We compared admissions requirements at SC public universities. Here’s what we found

Do you need to take the ACT this year? Is your grade-point-average good enough to get into your dream college?

As thousands of South Carolina high school students are hard at work perfecting their college applications, The State has put together a guide that helps potential college students navigate the messy world of college applications.

One major change college applicants can expect to see compared to the process used by older siblings or friends is the lack of requirement for submitting an ACT or SAT score. In place of the standardized scores, schools such as USC, Winthrop and Clemson primarily base admissions decisions on high school test scores and GPA.

The decision to not require national, standardized test scores for undergraduate admissions stems from the tests being difficult to take during the COVID-19 pandemic and the growing criticism of relying on ACT and SAT tests for admission. Critics of standardized testing argue ACT and SAT scores unfairly discriminate against underprivileged students, and that relying on the scores further reinforces generational poverty.

While some schools no longer require SAT nor ACT scores, third-party scholarships do require applicants to meet certain test scores.

For students who do not get into the South Carolina university of their choice, several schools such as Clemson and College of Charleston offer “bridge” programs that allow students to earn credits at a technical college before transferring.

The State has compiled admissions criteria for South Carolina’s largest public schools. These criteria are focused on traditional, freshman students.

University of South Carolina - Columbia

Application fee: $65

Test-optional: USC will accept SAT and ACT scores, but they are not required for general admissions nor scholarships. Some colleges within USC, however, do still require SAT and ACT test scores, according to USC’s website.

• Of all S.C. students who were admitted to USC in 2021, the middle 50% had SAT scores that ranged between 1,110 and 1,300 and ACT scores that ranged from 23-30.
• Of all high school applicants to USC, the middle 50% had a GPA of between 4.1 and 4.7 and ranked in the top 7% to 28% in their graduating classes.
• Out-of-state students typically have higher ACT and SAT scores.

USC does factor race into admissions

• The U.S. Supreme Court upheld the legality of universities factoring race into admissions after a case involving the University of Texas at Austin.

Deadlines:

• Dec. 1: fall and spring semester application deadline
• Jan. 15: all application credentials due

Clemson University

Application fee: $70

Test-optional:

• For fall 2022 applications, Clemson will be test-optional, meaning applicants are not required to submit ACT and SAT scores.

Admissions:

• The middle 50% of ACT scores range from 29-30. The middle 50% of SAT scores range from 1,240-1,400 for students admitted in 2021.
• Nearly all Clemson students were in the top 50% of their class. More than 50% were in the top 10% of their class.
• Of 47,000 applications, 49% were accepted, according to Clemson’s website.
• S.C. residents are given priority in the admissions process

Race and background are considered in admissions.

• “Diversity, legacy status and first-generation status” are among the criteria considered. Legacy is when a student’s parent attended a college they are applying to, and first-generation is when the applicant is the first in their family o attend college.

• “We understand that not everyone has the same opportunities. When reviewing applications, your coursework, activities and curriculum are examined in the context of what is offered in your high school,” Clemson says on its admissions website.

Deadlines

• Dec. 1: Application deadline for priority notification
• Those who apply by Dec. 1 should know whether they are accepted by mid-February.
• May 1: Application deadline for first-year students

College of Charleston

Application fee: $60

Application deadline: Jan. 15

Admissions:

• The middle 50% of students scored between 1,140-1,310 on the SAT and 25-30 on the ACT

• The middle 50% of S.C. residents who apply have between a 4.1 and a 4.8 GPA, according to College of Charleston’s website.

• Letters of recommendation are not required, but can be submitted.

Test-optional:

• College of Charleston does not require applicants for fall 2022 to submit ACT or SAT scores.

Affirmative action in admissions

• The College of Charleston considers race in its application process. For students of color who are not initially accepted into the College of Charleston, the school conducts an additional review of applicants of color, according to a 2018 announcement from the school’s then-president.

Coastal Carolina

Application fee: $45

Quasi test-optional:

• High school students with a GPA of 3.5 or higher do not have to submit ACT or SAT scores. This does not apply to transfer students, according to the university’s website.
• However, Coastal Carolina urges students who do not submit standardized test scores to show other qualifications such as academic achievements, community service, extracurricular successes and more.
• Those who have a GPA of less than 3.5 and were unable to take the ACT or SAT have to go through additional steps to be considered. That includes writing a personal essay, submitting a resume, a letter of recommendation and grades from your senior year.

Admissions:

• The middle 50% GPA range is between 3.2 and 3.7.
• The middle 50% in SAT scores was between 1,020 and 1,170
• The middle 50% in ACT scores is between 20 and 24, according to Coastal Carolina’s website.

Deadlines:

• Coastal Carolina is a “rolling admission” school so there is not a set enrollment deadline.
• Prospective students are encouraged to apply by April and should know whether they’re accepted within three weeks.

Winthrop University

Application fee: $50

Test-optional:

• Students applying to attend Winthrop in fall 2022 do not need to submit ACT or SAT scores, spokeswoman Judy Longshaw said.

Winthrop does not factor race into admissions decisions, Longshaw said.

Average scores for enrolled freshmen:

• High school GPA: 3.98
• Average SAT: 1,087
• Average ACT: 22

Application deadline: May 1

S.C. State

Application deadline: May 31

Admissions:

• 2.0 cumulative GPA required
• Median high school GPA is 3.1 for 2021 freshmen
• Median ACT score is 16.5 for 2021 freshmen
• Median SAT is 910 for 2021 freshmen

Test-optional:

• S.C. State is not requiring SAT and ACT test scores for fall 2022 applications.