid- to late January 2024.
Don’t see Jan 23rd anywhere. Based on last year I’d guess 1/19?
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I believe they are looking at the dates on the bottom right of the 2023-2024 student profile.
I think those dates are the “no later than” dates. Last year’s profile said Jan 23 and notifications went out on Jan 20.
They always say RD by April 1. Last year RD was March 24.
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Did anyone get a letter from USC kind of a likely letter? My daughter didn’t but her friend did so just curious if it’s normal to get one. Thanks
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Snail mail or email or on portal? What did it say?
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Snail mail and basically thanked her for applying and gave her a bunch of information on scholarships
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I heard that EA or REA don’t send likely letters and usc . Is it true?
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