3.4.3 Admissions Policies

Comprehensive Standard:  The institution publishes admissions policies consistent with its mission.

X  Compliance
     Partial Compliance
     Non-Compliance

Narrative:

In support of our mission [1] Georgia State Universitiy welcomes and encourages applications from all qualified students regardless of race, sex, religion, disability, or cultural background. Admission is based on a number of factors depending upon level of entry and previous educational experience.

Undergraduate Programs

Admission into, and placement within, undergraduate programs at Georgia State is determined by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.[2] The admission requirements are also developed in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia.[3] The University Senate's Admissions and Standards Committee (a subcommittee of the University Senate) sets university admission policies for undergraduates.[4] Admission decisions are primarily based on a previous academic performance and test scores.  In some cases, personal qualities, circumstances, character and conduct may also be considered. Admission is a selective process and meeting minimums will not necessarily guarantee acceptance. A student has the right to appeal the admission decision as provided in the bylaws of the Board of Regents.  Additionally, the Enrollment Management Committee, chaired by the Provost, meets on a semesterly basis to evaluate the undergraduate admissions enrollment goals and to see if admission standards and/or goals should be adjusted to meet overall enrollment goals.[5] 

All of the following minimum requirements must be met in order for an applicant to receive admission consideration.[6]

For freshman applicants:

  • Graduation with a college preparatory diploma from a high school accredited by a regional accrediting association (such as the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools), a high school accredited by the Georgia Accrediting Commission, or a public high school regulated by a school system and state Department of Education.
  • Completion of the University System of Georgia Board of Regents’ College Preparatory requirments.[7] 
  • Submission of electronic SAT scores (including the writing section) with a minimum of 430 verbal/critical reading and 400 mathematics or electronic ACT scores (including the Writing Test) with a minimum score of 17 English and 17 mathematics.   International and permanent residents whose native language is not English will be required to document their English language proficiency with either the TOEFL or the Georgia State Test of English Proficiency (GSTEP) to determine appropriate admission.
  •  Calculation of a freshman index (FI) at the level of 2500 or higher. The FI is based on a combination of SAT/ACT scores and high school grade point average (HSGPA) in college preparatory courses only. The FI formula using SAT scores is: SAT FI = (500 x HSGPA) + SAT V + SAT M. The FI formula using ACT scores is: ACT FI = (500 x HSGPA) + (ACT composite x 42) + 88.
  • Applicants for freshman admission who have been home-schooled or graduated from non-accredited high schools may be considered for admission by meeting one of the following two criteria and have a freshman index (FI) of 2500 or higher:
      Option One: Portfolio Admission
      Students who wish to apply for admission under the portfolio review option must:
        • Demonstrate a combined SAT test score (or an ACT equivalent) that is at or exceeds the average SAT for those enrolled as first time freshmen for the previous fall term. The current score is 1090 (SAT) or 24 (ACT).
        • Submit electronic SAT scores (including the writing section) of at least 430 verbal/critical reading and 400 mathematics or electronic ACT scores (including the Writing Test) of at least 17 English and 17 mathematics.
        • Submit a portfolio that demonstrates satisfactory completion of the 16 College Preparatory Courses (CPC) required for admission to a University System of Georgia research institution. This portfolio must include information about the course of study leading to satisfactory completion of each CPC unit, including a list of all educational resources (books and other materials), course outline and appropriate outcomes assessment. Georgia State University reserves the right to request any further information that it feels necessary to evaluate the completion of the CPC requirements.
    • Option Two: SAT Subject Test Admission
      Students who wish to apply for admission under the SAT Subject Test option must:
    • Submit electronic SAT scores (including the writing section) with at least 430 verbal/critical reading and 400 mathematics or electronic ACT scores (including the Writing Test) with a minimum  score of 17 English and 17 mathematics.
    • Submit acceptable scores on six SAT Subject Tests and demonstrate proficiency in a foreign language at the level of two years of high school study. Minimum acceptable scores on the prescribed SAT Subject Tests are:
    520 on the English Writing test (now a required part of the SAT or ACT)
    530 on the Literature test
    500 on the Mathematics Level 1 test or a score of 570 on the Mathematics Level 2 test
    520 on the Biology test
    540 on the Chemistry test or 590 on the Physics test
    560 on the U.S. History test, and
    540 on the World History test

    The appropriate level of competency in a foreign language will be evaluated by the Georgia State University Department of Modern and Classical Languages utilizing methods including both oral and written components.

Undergraduate transfer students are students who have previously attended a regionally-accredited college or university (except for students jointly enrolled while completing high school).  All the following minimal requirements must be met in order for an applicant to receive consideration as an undergraduate transfer, but meeting them does not guarantee admission:

  • A minimum cumulative 2.5 grade point average in college-level courses (excluding developmental/remedial courses) from all accredited institutions attended.
  • Eligibility to re-enroll at the last institution attended.
  • Completed all college preparatory curriculum and learning support coursework required by any unit of the University System of Georgia (USG).
  • In addition, those students who have completed fewer than 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours of college-level academic coursework attempted at one or more regionally accredited institutions must meet all freshman admission requirements.
  • Arrange for all transcripts to be received directly by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions or provide them in sealed envelopes directly from the institution to submit a self-managed application. Student copies of transcripts, official transcripts opened by the student, and fax copies are not acceptable.  Transfer students must also meet the Board of Regents’ requirements in reading, writing, history, and constitution.[8]

Graduate Admissions

Graduate admissions at Georgia State University [9]are managed by each academic college's Office of Graduate Admissions.   Each college publishes graduate admissions requirements for its graduate programs in the graduate catalog as well as on its graduate office websites. [10] [10] [10] [10] [10] [10] 

Other Forms of Admission

Information on student readmission,  post-baccalaureate admission, transient admission, non-traditional admission, GSU-62, International Students,  is available through the Office of Admissions website, and is published in both the undergraduate [11]and graduate catalogs. [12] [12] [12] [12] [12] [12]

Supporting Documentation:

1. Mission Statement 
2. Undergraduate Admissions, Web Information
3. Board of Regents, Undergraduate Admissions Requirements
4. University Senate, Committee on Admissions and Standards
5. Enrollment Management, Web Information
6. Admission Requirements
7. Board of Regents, College Preparatory Curriculum
8. Board of Regents transfer student requirements in reading, writing, history, and constitution
9. Graduate Admissions, Web Information
10. Graduate admissions requirements by college:

11. Undergraduate Catalog/Admissions
12. Graduate Catalog/Admissions: