Undergraduate Admissions

The admission policy of Georgia College (GC) is to accept those applicants who provide evidence of a high potential for success at the university. A potential student is considered for admission without regard to race, creed, sex, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, age or national origin. All documents submitted for admission to Georgia College become the property of the university.

Admission to GC is not a guarantee of admission to a particular college or major. Separate and sometimes higher requirements for admission into a college or major are described in this Catalog.

Acceptance or denial of each applicant is determined by the Office of Admissions and/or the Office of the Registrar, subject to the right of appeal as outlined by the university and as provided by the bylaws of the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia. If necessary, an applicant should contact the Admissions Office regarding details of the appeals procedure.

Students with disabilities are invited to contact Disability Services at (478) 445-5931 to determine how their disability may be accommodated. In these particular cases, campus visits are especially encouraged. When making reservations for a campus tour, please let us know how we may help to make your visit a pleasurable experience.

Freshman Admission

All applicants who graduate from high school less than 12 months prior to the start of their first term at Georgia College or who have earned less than 30 semester hours (45 quarter hours) of transferable college credit coursework prior to matriculation will be classified as freshman applicants. Freshman applicants are also subject to the university’s first year on-campus residency requirement.

The successful freshman applicant will demonstrate his or her potential for success by completing a rigorous College Preparatory Curriculum with a competitive grade point average, show strong SAT or ACT score results and provide a well developed personal essay. The middle 50% of admitted students for Fall 2014 had SAT total scores ranging from 1100 to 1240 (CR + M subscores only), 23 to 27 ACT Composite scores and high school grade point averages ranging from 3.26 to 3.75 (calculated on academic courses only). These numbers are provided only as guidelines. Students whose SAT and/or ACT test scores/subscores may subject them to screening for Learning Support/Remedial placement, will not be considered for admission.

Admissions decisions are based on the total student portfolio and demonstrated potential for contribution to the university and probability for success in the unique environment of the GC community. In the application review process, GC strives to discover students who will bring academic and creative achievements, elements of diversity, a proven commitment to community service and who have the potential to make significant contributions to society. GC seeks inquisitive freshman who exhibit the desire to develop an analytical mind; a sense of civic and global responsibility; sound ethical principals; respect for human diversity and individuality; effective writing, speaking and qualitative skills; and a healthy lifestyle.

Completion of the University System of Georgia’s Required High School Curriculum (“RHSC”) requirements and graduation from a high school accredited by a regional accrediting association or the Georgia Accrediting Commissions or from a public high school regulated by a school system and state department of education. An applicant who graduates high school in 2012 or later must present credits for seventeen (17) specific units.

• 4 units of English
• 4 units of Mathematics, with Algebra 1 being the minimum level for consideration and at a level higher than Algebra II or Math 3
• 4 units of Science including at least 2 units of laboratory science for graduates after 2012
• 3 units of Social Science including one unit focusing on U.S. studies and one unit focusing on world studies
• 2 units of the same foreign language.
• Additional courses selected from the following are strongly recommended:
• A third course in a foreign language; or study in a second foreign language
• Fine arts (art, dance, drama, music)
• Computer technology

Georgia’s Required High School Curriculum requirements do not apply to students who graduated from high school prior to Spring 2012, regardless of when these students enroll in a University System of Georgia institution. Students who graduated between spring or 1988 and spring or 2011 must have completed the College Preparatory Curriculum with sixteen (16) credits.

College Preparatory Curriculum (CPC) requirements do not apply to students who graduated from high school prior to Spring 1988, regardless of when these students enroll in a University System of Georgia institution.

The GED, in itself, does not indicate fulfillment of College Preparatory Curriculum requirements and will not be considered (except in the case of Non-Traditional students - see below).

Any CPC or RHSC deficiencies must be satisfied prior to transferring to Georgia College.

