4.2 Undergraduate Admissions
Individuals seeking undergraduate admission to any 性视界APP (USG) institution shall meet the requirements for one of the categories listed below and any additional requirements that may be prescribed by the institution. Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to any USG institution.
These policies must be applied in accordance with the standards, procedures, and guidelines provided in the Academic & Student Affairs Handbook. Any exceptions to these admission policies may be made only with written approval of the USG Chief Academic Officer.
4.2.1 Admission Requirements for Programs Leading to an Associate or Baccalaureate Degree
These policies must be applied in accordance with the standards, procedures, and guidelines provided in the Academic & Student Affairs Handbook.
4.2.1.1 Freshman Requirements
At its April 16, 2024 meeting, the Board of Regents voted to continue a waiver of Policy 4.2.1.1, Freshman Requirements, for the 2024-25 and 2025-26 academic years. For those academic years, first-year undergraduate admissions will be test optional for 23 of the 26 性视界APP institutions. Standardized test scores (SAT or ACT) will be required at Georgia College & State University, the Georgia Institute of Technology, and the University of Georgia.
Freshman Requirements apply to first-time freshmen and individuals who have not earned the equivalent of 30 semester hours of transferable postsecondary credit. Students with fewer than 30 semester hours of transferable postsecondary credit must meet the Freshman Requirements at the institution to which they are transferring.
Students applying for freshman admissions to a USG institution must meet the following criteria and additional guidelines as set forth in the Academic & Student Affairs Handbook.
Academic Record
Applicants from a public school regulated by a school system and state department of education or a high school holding accreditation from an approved accrediting body must have graduated from the school and completed the USG鈥檚 Required High School Curriculum (RHSC). Consult the Academic & Student Affairs Handbook for additional information about the RHSC.
Applicants graduating from non-accredited homeschools or high schools must meet the admission criteria required of other applicants but may demonstrate their graduation and completion of the RHSC in an alternative way. USG institutions shall establish a methodology to evaluate completion of the RHSC and high school graduation from non-accredited homeschools or high schools based on guidelines set forth in the Academic & Student Affairs Handbook and approved by the Chief Academic Officer.
The RHSC is comprised of the following units:
| Subject | Units |
|---|---|
| Mathematics | 4 |
| English | 4 |
| Science | 4 |
| Social Science | 3 |
| Foreign Language/American Sign Language/Computer Science | 2 |
USG institutions shall require a minimum high school grade point average (HSGPA).
SAT/ACT Scores
Research, comprehensive, and state universities shall establish minimum SAT and ACT score requirements of at least the following:
| Test | Scores |
|---|---|
| SAT Administered March 2016 or Later |
480 on the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section, and 440 on the Math section |
| SAT Administered Prior to March 2016 |
430 on the Critical Reading section, and 400 on the Math section |
| ACT |
17 on the English test or Reading test, and 17 on the Math test |
Presidents of state colleges may elect whether to establish minimum SAT and ACT score requirements.
Freshman Index The Freshman Index (FI) is calculated using a combination of an applicant鈥檚 SAT or ACT scores and HSGPA as set forth below:
- SAT Administered March 2016 or Later
FI = 500 x (HSGPA) + 1.06 x (SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section score + SAT Math section score) - 74 - SAT Administered Prior to March 2016
FI = 500 x (HSGPA) + SAT Critical Reading section score + SAT Math section score - ACT
FI = 500 x (HSGPA) + (42 x ACT Composite) + 88
Research, comprehensive, and state universities shall establish a minimum FI of at least the following:
| Institution Sector | Minimum FI |
|---|---|
| Research Universities | 2500 |
| Comprehensive Universities | 2040 |
| State Universities | 1940 |
Presidents of state colleges may elect whether to establish a minimum FI requirement.
For admission for Fall 2026 and later, SAT or ACT scores are required for all Research 1 and Research 2 institutions, and the USG designated liberal arts institution. All other institutions may require test scores based on the applicant high school grade point average. Minimum test scores and required grade point averages for admission are outlined in the Academic & Student Affairs Handbook.
For applicants requiring test scores, institutions will calculate the Freshman Index (FI) and adhere to the minimum sector FI as outlined above.
4.2.1.2 International Freshman Requirements
Freshman applicants educated outside of the United States shall demonstrate academic preparation comparable to that required of applicants completing high school within the United States. Freshman applicants whose native language is not English shall be required to demonstrate proficiency in the English language.
