usf admissions essay

University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine: USF Secondary Application Tips & Essay Prompts

• Cracking Med School Admissions

The USF Morsani Medical School secondary application with several medium-length essays. The USF medical school admissions committee wants to understand you as a holistic person.  It wants to recruit a diverse, culturally competent, and socially aware class. Read our University of South Florida Medical School secondary application tips below so you can learn how to stand out question by question!

**Important to note: As of early 2024, the USF SELECT program may no longer be accepting students**

Drs. Rachel Rizal and Rishi Mediratta have a track record of helping our mentees receive acceptances to University of South Florida Morsani and other Florida medical schools year after year. Submitting a strong secondary application is critical in getting accepted. Stand out on your USF Morsani Medical School secondary application with our secondary essay editing packages !

• Personally Tailored Essays
• Edits by Stanford & Harvard-trained Doctors
• We study your application strengths to see what unique attributes we’ll bring to the medical school

USF Morsani Medical School Secondary Application Questions: 2023 – 2024

• Do you believe the competitiveness (i.e. course requirements, experiences, academic performance, etc.) of your application for medical school has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic? If yes, please provide specifics as to how your competitiveness was impacted. If no, type “N/A”. (1,500 characters max)
• What do you see as the most likely practice scenario for your future medical career? (Private Practice, Academic Medicine, Public Health, Health Care Administration, Health Policy, Other)  Describe the knowledge, skills, and attributes you have developed in preparation for the career path you have chosen in the previous question. (1,500 characters max)
• The USF Morsani College of Medicine’s Scholarly Concentrations program aims to support the educational development of medical students by providing opportunities for academic endeavors in areas of special interest. This program facilitates self-directed learning, enhances interactions between students and fosters relationships between students and faculty. Scholarly concentrations provide a forum where diversity of ideas and perspectives are valued. Each concentration includes elements of course work, practical application and scholarly presentation. Please review our Scholarly Concentrations website to determine which concentration would be of interest to you and answer the following question: ( Scholarly Concentrations Program | USF Health ) A. How would the USF Morsani College of Medicine’s Scholarly Concentrations Program help your personal career goals? (1,500 characters max)
• The USF Morsani College of Medicine strives to educate a very diverse set of students who bring a variety of strengths and interests to the field of medicine. The definition of diversity is broad and includes (but is not limited to) lifestyle, race/ethnicity, geography, socioeconomic status and distance traveled through life. The definition of strength is also broad and includes (but is not limited to) humanism, scholarship, intellectual curiosity, research, and leadership. How do you feel your particular experiences, interests, and passions will add to the strength and diversity of the USF class and ultimately to the field of medicine? (2,000 characters max)
• If you have experienced academic difficulties, please explain the situation and how it was resolved. (Please explain all grades less than a “B”, including B-, or any “withdrawal” on your transcripts). (2,000 characters max)
• Please choose one of the following options. For more information, copy and paste the corresponding URL which will bring you to a new webpage. You can find more information on the programs here: Educational Programs | USF Health Please select the MD program for which you would like to be considered: Core program, SELECT program, or Core and SELECT Program.

Tips to Answer USF Morsani Secondary Application Essays

USF Morsani Secondaries Pre-Writing Guidance: Overall, we think this is a GREAT application to pre-write. Many of our in-state and out-of-state students apply and receive official secondary applications each year. 

** If you are applying as a 2024-2025 applicant, do not pre-write the SELECT essay (last essay prompt). The SELECT program may no longer be accepting students**

• Download  all  our HIGH-YIELD tips for secondary essays:  Cracking Med School Admissions Secondary Essay Guide

USF Secondary Application Tip #1: For the question about USF Morsani College of Medicine’s Scholarly Concentrations:

• Choose a Scholarly Concentration that fits your interests and your background. For example, if you conducted biomedical sciences research in college, you should choose the “biomedical research” scholarly concentration. The most popular scholarly concentrations our students pick are: health disparities, medical humanities, and public health. However, Dr. Mediratta and Dr. Rizal have helped students who have chosen virtually every scholarly concentration. Contact us below if you have questions about USF’s secondary or the application process in general! 
• Discuss specific opportunities within the Scholarly Concentration you want to pursue. For example, discuss specific research and professors you want to work with. All the activities you choose should complement and make sense given the activities you wrote about in your AMCAS primary application. 
• Link the Scholarly Concentration and activities that you discuss with how you see your career in medicine. For example, you can state that you want to be a primary care physician in underserved communities if you pick a Scholarly Concentration in health disparities. Or, you can discuss how you will research or incorporate nutrition if you choose the Scholarly Concentration in “Nutrition Research & Health.” 

USF Secondary Application Tip #2: For the COVID-19 question, incorporate your personal experiences as well as healthcare current issues you noticed throughout the COVID pandemic. We have an entire  healthcare current events  blog post here, where you can read more about healthcare disparities and COVID-19.

