Frequently Asked Questions

    Winthrop encourages students to participate in a highly personal and engaging educational experience. Students enjoy small class sizes, top-notch academics, and fantastic facilities. The residential campus encourages community involvement and an array of cultural experiences. Winthrop is consistently ranked as one of the South's best public institutions for both quality and value, and the university has achieved the top sustained performance record of all public universities in South Carolina.

    Approximately 6,073 students study at Winthrop, including those pursuing graduate-level courses. The average undergraduate class size is 22 and the student-to-faculty ratio is 14:1. The average freshman had a 3.98 high school GPA and received an SAT (CR+M) score between 980-1200.

    Freshmen: Winthrop is on a rolling admissions decisions schedule. All applications are non-binding. However, students are encouraged to apply early in their senior year of high school, as the scholarship deadline is February 15.

    Transfers: Students are encouraged to apply at the beginning of their final semester or quarter of attendance at their present institution.  The scholarship deadline is June 1 for the fall semester and December 1 for the spring semester. State Scholarship decisions are pending upon receipt of the student's final transcript.

    Winthrop requires an online application, $50 application fee, all transcripts (high school and college, if applicable), and standardized test scores (for freshman applicants). Visit the following pages for complete information on application requirements: freshman or transfer.

    Freshmen are students who have graduated high school or received their GED but have never enrolled in a college or university. Students that enroll dual enrollment coursework or take summer courses after graduation from high school are still classified as incoming freshman. A transfer student is any student that has enrolled in a college or university previously in the fall after high school graduation, even if that student withdrew before earning grades.

    Each academic college will evaluate all transfer credits with final grades of "C-" or better from an accredited institution once we receive your final transcript. Visit www.sctrac.org to search for course equivalencies that have been recognized from both in- and out-of-state institutions.
    For additional information, check out the Transfer Credit Evaluation Process.

    Students must request that the appropriate testing program (AP/IB) or institution (Dual Enrollment) send scores and/or transcript to the Winthrop University Office of Admissions to be evaluated for credit.  AP/IB credit policies can be found on the Admissions website, and Dual Enrollment credit policies are equivalent to Winthrop transfer credit articulation agreements.

    Please CLICK HERE for information on tuition and fees.

    Winthrop offers a variety of academic, talent, and athletic scholarships. Scholarship consideration requirements (for incoming freshman) include a completed online application, high school transcript and SAT/ACT scores. All items must be received by February 1. Information on scholarships can be found at www.winthrop.edu/finaid/scholarships. You are encouraged to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) before February 1 to be eligible for need-based aid. Winthrop's FAFSA code is 003456.

    Most first and second year students are required to live on campus. Exceptions include students that live at home with a parent or guardian within 50 miles of campus, are a transfer student, or at least 21-years-old. Students receive a separate packet of information with housing and meal plan information after being admitted to the university.

    Yes. Students may have a car on campus; however, they must register their vehicles with the Winthrop University Police Department and pay a small fee for a parking pass each year.

     

    All freshmen are required to take Academy 101 Principles of the Learning Academy, to learn about making the transition from high school to college. Students wishing to receive one-on-one assistance with writing or math have access to the Writing Center and Math Lab. Peer tutoring in other subjects is offered through the Academic Success Center and individual departments at no additional cost.

    We have 43 academic majors to select from which are housed in our four Divisions of Academic Colleges; the College of Business, College of Education, Sport, and Human Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, and the College of Visual and Performing Arts. Students who are uncertain on what they would Undecided students are advised in University College. Winthrop is a comprehensive university with a liberal arts curriculum.  Students will enroll in various general education courses as a freshman in order to find their interests and receive a well-rounded education.  Students that know their intended major prior to enrollment, can consult an admissions counselor in order to receive additional information.

    Look no further!  Winthrop is thrilled to offer a B.A. in Individualized Studies.  It is designed for students whose academic interests extend beyond the current majors that are offered at Winthrop.  Students will have the opportunity to meet with faculty members and design their own degree to meet their interdisciplinary pursuits.

    Prior to enrolling, students may contact the Office of Admissions to change their major. Once enrolled, students will need to contact The Department of Student Services within their Academic College.

    Online courses vary by semester. Students can always look at our Schedule of Courses to see what's ahead.

    The Honors Program will extend invitations to apply to the program to individuals who meet both the GPA and test score requirements once the student has been accepted to the university. Students must have a 3.5 GPA and a 27 ACT score or 1200 SAT score (combined Reading and Math). Additional information, including application and deadlines can be found on the Honors website.

    Congratulations! Winthrop University's accepted student page will provide complete information on the steps to be taken to enroll at Winthrop. Students may also contact their personal admissions counselor to guide them and their family through the process.  Finally, students should review the enrollment checklist page to confirm their residency status for tuition payment purposes and to register for an Orientation session.

    Yes. It is required for all students. Failure to submit the immunization form before the first day of class, will result in a $50 charge to their student account. 

    Orientation  information can be found on the New Student & Family Programs website. All new students are required to attend one Orientation session.

    Freshmen: Orientation is a two-day process which will require the student to spend the night.  Orientation helps students get adjusted and transition from high school to college.  During their stay on campus, students meet other incoming freshmen, register for classes, and participate in fun-filled activities.

    Transfer: There are designated Orientation sessions available for transfer students in order to register for classes for upcoming semesters.  Transfer students should remember to submit their final college transcript so that their coursework can be evaluated and any additional credit will be awarded.

    Winthrop has 18 NCAA Division 1 sports teams, a nationally recognized programming board, and 170+ clubs and organizations. There are a wide variety of activities for students to participate in both on and off campus.  Students will find activities ranging from bands to comedians to movie nights.

    For students that want to venture off campus, the city of Rock Hill has everything for a night out: entertainment, restaurants, shopping, etc.  Check out https://www.onlyinoldtown.com/ web site for more information on the Rock Hill area.

    Approximately 30 minutes north of campus is Charlotte, N.C. Charlotte is the second largest city in the southeast and home to professional sports teams, museums, and other entertainment. Check out http://www.charlottesgotalot.com for more information on the Charlotte area.