The University of South Carolina welcomes the applications of international students. Since you will have many arrangements to make in order to attend the University, it is important that you apply at least nine months before the semester in which you plan to begin your studies.
An international student at the University must be proficient in English. Proficiency is measured through the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). A score of at least 550 on the paper based exam, 77 on the internet based TOEFL, or 210 on the computer based TOEFL, is required.
International students must be high-school graduates (which means that they have completed about 12 years of schooling in their own countries).
Transfer students applying for business or engineering must have a "B" average and have completed calculus, prior to admission.
Fill out the University's application form completely (there is a $50 application fee for international students). We must receive official copies of your school transcripts or certificates of satisfactory study (such as "A" or "O" levels, baccalaureat, bachillerato, Abitur, or other school certificates). These records must include an English translation of the subjects you have studied and the grades you made in each subject. Ensure that the school's grading system is explained. These records must be sent to use from a credit evaluation service. See below for the contact information of two companies that frequently provide us with evaluations.
International students currently attending another college or university within the US must complete the Transfer Information Form to verify their immigration status.
The Office of Undergraduate Admissions must receive official documents (originals, not photocopies) which certify that the student will have sufficient funding to attend the University of South Carolina for one calendar year. This evidence will be used to issue the student an immigration document (I-20 or IAP-66) which will be required to obtain the F-1 or J-1 student visa at a US embassy or consulate.
Students who have attended post-secondary educational institutions, colleges or universities outside of the United States are required to submit a professional credential evaluation of all work completed. This is generally referred to as a course-by-course report. A course-by-course report should be sent directly to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions from the evaluation service. An admission decision will be made once the official evaluation is on file and all other required materials are received.
If you are currently enrolled in a term or semester, you should contact the evaluation service about getting a partial evaluation done. A final evaluation will be required prior to enrollment.
A fee from the student is required for the evaluation of credentials. The payment and all contact regarding this process is done directly with the evaluation service of your choice. We will consider an evaluation from a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). The web address is www.naces.org.
Below is the contact information of two companies that frequently provide us with evaluations.
Josef Silny & Associates, Inc.
International Educational Consultants
7101 SW 102 Avenue
Miami, FL 33173
Web: www.jsilny.com
Phone: 305-273-1616
World Education Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 5087
Bowling Green Station
New York, NY 10274-5087
Web: www.wes.org
Phone: 212-966-6311
Students seeking admission to the University's nursing program who have attended a nursing school outside the United States must use the following evaluation organization instead:
Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools
3600 Market Street, Suite 400
Philadelphia, PA 19104
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