We're excited you want to learn more about transferring to USC and continuing your education as a Gamecock. Our team is here to help guide you throughout the process.
Complete the transfer application if you currently attend or have attended a post-secondary institution and would like to attend USC Columbia.
Students attending another USC System Campus who wish to transfer to USC Columbia should complete the USC system transfer application.
Required Materials
All transfer applicants must submit the following credentials:
Submit the transfer application by the deadline for the term you would like to enroll at USC.
Submit a nonrefundable $65 application fee on the payment page at the end of the application. International applicants require a $100 application fee and English proficiency scores, depending on their country of citizenship.
Upload unofficial transcripts from each institution attended at the time of application submission. We will notify you when official transcripts are due.
Hours attempted on a pass/fail basis or from remedial coursework do not count towards the 30 semester hour requirement.
Send an official high school transcript if less than 30 semester hours (45 quarter hours) of college-level work were attempted at a regionally accredited college or university. Transcripts must be sent directly from the high school to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions from the high school.
Hours attempted on a pass/fail basis or from remedial coursework do not count towards the 30 semester hour requirement.
Important Dates
Our 2026 transfer application will open on the following dates:
- Spring 2026: Sept. 1
- Summer & Fall 2026: Feb. 1
Transfer applications must be submitted by the following deadlines:
All majors:
Application deadline: Nov. 1
Credentials deadline: Dec. 15
All majors except business:
Application deadline: May 1
Credentials deadline: May 15
Business majors:
Application deadline: May 1
Credentials deadline: May 1 (due to the competitiveness of these programs)
All majors except business:
Application deadline: July 1
Credentials deadline: July 15
Business majors:
Application deadline: May 1
Credentials deadline: June 1 (due to the competitiveness of the program)
The following deadlines are for the USC Columbia Palmetto College majors: Elementary Education, Liberal Studies (BLS) and Organizational Leadership (BOL).
Application deadline (BLS and BOL): Dec. 15
Credentials deadline (BLS and BOL): Dec. 22
Application deadline (Elementary Education): Dec. 8
Credentials deadline (Elementary Education): Dec. 15
Application deadline (BLS and BOL): Feb. 23
Credentials deadline (BLS and BOL): Mar. 2
Application deadline: April 13
Credentials deadline: April 20
Application deadline: June 1
Credentials deadline: June 8
Application deadline: July 27
Credentials deadline: Aug. 3
Application deadline (BLS and BOL): Sept. 28
Credentials deadline (BLS and BOL): Oct. 5
Application Review
Transfer applications are reviewed based on the following criteria:
If fewer than 30 semester hours (45 quarter hours) of college-level work have been attempted, you must meet both transfer and freshman entrance requirements. Hours on a pass/fail basis or from remedial coursework do not count towards the 30 semester hour requirement.
Transfer applicants from regionally accredited colleges and universities must have at least a cumulative 2.25 grade-point average on a 4.00 scale (A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1, F=0). However, several colleges and programs within the university require higher grade point averages on all college work attempted. Visit transfer GPA requirements for requirements by major.
USC GPA Calculation:
- Your transfer GPA is calculated by using all credits attempted and all grades earned on college-level courses (e.g., nondevelopmental, nonremedial) at other institutions. Transfer students who do not meet GPA requirements for their intended major and have coursework older than 4 years may be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
- If you repeated a course one or several times, we count all grades in our GPA calculation.
- If you are currently enrolled in college courses, we may hold your admission decision until we review your updated grades.
Note: Undergraduate admission requirements, policies and procedures are subject to continuous review by the admissions staff and Faculty Admissions Committee and may be changed without notice. The deans of the university's colleges and schools ultimately determine which transfer courses are credited in their programs.
After You Apply
After you submit the application, you can check your application status on your USC Admissions Portal. You can also request changes to your application. Once we've made a decision on your application, you will receive an email instructing you to check your portal.
Transfer Credits
Discover how to receive USC credit for Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses.
USC generally accepts all nonremedial coursework taken at regionally accredited institutions. If you are a student at another public college or university, you can use the University Registrar's course equivalency table to see how your classes may transfer to USC. We also recommend checking out our Major Maps webpage for a list of the courses needed to complete your major.
You must apply and be admitted to USC before an official review of your transfer credits occurs. Some classes may not transfer to USC or be applicable to your degree program.
If you do not see the course you are looking for on the course equivalency table, complete our Undergraduate Course Evaluation Request Form.
If the last school you attended is a South Carolina Technical College System (SCTCS) college, you are eligible to participate in the reverse transfer credit option. This option offers you the opportunity to transfer the credits you earn at USC back to your SCTCS college to be applied towards the completion of an associate degree (if a degree has not already been awarded). More information on the process will be provided to admitted transfer students.