Warriors at heart. Your campus experience may only last a few years, but your connection to Southern Wesleyan can last a lifetime. Stay connected to SWU through events, publications, and social media.

The faith-filled community at SWU is comprised of students, faculty and staff who are passionate about learning and growing, both inside and outside of the classroom.

Application Requirements

Whether you are entering SWU as a freshman, transfer or international student, we've got you covered! Click the appropriate dropdown below to learn more about our admissions requirements.


Freshmen Students
  • Your first step in achieving admission to Southern Wesleyan University is completing the free online application. 

    Apply Now

  • Submit official high school transcript.
  • (Optional) submit official SATACT, or CLT score(s) or utilize SWU’s Test Optional admissions policy*
    • The ACT school code for Southern Wesleyan University is 3837.
    • The SAT school code for Southern Wesleyan University is 5896.

*Test Optional Admissions Policy

SWU has a test-optional admissions policy for students applying for Fall 2024. In lieu of SAT, ACT, or CLT scores:

  • If a student has a WEIGHTED GPA of 3.0 or higher they do DO NOT need to submit an essay or letter of recommendation!  Admissions will be able to admit them Regular status as test-optional. 
  • If a student has a WEIGHTED GPA of 2.99 or below, will need to submit an essay.  It is also encouraged that the student submits a letter of recommendation. 

Your admissions counselor will guide you through this process.

South Carolina residents still need to take SAT or ACT to qualify for state financial aid!


Enrollment requirements for high school transcript

  • A high school diploma or its equivalent. Your high school courses should include at least:
  • Four units of English (college-preparation or equivalent)
  • Two units of science
  • Two units of social studies
  • Two units of mathematics
  • A GPA of 2.3 (or rank in upper half of your graduating class at time of acceptance) and a composite SAT score of 860 (based on the critical reading/verbal and math sections) or an ACT score of 18 or CLT score of 54
  • Or a GPA of 3.0 or higher and no test scores

Conditional admission - Grade point average of less than 2.3 and SAT of 850 or below (combined Evidence Reading/Writing and Math) or an ACT of 17 or below (super score) or CLT of 53 or below will be considered on a case-by-case basis and may be reviewed by the University Admissions Committee process for consideration. In the absence of test scores, a GPA of 2.99 or below may be reviewed by the University Admissions Committee process for consideration.

Transfer Students

If you’re applying as a transfer student, you will need:

  • A transcript of all academic work from every college and university you’ve attended.
  • A GPA of at least 2.0.

Conditional admission - Grade point average of less than 2.0 will be considered on a case by case basis and must go through the Undergraduate Admissions Committee process for consideration.

To apply:

  • Your first step in achieving admission to Southern Wesleyan University is completing the free online application. 

    Apply Now

Once accepted, you will need to:

  • Complete the FAFSA (school code for Southern Wesleyan University is 003422).
  • Complete the Southern Wesleyan University physical examination form (pdf).
  • Submit the housing form and the enrollment deposit.
  • Register for Future Warrior Day.
International Students

We are excited you are considering Southern Wesleyan University as an international student!  We have alumni from all over the world, and we would love to have you join our faith-filled community. Scroll down to learn more.

Step 1: Apply for FREE

Your first step in achieving admission to Southern Wesleyan University is completing the free online application. 

Apply Now

Step 2: Submit evaluated transcript

We accept transcript evaluations from all NACES member institutions.

Students who use our SpanTran portal get a small discount and the assurance that you are receiving the right type of evaluation:

SpanTran

Step 3: Submit additional documents and payments

If English is not your primary language, you must submit an English competency test (Duolingo English Test, TOEFL, or, IELTS) to SWU. Students may request to have this requirement waived if they meet certain criteria. Please contact your admissions counselor regarding waiving the English proficiency requirement.

Official TOEFL score of 500 (paper test), 61 (online test), or 173 (computer-based test), official IELTS score of 6, or a Duolingo score of 95. Evidence that English is the student’s primary language may also be considered. IF TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo are not available, student may request waiver if student meets certain other requirements considered by the university. This waiver request may be obtained from the student’s admissions counselor. Waivers are not guaranteed.

Student-Athletes

International student-athletes must also complete NCAA eligibility requirements for athletic certification. A complete list of international student-athlete pre-certification requirements is available on the NCAA website.

A word-for-word, line-by-line certified English translation of all foreign academic work is one of the NCAA pre-certification requirements for student-athlete eligibility.  SWU faculty cannot provide certified English translations. To search for ATA (American Translators Association) certified translators, visit www.atanet.org.

DEADLINES

  • For Fall (August) enrollments:
    • International students must complete the admissions process and be admitted by July 1st preceding enrollment term.
    • The I-20 documentation CANNOT be issued after July 15th preceding enrollment term.
  • For Spring (January) enrollments:
    • International students must complete the admissions process and be admitted by November 1st preceding enrollment term.
    • The I-20 documentation CANNOT be issued after November 15th preceding enrollment term. 

Once accepted

  • Check our accepted student page for up-to-date information regarding next steps after admissions.
  • Housing deposit: $225 (this deposit is an additional fee, and must be paid to live on-campus)
  • If you’re able, please consider attending one of our Future Warrior Days
  • Email the following items to our Campus Nurse, Lori Herron at  :
    • Medical History Form
    • Up-to-date immunization records
    • Proof of medical insurance (copy of medical insurance card)

International Payments

Southern Wesleyan has partnered with Flywire in order to streamline the process of international payments. Flywire allows you to pay securely from any country and any bank, generally in your home currency. By making your payment with Flywire you can:

  • Track your payments from start to finish
  • Save on bank fees and exchange rates
  • Contact their multilingual customer support team with any questions, day or night

To get started, visit FlyWire and select Southern Wesleyan University from the dropdown menu.

To learn more about the Flywire process, watch this video.


Once accepted, utilize our Accepted Student Checklist to become a SWU student:

Accepted Students Checklist

QUESTIONS?

Don’t hesitate to contact a member of our Admissions staff.  You can reach us by phone at 1-864-644-5550 or 1-800-C-U-AT-SWU or email at  .

All forms and information can be sent to:

Office of Admissions – Box 1928
Southern Wesleyan University
PO Box 1020
Central, SC 29630-9989

 

Notice of Nondiscrimination

In compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendment of 1972 and with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Southern Wesleyan University does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, sex, or physical handicap in any of its policies, practices, or procedures. The university reserves its right to operate as a church-related institution and to develop policies consistent with the religious tenets of its sponsoring denomination, The Wesleyan Church.

Additional information related to SWU’s non-discrimination policies include:

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Sexual Misconduct Policy (Title IX)