USF Requirements for Admission

What are USF's admission requirements? While there are a lot of pieces that go into a college application, you should focus on only a few critical things:

  • GPA requirements
  • Testing requirements, including SAT and ACT requirements
  • Application requirements

In this guide we'll cover what you need to get into USF and build a strong application.

School location: Tampa, FL

This school is also known as: University of South Florida


Admissions Rate: 41%

If you want to get in, the first thing to look at is the acceptance rate. This tells you how competitive the school is and how serious their requirements are.

The acceptance rate at USF is 41%. For every 100 applicants, 41 are admitted.

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This means the school is moderately selective. The school expects you to meet their requirements for GPA and SAT/ACT scores, but they're more flexible than other schools. If you exceed their requirements, you have an excellent chance of getting in. But if you don't, you might be one of the unlucky minority that gets a rejection letter.


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USF GPA Requirements

Many schools specify a minimum GPA requirement, but this is often just the bare minimum to submit an application without immediately getting rejected.

The GPA requirement that really matters is the GPA you need for a real chance of getting in. For this, we look at the school's average GPA for its current students.

Average GPA: 4.2

The average GPA at USF is 4.2.

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(Most schools use a weighted GPA out of 4.0, though some report an unweighted GPA.

With a GPA of 4.2, USF requires you to be at the top of your class. You'll need nearly straight A's in all your classes to compete with other applicants. Furthermore, you should be taking hard classes - AP or IB courses - to show that college-level academics is a breeze.

If you're currently a junior or senior, your GPA is hard to change in time for college applications. If your GPA is at or below the school average of 4.2, you'll need a higher SAT or ACT score to compensate. This will help you compete effectively against other applicants who have higher GPAs than you.


SAT and ACT Requirements

Each school has different requirements for standardized testing. Only a few schools require the SAT or ACT, but many consider your scores if you choose to submit them.

You must take either the SAT or ACT to submit an application to USF. More importantly, you need to do well to have a strong application.

USF SAT Requirements

Many schools say they have no SAT score cutoff, but the truth is that there is a hidden SAT requirement. This is based on the school's average score.

Average SAT: 1300

The average SAT score composite at USF is a 1300 on the 1600 SAT scale.

This score makes USF Moderately Competitive for SAT test scores.

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USF SAT Score Analysis (New 1600 SAT)

The 25th percentile SAT score is 1240, and the 75th percentile SAT score is 1370. In other words, a 1240 on the SAT places you below average, while a 1370 will move you up to above average.

Here's the breakdown of SAT scores by section:

SectionAverage25th Percentile75th Percentile
Math610560660
Reading + Writing620580670
Composite130012401370

SAT Score Choice Policy

The Score Choice policy at your school is an important part of your testing strategy.

USF has the Score Choice policy of "Highest Section."

This is also known as "superscoring." This means that you can choose which SAT tests you want to send to the school. Of all the scores they receive, your application readers will consider your highest section scores across all SAT test dates you submit.

Click below to learn more about how superscoring critically affects your test strategy.

How does superscoring change your test strategy? (Click to Learn)

For example, say you submit the following 3 test scores:

Section R+W Math Composite
Test 1 700 300 1000
Test 2 300 700 1000
Test 3 300 300 600
Superscore 700 700 1400

Even though the highest total you scored on any one test date was 1000, USF will take your highest section score from all your test dates, then combine them to form your Superscore. You can raise your composite score from 1000 to 1400 in this example.

This is important for your testing strategy. Because you can choose which tests to send in, and USF forms your Superscore, you can take the SAT as many times as you want, then submit only the tests that give you the highest Superscore. Your application readers will only see that one score.

Therefore, if your SAT superscore is currently below a 1300, we strongly recommend that you consider prepping for the SAT and retaking it. You have a very good chance of raising your score, which will significantly boost your chances of getting in.

Even better, because of the Superscore, you can focus all your energy on a single section at a time. If your Reading score is lower than your other sections, prep only for the Reading section, then take the SAT. Then focus on Math for the next test, and so on. This will give you the highest Superscore possible.


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USF ACT Requirements

Just like for the SAT, USF likely doesn't have a hard ACT cutoff, but if you score too low, your application will get tossed in the trash.

Average ACT: 26

The average ACT score at USF is 26. This score makes USF Moderately Competitive for ACT scores.

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The 25th percentile ACT score is 24, and the 75th percentile ACT score is 29.

Even though USF likely says they have no minimum ACT requirement, if you apply with a 24 or below, you'll have a very hard time getting in, unless you have something else very impressive in your application. There are so many applicants scoring 26 and above that a 24 will look academically weak.

