do you need an essay for usf

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA

Admit-a-bull // official admissions blog, college application process: important things to look for.

By Katherine Bleakly | Last Updated: Jul 14, 2022

The college application process can be daunting, confusing, and even frustrating, but it doesn’t have to be! As the saying goes, “knowledge is power” and the more research and organization you do, the more prepared you will be to conquer the applications and meet the deadlines.

As an Admissions Recruiter Advisor, I am often asked to share what I feel are the most important college application questions and topics to research during the process. Below are some of the important college application process questions and resources I encourage families to utilize:

Attend a College Night and College Information Session

Some high schools offer a “college night” event for juniors and seniors that is led by the high school counselors. It can be a great opportunity to begin hearing about the college application process and the lingo associated with applying.

USF Admissions recruiters often participate in these college preview events and highlight our application process and deadlines. College information sessions are offered mainly in the fall term by the post-secondary (college/university) admissions recruiters. These information sessions are a prime opportunity to ask colleges and universities specific questions and hear about that institution’s specific application process and deadlines.

Listen for the Lingo

As Admissions Recruiters, we tend to use lingo and terms that aren’t as commonly known by families and students during the application process. Here are a few terms to note:

Common Application : The Common Application is an online college application platform utilized by about 900 colleges and universities globally. If there are post-secondary institutions you are interested in applying to on this application, you can utilize the Common Application. The benefit to this application is that you don’t have to type your background information, such as high school information and extracurriculars, repeatedly. Once you complete this information, it remains on the application.

The only additional items you may have to complete would be specific to the university. For example, residency information for tuition purposes (if you are an in-state student) is something you would complete for USF . The other benefit to the Common Application is that it offers essay prompts that you can complete and send to colleges and universities that require or recommend it. Currently, the Common Application platform has been utilized by a million students!

University Application : Some colleges and universities utilize their own application . It is crucial that you do your research to see which institutions use their own applications and which are on application platforms. For example, USF has its own university application for first-time-in-college students (freshman) and transfer students. However, USF is also on the  Common Application platform, though it’s worth noting that our institution does not have a preference on which application is utilized during the application process.

FAFSA : The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is used by students and families to apply for financial aid. The federal government then uses the FAFSA information to determine if federal aid can be provided for the student’s education. This aid could be in the form of federal grants or federal loans.

FAFSA is also utilized by colleges and universities to determine if institutional aid can be provided for the student’s education. Some colleges and universities require FAFSA for admission, while some strongly encourage it. Even if a family is doubtful of their FAFSA eligibility, it is always encouraged that they complete it anyway. FAFSA generally allows a student to send their information to up to 10 colleges/universities.

SAT/ ACT: It is important to know if the colleges and universities you are applying to require the SAT , ACT , or both. USF does require the SAT or ACT, but we do not have a preference which test is submitted. USF also superscores SAT or ACT scores. You should note if the institutions you are applying to superscore, as that may help you determine how many times you plan to test. It is also important to know when each of the tests are being offered, the registration deadline for each of the exams, and whether your high school is a testing center that will be offering an SAT or ACT exam.

Additionally, you should check on your SAT or ACT account to see if you qualify for a testing fee waiver, which is based on economic status. If you qualify for a testing fee waiver, you may be eligible for college application fee waivers as well. USF accepts college application fee waivers, but it is important to know whether other colleges/universities accept this fee waiver before applying.

Recalculated GPA: It is important to note if the colleges and universities you are applying to recalculate your GPA and how they may do that. USF does recalculate GPAs , but institutions can perform their recalculations differently, so it’s a good idea to understand how each school does theirs.

Create a Timeline and Organize!

If you haven’t already gathered, there can be a lot of moving parts to the college application process. Organization is key to making sure you don’t miss requirements or deadlines, which is why I encourage my students and families to create a timeline on the important dates and deadlines. For example, a timeline should include several important milestones:

• Registration deadlines for the SAT/ACT exams you plan to take
• Dates of each SAT/ACT exam
• Dates that the college/university applications become available
• Dates you plan to complete your Common Application
• Deadline to submit FAFSA to the colleges/universities you are applying to join

I also strongly encourage creating a list of each institution you are applying to attend, what they require, and the deadline for each. Once you have applied, you can take your list a step further by adding the university student portal you would use to check the status of your application.

