Undergraduate

International Freshman Academic Requirements

Three USF students sitting together at a dining hall.

While the competition to be admitted to USF is at an all-time high, the process of applying is simple. We consider each applicant individually, taking into account grades, rigor of curriculum and standardized test scores.

YOU SHOULD APPLY AS A FRESHMAN IF YOU ARE A:

  • High school senior.
  • High school student or graduate who has earned dual enrollment credit or an A.A. degree but has not completed more than 11 semester hours of college coursework after high school graduation.
  • High school graduate who has never enrolled in college.

If you have completed 12 or more credits of college coursework since high school graduation, you will be considered for transfer admission.

Here’s the profile of our most recently admitted class:

Fall Student Profile - 2024
Average GPA Average SAT Score Average ACT Score Average CLT Score
4.07-4.55 1250-1400 27-31 81-91

Summer Student Profile - 2024
Average GPA Average SAT Score Average ACT Score Average CLT Score
3.61-4.15 1100-1190 22-25 67-82

Minimum Test Subsection Scores

USF also requires you meet the following minimum subsection test scores to qualify for freshman admission:

  • SAT: 
    • 490 Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (RW)
    • 480 Math (M)
  • ACT: 
    • 19 Reading (R)
    • 17 English (E)
    • 19 Math (M)
  • CLT:
    • 38 Verbal Reasoning + Grammar/Writing (V+W)
    • 16 Quantitative Reasoning (Q)
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How to Apply
Dates and Deadlines

 

If you think you have what it takes, read on to discover the requirements for admission consideration.

GPA Requirements

Applicants face heavy competition for a place in our freshman class. To determine if you are admissible to USF, we will recalculate your high school GPA based only on grades earned in high school in core academic subject areas, as well as specified AP and IB fine and performing arts courses. USF will add the following quality points for approved AP, IB, AICE, honors and dual enrollment courses, provided you earned a "C" or better.

GPA Quality Points by Course Type
Course Type Quality Point
Advanced Placement (AP) 1.0
International Baccalaureate (IB) 1.0
Dual Enrollment 1.0
AICE 1.0
Honors 0.5

Taking weighted courses can have a positive impact on your recalculated GPA if you are reasonably successful in these advanced-level courses.

Academic Credentials Requirements

If you completed secondary education in any country outside the U.S., USF requires you to submit the appropriate documents to confirm that you've completed that country's equivalent of graduation from high school in the U.S. Generally, completion of secondary education will consist of 12-13 years of study and the awarding of a diploma or graduation certificate. Please include academic transcripts and exam results for all secondary work.

SAT/ACT/CLT Requirements

USF requires freshman applicants to submit official results for at least one college entrance exam (SAT, ACT or CLT). Currently, USF does not require or consider the optional essay section of the SAT or ACT during the admission or scholarship review processes. Similarly, SAT subject tests are not considered for admission or placement.

USF's code for SAT is 5828 and for ACT is 0761. Please select University of South Florida from the dropdown on CLT website.

In Fall 2024, mid-range test scores for admitted freshmen were: 

  • SAT: 1250-1400
  • ACT: 27-31
  • CLT: 81-91

Language Requirements

International students from non-English-speaking countries must demonstrate English language proficiency by achieving the following minimum scores on one of the standardized tests listed below:

  • SAT: Reading and Writing ≥ 490
  • ACT: English ≥ 17, Reading ≥ 19
  • CLT: Verbal Reasoning and Writing ≥ 38

Please note that we do not accept English proficiency tests such as TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, or other as substitutes for these minimum test score requirements.

Superscoring

USF considers your highest submitted section scores across all SAT, ACT or CLT test dates. We make final admission decisions using only your highest cumulative scores. Each time you submit test scores to USF, we will update your record with any new high scores. We strongly encourage you to submit your scores each time you take the SAT, ACT or CLT. Sending your scores each time you take a test allows us to consider you for all available enrollment-related opportunities — a huge benefit to you.

Testing Recommendations

Since the SAT, ACT and CLT measure college readiness through different means and formats, we strongly encourage you to take each exam once during spring of your junior year in high school to gain experience. You are likely to prefer — and even perform better — on one test over the others, so you can focus on preparing for that test during the fall of your senior year. You should not take any test more than three times because significant performance improvements are unlikely at that point. Exceptions are rare.

Foreign Language Entrance Requirements (FLENT)

To be considered for admission to USF, students are required to have completed two units (years) of instruction in a foreign language. If you have already fulfilled this requirement, submit official transcripts showing the completed foreign language or ASL courses. Refer to the following bullets, which describe the methods to meet the requirement, as well as possible exemptions. Students who have not met FLENT at the point of admission are still admissible, but must meet FLENT before they can graduate from USF.

Selective Major

The following majors have specific High School GPA and/or SAT/ACT/CLT requirements:

  • Biomedical Engineering 
  • Nursing

No Essay Requirement

We do not request an essay or personal statement to be evaluated for admission to USF. Any essay or personal statement that you submit will not be opened or reviewed.