Straight from the Gamecock's Beak

University of South Carolina - Undergraduate Admissions - Official Blog

[uofscadmissions]

‘Tis the Season

I love and hate this time of year and not for reasons you’d assume. I love that December is all about releasing Early Answer decisions. Getting caught up in the holiday rush? Not so much.

With the December 1 priority deadline behind us and our largest freshman applicant pool to date, the hard work is just beginning. I take solace in the fact that we have many happy future Gamecocks celebrating their recent acceptances over the holidays. We love seeing the excitement posted to social media via #UofSCYes.

I also feel for those worried about having an application in limbo. Applying to college is a stressful process. Your concerns are not unwarranted. We are often asked if there is rhyme or reason why we release decisions, what they mean and when they will arrive. I’ll hit the highlights by addressing the biggest FAQ’s here.

Q: Friends are getting their #UofSCYes packet. I haven’t. Why does it take so long?

A: This is because we rely on the US Postal Service to deliver the news. Delivery could take longer depending on where you live. To the casual observer, it probably looks like we’re doing it this way:

Q: I applied EA. I haven’t heard anything yet. Did my letter get lost in the mail or is that your way of telling me I’m denied?

A: The promise of EA is, “You will receive a decision no later than the WEEK of December 12.” It’s been a record year for applications, and we release decisions in batches. Everyone should hear by the end of the December decision week. It’s still decision week as I write this post, which means more decisions are coming.

Q: Will I be able to check my admissions status online?

A: Admissions decisions are not posted online. We mail decisions to the permanent address listed on your application. We will not release your admissions decision by phone, email or LiveChat.

Q: I received a letter saying my application was selected for a “second review.” Is that bad?

A: No, it’s not bad. Better than being denied!

Right now we are admitting students who meet our highest admissions criteria based on grades and official test scores. The second review just means we need a little more time to read your application again relative to the rest of the entire applicant pool. Second review is totally normal and should not be cause for alarm. Lots of students in second review are ultimately admitted.

Q: I’m in second review. What can I do now?

A: If you haven’t submitted all of your test scores, send them all before the February 1st credentials deadline. December test dates are the last ones that can get to us by February 1. January scores will not arrive on time.

Q: I can round up some awesome recommendation letters. Would that help?

A: Nope. Please do not send letters of recommendation, mid-semester grades, progress reports, etc. unless we specifically ask for them. Ninety-nine times out of 100, everything we need to make a decision is on your application, your score reports, and your initial transcript. If we need additional info from you, we will post it to your online admissions portal.

Q: You’re killing me.  When will I know for sure?

A: Patience. Your final admissions decision will be mailed no later than the week of March 13th. This is way before the national May 1 enrollment deposit day, so you will have plenty of time to make your college plans.

Q: I applied for the Honors College. When will I receive an admissions decision? When will I hear about Honors College Admission?

A: If you applied to the Honors College and your file was complete by Nov. 15, you will get a decision before the holiday break. Decisions for Honors College admission are separate from general university admission. We release them on a rolling basis between late December and the end of February.

Q: My friend received an admissions decision with a scholarship letter and I didn’t. Does that mean I will not be offered a scholarship?

A: Everyone who applied by December 1st will be considered for merit-based scholarships. Highly qualified students may hear sooner. Keep in mind we have a bunch of other students to consider for scholarships, because we accept official test scores through February 1.

Q: How are merit-based scholarship awards determined?

A: Scholarships are awarded based on official test scores and your weighted GPA, which we recalculate for all applicants. We work with a finite pool of resources, so we have to look at everyone before awarding the majority of our scholarships. We strive to award as many scholarships as possible, but keep in mind they are competitive and criteria can vary from year to year depending on the strength of the applicant pool. We cannot provide assurances of scholarship eligibility or tell you which award you will receive. Not yet.

Q: When will scholarship letters be sent?

A: We will release scholarship notifications no later than mid-March. The letter will include the value of the award, as well.

Q: Nice try, Dr. Mary. I still have questions. Who do I contact about the ones you haven’t answered?

A: We’ve got your back. Feel free to contact your admissions representative directly, give us a call at [phone], email us at [email protected], or LiveChat with us at www.sc.edu/admissions.

--Dr. Mary

@UofSCDrMary

[uofscadmissions]

I Took the SAT for the First Time in almost 30 Years...and it Didn’t Kill Me!

Do you know anyone who took the redesigned SAT this month? When College Board announced they were overhauling the test, students and educators have speculated about the impact of the new assessment. When you start fiddling with something so crucial to the college admissions process, it’s going to get attention. This test has the power to turn the admissions industry on its head, so much so that counselors and pundits have been telling students to avoid it all together. I’m not sure I agree.