USF Secondary Application Tip #3: For the USF secondary application diversity question, “The USF Morsani College of Medicine strives to educate a very diverse set of students who bring a variety of strengths and interests to the field of medicine. The definition of diversity is broad and includes (but is not limited to) lifestyle, race/ethnicity, geography, socioeconomic status and distance traveled through life. The definition of strength is also broad and includes (but is not limited to) humanism, scholarship, intellectual curiosity, research, and leadership. How do you feel your particular experiences, interests, and passions will add to the strength and diversity of the USF class and ultimately to the field of medicine? ” remember that diversity does not necessarily mean your ethnic diversity. We recommend students write about their strengths, including exceptional extracurricular activity endeavors. 

Our students have talked about the following topics:

• Immigrant background and their cultural values and experiences
• Community service work around Florida
• Underserved patients they took care of and insights about the inequities of the healthcare system

USF Secondary Application Tip #4: Talk about Florida, particularly any experiences in South Florida. If you have lived in southern Florida, discuss ways in which you have already been involved with the community. If you are interested in community health during medical school, write specific organizations you want to work with or research projects you want to conduct. 

USF Secondary Application Tip #5: Don’t forget to incorporate a little bit about “Why USF Morsani” throughout the USF Morsani Medical School secondary application questions. 

• Write why you are interested in attending USF Morsani. Write specific reasons. You definitely need great reasons if you are an out-of-state applicant – it’s your job to convince the Admissions Committee that they should interview you as an out-of-state applicant. 
• Talk about clinical opportunities and mentorship opportunities you will pursue at USF Morsani.
• Discuss any community projects you want to pursue in South Florida. 
• Read our blog post why this medical school to gain insights on how to incorporate a strong “Why USF Morsani Medical School” to help you craft a STRONG essay and stand out!

USF Secondary Application Tip #6: Get our help to edit your USF Morsani Medical School secondary application essays. We can help you through our secondary essay packages . Have questions about how you can stand out? Contact us below.

USF Secondary Application Tip #7: If there are optional questions, you should answer as many optional questions as you can.

USF Morsani Tip:  Many of our out-of-state students receive interview invitations! Start prepping for medical school interview questions: How To Answer “Tell Me About Yourself” and Common Interview Questions

[ Read more secondary essay tips: Florida State University College of Medicine, Florida International University, Florida Atlantic University ]

Your medical school application Coaches, Mentors, & Cheerleaders

We Personally Advise Every Student We Work With.

Rachel Rizal, M.D.

Changing the trajectory of people’s lives.

Undergraduate Princeton University, cum laude

Medical School Stanford School of Medicine

Residency Harvard, Emergency Medicine

Awards & Scholarships Fulbright Scholar USA Today Academic First Team Tylenol Scholarship

Rishi Mediratta, M.D., M.Sc., M.A.

Advising students to attend their dream schools.

Undergraduate Johns Hopkins University, Phi Beta Kappa

Residency Stanford, Pediatrics

Awards & Scholarships Marshall Scholar Tylenol Scholarship Global Health Scholar

stand out from other applicants with our secondary essay edit packages

Download your secondary essay guide.

Use this essay guide and workbook to write standout secondaries.

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USF Morsani Medical School Secondary Application Questions: 2022 – 2023

• (Optional) The USF Morsani College of Medicine’s Scholarly Concentrations program aims to support the educational development of medical students by providing opportunities for academic endeavors in areas of special interest. This program facilitates self-directed learning, enhances interactions between students and fosters relationships between students and faculty. Scholarly concentrations provide a forum where diversity of ideas and perspectives are valued. Each concentration includes elements of course work, practical application and scholarly presentation. Please review our Scholarly Concentrations website to determine which concentration would be of interest to you and answer the following question: ( Scholarly Concentrations Program | USF Health ) A. How would the USF Morsani College of Medicine’s Scholarly Concentrations Program help your personal career goals? (1,500 characters max)
• What do you see as the most likely practice scenario for your future medical career? Private Practice, Academic Medicine, Public Health, Health Care Administration, Health Policy, or Other. Describe the knowledge, skills, and attributes you have developed in preparation for the career path you have chosen in the previous question. (1,500 characters max)
• If you have chosen the SELECT program or BOTH, please explain how your experiences and career goals match with the mission of the SELECT program. ( MD SELECT Program | USF Health ) (1,500 characters max)

USF Morsani Medical School Secondary Application Questions: 2021 – 2022

Usf morsani medical school secondary application questions: 2020 - 2021.

