General Admission Policies
The admissions policy of West Georgia is designed to admit students who will have a reasonable chance of success and who seemingly will profit from the educational program of the University. A student is considered for admission without regard to race, creed, sex, marital status, or national origin. Application forms may be obtained from the Admissions Office and are available from many high school guidance counselors. An admission application also can be found at www.westga.edu. For information on specific categories of admission, contact the Admissions Office at West Georgia. For additional admission requirements regarding specific majors, consult the particular department area of this catalog.
Every applicant must submit a formal application to the Admissions Office along with a $40 non-refundable application fee. (Georgia residents 62 years of age or older are not required to pay the application fee.)
June 1 is the fall semester application and document submission deadline date. Deadline date for spring semester is November 15; summer semester-May 15. The Admissions Office operates a rolling admission program; in other words, applications are processed and students are accepted on a revolving, continuing schedule. As soon as all items required in support of a student’s application are received, the application is evaluated and the student is notified of a decision regarding admission. All required items must be received before a student will be allowed to register for classes.
The University may require the applicant to visit the campus for an interview, to supply further biographical information, or to take psychological, achievement, or aptitude tests before being accepted or rejected. The applicant will be notified of any such requirements. Students entering any unit of the University System of Georgia are required to provide official documentation of immunization prior to registration.
Acceptance or denial of each application is determined by the Director of Admissions, subject to the right of appeal as outlined by the University and as provided in the Bylaws of the Board of Regents of the University System. Information outlining the appeals procedure may be obtained from the Admissions Office or from the Student Handbook. An applicant should contact the Office of Admissions regarding details of the appeals procedure.
Admissions files of those who apply and do not enroll are kept in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions for 12 calendar months. An applicant may update the semester for which he/she is applying within 12 months by calling the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Applicants who apply and do not enroll may update their initial application one time. After one update, an additional application and fee will be required.
Students furnishing the University with false, incomplete, or misleading information relating to their application or academic record will be subject to rejection or dismissal.
Immunization Requirements: The policy, implementation, guidelines, and the chart of required immunizations can be found at http://www.usg.edu/student_affairs/immun/.
Undergraduate Application and Document Deadline Dates
Fall Semester |
June 1 |
Spring Semester |
November 15 |
Summer Semester |
May 15 |
University Admission Standards
It is recommended that prospective applicants to West Georgia contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office for specific requirements well in advance of their entrance date. Admission standards are subject to review and change.
Beginning Freshman
A freshman applicant is one who has not previously attended a regionally accredited college or university and/or has not yet graduated from high school. Freshman admission is based on standardized test scores, such as the SAT or ACT, high school grade point average (HSGPA) in college preparatory subjects, College Preparatory Curriculum (CPC)/Required High School Curriculum (RHSC) courses only, and Freshman Index (FI).
Students must have completed CPC/RHSC requirements as outlined in the second item in the following list.
- High school graduation with a college preparatory/required high school curriculum diploma is required for admission as a beginning freshman. Both completion of the University System’s College Preparatory Curriculum (CPC)/Required High School Curriculum (RHSC) and graduation must be from a high school accredited by (a) a regional accrediting association such as the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), (b) The Georgia Accrediting Commission, (c) Georgia Private School Accrediting Council, or (d) a public school regulated by a school system and state department of education. A student applying while in high school should have a transcript of work through the junior year sent to the Admissions Office at the time of application.
- The University System of Georgia requires completion of a College Preparatory Curriculum/Required High School Curriculum for admission. Freshmen and transfer freshmen applicants must complete the following coursework to be admitted to the University:
|
Course (Units) |
Instructional Emphasis |
|
English (4) |
-Grammar and usage |
|
|
-Literature (American & World) |
|
|
-Advanced composition skills |
|
Science (4)* |
-Physical Science |
|
|
-At least two laboratory courses from Biology, Chemistry, or Physics |
|
Mathematics (4) |
-Including Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, and a higher math that has Geometry/Algebra II as a prerequisite |
|
Social Science (3) |
-American History |
|
|
-World History |
|
|
-Economics and Government, or appropriate substitution |
|
Foreign Language (2) |
-Two skill-building courses of the same language emphasizing speaking, listening, reading, and writing. |
*Students graduating earlier than 2012 only need 3 units of science. For more details regarding the Required High School Curriculum (RHSC), visit: http://www.westga.edu/rhsc
- Each freshman applicant must submit scores earned on the SAT or ACT. Information regarding these tests may be obtained from any high school guidance office or any institution in the University System of Georgia. A freshman applicant cannot be accepted until the scores are received.
