Embrace Torero Life
The University of San Diego is a Roman Catholic university rooted in the liberal arts and Catholic intellectual traditions. We strive to set the standard for a contemporary Catholic university by fostering an environment in which scholarly pursuits and the practice of changemaking go hand in hand.
As a transfer student at USD, you will join a community of students who have made the transition to Torero life through a multitude of diverse and distinctive pathways. You will complete your degree in a supportive environment that incorporates personalized advising, undergraduate research and experiential learning into the student experience. You will be challenged to think critically, question purposefully and communicate effectively across academic disciplines while preparing for a lifetime of academic achievement, professional success and meaningful impact on the world around you.
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MOST BEAUTIFUL CAMPUS THE PRINCETON REVIEW CHANGEMAKER CAMPUSES WORLDWIDESTUDY IN AMERICA’S FINEST CITY
Situated atop a 180-acre mesa, USD is located in an ideal setting in America’s eighth largest city. Our campus is only 10 minutes away from sprawling beaches, 15 minutes from a vibrant downtown, and 20 minutes from the U.S./Mexico border. As a Torero, you will have countless opportunities for exploring San Diego, networking across professional fields and gaining cultural perspective in a globally minded community.
ON-CAMPUS HOUSING
Students hoping to live on campus should fill out the housing application as soon as you confirm your enrollment. Please note that on-campus housing is not guaranteed if you are not required to live on-campus, and we encourage you to apply for housing as soon as you are able, as applications are processed by the date they are received. More information regarding our policy can be found at sandiego.edu/TransferHousing.
Who is required to live on campus?
Living on campus fosters a sense of community and allows for easy access to campus resources. Studies have also shown that students living on campus perform higher academically. Because of the many benefits associated with on-campus living, USD students must complete a two-year housing requirement unless they reside locally with a parent or legal guardian. Young transfer students and those with fewer transferable academic credits may be required to fulfill part of this requirement. While housing is not guaranteed to those exempt from this requirement, our goal is to accommodate as many interested students as possible. For specific housing requirements, exemptions and options, go to sandiego.edu/residentiallife
SAN FRANCISCOAPPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Completed Common Application, including:
USD Member Questions - Essay - Application Fee of $55 Fee waivers are available in cases of financial hardship
Official college transcripts from all institutions attended
Official final high school transcript or proof of high school completion/equivalency
Academic letter of recommendation
Transfer College Report
Transfer Midterm Report
TRANSFER ADMISSIONS CONSIDERATION
Priority consideration will be given to students who:
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS
Official TOEFL iBT score of 80, IELTS score of 6.5 or Duolingo score of 115
Official course-by-course evaluation of any foreign college/post-secondary transcripts by a NACES member organization
Learn more at sandiego.edu/BecomeATorero
have at least 24 transferable semester units (or 36 quarter units) with a minimum 3.0 cumulative college GPA
have successfully completed English Composition & Literature and College Algebra
are in good standing at their current or most recent institution
COURSE PREPARATION AND TRANSFERRING CREDITS
Although specific coursework is not required to transfer to the University of San Diego, we highly recommend that you select classes based on our core curriculum requirements (outlined below) to aid you in completing your USD degree in a timely manner. If you have attended or are currently attending a community college within California, please reference your institution's IGETC pattern, in addition to our core requirements, in order to ensure that your courses will transfer to USD.
ALL APPLICANTS SCHOOL OF BUSINESS
First-Year Writing (English Composition and Literature)
Mathematical Reasoning and Problem Solving (College Algebra)
Advanced Writing to be completed at USD Critical Thinking and Information Literacy to be completed at USD Diversity, Inclusion and Social Justice Ethics
Fine Arts Foreign Language History Literature
Oral Communication Philosophy
Quantitative Reasoning to be completed at USD Science (with lab)
Social Science
Theology and Religious Studies Macroeconomics Microeconomics
Financial Accounting
Managerial Accounting Calculus Information Systems
CONNECT WITH US
Connect with our Assistant Director for Transfer Admission, Scott Yahner, at syahner@sandiego.edu
TRANSFER LEARNING COMMUNITIES (TLC)
All new transfer students are assigned to a Transfer Learning Community (TLC) comprised of both residential and commuter students. Your TLC will incorporate a variety of activities and learning outcomes, connecting you to fellow transfer students and jump-starting your academic experience at USD.
