1. University of South Carolina Bridge Program November 2008 first impressions last

2. Overview General Information Admissions Process University Housing ACE Financial Aid Student Success Center first impressions last

3. General Information Mackenzie King first impressions last

4. What is the Bridge Program? Support Services – Assistance for students interested in transferring to USC – Relationship building – Familiarity with USC policies and campus – Contacts in Financial Aid, University Housing, Student Success Center, ACE, and Career Center Eligibility − Desire to transfer to USC − Ideally, first time college attendees and students we determine would benefit from Bridge activities − Have completed no more than 45 credit hours − Has at least 2 semesters left before intending to transfer first impressions last

5. The new bridge website has everything you need for the upcoming year including: A monthly calendar including activities and deadlines All required forms Transfer credit guides for each department on campus Contact information for USC partners and Bridge Program liaisons on your campus www.sc.edu/bridge

6. For more information, visit our website at www.sc.edu/bridgewww.sc.edu/bridge

7. Admissions Information Mackenzie King first impressions last

8. The Admissions Process No special admissions consideration for program participation Submit an application by December 1st – Update form if you’ve already applied – Transfer application if you’ve never applied Must have at least a minimum 2.25 cumulative GPA – Some majors have higher requirements Request an official college transcript be sent directly to USC first impressions last

9. Majors with Separate Requirements Majors requiring a 2.5 GPA include: Biology, Chemistry, All Journalism degrees Majors requiring a 2.75 GPA include: Exercise Science, Computer Science, Computer Information Systems Nursing ( must have all science courses w/ “C” or higher ) Engineering ( must have completed Math 140 w/ “C” or higher ) Majors requiring a 3.0 GPA include: Pharmacy, Sport & Entertainment Management Business ( must have completed Math 130 or 140 w/ “C” or higher ) Cardiovascular Tech – 2.25 GPA 0-29 credits; 2.5 GPA 30-59 credits Education – 2.25 GPA 0-29 credits; 2.5 GPA 30-59 credits Physical Education – 2.25 GPA 0-40 credit; 2.5 GPA above 40 credits first impressions last

10. Upcoming Events Mid December Attend USC Basketball game (pending availability) February 6, 2009: BRIDGE DAY Campus/residence hall tour Meet with representatives from your major, the Career Center, Pre-Professional Advising, & Orientation Transfer student panel Meet transfer student mentors first impressions last

11. Upcoming Deadlines December 1 Submit your Admissions application or update form Update form if you’ve applied to USC in the past 2 years Transfer application if you’ve never applied March 20 Submit Midterm Grade Report to Admissions Especially important if you are interested in applying for campus housing or financial aid April 1 Submit Summer Class Form to Admissions (if applicable) May 1 Submit Bridge Community Interest Form (if interested in housing) June 1 Submit Housing Application on VIP after acceptance first impressions last

12. Contact Information Office of Undergraduate Admissions – Web: www.sc.edu/admissions – Phone: 800-868-5872 / 803-777-7700 – Email: mackenzie@sc.edumackenzie@sc.edu Bridge Contact: Scott King/ Mackenzie King first impressions last

13. University Housing Dusty Abshire first impressions last

14. University Housing Fall 2009: First priority to live in Transfer Student Learning Community – Live on campus with students with similar interests – Special programs: interact with faculty, build community and explore opportunities in study abroad or undergraduate research – Bridge Community Interest form due May 1 st – Housing application due June 1st first impressions last

15. Contact Information University Housing McBryde 1309 Blossom Street Columbia, SC 29208 Phone: (803) 777-4283 Email: housing@sc.eduhousing@sc.edu Web: www.housing.sc.eduwww.housing.sc.edu Bridge Contact: Dustin Abshire first impressions last

16. ACE Offices Academic Centers for Excellence Dusty Abshire first impressions last

17. ACE Offices Available to all students! 4 Convenient Locations in 3 Residence Halls and in the Thomas Cooper Library Student Success Center. Math Tutoring Writing Consultations Study Skill Development Academic Coaching: Meet with an Academic coach to create an Academic Plan. Schedule your appointment online! www.sc.edu/ACE first impressions last

18. Contact Information Academic Centers for Excellence Phone: (803) 777-5430 Email: ACE@sc.eduACE@sc.edu Web: www.sc.edu/acewww.sc.edu/ace Bridge Contact: Claire Robinson

19. Financial Aid What you need to know about Financial Aid at USC Casey Wiley first impressions last

20. How Will We Contact You? By Email Snail Mail for sensitive data that cannot be sent by email or found online Financial Aid

21. Scholarship Opportunities There are currently no “general” scholarships available to transfer students For a list of departmental scholarships visit our website Outside scholarships: www.Fastweb.com Be Cautious! first impressions last

22. Life Scholarship General Requirements: Graduate from a SC High School Have a 3.0 COLLEGIATE GPA 30/60/90 Rule Life Scholarship Enhancements $2500 additional LIFE Scholarship Must major in a state specified program Must complete certain course requirements in your first year: 14 total hours of Math and Life or Physical Science

23. first impressions last FAFSA Free Application for Federal Student Aid Priority Deadline-April 1 st What happens if I miss the Deadline? Programs Grants(Pell, SEOG, ACG, SMART) Loans (Stafford, PLUS) Work Study

24. first impressions last Loans Stafford Loans $3500+$2000 Freshman(0-29 hours) $4500+$2000 Sophomores(30-59 hours) $5500 +$2000 Juniors and Seniors(60+hours) Parent Loan for Undergrad Students(PLUS) Private Education Loans This might hurt a little…

25. first impressions last Work Study Not money toward tuition Just like a normal job Who Pays you? US Government (75%) Job Site (25%) How do I get paid? Direct Deposit, usually every 2 weeks

26. first impressions last New This Month Your Financial Aid Checklist Visit: www.sc.edu/finanicalaid

27. Contact Information Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships 1714 College Street Columbia, SC 29208 Phone: (803) 777-8134 Fax: (803) 777-0941 Email: wileyc@mailbox.sc.eduwileyc@mailbox.sc.edu Web: www.sc.edu/financialaidwww.sc.edu/financialaid Bridge Contact: Casey Wiley, Loan Services Unit first impressions last

28. Student Success Center Angela Street first impressions last

29. Programs Supplemental Instruction – Learning enhancement program – Focus on classes with large percentage of students with below a C or withdrawn – SI Leaders have taken the class previously – Hosts weekly out-of-class study sessions Tutoring – Open to all students – Free of charge – Chemistry, Biology, Foreign Languages, Math (Levels 100-300)

30. Programs Continued Success Initiatives for Special Interest Populations Programs, meetings, social gatherings for transfer students This semester’s events included a social at the Strom Outdoor Pool, tailgating, and Trips to Charleston & the SC State Fair Transfer student mentors and transfer student newsletter 3 Transfer Student Success Seminars each semester Helpful transfer student guide book after enrollment first impressions last

31. Contact Information Student Success Center Thomas Cooper Library – Mezzanine Level Phone: (803) 777-0684 Email: student.sucess@sc.edustudent.sucess@sc.edu Web: www.sa.sc.edu/sscwww.sa.sc.edu/ssc Bridge Contact: Angela Street first impressions last

32. What’s next…. Visit the Bridge web site to print off the credit transfer guide for your major Apply by December 1, 2008 for fall 2009 semester Go to the records office and request to have your transcript sent when your Fall grades are posted If you currently have less than 30 hours, contact your high school to get your final transcript sent to USC If you currently have less than 30 hours, contact the testing agencies to have your SAT or ACT scores sent to USC first impressions last

33. Questions? first impressions last