For example, your USF application list may look like this:

• University Application (opens July 1) but is also available on Common Application around August.
• I need to check if I am eligible for a fee waiver. If I qualify for an SAT/ACT fee waiver, I am likely eligible for a college fee waiver.
• Official SAT or ACT scores
• Official High School Transcript
• FAFSA (strongly encouraged)
• OASIS Student Portal (to check application status)

Research, Have Options, and Pay Attention to Details

Most colleges and universities have detailed websites, though it may take some strong sleuth skills to find everything you need to know. For example, if you are looking for something specific, such as Greek life organizations, try to search it for yourself online by typing “Greek Organizations” into your search engine.

When you are just beginning the college search process , create a list with your “must-have” criteria, and then ask yourself questions to determine if an institution will offer what you need:

• Would you thrive at a small, medium, or large university setting?
• Do you know what you want to study, or do you need a post-secondary institution that offers a little of everything?
• Do you need to be nearby a city, or do you prefer a rural setting?
• Do you know your family’s ability to pay for college?
• Do you have a budget for your college education?
• Are there specific clubs and organizations you want?
• Will you be staying local, or is going a couple hours away or out of state an option for you?

Even after answering these questions, there will still most likely be many colleges and universities for you to choose from, so it can be an overwhelming decision. During my college search, Fiske College Guide provided a brief description of many of the colleges and universities that helped me narrow down my search.

Lastly, pay attention to details, particularly application requirements, deadlines, and how you complete your application. While the college application process may seem like it requires a lot more effort than it should, choosing your college or university is one of the biggest decisions you will make in your adult life, so it’s important to ensure you make the best choice.

I encourage you to use all resources at your disposal: ask your high school counselor for guidance, use your local library or bookstore for college guides, attend college information sessions, attend college nights (if they are offered), and reach out to admissions recruiters for more details. Remember, you’re never alone when you’re working through the college application process. No matter how confusing or daunting it may seem, help is usually just a click or call away !

About Katherine Bleakly

Katherine Bleakly is an Admissions Recruiter Advisor for the University of South Florida. She enjoys sharing her years of experience in college admissions with families by offering guidance on the admissions process and providing information so that students can find their ideal post-secondary institution.

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USF Requirements for Admission

Choose your test.

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: 43.9%

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 43.9% . For every 100 applicants, 44 are admitted.

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.

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.

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

The average GPA at USF is 4 .

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

With a GPA of 4, 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, 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.

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: 1250

The average SAT score composite at USF is a 1250 on the 1600 SAT scale.

This score makes USF Competitive for SAT test scores.

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:

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.

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

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 1250, 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.

Download our free guide on the top 5 strategies you must be using to improve your score. This guide was written by Harvard graduates and SAT perfect scorers. If you apply the strategies in this guide, you'll study smarter and make huge score improvements.

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: 27

The average ACT score at USF is 27. This score makes USF Moderately Competitive for ACT scores.

The 25th percentile ACT score is 27, and the 75th percentile ACT score is 30.

Even though USF likely says they have no minimum ACT requirement, if you apply with a 27 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 27 and above that a 27 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 27 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.

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 .

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

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 27, 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.

Download our free guide on the top 5 strategies you must be using to improve your score. This guide was written by Harvard graduates and ACT perfect scorers. If you apply the strategies in this guide, you'll study smarter and make huge score improvements.

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 it.

Final Admissions Verdict

Because this school is moderately selective, strong academic performance will almost guarantee you admission . Scoring a 1370 SAT or a 30 ACT or above will nearly guarantee you admission. Because the school admits 43.9% 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. 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 27 ACT and below, you have a good chance of being one of the unlucky few to be rejected.