I recently took the SAT for the first time in nearly 30 years and lived to tell the story. 

On the eve of the newly redesigned SAT, I decided that I, too, would spend my Saturday morning taking the new SAT. Why? Call it a show of support, solidarity and down right curiosity. I’m a glutton for punishment. I actually want to FEEL YOUR PAIN. (Really, I do!) My staff didn’t believe me when I told them I was going to do this. What could be more perfect than taking the new SAT on the SAME day as 460,0000 others- enduring similar torture? I wanted to understand the types of questions being asked, get a feel for how the new SAT will be scored and how to use the technology that goes along with prepping the for the SAT. There are several practice tests available at collegeboard.org, and so I took a gander and prepped for taking the redesigned SAT.

Here is how it all went down:

On Friday night, I was anxious. Nervous. Skittish. Like any student on the eve of taking the SAT, I was filled with dread. Now, hear me out. Did I mention it’s been nearly 30 years since I took the SAT? And it was the old-codger version. I was going in cold and with no prep. I convinced myself that my results will likely disappoint me just so I can say, “I told ya so” later. You high schools students have one thing I don’t: Recent math instruction. It’s been a while since I’ve covered basic functions, algebra and geometry in a classroom. I dismissed my worry at the time knowing that my scores wouldn’t count. Still, I felt antsy. There’s gotta be something I can do to get my mind off what’s coming. No amount of last minute studying will help me now. 

The night before the SAT, I was so nervous I colored. Yes, you read that right. Moments before entering the new Michaels store, I jumped on the “adult coloring book” bandwagon. A collection of books and fancy pencils were presented front-and-center, just a few steps from the entrance. Before I knew it, I laid out nearly $30 on a new coloring book and self-sharpening crayons. I would create works of art so masterful that no standardized test could bring me down! What I was really trying to do was distract myself from the three hours of self-imposed torture I’d committed myself to the following day. Feeling depressed about how I chose to spend the next day, I knew my Saturday morning was on the verge of spinning out of control. And so I clung to the memories of my youth, recalling that coloring always brought a calm sense of satisfaction. I prized myself on staying within the lines. I felt especially proud of doing so that night, too. See here? Pretty awesome. I know.

By Saturday morning, I wasn’t headed to a nearby test center along with my high school comrades. However, I did want to create an environment free from interruptions. I made every effort to clear my space, get my husband out of the house and feed the dog copious amounts of food so she’d settle in for a long nap. Aside from the fridge being within two paces of the kitchen island - where I positioned my test materials - I felt like this was as good as it would get. I grabbed my answer sheets, a practice test booklet, a calculator and a #2 pencil. Powering up the countdown clock on my phone, I set a timer for the first section of the test. I plowed through the evidence-based reading and writing sections, as well as math. Three hours later, I felt exhausted. I also felt exhilarated. I was ready to leave the house as fast as I could, but before I did, I scored my test.

And let’s just say the coolest part of taking a practice SAT is scoring it. Did you know you are able to download an app that will provide you with daily practice questions? Not only can you recieve daily questions, but it will also SCORE YOUR PRACTICE SAT JUST BY TAKING A PICTURE OF YOUR ANSWER SHEET! Intrigued, I couldn’t wait any longer to see how I did. I whipped out my phone and set the app in motion, taking pictures of the answer sheet. I was amazed by the prospect of getting a score without having to do any more math. Within 30 seconds of snapping pictures, I had my score. A perfect 1600. I’ve still got it. 

KIDDING. 

But let’s just say I did better than I thought I would. (No, I won’t tell you my score.)

Unlike taking the SAT 30 years ago, the redesigned SAT links to tools that help you figure out what you need to do next. Using the camera on my phone and the College Board app, I could quickly and inexpensively focus on what I missed. I could link my score results to free test prep tools through Khan Academy and drill down on what I need to improve, rather than sweat the entire test.

And while my test-taking skills could use a refresher, I felt like everything on the test was something I used to be good at when I was in high school. The reading passages were reasonable. No more “SAT words” or sentence completions. There was also some math I vaguely recall being exposed to in high school. And my favorite? No penalty for guessing. While guessing is not possible for every type of question (i.e., math problems where you have to find the answer), you can guess strategically without losing points. 

The jury is still out on what old SAT scores will look like in the redesigned SAT. We don’t know if a 500 on the old math section will be a 500 on the redesigned math section, but I’m more excited to find out. Those concordance tables are coming in May 2016. While taking the SAT is no picnic, the new SAT appears to cover what the College Board said they would cover. They’ve been proactive and forthcoming about the test specs, which they’ve posted online. On the whole, the test I took avoided obscure stuff that high school students haven’t seen before. Isn’t that what the College Board has been trying to tell us all along—that the test will better reflect what you’re actually learning in school? The promise to link your results to free, world-class test prep holds true. This should be comforting if you feel that you need help brushing up on certain parts of the test. Improvement feels entirely possible.

