Hello everyone! I'm looking forward to applying via early action to the University of Southern California, but I'm unsure about how competitive their early action program is. Any insight on the acceptance rate?
The University of Southern California (USC) operates a bit differently from other universities because it doesn't have an Early Action or Early Decision program. Instead, USC offers what's called "Merit Scholarship Consideration", for which the deadline typically falls in early December.
By applying before this deadline, you're considered for USC's merit scholarships, but the decision isn't binding like ED. Applying by this deadline simply means your application will be reviewed earlier, and you can receive a potential scholarship offer to USC.
The admittance rate for those who apply by the merit scholarship deadline isn’t publicly available, but remember that it's typically more competitive given that you're being considered for merit scholarships. However, the overall admission rate at USC is quite competitive, so it's best to focus on making your application as strong as possible, regardless of when you submit it.
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