Progression is competitive, based on progression GPA and interview score. Progression to upper division is limited to a set number of qualified students based on available clinical faculty and clinical placement sites.
Historically, the average competitive application includes an average progression GPA of at least 3.6 with the highest average at 3.8. This varies each year since each applicant cohort is evaluated independently of previous years. The average competitive applicant includes a progression GPA range of 3.6 to 3.8. Interested applicants must consistently retain competitive grades in progression courses to increase chances of admission into upper division.
Progression Courses
- BIOL 243* & BIOL 243L*
- BIOL 244* * BIOL 244L*
- BIOL 250* & BIOL 250L*
- CHEM 102*
- NURS 112*
- NURS 216*
Course descriptions are listed in the undergraduate academic bulletin.
Minimum Eligibility Requirements
Meeting the minimum admission criteria (Institutional GPA of 3.000) does not guarantee admission to upper division.
- A complete application for upper division includes a completed interview and applicant form submitted by the published deadline.
- Students accepted into the upper division will begin upper division courses in the summer or fall following their second spring semester in pre-nursing. Students may indicate a preference for summer or fall start during the application process. However, there is no guarantee students will be placed in their preferred term due to factors such as cohort size and clinical site availability. Term start is solely based on cohort size and clinical site availability and is not based on individual rankings or progression GPA.
- Over the past three years, the program has accepted between 270 to 300 students per admission cycle. This number may vary slightly each cycle based on clinical availability.
- All accepted upper division applicants are notified no later than mid-January.
- Smart Start Nursing Honors Program students who meet eligibility requirements are automatically accepted into the upper
division but are still required to complete the upper division application process.
- Students in the South Carolina Honors College who change their major to Nursing after already being admitted to the university are not admitted to the Smart Start Nursing Program.
- Navy and Army ROTC students who meet eligibility requirements and are identified as ROTC nursing scholarship recipients by the respective branch, are automatically accepted into upper division but are still required to complete the application process. There are (3) direct admit seats for Army ROTC nursing scholarship recipients and (3) direct admit seats for Navy ROTC nursing scholarship recipients.
Students who are not accepted into the upper division should speak with USC Exploratory Advising if interested in another major. If a student chooses to reapply to upper division, it is recommended the student speak with their assigned nursing advisor regarding the feasibility of reapplication. Students who plan to reapply to upper division must submit a new application during the next admission cycle and will enter the new admission cycle applicant pool.