University of South Carolina

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We are excited that you are considering the University of South Carolina Honors College!

• Continue to the online undergraduate application
  

Requirements

The Honors College enrolls exceptional students. Admission requires excellent high-school grades, strong scores on the SAT or ACT, and completion of an application to the Honors College including an essay.

The mid-range of scores--between 25% and 75% of all scores--for the 2010 Freshman class was between 1370 and 1450 (SAT critical reading and math) and between 31 and 33 on the ACT.  The average weighted GPA was 4.51.  Higher SAT or ACT scores can offset lower grades vice versa.

Please visit the Undergraduate Admissions website to learn more about minimum course requirements for admission to the University.

Application Requirements

In addition to the general application for undergraduate admission to the University of South Carolina, potential students must also complete a supplemental application to the South Carolina Honors College. The application to the Honors College also serves as the application for the Carolina/McNair Scholars awards and may be found online as part of the general application to USC.

Your freshman application to the University of South Carolina must be submitted by November 15. If you complete the admissions application online and your self-reported scores are high enough, you will be invited to apply for the Honors College and top scholarships at the point of application. The following materials are required for submission by November 15 and should be sent to the University of South Carolina Admissions Office:

• Honors supplement. Honors College applicants should submit their general University application and the Honors College/Top Scholars supplemental application together as one complete document. Qualified students will be invited to complete the Honors/Top Scholars application online. If you choose to complete this portion of the application at a later date, or you weren't given access to this portion of the application, you may download a print version instead.


• Official transcript(s) from your high school. The transcript(s) should be sent directly from your high school to the University of South Carolina admissions office, with an official high-school mark stamped on the envelope seal. If you have completed any college courses while enrolled in high school, request that the college send an official transcript to the admissions office.


• Official SAT or ACT test scores.  Scores are required for all dates the test(s) were take and must be sent directly from the CollegeBoard or ACT, respectively.Unfortunately, the University cannot accept scores from official high-school transcripts. If you take the SAT, you must designate USC Columbia as a score recipient using the school code of 5818. If you take the ACT, you should use the USC Columbia school code of 3880.


• Two (2) letters of recommendation.  Ask the individuals recommending you to cite your legal last name, given first name, and middle name/initital in the letter; to state how long they have known you and in what capacity; and to comment on your intellectual capacity, leadership potential, communication skills, integrity, and creativity.


• Personal statement (optional).  Personal statements are optional for University applicants.


• Application fee waiver (optional, for in-state students). Fee waivers are available for South Carolina residents currently enrolled in high school and receiving fee waivers for the SAT or ACT. A fee waiver form, obtainable from your high-school guidance counselor, must be submitted with the admission application. Fee waivers are also available for high school seniors who are dependents of a full-time USC Columbia faculty or staff members.