USC is #1 on my college list. I saw that they offered something called Priority Decision, but I'm not entirely sure how that works. Can anyone explain?
Since USC doe not have ED or EA, the only have regular decisions. The priority deadline is for those being considered for USC Merit Awards which can be 1/2 or Full tuition or none at all, and also for Cinematic Arts and Music programs, Dramatic Arts BFA programs, the Iovine and Young Academy, and the World Bachelor in Business (WBB) program.
If you hear back from your ED application first as a YES in December, then you will need to withdraw your USC application, since you have signed an ED agreement to attend the ED school notwithstanding. If you hear back from your ED app as a Rejection or Defferal, then you don't have to do anything.
It's not possible to hear from USC first since their Priority Decisions usually come out mid Jan to Feb. And you will know whether you go in ED from most schools by 12/15.
Good Luck
To add to the previous answer, this CollegeVine blog post breaks down how the USC priority decision process works and has tips about the application in general. Hope this helps!
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Thanks!! Just to clarify: does that mean that people applying for the Cinematic Arts program can do PD??