georgia college essay requirements

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Georgia College & State University | GCSU

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Want to see your chances of admission at Georgia College & State University | GCSU?

We take every aspect of your personal profile into consideration when calculating your admissions chances.

Georgia College & State University | GCSU’s 2023-24 Essay Prompts

Select-a-prompt short response.

The questions on this page are being asked by Georgia College As part of our mission to provide students with a liberal arts education, Georgia College strives to create an atmosphere that instills in students exceptional qualities of mind and character including respect for individuality. Georgia College is dedicated to extending learning beyond the classroom to foster critical thinking skills and help students develop the tools necessary to not only consume knowledge, but also produce knowledge. Our faculty create a rigorous and challenging classroom experience and prepare students to combine that experience with real-world applications. With this educational style in mind, please choose one of the two following essay topics:*

Given your own individual background and life experiences, what strengths or distinctions will you contribute to the student body at GCSU?

Please describe the most important goal you have established for yourself regarding your future undergraduate experience and explain how a Georgia College education fits into accomplishing this goal.

Common App Personal Essay

The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected topic and helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice. What do you want the readers of your application to know about you apart from courses, grades, and test scores? Choose the option that best helps you answer that question and write an essay of no more than 650 words, using the prompt to inspire and structure your response. Remember: 650 words is your limit, not your goal. Use the full range if you need it, but don‘t feel obligated to do so.

Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?

Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you‘ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

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How to Write the University of Georgia Essay 2023-2024

So you have decided to apply to the University of Georgia, where the only thing hotter than your ardor for the Georgia Bulldogs will be your animus toward the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets and the Georgia summer heat. 

While the school is well-known for its back-to-back football national championships, its campus also boasts a wide array of pre-professional career tracks into any one of its specialized colleges, such as the Terry College of Business, the College of Veterinary Medicine, or the School of Social Work. Whichever field of study you end up choosing, you’ll get all the excitement that comes from going to a large research university with almost 30,000 other undergraduates.

Of course, a large student body also means the University of Georgia receives a high number of applications. One of the best ways to help yourself stand out from the crowd is by crafting a strong supplemental essay, which is why we’re going to give you detailed guidance on how to tackle this year’s UGA prompt.

Read this University of Georgia essay example to inspire your own writing.

University of Georgia Supplemental Essay Prompt

The transition from middle to high school is a key time for students as they reach new levels of both academic and personal discovery. please share a book (novel, non-fiction, etc.) that had a serious impact on you during this time. please focus more on why this book made an impact on you and less on the plot/theme of the book itself (we are not looking for a book report)., we are not restricting you to the exact years of 8th-9th grades, but rather the general timeframe of the middle to high school transition, which can extend somewhat further than one year on each end. feel free to use your discretion in your choice of the timeline focused on the shift to your high school years. (200-350 words).

This prompt may have caused you to do a double take. What? An essay about a middle school book? Don’t worry, the admissions committee isn’t trying to trick you. You are actually allowed to write about a book that impacted your transition from your tweens to your teens.

The motivation behind asking this question is to see how you approach and handle large changes. The transition from middle school to high school is a turbulent time that in many ways mirrors the transition from high school to college—increased responsibility, new friendships, more academic challenges, finding yourself, etc. Although you are framing your development through the lens of a book, the real core of your essay is about the challenges you faced and how you handled them.

As you start brainstorming your essay, there are two routes you can take.

• Pick a book first and tie it back to your life.
• Pick a challenge in your life and find a book that relates to it.

Either approach is valid, it simply depends on what stands out to you more. If you had a book you were in love with that deeply resonated with you when you were 13 or 14, pick that! Think about what drew you to the book. Did the main character experience a challenge similar to you at the time? Did you find parallels to reality in the social commentary? Was there a prevalent theme that inspired you? Asking yourself these questions can help you recall what was so monumental about the book so you can draw a connection to yourself.

It’s also okay to not have any book immediately jump out at you. In that case, you can start by thinking about yourself during that time frame and ask yourself what big changes or challenges you faced. Maybe you struggled to maintain old friendships when you moved to a bigger school. Maybe you became self conscious about your looks and struggled with confidence. Maybe you found a passion for a particular extracurricular activity. Once you pick something important, you can think about books you read that relate to your experience in some way.