Completion of the Required High School Curriculum or the College Preparatory Curriculum by itself does not guarantee admission to Georgia College. The RHSC or the CPC serves as one of the minimum qualifications for admission and placement along with test scores, freshman essay and/or high school grade point average.

A word about the SAT and ACT scores: Freshman and/or transferring freshman applicants must submit at least one official SAT or ACT score report which includes the writing assessment. Scores must be sent directly from the testing agency to Georgia Collete. Georgia College currently utilizes only the Critical Reading and Math scores from the SAT, and the English, Math and Composite scores from the ACT. GC will also review the timed writing samples from these tests as part of the student’s overall portfolio. Receiving official scores directly from the College Board and/or ACT allows us to access the applicant’s writing sample.

Freshmen with transferable college credit must ALSO have a minimum cumulative transfer grade point average of 2.5 for admission, and must be eligible to immediately return to their previous college. See “Transfer Admission” section (p. 12) for additional transfer admission information.

Freshmen applicants must submit to the Georgia College, Office of Admissions, Campus Box 23, Milledgeville, GA 31061, the following documents for admission consideration:

1. Application for admission
2. Application fee
3. Official high school transcript
4. Official SAT and/or ACT score report, including writing sample(s) - See GC school codes
5. Official transcripts from all colleges attended, if any
6. Personal Essay - See Part II of this application
7. Official college transcripts, if applicable (i.e., Dual Enrollment or Joint Enrollment Credits)
   Optional items (highly recommended):
8. Teacher Recommendation Letter
9. Resume of extracurricular activities (organizations/honors/awards/athletics, etc.)

Other Freshman Categories:

Non-Traditional Students are defined as individuals who have been out of high school at least five years and whose high school class graduated at least five years ago. Non-traditional students must hold a high school diploma from an accredited or approved high school as specified in the admissions section of this Catalog or have satisfactorily completed the GED.

Non-traditional students who have not attended high school or college within the previous five years and have earned fewer than 30 transferable semester hours of college credit must provide evidence of exemption from Learning Support requirements in reading, English, and mathematics. Learning Support requirements may be satisfied by presenting appropriate minimum SAT or ACT scores, appropriate minimum COMPASS or CPE placement test scores from a USG institution, or appropriate minimum COMPASS or ASSET placement test scores from a COC-accredited DTAE college. As an alternative, non-traditional students who have within the past seven years posted SAT scores of at least 500 in both Critical Reading (Verbal) and Mathematics or ACT scores of at least 21 on both English and Mathematics may exempt the COMPASS placement test. For more information on Non-Traditional Student testing requirements, please contact the GC Testing Center at (478) 445-5016.

Home Schooled Students: Georgia College welcomes qualified home schooled applicants and applicants from non-accredited high schools. Georgia College and the Board of Regents have established guidelines for admission of home schooled students and students from non-accredited/recognized high schools.

Students with a diploma from a regionally accredited home study program such as the American School or the Seton Home Study School or a diploma from the Center of the Accrediting Council for Independent Study (Georgia only) will be given the same consideration for admission as a student from a public high school.

Admission of home schooled students from programs not included in the previous paragraph and students from non-accredited schools will be made based on students having an SAT or ACT test score equal to or above the average score of the previous year’s entering freshman class, (the average SAT for freshmen enrolled Fall 2014 was 1157, the equivalent ACT composite score is 25) and providing a portfolio and/or other evidence of having the equivalent of the Georgia high school college preparatory curriculum as defined by the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia. Supplementary documentation may include scores on the Iowa Test for Academic Proficiency, the California Achievement Test, or the Stanford Achievement Test. Students may also be considered for admission based on the regular freshman evaluation process AND meeting or exceeding the following SAT II subject exam scores and showing proficiency with a foreign language equivalent to two years of high school foreign language completion. The required SAT II subject exams and minimum scores are as follows:

Home-educated applicants are invited to contact the Director of Admissions for specific details regarding the evaluation process: (478) 445-1283, or toll-free, 1-800-342-0471, extension 1283.

