South Dakota

Below are the living options in USD:

The residence halls within North Complex (Beede, Mickelson, Richardson and Olson Halls) offer first-year and upper-class students a great opportunity to get involved in academic and social groups, living learning communities and activities.

Coyote Village is a four-story, 175-unit complex located just south of the DakotaDome. All suites and apartments include a living room that offers a great place for roommates to come together, while students also have their own private bedroom and share a bathroom with one other resident.

McFadden Hall offers privacy and affords you the convenience of living on campus. McFadden houses 100 students in four-person apartments and allows students to be as social or as private as you want to be.

Burgess and Norton halls are conveniently located near Dakota, Noteboom and East Halls, as well as the Delzell Education Center and the Arts & Sciences Building.

University of South Dakota offers various scholarships based on the merit of the applicants. USD awards nearly USD 10.7 million each year in student scholarships. All prospective students may apply for scholarships using the online academic scholarship application. The academic scholarship application is generally available in the fall of each year with a priority deadline of November 15, and the final deadline for submitting the application is December 1. Below are details for some of the USD Freshman Scholarships offered to International students:

Coyote Beginnings

All first-time freshman students who apply for fall admission to USD are automatically considered for up to USD 3,500 per year. Coyote Beginnings is available to recipients for up to four years as a full-time student and is based on GPA, standardized test scores and committee review.

Presidential Alumni Scholarship

Open to high school seniors with a 27 or higher ACT (1280 SAT), the scholarship is valued at in-state tuition and fees over a four-year period (15 credit hours per semester up to 120 hours over four years). Students enrolled in select disciplines are subject to additional fees. Finalists for Presidential Alumni Scholarships are invited to interview.

The University of South Dakota is situated on an impressive 274-acre campus nestled near the Missouri River. Old Main, one of the symbols of the schools, is considered as the prominent academic facility on the university's campus. Apart from being home to several classrooms, the campus of the institution also houses an Oscar Howe Museum, the University Honors Program. The university also has a wellness center which includes workout equipment and basketball, racquetball, and volleyball courts along with a 3-lane walking track. The Dakota Dome is not only the venue for the university's football, swimming, softball, basketball, etc., but also serves as a student's recreational center.

Below are the requirements of the University of South Dakota:

•  All academic transcripts submitted need to be in English or translated into English along with the non-English original draft.

• An SOP is essential for the application process. It helps the applicant to convey their talents, Academic excellence accomplishments and personal background of applicants.

• Applicants must score above 2.64 on the scale of 4.0 in their high school or submit SAT (1070) or ACT (21)

• Or must have 50 above in their high school

• Portfolio ( Audition depending on your chosen course):  This depends on the course the applicant is choosing, as this is not present in every program. However, having a creative and unique portfolio will help you get into the USD. (Click here to Make your portfolio look better)

• English requirements: The following table explains the minimum score for each English exam the university is accepting: 

Graduate requirements

• All academic transcripts submitted need to be in English or translated into English along with the non-English original draft.

• An SOP is essential for the application process. It helps the applicant to convey their talents, Academic excellence accomplishments and personal background of applicants.

• Portfolio ( Audition depending on your chosen course):  This depends on the course the applicant is choosing, as this is not present in every program. However, having a creative and unique portfolio will help you get into the USD. (Click here to Make your portfolio look better)

• Resume: Applicants must submit their resume to the university with their experience. 

• Applicants must also have the passport ready by the time their apply to the university as it’s a crucial requirement from the USD.

• English requirements: The following table explains the minimum score for each English exam the university is accepting: