Pairing business, technology and creativity, our students come to the heart of Silicon Valley to deepen and grow their passions. The result? A skilled and dynamic community with a social life that is surprisingly robust.
Immersive, collaborative and designed to unlock your creativity—for over 130 years USV has been helping people turn their passion into their professions. Today, it’s your turn. Explore our program offerings to help you develop the skills you need for the job you’ll love.
Undergraduate students who are currently enrolled at another institution and wish to enroll at USV should complete the transfer application.
Once you have submitted your online application, you will receive an email from an admission advisor who will help guide you through the rest of the process.
Below is a list of materials you will need to submit as a transfer student applicant. These documents can be submitted at any time to your advisor via email, standard mail, and in some cases, online.
For F-1 international students interested in transferring to USV, the procedure is fairly simple and we'll help you through it. You can download the F1 Intent to Transfer Form here.
An essay about your interests
An essay describing your interest in USV’s educational programs is required as part of the admissions process.
On a separate sheet of paper, type an essay describing yourself and reasons for applying to this program. Tell us how your education will relate to your career goals. The essay must be approximately 2 double-spaced typed pages.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact your admissions advisor.
A letter of recommendation
At least one letter of recommendation is recommended for all applicants. Recommendations may be submitted by a teacher, counselor or community leader with whom the applicant has had immediate contact. Recommendations should address the applicant's level of commitment, as well as attributes such as creativity, initiative, motivation, character and academic achievement, to aid in assessing the applicant's reasonable potential for success as a student at USV. Recommendations may not come from friends or family members except in the case of a teacher-parent.
Download a recommendation form here.
Samples of original work
The creative areas of Digital Art & Animation, Digital Audio Technology, and Game Design Art require samples of the applicant’s work to be submitted for review as part of the admissions process.
If you do not have any current creative work, or wish to create more, we welcome this and it is easy to do. Simply follow the directions and examples provided for each area. Our faculty are also available to give you additional guidance and suggestions, or answer questions regarding the work sample we wish to collect from you.
An applicant's portfolio is evaluated once the Enrollment Services Office has received a completed application packet. A completed packet consists of the application, application fee, recommendation, all official transcripts, and portfolio.
Official school transcripts
Applicants for admission must submit official college transcripts, an official high school transcript, or an official report of scores earned on the General Educational Development (GED) test, or proof of completion in a home schooling program or equivalent, the University does not accept Ability-to-Benefit students.
SAT or ACT scores are recommended for freshman applicants.
Official transcripts should be mailed to:
University of Silicon ValleyAttn: Registrar’s office191 Baypointe PkwySan Jose CA 95134
For Electronic transcripts, Please send them through Parchment, or request your school to send the e-transcript to our Registrar’s office directly at registrarsoffice@usv.edu
After you've completed the online application and prepared your documents, you and your Admission Advisor will need to arrange an interview. They will be happy to help answer any questions you have along the way.
In addition, you may need to complete placement tests to assess your competency level within each subject. These tests will not impact your GPA or standing. Rather, they will indicate how we can best help you when you arrive, and help us place you in an appropriate course that insures a smooth start.
USV requires placement tests in Mathematics, English and Music Theory (if applicable) to assess the competency level of each subject. Placement test may be waived for ACT, SAT scores or transfer of credits in one of the above mentioned subjects. Placement test are available to be taken via online/remotely or on-campus.
ACT and SAT scores may be used to waive placement exams but are not required for admissions. Scores will be reviewed on a case-by-case.
Subject
Passing Scores Engineering
Passing Scores Non-Engineering
* Engineering students that score between40-74% on the online, or 30-69% on the paper-based test, will be placed in MATH116. Engineering students that score 39% or less on the online, or 29% or less on the paper-based test, will be placed in remedial MATH003.
Multiple choice test including exponents and polynomials, equations and systems of equations in one and two variables, functions and graphs, and exponential and logarithmic functions.
The test has three parts. The first one is multiple choice testing grammar and sentence clarity. The second part is also multiple choice testing reading and vocabulary. The third part of the test requires a one page written essay on a given topic. Selection among three topics is provided.
The Music Theory Placement Exam tests for basic musical literacy. The ability to read treble and bass clefs and basic rhythmic notation as well as understand common music notation symbols are required to pass the exam and to be placed in Music Theory 1. Only available on-campus.
