Special Programs

Seaman's Bethel - Home of the Honors Program

Accelerated College Enrollment Program

The ACEP program allows qualified high school seniors the opportunity to enroll in one free course during the Fall semester of their senior year. Tuition and course fees are waived for one class. Students are responsible for purchasing books and supplies.

Interested students must complete the Undergraduate Application. The $35 application fee will be waived for those who submit a paper application. The Admit Type is ACEP.

Minimum requirements for the ACEP program include:

- Completion of the 11th grade
- A minimum 3.0 GPA (as computed by the Office of Admissions)
- A minimum 25 composite ACT score or SAT of 1130 (critical reading + math)
- A counselor recommendation. Click here to print the form for your counselor.

Take your free course on USA’s main campus. Online courses and Baldwin County courses do not qualify for the program.

Fall application deadline is July 15^th.

Note: Online courses or Baldwin County Courses are not allowed. A special Orientation and Registration will be held for admitted students.

Contact: Sally Jarvis, Admissions Officer, 251-460-7747 or sjarvis@usouthal.edu

College of Medicine Early Acceptance Program (EAP)

The College of Medicine Early Acceptance Program offers a selected number of talented high school seniors a position in the University of South Alabama College of Medicine first year class after completion of their USA undergraduate degree and the requirements of the program.

Minimum qualifications for Initial Consideration:

28 ACT Composite (results of one administration; scores are not mixed from multiple tests), or 1250 SAT score (critical reading + math: we do not use SAT Subject Tests), and a 3.5 GPA as computed by USA Admissions.

Selection Process:

The Selection Committee will meet shortly after the December 15 deadline. They will select 40-45 students for consideration, who will all be required to attend a personal interview.

The required personal interview will take place on USAs campus.

The most highly ranked of those interviewed will be selected to participate in the program.

Preference is given to applicants from Alabama and our service areas in Florida and Mississippi.

Procedures to Apply for the Early Acceptance Program:

For consideration to this program, all of the following MUST be received in the USA Office of Admissions by December 15 of the student's high school senior year:

Completed Application for Admission, submitted with the $35 application fee;

Official high school transcript, showing grades through the junior year, mailed from the high school directly to the USA Office of Admissions;

Official ACT or SAT scores; mailed directly from the testing agency to the USA Office of Admissions (Note: USA's ACT Code: 0059; SAT Code: 1880);

Completed application for the Early Acceptance Program. Click here here to print the application for the Early Acceptance Program.

Resume (one page only; additional pages will not be reviewed);

Personal statement of no more than 300 words on the topic "Why I want to be a doctor".

NOTE: Letters of recommendation are not required for the EAP program and will not be included in the applicant's profile. However, any letters of recommendations will be sent over to the Honors Program for students who are applying to both areas.

The Program:

Candidates selected for the program will receive an acceptance from the University of South Alabama and a conditional acceptance to the College of Medicine. The students will enter the Health Pre-Professions Program at the University of South Alabama. Their curriculum will include core requirements for the selected baccalaureate program and prerequisites for matriculation in medical school.

Students in the EAP must maintain a minimum overall grade point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 system, a minimum grade point average of 3.4 in the sciences (biology, chemistry, physics) and mathematics. All prerequisite courses must be taken at the University of South Alabama unless otherwise approved in advance by the Pre-professional Advisor and the Director of Admissions for the College of Medicine.

Non-Alabama residents must establish Alabama residency while an undergraduate in the Program. Refer to residency information for details.

Students in the program will be required to participate in CP-200, Career Planning: Clinical Observation) for a minimum of four semesters.

Students in the program will be given the opportunity to participate in a two week summer premedical clerkship in a clinical environment. This program is a non-credit activity and is only available to EAP students. The summer clerkship is designed to provide a positive one-on-one clinical experience with a practicing physician.

At the end of each Spring semester, all COMEAP students will be reviewed by the Health Pre-Professions Advisor and the committee of Admissions of the USA College of Medicine to determine if academic requirements have been met.

Students participating in the program must take the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) and will be required to receive a score of 29 or greater.

Students participating in the program enter the University of South Alabama College of Medicine in the fall following completion of the baccalaureate degree.

USA Honors Program:

Many students who are interested in the EAP are also interested in the University of South Alabama Honors Program , a prestigious and rigorous program. Special Honors Scholarships are also available.

College of Nursing Early Acceptance Program:

The College of Nursing has an early acceptance program for highly qualified high school seniors. Students selected for the early acceptance program and fulfilling all program requirements are guaranteed admission to the upper division professional component of the nursing curriculum. Students are admitted to the College of Nursing and must complete all Pre-Professional Nursing courses at USA; their curriculum includes core requirements and prerequisites for the upper division nursing program. Students participating in the College of Nursing's Early Acceptance Program must maintain an overall GPA of 3.2 on all required prerequisite courses and must be continuously enrolled a minimum of 12 credit hours each semester (does not include summer terms) and making acceptable progress toward completing the pre-professional component of the curriculum to be admitted to the professional component of the program.

To be considered for the program: the following must be received by July ^15th:

Completed Undergraduate Application for admission to the University of South Alabama ($35 processing fee is required).
Official copy of your high school transcript (must be received directly from the high school) showing grades through your junior year. Minimum GPA requirements are a 3.5 (based on a 4.0 system as computed by USA Admissions).
Submit an official ACT/SAT score. Minimum requirements are an ACT score of at least 25 composite (or 1130 SAT composite, critcal reading + math).
Completed form for the College of Nursing Early Acceptance Program. Please click here for the form.

Stretch for Success Early Entry Learning Community

The Stretch for Success Learning Community welcomes students from all majors who seek academic support to help them meet their graduation and workforce goals.

This community is intended to provide fall first-time freshmen with the opportunity to get a head start on college. Students involved will experience a particularly supportive and stimulating environment in which they can experience campus life; develop math skills; and begin formulating a graduation plan and career goals. Participation in this learning community, however, is by invitation only.

Students will participate in daily exercise or nutrition activities for the purpose of improving the whole person - linking the brain to the body. Grant Roberts, Hollywood trainer for Hilary Swank in Million Dollar Baby, is consultant for this program. Students will have the opportunity to join a USA study to measure their academic success through the integration of exercise or nutrition.

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