Freshman Application Timeline, Deposit, and Housing Requirement

Fall semester decisions for first-time freshmen begin in December and continue until enrollment goals have been met. It is recommended that students apply as early as possible to be considered for admission, university housing, and scholarship funding/need-based financial aid.

Confirmation Deposit

All freshmen who are offered Fall semester admission must submit a non-refundable $200.00 confirmation deposit no later than May 1st in order to secure a seat in the freshman class. Students offered admission after May 1 must submit the confirmation deposit within one week of admission. The deposit will be applied to the student’s matriculation fee. Students who commit early will be the first students offered the opportunity to register for their freshman classes (POUNCE) beginning in February. Students who submit their deposit to the University will also have the opportunity to reserve their residence hall space. Georgia College’s commitment to providing a quality educational experience with a small student to faculty ratio and a residential freshman experience means freshman enrollment is limited. Once enrollment goals have been met, confirmations will no longer be accepted. Therefore, it is to the student’s advantage to submit the confirmation deposit as soon as the decision has been made that GC is the student’s college of choice. The Confirmation of Attendance for New Freshman form will be included in the acceptance package.

The non-refundable $200.00 confirmation deposit for Spring Semester freshmen is due no later than December 1. Students offered admission after December 1 must submit the confirmation deposit within one week of admission. The POUNCE early registration program is not applicable for spring semester entry.

First-Year On-Campus Housing Requirement

GCSU has a First-Year Housing Requirement for all students under the age of 21 (as of the first day of classes of their entering semester), which requires all first-year students to live in University housing for a minimum of two consecutive semesters. This policy is based upon the University’s belief in the importance of the educational benefits in self-government, community living, group discipline, and the opportunity for relationships with faculty and staff members that campus housing provides. A student may request an exception to this residency requirement based upon one of the following:

• being married;
• being the primary caretaker of dependent children;
• being a transfer student with 12 or more earned hours of coursework (not including joint enrollment and advanced placement credits);
• taking only online coursework;
• taking fewer than seven semester hours of GC academic or institutional credit;
• being strictly a joint enrollment student;
• qualifying for a Pell Grant AND residing with a parent or legal guardian at one’s permanent residence located within Baldwin, Jones, Wilkinson, Putnam, Washington, or Hancock counties;
• having unique hardship, including but not limited to students with disabilities that cannot be reasonably accommodated in student housing.

Any request for an exemption must be made in writing to the Director of University Housing, Campus Box 60, Milledgeville, GA 31061 one month prior to the start of the semester in which the student intends to enroll.

Transfer, Post-Baccalaureate, and Second Undergraduate Degree Admission

Transfer applicants have, or will have at the time of enrollment, at least 30 semester (45 quarter) hours of transferable college credit, have graduated from high school at least 12 months prior to the start of their first term at Georgia College, and be eligible to immediately return to their previous school. Students with less than 30 hours of transferable college credit or who have graduated from high school less than 12 months prior to their first term at Georgia College are subject to the freshman evaluation process.

Transfer applicants must submit to the Georgia College Office of Admissions, Campus Box 023, Milledgeville, GA 31061, the following documents for admission consideration:

• Application for admission
• Application fee
• Official transcript from each and every college, university or technical institution previously attended
• Completion of Personal Essay Questions

Minimum Transfer Student Admission Requirements

Applicants with fewer than 30 earned semester credit hours: 2.5 transfer GPA required + freshmen evaluation

Applicants with at least 30 earned semester credit hours: 2.5 transfer GPA required

Applicants to the Nursing Program: 2.75 Transfer GPA required + official SAT, ACT scores regardless of earned credit hours

Applicants to the RN to BSN Program: 2.5 Transfer GPA required + must currently hold a registered nurse license

The John H. Lounsbury College of Education and the College of Health Sciences have separate and competitive admissions application procedures and requirements in addition to admission to the general university. Please contact the College of Education at 478-445-4056 or the College of Health Sciences at 478-445-4004 for additional information.

Transient Admission

Transient applicants are enrolled in another college or university and receive permission from the Registrar of that institution to seek temporary (one term only) admission to Georgia College. Transient students must be in good standing at their home institution.

Transient applicants must submit to the Georgia College Office of Admissions, Campus Box 023, Milledgeville, GA 31061, the following documents for admission consideration:

• Application for admission
• Application fee
• Official transient letter from the institution in which the student is regularly enrolled, indicating good standing and recommending admission to Georgia College as a transient student. Transcripts of college work completed elsewhere are not required since transient students are not admitted to degree programs at Georgia College.

Transfer/Transient/Returning Student Applicant Timeline

Transfer, Transient, Post-Baccalaureate, Second Undergraduate Degree-Seeking, and Returning (former) student applications are processed by the Office of Admissions, (478) 445-2774. Student applications are evaluated once the file is complete with all supporting documents received. Evaluations and notifications are processed on a rolling basis. Students are strongly encouraged to complete the application process as early as possible and well in advance of posted deadlines. Qualified students are admitted on a space available basis. Admission files should be complete for the following terms by the indicated deadline:

Returning GCSU Students

“Returning” or “Re-admit” applicants were once enrolled at Georgia College, but have been absent for one or more terms (summer semester excluded). Re-admit students are subject to Catalog polices for academic standing (such as warning, probation, dismissal, or exclusion). Students who have attended another college since leaving Georgia College are considered for readmission based on their entire academic background.

Returning applicants must submit to the GC Office of Admissions, Campus Box 023, Milledgeville, GA 31061, the following documents for admission consideration:

One year or less since term of last enrollment:

1. Notification to the Admissions Office of intent to re-enroll prior to the posted deadline. Call (478) 445-2774 to update by phone, or submit “Application Update Form” found at http://www.gcsu.edu/admissions/applying/apply.htm. Early notification/application is strongly encouraged.
2. Official Transcript from each and every college, university or technical institution attended since leaving Georgia College, if any, beyond one year, but less than 6 years since last enrollment.

More than one year but less than six:

1. Application for admission
2. Official Transcript from each and every college, university or technical institution attended since leaving Georgia College

Six years or more since last enrollment:

1. Application for admission
2. Application fee
3. Official transcript from each and every college, university or technical institution attended.

Amendment 23 Admission

Pursuant to the provisions of the Georgia Constitution, the University System of Georgia establishes the following rules with respect to enrollment in units of the University System of persons 62 years of age or older.

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 “space available” basis without payment of fees, except for supplies, laboratory or technology fees.
• Shall meet all undergraduate or graduate admission requirements; however, Georgia College 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, Georgia College 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.
• Must meet all system, institution, and legislated degree requirements if they are degree-seeking students.

Dual Enrollment Admission

Dual enrollment applicants have completed at least the 10th grade and seek to challenge themselves by utilizing college courses to fulfill high school graduation requirements. All dual enrollment applicants must be on track to complete College Preparatory Diploma requirements. Dual enrollment students who wish to continue their education at GCSU after they graduate from high-school must apply and be evaluated as freshmen applicants.

Georgia College Admission Criteria for Dual Enrollment Applicants

Have a minimum 530 Critical Math and 530 Critical Reading SAT (or 23 English and 22 Math ACT) and a High School academic GPA of 3.0 or higher (as calculated by the Office of Admissions) OR Have a minimum 970 combined Critical Math and Critical Reading SAT (or a 20 ACT Composite) and a High School academic GPA of 3.5 or higher (as calculated by the Office of Admissions)

Dual Enrollment Admissions Process

All students wishing to apply as a dual enrollment student at Georgia College must complete the regular application for Undergraduate Admission and submit all necessary documents listed below. You may choose “Dual Enrollment” on the application under Student Type.

