What is English Conditional admission?
Students who wish to pursue an undergraduate degree at USF (but do not have the required TOEFL score for full admission) may apply for English Conditional admission through the USF Admissions office. Students admitted English Conditional are required to take ESL courses concurrently with USF academic courses. Conditional students have up to four semesters to achieve full admission to USF.
Applicants who present TOEFL scores of 48 - 78 (internet-based), 460 - 547 (paper-based); or IELTS overall band scores between 5.0 and 5.5 may be admitted to USF on an English Conditional basis, except for the School of Nursing. To apply for English Conditional undergraduate admission, please contact USF Admissions.
Can I apply for English Conditional undergraduate admission without a TOEFL score?
Students must have a TOEFL or IELTS score to be eligible for English Conditional admission.
How many ESL courses will I need to take with my degree courses?
The number of units of ESL courses a student must take depends on their TOEFL or IELTS score when admitted. Typically, English Conditional students take 8-16 units of ESL per semester.
Do ESL courses count for elective credit?
Yes, all ESL courses count for elective credit. ESL courses are included in the cumulative GPA, but not in the major GPA.
Who will my advisor be while I'm an English Conditional student?
Students will have two advisors. English Conditional undergraduate students are advised by ESL faculty for ESL courses and by advisors in their major for non-ESL courses. An ESL faculty advisor is assigned to newly admitted students before the beginning of each semester.
What is an ESL hold?
An ESL hold is placed on all English Conditional student records until they meet the English requirement for full admission. Newly admitted students will be contacted by their ESL advisor before they can register for ESL classes.
Can I exit the ESL program early if I pass the iBT TOEFL or IELTS in the middle of the semester?
No. To pass through and/or exit from the ESL program, students must achieve a 'C' grade or better in all ESL courses with faculty recommendation.
Can I skip a level of ESL?
Yes. If a student receives an A/A- in a course, they can pick up an application in the ESL office to skip a level (which includes writing a cover letter and submitting a portfolio of work). The portfolio must be submitted before the last day of classes and a committee will notify the student before the end of finals week if their application is approved.