4.2.1.3 Exceptions to Freshman Requirements
USG institutions may admit freshman applicants not meeting freshman requirements but showing evidence of college readiness using the following alternative categories.
Limited Admissions Category
In recognition of the fact that a limited number of applicants do not meet established standards but do demonstrate special potential for success, institutions are authorized to grant admission to a limited number of such applicants. Institutions shall establish minimum criteria for Limited Admission, which shall include the use of multiple measures whenever possible, such as interviews, portfolios, and records of experiential achievements. In addition, institutions shall require a high school diploma or state-issued high school equivalency diploma or certificate. Research, comprehensive, and state universities shall also require that applicants complete the RHSC and have at least the minimum SAT or ACT scores provided in the Freshman Requirements policy, as well as the minimum FI as specified in the Academic & Student Affairs Handbook.
Presidential Exceptions
Each institution Presidents or his or her designee may grant exceptions to the Limited Admission requirements if the applicant shows promise for academic success and has at least a high school diploma or a state-issued high school equivalency diploma or certificate.
Presidential Exceptions are included as part of the institution鈥檚 maximum percentage for Limited Admission.
Applicants with Outstanding Scores
Institutions may grant admission to applicants who demonstrate very high academic ability by achieving a Total SAT or Composite ACT score in the upper five percent of national college-bound seniors for the most recent test year and who show other evidence of college readiness.
Admission of Students with Disabilities
Because the core curriculum of each institution requires students to complete college-level courses in English, mathematics, social science, and science, all students must complete the RHSC in these areas. Applicants with disabilities that preclude the acquisition of a foreign language may petition for admission without this requirement according to procedures established by the USG.
Students with disabilities are expected to meet the sector鈥檚 minimum SAT or ACT score requirements, but should request the appropriate testing accommodations from the agencies administering the SAT or ACT.
4.2.1.4 Dual Enrollment Requirements
Dual Enrollment provides academically talented high school students with the opportunity to enroll in college-level courses. Institutions shall establish criteria for the admission of high school students to participate in Dual Enrollment in accordance with the guidelines set forth in the Academic & Student Affairs Handbook.
Each Early College represents an approved partnership between a Georgia public school system and a USG institution. Early College participants are eligible for enrollment in college courses while they are enrolled in an Early College.
4.2.1.5 Transfer Requirements
Institutions shall establish minimum transfer admission criteria of at least the following:
| Institution Sector | Minimum Transfer GPA |
|---|---|
| Research Universities | 2.30 |
| Comprehensive and State Universities | 2.00 |
| State Colleges | Eligible to continue or return to sending institution |
The transfer GPA is based on transferable credit hours from postsecondary institutions previously attended. It is obtained by dividing the total number of transferable credit hours attempted at all postsecondary institutions previously attended into the total number of quality points for those courses. It excludes institutional credit hours (such as Learning Support courses) and vocational course hours.
Students with fewer than 30 transferable semester credit hours must meet the freshman admission requirements at the institution to which they are applying.
4.2.1.6 International Transfer Requirements
Transfer applicants educated outside of the United States shall demonstrate academic preparation comparable to that required of applicants completing their coursework within the United States. Transfer applicants whose native language is not English shall be required to demonstrate proficiency in the English language.
4.2.1.7 Exceptions to Transfer Requirements
In recognition of the fact that a limited number of transfer applicants do not meet established standards but do demonstrate special potential for success, institutions are authorized to grant admission to a limited number of such applicants. Institutions shall use multiple measures whenever possible to assess potential for success. The number of applicants who may be granted admission is restricted by institutional sector as set forth in the Academic & Student Affairs Handbook.
4.2.1.8 Non-Traditional Requirements
Institutions may admit as many non-traditional students as is appropriate based on institutional mission, academic programs, and success in retaining and graduating non-traditional students in accordance with the guidelines set forth in the Academic & Student Affairs Handbook.
Non-Traditional Freshmen
An applicant who has been out of high school at least five years, whose high school class graduated at least five years ago, and who has earned fewer than 30 transferable semester credit hours may be evaluated as a non-traditional freshman.
Non-Traditional Transfers
An applicant who has been out of high school at least five years or whose high school class graduated at least five years ago, and who has earned 30 or more transferable semester credit hours may be evaluated as a non-traditional transfer.