Admissions Calculator

Here's our custom admissions calculator. Plug in your numbers to see what your chances of getting in are. Pick your test: SAT ACT

• 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

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:

• PrepScholar customizes your prep to your strengths and weaknesses . You don't waste time working on areas you already know, so you get more results in less time.
• We guide you through your program step-by-step so that you're never confused about what you should be studying. Focus all your time learning, not worrying about what to learn.
• Our team is made of national SAT/ACT experts . PrepScholar's founders are Harvard graduates and SAT perfect scorers . You'll be studying using the strategies that actually worked for them.
• We've gotten tremendous results with thousands of students across the country. Read about our score results and reviews from our happy customers .

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
• SAT Essay or ACT Writing Optional
• SAT Subject Tests
• Scores Due in Office March 15

Coursework Requirements

• Subject Required Years
• Foreign Language 2
• Social Studies 3
• Electives 3

Deadlines and Early Admissions

• Offered? Deadline Notification
• Yes March 1 May 1

Admissions Office Information

• Address: 4202 Tampa, FL 33620
• Phone: (813) 974-2011
• Fax: (813) 974-9689
• Email: [email protected]

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.

• 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

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.

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.

Same Level: Equally Hard to Get Into

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

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.

Data on this page is sourced from Peterson's Databases © 2023 (Peterson's LLC. All rights reserved.) as well as additional publicly available sources.

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Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, usf supplemental essays: any tips.

Hey there! I'm working on my application to USF and I need some advice on their supplemental essays. How can I make my responses stand out? Are there any specific topics or angles that work best? Any guidance would be much appreciated!

Hello! I'm glad to hear you're working on your USF supplemental essays. To make your responses stand out, it's essential to showcase your unique perspective, voice, and experiences. Here are a few tips to help you craft essays that resonate with the admissions committee:

1. Be genuine: Present your authentic self in your responses. Share your true feelings, thoughts, and experiences, rather than trying to guess what the admissions committee might want to hear. Authenticity will help you create a compelling narrative.

2. Show, don't tell: Engage the readers by using descriptive language and vivid details. Use examples and anecdotes to support your points and make your essay more memorable. For instance, instead of simply stating your commitment to community service, describe a specific volunteer experience and the impact it had on you.

3. Reflect on your experiences: It's not just about listing your accomplishments and activities. Delve deeper and discuss the significance of your experiences and how they've shaped your character, goals, and interests. Reflection demonstrates introspection and personal growth, which are qualities that colleges value in applicants.

4. Be concise and focused: Address the specific prompts and stay on topic. Ensure that each of your essays has a clear focus, and use well-organized paragraphs to guide your readers through your narrative. This will help you avoid creating a generic or confusing response.

5. Tailor your response to USF: Demonstrate your genuine interest in USF by highlighting relevant aspects of the university that align with your intellectual and extracurricular pursuits. Research the programs, resources, values, or campus culture at USF and weave those elements into your response.

6. Proofread and revise: Carefully review your essays for spelling, grammar, and clarity. Ask someone you trust (a teacher, counselor, or family member) to read your drafts and provide feedback. Remember that your essays represent you on paper, so ensure they accurately convey your thoughts and are free from errors.

In terms of specific topics or angles, avoid common clichés or overused themes. Instead, focus on a unique experience, interest, or perspective that illustrates your personal growth and sets you apart from other applicants. Consider discussing the intersection of your individual identity and your academic or extracurricular pursuits, or the challenges you've faced and how they've shaped your character.

By following these tips and putting in the effort to craft thoughtful, well-written essays, you'll be well on your way to creating a standout application for USF. Good luck!

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

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University of South Florida

International Students

Office of Admissions

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Undergraduate, international transfer student admission requirements.

Admission to USF is more competitive than ever, but the process of applying is not difficult. Unless otherwise noted, our transfer requirements and deadlines are consistent across all three campuses: Tampa campus, St. Petersburg campus and Sarasota-Manatee campus.

Please review the information below, but also be sure to review your specific major requirements found here . 

