University of south florida tampa acceptance rate

The University of South Florida provides undergraduates with a "beautiful campus," a strong "sense of community," and "great financial aid," so it's easy to understand why students clamor to attend. From the moment you step onto the grounds, it's clear that the university is "committed to [your] success and [that] there are countless opportunities and support programs" available. This is showcased everywhere from the "many unique study abroad programs" to "tutoring [resources] for a variety of subjects." Academically, students are quick to highlight USF's "strong STEM programs" and note the abundance of "nursing/medical opportunities," which are courtesy of the university partnering with the "incredible [number] of hospitals in the vicinity." However, undergrads here have decidedly mixed reviews for their teachers. Indeed, they generally witness "less enthusiasm from [general education] professors." Fortunately, when it comes to their core major classes, students happily report that instructors are truly "passionate about what they teach." As one eager undergrad shares, "[Professors] go above and beyond to make their class lectures interesting and understandable." Students also enjoy the "blend of lecture and discussion" in courses. Another thrilled undergrad simply concludes, "My professors are the best [because they] encourage me not only with my work...but also...in my overall life."

Campus Life

Admittedly, the University of South Florida has "a lot of commuters," but that doesn't mean the campus transforms into a ghost town once classes are finished! In fact, there are numerous activities and events of which to take advantage. For example, you can always find students enjoying "movies on the lawn, international fairs, [and] artistic presentations." Every Wednesday is "Bull Market, [which consists of] a collection of various student orgs and off-campus vendors...giving away freebies...or selling baked goods or raffle tickets to raise money." Need something a little more active? Well then you will be delighted to learn that "USF recreation...has its own park where you can rent kayaks and go down the Hillsborough river." Of course, many undergrads simply love "lounging in a campus hammock" or kicking back in "the student commons [with some] foosball, video games, or pool." And when you need a respite from collegiate life, downtown Tampa also offers a good deal of excitement. There's a wide array of bars and restaurants as well as Busch Gardens, which is only "five minutes from campus...[and] a popular hangout." The pristine beaches of St. Pete's and Walt Disney World are within driving distance as well.

The University of South Florida is a public research university with an acceptance rate of 48%. Considering applying to the University of South Florida? Here are the admissions statistics you should know, including average SAT/ACT scores and GPAs of admitted students.

Why the University of South Florida?

• Location: Tampa, Florida
• Campus Features: Located just a few miles from downtown Tampa, USF offers something for city lovers as well as a campus that has plenty of green space and its own beach and golf course.
• Student/Faculty Ratio: 23:1
• Athletics: The USF Bulls compete in the NCAA Division I American Athletic Conference.
• Highlights: USF regularly wins high marks for Industrial and Organizational Psychology, Criminology, and Public Health departments. USF is one of the top Florida colleges.

Acceptance Rate

During the 2018-19 admissions cycle, the University of South Florida had an acceptance rate of 48%. This means that for every 100 students who applied, 48 students were admitted, making USF's admissions process competitive.

Admissions Statistics (2018-19)Number of Applicants36,986Percent Admitted48%Percent Admitted Who Enrolled (Yield)29%

SAT Scores and Requirements

USF requires that all applicants submit either SAT or ACT scores. During the 2018-19 admissions cycle, 74% of admitted students submitted SAT scores.

SAT Range (Admitted Students)Section25th Percentile75th PercentileERW590660Math580670ERW=Evidence-Based Reading and Writing

This admissions data tells us that most of USF's admitted students fall within the top 35% nationally on the SAT. For the evidence-based reading and writing section, 50% of students admitted to the University of South Florida scored between 590 and 660, while 25% scored below 590 and 25% scored above 660. On the math section, 50% of admitted students scored between 580 and 670, while 25% scored below 580 and 25% scored above 670. Applicants with a composite SAT score of 1330 or greater will have particularly competitive chances at USF.

Requirements

The University of South Florida does not require the optional SAT essay section or SAT Subject tests. Note that USF participates in the scorechoice program, which means that the admissions office will consider your highest score from each individual section across all SAT test dates.

ACT Scores and Requirements

The University of South Florida requires that all applicants submit either SAT or ACT scores. During the 2018-19 admissions cycle, 26% of admitted students submitted ACT scores.

ACT Range (Admitted Students)Section25th Percentile75th PercentileEnglish2431Math2327Composite2529

This admissions data tells us that most of USF's admitted students fall within the top 22% nationally on the ACT. The middle 50% of students admitted to USF received a composite ACT score between 25 and 29, while 25% scored above 29 and 25% scored below 25.

Requirements

USF does not require the optional ACT writing section. Unlike many universities, the University of South Florida superscores ACT results; your highest subscores from multiple ACT sittings will be considered.

GPA

In 2019, the mean high school GPA of USF's incoming freshman class was 3.98. This information suggests that most successful applicants to the University of South Florida have primarily A grades.

Self-Reported GPA/SAT/ACT Graph

The admissions data in the graph is self-reported by applicants to the University of South Florida. GPAs are unweighted. Find out how you compare to accepted students, see the real-time graph, and calculate your chances of getting in with a free Cappex account.

Admissions Chances

The University of South Florida, which accepts fewer than half of applicants, has a selective admissions process. If your SAT/ACT scores and GPA fall within the school's average ranges, you have a strong chance of being accepted. In addition to grades and scores, the admissions folks also want to see that you have taken sufficient college-preparatory classes. The university requires a minimum of four units each in English and math, three units each in natural science and social science, two units of a single foreign language, and two units of electives. You'll be more competitive if you exceed these minimums and your academic record includes challenging AP, IB, honors, and dual enrollment courses. Also, an upward trend in your high school grades will be viewed much more favorably than a downward trend.

In the graph above, the blue and green dots represent accepted students. You can see that the majority of students who got in had high school averages of "B" or higher, combined SAT scores of about 1000 or better (ERW+M), and ACT composite scores of 20 or higher. Your chances of being admitted improve significantly with a combined SAT score above 1100 and grades in the "A-" range or higher.

All admissions data has been sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics and University of South Florida Undergraduate Admissions Office.

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Grove, Allen. "University of South Florida: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/usf-university-of-south-florida-admissions-788182 (accessed December 30, 2022).

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