Getting into the college of your dreams is increasingly competitive and the UGA admissions process is no exception. If you’re looking for a place down South that prides itself on supporting academic rigor, then the University of Georgia might be the place for you.

UGA Admissions

UGA’s acceptance rate for the Class of 2020 is around 53%. That may not sound really imposing when compared to other school, but the UGA admissions process is rigorous and strict. Its Board of Regents is committed to accepting students with a strong academic background.

       
•    52% of admitted applicants were in the top 10% of their graduating class
       
•    The average GPA of an admitted student is 3.91
       
•    82% of its student body entered with a GPA of 3.75 and above
       
•    Average SAT Reading score was 665
       
•    Average SAT Math score was 645
       
•    Average ACT composite score was 27

When reading through the UGA admissions requirements, they suggest you submit your application early so you look prepared. They are very upfront about the academic expectations for their students.

How to Improve Your Chances

Do you have your heart set on grabbing the attention of UGA admissions? I’ve compiled a list of the top four things UGA considers when looking at your application and what you can do to improve your chances of being accepted.

Boost Your GPA

Your high school transcript will need to be filled with as many A’s and B’s as possible. UGA admissions are very blunt about how important your GPA is to their decision-making process. In fact, it’s the most important deciding factor for whether you’re admitted. So this needs to be the strongest part of your application.

Now, this doesn't mean you should take it easy or blow off classes during your time in high school. You still need to take courses to prepare you for college and you need to do well in them. Please keep this in mind when you’re thinking about putting that project off for the last minute or not turning in that assignment on time.

It’s okay if you're having trouble in some of your coursework. Be sure to take steps to help yourself succeed! If you’re not comfortable asking questions in class, ask to meet with your teacher before or after school. Your teachers are there to help you and want to help you succeed.

What happens if you still have questions? Invest in a tutor. Tutors are a great way to work one-on-one on your own schedule to improve your grades and your understanding of challenging course material. Remember, it’s not a failing on your part if you’re stuck. Having another perspective can help you master those tricky subjects. Ask for help.

Take a Rigorous Course Load

Having a transcript full of college preparatory courses is the second most important factor in determining your admission to UGA. They provide an incredibly detailed curriculum guide for high school students. Be sure to look this over and make sure your classes line up with what UGA’s Board of Regents recommends. This list will help you decide which classes you need during your high school career.

Generally, you need to take four years each of English, Science, and Math, three years of Social Sciences, and two consecutive years of Foreign Language.

Take as many AP and IB courses as you can. This shows UGA that you take your academics seriously and welcome intellectual challenges. Be sure to check your school’s policy on how AP and IB courses affect your GPA. Some schools give their students a boost for taking challenging courses and this can help you impress UGA.

If you’re finding some of your coursework challenging, ask for help. There is nothing wrong with asking your teachers questions or partnering with a tutor if you’re confused or feeling stuck. Struggling in silence will only make you frustrated and discourage you. So don’t be afraid to reach out — this is your education and your future!

Dominate Those Standardized Tests

This is the third most important factor in the admissions process for UGA. The UGA admissions department advises you take the ACT and SAT at least once. Beginning in 2017, they will not require the ACT or SAT essay and those scores will not be considered when they are evaluating your results for admission.

Remember: if you’re applying for one of UGA’s research colleges, then there is a minimum score you must achieve in order to be admitted. But this is only for those colleges. The minimum scores for their research colleges are 430 on the Critical Reasoning portion of the SAT and 400 on the Math section of the SAT. Or you need to earn a 17 on both the English and Math portions of the ACT.

If you take a look at the average scores for students actually admitted though, you’ll see that less than 10% of admitted students had scores meeting the minimum requirement. The average score for the SAT’s Critical Reading was 665 and 645 for Math. For the ACT, the average score of admitted students was 29 for English and 27 for Math.Aim high when taking these exams! Be sure to study the tests themselves and work one-on-one with someone who scored high on these standardized tests. This strategy can help you succeed and prove to UGA that you belong there.

Be an Active Citizen

UGA admissions isn’t all about work and no creative or intellectual pursuits. They do want to see that you have contributed to your community through volunteer work, leadership opportunities, and school activities. Although these factor into the UGA admissions decision, they do not stress them as heavily as having a high GPA and a rigorous course load. Be sure to still include extracurricular activities into your high school career. Doing this shows the UGA admissions committee that you can contribute to the school’s culture and make an impact the world.

The UGA admissions process focuses on academic achievement and a challenging course load. This means their incoming freshmen are prepared for college coursework and are ready to contribute to the world. UGA is an incredible school. With a solid academic background and killer essays, you’ll make an amazing Bulldog.