TERMINOLOGY

• Must have some completed post-secondary work
• Upper-Level (UL) Transfer   = 60+ hours of transferable credit including in-progress
• Second Bachelor’s Degree = you have already completed and been awarded a Bachelor's Degree
• Former USF Student Returning (FSR) = you have previously attempted or completed for-credit courses at the University of South Florida 

Lower-Level (LL) Transfer Applicants

Applicants are required to have successfully completed a minimum of 67% of all credit hours attempted at currently and previously enrolled institutions. In addition, you must meet the Florida Board of Governors minimums . A 2.50 transfer or postsecondary transferrable GPA (3.20 for nursing) is required.

• Transfer post-secondary GPA ≥ 2.5
• High school GPA ≥ 2.5
• High school units: 4 English, 4 math, 3 natural science, 3 social science, 2 foreign language
• Test score requirements:
• SAT Reading ≥ 24, SAT Writing  ≥ 25, SAT Math ≥ 24, OR
• ACT Reading ≥ 19, ACT English ≥ 17, ACT Math ≥ 19
• CLT: to be determined

You will need to submit:

• Application to USF
• Application fee
• Official high school transcripts
• Official college transcripts
• Official SAT, ACT or CLT scores
• Official IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo scores (required only for students from a non-English speaking country)

You can find full details on how to apply to USF as a lower-level transfer student on our   How to Apply page.

Upper Level (UL) Transfer Applicants

If you have graduated from high school and obtained 60+ transferrable credits USF considers you an upper-level transfer student. It is important to note that students will be charged double the tuition rate for each credit hour beyond 132 (for students in a 120-hour degree program) or 110 percent in excess of the hours required. Students who have attempted 180 credit hours are no longer eligible for financial aid as an undergraduate (including federal student loans).

Applicants are required to have successfully completed a minimum of 67% of all credit hours attempted at currently and previously enrolled institutions. A minimum transferrable GPA of 2.30 is required (except applicants with an AA degree from a Florida College System institution and a minimum transferrable GPA of 2.00).

• With an Associate of Arts (AA) from a Florida College System institution
• Transfer GPA ≥ 2.0
• Without an Associate of Arts (AA) from a Florida College System institution
• Transfer GPA ≥ 2.3
• TOEFL > 79
• IELTS  > 6.5
• Duolingo  > 110

You can find full details on how to apply to USF as an upper-level transfer student on our   How to Apply page.

Second Bachelor’s Degree Applicants

Applicants are required to have successfully completed a minimum of 67% of all credit hours attempted at currently and previously enrolled institutions.

• With a USF bachelor’s degree
• Bachelor’s GPA ≥ 2.0
• Without a USF bachelor’s degree
• Bachelors GPA ≥ 2.5

Any college or university work that was completed at a non-U.S. institution must be submitted along with a course-by-course Foreign Credential Evaluation from a NACES member evaluation service. International students whose native language is not English will also need to meet English proficiency standards (e.g., TOEFL or IELTS).

It is important to note that second bachelor’s degree applicants are expected to take only those courses necessary to complete a degree within three terms. Students will be charged double the tuition rate for each credit hour beyond 132 (for students in a 120-hour degree program) or 110 percent in excess of the hours required. In addition, students who have attempted 180 credit hours are no longer eligible for financial aid as an undergraduate (including federal student loans).

You can find full details on how to apply to USF as a second bachelor's degree seeking student on our   How to Apply page.

Former USF Student Returning (FSR) Applicants

• USF GPA ≥ 2.0
• Overall GPA ≥ 2.0
• In good standing and eligible to return to the last institution attended
• Minimum GPA for the declared major, prerequisites met, if applicable 
• Academic Regulation Committee (ARC) Petition

You can find full details on how to apply as a returning USF student on our   How to Apply page.

