Is that all there is?
(Short answer: “No.“)
Our October Early Answer (EA) deadline has come and gone, but we’re a tad ahead of the game. Some decisions were mailed over the weekend, which will likely prompt the question, “Is that all there is?”
Many more EA decisions will be released by our publicly stated mid-December deadline. That means we’re not done. Read on to get answers to those questions running through your head!
Q. If I applied EA, why are some people hearing earlier than others?
A. It’s another record year for applications. We’re running ahead on our evaluations, even with the recent score report delays at SAT and ACT. Most of the delayed scores have been delivered, which puts us in a good position to notify some of our earliest applicants sooner than expected.
Q. If I haven’t heard yet, does that mean I’m not getting in?
A. No, we have many more evaluations to go. All students who applied EA and submitted the required credentials by established deadlines will hear from us no later than the week of December 14. As promised.
Q. How do you notify EA applicants? Letter? Online only?
A. Please note that all EA decisions are mailed to the permanent address listed on the student’s application. EA notification includes yes, no, or delay. It’s important to note that a delay is not a denial. It just means we need a bit more time to evaluate your application relative to the rest of application pool. This is a totally normal part of our evaluation cycle. Many students who are delayed until the March notification are ultimately admitted. If you are delayed, you are welcome to submit updated test scores by February 1. Please do not send unsolicited information like recommendations, resumes or portfolios. We will not add them to your file.
Q. I don’t think you understand. I’m dying to know if I got in. Can I get an answer over the phone?
A. We do not release decisions over the phone. If you call us to beg for verbal assurances of admission, you won’t get it. Sorry. Patience is a virtue, right?
Q. My September/October test scores were delayed due to reporting issues at ACT/SAT. Am I out of the running for EA notification?
A. No. If you applied EA, we will use your delayed scores provided that USC-Columbia was listed as a recipient at the time you took the test. While some EA applicants were missing scores as recently as last week, for most it was due to reporting delays. As of this past week, we have received nearly all of the delayed score reports to date and we’ll continue evaluating EA applicants now that we have them. You can check your status of credentials received online.
Q. My latest scores are not my best ones. Does that affect my chances of admission or a scholarship?
A. Because we require score reports from all test attempts, we can determine which score gives you the greatest advantage in the admissions process. The same goes for scholarship consideration. If you plan to retake the SAT or ACT, do so no later than December. That’s the last month in which you can submit scores by our February 1 credential deadline. All scores received by this date will be considered for admission and scholarship purposes.
Q. I was in the process of applying to the Honors College, the deadline for which is November 15. You’re already releasing decisions. Will I still receive a decisions no later than the December 14 EA notification week?
A. Yes. All honors applicants with complete files are evaluated in time to receive an EA decision. Please note that the decision will be for general university admission. Decisions about admission to the South Carolina Honors College will be released on a rolling basis between late December and the end of February.
Q. My friend received an admissions decision with a scholarship offer. I did not. Does that mean I’m not getting a scholarship?
A. All students who apply by December 1 will be evaluated for merit-based scholarships. However, a few highly-qualified students may hear about initial scholarships sooner. We are not done evaluating students for scholarships. Be sure your best scores are sent to us by February 1 to maximize your chances of earning a scholarship.
Q. When will all scholarship offers be sent?
A. We release all offers by mid-March. Scores received by February 1 will be considered when making these awards.
Q. What factors are considered when offering merit awards?
A. USC defines merit as a combination of grades and test scores. Students with very high grades and very good test scores stand the greatest chance of earning an award. Note that each class competes with itself for merit aid. With a finite pool of scholarship resources, we make every attempt to award as many scholarships as we can. However, criteria for these awards can change depending on how strong the applicant pool is in a given year.
Thanks for reading. If you have questions we haven’t considered, feel free to ask them here. We’ll update this blog as questions come in. Good luck.
-- Dr. Mary (@UofSCDrMary)