Undergraduate

Freshman Requirements and Deadlines

Admission to USF is more competitive than ever, but the process of applying is not difficult. Each applicant is considered individually, taking into account grades, rigor of curriculum and standardized test scores. Learn more about how to apply, application deadlines and admission requirements.

Application Deadlines

International applicants living outside the U.S. may apply up to one year prior to the desired term of entry. Additional time is usually required for submission of academic documents, evaluation, and immigration related matters.

Desired Term of Entry      

Application Deadline

Term Start Date

Spring 2022

October 1, 2021

January 10, 2022

Fall 2022

April 1, 2022

August 22, 2022

How to Apply

1. Complete the online application.

2. Pay the non-refundable US $30 application fee.

3. Send original or certified copies of academic transcripts, mark sheets, grade reports, diplomas or certificates, national standardized examination results, or other academic course work to USF.

  • Include a certified English translation for all documents not written in English. If you need assistance translating your documents into English, we recommend using the American Translators Association to find a certified translator.
  • We can accept digital copies of these secondary and post-secondary school records e-mailed directly from an appropriate official at your school to international@usf.edu. Alternatively, mail your transcripts via post to:

University of South Florida
Office of Admissions
4202 E. Fowler Avenue, SVC 1036
Tampa, FL 33620
United States 

4. Send official SAT or ACT scores to USF. If you are submitting ACT scores, you are required to submit scores for the Writing section, per Florida Board of Governors requirements.

5. Send official IELTS, TOEFL or PTEA scores to USF (only required for students from non-English speaking countries). Note: TOEFL/IELTS scores are valid for two years from the original date of examination.

If these English proficiency tests are required, applicants must attain the following minimum scores:

  • TOEFL – 79
  • IELTS – 6.5
  • PTEA – 53
  • SAT – 24 (Reading), 25 (Writing and Language)
  • ACT – 17 (English), 19 (Reading)

The TOEFL/IELTS requirement may be waived if the applicant has successfully met another requirement of proof of English proficiency as outlined in the USF academic catalog.

6. Send a financial statement that shows funding support based on the estimated cost of attendance for one academic year or two semesters (only required if an F-1 or J-1 visa is required).

Academic Credentials Requirements

If you completed secondary education in any country outside the US, USF requires that you submit the appropriate documents that are the equivalent of graduation from high school in the US. As a general rule, 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 of all secondary work.

 

SAT/ACT Requirements

USF requires freshman applicants to submit official results of at least one college entrance exam (SAT or ACT). USF does not currently require or consider the optional Essay section of the SAT or the ACT for the admission or scholarship review processes. Likewise, SAT Subject Tests are not considered for admission or placement. USF's code for SAT is 5828 and for ACT is 0761.

Fall 2019 Profile

  • Average SAT 1260-1325
  • Average ACT 27-30

Language Requirements

Must meet SAT or ACT minimums:

  • SAT: minimum total score of 1100 (Writing=25, Critical Reading=24, Mathematics=24)
  • ACT: minimum total score of 22 (English=17, Reading=19, Mathematics=19) 

Superscoring

USF considers your highest submitted section scores across all SAT and ACT test dates. Final admission decisions will be made 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 or ACT. Sending your scores each time you take the SAT or ACT can benefit you by allowing us to consider you for all available enrollment-related opportunities. 

 

Testing Recommendations

Because the SAT and ACT measure college readiness through different means and formats, we strongly encourage you to take each exam once during the spring of your junior year in high school. You are likely to prefer (and even to perform better) on one test over the other, which would allow you to focus on that test during the fall of your senior year. Except in rare cases, you should not take either test more than three times, as significant improvements on performance are unlikely at that point.

Foreign Language Entrance Requirement (FLENT)

Students must have completed two academic units of the same foreign language in high school or two semesters of the same foreign language or American Sign Language (ASL) in college to be considered for admission.  If you already have fulfilled this requirement, submit official transcripts showing the foreign language or ASL courses completed. Refer to the following bullets for methods to meet the requirement and possible exemptions.  Students who have not met FLENT at point of admission are still admissible, but must meet FLENT before graduating from USF.

USF Does Not Require Essays or Personal Statements

No essay or personal statement is requested to be evaluated for admission to USF.  Any submission of an essay or personal statement will not be opened or reviewed

NOTE: To receive priority consideration for admission scholarships for Fall 2021, you must apply by April 1, 2021. If you are an international student attending a high school in the USA then you must apply and complete your application by February 15, 2021.