I’m not applying to college next year, yet I can understand why this is so nerve wracking. I feel your pain. As the director of admission at the largest institution in South Carolina, I realize there’s a lot a stake for our students. Change is inevitable, but growth - guided growth - is optional. If you haven’t visited collegeboard.org recently, you should. There are many resources there. It may seem a bit overwhelming, but the first step in facing your fear is to…ahem…face it. While the test is changing, that change may actually be “good,” especially if it does a better job measuring what students learn in school. You won’t know until you give it a try.

For those of you who have taken redesigned SAT (or are about to), we are ready to receive your scores. South Carolina’s code is 5818. Send them to us. We will hold on to them until you apply. For the Fall 2017 freshman application cycle, our cutover year, we’re still taking “old” and “new” scores. Send them all. We’ll be sure to use the scores that give you the best advantage in the admissions process. For more information about our score policies, visit our “Redesigned SAT Scores” website. We’ll be updating this page throughout the summer as we learn more from the College Board.  

I wish you luck and encourage you to get out there. If I can do it, you can, too. Practice and make the most of these new tests. You may be pleasantly surprised by the outcome.

 Mary

[uofscadmissions]

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)

[uofscadmissions]

Fall has finally arrived on campus. Probably my favorite time of the year. Temperate weather. Beautiful views. Plenty of activity.

[uofscadmissions]

What scholarships for out of state students are available?

Check out a list here: http://sc.edu/about/offices_and_divisions/undergraduate_admissions/tuition_scholarships/scholarships/nonresidents/index.phpThese are admissions awards given to qualified incoming freshmen for fall term only. Each year the class competes with itself so the stats here are merely guidelines. Good luck!

[uofscadmissions]

Does the university offer Graphic Design scholarships?

Some departments may offer scholarships for particular majors, but many reserve them for continuing students. Check directly with department to see if they award scholarships to incoming students. Good luck!

[uofscadmissions]

Hi, I would really like to apply for the honors college but my scores for act haven't come through yet. I have the rest of my application done. So do I have to wait for my scores before submitting or I can I submit for general and then do honors if my scores work? Thank you!

If you’re done with your app, submit now. Send scores when available. We’ll match them up assuming they arrive by deadline. If your current scores don't prompt you to apply to honors, you are welcome to submit honors supplement once you know your scores.

[uofscadmissions]

When it rains, it pours.

Yes, Columbia has experienced record rainfall this past weekend, and the campus is closed on Monday due to flooding in the area. I never cease to be amazed by how wonderful my USC colleagues are. They are hardest working bunch I’ve ever known. Everyone is working tirelessly to make sure students in the USC community are safe and comfortable during this historic weather event.

And even with the weather, we’ve received a flood of emails and calls this past week. The Early Answer deadline is right around the corner, and the questions keep coming. Let’s hit the top three: 

What are the requirements for the transcript upload process?

Can I use October test scores for Early Answer (EA)?

Should I apply EA if I’m also applying to the Honors College?

OK, about the transcript uploader…

This requirement is part of our self-reported academic record (SRAR), which is intended to help students take greater ownership of the timing associated with the application process. A big benefit of this approach is quicker turnaround on your evaluation. 

All applicants must UPLOAD a copy of their high school transcript before submitting the application. We ask that the copy include some sort of high school insignia, seal, logo, or a signature from a school official so that we can see that it is, indeed, a copy of your transcript. This advice has led some to believe that the document must be “official.” We understand that some schools may have policies prohibiting distribution of the “official” to the student. The document can say “copy” or “unofficial” on it. Our goal is to look at all courses taken just as the high school lists them on the record. The unofficial transcript will be used for your preliminary evaluation, and if admitted, we will ask you to submit your “official” transcript after you graduate from high school. The official document will be used to verify what was submitted in the initial evaluation round.  

No scanner?  No worries. We occasionally hear that students don’t have access to a scanner or electronic copies of their unofficial transcript. However, most students have a smart phone. Simply take a picture of the document and upload that image instead. Make sure the picture is clear and legible. If we have questions about the document you uploaded, we’ll reach out to you about submitting an official transcript. You will only be asked to submit an official transcript if we need to clarify anything related to your document upload. Please tell your counselor a duplicate copy is unnecessary. Copies sent by mail or other electornic means will increase the amount of time it takes to append documents to your file, which slows the process down for everyone. Slower processes lead to slower decisions, and no one wants that. So, no duplicates, please!

