Required Documentation
Below are details regarding the required documentation needed for applying as an undergraduate. We recommend that you read over this information carefully.
Common Application and Fee
All undergraduate applicants apply by submitting the Common Application along with the application fee by the application deadline.
Official Academic Records
You must submit an official transcript and exit exam results (if any) from each secondary school, college, or university you have attended. Authenticated (notarized or certified) translations should accompany any records issued in a language other than English.
Freshman Applicants must submit a transcript that includes Fall (first-term or mid-year) grades, when available.
Transfer Applicants are strongly encouraged to provide Course Descriptions and Course Syllabi, in English, for any courses completed outside the United States. These materials will aid in the evaluation of courses for possible awarding of transfer course credit. If you have successfully completed one year (24 semester or 36 quarter units) of transferable academic coursework at the university level, you do not need to submit your secondary school records.
Mid-Year Report Form for Freshman Applicants
If you have completed your secondary education, you do not need to submit the Mid-Year Report Form, but should instead provide a copy of your final high school transcript and any exit examination results.
Gap Year Explanation for Freshman Applicants
If you are applying to enroll as a Freshman in Fall 2015, and will have completed your secondary education one or more years before then, please provide an explanation describing your education, employment, or other significant activities during this “Gap” between your high school graduation and college entry. This information will help us not only to learn more about you, but also to determine what type of USF I-20 should be issued to you, if any.
Official Testing Records
If English is not your native language, or if the majority of your education has not been taught in English, you are required to submit official results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or the Pearson Test of English Academic (PTEA) as evidence of your English language competency.
Submission of official test results of English language proficiency examinations may be waived if: You have achieved an SAT Critical Reading score of 500 or higher; your predicted IB Higher-Level English result is 5 or higher; you received a grade of B or higher on your English O-Level exam (GCSE, IGCSE, SPM, etc.); or you received a grade of B or higher in a college-level English composition course taught in the United States.
Applicants who are completing an American or International Baccalaureate curriculum are required to submit official SAT or ACT Scores. All other applicants are recommended, but not required, to submit such scores. The USF College Board (SAT) Code is 4850, and the ACT Code is 0466.
Letter of Recommendation
The Letter of Recommendation from a teacher or professor, school counselor or academic adviser, or other school official who knows you well will assist us in our appraisal of your personal character and contributions to your community, academic ability and accomplishments, and your potential to succeed in college.
Certification of Finances
All international students must submit a Certification of Finances (Spring 2016 or Fall 2016) showing that sufficient funds are available to pay for tuition and fees, housing and meals, health insurance, books, and personal expenses during their studies at USF before a Certificate of Visa Eligibility (Form I-20) can be issued. You, your parent or sponsor, and relevant bank official must complete and sign the Certification of Finances Form. In addition, a bank letter or bank statement must be submitted to verify that the required amount of funding is available.
Passport Data Page
Your name must appear on your Form I-20 exactly as it appears on your passport. You must therefore submit a copy of your passport data page (face/photo page) before your immigration documents can be issued. Please submit a copy of your passport data page, along with the Certification of Finances, to aid in the issuance of your immigration documents.
English Proficiency
It is essential that you possess sufficient English language proficiency to successfully complete college-level courses, as well as to participate fully in all aspects of University life.
Non-Native Speakers of English
If English is not your native language, you must submit official results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or the Pearson Test of English Academic (PTEA) as evidence of your English language competency.
Regular Admission
Students who otherwise meet the University's admission requirements and earn the following minimum results are eligible for Regular Admission consideration.
TOEFL: 80 iBT (Internet-Based Test)
With no subscore below 18
IELTS: 6.5 Overall Band Score
With no individual band score below 6.0
PTEA: 53 Overall Score
With no subscore below 45
Conditional Admission
Applicants who do not satisfy the English proficiency requirements for regular admission may be admitted to USF on the condition that they enroll in English as a Second Language (ESL) courses, along with other academic courses, during their first semesters at USF. Normally, English-Conditional admission requires a TOEFL score of 65 iBT, with no subscore below 14; an IELTS Overall Band Score of at least 6.0 with no subscore below 5.5; or a PTEA Overall Score above 40.
Please Note: Nursing applicants are not eligible for English-Conditional admission, and must meet the minimum English proficiency requirements.