• Application (the application fee is waived)
• Official High School transcripts of all courses and grades to date
• List of current courses in progress
• Official SAT or ACT scores
• Completed MOWR Student Participation Agreement (available at http://www.gcsu.edu/admissions/dual-enrollment)

Application/ Document Deadlines for Dual Enrollment Applicants

Fall - July 1st
Spring - November 1st (if space is available)
Summer - May 1st

Information Common to all Applicants for Undergraduate Admission

Application for Admission

All prospective students must submit a completed Application for Admission.

• Electronic application submission is preferred. The electronic application is found at http://www.gcsu.edu/admissions

Immunization records and verification of lawful presence must be submitted before a student is allowed to attend classes.

• Students who do not attend the term for which they apply may update their application within one year by using the update form found at http://www.gcsu.edu/admissions/applying/apply.htm or by notifying the Admissions Office by emailing admissions@gcsu.edu
• Students who applied more than one year ago, but did not enroll, must submit a new application and all supporting documents. A printable application is available on the Web at http://www.gcsu.edu/admissions/applying/apply.htm.
• In accordance with Board of Regents Policy 4.3.4, all applicants who are accepted for admission or readmission to Georgia College for Fall 2011 or any academic semester thereafter, and who seek to be classified as in-state for tuition purposes, will be required to provide validation of residency and lawful presence in both the State of Georgia and the United States. Acceptance to Georgia College is conditional until lawful presence is verified.

Application Processing Fee

A non-refundable $60 application fee is required of:

• All first-time applicants (freshman and transfer)
• Applicants who applied or were enrolled six or more years ago

No application processing fee is required of:

• Former GC students enrolled within the past six years
• Dual enrollment applicants
• Applicants aged 62 and above
• Applicants who applied and paid the application fee within the past six years, but never enrolled

Official Supporting Documents

All high school transcripts and test scores must be sent directly from the high school or testing center to the GC Office of Admissions, Campus Box 023, Milledgeville, GA 31061. Fax documents and copies provided by the student are NOT considered official and will not be considered for admission purposes.

Transcripts must be sent directly from each and every college attended to the GC Office of Admissions, Campus Box 023, Milledgeville, GA 31061. Fax documents and copies provided by the student are NOT considered official and will not be used for admission purposes. Courses from one institution that are listed on another college transcript will not substitute for an official transcript. Prior educational experience may NOT be omitted from an application package.

Personal Interview

GC may request a personal interview as part of the admissions evaluation.

Institutional Codes for GC

The September ACT is the final ACT opportunity to be considered for Early Action admission and scholarship consideration.

The October SAT is the final SAT opportunity to be considered for Early Action admission and scholarship consideration.

The February ACT is the final ACT opportunity for regular admission consideration.

The March SAT is the final SAT opportunity for regular admission consideration.

Fall Semester Timeline

Early Action - October 15

• Early Action applies to Fall semester freshmen only.
• Early Action is non-binding and provides students with an early decision without obligation to enroll.
• Prospective freshmen participating in Early Action must submit their completed application package by October 15
• Notification of admission decision will be mailed in December.

Scholarship Consideration - February 1

• Scholarship priority is given to Early Action applications. Consideration begins in early December and continues through February 1.
• Only students with complete application files will be considered for possible scholarships.
• Applicants selected to receive scholarship awards will be notified by mail.

Regular Admission - January 1 through April 1

• Prospective freshmen will submit their completed application package no later than April 1.
• Notification of admission will be made on a rolling basis subject to space availability.

Late applicants and wait-listed students

• After April 1 late applicants and wait-listed students will be evaluated on a rolling basis subject to space availability.
• Student confirmation deposit and required housing contract - May 1

All admitted first-time freshmen wishing to reserve a seat in the freshman class must submit the following:

•  $200 non-refundable enrollment confirmation deposit (see below).
•  $235 housing application fee and security deposit ($200 of which is refundable up to May 1).

