Office of Undergraduate Admissions

All rising seniors from South Carolina are eligible to apply. During the review process, priority will be given to students who meet one of the following criteria:

• Resident of a rural area or small town in South Carolina

• Qualify for free or reduced-price lunch in high school

Complete and submit a NACAC or College Board fee waiver, or obtain a letter from your high school counselor.

• First-generation college student

USC defines a first-generation student as any individual whose parents and/or guardian did not complete a bachelor's degree.

To apply, submit the following: 

• Completed Summer Seniors application, including three essay responses. Use your essays to tell us more about yourself and the experiences that have shaped you. 

• Application fee or valid fee waiver. To request a waiver, contact your high school counselor for the appropriate form. 

• Uploaded unofficial high school transcript (view sample). Reach out to your high school counselor for assistance. 

Students will be notified of their Summer Seniors decision by mid-May. Those selected to attend will receive details on how to register for one of our two Summer Seniors sessions.

If you have any questions, email admaccess@sc.edu. We're excited to read your applications!

Day 1 Check-in Welcome Session Peer Group Session  Recreational/Social Activities

Day 2 Campus and Academic College Tours College Search Series Sessions Peer Group Session Recreational/Social Activities

Day 3 Academic Information & Student Services Fair Academic College Sessions and/or Tours Peer Group Session Summer Seniors Talent Showcase

Day 4 Parent Session: Financial Aid & Scholarships Peer Group Session Closing Session with Brunch Student Check-Out

There is no fee to apply. Students selected to participate will be responsible for a $100 program fee.

The fee may be waived for students who participate in a TRIO program or who qualify for a Common App, NACAC, College Board or ACT fee waiver. To request a waiver, please contact your high school counselor for the appropriate form.

All South Carolina rising seniors are encouraged to apply.

Priority consideration will be given to students who meet one or more of the following criteria:

• Reside in a rural area or small town in South Carolina 
• Qualify for free or reduced-price lunch in high school
• Submit a NACAC or College Board fee waiver, or provide a letter from their high school counselor
• Will be a first-generation college student

USC defines a first-generation student as an individual whose parent(s) or guardian(s) did not complete a bachelor’s degree.

Yes! Summer Seniors is a four-day, three-night residential experience, with students staying in a residence hall on the Columbia campus.

Students selected for the program will be invited to attend one of the following sessions:

• Session 1: Wednesday, July 8 – Saturday, July 11
• Session 2: Wednesday, July 15 – Saturday, July 18

Applicants who submit a completed application by the May 1 deadline will receive a decision no later than mid-May.

After registering for your session, you’ll receive a confirmation email with important details to help you prepare. You’ll also receive a comprehensive Program Overview with additional information about what to expect.

If you have any questions, please contact our team at admaccess@sc.edu  —  we’re happy to help. We also encourage you to check out our Summer Seniors Instagram.

Students on the waitlist will be notified on a rolling basis as space becomes available. All final waitlist decisions will be communicated by mid-June.

If you’re still interested in attending, please email our team at admaccess@sc.edu. We will do our best to place you in a session; however, if a session is full, you may be added to the waitlist.

Space in each session is limited. Students are assigned to a session based on the availability indicated in their application. If you would like to request a different session, you may be added to the waitlist, depending on availability. All participant rosters will be finalized by mid-June.