Undergraduate

International Freshman Academic Requirements

Three USF students sitting together at a dining hall.

Admission to USF is more competitive than ever, but the process of applying is not difficult. We consider each applicant individually, taking into account grades, rigor of curriculum and standardized test scores. Discover what’s required for admission consideration.

YOU SHOULD APPLY AS A FRESHMAN IF YOU ARE A:

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

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

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

Fall Student Profile - 2022

Average GPA Average SAT Score Average ACT Score
4.00-4.50   1240-1390 27-31

Summer Student Profile - 2022

Average GPA Average SAT Score Average ACT Score
3.62-4.12   1100-1190 22-25

 


 Think you have what it takes? Discover what’s required for admission consideration.

Academic Credentials Requirements

If you completed secondary education in any country outside the U.S., USF requires that you submit the appropriate documents that are the equivalent of graduation from high school in the U.S. 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/CLT Requirements

USF requires freshman applicants to submit official results of at least one college entrance exam (SAT, ACT or CLT). USF does not currently require or consider the optional essay section of the SAT, ACT or CLT 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. If you took the CLT, you will select the University of South Florida from the dropdown on their website.

In Fall 2022, mid-range SAT and ACT scores for admitted freshmen were: 

  • SAT: 1240-1390  
  • ACT: 27-31  

In Summer 2022, mid-range SAT and ACT scores for admitted freshmen were:

  • SAT: 1100-1190  
  • ACT: 22-25  

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, ACT and CLT 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, ACT or CLT. Sending your scores each time you take an exam can benefit you by allowing us to consider you for all available enrollment-related opportunities.


Testing Recommendations

Because the SAT, ACT and CLT 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 Requirements (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.

No Essay Requirement

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.