University of South Carolina Aiken

Would you like to learn about University of South Carolina Aiken, or would you like to know their entry requirements? Whether you want to learn about University of South Carolina Aiken, or you want to know their entry requirements, you can get all the information you need here.

General Information

• School Type – Public, Coed
• Year Founded – 1961
• Religious Affiliation – None
• Academic Calendar  – Semester
• Setting – Suburban
• 2016 Endowment – $25.1 million 

About University of South Carolina Aiken

The University of South Carolina Aiken (also referred to as USC Aiken, USCA, or South Carolina Aiken) is a four-year, public coeducational university in Aiken, South Carolina. The school offers undergraduate degree programs as well as master’s degrees in business administration, educational technology and applied clinical psychology. Additional graduate courses and degree programs are offered through the University of South Carolina Extended Graduate Campus program. The University of South Carolina Aiken awards baccalaureate degrees in more than 30 major areas of study include the bachelor of science in business administration online through Palmetto College.

Academic Life

The student-faculty ratio at University of South Carolina–Aiken is 15:1, and the school has 54.6 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at University of South Carolina–Aiken include: Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Health Professions and Related Programs; Education; Parks, Recreation, Leisure, and Fitness Studies; and Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 69 percent.

Student Life

University of South Carolina–Aiken has a total undergraduate enrollment of 3,354, with a gender distribution of 36 percent male students and 64 percent female students. At this school, 27 percent of the students live in college-owned, -operated or -affiliated housing and 73 percent of students live off campus. In sports, University of South Carolina–Aiken is part of the NCAA II.

Campus Safety

Campus safety data were reported by the institution to the U.S. Department of Education and have not been independently verified. The numbers for criminal offenses reflect reports of alleged offenses to campus security and/or law enforcement authorities, not necessarily prosecutions or convictions. Experts advise prospective students and their families to do their own research to evaluate the safety of a campus as well as the surrounding area.

Campus Services

University of South Carolina–Aiken offers a number of student services, including nonremedial tutoring, placement service, day care, health service. University of South Carolina–Aiken also offers campus safety and security services like 24-hour foot and vehicle patrols, late night transport/escort service, 24-hour emergency telephones, lighted pathways/sidewalks, controlled dormitory access (key, security card, etc.). Of the students at University of South Carolina–Aiken, 74 percent have cars on campus. Alcohol is permitted for students of legal age at University of South Carolina–Aiken.

https://youtu.be/sSsjBMSn3OU

Ranking

University of South Carolina–Aiken is ranked #8 in Regional Colleges South. Schools are ranked according to their performance across a set of widely accepted indicators of excellence.

• #8 (tie) in Regional Colleges South
• #4 in Best Colleges for Veterans
• #24 in Best Value Schools
• #1 in Top Public Schools
• #274 (tie) in Business Programs

Notable alumni

• Adam Riggs – former Major League Baseball player
• Roberto Hernandez – former 16-year Major League Baseball veteran and two-time all-star.

Entry Requirements

Freshman Admission

Students should prepare for the challenges at USC Aiken by taking a strong college preparatory curriculum in high school.  High school courses selection, standardized test scores, and an Admissions Index are all used to determine admissibility.  We search for students who will be USC Aiken’s future community of leaders, learners and thinkers, and whose education will be enhanced by diverse experiences and who will be prepared to serve and participate in all segments of society.  To be admitted, students will need to:

• Complete the 21 high school course prerequisites at the college prep or higher level (honors, Advance Placement, dual credit, etc)
  

  Course	Unit
  English	4 units
  Mathematics (Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, higher level)	4 units
  Laboratory Science (Biology, Chemistry, higher level)	3 units
  Social Science	3 units
  Foreign Language (must be sequential)	2 units
  Academic Electives	4 units
  Physical Education or ROTC	1 unit

• 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.

REQUIRED CREDENTIALS

All freshman applicants must submit the following items:

• Freshman Application with $45 application fee
• Official high school transcript
• Official SAT and/or ACT score from the testing agency

PROVISIONAL ADMISSION

The University provides a provisional admission program for high school students who do not meet requirements for regular freshman admissions, 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.

International Requirements

International Freshman (First – Year Student) Applicants

To enroll at the post-secondary level for the first time, you need to complete the following requirements:

• Application Form – $100 NON-REFUNDABLE submission fee.  This fee will be required in order to submit your application
• Demonstrate English Proficiency – You need to demonstrate you are capable of communicating effectively in a classroom setting.
• School Records – These are transcripts or examination certificates of satisfactory study such as “A” or “O” levels, baccalaureate, bachillerato, Reifezeugins, or other school certificates for all secondary and/or postsecondary coursework, along with certified, literal (exact) English translations for documents not originally issued in English. All official documents must be sent directly from the issuing institution, examining body, evaluation service or translation service to the USC Aiken Office of Admissions.
• SAT or ACT examination results – These standardized tests are optional for admission, but mandatory for potential scholarship consideration.  Official and original results must be sent directly from the testing agency to the USC Aiken Office of Admissions.
• Financial Certification – U.S. immigration laws require every educational institution to certify that each student has adequate funding to attend school.  The Office of Admissions must receive official documents (originals, not photocopies) which show evidence that you will have sufficient funding to cover the costs of attending USC Aiken for one calendar year.  You must show evidence of a minimum of $28,410 USD, the estimated cost of attendance for non-residents at USC Aiken for 2016-2017.

International Transfer Student Applicants

Students who are applying to enroll who have attempted university-level (postsecondary) work need to complete the following requirements:

1. Application form – $100 NON-REFUNDABLE submission fee.  This fee is required in order to submit your application
2. Submit official VSIT course-by-course transcript (only for students coming from VSIT)
3. Applicants must have a “course-by-course” evaluation with grade point average calculation completed by a credential evaluation service and submitted directly to the USC Aiken Office of Admissions.  The University of South Carolina Aiken accepts evaluations from members of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES).  The payment and all contact regarding this process is done directly with the evaluation service of your choice and is the responsibility of the student.
4. Demonstrate English proficiency – Applicants need to demonstrate they are capable of communicating effectively in a classroom setting.
5. Financial Certification – U.S. immigration laws require every educational institution to certify that each student has adequate funding to attend school.  The Office of Admissions must receive official documents (originals, not photocopies) which show evidence that you will have sufficient funding to cover the costs of attending USC Aiken

English Proficiency

USC Aiken accepts the TOEFL, IELTS, PTE exams to demonstrate English proficiency for those students for whom English is not their language of everyday use. As an international student, you  must meet at least one of the requirements in order to be considered for admission.  (Note: students from the following countries are not required to submit test scores:  Antigua & Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, Canada (except Quebec), Cayman Islands, Grenada, Ireland, Jamaica, New Zealand, South Africa, St. Christopher/St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, United Kingdom, Virgin Islands.)

For regular admission:

• TOEFL paper based test (PBT):  551 or higher
• TOEFL internet based test (iBT):  80 or higher
• IELTS: 6.0 or higher band score with no sub score lower than 5
• PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English) : 53 or higher

For provisional admission:

• TOEFL paper based test (PBT):  500 – 550
• TOEFL internet based test (iBT):  61 – 79
• IELTS: 5.0 – 5.5 band score with no sub score lower than 5
• PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English): 42-52

Students with a “provisional” score may be admitted but will be required to take USC Aiken’s English 110 (ESOL Conversational English), English 111 (ESOL Reading & Writing), or both, in their first semester of attendance.  Placement for provisional admission will be determined by band or sub-scores.

For more information on the University of South Carolina Aiken entry requirements, please refer to the school website

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