Before we get any further, it’s important to remind you to pick a book you actually read . The prompt isn’t asking for the most impressive book you’ve ever read, so don’t pull out War and Peace just because you think it will make you sound sophisticated. The book you pick should reflect what you read as a 13 year old (give or take a few years), so there’s no penalty for choosing Divergent or a young adult romance book.

When you have both your book and your connection to yourself, you need to ask yourself what role the book played in your development. For some students, it might be that they saw themselves in the main character and drew strength from their actions to act more courageously towards the challenges in their life. For other students, maybe there was a central theme like not belonging that resonated with them and made them feel like they weren’t alone when they read, despite feeling that way at school. Maybe some students were spurred to change their actions upon reading a negative depiction of a character.

The connection you have to the book should be extremely personal. One hundred students could pick The Outsiders , but every student could have a different explanation for why that book helped them through their transition. Describing your unique connection to the book and the impact it had on you is the most important part of this essay, so make sure you go into as much detail as possible.

If you are unsure whether or not your essay explains the impact of the book on your life well enough, you can always use an anecdote to highlight the point you are trying to make. You can also use creative writing to your advantage and write your essay as if you were in the book. Just be careful not to get so creative that you take away from the heart of your essay!

At the end of the day, this should be one of the more fun supplemental essays you get to write. You don’t have to worry about selling yourself as a talented high school student; you are allowed to be young and yourself in this essay. Your book and its impact can be as deep as you want or more on the lighthearted side. Don’t overthink it!

Where to Get Your University of Georgia Essay Edited

Do you want feedback on your University of Georgia essay? After rereading your essays countless times, it can be difficult to evaluate your writing objectively. That’s why we created our free Peer Essay Review tool , where you can get a free review of your essay from another student. You can also improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays. 

If you want a college admissions expert to review your essay, advisors on CollegeVine have helped students refine their writing and submit successful applications to top schools.  Find the right advisor for you  to improve your chances of getting into your dream school!

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

Undergraduate Admission

• Application Review Process
• Academic Preparation
• Standardized Tests
• Contribution to Community

Personal Essays

• Recommendations
• Interview for International Applicants
• Major Selection
• Institutional Fit

The purpose of the essays is to assess your writing ability and, more importantly, to learn more about you as an individual. This portion of the application helps us get to know you, assess mutual fit, and better understand what you could contribute to Georgia Tech.

Application Essay Prompts

Below are the Georgia Tech essay questions for 2023 applications. Both prompts are required of all applicants.

• Common Application Personal Essay: First-year applicants will choose one of seven essay prompts provided by Common App.
• Georgia Tech Short-Answer Question (max 300 words): Why do you want to study your chosen major specifically at Georgia Tech?

Start Your Essays

What Are We Looking for in Your Essays?

Essays are evaluated for both content and writing/grammatical skills. So, before submitting your application, you should take the time to edit and review your essay thoroughly. The traits of a strong essay include ones that:

• Demonstrate authenticity & self-awareness.
• Demonstrate thoughtfulness.
• Display attention to topic, style, and grammar.
• Demonstrate a student has thought about why Georgia Tech, specifically, is a fit for them and how their goals align with Georgia Tech’s Values . The Georgia Institute of Technology is a public research university established by the state of Georgia in Atlanta in 1885 and committed to developing leaders who advance technology and improve the human condition.

Our Advice for this Portion of the Application

• Get started early. Don’t wait until the last minute to complete your essays!
• Write and edit your essay in a document editor. Once you have the final draft, you can cut and paste it into your online application.
• Don’t write what you think we want to read. Write what you want to say!
• Don’t blow off the essay! We wouldn’t ask you to write it if we didn’t find it to be an important way to get to know you, and what you could bring to Georgia Tech.
• In the same way you would not copy directly from any other source you may incorporate into the writing process, you should not copy and paste directly out of any AI platform or submit work that you did not originally create. Instead, approach and consider any interaction with an AI tool as a learning experience that may help you generate ideas, provide alternative phrasing options, and organize your thoughts. Ultimately, we want to read and hear your unique and valuable writing style.

Per Georgia state law and Georgia Tech policy , all admission staff are mandatory reporters who are required by law to report suspected abuse or neglect of minors to appropriate authorities. Any statements in written materials, including anywhere in a student’s application or supporting materials, that give admission staff reasonable cause to believe abuse or neglect of someone under the age of 18 may have occurred must be reported to the Georgia Tech Police Department. Learn more about reporting requirements .