Scores, Sch-mores…

YES, you can use October SAT and ACT scores, provided that you list USC as a recipient of your scores at the time you take the test. If you choose to review your scores before sending them to us, that will result in delays. We may not get them in time for EA consideration. We require all scores from all test attempts, so it makes no sense to hold them back and miss consideration for EA. Take advantage your free score reports by listing USC now. Our SAT code is 5818. Our ACT code is 3880.

If you were scheduled to take the October 3 SAT and had your test date postponed due to inclement weather and flooding, we will accept the scores from the rescheduled October test date, provided that you take the SAT in October and list us as a score recipient at the outset. 

Can’t hardly wait…

We love that you’re excited and interested in applying to USC as soon as possible, but if you’ve been prompted to complete the South Carolina Honors College (SCHC) application, you have until November 15 to submit your application and scores. Use that extra time to check in with your recommenders and work on your essays, if you need the extra time. All SCHC applicants will be evaluated in the EA round and receive a general university admissions decision before we close for the winter holidays–just like the EA applicants. Honors decisions will be mailed apart from the general admissions decision. In fact, we mail these between end of December and early March. You’ll hear about the status of your SCHC application, either way, by mail no later than early March.  

Now, do your thing.

Good luck on your EA and honors application. We look forward to reviewing them in the coming weeks. We’ll be here on campus keeping our heads above water and looking out for YOU!

–Dr. Mary (@UofSCDrMary)

[uofscadmissions]

[uofscadmissions]

I’m ready. Are you?

It’s summer time, and while we assume all high school students are taking a break from school, students are telling us, “I’m ready. Are you?” There’s a lot of interest in applying to USC’s Fall 2016 freshman class. Our application will open no later than mid-August. If you are especially eager to get started on your application, please follow us (or me!) on Facebook and Twitter for notifications about deadlines and helpful hints throughout the application process.

If you are a parent of a past USC applicant or school counselor reading this, you'll be glad to hear we are making some big changes this year, changes that should smooth the process of applying. We frequently solicit feedback from prior applicants, parents, and school counselors to help us revise our application each year. Thank you for speaking up because your comments are extremely helpful.

So, for those somewhat familiar with what we’ve done before, you'll notice adjustments in the self-reported academic record process and changes to the South Carolina Honors College application (Hint: no more lists, fewer essays!). If you are new to USC’s application process, you won’t see changes but you will benefit from them. This overview should be helpful as you prepare to apply.

Here's what you can expect:

1. Like last year, we are asking students to upload an unofficial copy of the high school transcript. This document will be used for the initial admissions evaluation. Be sure your transcript lists all coursework attempted and earned through the end of your junior year.  Don't have a copy of your transcript yet? Check with your school counselor for a copy. You will not be able to submit your app without it. If you are later admitted and decide to attend USC, a final official high school transcript is required after you graduate from high school.

2. The self-reported academic record will require you to list high school level courses you've taken in middle school (if any) as well as your senior schedule. If you are taking coursework through dual-enrollment at another college during your senior year, you’ll need to list it in your senior schedule, even if your schedule is listed on your uploaded transcript. You will not be required to enter every grade and course from grades 9-11. This is a change from last year. This information will be accounted for in your uploaded transcript.

3. About senior grades, we are often asked about sending these, especially when a student's grades improve. Only grades for whole units of credit are evaluated for admissions purposes. That means for most students, the academic portion of your evaluation will include credits earned through your junior year. In progress courses or mid-year grades are not averaged into your admissions GPA, so don’t hold off on applying simply because you’re waiting to see how your senior year is going. You’re likely to miss the application deadline if you wait.

4. Counselor evaluations are not required in our admissions process, but we do have a mechanism in place for students to request one if they want it. If you fall into the “Gotta have it!” camp, have your counselor's name and email address handy before you get started if you want his/her to do a recommendation for you. Within the application, you can send him/her a link to an online evaluation, which can be completed and submitted electronically. Your application will not be held up due to a missing recommendation. The vast majority of our decisions are based on academic measures, test scores and the content of the application a student submits.

5. Related to item 4: “More” isn’t “More.” We discourage applicants from submitting any supplemental materials that are not required. This includes portfolios, writing samples, additional recommendations, etc. You don't need more stuff if your application is thoroughly completed. We go to great lengths to ask for only those items needed to make a decision, and the overwhelming majority of these items are on the application and your transcript! At this point, you can’t change the grades and classes on your transcript, but you can control how thorough your application is. The application is your opportunity to tell your story, which includes your participation in activities, leadership roles, research, and work experiences. The personal statement is your chance to tell us something about you in your own voice. The application helps you help us. Without it, we have a hard time knowing if you are a good fit for USC, so use it!

