SACS Accreditation
4.6 Recruitment Materials
Federal Requirement: Recruitment materials and presentations accurately represent the institution’s practices and policies.
X Compliance
Partial Compliance
Non-Compliance
Narrative:
In general, our recruitment documents provide information highlighting the history and philosophy of the campus, faculty, programs and areas of study, research opportunities, social activities, support offices, and web resources available to Georgia State University students. Although the specific content may vary slightly from year to year, each always includes application deadlines, residency requirements criteria, estimated tuition and fees, a state approved application, and instructions for applying that are specific to the level and type of student. Additional information is provided about university, state, and federal rules and policies governing health insurance and visa needs. Students are encouraged to review the admissions website and to apply online. (See a full discussion of admissions information at Standard 3.4.3.) In all cases, contact information is provided for the programs and offices that might be of interest to prospective students. The policies and procedures provided in the various brochures are elaborated upon in the admissions sections of the Undergraduate and Graduate catalogs. The primary recruitment materials distributed by the Georgia State University Office of Admissions are:
Not Everyone Could Do it, But You Can: A brochure promoting the academic programs, student life and how to apply for admission. [1]
State Scholars Program: A brochure highlighting academic scholarships, assistantships, community of scholars, College of Arts and Sciences Honors Program and J. Mack Robinson College of Business Honors Program. [2]
Accepted Student Newsletter: A newsletter for accepted students on how to move forward as an accepted student with information on housing, financial aid, meals plans and other important resources. [3]
These documents are provided free to interested individuals upon request. The information contained in these documents is also provided through the Office of Admissions website. All recruitment documents and web information are updated and revised annually for hard documents and as often as necessary for web information.
Over and above these university-wide publications, the individual colleges, schools, and departments provide information specific to their disciplines. This information typically highlights programs of interest at both the undergraduate and graduate level, ongoing research, available student resources, and support services within the department, school, or college. Individual colleges, schools, and departments may have additional admission criteria, such as a higher GPA, portfolio review, audition, etc. This additional information and instructions for completing the college, school, department admission process is mentioned in the Office of Admissions brochures and website and is detailed in the college, school, or department brochure and website, as well as the undergraduate and graduate catalogs.
At the undergraduate level, the Office of Admission participates in an in-state and out-of-state college recruiting tour each academic year in which trained admissions personnel represent the university to discuss the university in general and admissions in particular. The University has participated in the National Association for College Admissions Counseling Fairs (NACAC), National Scholarship Service (NSSFNS), National Hispanic Fairs and Georgia PROBE College Fair Program.
Throughout the academic year, these recruiters also visit public and private high schools throughout the state to meet with prospective students who have expressed interest in Georgia State University. Campus tours are a great way to experience Georgia State University first hand. These tours, conducted by the Georgia State University Welcome Center, are free of charge and include an information session about the university and the Campus Atlanta Bus and Walking Tour. Advance reservations are encouraged and can be made online or by calling the Welcome Center. Topics discussed at all events include housing, financial aid, academic programs, admission requirements, and costs. Admissions personnel also meet with students and families in their offices by appointment and on a walk-in basis.
In 2006, the Office of Admissions launched an out-of-state recruitment plan to attract students from major metropolitan areas. The Office of Admissions has attended or is scheduled to attend recruitment events in Chicago, Illinois; Washington, D.C.; Baltimore, Maryland; Long Island, New York and New York City. The Office of Admissions has also increased recruitment in the neighboring states of South Carolina and Florida.
One of the best ways to see what Georgia State University has to offer is through attendance at campus visit programs. These visit programs provide prospective students with in-depth information about Georgia State's programs, admissions, campus housing and financial aid. "Panther Preview" is recognized as the primary campus visit program and the once-a-term official University Open House for prospective students. This campus-wide effort involves a variety of faculty, staff and students who highlight the features and benefits of a Georgia State University undergraduate education.
In addition to Panther Preview, the Office of Admissions hosts the following visit programs:
College Days: Conference Format Visit Program highlighting Academic Colleges
Just for Juniors: College Planning Visit Program for Rising Seniors
President's Day: Admission and financial aid program held on the Federal Holiday
Scholar's Day: Scholarship Competition for High Ability Students
Accepted Student Reception: Next Steps Event for Accepted but not Enrolled Students
National Merit, National Achievement and National Hispanic Luncheon: Visit program to recruit students from the three national scholarship programs.
Day at the Rec: Visit Day promoting next steps (housing, financial aid) for accepted students held at the Student Recreation Center
In addition to recruitment events on campus and off-campus, the Office of Admissions has developed a comprehensive communication plan consisting of targeted messages to prospective, applied, and accepted students. The communication flow consistes of brochures, postcards, e-mails, newsletters and a blog site to promote the academic programs and services provided by Georgia State University.
Recruitment at the graduate level takes place mainly through the individual colleges, schools, and departments. Admissions personnel also meet with graduate students by appointment and on a walk-in basis.
On-line information includes the following:
Information for Prospective Student
Information for Prospective Undergraduate Student
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
Information for Prospective Graduate Student
Information for Prospective International Students
Online and printable Undergraduate Application and information
Campus Visit
Campus Visit Online Scheduler
Panther Preview
GSU Fact Sheet