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Freshmen Admission (Never Attended College)

Complete the steps that follow to apply.

1. Check Dates and Deadlines

All application materials must be submitted by the dates below for each semester.

Spring Semester, Priority – Dec. 1 Summer semester, priority – April 1 Fall Semester, Priority – Extended to July 1

Application and document deadlines may be extended by the vice president of Enrollment Management Services in consultation with others, if conditions warrant. The Admissions office will communicate date changes to prospective students via the GGC website and other communications. Deadlines falling on the weekend will be the next business day.

2. Create Grizzly Profile to Apply Online

Create your Grizzly Profile to apply online, manage your progress and submit the required $30 application fee (Dual Enrollment exempted from application fee). Completing your profile also connects you to your admissions counselor, and offers a personalized application experience, helpful tips and reminders, status updates, and invitations to exclusive events. View  Admissions introduction video .

3. Review Admission Requirements

Manage submissions and approvals by monitoring email and your online Grizzly Profile account.

Freshmen Admissions (Never Attended College)

Admission requirements.

• 4 units of English | 4 units of Math | 4 units of Science | 3 units of Social Science | 2 units of same Foreign Language, 2 units of American Sign Language, or 2 units of USG approved Computer Science
• See USG-Freshman Admissions Requirements  Staying on Course: The Required High School Curriculum
• ACCUPLACER : minimum scores: Reading: 237 and WritePlacer: 4

Test Scores

• GGC is test-optional for admission to the college.
• Test scores may be required for scholarship consideration.
• Test scores for course placement – see Course Placement Criteria.

Document Requirements

• Current high school seniors may submit an in-progress transcript for admission decision. Final high school transcript due immediately upon graduation.
• Students graduating from a non-regionally accredited homeschool program or high school, please reference  Home School Admission Requirements
• Special education diplomas or certificates are not accepted.
• Official GED, HiSET, or TASC transcript is required for applicants who have not completed high school
• If you were recruited as a varsity intercollegiate student athlete to participate in GGC's athletic program, please submit an  InCred  credential evaluation of your foreign credentials. For more information, please contact  @email .
• If you have taken advancement placement (AP) or have completed a CLEP test, official test scores must be sent to GGC. Request official reports at  www.collegeboard.org . Questions about credit for AP and CLEP should be emailed to  @email . If you are interested in taking a CLEP test at GGC, please visit  Testing Services .

Check your Grizzly Profile under section titled: "Submit Supplemental Items" for any additional mandatory requirements and a detailed description of how to submit your documents.

Course Placement Criteria for English

Course placement criteria.

• The default placement for all students will be entry-level collegiate English and mathematics with corequisite Learning Support, unless the exemption criteria outlined below is met.
• Learning Support courses provide students extra time to maximize their academic success. 
• To learn more about Learning Support, visit Student Success Courses .

Student will be enrolled in English 1101 English Composition I and the corequisite Learning Support course ENGL 0099 Support for English Composition, unless student meets or exceeds one or more of the exemption criteria listed below.

• Have a high school grade point average* (HSGPA) of 2.7 or higher AND have completed required high school curriculums (RHSC) in English
• Next Generation ACCUPLACER Reading Comprehension: 237 AND WritePlacer: 4
• SAT Evidence-based Reading and Writing: 480
• ACT English or Reading: 17
• Have transfer or equivalent credit for an Area A English course (must meet the minimum grade requirement for GGC of a "C" or higher)

Course Placement Criteria for Math (non-STEM majors)

Placement into math 1001, math 1101, math/stat 1401 (non-stem majors).

Student will be enrolled in one of these math courses and the corresponding corequisite Learning Support math course, unless student meets or exceeds one or more of the exemption criteria listed below:

• Have a high school grade point average* (HSGPA) of 3.1 or higher AND have completed the required high school curriculum (RHSC) in mathematics
• Meet one of the following minimum test score requirements:
• SAT Math 440
• ACT Math 17

It is recommended that students wishing to take MATH 1111, but who do not receive placement directly into MATH 1111 with or without Learning Support, take MATH 1101 with or without Learning Support. While MATH 1001 or MATH/STAT 1401 with or without Learning Support may also satisfy placement into college algebra, the skills necessary for MATH 1111 are specifically addressed in MATH 1101. Upon successful completion of one of these math courses, student will be eligible to enroll in MATH 1111 without corequisite Learning Support.

