Freshmen Applicants
The University of Saint Katherine freshmen are as diverse as this region, yet they are also a close-knit group encouraging each other as they adjust to new expectations and experiences. They quickly learn that University faculty members are approachable, the Student Affairs and Financial Aid staff are there to help, and every student is valued.
Students are admitted to the freshman class on the basis of strong academic performance in a rigorous course of college preparatory study. Every application is carefully reviewed and considered for admission. For further information on admission, please call 760.471.1316 or email admissions@usk.edu.
Financially needy students may be able to apply to USK for free. Fill out the Freshman Application Fee Waiver Form here.
Official transcripts of all secondary school grades are required. A minimum high school GPA of 2.5 is required. Students are expected to prepare for the University of Saint Katherine by successfully completing the following high school curriculum:
4 years of English
3 years of mathematics
1 year of a foreign language or a fine art
2 years of science
2 years of social science
Standardized test scores (SAT, ACT, or CLT) will be considered if provided. They are not required.
Recommended minimum test scores:
ACT: Composite 19
SAT: Composite 970
School Codes:
SAT school code: 7430
ACT school code: 6041
The University of Saint Katherine encourages all prospective undergraduate applicants to prepare by challenging themselves with the most rigorous course of study available, including the Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) programs. However, college credit for AP or IB classes is not automatic.
In general, the University of Saint Katherine awards credit for the College Board Advanced Placement (AP) examinations for a score of 3 or better on most examinations. In order to receive credit, you must have official score results forwarded directly to USK.
We also award credit and/or advanced standing for a grade of 5 or better on the International Baccalaureate (IB) higher level examinations.
High School Application Fee Waiver Form – to be filled out by the high school counselor for those students that qualify for the fee waiver. The form should be emailed to Admissions@usk.edu or faxed to 760.471.1314.
The University of Saint Katherine welcomes applications from homeschooled students. All homeschooled applicants must submit a complete application for admission and personal statements/essay. Portfolios of creative works may also be submitted. Other admission requirements for homeschooled students have been modified to take into consideration the variety of settings in which homeschooling can occur, and are listed below.
A transcript indicating the coursework you have completed and that which is in progress is required. The transcript should indicate grades that have been received for each course. Detailed performance evaluations are helpful, but not required. While courses do not have to be named in traditional terms, a brief summary of course content is required. Other materials, such as course bibliographies or syllabi, may be submitted, but are not required. If homeschooling has been supplemented by formal coursework either at the secondary school or post-secondary level, official transcripts from the school(s) or college(s) are required.
Homeschooled applicants must provide a letter of recommendation from an individual who is able to provide information concerning the applicant’s readiness to begin studies at the University of Saint Katherine, and should be from someone other than a parent. This person should not be a relative.
Students are placed in either Writing Composition / Intermediate Composition OR College Algebra / Intermediate Algebra based on the students SAT/ACT scores for their Freshman year. To be exempt from the intermediate courses, the student must score a 23 or above on the math and 22 or above on the English portions of the ACT. Similarly, the student must score a 570 or above for the math and a 550 or above for the English portion on the SAT. Therefore, if the scores are lower than those previously mentioned, the student will be required to take the intermediate courses. The student can request a Math or English Placement test to try to test out of the intermediate course. Please contact the Admissions office at 760.471.1316 or admissions@usk.edu.
College of Distinction