CAREER PREPARATION
The personalized advising, abundant internship opportunities and dedicated Career Development Center that come with a USD education lead our graduates to find great success. Services offered by the Career Development Center include career assessments, résuméwriting workshops, internship and job fairs, mock interviews, Torero Treks and graduate school fairs. To see the outcomes of our most recent graduates, visit sandiego.edu/careeroutcomes
FINANCIAL AID
More than 76 percent of USD students receive some form of financial assistance. To be considered for need-based financial aid, you must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the priority deadline of March 2.
ATHLETIC SCHOLARSHIPS
Scholarships are available for most of USD’s NCAA Division I sports (football and men’s rowing excluded). Scholarship amounts vary. For more information, please contact the coaching staff directly by visiting usdtoreros.com.
CONSTANCE CARROLL TRAILBLAZER SCHOLARSHIP
USD offers ten full-tuition scholarships designated for students who have graduated from one of the three San Diego Community College District schools (Mesa, Miramar and City College).
MILITARY BENEFITS
USD is proud to support our military-connected students through the certification VA Educational Benefits such as the Post 9/11 GI Bill. USD also participates in the Yellow Ribbon program which helps to bring the gap in tuition and mandatory fees for eligible undergraduate students down to $0.
Aya Kawkab
“Being part of the TLC class helped me to be more engaged, opened new connections for me, and got me closer to faculty and students who share the same values, hobbies and interests. This made me realize that nothing is impossible when we give a chance to engage with everyone.”
Jesus Rangel
“As a transfer student from San Diego Mesa College, the process of application, acceptance, enrollment and certification of benefits was as smooth as I could have possibly hoped for. There were also so many resources available such as the MVP center and Onestop to help me answer any questions I had regarding my student account, and the academic advisors were extremely helpful in planning my future schedule to best set me up for success.”
THE USD TRANSFER STUDENT EXPERIENCE
“In high school, I never thought I would ever become a transfer student, but I am so glad I did. Transferring to USD was such an unexpected surprise after COVID, but it has proven time and time again to be one of the best decisions I have made. I have met so many wonderful people at USD, especially in my transfer learning community, and wouldn’t trade my time here for anything.”
If you ultimately do become a Torero, we want to make sure you enjoy your experience to the fullest and take advantage of the many resources available to you. See how many of these uniquely-USD experiences appeal to you and then check off the boxes as you check them out! And don't forget to give yourself some time to adjust to your new life at USD!
Declare your major by filling out the Transfer Student Questionnaire.
Meet with your academic advisor prior to orientation.
Download the MySDMobile app to stay up-to-date with events on campus, review your schedule or to check the tram schedule.
Attend Transfer Student Orientation.
Find an on-campus job by visiting the Student Employment Center.
Attend the Alcalá Bazaar to see the many student clubs and organizations on campus.
□ Stay healthy! Get your workout in at the Jenny Craig Pavilion, Mission Fitness Center or Sports Center, or go hiking in Tecolote Canyon.
□ Explore the various student resource centers located throughout campus, including:
Commuter Student Commons
The Commons (home to the Black Student Resource Commons, LGBTQ+ and Allies Commons, United Front Multicultural Commons and Women's Commons)
Counseling Center
Veterans Center Student Support Services Food Pantry Disability and Learning Difference Resource Center Office of International Students and Scholars
□ Make an appointment with the Career Development Center to discuss internship opportunities and postgraduate plans.
□ Stop by the International Center to meet with a study abroad advisor.
□ Chat with your advisor about the possibility of conducting research and presenting at Creative Collaborations, USD's annual undergraduate research conference.
□ Explore the neighboring areas: Linda Vista (a multicultural neighborhood with great food) and Old Town (the birthplace of San Diego!).
□ Stay active with the transfer student community and serve as a mentor for future transfer students by becoming a Transfer Scholastic Assistant (TSA).