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University of South Dakota [USD] Admissions: Application Requirements, Visa Process, Application Deadline, Application Process

Vermillion, South DakotaLocation

UniversitySchool type

10261enrollment

Public

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University of South Dakota (USD) is the state’s oldest university with a total enrollment of 9,920 students. The university offers 202 undergraduate majors & academic programs and 84 graduate programs to its students. With an acceptance rate of 86.4%, applications are accepted for Fall and Spring sessions for all UG and PG University of South Dakota courses.

The international admission process is managed by the international office of the University of South Dakota. For international admissions, English proficiency scores and standardized test scores are required. The average cost of attendance for an international student is 22,354 the University of South Dakota. Approximately 81% of freshmen receive some kind of financial aid.

Also Check: Tests to Study in the USA

A minimum GPA of 2.7, on a 4.0 scale, is a mandatory requirement for all applicants. In addition to GPA and test score, international students require a visa for which an I-20 form (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Status) from the university is required.

COVID-19 Update

Admission changes are made in admission test scores and English proficiency tests due to COVID-19.

Due to the COVID-19, most of the graduate programs that earlier required an admission test (for example, GRE and GMAT ) are waived off for upcoming semesters. For more information, students should contact their enrollment coordinator in Graduate Admissions.
GMAT is accepted online for some programs.
Duolingo English Test is now permitted for applications until spring 2023 as a temporary solution for proving English proficiency.

Highlights

Application Mode	Online and Paper Mode
Application Fee	Non-Refundable
Academic Calendar	Semester-Based
Acceptance Rate	86.4%
Programs Offered	Undergraduate, Graduate, Certificate
Application Payment	Credit Card
International Scholarships	Available
Standardized Test Scores	Required For Some Programs
Admission Interview or Counseling	Not Mandatory
Intake Session	Fall/Spring
Admission Helpdesk for UG	1-877-269-6837 isrt@usd.edu
Admission Helpdesk for PG	05-658-6200 isrt@usd.edu

University of South Dakota Admission Deadlines

Students must submit their applications at least two to three weeks before the deadline. Applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered.

Courses	Deadline
Undergraduate (Fall semester)	July 1
Undergraduate (Spring semester)	November 15
Graduate	Varies with Programs

University of South Dakota International Admission

Admission process at the University of South Dakota is similar for both International and domestic students. Those who have submitted all of the required documents to the University before the deadline are given special consideration. Mentioned below are the documents international students are required to provide.

Admission Requirements:

Application form
Application fee
Official High School transcript
Scores of Tests to Study in the USA
English Language Proficiency test score
Valid Passport
Official statement of Finances

ELP Language Requirements

English proficiency is required for students seeking admission to the University of South Dakota. Applicants must meet one of the following requirements:

Test	Undergraduate	Graduate
TOEFL IBT	71	79
IELTS	6.0	6.0
PTE	-	53
Duolingo English Test	100	105
TOEFL CBT	530	-

US Visa Process

Students are advised to apply for an F-1 student visa. Before filing for an entry visa, students are required to pay the SEVIS fee; It is managed by the US Department of Homeland Security. Students need to make an appointment at the nearest US embassy or consulate in their native country for a visa interview.

Visa applicants must submit the following documents to the US embassy or consulate:

Valid passport
I-20 form
Visa application forms
Two passport size photograph
Documented proof of financial support for at least one year
Proof of SEVIS Fee payment (receipt)
Personal interview at the US embassy

Students must schedule a visa interview at a nearby US Consular after submitting their documents. The interviewer may ask questions about the study year, the reason for studying in the United States, Proof of financial capability, plan to fulfill all of your expenses for a year, motivations for returning home after the completion of education.

Also Check: Applications process for USA student visa

University of South Dakota Undergraduate Admissions

Undergraduate degrees are available at the University of South Dakota in a variety of fields, including Education & Teaching, Mathematics, Communication, Art & Design, and Science & Technology.

