One of the nation’s leading research universities, the University of Southern Mississippi invites admissions in Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters. International applicants can apply in the Fall and Spring sessions every year. 

Admissions at the University of Southern Mississippi is not very competitive as the acceptance rate stood at 97% in the fall of 2023. Currently, 14,133 (11,594 undergraduate) students are enrolled in the university. Its students represent over 71 countries on campus making it one of the diverse universities in the US.

The university offers approximately 189 baccalaureates, masters, and doctorate degrees. The popular programs include Nursing, Liberal Arts, Elementary Education, and Humanities.

  • Undergraduate applicants must have completed the College Preparatory Curriculum (CPC) to receive full admission,
  • International applicants may or may not choose to submit SAT/ACT scores.
  • Domestic applicants have to submit SAT/ACT scores. The minimum score required varies indirectly with GPA.
  • Graduate admissions have program-specific application deadlines.
  • Applications are accepted through Common Application and University Application. Graduate applicants need to apply through the Graduate Portal.
  • Applicants had the following profile in the last admission cycle:
    • ACT Composite: 19-26
    • ACT English: 19-27
    • ACT Math: 17-24

Highlights

The university has the following highlights.

University public
established 1910
type Co-educational
Undergraduate enrolled students 11920
Graduate enrollment 2589
Application portal online
Application fee 40$
Mode of payment Debit/credit card, e-check, auto-pay.
Average score required (GPA) 3.2, 2.5 minimum (international)
Academic calendar Semester based
Financial aid Loan, scholarship, work-study programs, grants.
Work experience Required for some graduate programs
Admission help desk admissions@usm.edu
intladmissions@usm.edu

University of Southern Mississippi Acceptance Rate


With an acceptance rate of 97% in the Fall of 2023, the University of Southern Mississippi admissions are not very selective. A total of 9,217 applications were received in this admission intake, out of which, 8,940 students were offered admission. Thus applicants fulfilling the minimum eligibility requirements have a very high probability of getting accepted.

University of Southern Mississippi Admission Deadlines

Application Deadlines for Undergraduate Applicants:

Semester Freshman Transfer Scholarship Consideration
Spring 2023 January 13, 2023 January 13, 2023 -
Summer 2023 May 17, 2023 May 17, 2023 -
Fall 2023 June 30, 2023 August 16, 2023 December 1 (Freshman), August 1, 2023(Transfer)
 

Application Deadlines for Undergraduate International Applicants:

Semester Start Date End Date
Fall 2023 August June 1
Spring 2023 January November 1

University of Southern Mississippi International Students Admission

The University of Southern Mississippi accepts international students with a minimum GPA of 2.5; the relaxation is provided due to differences in the curriculum. However, it is mandatory that the course opted by the student be inclusive of the following subjects.

  • Maths
  • Science
  • English
  • Social Science
  • The following are the mandatory basic requirements
  • Application form along with 40$ fee
  • Copies of the student’s high transcripts
  • SAT or ACT exam if the student wants to avail Freshman merit scholarship.
  • English proficiency test

English Proficiency Test Scores

The following are applicable for students other than from the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, certain Carribean islands and New Zealand.

Tests Minimum Required
TOEFL 71 (IBT), 525 (PBT)
IELTS 6.0
iTEP 4.o

Visa Requirement For The International Students

International students would mandatorily have to obtain a J1 Visa or F1 Visa to study in the USA. Following are the steps the international student has to go through to obtain the same.

Along with the acceptance letter, the accepted student will be sent I-20 form via mail.

To proceed further with the application, the student has to contact the US embassy located at their home country. On doing the same, the applicant will be asked to pay the I-901 SEVIS fee.

For a successful consideration of Visa Application, the selected student has to provide the following.

  • Valid passport of the applicant
  • Documents to support the finances
  • Statement from bank
  • Original I-20 document

Other important documents required by the US embassy like the proof of health insurance

Undergraduate Admissions At The University Of Southern Mississippi

The University of Southern Mississippi offers a vast range of courses and following are the requirements to qualify a student.

Application portal: online

Application fee: 40$

The student has to complete the number of activities listed under the College Preparatory Curriculum. The activities test various skills of the student like communication skill, understanding skill, knowledge of mathematics and such.

On successful completion of the College Preparatory Curriculum (CPC), the student will be given admission based on the following requirements.

  • Minimum 3.2 GPA in addition to SAT or ACT score.
  • or, minimum of 2.5 GPA on the CPC test. Or, the student should have a class rank within the top 50% in addition to a minimum score of 16 in ACT or equivalent in SAT.
  • Or, minimum 2.0 GPA score in addition to minimum score of 18 in ACT or equivalent in SAT
  • Or, the student has to satisfy the standards of NCAA athletes under the guideless of Division 1.

In addition to the above-mentioned method, the following are the other methods to obtain admission at the University of Southern Mississippi.