• HSGPA is calculated based on the Required High School Curriculum grades
• The  ACCUPLACER placement exam  is an available option through GGC Testing Services
• SAT School Code : 4796 
• ACT School Code : 5478 
• SAT / ACT test scores older than seven (7) years are not accepted

Course Placement Criteria for Math (STEM majors)

Placement in math 1111 (college algebra) without corequisite learning support (primarily for school of science and technology majors).

Student must meet or exceed one or more of the criteria listed below. Students meeting the criteria are also eligible to enroll in Math 1001, MATH 1101, or MATH/STAT 1401 without corequisite Learning Support:

• Have a high school grade point average* (HSGPA) of 3.2 or higher AND have completed the required high school curriculum (RHSC) in mathematics
• SAT Math 510
• ACT Math 20
• Have test scores which place student into pre-calculus or a higher math course
• Have transfer or equivalent credit for an Area A math course (must meet the minimum grade requirement for GGC of a “C” or higher)

Placement in MATH 1111 with corequisite Learning Support (primarily for School of Science and Technology majors)

• Have a high school grade point average* (HSGPA) between 3.1 and 3.2 AND have completed the required high school curriculum (RHSC) in mathematics

4. Complete FAFSA

Start financial aid inquiries and complete your FAFSA to determine financial aid eligibility. Learn more about  financial aid , find  tuition and fees , and access  tuition and financial aid calculators .

2024/2025 Important FAFSA Updates

The 2024-25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is now live! The Department of Education will not release applicant information to the university until March. Once we have information from the Department of Education, new student awards are anticipated to be released during April.

April 2024 Update: Admission Options without ACT or SAT Scores

First-year students applying to Georgia Southern University through the summer 2026 semester can be admitted without an ACT or SAT score, if they have a GPA of  3.2 or higher .* Students who have a GPA of less than 3.2 should submit official ACT or SAT scores along with their high school transcript to be considered for admission. All students must be on track to complete the Required High School Curriculum to be admitted. Learn more on the Freshman Requirements Page . 

*Georgia Southern calculates your high school GPA for admission based on 17 required high school courses .

The University System of Georgia authorized this change.

Students who are still completing their high school education – or have recently received their diploma and have not taken college or university courses after high school – are considered freshmen for admission purposes at Georgia Southern.

Whether you’re currently completing your high school education or have recently graduated, Georgia Southern University welcomes you as a freshman applicant. Our admissions team understands that each student’s academic journey is unique, and we encourage you to reach out to your dedicated Admissions Counselor for personalized guidance and assistance. We are committed to providing you with the support you need to navigate the admissions process and make a smooth transition to Georgia Southern.

Georgia Southern is on Common App.

Thank you for your interest in Georgia Southern University! As you review the requirements below, please note, there are many options for attending Georgia Southern. We encourage you to have a conversation with your Admissions Counselor if you have any questions about the requirements or your academic history. We’re here to help!

• Requirements
• Dual Enrollment

GED Students

Admissions checklist.

• Apply online .
• Pay the $30 non-refundable application fee online or upload an acceptable fee waiver as you submit your application. We accept official application fee waivers from College Board, ACT, and NACAC.
• Send us your high school transcript. Georgia Southern accepts mailed, faxed, emailed, or e-transcripts that come directly from the high school. T o process transcripts, we must recalculate your GPA based on the Required High School Curriculum, so it may appear lower than you originally anticipated because we do not factor in classes like art, drama, theater, etc.
• Tell us what classes you are taking during your senior year. We have to review a list of all courses you are taking during your senior year of high school if you are still enrolled. This is to be sure you are on track to complete the Required High School Curriculum. You can provide this on your transcript, on your admission application, or by clicking here  to complete a short form.
• Send us your SAT/ACT scores (SAT Code: 5253 / ACT Code: 0830) . We can only make a decision based on the highest scores that we receive. Please make sure that those scores are up-to-date. If you submit scores and then take the test again, you may submit the new scores for us to review. We will reassess your file and make a new decision based on the updated scores. Writing scores are not required for the ACT or SAT. Visit the College Board and ACT websites for available test dates.  We also offer the ACT-On Campus on the Statesboro and Armstrong Campuses for students who have already applied to Georgia Southern. Learn more and register on the  Testing Services website . 
• Check your status online . This status will reflect whatever we have in our records at that exact moment. You will be aware of our admissions decision as soon as it is made without having to wait for an admissions letter.