• Do you believe the competitiveness (i.e. course requirements, experiences, academic performance, etc.) of your application for medical school has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic? If yes , please provide specifics as to how your competitiveness was impacted. If no, type “N/A”. (1,500 characters max)
• Private Practice
• Academic Medicine
• Public Health
• Health Care Administration
• Health Policy
• Describe the knowledge, skills, and attributes you have developed in preparation for the career path you have chosen in the previous question. (1,500 characters max)
• The University of South Florida, Morsani College of Medicine strives to educate a very diverse set of students who bring a variety of strengths and interests to the field of medicine. The definition of diversity is broad and includes (but is not limited to) lifestyle, race/ethnicity, geography, socioeconomic status and distance traveled through life. The definition of strength is also broad and includes (but not limited to) humanism, scholarship, intellectual curiosity, research and leadership. How do you feel your particular experiences, interests, and passions will add to the strength and diversity of the USF class and ultimately to the field of medicine? (2,000 characters max)

USF Morsani Medical School Secondary Application Questions: 2019 – 2020

• Describe the knowledge, skills, and attributes you have developed in preparation for the career path you have chosen in the previous question. (1,000 characters max)
• If you have chosen the SELECT program or BOTH, please explain how your experiences and career goals match with the mission of the SELECT program. ( MD SELECT Program | USF Health ) (1,000 characters max)

USF Morsani Medical School Secondary Application Questions: 2018 – 2019

• Describe the knowledge, skills, and attributes you have developed in preparation for the career path you have chosen in the previous question. (2,000 characters max)
• Describe your ideas about how the medical profession can best respond to disparities in healthcare. (2,000 characters max)
• There are also various questions about participating in SMPs or Post Baccs, crimes, and IAs that you have to answer if applicable. (All 2,000 characters max)

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USF Morsani Medical School Secondary Application Questions: 2017 – 2018

University of south florida secondary application questions: 2016 – 2017.

• (Optional) Please describe your disadvantaged circumstances and/or life obstacles and how they affected your academic performance (positively and/or negatively). Please be specific. (2,000 characters max)

USF Morsani Medical School Secondary Application Questions: 2015 – 2016

• Why do you feel you are particularly suited for this practice scenario? What knowledge, skills and attitudes have you developed that have prepared you for this career path? (2,000 characters max)

USF Morsani Medical School Secondary Application Questions: 2014 – 2015

• Why do you feel you are particularly suited for this practice scenario? What knowledge, skills and attitudes have you developed that have prepared you for this career path? (2,000 character limit)
• (Optional) The USF Morsani College of Medicine’s Scholarly Concentrations program aims to support the educational development of medical students by providing opportunities for academic endeavors in areas of special interest. This program facilitates self-directed learning, enhances interactions between students and fosters relationships between students and faculty. Scholarly concentrations provide a forum where diversity of ideas and perspectives are valued. Each concentration includes elements of course work, practical application and scholarly presentation. Please review our Scholarly Concentrations website to determine which concentration would be of interest to you and answer the following question: ( Scholarly Concentrations Program | USF Health ) A. How would the USF Morsani College of Medicine’s Scholarly Concentrations Program help your personal career goals? (1,500 character limit)
• Describe a time in your life when you felt you were “at your best.” Why did you choose this event, and how does it reflect your potential as a physician?
• Who is the best leader you have known in your life? Describe what made her or him so effective and how they made you feel when you were around them.
• The University of South Florida, Morsani College of Medicine strives to educate a very diverse set of students who bring a variety of strengths and interests to the field of medicine. The definition of diversity is broad and includes (but is not limited to) lifestyle, race/ethnicity, geography, socioeconomic status and distance traveled through life. The definition of strength is also broad and includes (but not limited to) humanism, scholarship, intellectual curiosity, research and leadership. How do you feel your particular experiences, interests, and passions will add to the strength and diversity of the USF class and ultimately to the field of medicine? (2,000 character limit)
• Describe your ideas about how the medical profession can best respond to disparities in healthcare. (2,000 character limit)

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You may apply to USF as early as July of your senior year in high school. Admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis beginning mid-November. Applications are considered for the spring, summer and fall semesters. First-year students who submit a complete application and all required application materials by Dec. 1 will have the best chance of admission. Applying after Dec. 1 may limit your choice of campus or semester start date. Students have different dates and deadlines to track based on their applicant type. Review our admission requirements and deadlines for domestic first-year students or international first-year students to help you submit your application.

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UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA

Admit-a-bull // official admissions blog, understanding college admissions lingo.

By Phoebe Brown | Last Updated: Jul 11, 2024

When you start the process of applying to colleges, you’ll come across many different college admissions terms. You will know what some of the terms mean, but you may not be familiar with all of them. At times, the college admissions process can feel overwhelming and confusing. However, understanding college admissions lingo is essential to making your admissions process as easy as possible.

To help you navigate the college admissions process, we’ve compiled a glossary of common college admissions lingo .

Admissions Tests

Sometimes referred to as college entrance exams, admissions tests help measure your skills, so colleges can evaluate if you are ready for college-level work.