For students graduated from school with no regional accreditation: submission of transcripts along with SAT/ACT scores.

For home-schooled students: submission of transcripts along with SAT/ACT scores.

For students who have not completed their high school: score of state approved exam, transcript, along with ACT/ SAT scores.

The university opens further more ways to admit more students; this includes tests like Advanced Placement testing, CLEP test and International Baccalaureate test.

Graduate Admission At The University Of Southern Mississippi

The University of Southern Mississippi offers programs for a vast range of graduate courses and following are the requirements to qualify a student for admission at the institute.

Application portal: online

Application fee: 60$

The student has to do the following steps

  • Submission of application along with the applicable application fee.
  • Transcript from the institution where the student has obtained the degree. It is important that the institution is regionally accredited.
  • Test result of GRE or GMAT
  • Strong letters of recommendation to study in US
  • Resume (few courses need the same).

Following are few of the total courses provided by the institution, along with their requirements.

Requirements MBA Anthropology MA Child and family sciences MS Coastal sciences- master’s and doctorate
Deadline Summer- April 1 for all applicants
Fall – April 1 for those seeking Graduate assistantship
May 1 for international applicants
June 1 for US residents not seeking graduate assistantship.
Spring- October 1 for international applicants. November 1 for US residents.
Student can mail
m.danforth@usm.edu
to know the same
Student can mail
mariann.taylor@usm.edu
to know the same
Student can mail coastal.sciences@usm.edu
GPA Student can mail h.l.adams@usm.edu to know the same Student can mail
m.danforth@usm.edu
to know the same
Student can mail
mariann.taylor@usm.edu
to know the same
Student can mail coastal.sciences@usm.edu
English Proficiency Score Student can mail h.l.adams@usm.edu to know the same Student can mail
m.danforth@usm.edu
to know the same
Student can mail
mariann.taylor@usm.edu
to know the same
Student can mail coastal.sciences@usm.edu
Letter of recommendations To be sent to the Associate Dean and MBA director Three letter of recommendations Student can mail
mariann.taylor@usm.edu
to know the same
required
GMAT/GRE/DAT/MCAT scores h.l.adams@usm.edu to know the same GRE scored required Student can mail
mariann.taylor@usm.edu
to know the same
GRE scores required
CV/ Resume required required Student can mail
mariann.taylor@usm.edu
to know the same
Required
Additional h.l.adams@usm.edu to know the same Student can mail
m.danforth@usm.edu
to know the same
Student can mail
mariann.taylor@usm.edu
to know the same
Student can mail coastal.sciences@usm.edu

Admission at the University of Southern Mississippi lies on factors like strong recommendation letters, 3.2 GPA or more, 2.5 GPA (for international students) and TOEFL test.

International applicants can reach the university at intladmissions@usm.edu for more information regarding the admission and admission process.

FAQs

Ques. What are the requirements for admission to the University of Southern Mississippi, USA?

Ans. The minimum requirements for admission at the University of Southern Mississippi, USA are that the High school GPA must be 2.5 or above. Also one requires online transcripts, a resume, and a letter of recommendation(depends on course). These are the requirements for International Students.

Ques. How can one apply at the University of Southern Mississippi and what is the Application fee?

Ans. Applications are accepted through Common Application and University Application. Graduate applicants need to apply through the Graduate Portal. The Application Fee is 40 USD(non-refundable) for both domestic and international applicants.

Ques. How hard is it to get to the University of Southern Mississippi?

Ans. With an acceptance rate of 97% in the Fall of 2023, the University of Southern Mississippi admissions are not very selective. Thus applicants fulfilling the minimum eligibility requirements have a very high probability of getting accepted.

Ques. Is financial-aid provided by the University to international students?

Ans. Yes, the University provides various financial aids to the students in the form of the USM Foundation Scholarship for Graduates, FAFSA scholarship for undergraduate students.

Ques. Are there any housing facilities available on the campus for the students?

Ans. Yes, the university provides various housing facilities to the students such as residence halls and living-learning communities, and various sororities for the freshers.

Ques. What are the various test scores that need to be submitted by the Students?

Ans. International applicants may or may not choose to submit SAT/ACT scores. Domestic applicants have to submit SAT/ACT scores. The minimum score required varies indirectly with GPA.

Ques. What are the various programs offered by the University of Southern Mississippi?

Ans. The University provides about 189 baccalaureate, master’s, and doctorate degrees and programs. Among the popular programs include Nursing, Liberal Arts, Elementary Education, and Humanities.

Ques. What are the English Language Proficiency requirements at the University of Southern Mississippi?

Ans. International applicants must submit English Proficiency Test Scores (TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo): IELTS(Academic): Overall 6.0; TOEFL(iBT): 71; TOEFL(PBT): 525; iTEP(Academic): Overall 4.0