USC denies approximately 4,000 or more
applicants with perfect 4.0 unweighted GPA and test scores in the 99 percentile each year. Not defers, but denies. Part of this is also due to them being more holistic in approach as well of course. 4.0 students are everywhere, an interesting applicant that will add value to the campus is more unique.
My son was accepted and we are so excited! It’s his first choice and we fully expected a deferral in ea. his stats are what you would expect. Basically perfect grades , lots of rigor, lots of APs and his EC were very fit to major ( poli sci). We went back and forth over whether to submit his SAT which was a 1440 and not quite as high as would be expected given his academics so we ultimately decided to go test optional and we were especially surprised to be admitted TO. We are in NY and he attends a big competitive high school.