It’s important for you to prepare for admissions tests before taking them. Typically, prep courses and study materials are available online, through your high school, or in private tutoring lessons.

Depending on your high school grade level, you may be preparing to take or may have already taken these types of tests. The ACT and the SAT are two standardized admissions tests used in the United States. There are also specific admissions tests that International students take.

ACT, SAT, and SAT Subject Tests

The ACT tests students in English, math, reading and science. It also includes an optional essay section.

The SAT tests students in math, reading and writing, which includes a written essay. While the essay is optional, there are many colleges that require the essay portion as part of their required admissions documents.

Another type of admission test is the SAT Subject Test. These exams focus on specific subject areas, such as English, history, math, science and languages. Typically, Subject Tests take an hour to complete, and some colleges use them to help in admissions decisions and to place students into the right course levels.

International Admissions Tests

In order for International students to be considered for admission into United States colleges, certain standardized tests are often required. These tests include the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).

  The TOEFL iBT is provided on the internet, and it measures non-native English speakers’ skill level and ability to use and understand English in heard, spoken, and written forms in a university setting.

The IELTS is another test that measures your English language proficiency for people who want to study in the United States or in a country where English is the primary language of communication.

College Admissions Policies

Colleges can choose the type of admissions policy they use. For example, some colleges may follow rolling admission and others may follow open admission. There are a few other types of admissions policies, so it’s important to know what policy the colleges you’re applying to follow to give yourself the best chance for acceptance.

Rolling Admission, Need-blind Admission, and Open Admission

Colleges that follow the rolling admission policy consider each application once all required information and documents have been received. These documents may include high school records, SAT/ ACT scores, an application fee and more.

Need-blind admission is a policy that works by making decisions on admission without considering the financial situation of applicants. Keep in mind that colleges following this admission policy may not offer enough financial aid to meet the entire need of a student.

Another admissions policy is called open admission. In open admission, the college accepts any high school graduate until all spaces in the incoming class are filled, regardless of what grades the student received. Typically, two-year community colleges follow an open admission policy. However, even colleges with a general open admission policy may have specific admission requirements for certain programs within the college.

College Applications

Different colleges use different college applications. For example, some colleges use the Common Application, which is a standard application form that is accepted by colleges that are also members of the Common Application association. Not all colleges use the Common Application.

Make sure you follow each college’s application requirements carefully, so the process can be as easy and simple for you as possible. Remember, each college has its own college application and requirements, so make sure you carefully follow each college’s guidelines.

Early Action and Early Decision

Many colleges offer options for students to submit their applications early and before regular application deadlines. There are two main types of these options: early action (EA) and early decision (ED). It is common for colleges to have early action and early decision deadlines.

Early Action

If you apply early action (EA), you will receive admission decisions from colleges earlier than usual. A key feature of early action plans is that they are not binding. Basically, you do not have to enroll in a college if you are accepted early action.

Early Decision

Early decision (ED) is a different option than early action. In early decision, you have the option to submit an application to your first-choice school before the regular application deadline. You will receive an admission decision earlier than most other applicants.

If you apply early decision and are accepted into the college, you must enroll in the college. Simply put, early decision plans are binding.

Always double check application due dates whether you apply to colleges for the regular application deadline, early action, or early decision.

Admission Decisions

Once a college has received your application and required application materials, your application will be reviewed. After the college’s admissions committee has reviewed your completed application, an admission decision will be made and sent to the applicant.

The two most easily recognizable admission decisions are admitted and denied. If an applicant is admitted, then the applicant has been accepted into the college. If an applicant is denied, then the applicant has not been accepted into the college.

However, admission decisions of deferred or waitlisted may cause some confusion.

Deferred Admission

Deferred admission means that the college needs a little more time to review your application. Some colleges may ask you to send additional materials to include in your application. Deferment does not mean that something was wrong with your application. In fact, it means that the admissions committee found your application strong enough to continue considering it.

But, what if you applied for early action? No need to worry. If you are deferred and had applied early action, most colleges will move you from early action into the regular admission deadline, and the college will notify you when an admission decision has been made.

Waiting List

Being placed on a waiting list means that you meet the admission requirements for the college, but the college has already accepted all the students it has room for. Applicants who have been accepted have until the decision deadline to accept or decline the college’s offer.

Basically, colleges wait to hear if all accepted students decide to attend. Once the decision deadline has passed, students on the waiting list may receive offers from schools.

However, it’s difficult to know how many people from the waitlist may be offered a spot from the school. You’ll need to decide if you want to stay on the waitlist or be removed from it. Before deciding, learn if there are any conditions involved with being on the waitlist.

As the admission process moves forward, other colleges may send you acceptance letters, and you can choose which college is the best fit for you.