WHen to Apply

Here is a good rule of thumb on when to apply as a transfer student:

• If you are currently enrolled at another college or university:   apply no more than 90 days before your final grades will be posted for the current semester. (e.g., if your final semester grades will be posted on June 1, apply   after  March 1 for transfer admission to USF.)
• If you are not currently enrolled at another college or university:   apply as soon as you are ready with   all required documents needed   for an admissions decision.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Academic Credential Requirements

Post-Secondary Credential Requirements

USF now requires a credential evaluation for all college or university transcripts located outside of the US, as well as an official translation for transcripts not issued in English. 

All foreign transcripts/documents that are not in English must be accompanied by a certified English translation. Documents signed by a notary or other person with no educational affiliation will not be accepted. 

The credential evaluation must be submitted directly to the Office of Admissions at the following address. All documents used by the service that performs the evaluation must include a copy of the original document, along with an English translation (if necessary).

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

For your convenience, we have listed several credential evaluation services. Additional recommended services can be found at  www.naces.org .

• Academic Evaluation Services
• Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc.
• Josef Silny and Associates, Inc.
• SpanTran Evaluation Company
• World Evaluation Services

Please note that USF does not guarantee that all coursework attempted at the post-secondary level will be transferable. Transferability of courses is determined on a course-by-course basis. 

Secondary credentials (lower-level applicants only) 

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. If you earned an IB diploma or certificate, you will need to submit an official  International Baccalaureate  transcript directly from the International Baccalaureate Organization.

SAT/ACT/CLT Requirements

USF requires lower-level transfer applicants to submit official results of at least one college entrance exam ( SAT,   ACT , or CLT ). SAT Subject Tests are not considered for admission or placement.

USF's code for SAT is 5828 and for ACT is 0761. If you are submitting scores for the CLT, you will need to select University of South Florida on the school dropdown when using their website.

Superscoring

USF considers your highest submitted section scores across all SAT, ACT or 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.

Concordance and the Redesigned SAT

The Redesigned SAT was launched by the College Board in March 2016. USF will accept both the Original (Pre-March 2016) SAT and the Redesigned (March 2016 and later) SAT for admission for the Spring 2017 semester and later. For admission and scholarship purposes we will concord any Original SAT scores to the Redesigned SAT scale; we will also superscore all administrations of the SAT. If you took the Original SAT and want to understand how your scores will concord to the new scale, please refer to the SAT Score Converter. For more information on the Redesigned SAT, visit the College Board website . 

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.

• Two academic units (years) of the same foreign language or American sign language in high school (9th-12th grades), or one academic unit (year) at level 2.
• Two passing semesters of the same foreign language (e.g., SPN 1120 and SPN 1121) or sign language in college, earning no less than eight credit hours.
• Successfully passing the USF Language Placement Test by placing into the third course or higher.
• Passing College Level Examination Program (CLEP) Foreign Language subject test level 2.
• One year of an Advanced Placement (AP) foreign language course in high school.
• Advanced Placement (AP) Credit for two semesters (AP score = 4).
• Passing the Brigham Young University (BYU) Foreign Language Achievement Testing Services (FLATS) test . 

English Proficiency Requirements

International applicants from non-English speaking countries must provide a minimum score on one of the following tests:

• TOEFL   >   79
• IELTS  >   6.5
• Duolingo  >   110

If you are from one of the English speaking countries listed below, you are not required to submit TOEFL, IELTS or PTEA scores.

NOTE: Successful completion with a grade of "C" or higher in the equivalents of ENC 1101 Freshman Composition Skills I, as outlined on the Florida Department of Education Statewide Course Numbering System , at a U.S. regionally accredited institution can be used to waive the TOEFL/IELTS/PTEA requirement. These course equivalencies are at the discretion of the University of South Florida.

English Speaking Countries

• Check back later for full listing!

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.

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Avoiding plagiarism.

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Workshop on Avoiding Plagiarism

In addition to the materials on this page,  you can also sign up for a more in-depth workshop on Avoiding Plagiarism . Workshop attendees receive a badge to indicate they have completed activities related to this instructional workshop.