All application materials should be mailed to:  Office of Admissions, PO Box 8024, Statesboro, GA 30460 .

Decision Timeline

Summer and Fall term applicants are admitted on a rolling basis beginning in September. Students who will not be admitted will be notified beginning in November. Decisions are posted online through the New Undergraduate Admissions Status Check.

Admission Requirements

The Office of Admissions considers the following when evaluating students for admission to Georgia Southern University.

High School Curriculum Your High School GPA is calculated by the Office of Admissions using the 17 Required High School Curriculum courses listed at the bottom of this page. Additional information can be found at Staying on Course . Grades will be used as listed on your official high school transcript. If you received a GED, click the “GED Students” tab above to review your options . 

High School GPA Georgia Southern would like for students to have a 2.5 or higher High School GPA on the 17 courses noted above. However, all applicants, regardless of GPA, will be evaluated for admission.

SAT or ACT Test Scores First-year students applying to Georgia Southern University for any 2023 semester (through the summer 2024 semester)  can be admitted without an ACT or SAT score, if they have a GPA of  3.2 or higher . *

Students who have a GPA of less than 3.2 should submit ACT or SAT scores along with their high school transcript to be considered for admission .

Students are required to submit official SAT or ACT scores to Georgia Southern from the testing agency. Visit the College Board and ACT websites for available test dates (SAT Code: 5253 / ACT Code: 0830). We also offer the ACT-On Campus on the Statesboro and Armstrong Campuses for students who have already applied to Georgia Southern. Learn more and register on the Testing Services website . Georgia Southern would like for students to have the test scores noted below; however, all applicants, regardless of test scores, will be evaluated for admission.

All applicants, regardless of GPA and test score totals/composites, will be evaluated for admission.

Liberty Campus Admissions

Georgia Southern’s Liberty campus offers an alternative admission pathway to freshman and transfer students with a high school diploma (or equivalent) who are close to meeting standard admissions requirements. These students are admitted to the University College program (UCOL), which prepares students for Georgia Southern classes in a smaller setting before transitioning to larger classes at other locations. UCOL students must complete thirty or more credit hours with a cumulative 2.0+ GPA and satisfy any Required High School Curriculum deficiencies before transitioning to the Statesboro or Armstrong Campuses. Please contact your admissions counselor to learn more.

Required High School Curriculum

• MATHEMATICS : Four units of Mathematics, including Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, and a fourth year of advanced Mathematics or Mathematics I, II, III, and a fourth unit of advanced Mathematics. Georgia Southern does not accept Mathematics Support or Mathematics of Finance.
• ENGLISH : Four units of English which have as their emphasis grammar and usage, literature (American, English, World), and advanced composition skills.
• SCIENCE : Four units of science where two courses include a laboratory component. Georgia public high school graduates must have at least one unit of Biology, one unit of Physical Science or Physics, one unit of Chemistry, Earth Systems, Environmental Science, or an advanced placement science course, and a fourth science.
• SOCIAL SCIENCE : Three units of social science, with at least one course focusing on United States studies and one course focusing on world studies.
• FOREIGN LANGUAGE : Two units in the same foreign language emphasizing speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Two units of American Sign Language or certain Computer Science courses may be used to satisfy this requirement.

Additional Information

• If you graduated from high school five or more years prior to your intended enrollment date, you are considered a non-traditional student. To learn more, visit our Non-Traditional Students page.
• The Georgia Southern Office of Undergraduate Admissions will only maintain a record of non-enrolling student test scores and transcripts for five years. Admission applications and fees are kept active for two years. After two years, students must reapply for consideration.

Summer and Fall term applicants are admitted on a rolling basis beginning in September. Students who will not be admitted will be notified beginning in mid-January. Decisions are posted online through the New Undergraduate Admissions Status Check.