Students are encouraged to submit their deposits as soon as they are certain of GC as their college choice, especially since room assignments and roommate preferences are based on date priority. Additional deposit information and the Confirmation of Enrollment form will arrive with the acceptance package. Any students admitted after May 1 must submit the confirmation deposit and housing materials within one week of receiving an offer of admission.

Any student canceling a housing contract after May 1 will forfeit the housing security deposit.

Spring Semester Timeline

Freshmen applying for the Spring semester are evaluated once the file is complete with all supporting documents received. Evaluations and notifications are processed on a rolling basis. Students are strongly encouraged to complete the application process as early as possible and well in advance of the posted deadline.

• Qualified students are admitted on a space available basis.
• Prospective Spring freshmen will submit their complete application package by November 1.
• The enrollment confirmation deposit ($200) and housing contract, application fee and deposit ($235) are due by December 1
• Freshmen entering the Spring semester will be required to live on campus for one semester.

Immunization Requirements

In accordance with University System of Georgia Board of Regents Policy 4.8.2, Georgia College requires the following immunizations of all incoming students. Students must submit proof of required immunizations, certified by a health official, prior to matriculation.

• Measles: Two (2) doses of live measles containing vaccine (combined measles-mumps-rubella or “MMR” meets this requirement), with first dose at 12 months of age or later and second dose at least 28 days after the first dose, or laboratory/serologic evidence of immunity. Students born before 1957 are exempt from this requirement.
• Mumps: Two (2) doses of live mumps containing vaccine (combined measles-mumps-rubella or “MMR” meets this requirement), with first dose at 12 months of age or later and second dose at least 28 days after the first dose, or Laboratory/serologic evidence of immunity. Students born before 1957 are exempt from this requirement.
• Rubella: One (1) dose at 12 months of age or later (MMR meets this requirement) or laboratory/serologic evidence of immunity. Students born before 1957 are exempt from this requirement.
• Varicella (Chicken Pox): Two (2) doses spaced at least 3 months apart if both doses are given before the student’s 13th birthday; or two (2) doses at least 4 weeks apart, if first dose given after the student’s 13th birthday; or reliable history of varicella disease (“chicken pox”); or laboratory/serologic evidence of immunity or history of herpes zoster (shingles)
• Tetanus/Diphtheria: One (1) tetanus/diphtheria containing booster dose within 10 years prior to matriculation. Combined tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis (whooping cough) booster (Tdap) is preferred but Td is acceptable.
• Hepatitis B: Three (3) dose hepatitis B series (0, 1-to-2,and 4-to-6 months), or three (3) dose combined hepatitis A and hepatitis B series (0, 1-to-2, and 6-to-12 months), or two (2) dose hepatitis B series of RecombivaxTM (0 and 4-to-6 months, given at 11-to-15 years of age), or laboratory/serologic evidence of immunity or prior infection. Not required for students who are 19 years old or older on the first day of enrollment.

Students who are enrolled in fully online distance learning programs are exempt from immunization requirements as long as they only enroll in fully online courses. Distance education students who enroll in an on-campus course or a course offered at a campus managed facility will be excluded from class until proof of immunization is submitted.

Students who affirm that these immunization requirements conflict with their religious beliefs may request an exemption using the immunization form. Students with religious exemptions are subject to exclusion from campus in the event of an outbreak of a disease for which immunization is required.

After immunization forms have been certified by a health care provider, they may be mailed or faxed to:
Georgia College
Registrar’s Office
103 Parks Hall
Campus Box 069
Milledgeville, GA 31061
Fax: 478-445-8535

Students may view and track their immunization requirements through Unify/PAWS by clicking on Student tab, and then clicking on Student Records.

Students who fail to submit proof of immunization will be prevented from registering for subsequent semesters until the required documentation is received.