What SAT Score Is Required For The University Of Southern Maine (USM)?

The University of Southern Maine (USM) is a space-grant public university that has campuses in other parts of Maine in the United States: Lewiston, Gorham, and Portland. The University of Southern Maine was founded in 1878 as 2 state colleges, Gorham Normal School and the University of Maine at Portland. In 1970, the two universities combined and were later distended in 1988 when the Lewiston campus was added. Lets’s start with What SAT Score Is Required For The University Of Southern Maine (USM)?

What SAT Score Is Required For The University Of Southern Maine (USM)?

Eligibility for Admission

This is determined by the application fee, Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) or American College Test (ACT) score, and so on. SAT and ACT give colleges a perception of one’s academic competence. SAT/ACT score is just one of many factors used to check one’s eligibility. Most colleges in the United States require a SAT exam for enrolling students, especially applicants from outside the country.

SAT Score Required for University of Southern Maine

Admission into the University of Southern Maine requires either the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) or the American College Test (ACT) with an average score of 950-1160 for SAT or 20-25 for the ACT.

Difference Between SAT and ACT

  • SAT takes 3 hours and contains 154 questions while ACT takes 2 hours 55 minutes with 215 questions.
  • SAT reading test takes 65 minutes, the writing and language test takes 35 minutes, and the math test takes 80 minutes. ACT reading test takes 35 minutes, English test takes 45 minutes, Maths test and Science test takes 60 and 35 minutes respectively.
  • ACT includes Science while SAT does not but has science-related questions.
  • ACT exam costs more than SAT 
  • Both exams are accepted in any college/university in the United States.

SAT II and SAT I

SAT II: this is a subject-focused test taken by students to show their knowledge of that particular subject.

SAT I: this is a general test that contains oral, written, and mathematical skills of the applicant

Routes of Admission into the University of Southern Maine

  • As a freshman: apply as a freshman into USM considering the following:
    • Course Approval: A course may not be used to meet more than one prerequisite.
    • Complete college preparatory curriculum: English (4 units), Tech (1 unit), Arts (1 unit), Social science (3.5 units), Mathematics (4 units), Sciences (3 units), Advanced Electives (2 units).
    • Pre-High School units: Pre-high school courses taken will be accepted for admission if the course earns carnegie credit and the content is similar to high school courses.
    • The Required and Recommended College Preparatory Curricula (CPC) are approved by the International Humanitarian Law (IHL) Board of Trustees, and the IHL Office of Academic and Student Affairs keeps record of a complete list of courses that can be used to meet the CPC prerequisite.
    • Substitutions: Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate courses can be substituted for each prerequisite in the College Preparatory Curriculum.
    • Submit complex ACT and combined SAT score.
    • Must have a minimum of 2.0 CGPA
  • As a transfer student: there are different ways a transfer student can get admitted into the USM. Choose one that works for you:
    • For a transfer to be admitted traditionally, he/she must meet the following conditions: 
      • Must have either completed the 30-semester hours courses (English configuration 1 and 2 [6-semester hours], Algebra/ Further mathematics/quantitative reasoning [3-semester hours], Natural science [6-semester hours], Social sciences [6-semester hours], Arts and Fine arts [9-semester hours] with at least 2.0 CGPA or have an academic degree meant for transfer from a geographically approved institution.
    • A transfer student can also gain admission into the University of Southern Maine as a freshman but he/she must provide printed documents from all universities attended after high school.
    • A transfer student can be admitted through conditional status. Here, the applicant can apply as a nondegree-seeking candidate and must be at least 21 years of age. The candidate must also have a CGPA of at least 2.0. Students applying through this route can enroll in a maximum of 12 semester hours and must have at least a GPA of 2.0. Once this is done, the student can now be considered a degree-seeking student.
  • International applicants: Applicants must have completed the basic curriculum of courses (30-semester hours) from their former college. If not, then the applicant should submit a printed document from their high school that also has the date of graduation on it. Submission of the Scholastic Assessment Test or American College Test may be necessary.

Application Fee for University of Southern Maine

You would be surprised to know that application to the University of Southern Maine is free for all applicants, even international applicants.

English Skill Test Scores for International Applicants 

TOEFL:

  • iBT- 79 and above
  • PBT- 550 and above
  • CBT- 213 and above

IELTS – 6.5 and above for a graduate program.

The English Skill test is the test required from international applicants who are not from English-speaking countries except those who have a degree from an English-speaking college.

Conclusion

The University of Southern Maine and most colleges in the United States require SAT/ACT for consideration among other requirements which is why meeting the average score for the SAT/ACT is quite important. Once all requirements are met, applicants can now be considered eligible for admission. For international students or transfer students, additional documents may be needed. Make sure all documents are available for upload or submission.

FAQs

  1. What is the acceptance rate range of the University of Southern Maine?

85-88%

  1. Can I register for SAT online?

Yes

  1. Which is easier SAT/ACT?

Both tests are okay, if you get distracted easily and can not remain concentrated for a long time it is preferable to go for the ACT. If otherwise, then the SAT is the best. Just pick what works for you.

  1. When can I apply for the SAT?

As early as 8th grade if possible.

  1. Since the application fee is free, is the tuition also free?

No, the tuition fee is not free, the fee depends on your route of admission and the course you are applying for.