6. As you consider our advice on recommendations, here's an exception: Two recommendations are required for students applying to the South Carolina Honors College. Also, there is no separate form to apply to the Honors College, but there is a supplement that you may be invited to complete if you appear minimally competitive for consideration. As you complete the general freshman admissions application, you’ll be asked to self-report your standardized test scores (SAT and/or ACT). If your scores are competitive for consideration, you will be prompted to complete the Honors supplement before you hit “submit." When asked if you want to apply to the Honors College say, "YES!” Later you will be asked to provide the name and email addresses of two recommenders. The recommendation process can be completed electronically and does not require a hard copy of the letter by mail. Sending duplicates by snail mail slows down things on our end. It delays processing of all applications—including yours, so please have your recommender do one or the other. Not both. (Please.)

7. Students have cried and we have listened. The Honors College application will differ from previous iterations. Only two essays are required (down from 5!) and students can now upload a copy of their resume to highlight their academic, leadership, extracurricular, and/or research achievements. Can I get a "hallelujah?!?"

8. All deadlines remain unchanged.

October 15 is our nonbinding Early Answer deadline. Those who apply and submit scores by this date will receive a decision no later than the week of December 15. That answer could be yes, no, or maybe. If it’s a maybe, then the final decision will be released no later than mid-March.

November 15 is the Top Scholars/Honors College deadline. Students who are prompted to complete the Honors application (and choose to do so) will have until November 15 to submit their applications and scores. Among eligible Honors applicants, general university admissions decisions will be released on the same timetable as Early Answer applicants, so there is no need to rush to apply by October 15 if you are an eligible Honors applicant. All Honors applicants are also considered for our Top Scholar awards (Carolina, Stamps Carolina, McNair and Alumni Scholars). If you do not qualify for one of these awards, you will be considered for other university merit scholarships noted here.

December 1 is the priority application deadline. Students who apply by this date and submit all supporting credentials by February 1 will receive a decision no later than mid-March. Meet these two deadlines and you’re automatically considered for all other merit scholarships awarded by Undergraduate Admissions. ACT and SAT scores from January and February administrations will not be considered because they will not arrive by February 1. December is the last month in which you can take the SAT/ACT and have scores arrive on time.

9.  Honors College decisions are separate from general university admissions decisions and are released on a rolling basis between mid-December and mid-February. Honors admit or not, we will let you know where you stand in the honors application process before March 1.

10. We need a 10th item to round out the list, so this is it. Our handy “How to Apply” guide is forthcoming. It includes screenshots of the application and helpful tips to consider while filling it out. We’ll be releasing information about this via email, our website, and social media. Keep an eye out for it.

We thank you for your patience as we put the finishing touches on our application. We’re almost there and we know you’re raring to go! We appreciate your enthusiasm and look forward to considering your application!

—Dr. Mary

[uofscadmissions]

Decision Week: What to Expect

This week is spring break at USC. The absence of current students and faculty makes for a quieter campus, but Admissions is still here! Between now and May 1st, the national response date, we will welcome thousands of students to campus via campus tours, admitted students days, scholar socials, and “Meet the SC Honors College Deans” receptions. If you’re like most students, you need to swing by campus one last time to make sure USC is a good fit for you, and we are glad you’re stopping by. Preparations for your visits are underway. We can’t wait to see you in the coming weeks.

Spring Break is also hectic for decisions. There are more admissions decisions to come. As promised, we are on schedule to release them all by Decision Week, which begins Monday, March 16. Lately, our call volume has picked up with students wondering about the status of scholarships, Capstone, and Gamecock Gateway offers. We ask for your patience this week as we set codes, verify accuracy, print letters, and stuff them for the mailman. This process is extremely time consuming for our staff, and it requires careful coordination with many moving parts.

Imagine what it might feel like if you had to parallel park the Queen Mary. This week, the week leading up to Decision Week, feels a lot like this.

We’ve got a big ship. We must cozy up to a dock between other ships. Maneuvering into tight spaces is tricky. We get feedback from the attendants on deck and the harbor master. We evaluate the wind, the tide. Everyone is watching. If we make a wrong move, we crash into the dock. Get it right, and everyone boards in an orderly fashion while getting psyched for the voyage ahead. This is a fancy way to say we move very carefully, knowing that each decision has a downstream effect. Some of these decisions have to be made before others. They are highly interdependent, and it takes time because the results are so far-reaching.

I know what you’re thinking. Nice analogy, Dr. Mary. What I really need to know is when will I hear something?

