Applications, Deadlines, and Requirements

There are three ways to apply. We strongly recommend that you use one of the on-line application options listed below.  Processing time for applications received through the mail generally take longer than those submitted on-line.

Options for Applying

• Common Application Online. To apply you will need to create a free user account. If you apply to USD using the common application, you are required to submit the USD Common Application supplement[pdf 65 KB].
• Apply Online through Embark. To apply you will need to create a free user account.
  

Freshman Applicants (U.S. citizens, Permanent Residents, and International Students)
Letter of Recommendation - Freshman Checklist of Required Items

Fall 2010
Early Action Deadline - November 15, 2009
Notification period - January 1-31

Regular Decision Deadline - January 15, 2010
Notification period - Mid March - Mid April

Late Consideration Deadline - March 1, 2010
Notification period - Mid March - Mid May

PLEASE NOTE: When using the Common Application, please check the regular decision option.

Transfer Applicants (U.S. citizens, Permanent Residents, International Students)
Letter of Recommendation - Transfer Checklist of Required Item

Fall 2010
Regular Action Deadline - March 1, 2010
Notification Period - May - Late July

Late Consideration Deadline - May 1, 2010
Notification Period - May - Late July

 

Financial Aid Applicants

Financial Aid - Fall 2010 Semester
Priority - postmark deadline	March 2
Priority - notification period	March 15-May 1
Late Consideration - postmark deadline*	Ongoing
Late Consideration - notification period*	Ongoing

Application Fee

A $55 nonrefundable application fee is due at the time of submitting your application. In cases of financial hardship, USD participates in the College Board fee waiver program or students can provide us with a letter from a school counselor requesting that we waive the fee.

Application Requirements

Freshman Requirements:

• Application Fee
• Official High School Transcript
• Official SAT Reasoning Test submitted directly from College Board or Official ACT with Writing submitted directly from American College Test (ACT)*

  *International Students (non-US citizens) are waived from this  requirement if they do not want to be considered for an academic scholarship        

• Academic Letter of Recommendation
• Essay

Transfer Requirements (Student with 24 transferable units):

• Application Fee
• Official College Transcript(s) - All institutions you have attended
• Official High School Transcript
• Academic Letter of Recommendation
• Essay

Application Essay Topics

Instructions: This personal statement helps us become acquainted with you in ways different from courses, grades, test scores, and other objective data. It will demonstrate your ability to organize thoughts and express yourself. We are looking for an essay that will help us know you better as a person and as a student. Please write an essay (250-500 words) on a topic of your choice or on one of the options listed below. Also, please indicate the topic on which you are writing. These essay questions are the same questions used on the common application.

1. Evaluate a significant experience, achievement, risk you have taken, or ethical dilemma you have faced and its impact on you.
   
2. Discuss some issue of personal, local, national, or international concern and its importance to you.
   
3. Indicate a person who has had a significant influence on you, and describe that influence.
   
4. Describe a character in fiction, an historical figure, or a creative work (as in art, music, science, etc.) that has had an influence on you, and explain that influence.
   
5. A range of academic interests, personal perspectives, and life experiences adds much to the educational mix. Given your personal background, describe an experience that illustrates what you would bring to the diversity in a college community, or an encounter that demonstrated the importance of diversity to you.  
   
6. Topic of your choice.