4.2.1.9 Persons Aged 62 or Over
Pursuant to the provisions of the Georgia Constitution, the USG establishes the following rules with respect to enrollment of persons 62 years of age or older in USG programs. To be eligible for enrollment under this provision such persons:
- Must be residents of Georgia, 62 years of age or older at the time of registration, and shall present a birth certificate or other comparable written documentation of age to enable the institution to determine eligibility.
- May enroll as a regular or auditing student in courses offered for resident credit on a 鈥渟pace available鈥 basis without payment of fees, except for supplies, laboratory or shop fees.
- Shall meet all USG and institution undergraduate or graduate admission requirements. However, institutions may exercise discretion in exceptional cases where circumstances indicate that certain requirements such as high school graduation and minimum test scores are inappropriate. In those instances involving discretionary admission institutions will provide diagnostic methods to determine whether or not participation in Learning Support will be required prior to enrollment in regular credit courses. Reasonable prerequisites may be required in certain courses.
- Shall have all usual student and institutional records maintained. However, institutions will not report such students for budgetary purposes.
- Must meet all USG, institution, and legislated degree requirements if they are degree-seeking students.
- May not enroll in dental, medical, veterinary, or law schools under the provisions of this policy.
4.2.2 Admission Requirements for Undergraduate Programs Not Leading to the Baccalaureate Degree
These policies must be applied in accordance with the standards, procedures, and guidelines provided in the Academic & Student Affairs Handbook.
4.2.2.1 Admission to Career Programs
Admissions requirements for career certificates and career degrees (Associate of Applied Science degrees and Associate of Science degrees in allied health areas) depend upon the extent to which the general education component is based on Core Curriculum courses. There are two sets of admissions requirements, as specified in the Academic & Student Affairs Handbook:
- Programs with a Core-based general education component allowing more than 12 semester hours of Core curriculum course work; and,
- Programs with non-Core general education components allowing 12 or fewer semester hours of Core Curriculum coursework.
Students admitted in the career degree or certificate category who have not completed a career degree may apply for admission to programs that lead to a baccalaureate degree if they meet regular or Limited Admission requirements. Students admitted in this category can only be admitted into a program leading to a baccalaureate if:
- On admission to the institution they would have met the requirements for regular or Limited Admission; or,
- They show exceptional promise and are admitted as a Presidential Exception. Students admitted in this category must fulfill all learning support and RHSC requirements
4.2.2.2 Admission of Non-Degree Students
Institutions may admit applicants to enroll as non-degree students for a maximum total of 18 semester credit hours, including institutional credit. ESL coursework does not count towards the 18 semester hour limit.
4.2.2.3 Admission of Postbaccalaureate Students
Institutions may admit applicants who have earned a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution to enroll as non-degree postbaccalaureate students in courses with no limitation on the number of hours of undergraduate credit these students can earn.
4.2.2.4 Admission of Transient Students
Institutions may admit applicants who are enrolled in another institution to temporarily enroll as transient students, as outlined in the Academic & Student Affairs Handbook.
4.2.2.5 Admission of Auditors
Institutions shall establish criteria for the admission of applicants to register as auditors in accordance with the guidelines provided in the Academic & Student Affairs Handbook.
4.2.3 Additional Admission Policies
4.2.3.1 Institution Admission Requirements
In addition to the Board of Regents’ and USG admission requirements, each USG institution may establish additional requirements for admission to the institution or to special programs at the institution provided that the requirements are not less stringent than any Board of Regents’ policy or guideline.
4.2.3.2 Referral of Students to Other Institutions
Institutions should assist Georgia applicants who have been denied admission in identifying another USG institution that more appropriately matches their academic credentials.
4.2.3.3 Right to Refuse Admission
An applicant may be declared eligible for admission, registration, enrollment, or re-enrollment at a USG institution only after satisfying all requirements established by the Board of Regents and the institution. The institution may consider the character and qualifications of the applicant in making admission decisions. In order that this examination and appraisal may be made, the applicant shall furnish to the institution such biographical and other information, including references, as may be required by the institution.
Each USG institution reserves the right to refuse admission to:
- A non-resident of Georgia;
- An applicant whose admission would cause the institution to exceed its maximum capacity;
- An applicant whose request for admission is only to a program that is already filled;
- An applicant whose transcript is from an unaccredited institution; or
- An applicant who is otherwise ineligible for admission.
4.2.3.4 Right to Limit Admissions
The Chancellor may limit the number of students admitted to an institution.
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