Students who have participated in Dual Enrollment or another dual-enrollment program while also in high school are required to send transcripts from all colleges attended, even if the courses are listed on the high school transcript. Earned college credit will not be awarded without these official transcripts. Additionally, failure to submit these transcripts could result in delays in financial aid or the ability to alter your schedule once enrolled at Georgia Southern.

If you are interested in participating in Dual Enrollment at Georgia Southern University, review eligibility requirements here . 

If you are a current Dual Enrollment student at Georgia Southern and want to continue as a freshman, learn more about Staying at Southern .

Homeschooled Students

Students from accredited homeschool programs should meet regular admission criteria.

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, including a course portfolio. Please contact your admissions counselor for additional information.

Accreditation

Home study programs accredited or approved by the following agencies are acceptable.

• GED students can attend our Liberty campus and later transition as regular students to one of our Armstrong or Statesboro Campus. Students should submit a regular application for admission to Georgia Southern and select the Liberty campus as their preferred option.
• GED students can participate in the Bobcat to Eagle Program .
• GED students can attend a 2-year or technical college and transfer after completing 30 college credit hours .
• Unofficial Admissions Predictor

Last updated: 5/1/2024

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Fall 2025 UGA Essay Questions

  david graves        may 22nd, 2024 in blog.

For First Year students applying to UGA for Fall 2025, we will keep the same longer personal essay (250-650 words) as before, using the essay prompts from the Common App . The shorter UGA specific essay (200-300 words suggested) topic will also remain the same as last year, with the following essay prompt:

“ The transition from middle to high school is a key time for students as they reach new levels of both academic and personal discovery. Please share a book (novel, non-fiction, etc.) that had a serious impact on you during this time. Please focus more on why this book made an impact on you and less on the plot/theme of the book itself (we are not looking for a book report).”

• FYI – We are not restricting you to the exact years of 8th-9th grades, but rather the general timeframe of the middle to high school transition, which can extend somewhat further than one year on each end. Feel free to use your discretion in your choice of the timeline focused on the shift to your high school years.

As always, we also share an essay from an enrolling First-Year student that we believe shows great writing skills:

As a middle-schooler on the brink of entering high school, I was like lost cattle entering a vast social and academic wilderness. In the center, a winding, sun-soaked desert path stretched far into the horizon, beckoning my gaze with its promise of adventure and discovery. Enter The Alchemist and its magnificent idea of the “Personal Legend”– a life goal so lofty that it made locating my locker on the first day of high school appear easy. Forget about the difficulty of making new hobbies or friends; the content from this novel sure played an essential role in determining my ideology related to pursuing my future.

The protagonist enthusiastically praised the significance of believing in one’s dreams, which led my younger self down the correct path. Generating profits after extensive hours of work through my business, navigating changes in learning after COVID-19, and confronting adversity due to my darker skin color all presented difficult periods where persistence and faith were important in progress. Although self-belief was a crucial aspect of pushing through difficult times, it also motivated me to be more confident. Taking risks, from soloing in my 8th-grade jazz band to giving my crush a cringeworthy love letter, changed my belief in embracing adversity.

Furthermore, the book’s emphasis on interacting with people from different backgrounds, cultures, and belief systems mirrors my journey into the real world. Whether developing a dancing board at a Purdue summer camp or a calculus Halloween graph, collaboration enforces the ability to work with others who may share different ideas. Diverse backgrounds boosted my understanding, tolerance, and empathy while increasing my engineering career readiness. Not only was The Alchemist a great book, but it enforced critical systems that I use until this day to succeed in life. The Alchemist played an essential role in instilling new concepts I needed as an adolescent. “And when you want something, all the universe conspires you to achieve it.” Thank you, Paulo Coelho.  – Josh W, Collins Hill HS.

• This essay gives us insight into the student’s feelings and thoughts, and he shares his ideas through descriptive word choice. This is an excellent essay, but please know that we are not expecting this level of writing from the applicant pool overall. This essay example is meant to show our applicant pool how to express themselves through examples, personal growth and emotion. When we are reviewing essays, we are looking more at the student’s voice coming through and less on technical writing skills.

Tags: admissions , essays , file reading , freshman admission

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Get Accepted: What Is A Good GPA For Getting Into College?