Take Your Understanding of College Admissions Lingo to the Next Step

You should now have a better understanding of common college admissions lingo , but remember to refer to the admissions office of every school where you are applying. Each school has specific admissions policies you must follow.

In addition, be prepared for the college application process by having all required materials for each school ready. Often, colleges will post their admissions and application requirements, dates, deadlines and other important information on their websites, so you can start there to see what you’ll need.

If you have questions about a specific school’s application or application process, reach out to the school. College recruiters are there to help you through the process.

At the University of South Florida (USF) , we strive to make the college admissions process as simple as possible for everyone at each stage of the application. Our USF admissions requirements for freshman and international students are listed on our website, but our dedicated team of USF recruiters are also ready to help you take the next step into your future. Feel free to contact us at 813-974-3350.

About Phoebe Brown

Phoebe Brown is the former SEO Strategist for USF’s Office of Innovative Education. She enjoys writing blog articles about all aspects of the college admissions process, so students, parents, and counselors find the information they need when they need it most.

How to Stay Motivated During the College Admissions Process

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Is essay important to admissions?

Hi, I’m a rising senior and plan to work on my college essay this summer. Is the essay an important part of the USF admissions? Or is it more focused on gpa, grades, and test scores? If anyone in admissions or just in general has any insight id appreciate it :))

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There are 3 options for writing consultations:  1) in-person, 2) online appointment through Teams, and 3) asynchronous submissions.

Meet with a writing tutor in the SSC, DAV 107.  Please check our schedule to view writing tutor availability:

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USF Requirements for Admission

What are USF's admission requirements? While there are a lot of pieces that go into a college application, you should focus on only a few critical things:

• GPA requirements
• Testing requirements, including SAT and ACT requirements
• Application requirements

In this guide we'll cover what you need to get into USF and build a strong application.

School location: Tampa, FL

This school is also known as: University of South Florida

Admissions Rate: 43.9%

If you want to get in, the first thing to look at is the acceptance rate. This tells you how competitive the school is and how serious their requirements are.

The acceptance rate at USF is 43.9% . For every 100 applicants, 44 are admitted.

This means the school is moderately selective . The school expects you to meet their requirements for GPA and SAT/ACT scores, but they're more flexible than other schools. If you exceed their requirements, you have an excellent chance of getting in. But if you don't, you might be one of the unlucky minority that gets a rejection letter.

We can help. PrepScholar Admissions is the world's best admissions consulting service. We combine world-class admissions counselors with our data-driven, proprietary admissions strategies . We've overseen thousands of students get into their top choice schools , from state colleges to the Ivy League.

We know what kinds of students colleges want to admit. We want to get you admitted to your dream schools.

Learn more about PrepScholar Admissions to maximize your chance of getting in.

USF GPA Requirements

Many schools specify a minimum GPA requirement, but this is often just the bare minimum to submit an application without immediately getting rejected.

The GPA requirement that really matters is the GPA you need for a real chance of getting in. For this, we look at the school's average GPA for its current students.

Average GPA: 4

The average GPA at USF is 4 .

(Most schools use a weighted GPA out of 4.0, though some report an unweighted GPA.

With a GPA of 4, USF requires you to be at the top of your class . You'll need nearly straight A's in all your classes to compete with other applicants. Furthermore, you should be taking hard classes - AP or IB courses - to show that college-level academics is a breeze.

If you're currently a junior or senior, your GPA is hard to change in time for college applications. If your GPA is at or below the school average of 4, you'll need a higher SAT or ACT score to compensate . This will help you compete effectively against other applicants who have higher GPAs than you.

SAT and ACT Requirements

Each school has different requirements for standardized testing. Only a few schools require the SAT or ACT, but many consider your scores if you choose to submit them.

USF SAT Requirements

Many schools say they have no SAT score cutoff, but the truth is that there is a hidden SAT requirement. This is based on the school's average score.

Average SAT: 1250

The average SAT score composite at USF is a 1250 on the 1600 SAT scale.

This score makes USF Competitive for SAT test scores.

USF SAT Score Analysis (New 1600 SAT)

The 25th percentile SAT score is 1240, and the 75th percentile SAT score is 1370. In other words, a 1240 on the SAT places you below average, while a 1370 will move you up to above average .

Here's the breakdown of SAT scores by section:

SAT Score Choice Policy

The Score Choice policy at your school is an important part of your testing strategy.

USF has the Score Choice policy of "Highest Section."

This is also known as "superscoring." This means that you can choose which SAT tests you want to send to the school. Of all the scores they receive, your application readers will consider your highest section scores across all SAT test dates you submit .

Click below to learn more about how superscoring critically affects your test strategy.

For example, say you submit the following 3 test scores:

Even though the highest total you scored on any one test date was 1000, USF will take your highest section score from all your test dates, then combine them to form your Superscore. You can raise your composite score from 1000 to 1400 in this example.