ACT Score Sending Policy

If you're taking the ACT as opposed to the SAT, you have a huge advantage in how you send scores, and this dramatically affects your testing strategy.

Here it is: when you send ACT scores to colleges, you have absolute control over which tests you send. You could take 10 tests, and only send your highest one. This is unlike the SAT, where many schools require you to send all your tests ever taken.

This means that you have more chances than you think to improve your ACT score. To try to aim for the school's ACT requirement of 26 and above, you should try to take the ACT as many times as you can. When you have the final score that you're happy with, you can then send only that score to all your schools.

ACT Superscore Policy

By and large, most colleges do not superscore the ACT. (Superscore means that the school takes your best section scores from all the test dates you submit, and then combines them into the best possible composite score). Thus, most schools will just take your highest ACT score from a single sitting.

However, in our research, we found that USF does in fact offer an ACT superscore policy. To quote their Admissions Office:

At USF, we consider your highest section scores across all SAT and ACT test dates that you submit, including the SAT Writing and ACT English/Writing. Final admission decisions will be made using only your highest scores.

Source

Superscoring is powerful to your testing strategy, and you need to make sure you plan your testing accordingly. Of all the scores that USF receives, your application readers will consider your highest section scores across all ACT test dates you submit.

Click below to learn more about how superscoring critically affects your test strategy.

How does superscoring change your test strategy? (Click to Learn)

For example, say you submit the following 4 test scores:

English Math Reading Science Composite
Test 1 32 16 16 16 20
Test 2 16 32 16 16 20
Test 3 16 16 32 16 20
Test 4 16 16 16 32 20
Superscore 32 32 32 32 32

Even though the highest ACT composite you scored on any one test date was 20, USF will take your highest section score from all your test dates, then combine them to form your Superscore. You can raise your composite score from 20 to 32 in this example.

This is important for your testing strategy. Because you can choose which tests to send in, and USF forms your Superscore, you can take the ACT as many times as you want, then submit only the tests that give you the highest Superscore. Your application readers will only see that one score.

Therefore, if your ACT score is currently below a 26, we strongly recommend that you consider prepping for the ACT and retaking it. You have a very good chance of raising your score, which will significantly boost your chances of getting in.

Even better, because of the Superscore, you can focus all your energy on a single section at a time. If your Reading score is lower than your other sections, prep only for the Reading section, then take the ACT. Then focus on Math for the next test, and so on. This will give you the highest Superscore possible.


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SAT/ACT Writing Section Requirements

Currently, only the ACT has an optional essay section that all students can take. The SAT used to also have an optional Essay section, but since June 2021, this has been discontinued unless you are taking the test as part of school-day testing in a few states. Because of this, no school requires the SAT Essay or ACT Writing section, but some schools do recommend certain students submit their results if they have them.

USF considers the SAT Essay/ACT Writing section optional and may not include it as part of their admissions consideration. You don't need to worry too much about Writing for this school, but other schools you're applying to may require or recommend it.



Final Admissions Verdict

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Because this school is moderately selective, strong academic performance will almost guarantee you admission. Scoring a 1370 SAT or a 29 ACT or above will nearly guarantee you admission. Because the school admits 41% of all applicants, being far above average raises the admission rate for you to nearly 100%.

If you can achieve a high SAT/ACT score, the rest of your application essentially doesn't matter. You still need to meet the rest of the application requirements, and your GPA shouldn't be too far off from the school average of 4.2. But you won't need dazzling extracurriculars and breathtaking letters of recommendation to get in. You can get in based on the merits of your score alone.

But if your score is a 1240 SAT or a 24 ACT and below, you have a good chance of being one of the unlucky few to be rejected.


image description
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Learn more about PrepScholar Admissions to maximize your chance of getting in.


Admissions Calculator

What are your chances of admission at University of South Florida?
Chances of admission with these scores:

Here's our custom admissions calculator. Plug in your numbers to see what your chances of getting in are.

Pick your test: SAT ACT

SAT Score
Your GPA

Note: Your admission decision relies not only on your GPA and SAT/ACT scores, but also on your coursework difficulty, extracurriculars, letters of recommendation, and personal statements. This tool provides only a simplistic estimate of your chances of admission. Instead of treating this tool as a crystal ball, we recommend you consider the big picture of what your chance means:
  • 80-100%: Safety school: Strong chance of getting in
  • 50-80%: More likely than not getting in
  • 20-50%: Lower but still good chance of getting in
  • 5-20%: Reach school: Unlikely to get in, but still have a shot
  • 0-5%: Hard reach school: Very difficult to get in
We recommend you apply to schools across a range of chances. Applying to some safety schools will guarantee you have a college to go to, while applying to some reach schools will give you a shot at getting into the school at the top of your range.