This week we’re prepping for next week. No need to call to inquire because we’re going to hit the highlights here. We appreciate your patience as we get all this coordinated. This is how it will unfold NEXT week.

Final admission offers. We’ve taken time to read your applications and now we’re ready to extend the last offers. More students from both in and out-of-state will get the coveted “YES!” envelope by the end of next week.

Scholarship offers. All students who applied by December 1 and submitted SAT/ACT scores by February 1 were evaluated for merit-based scholarships. Please do not call to ask if you received a scholarship. We will not tell you over the phone. These offers were mailed last Friday. Several of you have already received your offer, but we are at the mercy of the US Postal Service when it come to speed. If you live down the road from USC, you’re likely to hear sooner. If you live in Timbuktu, it may take longer. We received a record number of applications from scholarship eligible students this year. While we wish we could offer everyone something, we also work with finite resources. We’ve stretched our dollars as far as we can, and competition for the top awards was especially fierce. Still, we are confident that our scholarship offers highlight the affordability of a USC education. And, yes, if you receive outside scholarships (from private sources, for example) you can combine these with your USC awards. For South Carolina residents, this means you can combine your awards with your LIFE and Palmetto Fellows awards. NOTE: Merit scholarship awards are now posted to the financial aid area of Self Service Carolina. The amount shown reflects the cash amount associated with the scholarship, not the full value of the award for students receiving partial or full reduction of out-of-state tuition. Tuition rates for 2015-2016 year will not be available until the USC Board of Trustees sets rates in July. The value of the reduction will be posted to your account once bills are generated in mid-July. Additional information about our scholarship rates and awards can be found here.

Capstone Offers. We are on schedule to MAIL invitations to the Capstone Scholars program by end of this week.  Please do not call to ask if you are in Capstone. We will not tell you over the phone. As a reminder, there was no separate application for this program. We often remind students, “All Capstone Scholars are scholarship recipients, but not all scholarship recipients are Capstone Scholars.” All scholarship eligible students were screened for this popular living-and-learning community (LLC), including SC Palmetto Fellows, who have a space saved for them if they are not already admitted to the Honors College. If you are invited to Capstone, you should select the Capstone LLC on your housing application to ensure that you are housed with your Capstone peers. Living in close proximity with fellow Capstone students ensures maximum access to the benefits of the Capstone program.

Gamecock Gateway invitations. Next week, we will MAIL invitations to our award-winning residential bridge program, Gamecock Gateway. It’s important to note, this decision is not a “denial.” For invited students, Gateway space is limited. Last year we filled all spaces well before the reply deadline, May 1. This popular program only has room for roughly 350 students. If you are invited, we encourage you to reserve a space quickly, lest we run out of space. Members of the Gateway community will live on the USC campus while attending classes at nearby Midlands Technical College. Students also have access to a full complement of social activities, academic advising, and student life, including an opportunity to enter the student athletic ticket lottery for some of our most popular sporting events, including football, baseball, and basketball.

Waitlist offers. This, too, is not a “denial.” We will offer waitlist to several hundred students. If you respond to this offer, we will put you on our waitlist for fall. Should space become available for the Fall 2015 class, we will let you know. We don’t anticipate taking many from the waitlist, but if USC is your first choice school, we encourage you to accept a place on it. If you are not taken off the waitlist, you may start USC in the Spring 2016 term instead. Historically, about 100 or so students who are not taken from the waitlist take us up on the option to enroll for spring instead.

Denials.  Unfortunately, some applicants will not be offered admission, Gateway or Waitlist. Given this record-setting year for applications, this is bound to happen. If you are denied, it doesn’t mean USC doesn’t love you. Nothing could be farther from the truth. We want to help you find another way to get here. There are multiple paths of access to USC, and in your decision letter, we will highlight these. For students desiring a USC degree, there is a way if you have the will. We are available to answer questions about the transfer process should you pursue this route. Many come to USC by way of transfer admission. It’s not unusual!

You now know what we know. Just a few more days. We understand. The suspense is killing you, but we’ll get this ship into port safely, with your help.

Dr. Mary

Follow me on Twitter at: twitter.com/uofscdrmary

[uofscadmissions]

The Home Stretch

Decision week is a month away. And while you’re all waiting on pins and needles, we at the admissions office are hard at work, reading every word of your freshman applications. The excitement is palpable as we work toward the week of March 16, when all the blood, sweat and tears hopefully pay off —for you and for us! After all, there’s nothing sweeter than welcoming new students to the Gamecock community.

