Applying as a Freshman

Admissions decisions are based on high school course selection, grades and SAT or ACT scores. The successful freshman applicant will demonstrate his or her potential for success by completing a College Preparatory Curriculum with earned a cumulative average of a 2.0 on the defined preparatory courses and who have a total score of 800 on the SAT (critical reading + math) or 17 composite score on the ACT. Exception to admission requirements will be considered for applicants who present extenuating circumstances.

Freshman applicants must submit:

• Completed USCB Application Online or Printable Application.
• $40 nonrefundable application fee
• Official high school transcript or official General Educational Development (GED) score report.
• Official entrance examination scores. SAT minimum score of 800 combined on critical reading and math or ACT composite score of 17.
• SAT Code - 5845 (www.collegeboard.com)
• ACT Code - 3835 (www.act.org)
• Final high school transcript - upon graduation students must submit a final high school transcript showing date of graduation.

Mail all admissions documents to the address listed below:

University of South Carolina Beaufort
Office of Admissions
One University Boulevard
Bluffton, SC 29909

Applicants must apply for and take the required entrance examinations (SAT or ACT) well in advance of the term for which they seek admission, and they are responsible for having the results of these examinations sent to the University.

College Preparatory Curriculum (CPC) diploma is mandatory for admission to USCB.   Prospective students must have adequate preparation for the curriculum in which they plan to enroll. Applicants for admission are required to complete a college preparatory program with units distributed among the following academic subjects:

1. English (4 units). At least two units must have strong grammar and composition components, at least one must be in English literature, and at least one must be in American literature. Completion of college preparatory English I, II, III, and IV will meet this criterion.

2. Mathematics (4 units). Effective for the academic year 2011-2012, entering freshman are required to complete four units of mathematics. These include Algebra I (for which Applied Mathematics I and II may count together as a substitute, if a student successfully completes Algebra II), Algebra II, and Geometry. A fourth higher-level mathematics course should be selected from among Algebra III/trigonometry, precalculus, calculus, statistics, discrete mathematics, or a capstone mathematics course and should be taken during the senior year.

3. Laboratory Science (3 units). Two units must be taken in two different fields of the physical or life sciences and selected from among biology, chemistry, or physics. The third unit may be from the same field as one of the first two units (biology, chemistry, or physics) or from any laboratory science for which biology and/or chemistry is a prerequisite. Courses in earth science, general physical science, or introductory or general environmental science for which biology and/or chemistry is not a prerequisite will not meet this requirement. It is strongly recommended that students take physical science (taught as a laboratory science) as a prerequisite to the three required units of laboratory science outlined in this section.

4. Social Studies (3 units). Three units of social studies. One unit of U.S. history is required; a half unit of economics and a half unit of government are strongly recommended.

5. Foreign Language (2 units). Two units of foreign language must be in the same language.

6. Fine Arts (1unit): One unit in Appreciation of, History of, or Performance in one of the fine arts.

7. Academic Elective (4 units). Four college preparatory units must be taken from at least three different fields selected from computer science, English, fine arts, foreign languages, humanities, laboratory science (excluding earth science, general physical science, general environmental science, or other introductory science courses for which biology and/or chemistry is not a prerequisite), mathematics above the level of Algebra II, or social sciences. It is suggested that one unit be in computer science, which includes programming, and one unit in fine arts (appreciation of, history, or performance).

8. Physical Education (1 unit). One unit of physical education or ROTC is required.

Units Required: 22

In addition to completion of the above units, students must meet requirements based on entrance examination scores and weighted core GPA. Applicants submitting an official General Educational Development (GED) score report should have an average total score of at least 450.

Applicants must complete additional units to meet or exceed state and local high-school graduation requirements. In choosing these electives, students should consider the recommendations given in the preceding listing for specific prospective majors.

Traditionally, students who successfully complete the College Board Advanced Placement Program (AP) and higher level International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme in their high schools go on to achieve academic success at the University of South Carolina Beaufort. Standard Level IB Courses will not receive credit for exams.

High scores on these tests may result in college credit at USCB. Students taking AP exams must earn a score of "3" or above in order to receive credit, while students enrolled in higher-level IB courses must score a minimum of "4" on IB examinations. In many cases, AP test scores higher than "3" and IB test scores higher than "4" result in additional college credit awards.

Students planning to attend USCB should have their AP scores sent to the University (school code 5845) at the time of their testing.

To receive credit for higher-level IB examination scores, students must ask that official IB examination results be sent to the following address:

University of South Carolina Beaufort
Office of Admissions
One University Boulevard
Bluffton, SC 29909

This information is subject to change. It is intended as a guide only. Credit awarded may change without notice.

* Students scoring 4 or higher on any higher level IB foreign-language examination are not required to take the University's placement; lower scores, however will require the placement test. Students receiving credit through IB foreign-language examinations may not receive additional advanced-standing credit for 100-level courses.
** Scores of 4 or above are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and include an oral interview.

Non-traditional students at USCB are students who are 25 years of age or older. Non-traditional students may also be students who did not attend college the semester after they graduated from high school. Applicants submitting an official General Educational Development (GED) score report should have an average total score of at least 450.

Admissions Requirements for Non-Traditional Students
Non-traditional students must submit the same credentials as other applicants.

Applicants must submit:

• Official high school transcript or official General Educational Development (GED) score report or college transcripts.
• Students who are 25 years of age or older are not required to submit SAT or ACT results.

USCB has Rolling Admissions. Apply early and USCB will send you an admission decision in two to four weeks.

Fall Semester Timeline:
Application priority Date: Mid-May
Fall applicants should respond by May 1 to guarantee a place in the entering class.

Spring Semester Timeline:
Late November  

Summer Semester Timeline:
Late April- May