Knowing what to cite and what you do not need to cite will give you the confidence needed to avoid plagiarism as you write papers and use ideas and materials from journal articles, websites, books, videos, and more. Citing the materials you used to write your paper tells your readers where you found the information and who created, or authored, the materials used to support your topic.

After viewing these short videos, you will be able to:

• Identify some basic rules about when to cite your sources.
• Identify examples of "common knowledge".
• Be able to describe the difference between paraphrasing, summarizing, and direct quotations when citing sources.

For more information you can self-enroll in the online workshop, " Avoiding Plagiarism ."

• Avoiding Plagiarism: What Do I Need to Cite? Most students understand they need to cite materials they used if it is a direct quote, but the ideas of others need to be cited, too.
• Plagiarism: You Can't Just Change a Few Words A lot of students do not think examples like these count as plagiarism, but they do.
• When Should I Cite a Source? This video identifies the conditions under which you need to cite a source when writing an essay or paper.
• << Previous: Locating Subject & Course Guides
• Next: Plagiarism and ChatGPT >>
• Last Updated: Jun 11, 2024 8:21 PM
• URL: https://guides.lib.usf.edu/libskills

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Welcome to the Green and Gold of Reddit. We are the University of South Florida Bulls. A community for students, faculty, alumni, and staff of USF. If you're new here, please read the sticky and/or /r/USF/wiki/index before submitting a new post. All posts not adhering to community rules will be removed. New to USF or an incoming Freshman? Check out /r/USF/wiki/usfadvice! Go Bulls!

Why do people say USF is an easy school to get into when their standards on their website are high?

Maybe it’s just because I’m dumb that I don’t understand this but here goes.

I have a 3.7 weighted gpa and 3.3 non weighted and a 1230 sat. I really want to go to USF but on their website their stats for their students accepted last year are really high like 3.9 to 4.2 gpas and 1230 to 1310 sats and while I’m not super worried about my sat because it falls in the range, I’m really panicked about my gpa.

I’m not sure how to properly understand my situation because I’ve done chance me threads before and people are always like “don’t worry, you’ll get in” or “everyone at my high school considered it a safety school” and things like that.

But then why would their website talk about all these high stats? It’s very conflicting to me and I’m not sure what to think. Does anyone have any explanation?

edit: grammar

Co-discoverer of HIV to bring his research to USF. He’s looking for a cure.

• Sam Ogozalek Times staff

Robert Gallo, 87, is still hunting for a cure to HIV. And he’s bringing his research to Tampa this summer.

Gallo, an influential scientist who’s credited as the co-discoverer of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, is joining the University of South Florida faculty in July. He plans to dive into a range of subjects as director of a new virology center.

In 2011, he co-founded the Global Virus Network , an international coalition of virologists, which is moving its headquarters to the university under a five-year agreement in which USF will pay the network $2 million per year for support. He previously led the Institute of Human Virology at the University of Maryland.

Gallo is best known for his early work on HIV, which sparked what PBS NewsHour once called a “transatlantic research war” — a bitter feud between scientists that eventually led to intervention from President Ronald Reagan and his French counterpart.

In 1983, Luc Montagnier, a researcher in Paris, published his lab’s findings on a virus he called LAV, but noted that its role in AIDS was still undetermined, according to an obituary from 2022 in The Washington Post . A year later, the U.S. secretary of health and human services announced that Gallo and his lab had found the probable cause of AIDS. The culprit was a virus they called HTLV-3. At that time, AIDS had already killed more than 1,700 people in the U.S. and would ultimately lead to millions of fatalities worldwide in the late 20th century.

Montagnier sent samples of his virus to Gallo, who eventually acknowledged that the American lab’s virus was probably contaminated by the French samples, The Post reported.

Gallo’s team secured a U.S. patent for a blood test in 1985, spurring a lawsuit from the French against the federal government, according to The Post’s obituary. The two nations later agreed to split royalties from the test — worth millions of dollars each year — and Gallo and Montagnier were credited as co-discoverers of the virus, which was renamed HIV in 1986. But only Montagnier won a Nobel Prize for his work.