When we review an application, we look at every detail to ascertain a student’s potential for academic success at the university. High school grades and SAT/ACT scores are important of course, but so are volunteer work, internships, club involvement, your written personal statement… everything has an impact. That’s a lot of information to review, and we take the task very seriously, but it’s also very fulfilling. It’s what admissions is all about.

Truth is, we want to do everything we can to get you to the University of South Carolina. We received a record number of applications for the Class of 2019. It’s exciting to see how many students want to attend USC, but, sadly, it’s not possible to admit everyone to the Columbia campus.  We offer alternate paths of admission, like our Gamecock Gateway residential bridge program and our nonresidential bridge program, that help students solidify their academic foundation with access to USC-based services and resources.  At every turn, our goal is to help you succeed and get you walking across that USC graduation stage 4 years from now. If you have any questions about these programs, be sure to drop us a line.

If you’ve already been admitted, congratulations! We love seeing your #UofSCYes selfies so thanks for sharing. Remember you can go ahead and make the enrollment deposit and apply for housing. Here are some upcoming dates to keep in mind:

Early March — Merit-based scholarship and Capstone notifications will be sent.

March 16 — We will begin mailing decisions for students who met the Dec. 1 app deadline and the Feb. 1 credentials deadline. We’ll mail admissions decisions and invitations to Gamecock Gateway all throughout the week.

May 1 — The enrollment deposit and housing application are due.

We know it’s tough to wait for decisions but we appreciate your patience. Remember to follow this blog for the latest updates, and feel free to tweet me your questions: @UofSCDrMary. Have a great month and be well!

Dr. Mary

[uofscadmissions]

We love it when a plan comes together

We released a few acceptances ahead of schedule. This has some of you scratching your heads, wondering why you haven't heard from us yet. "Why?" you may ask? We offer, "Why not?” We love it when a plan comes together. We love it even more when it happens ahead of schedule!

  Here’s the deal: We are ahead in our work — way ahead of our posted schedule — and while we could have kept the whole lot of our decisions to ourselves until mid-December, we just couldn't wait to share the good news. Some decisions, about half of all those we expect to release in the Early Answer (EA) round, hit the mail this week. More excitement is on the horizon! Everyone who applied EA by October 15 or to the Honors College by November 15 will receive a general admissions decision no later than the week of December 15 as promised. 

  Please, don't fret. We just need a little more time to focus on those next in line. Sit tight and stay tuned. More decisions are on the way (including plenty of “yeses.”) Thank you in advance for your patience.

Thank you!

Mary

[uofscadmissions]

Why is your honors application soooooo long?

Are you waffling about whether or not it’s worth it to complete the Honors College application? With the November 15 deadline on the horizon, we acknowledge that we have some stressed out applicants waiting until the last minute to buff and refine their submission over the weekend. Few things provoke the ire of a student more than a lengthy college application full of essays. We occasionally hear from students who take us off their list because they don’t feel like doing all that “extra work." They are too busy and too smart to waste their time on something that isn’t a given, but we would argue the potential for what you may gain justifies the effort. Like many competetive colleges, the application to the South Carolina Honors College appeals to students who are a good fit for the program--students who are inquisitive, voracious learners seeking intellectual challenges and opportunities to grow in and out of the classroom. The application is also required for consideration for our Top Scholarship programs: McNair, Stamps Carolina, and Carolina Scholars.

True, the application is a tough one and at times we wish it were shorter. From an operations standpoint, it would be easier not to require all those questions, to line everyone up by grades and test scores, skim the cream off the top and make an offer, but that’s not how the Honors College rolls. Amidst the essays and the requests for a resumé of leadership, intellectual and research pursuits is a message about the kind of student likely to thrive within the Honors College. If the process of applying does not fit with your idea of what an honors college should be, then the South Carolina Honors College may not be the best fit for you.

As our Honors College dean, Steve Lynn, reminds us, students who join the Honors College have access to an extraordinary package of resources, things like research funding, support for study abroad, service learning and internships. Students can choose from more than 500 honors-only courses (one of the largest offerings of its kind nationally) with an average class size ranging from 14-17 students. Very rarely do we accept and enroll a student who leaves without graduating. This puts our retention and graduation rates on par with many ivy league institutions. Additionally, honors students tell us they enjoy the benefits of being part of a smaller educational environment and a large research university. These are just some of the reasons why our honors college has received national accolades.

So, is it worth it? We think so, but only you can be the judge. Good luck on your application. We look forward to reading it soon!

Dr. Mary

Follow me on twitter at: twitter.com/uofscdrmary

[uofscadmissions]

My transcript doesn’t list final grades? What should I do?

As we get closer to our application deadlines, questions about how to complete the app are picking up.  The number one question we get is how do I report my credits on the Self-Reported Academic Record (SRAR)?  In particular, how do you report a “final” grade when only semester grades are given?