This is important for your testing strategy. Because you can choose which tests to send in, and USF forms your Superscore, you can take the SAT as many times as you want, then submit only the tests that give you the highest Superscore. Your application readers will only see that one score.

Therefore, if your SAT superscore is currently below a 1250, we strongly recommend that you consider prepping for the SAT and retaking it . You have a very good chance of raising your score, which will significantly boost your chances of getting in.

Even better, because of the Superscore, you can focus all your energy on a single section at a time. If your Reading score is lower than your other sections, prep only for the Reading section, then take the SAT. Then focus on Math for the next test, and so on. This will give you the highest Superscore possible.

Download our free guide on the top 5 strategies you must be using to improve your score. This guide was written by Harvard graduates and SAT perfect scorers. If you apply the strategies in this guide, you'll study smarter and make huge score improvements.

USF ACT Requirements

Just like for the SAT, USF likely doesn't have a hard ACT cutoff, but if you score too low, your application will get tossed in the trash.

Average ACT: 27

The average ACT score at USF is 27. This score makes USF Moderately Competitive for ACT scores.

The 25th percentile ACT score is 27, and the 75th percentile ACT score is 30.

Even though USF likely says they have no minimum ACT requirement, if you apply with a 27 or below, you'll have a very hard time getting in, unless you have something else very impressive in your application. There are so many applicants scoring 27 and above that a 27 will look academically weak.

ACT Score Sending Policy

If you're taking the ACT as opposed to the SAT, you have a huge advantage in how you send scores, and this dramatically affects your testing strategy.

Here it is: when you send ACT scores to colleges, you have absolute control over which tests you send. You could take 10 tests, and only send your highest one. This is unlike the SAT, where many schools require you to send all your tests ever taken.

This means that you have more chances than you think to improve your ACT score. To try to aim for the school's ACT requirement of 27 and above, you should try to take the ACT as many times as you can. When you have the final score that you're happy with, you can then send only that score to all your schools.

ACT Superscore Policy

By and large, most colleges do not superscore the ACT. (Superscore means that the school takes your best section scores from all the test dates you submit, and then combines them into the best possible composite score). Thus, most schools will just take your highest ACT score from a single sitting.

However, in our research, we found that USF does in fact offer an ACT superscore policy . To quote their Admissions Office:

At USF, we consider your highest section scores across all SAT and ACT test dates that you submit, including the SAT Writing and ACT English/Writing. Final admission decisions will be made using only your highest scores.

Superscoring is powerful to your testing strategy, and you need to make sure you plan your testing accordingly. Of all the scores that USF receives, your application readers will consider your highest section scores across all ACT test dates you submit .

For example, say you submit the following 4 test scores:

Even though the highest ACT composite you scored on any one test date was 20, USF will take your highest section score from all your test dates, then combine them to form your Superscore. You can raise your composite score from 20 to 32 in this example.

This is important for your testing strategy. Because you can choose which tests to send in, and USF forms your Superscore, you can take the ACT as many times as you want, then submit only the tests that give you the highest Superscore. Your application readers will only see that one score.

Therefore, if your ACT score is currently below a 27, we strongly recommend that you consider prepping for the ACT and retaking it . You have a very good chance of raising your score, which will significantly boost your chances of getting in.

Even better, because of the Superscore, you can focus all your energy on a single section at a time. If your Reading score is lower than your other sections, prep only for the Reading section, then take the ACT. Then focus on Math for the next test, and so on. This will give you the highest Superscore possible.

Download our free guide on the top 5 strategies you must be using to improve your score. This guide was written by Harvard graduates and ACT perfect scorers. If you apply the strategies in this guide, you'll study smarter and make huge score improvements.

SAT/ACT Writing Section Requirements

Currently, only the ACT has an optional essay section that all students can take. The SAT used to also have an optional Essay section, but since June 2021, this has been discontinued unless you are taking the test as part of school-day testing in a few states. Because of this, no school requires the SAT Essay or ACT Writing section, but some schools do recommend certain students submit their results if they have them.

USF considers the SAT Essay/ACT Writing section optional and may not include it as part of their admissions consideration. You don't need to worry too much about Writing for this school, but other schools you're applying to may require it.

Final Admissions Verdict

Because this school is moderately selective, strong academic performance will almost guarantee you admission . Scoring a 1370 SAT or a 30 ACT or above will nearly guarantee you admission. Because the school admits 43.9% of all applicants, being far above average raises the admission rate for you to nearly 100%.

If you can achieve a high SAT/ACT score, the rest of your application essentially doesn't matter. You still need to meet the rest of the application requirements, and your GPA shouldn't be too far off from the school average of 4. But you won't need dazzling extracurriculars and breathtaking letters of recommendation to get in. You can get in based on the merits of your score alone.

But if your score is a 1240 SAT or a 27 ACT and below, you have a good chance of being one of the unlucky few to be rejected.