Where to Apply: Common application fee: 20 USD

Academic Requirement:

Completed Application Form
Official High School Transcript
Minimum 2.6 CGPA (4 Scale)
English Proficiency Scores
Valid Passport Copy
SAT/ACT (Not mandatory)
Official Financial Ability Form
Official Financial Statement

Hard copy of the documents can be mailed here:

Enrollment Processing Center
University of South Dakota
414 East Clark Street
Vermillion, SD 57069-2390

University of South Dakota Postgraduate Admissions

The University of South Dakota offers graduate programs in a variety of fields, including Business Administration, Communication, Science and Technology, Law, Performing Arts and Medicine, and Health and Wellness.

Where to apply: Common application fee: 35 USD

Academic Requirements:

English Proficiency Scores
Official University Transcripts
Official Admission Test Scores – GRE/GMAT
Recommendation Letters
Statement of Purpose
Financial Statement

Hard copy of the documents can be mailed here:

University of South Dakota
414 E. Clark Street
Vermillion, SD 57069-2390

Below is an overview of the application requirements of some graduate programs-

Requirements	Accountancy (MPA)	MBA	Curriculum & Instructions (Ed.D.)	History (MA)	Physics (MA)
Application Deadline	3 Weeks Before the Start of the Semester	3 Weeks Before the Start of the Semester	2 Weeks Before Semester Starts	3 Weeks Before the Start of the Semester	3 Weeks Before Semester Starts, Priority Deadline For Fall Semester – Feb 1
Resume/CV	Required	Required	Required	Required	Required
Recommendation Letter/Letter of Recommendation	3 Required (At Least 1 Professional LOR)	3 Required (At Least 1 Professional LOR)	3 Professional LOR Required	3 Academic Or Professional LOR Required	3 Professional LOR Required
GPA	2.85	2.7	2.7	3.0	3.0
GMAT	Required	Required – Online now	Not Required	-	-
Statement Of Purpose	Required	Required	Required	Required	Required
Sample Writing	Not Required	Not Required	Not Required	Required	Not Required

University of South Dakota is an acclaimed university for international admissions. The applications are reviewed based on academic excellence and extracurricular activities. Preference is given to the early applicants. Only officially translated transcripts are accepted along with the original document. For the convenience of students, a paper application mode is also available. For any admission query or information, students can email the university admission office at isrt@usd.edu.

FaQs

Ques. What is the institutional code of the University of South Dakota for test scores?

Ans. TOEFL and SAT institutional codes are 6881. ACT institutional code is 3928.

Ques. Does the University of South Dakota accept unofficial transcripts for admissions?

Ans. For contingent admissions, the University of South Dakota allows unofficial and unofficial partial transcripts. When all official documents are received, full admission is granted. Official transcripts must be received 30 days before the commencement of classes.

Ques. Is English proficiency waiver available for international students?

Ans. If they have a 2.6 or better high school GPA (grade point average) AND an official ACT or SAT score, only those international students who graduated from a US high school may be able to have the English proficiency requirement removed.

Ques. What is the recommendation of the University of South Dakota in case of international credential evaluations?

Ans. Students are required to get the credential evaluation done only by organizations/agencies that are approved members of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services or the Association of International Credential Evaluators.

Ques. Do I need to upload test scores on an online application for University of South Dakota admissions?

Ans. All test scores (TOEFL/SAT/ACT/IELTS) are required to be sent from the testing agency only. Only at the time of contingent admissions, certified student copies may be submitted. At the time of full admission, official score reports are required.

Ques. Is a professional LOR required for admission to the University of South Dakota?

Ans. Only graduate programs require recommendation letters. There are some programs where professional LOR is required, however, it is not mandatory for all graduate programs. Academic LOR is also accepted.

Ques. Is it hard to get admission at the University of South Dakota?

Ans. The University of South Dakota is mildly selective in admission. Students who meet eligibility criteria and have high academic excellence can get admission there given that they have followed all the guidelines and completed all the requirements.