Updated: Nov 9, 2023, 1:10pm

The higher your high school grade point average (GPA) is, the easier it will be to gain admission to the college of your choice. That’s a simple fact. However, the college admissions process is more nuanced than that. Standardized test scores, extracurricular activities, personal essays, letters of recommendation, and the rigor and variety of your high school classes all play a role in whether you will be admitted. But as more colleges and universities go test-optional , your GPA remains one of the most important factors in the admission process.

Read on to learn more about the role GPA plays in the college admissions process and then contact your admission counselor for more assistance.

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What Are the GPA Requirements for College?

Each college sets its own requirements and expectations for GPA. ACT® reports that the average high school GPA has risen from 3.22 in 2010 to 3.39 in 2021, demonstrating a trend of grade inflation. As a result, the value of a GPA is not as clear-cut as many students would like.

Most community colleges only require a high school diploma or GED® certificate for admission. If you want to attend a four-year school, however, having a GPA higher than 3.0 is ideal. Schools with more mid-level admissions selectivity may set minimum GPA requirements, usually asking for a minimum 3.0 GPA.

Surprisingly, highly selective Ivy League universities such as Harvard and Yale do not list minimum GPA requirements, but you usually need a 4.0 GPA or higher to get into one of these universities.

Wondering how you can do better than a 4.0 GPA? That’s where weighted GPAs come in. We’ll explore that more in the next section.

How Do Colleges Calculate High School GPA?

Calculating GPA can be both straightforward and complex. The traditional GPA is calculated on a four-point scale that converts grades such as A, B, C, D and F into scores of 4, 3, 2, 1 and 0, respectively, and divides the total score by the number of graded classes.

However, because classes like Advanced Placement® (AP) and honors courses are considered more academically rigorous, many high schools give extra weight to those grades. Weighted GPA scales exceed a 4.0. If your high school weights AP class grades with an extra point, for example, a B in that class would be worth a 4.0 rather than a 3.0. An A would be worth a 5.0.

Colleges may require applicants to self-report their grades and provide transcripts. Even so, every college’s admission board will calculate each applicant’s GPA according to their own scale.

A holistic GPA includes grades from every high school course you took, but there are other ways to calculate your GPA. Some colleges may exclude your electives and look just at your grades earned in core courses such as English, math, science and social studies. Other colleges may look more intently at your math and science courses, especially if you’ve applied for an engineering program or another STEM major.

What Is a Good GPA To Get Into College?

A “good” GPA for college admission depends on which college you’re applying to. Like we discussed above, if you want to get into an Ivy League university, your GPA should probably have a minimum 4.0 GPA. But most schools are not that selective.

To see how your GPA stacks up against the competition, research admissions data for your prospective colleges. The College Board provides a college search tool that allows you to view typical GPA ranges for most admitted students at a given college. You’ll see what percentage of admitted students had a GPA of 3.75 and above, 3.50 to 3.74, 3.25 to 3.49 and so on.

Can You Get Into College With a Low GPA?

If you don’t feel particularly confident about your GPA, there are other ways to make your college application stand out. You can still get into college with a lower GPA, but you’ll have to give extra care to other parts of your application. Here’s what to do.

Aim for High Standardized Test Scores

Although many colleges and universities no longer require applicants to submit SAT® or ACT® scores , scores are still welcome, and high scores can give your application a boost.

Colleges see high SAT scores , for example, as an indication that a student can excel in college-level classes regardless of their high school grades. High scores on either the SAT or the ACT can sway a college admissions board to look more favorably upon a low GPA.

Write a Memorable College Essay

Crafting a college essay that stands out involves writing skills, creativity and vulnerability. In some ways, the essay may be the hardest part of the application process since it’s not based on quantitative numbers like your GPA or AP exam scores.

The essay gives you a chance to show colleges who you are in your own words. And if your GPA misses the mark because you faced personal challenges that prevented you from doing well in your high school classes, the essay gives you a chance to explain your circumstances.

For students from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds, the essay has taken on even greater weight after the U.S. Supreme Court banned the use of race-based affirmative action in the college application process. The college essay is your chance to discuss how personal identity markers such as race might have contributed to your academic journey.

Commit to Your Extracurriculars

As numbers-driven as the college admissions landscape can be, admissions boards still want to know about each applicant’s passions. When students invest their time and energy in extracurricular activities , they showcase their interests outside of class.