The Tampa Bay Times recently spoke to Gallo, who was the most referenced scientist in the world in the 1980s and ‘90s , about his plans for the USF virology center, what could spark the next pandemic and his thoughts on Florida’s COVID-19 response.

This interview has been edited for clarity and length.

Will the center conduct research, and if yes, what will it focus on?

The first thing is to make it as good as possible and to think about what are the future problems, but also I’m entangled with research on things of the past ... viruses involved in human cancer and, of course, in HIV and AIDS.

I just published two papers with French colleagues. ... I believe we have shed new light on the mechanisms of how HIV causes AIDS. That gives ideas for new forms of therapy that I believe have the potential of leading to a “functional cure.” ... I’m working on that with collaborators.

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I have an interest in what’s called HTLV-1 [ human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 ] . It was the first retrovirus to be discovered, before HIV, which is also a retrovirus. ... It’s the cause of leukemia of T cells in young adults.

It doesn’t transmit easily but it’s highly cancer causing.

Can you expand on HIV, what work your team is going to be doing?

With my French collaborators ... we found something very strange. In an infection, rather early, if not (immediately), there are abnormalities not just in the HIV-infected cells but throughout the body in all immune cells. How the hell does that happen? I was shocked when we had that data. So we decided to find out why, and I think we did.

It’s an overproduction of interferon-alpha , which is part of our innate immunity. ... If it’s too high, and lasts too long, it becomes a real problem.

We’re going to try to target that interferon-alpha with antibodies. ... I want to bring it into clinical trials fast. If we can get a functional cure, you don’t need therapy anymore.

What are the most pressing scientific questions you think virologists need to answer in the next decade?

There are some that are obvious. A universal flu vaccine. And then could that be the same with COVID?

What pathogen do you think will spark the next pandemic?

I don’t know. ... Look, who would suspect HIV? In the mid, late ‘60s when I was a young, beginning guy, everybody respected viruses and the possibility of epidemics. Ten years later, nobody did. I found that human retroviruses existed. I was laughed at. The first paper on HTLV-1 was rejected by the Journal of Virology.

It may be a total surprise. If I had to bet, I’d say a variant of influenza. And because of our recent experience with MERS , then SARS and then COVID, you’d probably say another coronavirus, or one of the same emerging back again. ... In the meantime, greater problems with dengue in the southern parts of the United States and all over the world, moving northward.

Public health has been so politicized in the wake of COVID-19, including in Florida. Is that a concern to you?

Of course it’s a concern. What can we do? Should scientists speak out all the time, but then cause trouble for a university or themselves? ... I don’t know what to say. I really don’t.

The state of Florida’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic has been criticized by many public health experts. Gov. Ron DeSantis, for instance, in 2022 petitioned the state Supreme Court to impanel a grand jury to investigate “crimes and wrongs” in Florida related to COVID-19 vaccines. Given these issues, as a virologist are you uncomfortable at all moving to Florida and joining the faculty of a state-funded university?

People there have told me that he’s very smart, very rational, not good in crowds so that hurts him.

I have no fears about Florida. And when talking to the dean [College of Medicine Dean Charles Lockwood] , he thought it would be very useful to try to meet with the governor to do what I did in Maryland. We had a lot of state support.

I heard great things about his wife and her care about cancer. I have not heard bad things, including by Democrats. ... Did I agree with everything he said? ... I can’t think of anybody I agree with all they said.

It’s been decades since this very public feud between you and the French scientist Luc Montagnier over the HIV discovery. As time has passed, looking back on that, do you have any reflections?

Who showed the cause? Unequivocally we did, they never did. Who grew the virus? Unequivocally we did, they never did. Who provided the technology? We did, they never did. ... But their paper is the first paper.

We shouldn’t have called a press conference because I told the French group that we would do things together in a press conference. That was the beginning of a problem.

Now, the controversy was not a controversy until blood test patent money came to be.

Sam Ogozalek is a reporter covering the healthcare system and mental health. He can be reached at [email protected].

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