USD Acceptance Rate | Requirements, SAT/ACT Scores, GPA, & Admission

A private Catholic research university with a 49% acceptance rate is the University of San Diego (USD). 

The university’s 180-acre campus is breathtaking, with vistas of Mission Bay and the Pacific Ocean as well as Spanish Renaissance architecture. 

The University of San Diego is a short drive from beaches, mountains, and desert. The university received a Phi Beta Kappa chapter in recognition of its excellence in the humanities and sciences. 

For the majority of their sports, the USD Toreros (Bullfighters) play in the NCAA Division I West Coast Conference.

Have you thought about applying to the University of San Diego? 

The average SAT/ACT scores and GPAs of students who were admitted are included in the admissions statistics that you should be aware of.

What to know about USD

San Diego, California is home to USD, a nonprofit private institution that only concentrates on a small number of its available disciplines. The number of students at USD is close to 9,000. 

Many of the students that were accepted into USD had SAT scores ranging from 1190 to 1370 or were accepted with an ACT score of 26 to 31. 

By using sampling GPA data from over 150 schools, we were able to estimate the average GPA of admitted students at the University of San Diego (USD), which ranges from 3.48 to 3.71. 

With regards to the USD acceptance rate, the school accepts 49% of all applicants, and 17% of those students choose to enroll. Visit the admissions office online at sandiego.edu to learn more about the USD acceptance rate.

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What is USD Acceptance Rate?

The USD (University of San Diego) achieved a 49% acceptance rate for the 2018–19 admissions session. 

This indicates that San Diego’s admissions process is challenging because 49 out of every 100 applicants were accepted.

What is USD Transfer Acceptance Rate?

A competitive 49.87% of transfer applications are accepted by USD. You need to have a GPA of at least 3.9 in order to transfer into USD; ideally, your GPA will be around 4.06.

See also: Harcum College Acceptance Rate | Requirements, SAT/ACT Scores, GPA, & Admissions

Is USD hard to get into?

59% of applications are accepted at USD. In terms of lowest acceptance rate, it is ranked #38 in California. For qualified applicants, 

USD is a more competitive institution with a good possibility of acceptance. Out of 13,171 applications, 7,731 were accepted last year. 

With an average GPA of roughly 3.95 and a “A-” average in high school, University of San Diego frequently accepts and draws these students. 

The majority of first-year students graduate in the top 25% of their high school class. 13% of applicants who were given the option to enroll did so. 

Application deadline is December 15, and there is a $55 USD application fee.

Read also: UVU Acceptance Rate | Requirements, SAT/ACT Scores, GPA, & Admissions 

Does USD require test scores?

All applicants must submit their SAT or ACT scores to the University of San Diego. Sixty-nine percent of admitted students submitted their SAT scores during the 2018–19 admissions cycle.

According to admissions data, the majority of admitted students to the University of San Diego scored in the top 35% nationwide on the SAT. 

50% of applicants to the University of San Diego received scores between 600 and 680 on the evidence-based reading and writing portion, while 25% received scores below 600 and 25% received scores over 680.

 50% of admitted students received math scores between 590 and 690, 25% received math scores below 590, and 25% received math scores over 690. 

At the University of San Diego, candidates with a composite SAT score of 1370 or higher will have highly competitive odds

All applicants must submit their SAT or ACT scores to the University of San Diego. 43% of accepted students who were in the admissions cycle for 2018–19 submitted their ACT scores.

According to admissions data, the majority of admitted students to the University of San Diego scored in the top 18% nationwide on the ACT. 

50% of those accepted to the University of San Diego had an average ACT score between 26 and 31, 25% had a score over 31, and 25% had a score below 26.

USD SAT Requirements 

The SAT writing portion is not necessary to enroll at University of San Diego. Keep in mind that San Diego participates in the scorechoice program, so the admissions office will take into account the highest score you obtained on any one SAT test day from each section. SAT Subject tests are optional but will be taken into account if submitted.

USD ACT Requirements 

The University of San Diego will only take into account your best composite ACT score; it does not superscore ACT results. The ACT writing portion is not necessary to enroll at University of San Diego.

Check also: Florida Southern College Acceptance Rate | Requirements, SAT/ACT Scores, GPA, & Admissions

What are the Admission Requirements for USD 

Accepting nearly half of all applicants, the University of San Diego has a selective admissions process.

 If your SAT/ACT scores and her GPA are within the school’s average range, you have a better chance of being accepted. 