- Minimum SAT/ACT score requirements for freshman or transfer freshman admission
SAT (UWG Code: 5900) |
RSAT (UWG Code: 5900) |
ACT (UWG Code: 0878) |
430 Critical Reading Test |
24 Reading Test |
17 English Test |
410 Math Test |
450 Math Test |
17 math Test |
It is the policy of the Office of Admissions to take a student’s best Critical Reading/Reading/English and best Math score should the student take the SAT or ACT more than once; however, SAT scores and ACT scores cannot be “mixed” in determining admission eligibility.
5. In addition to the minimum test score requirement, a minimum Freshman Index of 2120 is required for any level of freshman or transfer freshman admission.
6. Students whose index falls between s000-2119 may be eligible for conditional admission and attendance in Ignite, UWG’s Summer Transition Program.
7. A high school senior who is earning college credit in a joint enrollment program while completing the senior year should apply to West Georgia as a beginning freshman but should indicate enrollment in a joint enrollment program on the application for admission. West Georgia will grant transfer credit for this work under the following conditions: (1) Work must be earned through an accredited college. (2) Individual courses must meet the normal guidelines for acceptability (see Transfer Student section).
Admission of Home Schooled Students
Applicants Who Have Completed an Accredited Home School Program
Applicants completing an approved, accredited home school program need only meet traditional freshman admission requirements.
Applicants Who Have Not Completed an Accredited Home School Program
Home educated applicants who have not completed an accredited home school program must submit the following:
- Application for Undergraduate Admission
- $40 non-refundable application processing fee
- Official SAT or ACT scores* (sent directly to UWG by the testing agency)
- Completed Home School Curriculum Evaluation Form, which provides satisfactory documentation of equivalent competence in each of the College Preparatory Curriculum (CPC)/Required High School Curriculum (RHSC) areas.
- Copy of current Declaration of Intent to Home School as filed with the state.
*University System of Georgia requires Home Schooled students who have not completed an accredited home school program to take the SAT or the ACT and to meet the minimum total score of the average combined score of the preceding year’s enrolled Freshman Class.
The standard for home schooled applicants is the average combined critical reading and math scores of the preceding Fall class (minimum subsection scores are 430 Critical Reading and 410 Math) or the ACT Composite equivalent (minimum sub section scores are ACT English 17 and 17 Math).
Home Schooled Applicants Applying as Transfer Students
Transfer applicants who graduated from a non-accredited home school program, and who have earned less than 30 credit transferable, semester hours at the time of the UWG admission application, must meet Freshman admission requirements, including submission of the Declaration of Intent to Utilize a Home Study Program Form or a print out of your online submission. Transfer applicants completing an approved, accredited home school program need only meet traditional Freshman requirements.
Adult, Non-Traditional Applicants
Non-Traditional Freshmen
Non-traditional freshmen are defined as individuals who meet all of the following criteria
- Have been out of high school at least five years and whose high school class graduated at least five years ago.
- Hold a high school diploma from an accredited or approved high school or have satisfactorily completed the GED, and
- Have earned fewer than 30 transferable semester credit hours.
Non-Traditional Transfer
- Have been out of high school at least five years or whose high school class graduated at least five years ago, and
- Have earned thirty (30) semester or more transferable hours of college credit.
All non-traditional applicants will be screened to determine their need for learning support courses. Students who require these support courses will not be admissible to UWG until they have satisfied this requirement.
Opportunities for Students During High School
West Georgia offers multiple options for students seeking to begin college early. these opportunities are:
- Dual Enrollment (enrolling in both high school and college during the junior and/or senior year)
- Early-Entrance-to-College (enrolling solely in college courses during a student’s senior year in order to graduate from high school while living at home)
- The Advanced Academy of Georgia (please see the description below)
Move On When Ready (Dual Enrollment) Program
Admission Requirements:
10th Graders:
- Student must be a High School Sophomore when enrollment begins
- 3.5 un weighted, academic High School GPA
- One of the following:
- 1650 Composite SAT score*
or 25 Composite ACT score
- 650 SAT Critical Reading score
or 26 ACT English score
- 650 SAT Math score
or 26 ACT Math score
- 600 SAT Writing score
or 26 ACT Writing score
*Composite SAT includes Critical Reading, Math, and Writing
11th & 12th Graders
- 3.0 unweighted, academic high school GPA
- The following test scores:
- 970 Combined Critical Reading and Math SAT score
or 20 Composite ACT score
- 430 SAT Critical Reading score
or 17 ACT English score
- 410 SAT Math score
or 17 ACT Math score
Please note: Redesigned SAT scores will be converted to the former scoring system. To convert your scores, please visit: collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/scores
Steps to Acceptance
- Take the SAT/ACT: Send your test scores directly to UWG. (Codes - SAT: 5900, ACT: 0878)
- Apply to UWG: Log onto http://westga.edu/applynow and follow the directions to complete the application process.
