Admission Requirements for Freshmen

(International students, click here; Transfer students, click here.)

As you begin the application process, you need to familiarize yourself with the admission requirements. Admission is based on the strength of your high school background, including the degree of difficulty of courses selected, record of academic achievement, and SAT or ACT scores. We also take into account your profile and special talents in and outside of the classroom. (To learn more about what admissions offices look for, visit Get Ready for College.)

Freshman and lower-level transfer applicants to USF who graduate from high school in 2006 or later are required to submit official results from either the SAT Reasoning test or the ACT test with writing.

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Admissions Criteria -

To be admitted as a first time in college student, applicants must have graduated from an accredited secondary school. Home schooled students and graduates of unaccredited schools may be asked to submit additional documentation outlining their educational background. The General Educational Development (GED) test score is accepted in place of a high school diploma.

For admission purposes, USF recomputes a high school grade point average (gpa) based on grades earned in all college prep academic courses. We assign additional weight to grades earned in honors, Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate courses.

Students are encouraged to use the academic electives to better enhance their preparation for entrance into a selected college at the university. For example, students who wish to major in a health science field or engineering field may choose to take an additional unit in math and an additional unit of science beyond the minimum requirements listed above, in order to have the strongest preparation for the these curriculums. We also encourage students to balance their high school experience with courses in the visual and performing arts when possible.

Submitting Your Application -

Freshmen applicants should submit the following to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions:

• an application for admission,
• a non-refundable $30 application fee,
• an official high school transcript,
• official SAT or ACT scores (including SAT essay or ACT writing), and
• official GED or TOEFL score, if applicable.

Visit the Applications for Admission page for full instructions on submitting your application.

Application Deadlines -

Admission decisions are made on a rolling basis. This means that decisions are made as applicant files are completed. Once a decision is made, you will be notified via postal mail. You can check the status of your application at any time.

International Applicants outside the US

*In order to be considered for Undergraduate Admissions' freshman scholarships, you must apply by January 2. Freshman applicants who apply to USF after the above deadlines will be given admission and scholarship consideration on a space-available basis.

Freshman Summer Institute (FSI) -

The Freshman Summer Institute provides a residential summer transition program for students who have the potential to succeed in college but may not meet all of the admission criteria. Prior to participant selection, the University considers high school grades, courses, test scores, choice of major and other achievements. The summer program facilitates a smooth transition into campus life by acquainting students with the University’s expectations and resources. FSI supplies individualized advising, assistance with fall semester registration and offers strategies for a successful life in college. FSI’s intensive summer experience provides course credit toward graduation while enhancing personal and academic success at the University of South Florida. Learn more by visiting the Project Thrust Website.

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