Admissions Calculator

Here's our custom admissions calculator. Plug in your numbers to see what your chances of getting in are. Pick your test: SAT ACT

• 80-100%: Safety school: Strong chance of getting in
• 50-80%: More likely than not getting in
• 20-50%: Lower but still good chance of getting in
• 5-20%: Reach school: Unlikely to get in, but still have a shot
• 0-5%: Hard reach school: Very difficult to get in

How would your chances improve with a better score?

Take your current SAT score and add 160 points (or take your ACT score and add 4 points) to the calculator above. See how much your chances improve?

At PrepScholar, we've created the leading online SAT/ACT prep program . We guarantee an improvement of 160 SAT points or 4 ACT points on your score, or your money back.

Here's a summary of why we're so much more effective than other prep programs:

• PrepScholar customizes your prep to your strengths and weaknesses . You don't waste time working on areas you already know, so you get more results in less time.
• We guide you through your program step-by-step so that you're never confused about what you should be studying. Focus all your time learning, not worrying about what to learn.
• Our team is made of national SAT/ACT experts . PrepScholar's founders are Harvard graduates and SAT perfect scorers . You'll be studying using the strategies that actually worked for them.
• We've gotten tremendous results with thousands of students across the country. Read about our score results and reviews from our happy customers .

There's a lot more to PrepScholar that makes it the best SAT/ACT prep program. Click to learn more about our program , or sign up for our 5-day free trial to check out PrepScholar for yourself:

Application Requirements

Every school requires an application with the bare essentials - high school transcript and GPA, application form, and other core information. Many schools, as explained above, also require SAT and ACT scores, as well as letters of recommendation, application essays, and interviews. We'll cover the exact requirements of USF here.

Application Requirements Overview

• Common Application Not accepted
• Electronic Application None
• Essay or Personal Statement
• Letters of Recommendation 1
• Interview Not required
• Application Fee $30
• Fee Waiver Available? Available
• Other Notes

Testing Requirements

• SAT or ACT Required
• SAT Essay or ACT Writing Optional
• SAT Subject Tests
• Scores Due in Office March 15

Coursework Requirements

• Subject Required Years
• Foreign Language 2
• Social Studies 3
• Electives 3

Deadlines and Early Admissions

• Offered? Deadline Notification
• Yes March 1 May 1

Admissions Office Information

• Address: 4202 Tampa, FL 33620
• Phone: (813) 974-2011
• Fax: (813) 974-9689
• Email: [email protected]

Our Expert's Notes

We did more detailed research into this school's admissions process and found the following information:

Applications are considered on a rolling basis, and you can submit your application as early as August with the final deadline April 15th, though you must apply by Janaury 2nd to be considered for scholarships and by March 1st to apply for financial aid. Learn more about deadlines and requirements here.

• A 3.8 cumulative high school GPA (as calculated by USF)AND
• an SAT minimum score of 1300 (critical reading and math only) with a minimum critical reading score of 580 OR an ACT Composite score of 29 with a minimum English score of 29

Other Schools For You

If you're interested in USF, you'll probably be interested in these schools as well. We've divided them into 3 categories depending on how hard they are to get into, relative to USF.

Reach Schools: Harder to Get Into

These schools are have higher average SAT scores than USF. If you improve your SAT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.

Same Level: Equally Hard to Get Into

If you're competitive for USF, these schools will offer you a similar chance of admission.

Safety Schools: Easier to Get Into

If you're currently competitive for USF, you should have no problem getting into these schools. If USF is currently out of your reach, you might already be competitive for these schools.

Data on this page is sourced from Peterson's Databases © 2023 (Peterson's LLC. All rights reserved.) as well as additional publicly available sources.

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University of South Florida

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[Photos by Casey Brooke Lawson]

USF receives record number of applications, welcomes high-achieving class of incoming students

• August 27, 2024

University News

By Adam Freeman , University Communications and Marketing

 As the University of South Florida’s campuses come to life this week with the start of fall semester classes, key indicators continue to point to USF being a prime destination for pursuing a college degree.    This year, USF received a record number of applications from first time in college (FTIC) students.  For fall/summer 2024, more than 68,000 students applied to USF, an increase of approximately 5% from last year and over 35% from just three years ago.    The strong demand to attend USF has helped result in a large, high-achieving class of FTIC students joining the university community this fall/summer.  USF is welcoming approximately 6,700 students across all three campuses, a 14% increase from last year.  The new class enters USF with an impressive academic profile, including an average high school GPA of 4.23, ACT score of 28.2 and SAT score of 1306.  The students come from across the state of Florida, all 50 states and 73 countries.  The group includes approximately 750 students who will join the Judy Genshaft Honors College and 54 National Merit Scholars.   “With our position as a top-50 ranked public university and member of the prestigious Association of American Universities, students and families see the value of earning a degree from the University of South Florida,” USF President Rhea Law said. “We look forward to all that our newest class of students will achieve and experience at USF as we prepare them for successful careers.”