Whether they partake in the Spanish Honor Society or the lacrosse team, students can use extracurriculars to showcase their strengths. By committing to a club or sport for several years, and by taking on leadership roles, students demonstrate their potential to become reliable leaders in and beyond college.

Apply to Less Competitive Colleges

Given that there are nearly 4,000 colleges and universities in the United States, as reported by the National Center for Education Statistics , you have plenty of schools to choose from. Be realistic about your chances of admission to your schools of choice based on your GPA and overall high school performance. Make sure to apply to at least a couple of schools that you’re confident will admit you.

Prestigious public universities and student-focused liberal arts colleges are increasingly seen as desirable options for incoming college students who want a solid education without constantly worrying about maintaining a perfect GPA.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About College GPA Requirements

What gpa do you need to get into college.

Though some individual colleges set minimum GPA requirements, there is no overall minimum GPA for college. Even if you have a lower GPA, you can gain admission to a good college.

Can a 2.5 GPA get you into college?

Yes, if you apply to a less selective college or a college with open admissions. Most community colleges, for example, require just a high school diploma or a GED certificate for admission. Many public and private universities set more relaxed admissions policies as well.

What GPA do most colleges require?

A general rule of thumb is that a 2.0 GPA, or a “C” average, is required for admission to most colleges and universities. This minimum GPA can also be a requirement for financial aid, scholarships and graduation. Keep in mind that different colleges set different minimum GPA policies, and many colleges do not require any particular minimum GPA.

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• John E. Sallstrom Honors College

Application/Selection Overview

Submit your Honors application for fall 2024!

APPLICATION/SELECTION

Applications for the John E. Sallstrom Honors College are reviewed by an Honors Selection Committee. The committee considers academic achievement and potential, writing skills, evidence of intellectual curiosity, record of leadership and service, and special talents (e.g. artistic).

For international applicants, the preferred minimum high school academic core GPA is 3.50 as calculated by the Office of Admissions. The preferred minimum TOEFL score is 88.

For domestic applicants, the preferred minimum high school academic core GPA is 3.50 as calculated by the Office of Admissions. The preferred standardized test minimum is 1260 SAT total (Evidence Based Reading and Writing + Math) or 27 ACT Composite. In recent years, the average GPA of incoming first-year students has been about 3.80, the average SAT superscore has been about 1300, and the average ACT superscore about 29.

The Honors Selection Committee reviews all applications holistically. The deadline to submit an application for the Honors College has been extended to March 15 for fall 2024.

HONORS APPLICATION

Applications will be reviewed on a monthly basis, starting in October and ending in February.

If your GCSU and Honors College applications are complete and ready for review by:

• October 15, a decision will be made by late November;
• November 15, a decision will be made by late December;
• December 15, a decision will be made by late January;
• January 15, a decision will be made by late February;
• February 15, a decision will be made by late March.
• March 15, a decision will be made by late April.

NOTE:  (1) President’s Scholarship Competition attendees and students applying during the Early Action cycle with a high school academic core GPA of 4.0 (as calculated by the Office of Admissions) and 1330+ SAT or 30+ ACT will be considered for the Honors College without having to submit a separate Honors application. (2) Students admitted to the Honors College must submit their Georgia College confirmation deposit to secure their spot in the Honors College. For fall 2024, 150 slots are available. Students who deposit after all 150 slots have been filled will be placed on a wait list. (3) Bell Hall, the residence hall where incoming Honors students are encouraged to reside, tends to fill up by mid-March.

Transfer Students

Transfer students with a collegiate GPA of 3.50 or above are welcome to apply to the Honors College. Students transferring with fewer than 30 credit hours must also meet Georgia College’s high school graduation criteria.

Honors Transfer Application

Collegiate Entry for currently enrolled students

Currently enrolled students with an institutional GPA of 3.50 or above may also apply to the Honors College at the end of their first semester on campus.

As with all applicants, collegiate entry student applications are reviewed holistically. The committee considers academic achievement and potential, writing skills, evidence of intellectual curiosity, record of leadership and service, and special talents (e.g. artistic). Collegiate entry applicants should electronically submit a statement (500-600 words) explaining, in specific terms, how two-to-three aspects of the  Honors College  might help you to achieve your long-term goals. Applicants should also submit a resume, an official academic transcript, and a letter of recommendation from a faculty member (sent as a PDF attachment) to [email protected] .