However, San Diego also has a holistic admissions process that includes factors other than grades and test scores. 

A strong application essay and compelling letters of recommendation can enhance your application, as can participation in meaningful extracurricular activities and a tight schedule.

Even if test scores fall outside the San Diego average , particularly applicants with a compelling story or track record may be seriously considered.   

In the graph above, the blue and green dots represent students who passed. 

The majority of successful applicants find her high school GPA above her 3.5, total SAT score above 1150 (ERW+M), and ACT composite score above 24. If your number is above this low range, you are most likely to be accepted.

Check out also: Muhlenberg College Acceptance Rate | Requirements, SAT/ACT Scores, GPA, & Admissions 

Transfer Requirements for USD 

Minimum GPA:   To be admitted, applicants are expected to have at least 24 semesters (36 quarters) of transferable college working credits and a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0.

  Official Transcript:  The  grade point average is calculated from all transferable academic courses in all semesters/semesters of college assignments. There is no maximum number of transferable credits, but a student must earn at least the last 30 semester credits in US dollars.

  SAT Scores:  If you have passed the  Abitur and have completed at least 24 college or university semester units, the SAT I or ACT do not apply.

  Letter of Recommendation:  The  letter of recommendation is intended to provide a professional assessment of your academic performance and potential for growth. Students should seek a recommendation from a university professor.  

Essay:   The essay required of all candidates is to better understand who you are. This is your chance to go beyond the facts and figures of your application. 

Get a glimpse of how your experiences have shaped you as a person.  

Application Fee:   Non-refundable application fee $55

See also: William and Mary College Acceptance Rate | Requirements, SAT/ACT Scores, GPA, & Admissions 

University of San Diego (USD) GPA Requirements in 2024

Over 71% of new students had average high school GPAs of 3.75 or higher in 2019, and the average high school GPA for incoming University of San Diego freshman was 3.93. 

According to these findings, University of San Diego applicants who are most successful tend to have a majority of As.

To be admitted to USD, applicants must have very high marks. The average high school GPA of the University of San Diego’s admitted freshmen class was 3.95 on a 4.0 scale, showing that the majority of A- students are accepted and ultimately enroll. 

The school has the ninth-highest average GPA in California. 

You have a strong chance of being accepted if your high school GPA satisfies these standards because USD accepts 59% of applicants.

Read also: University of Kentucky Acceptance Rate | Requirements, SAT/ACT Scores, GPA, & Admission

How to Apply to USD 

Please apply in conjunction with the USD joint application. We’ve created a detailed guide, so be sure to check out The Common App:  Everything You Need to Know.   

students are eligible to apply for the spring or fall semester. If you are considering spring enrollment, please apply by October 1st. To be considered for fall enrollment, apply by December 15th.   

To apply, be sure to provide:    

Complete application form from the Common App

  Essay to one of the Common App prompts 

two short responses to a USD member’s prompt  Advisor or Teacher  

SAT or ACT Score  

Official High School Diploma  

$55 Application fee or fee waiver for international students:  6.5.

Alternative to USD 

If You Enjoy the University of San Diego, You Might Enjoy These Institutions

• University of San Francisco
• San Diego State University
• Santa Clara University
• Arizona State University
• CSU – Long Beach
• UC – Davis
• UC – San Diego

Frequently Asked Questions 

Conclusions

The University of San Diego receives more applications from qualified applicants than it can accept.

If you receive a “no thank you” at the end of the admissions process, don’t blame yourself too much. Smart, motivated, and resourceful students grow and create wherever they go.  

USD has been accepted for regulatory submission, but we strongly discourage it. 

To appeal an admission decision, you must provide the admissions office with new information. Update test results or correct incorrect certificates. 

However, there is no guarantee that the decision will be reversed.   

Completing at least one full year at another college and obtaining a GPA of at least 3.0 or above is eligible to apply for transfer.

 The application process is much the same as the first year, but there are some notable changes, including If you have a faculty recommendation, you have the same chances as freshmen. Approximately 49% of transfer students are admitted.   

You can reapply after your gap year, but this is riskier than simply going to another school and applying for your gap year there.

 To find out if a gap year is right for you, visit our post What are the benefits of a gap year? 

Things to know when applying to college after a gap year. 

  I highly recommend checking out another great school and making the most of your time there. 

Consider applying to other California schools such as: One of the California State Schools or the University of California Schools. 

References 

• Thoughtco.com
• Collegetransfer.net

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