The SRAR allows students to enter portions of credit along with the letter grade. For example, if you earn an “A” in the first semester of 9th Grade English, and a “B” in the second semester, you can enter each grade for half units of credit. Just make sure that all credit for a given subject add up to 1.0, and don’t worry about averaging the two semester grades together if no final grade is given.  For in progress courses, you don’t need to enter a grade because you haven’t earned one yet! Simply enter “IP” for “in progress” as shown below.

Good luck on your applications and keep those questions coming!  Don’t forget that we also have a video with handy SRAR tips for you to consult.  Check it out here.

We look forward to reading your application soon.

Dr. Mary Follow me on twitter at: twitter.com/uofscdrmary

[uofscadmissions]

What's With That Document Uploader Thingy On Your App?

Soooo….we’ve been getting a few questions about the “document uploader” requirement in our Fall 2015 freshman application. South Carolina has utilized the self-reported academic record (SRAR) on the freshman application for the past two years so this process of self-reporting academic history is nothing new for our applicants. If the SRAR approach surprises you, it shouldn’t. Lately, the SRAR movement has been growing. This practice is taking hold among other public institutions that want to help students take greater ownership of the application process.

Now in our third year of using the SRAR, we have added a document uploader to our application. Why? We simply want to help students show us how they gathered the course names and grades for the SRAR. No biggie, right? The process of submitting an unofficial transcript also reduces the number of people handling your credentials which means we can get started with our evaluation more quickly. 

While completing the SRAR, students may find it helpful to have copies of report cards, printed screenshots of the transcript (for school systems with online transcript viewing options) or an “unofficial” transcript retrieved from a college counselor on hand. If you don’t have an unofficial copy of your current transcript listing all of your grades and courses through the end of your junior year, I encourage you to stop by your college counselor’s office to get a copy for your records now. It’s good to have one for your records so you know exactly what colleges are seeing when you apply to colleges. And if your counselor needs to stamp “unofficial” on the transcript before handing it off to you, that’s completely OK. We understand why it’s important for them to do that, and it will not impact your evaluation in any way.

Unofficial transcripts, report cards and online transcripts are completely acceptable sources for jogging your memory about course titles and grades from years past. These data sources are also acceptable for scanning and uploading to your online application because they help us double-check the course names, levels, and grades you’ve earned. Don’t have access to a scanner? Try laying the paper copy of your transcript on a flat surface and take a picture of it with your smart phone. You can upload the picture instead! Just make sure your name, address, grades, etc. are clear and readable in the picture.  Dark and fuzzy pictures will not work so a few practice shots may be necessary before finding the best one to upload.

If we have questions about your document upload, or if it’s hard for us to read, we may ask you to have your counselor send us another copy so that we can verify everything on your SRAR. This additional step could delay our ability to turn our decisions around by our scheduled notification dates, so getting it right the first time certainly helps us help you! Unless we ask you for another copy, the uploaded image will be used for our preliminary evaluation. After you graduate from high school, we’ll ask you to forward an official transcript to verify your graduation date and final grades prior to attending Carolina. That’s it!

Good luck on your app. Thanks for the questions, and keep ‘em coming. We’re happy to help!

Dr. Mary

Follow me on twitter at: twitter.com/uofscdrmary

[uofscadmissions]

Greetings from USC Admissions

Hey guys! This is Mary Wagner, Director of Undergraduate Admissions at the University of South Carolina, and I’d like to welcome you to our new official Admissions blog.

I don’t need to tell you why USC should be a top college choice for high school seniors. (For that you should check out our admissions home page, Facebook, Twitter, or video site.) Instead we’re here to give you a glimpse of what we do, and hopefully answer some of your questions about the admissions process.

Right now as I look out my office window, I can see students buzzing about, headed to classes. Some are taking the opportunity to enjoy the warm weather on the historic Horseshoe and indulge in a game of Ultimate Frisbee.

Many people have contacted our office recently to ask questions about the freshman admissions application. We have established a helpful How to Apply guide that I encourage you to read through before you start your application. We’re also getting questions about the self-reported academic record portion of the application; this handy video explains a lot about that process. In addition to self-reporting their coursework, applicants will now upload an unofficial copy of their high-school transcript directly to the USC application. This new approach adds transparency, giving students more ownership of the admissions process than ever before.

If you’re a prospective student, parent or counselor, I hope that you will follow this blog and trust that we’ll keep you abreast of all office developments that impact you. We’ll give you timely updates, and a little bit of admissions insight — straight from the Gamecock’s beak.

Dr. Mary

Follow me on twitter at: twitter.com/uofscdrmary