New Students

New Undergraduate Students

If you are a new USI student who has not previously attended the University, you must be admitted prior to enrolling in classes. The application for admission is available at www.usi.edu/admission. To make the registration process as easy as possible, you should complete your application for admission file by December 21, 2018. Completed application files must have a submitted online application, official transcripts, a $40 non-refundable application fee, and SAT or ACT scores. (If you have been out of high school for three or more years, contact an admission counselor to determine whether the SAT/ACT test is required). For questions regarding the application process, contact Undergraduate Admissions at 812-464-1765 or 800-467-1965 (option #1).

New Student Academic Placement and Testing

English – The Department of English has mandatory placement for all introductory writing courses (GENS098, ENG 100 and 101). Placement into an appropriate writing course is determined by a student’s high school rank, GPA and Critical Reading and Writing SAT or equivalent ACT scores. Transfer students’ English placement will be based upon their transfer credit evaluation.

To place into ENG 101, students must meet two of the following three criteria:

1. High School rank percentile of 51 percent or above, or high school GPA of 3.8 or higher on a 4.0 scale
2. SAT Critical Reading score of 450 or higher (Old SAT) or 25 or higher (New SAT Reading subscore); or ACT Reading score of 19 or higher
3. SAT Writing score of 450 (Old SAT) or 26 or higher (New SAT); or ACT English score or ACT ELA (English Language Arts) score of 19 or higher
   
   A New SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing Section (EBRW) score of 510 or higher will satisfy requirements 2 and 3 above.

Students who do not meet two of these three criteria must write a placement exam prior to registering for their composition courses.

In cases where students submit ACT scores instead of SAT scores, the equivalent ACT scores will be used. In cases where students submit both ACT and SAT scores, the scores that place the student in the higher course will be used. In cases where the student’s data is incomplete, the student will be required to write the placement exam. 

Reading – Students are considered reading at the University level and will be exempt from taking a reading course if they meet one of these criteria:

• SAT Critical Reading score of 23 or higher (420 on the previous version of SAT)
• SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) section score of 490 or higher
• ACT Reading score of 17 or higher
• 9+ hours of college credit

Students who have fewer than 9 college credits or do not have an ACT/SAT score will need to take a Reading Placement exam.  Reading placement is mandatory, if placed in GENS 151.  Students who place into GENS 151 based on SAT/ACT scores may take the placement test to try for a higher placement.

Mathematics – All students who earn baccalaureate degrees from USI are required to complete the mathematics component of Core 39. Our placement testing procedures are designed to facilitate the transition from high school mathematics to college mathematics. These procedures are based on evidence that shows students who enter math courses at the proper level are more likely to succeed and complete their mathematics requirement(s) in the most expedient manner.

New Students – All students who are not exempt from placement testing (see criteria below) are required to take the mathematics placement test prior to enrolling in a math course at USI. The placement test is designed to determine students’ readiness for college-level mathematics courses and to place students into classes where they can be successful. The placement test results will determine the level of entry-level math course that students will be allowed to take; therefore, it is extremely important that one’s best effort be given to this exam.

Transfer Students – All students entering USI without transfer credit to satisfy the mathematics component of Core 39 must take the math placement test prior to enrolling in a math course. This includes students with associate degrees from other institutions.

Nontraditional Students – Because students who enter courses at the proper level are more successful in college than students who take a course that is too easy or one that is too difficult, the Mathematics department requires that all nontraditional students take the placement test. Placement tests do not affect admission to the University; the results of the placement tests are used only to determine the appropriate entry-level math course. Starting in the right course will help you succeed academically, which ultimately will save you time and money.

Exemptions from Placement Testing – Some students may be exempt from taking the math placement test based on the following:

  * Math SAT score of at least 640 (Old SAT) or at least 660 (New SAT) or Math ACT score of at least 29
  * Math SAT score of at least 600 (Old SAT) or at least 620 (New SAT) or Math ACT score of at least 26
         AND High School GPA of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale)

With the assistance of an advisor, students who are exempt from placement testing may select the math course which best meets the requirements of his or her program of study.

World Languages and Cultures placement is recommended for students who studied French, German, Spanish, Japanese, or Latin in high school. The language placement test may allow those students to enroll in a course ranging from the second to the fifth semester of language study. Achieving a grade of B or better in the USI course in which they are placed, then completing a Departmental Exam Credit form and paying a $25 fee, earns credit for all preceding courses. Students requesting Japanese or Latin placement should contact the World Languages and Cultures Department (812-461-5203); French, German, and Spanish placement tests are given by Academic Skills (812-464-1743).

Placement Testing

Placement tests help students transition smoothly to their studies at USI. Tests are given in mathematics, English, reading and foreign language. Placement tests are required for new and transfer students, with some exceptions. These tests can be taken in a variety of ways: 

1. Visit the USI campus during normal business hours with no appointment necessary. Normal business hours are 8 a.m.– 4:30 p.m. Central Time, Monday through Friday. Walk-ins are welcome until 3 p.m.
2. Visit the USI campus during special testing sessions.
3. Arrange for testing at a testing center in your community. 
4. Take the test at home using BVirtual. This option requires the student to use a webcam and pay a fee. 

