We got a 4506-c Veritax email at 1am. Already turned it in, but is this a good sign for this Friday?
1 Like
Is that a financial aid form?
Yah, verifying 1040 with the IRS. We did CSS and Fafsa and uploaded W2, so this just seems overboard. Im trying to figure out if it means likely admitting or if just random.
1 Like
Random. Admissions and Financial Aid work independently.
1 Like
Nevemind.
USC counselor update from the other day:
Greetings from the USC Office of Admission.
Thank you for your support during this challenging time. I am weary as I write, while we in Los Angeles experience the terrible fires unfolding around us. Though the USC campus is safe, the region is reeling with pain and loss. Friends and colleagues have been evacuated, many have lost their homes --including two (and probably more) who are receiving this message. Yet within the difficulty, we are inspired by the community coming together and providing help. We will bounce back, and the support from friends and colleagues everywhere means so much to us.
As we prepare to release our Early Action decisions, I wanted to share the following information.
1. Flexibility Due To Fires, etc.
We can be flexible with students who need more time to submit their Common App due to circumstances beyond their control. Students or their counselors may reach out to their USC Admission counselor at admission.usc.edu/admission-counselors. This flexibility is not limited to the fires. Any student facing a serious issue is welcome to reach out.2. Early Action: Application Numbers
We received nearly 42,000 applications for Early Action, which is about 2% over last year. This Friday, January 17, we will release our EA decisions via the students’ USC applicant portal. We will offer admission to approximately 3,500 students. All remaining applicants will be invited to defer to Regular Decision.We are still crunching numbers, but I expect we will admit another 5,200 first-years for fall, or about 60% of the total, in late March. Our Regular Decision applications are still coming in, and also tracking at a 2% increase so far. We will learn more about that pool next week.
3. The USC Dos and Don’ts of Deferral
The deferral notice instructs students on the next steps. Students must (1) submit an Early Action Deferral form if they wish to remain in consideration in Regular Decision in their USC portal. We also remind students to (2) submit mid-year grades if they have not already done so. That’s it. These are the only two things students need to do to be considered for admission in the RD round. Feel free to help students understand they will receive full consideration simply by completing these tasks.The deferral notice also asks students not to send new materials such as resumes, essays, or general updates. We ask students not to request additional recommendations. We do not want the letters of continued interest. These policies ensure equity, and moreover, we know the application your students worked hard to write will represent them well in the next round.
4. Merit Scholarships
We considered EA applicants for merit scholarships. Unfortunately those deferred are also notified will not move forward in the competition for most of our major merit scholarship programs, the Trustee (full tuition), Presidential (half tuition), and Leadership ($10,000 per year) awards.The 3,500 admitted students remain in consideration and will receive an update about their scholarship status on January 29. I expect that roughly one third of these will receive either a scholarship, or instructions on the next steps in a selection process. The remainder will be notified they are no longer being selected for those awards. Students can still be considered for other scholarships found on our Scholarships page.
Our National Merit scholarship has changed. Admitted students named National Merit Finalists, who also select USC as their first-choice institution, will receive a $20,000 annual scholarship. This reduction from prior years is intended to redirect funding to students with financial need.
5. Portfolio Based Programs are RD
Students who applied to a major that required a portfolio or audition will be notified of next steps by the school offering their program. Decisions on admission and merit scholarships for these programs will be sent in late March. These applications are considered in the Regular Decision round only.6. Need-Based Financial Aid
Applicants who need financial aid must submit the FAFSA and CSS Profile. Our Early Action deadline for these documents was December 13. Applications received by this date receive priority, though we continue to review those submitted after the deadline. The Regular Decision financial aid filing date is February 5.7. New for 2026: Early Decision for Business and Accounting Majors
In the coming weeks, I expect we will announce a trial of Early Decision for business and accounting majors, starting next year. Watch your e-mail for details, and please encourage colleagues to join the mailing list. Outstanding juniors majoring in business or accounting will want to know.8. General Reminders
Feel free to forward this note or share our mailing list signup form with colleagues. You and your students are always welcome to reach out to the USC admission officer assigned to your student’s school.I hope you find this information useful. Feel free to let me know how we can help make your job easier. I will follow up in late March with information about the full applicant pool and our decision release.
I am grateful for your patience as we finish this difficult work. We at the USC Office Admission wish you the best as you continue to support your students in the pursuit of their goals.
8 Likes
7 posts were split to a new thread: Trial ED at USC
Thanks a lot. Very useful info and aligns with what I read from Last Year threads. Going to set our expectations accordingly!
1 Like
This is an email that went to counselors…High School and independents. Most schools send updates like this so counselors can keep their students informed.
1 Like
Thanks. I don’t know why I understood that a USC counselor was sending a letter and I was thinking “I don’t remember any kind of detailed info from USC like this!”
Makes total sense. Thanks!
1 Like
Based on prior years, does anyone know around what time we should expect to hear?
1 Like
I think USC’s acceptance rate of <10% and is a need-blind school there is no reason for the Financial office to check/verify all CSS/FASHA. Logically and efficiently, the Financial office should only check/verify those applications that have a good signal from Adcom!
3 Likes
For EA decision, it was 1/19 last year around 3-4pm PST.
3 Likes
is the email saying " [I Was Deferred to Regular Decision - FAQ]" indicative of getting deferred lol?
1 Like
I am hoping EVERYONE that applied received it! 
I would assume everyone got it based upon how emails went out from schools with earlier decisions. I remember one sent an email about how to transfer. It didn’t mean anything. I guess we will see tomorrow!-----EDIT: It only went out to people who subscribed to the admissions blog.
no not everyone got it, 2 of my super insanely smart friends did not get it so this worries me
1 Like
My DS25 did not get it either
but its just a substanck so idek
Very helpful intel. THANK YOU!
1 Like