How would your chances improve with a better score?

Take your current SAT score and add 160 points (or take your ACT score and add 4 points) to the calculator above. See how much your chances improve?

At PrepScholar, we've created the leading online SAT/ACT prep program. We guarantee an improvement of 160 SAT points or 4 ACT points on your score, or your money back.

Here's a summary of why we're so much more effective than other prep programs:

There's a lot more to PrepScholar that makes it the best SAT/ACT prep program. Click to learn more about our program, or sign up for our 5-day free trial to check out PrepScholar for yourself:


Application Requirements

Every school requires an application with the bare essentials - high school transcript and GPA, application form, and other core information. Many schools, as explained above, also require SAT and ACT scores, as well as letters of recommendation, application essays, and interviews. We'll cover the exact requirements of USF here.

Application Requirements Overview

  • Common Application Not accepted
  • Electronic Application None
  • Essay or Personal Statement
  • Letters of Recommendation 1
  • Interview Not required
  • Application Fee $30
  • Fee Waiver Available? Available
  • Other Notes

Testing Requirements

  • SAT or ACT Required
  • Scores Due in Office July 1

Coursework Requirements

  • Subject Required Years
  • English 4
  • Math 4
  • Science 3
  • Foreign Language 2
  • Social Studies 3
  • History
  • Electives 3

Deadlines and Early Admissions

  •  
    • Offered? Deadline Notification
  • Regular Admission
    • Yes May 1 December 8
  • Early Action
    • No
  • Early Decision
    • No

Admissions Office Information

Our Expert's Notes

We did more detailed research into this school's admissions process and found the following information:

Applications are considered on a rolling basis, and you can submit your application as early as August with the final deadline April 15th, though you must apply by Janaury 2nd to be considered for scholarships and by March 1st to apply for financial aid. Learn more about deadlines and requirements here.

You will be invited to join the Honors College if you have:

  • A 3.8 cumulative high school GPA (as calculated by USF)AND
  • an SAT minimum score of 1300 (critical reading and math only) with a minimum critical reading score of 580 OR an ACT Composite score of 29 with a minimum English score of 29
Learn more about the Honors College here.

Source


Other Schools For You

If you're interested in USF, you'll probably be interested in these schools as well. We've divided them into 3 categories depending on how hard they are to get into, relative to USF.


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Reach Schools: Harder to Get Into

These schools are have higher average SAT scores than USF. If you improve your SAT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.

School Name Location SAT Avg ACT Avg
University of Washington Seattle, WA 1410 32
University of Florida Gainesville, FL 1382 30
American University Washington, DC 1368 30
University of Massachusetts Amherst Amherst, MA 1358 30
University of California, Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CA 1355 29
University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX 1355 30
Rochester Institute of Technology Rochester, NY 1352 31

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Same Level: Equally Hard to Get Into

If you're competitive for USF, these schools will offer you a similar chance of admission.

School Name Location SAT Avg ACT Avg
University of Connecticut Storrs, CT 1315 29
Seton Hall University South Orange, NJ 1310 30
Penn State University Park University Park, PA 1310 29
Syracuse University Syracuse, NY 1310 29
Auburn University Auburn, AL 1304 27
University of Texas at Dallas Richardson, TX 1291 28
University of California, Davis Davis, CA 1280 28

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Safety Schools: Easier to Get Into

If you're currently competitive for USF, you should have no problem getting into these schools. If USF is currently out of your reach, you might already be competitive for these schools.

School Name Location SAT Avg ACT Avg
Hofstra University Hempstead, NY 1246 27
Temple University Philadelphia, PA 1241 28
University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL 1225 26
University of Cincinnati Cincinnati, OH 1223 26
Quinnipiac University Hamden, CT 1210 25
Ohio University Athens, OH 1174 25
Pace University New York, NY 1173 26

Data on this page is sourced from Peterson's Databases © 2024 (Peterson's LLC. All rights reserved.) as well as additional publicly available sources.


image description
Want to build the best possible college application?

We can help. PrepScholar Admissions is the world's best admissions consulting service. We combine world-class admissions counselors with our data-driven, proprietary admissions strategies. We've overseen thousands of students get into their top choice schools, from state colleges to the Ivy League.

We know what kinds of students colleges want to admit. We want to get you admitted to your dream schools.

Learn more about PrepScholar Admissions to maximize your chance of getting in.


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