You should complete the necessary tests at least two weeks prior to Orientation to enable course registration on the day of Orientation. A photo ID is required to test. Students with disabilities requesting special accommodations must be registered with Disability Resources at least two weeks in advance of scheduling an appointment for placement testing. Contact Disability Resources at 812-464-1961 for more information.

For further details about academic placement and testing, visit www.usi.edu/placement-testing or contact one of the following:

English: 812-465-7128 or aahillyer@usi.edu
Mathematics: 812-465-1689 or rhudson@usi.edu
World Languages and Cultures: 812-461-5203 or sarode@usi.edu
Academic Skills (general questions): 812-464-1743 or nmyers@usi.edu

New Student Orientation and Registration

As a new freshman or transfer student, you are required to participate in a Screaming Eagles Orientation program to introduce you to life at USI. Participation is a prerequisite of registration. Through Orientation, you will become acquainted with the educational opportunities, facilities, and procedures at USI. During Orientation, you will work with an academic advisor who will assist you with course selection and registration for spring semester classes. There will be Orientation programs on Friday, November 30, 2018 and Thursday, January 3, 2019. After January 3, students still needing to complete the orientation requirement will do so by completing online orientation before registering for spring classes.

Transfer students who have completed 60 credit hours, adult students (25 years of age or older), and students taking all of their courses through online learning have the option of completing Online Orientation. Students can access online orientation at www.usi.edu/orientation beginning October 1, 2018. After completing online orientation, it is the student’s responsibility to contact the college of their major (or University Division for undecided majors) to schedule an appointment for advising and registration. 

To make a reservation for Orientation, complete Online Orientation, or to learn more about Screaming Eagles Orientation, visit www.usi.edu/orientation; email orientation@usi.edu; phone Student Development Programs at 812-465-7167 or 800-350-7830.

New Graduate Students

New graduate students must be deemed eligible by Graduate Studies and accepted for admission to a graduate program before enrolling in graduate courses (no later than the close of business on the Friday prior to the start of the term). The online application for admission to Graduate Studies and graduate program application information are available at www.usi.edu/graduatestudies. Completed application files must include the application for graduate admission form, official transcripts in a sealed envelope from all undergraduate/graduate institutions attended, and a $40 non-refundable application fee. International students may be required to submit additional information.

New graduate students are eligible to register during priority registration .

Students wishing to enroll in both graduate and undergraduate courses in the same term must complete an application for graduate admission. Once admitted, you should enroll in the graduate course(s) before the undergraduate course(s).

Graduate Studies is located on the first floor of the Robert D. Orr Center, Rm. 1060; phone 812-465-7015.

Immunization Notice

All students entering the University of Southern Indiana for the first time or living in University Housing must meet the immunization requirements of the University and Indiana Code 21-40-5 enacted by the 2007 Indiana General Assembly.

To comply with the requirements, you must provide current documentation of the following immunizations:

• MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella):  The student must be immunized with two doses.  First MMR must be given after 1957 and not before first birthday.  Second dose must be given at least 30 days after the first. A physician’s written statement of immunity to measles and mumps due to having had the infection or proof of immunity through titers is acceptable.  Students born before January 1, 1957 are exempt from the MMR requirement.
• Tetanus/diphtheria (TD booster/Tdap): Vaccination must have taken place within the past 10 years.  A tetanus toxoid alone NOT ACCEPTABLE.
• Meningitis vaccine:  Meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4) two immunizations if given before 16^th birthday or one immunization if given on or after 16^th birthday.
• Tuberculosis (International Students Only):  All International students (those who are not Citizens or Permanent Residents of the United States) must provide documentation of TB testing prior to the start of their first semester of enrollment at USI.  This testing must occur no earlier than 6 weeks before the start of the semester.  This test may be done with a TB blood test or a TB skin test administered in the United States by a medical professional.  Send medical documentation including your student ID number to the University Health Center (Contact information found below).

Acceptable documentation consists of one or more of the following:

• Copy of your immunization records from high school or another postsecondary institution
• Physicians’ statement showing the month, day and year during which the vaccinations were administered or infection was experienced. 
• Completion of the USI Student Immunization form with doctor’s signature
• Personal record maintained by your or your family showing the month, day and year during which the vaccinations were administered.

You may be granted an exemption from meeting state immunization requirements under certain conditions, such as a medical condition that contraindicates immunization, pregnancy or suspected pregnancy, religious objection, or participation in a current sequence of immunizations. You must provide the University with a written statement signed by your physician before an exemption for medical reasons will be considered.  Further information may be obtained by contacting the University Health Center at 812-465-1250 or in Room 0091 in the Health Professions Center. Follow this link to access the Request to be Exempt from Immunization Requirements Form

Appropriate documentation concerning your request for exemption must be mailed, delivered or faxed to the University Health Center prior to the start of your first semester at USI. 

• Fax 812-465-7170;
• Email to immunizations@usi.edu;
• Brought to the University Health Center on the lower level of the HP building; or
• Mailed to University of Southern Indiana, Immunizations HP0091, 8600 University Blvd, Evansville, IN 47712