Student gives the "Go Bulls" hand signal

Group stands with sign that states it's the first day of classes

Student on a skateboard

Students outside the bookstore

Three students in military uniforms give Go Bulls hand signal

USF’s success this admissions cycle comes as the university appointed a new leadership team that led the admissions office in developing and implementing a new recruitment plan.   This has resulted in several impactful changes to attract new students, including a new virtual summer session for out-of-state students, more residence hall beds reserved for new students, an increase in merit-based scholarship funds, additional marketing and outreach activities and a reimagined campus visit experience.   In addition, this year USF overcame significant challenges created by the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) forms. FAFSA delays made it difficult for institutions across the nation to provide students with their true cost of attendance, causing heightened anxiety and frustration among students and their families.   Recognizing the unique situation, USF became one of the first state universities in Florida to adjust its admissions deposit deadline and increased proactive communication with students and families to guide them through a constantly changing process.      “Our strong incoming class shows that the University of South Florida remains a university of choice for high-achieving students across our state, the nation and beyond," USF Provost and Executive Vice President Prasant Mohapatra said. "With three vibrant campuses in the Tampa Bay region, USF offers a unique academic journey tailored to help each student find their perfect fit and achieve their highest potential.”   One of the members of the incoming class of students, Addison Morris, just moved into The Village residential community on the Tampa campus and is ready to launch her pre-health track, majoring in biomedical sciences with a minor in philosophy. The Dunedin native says she’s excited to join the Athletes in Medicine group that offers guidance tailored to her interest in medicine and track and field. Following medical school, Morris hopes to pursue a pediatric residency that specializes in neonatal care.

Addison Morris

Addison and her family

  “I am so honored to be joining the Bulls community and I am excited to experience everything USF has to offer,” she said. “One of the biggest things that drew me to apply and enroll at USF was its emphasis on research and connection to teaching hospitals. With my passion for hands-on learning and future preparation, the University of South Florida proved to be the perfect place.”  

Caleb and his family

Caleb Lake joins USF St. Petersburg following his graduation from Tampa Catholic. His mother is a USF alum and he hopes to earn his degree in computer science and become a software engineer. He says he looks forward to getting involved on campus as he becomes more familiar with college life.   “I am excited and honored to be joining the USF community. I chose to apply and enroll because of the culture and my family history here,” Lake said. “I believe that the University of South Florida truly is the perfect fit for me.”  

Daniel Hartley

Daniel and his family

After graduating from Pine View School in Osprey with a 4.7 GPA, Daniel Hartley looks forward to being on the USF Sarasota-Manatee campus with its smaller, personalized feel.  He plans to study ancient history and hopes to eventually conduct historical research.   “I really like the way USF was built and it feels like a great place I can call home where I can get to know people a lot better than I would on a larger campus,” he said.   The enrollment data included is as of the first day of classes on Aug. 26.  For information on how to apply to USF, visit usf.edu/admissions .

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Adam Freeman , Admissions , MyUSF , Student Success

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Learn more about USF's journey to Preeminence by viewing Newsroom articles from past years.

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University of San Francisco | USF

• Cost & scholarships
• Essay prompt

Want to see your chances of admission at University of San Francisco | USF?

We take every aspect of your personal profile into consideration when calculating your admissions chances.

University of San Francisco | USF’s 2023-24 Essay Prompts

Diversity short response.

We are interested in learning more about you. Please respond to the prompt below with a response of no more than 200 words. This response should be different and distinct from the one used for your main Common Application essay.

The University of San Francisco‘s Jesuit tradition emphasizes community engagement and education for social justice, inspiring our students to become passionate agents for others. How do you see yourself becoming a part of this mission?

Nursing (BSN) Short Response

What will be your responsibility to others as a Jesuit-educated, BSN professional registered nurse?

St. Ignatius Institute Prompt 1

Please explain why you would like to join the Institute.

St. Ignatius Institute Prompt 2

SII tries to foster solidarity in action to honor the Jesuit ideal of being people with and for others. Can you give an example of service you performed in the past? What did you do and why?

St. Ignatius Institute Prompt 3

What does spirituality mean to you? Please specify if you currently or formerly have a faith tradition and any religious formation experiences.

St. Ignatius Institute Prompt 4

What do you know about the Jesuits?

Common App Personal Essay

The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected topic and helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice. What do you want the readers of your application to know about you apart from courses, grades, and test scores? Choose the option that best helps you answer that question and write an essay of no more than 650 words, using the prompt to inspire and structure your response. Remember: 650 words is your limit, not your goal. Use the full range if you need it, but don‘t feel obligated to do so.

Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?

Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you‘ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

What will first-time readers think of your college essay?