Transfer Requirements
Gamecock Gateway is a one-year program extending from fall to spring in a single academic year. If needed, students may enroll in summer coursework at MTC to complete requirements. To transfer to USC Columbia, students must:
- Earn 30 transferable credit hours at Midlands Technical College
- Some majors also require completion of certain classes
- Achieve a 2.25 GPA or higher
- Maintaining a 3.0 GPA will allow students to continue or begin receiving a LIFE Scholarship
- Many USC majors require a higher GPA for admission
- Remain in good standing with both USC and MTC in regards to student conduct and finances
- Any outstanding financial balances will prohibit students from transferring
- Any conduct sanctions must be complete in order for successful transfer
Learn more details on exact GPA and course requirements by major on the Academic and Transfer Information page.
Admissions Timeline
Gamecock Gateway students will complete a transfer application for the University of South Carolina during their spring semester. The following is a brief example of what steps students will take during this process:
Students will be required to meet for Transition Coaching with the USC Gamecock Gateway staff. These meetings will include discussions about the students academic progress during fall semester, predictive GPA calculations for transfer eligibility, and major and career choice discussions.
Students will attend Time to Transfer, an event including Undergraduate Admissions and representatives from each college and school at USC.
Students transfer applications will be due during April; an exact date will be communicated at Time to Transfer and via email to all students.
Even if students will be taking summer courses, they still must submit their application by this date in April.
In May, admissions decisions will begin to be released for students who completed all transfer requirements by the end of spring semester.
In June and July, admissions decisions will occur for any students taking summer coursework on a rolling basis depending on course end dates.
Darla Moore School of Business and College of Nursing decisions typically are released in mid-to-late June each summer regardless of summer coursework enrollment.
Students will be able to schedule an academic advising meeting with USC Transfer Advising staff after their full admissions to USC. Students will also be guided through the course registration process for fall at USC.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Gamecock Gateway students must be enrolled in a minimum of 15 credit hours each semester, and must complete 30 hours of transferable credit through Midlands Technical College in order to continue at USC the following fall.
No. In order to fulfill the requirements for the Gamecock Gateway program, you must complete both fall and spring semesters.
Gamecock Gateway students can complete their transfer requirements during the full fall and spring semester following their high school graduation.
Students may also take Wintermester (online courses offered over winter break), Maymester (online courses offered during the month of May), and summer courses towards their requirements.
Please note, some majors at USC are not able to accept transfer students who are completing summer coursework due to their application review timeline. If summer coursework is needed to meet the GPA or credit hours requirements, students will work with their academic advisor to register.
If you are unable to meet the transfer requirements, you have several options. Gateway academic advisors will help you register for summer classes in order to meet the credit and/or GPA requirements for transfer. Gateway students can also choose to remain at MTC for an extra semester or year and enroll in MTC’s Transfer Connect program.
No. Your prior college-level coursework (including dual enrollment or AP/IB credit) does not count toward the 30 transferable credit hours needed to be considered for admission to USC. Gateway students must earn 30 transferable credit hours during their Gateway year.
Prior college-level coursework does, however, count toward your transferable GPA. Please be sure to send transcripts for all college coursework, including Teacher Cadet, and all AP/IB scores to both Midlands Technical College and USC.
Previous coursework also contributes to your advising during the Gateway year and will be counted in your progress towards your degree at USC (pending course articulation).