Articulation is the alignment and comparability of coursework between two levels of education, such as high school and community college. This determination is established through major specific faculty-to-faculty collaboration or articulation officers. Learn more about the articulation agreements we have established with other educational institutes.
Cogswell College has established articulation agreements with the following post-secondary institutions.
Process
This process pertains to the articulation of high school/ROP course(s) for college credit. College credit coursework is not pertinent within the scope of this process already standardized by other agencies or Prior Learning Assessments (PLA's): i.e., CollegeBoard’s Advanced Placement.
University of Silicon Valley has developed and implemented a transfer credit policy and executes practices for consistent application to all students. Full and accurate disclosure of policies and practices is important, to ensure to all incoming transfer applicants that the transfer process is built on a strong commitment to fairness and effectiveness. Below you can find information related to credit transfers. Your Admissions Advisor will be happy to help answer any questions or concerns that you may have.
Transfer Credit Evaluation
Award of transfer of credit toward program completion is based upon 1) comparability of transfer credit to the requirements of a specific course in a selected program of study, and 2) compliance with stated criteria for this credit at University of Silicon Valley.
Criteria for the consideration of transfer of credit are contingent on the following conditions:
Residency Requirements
At a minimum, a student enrolled in an undergraduate program must complete at least 25% of the program of study in residence with University of Silicon Valley (example: Program of study with 120 credits must complete a minimum of 30 credits in residence).
At a minimum, a student enrolled in a graduate program must complete at least 75% of the program of study in residence with University of Silicon Valley (example: Program of study with 30 credits must complete 22 credits in residence).
U.S. Armed Forces Institute Credits
Credit will be awarded, at the sole discretion of the College, for U.S. Armed Forces Institute (USAFI) courses if in compliance with the Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Forces, published by the American Council on Education (ACE).
College Level Examination Program
Students may receive college credit for certain courses through exams administered by the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) and the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education System (DANTES). Both programs are governed by the College Entrance Examination Board. Minimum passing scores are detailed in the tables below.
Advanced Placement Program
Students may receive college credit for certain courses through exams administered by the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) and the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education System (DANTES) Subject Standardized Tests (DSST). Minimum passing scores are detailed in the tables below.
Challenge Examination
Under certain circumstances as determined by the appropriate Program Director/Chair and as approved by the Provost, students may demonstrate competency and receive course credit by successfully completing associated examinations and/or assignments rather than attending class and meeting the course learning outcomes.
There is a $75.00 non-refundable fee for taking a Challenge examination. Examination may only be taken one (1) time. Challenge exams will only be given for lower division courses, excluding developmental/remedial courses. A course previously failed, withdrawn, audited, or one in which a student has received an Incomplete grade, may not be challenged.
The following courses are available for challenge:
Students that desire to challenge must see the Registrar's office. Please note that challenge examinations are not counted when determining full or part time status for the term.
After Matriculation
A student who is requesting to attend another academic institution may do so by completing a Transfer of Credit after Matriculation Permission Form available from the Registrar’s Office. Students should not register at another academic institution until receiving confirmation University of Silicon Valley has approved the proposed transfer credit. Students may only transfer a maximum of 20 semester credits after matriculation.
Approval requires the action of the Provost and Registrar.
Students may need to provide the following information:
Students that are attending another academic institution should consult with the Registrar; it is advised that students register for at least six credits with University of Silicon Valley to be an active student. Students that are not registered for one (1) semester may be withdrawn, excluding summer semester.
No transfer credits will be accepted during the last 12 semester units of course work.
The transferability of credits you earn at University of Silicon Valley is at the complete discretion of an institution to which you may seek to transfer. Acceptance of the baccalaureate and/or master degree you earn in the educational program is also at the complete discretion of the institution to which you may seek to transfer. If the baccalaureate and/or master degrees that you earn at this institution are not accepted at the institution to which you seek to transfer, you may be required to repeat some or all of your coursework at that institution. For this reason you should make certain that your attendance at this institution will meet your educational goals. This may include contacting an institution to which you may seek to transfer after attending University of Silicon Valley to determine if your baccalaureate and/or master degree will transfer.
All applicants will receive an acknowledgement of admission status approximately two (2) weeks after their application and supporting documents have been received and processed. Notification will include information regarding the enrollment process, the registration process, academic advising and student services.
University of Silicon Valley reserves the right to revoke acceptance or continued enrollment if:
Statement of Nondiscrimination Policy
