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" I am an athlete here at USC Aiken. The professors work well with me, and understand that I am going to miss class occasionally. They take time to explain to me the things I missed. USC Aiken is the place for me. "
- Jeremy Smith , Business Administration major
Did You Know?
USC Aiken has some of the best professional schools in South Carolina. All three - business, nursing, and education - have received the highest level of accreditation possible. This means more opportunities for you to learn from the best and brightest the University has to offer.
"USC Aiken has the best faculty around! Professors and advisors really have your best interest in mind and will always work with you."
- Dalisha Williams, Middle School Education major
"USC Aiken has so much to offer. Whether it’s Greek life, student activities, athletics, honor societies, or residential life, our campus is full of opportunities and ways to become involved."
- Aaron Doctor, Exercise and Sports Science major
"USCA has many different students from many different backgrounds, but one thing that ties us all together is the campus atmosphere. When I left high school I was scared that I was not going to meet anyone that would be as good as my friends back home. Within my first couple of days at USCA, I had more friends than I have ever had before."
- John Ellis, Communications major
"During the course of my freshman and sophomore years, I was a resident in the Pacer Downs. When I first met my roommate my freshman year, we became the best of friends from the get-go. We found out that we were so much alike in many ways. We connected like brothers, and we are still roommates today during our junior year. "
- Anthony (T.J.) Langford, Communications major
"Getting involved in Greek Life and participating in intramural sports is a great way to meet new people. I have participated in every intramural sport offered, and it has helped me stay active. "
- TJ Johnston, Business Marketing major
"Working on campus is a great opportunity for students at USC Aiken. You have the chance to meet so many faculty and staff members and see what happens behind the scenes here at school. Your job will also work around your class schedule because they always put academics first. "
- Chris Brown, Fine Arts major
"Through the wide variety of classes and clubs, USCA offers a little something for everyone. Its small class sizes, charm, and personal professors make it the perfect choice."
- Jessica Walters, Nursing major
"As a sophomore at USCA, I have really enjoyed the college classroom setting. Since the class sizes aren’t too big, I can always get help from professors anytime I’m in need."
- Thomas Mcleod, Exercise and Sports Science major
"Attending USC Aiken has been a great experience for me. From the campus events to classes and to housing, we are a like a family – a home away from home."
- Alyssa Gadsden, Chemistry major
"I love attending USC Aiken because I feel as if am in a family oriented environment. What I love most about is its location, the independence you gain from attending, and our Pacer spirit!"
- Alesha Jones, Communications major
"I never thought I would meet people from all around the world on such a small campus. You can find the best of both worlds: the advantages of a big campus in a small, friendlier environment."
- Dana Hailat, Biology (pre-dental) major
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Admissions Requirements
Freshman Admission
Students should prepare for the challenges at USC Aiken by taking a strong college preparatory curriculum in high school. High school course selection, standardized test scores, and an Admissions Index are all used to determine admissibility. To be admitted, students will need to:
- complete the 21 high school course prerequisites at the college prep or higher level (honors, Advanced Placement, dual credit, etc)
- demonstrate strong high school performance (through curriculum attempted, grades earned, and class rank)
- exceed minimum SAT or ACT standards (excluding writing test results)
- score appropriately on the Admissions Index, a formula which uses two variables: the high school grade point average computed on core college prep courses and the SAT/ACT scores. Of these two variables, the high school grade point average is the more important and has twice as much weight in the formula.
Provisional Admission
The University provides a provisional admission program for high school students who do not meet requirements for regular freshman admission, but who demonstrate academic potential. Such students may be admitted to the First Pace program, providing an avenue for those students with high school grades, class rank, and/or standardized test scores which are below standards to be regularly admitted. Students admitted through the First Pace program will be subject to certain limitations and requirements approved by the Scholastic Standing and Petitions Committee (SS&P). These limitations and requirements will be specified in the letter of acceptance and can include items such as course registration, "intrusive" advising, and special workshops among other things. Failure to meet the requirements of the First Pace program may affect a student's enrollment status.
An applicant who, having graduated from high school, has attended another college-level institution and attempted one or more courses, is a transfer student, regardless of credit earned. If fewer than 30 semester hours (or 45 quarter hours) of college-level work have been attempted, the applicant must meet both transfer and freshman entrance requirements.
To be considered for admission, transfer students are required to have a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA (on a 4.0 GPA scale) in all previous college level course work. In addition, they must be in good standing and eligible to return to the institution last attended. Transcript Request Forms are available through the USC Aiken Office of Admissions. Students must request and submit official transcripts from each previous academic institution. The applicant must submit transcripts of all previous college courses attempted whether or not credit was earned and regardless of whether the applicant wishes to transfer any credit. Failure to report all attempted college courses may constitute sufficient cause for later dismissal from the University.
Non-Traditional Student Admission
Non-traditional students at USC Aiken are typically students who are 25 years of age or older. Non-traditional students may also be students who do not attend college the semester after they graduate from high school, transfer directly from another college to USC Aiken, or who have been employed for 2 years or more. Non-traditional students must submit the same credentials as other students, (high school and college transcripts), with the exception (if over the age of 21) of not submitting SAT or ACT results. However, students without SAT or ACT scores must submit other credentials which provide evidence of reasonable academic potential. If non-traditional students fail to meet regular admission requirements, they may submit a petition to the Scholastic Standing and Petitions Committee for further consideration.
Transient Admission
Admission to undergraduate courses for one semester or two summer terms may be granted to students from other colleges and universities who are certified to be in good academic standing and whose program of study at USC Aiken has been approved by their academic dean or registrar.
Early Admission
Under exceptional circumstances a high school student wishing to leave high school prior to graduation and enroll full-time at USC Aiken may apply to this program. The student must demonstrate both academic and social skills needed for college. To be considered for this program, the student must submit credentials indicating they are likely to enjoy academic success on the collegiate level. In addition to the application and application fee, these include:
- a cover letter requesting admission;
- a letter of approval from parent or guardian;
- a letter of comment from his/her high school principal;
- high school transcripts;
- achievement and PSAT/SAT or PLAN/ACT scores if available.
The Early Admission applicant will then be interviewed by the Scholastic Standing and Petitions Committee, which will act on the application.
Non-Degree Admission
Non-degree students are those wishing to take a course(s) for personal enrichment or professional enhancement. Entrance exams, transcripts and recommendations are generally not required (although they may be necessary for registration into course(s) which require successful completion of prerequisite course(s). Students admitted in this classification may not earn more than 30 semester hours of credit and must be admitted as regular, degree-seeking students before credits may be validated and applied toward any USC degree. Applicants who have been officially denied admission as degree seeking students are not eligible as non-degree students. Non-degree students are subject to all standard University regulations.
Unclassified Students
Students who hold a baccalaureate degree may be admitted to undergraduate credit courses upon submission of an application and transcript showing graduation with a bachelor's degree from a college or university, or a copy of their diploma. This category is designed for those students not desiring to attend graduate school but seeking instead credits for teacher accreditation and similar purposes.