- Send required documentation: official high school transcripts, test scores, and MOWR Participation Agreement.
- Questions? Contact Move On When Ready at dualenroll@westga.edu
The Advanced Academy of Georgia
http://www.advancedacademy.org/
The Advanced Academy of Georgia is designed for exceptional high school-aged students who wish to participate in a full time, residential college experience. This program provides the opportunity to enroll in regular university course work for credit while simultaneously completing high school requirements (in absentia). All students in The Academy are required to live in a designated campus residence hall and purchase a meal plan. The Academy offers an enriched residential component with academic advising tailored to the needs of its students.
- Combined SAT 1150 (or ACT 25)
- SAT Critical Reading 580 (or ACT English 25)
- SAT Math 530 (or ACT Math 22)
- High School Academic GPA 3.5
Students admitted to The Advanced Academy must have completed the necessary course-work to be considered on track in the College Preparatory Curriculum. Also required is a completed application http://www.advancedacademy.org/ that includes the written recommendation of their high school principal or guidance counselor, and the written consent of a parent or guardian, and two teacher recommendations.
No student who is required to participate in screening for learning support courses may be admitted. For more information or to apply for admission, contact the Director of The Advanced Academy, Gunn Hall, 678-839-6249.
The Hope Accel Program
Funded by State appropriations and administered by the Georgia Student Finance Commission, Accel helps fund early-entrance course work. Courses pursued by students in the Accel Program must come from the approved course directory available at www.gacollege411.org. Complete Accel Program Regulations and eligibility rules can also be found at www.gacollege411.org. For more detailed information regarding Accel at the University of West Georgia, visit: www.westga.edu/admiss.
Advanced Placement, College Level Exam Programs, Departmental Exams, Cambridge International “A” Levels, and International Baccalaureate (IB) Exams
The Advanced Placement (AP) Program is available through many high schools and enables a high school student to earn credit toward college in a variety of subjects. Usually these courses are equivalent to college freshmen/sophomore level courses such as American Government, World History, Composition, and so forth. College credit will be awarded based on standardized exams administered at the high schools in mid to late May. If you have questions, contact the Admissions Office.
High school students who earn AP exam scores of 3 or higher (on a scale of 1-5) on most exams and who submit official score reports to the University of West Georgia will automatically receive credit for coursework. Scores of 4 or higher are required to receive credit for history exams. Scores of 4 or 5 count as “Honors credit.” For a list of scores accepted by UWG and the UWG course equivalents, please visit the UWG Registrar’s Office website at http://www.westga.edu/registrar.
The College Level Examination Program (CLEP) is offered at West Georgia by appointment and allows persons to earn college credit by achieving appropriate cutoff scores on nationally standardized exams. Exams available cover a range of courses including math, history, government, literature, and sciences. For a list of scores accepted by UWG and the UWG course equivalents, please visit the UWG Registrar’s Office website at http://www.westga.edu/registrar. Test registration information is available through the Testing Office (678-839-6435).
As with AP testing, CLEP is a great way to earn college credit. Not only will a person save time by not having to take a course containing material he already knows, but he will also save money by not having to pay for a college class. Thus, CLEP enables a student to move through his or her freshman and sophomore years at a faster pace.
International Baccalaureate (IB) scores are also reviewed for possible college credit. Credit is awarded International Baccalaureate (IB) Higher Level tests with a score of 5 or higher. In some areas of study, credit is awarded for scores of 4. Credit is awarded IB Standard Level tests with a score of 6 or higher if the student completes the IB diploma. Please see specific course equivalencies on the Registrar’s Office web page at http://www.westga.edu/registrar/ Freshman and sophomore level credit is awarded for the Cambridge International “A” levels. Please contact the Assistant Registrar for Transfer Equivalency http://www.westga.edu/registrar/ for more details.
Note: CLEP, AP, and IB scores for equivalent credit may be viewed on the UWG’s Registrar’s Website at http://www.westga.edu/registrar/
Departmental Exemptions
Several academic departments offer credit by examination, such as the English and Math Departments (see requirements below). The Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures also allows students to exempt certain introductory foreign language courses. Interested students should contact these departments directly.
English Placement
Students whose old *SAT Critical Reading is at least 430, but less than 570 will take ENGL 1101 . Likewise, students whose ACT English is at least 17, but less than 25 will take |