Questions for Minority Students
- I have a question about the application process, who do I contact?
- How can I talk with a current student?
- What are UGA's graduation and retention rates?
- What cultural events occur on campus?
- What sort of financial aid does UGA offer students?
- What is the percentage of underrepresented students in the school population?
- What kind of student organizations does UGA have?
- Are there places on campus where I can find support?
- How does UGA promote diversity?
- Who are well-known multicultural UGA alumni?
I have a question about the application process, who do I contact?If you have any questions about the application process or admissions, please contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at (706) 542-2112 or admissions@uga.edu.
How can I talk with a current student?
You can contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at (706) 542-2112 or adm-info@uga.edu and ask how to be connected with a member of the Georgia Recruitment Team, which is comprised of current undergraduate students who are dedicated to interacting with prospective students.
What are UGA's graduation and retention rates?
The overall graduation rate at UGA is above 75%. Currently, the Freshman rate is at 93% for the university.
What cultural events occur on campus?
The Office of Multicultural Services and Programs offers several cultural events each year to the student community. Such events include performances by the Black Theatrical Ensemble, the Indian Cultural Exchange, the Pamoja Dance Company, and numerous other cultural organizations. You can find out more about these events by visiting the website for the Office of Multicultural Services and Programs.
What sort of financial aid does UGA offer students?
UGA offers merit-based scholarships, combined merit-based and need-based scholarships, and need-based financial aid.
What is the percentage of underrepresented students in the school population?
The overall percentage of underrepresented students in this past years incoming class is over 22%. Listed below is is a percentage break down from this years incoming freshman class.
Overall enrollment was 4725 from Summer/Fall 2009:
- Asian - 419 (8.8%)
- Black/AA - 362 (7.6%)
- Hispanic/Latino 144 (3%)
- Native American 11 ( 1%)
- Multi Racial - 118 (2.5%)
- All Non White 1054 (22%)
** These number do not include Spring Transfers 2010**
What kind of student organizations does UGA have?
UGA offers over 500 student organizations, ranging from those that are academic, service, athletic, cultural, and sorority and fraternity-based. You can learn about these organizations at www.uga.edu/stuorgs/.
Are there places on campus where I can find support?
The Department of Intercultural Affairs, which is housed in Memorial Hall in the center of UGA's campus, is dedicated to promoting the inclusion and retention of multicultural students in the UGA community. You can find out more about their services by visiting www.uga.edu/ica/.
How does UGA promote diversity?
The administration of UGA supports and promotes diversity through special initiatives and programs implemented by the Undergraduate Office of Admissions, the Office of Institutional Diversity, the Office of International Educations, Multicultural Services and Programs, and other offices.
Who are well-known multicultural UGA alumni?
What are they doing now? Famous multicultural alumni include ABC news correspondent Deborah Roberts (ABJ '82), Super Bowl-winning Hines Ward (BSFCS '98) of the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers, Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Natasha Trethewey (AB '89), and the creator of BET's first scripted series, Somebodies, Henry Cameron "Hadjii" Hand (ABJ '98).
Questions for International Students
- Where is UGA? How do I get there?
- Are campus tours and information sessions available? If so, do I have to make an appointment in advance?
- How can I get in touch with other students from my country
- Is there a special application for international students?
- Although English is not my primary language, I am bilingual and have studied in an English-speaking country. Should I take the TOEFL?
- How will that affect me?
- Does being the child of an alumnus or alumna help my chances of getting in?
- Does UGA have quotas for international students or students from a specific country?
- How important are extracurricular activities in the admission process?
- Do you offer financial aid to international students?
- Are merit scholarships available?
- Where am I going to live during my first year?
- How safe is the campus?
- Are there any special activities for international students?
- Are there any clubs available for students?
- Other than student organizations, what do students do outside the classroom for fun?
Where is UGA? How do I get there?
The University of Georgia is located in Athens, Georgia, which is 60 miles northeast of Atlanta, Georgia. If you wish to travel by air, the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Atlanta is located one-and-a-half hours away from Athens. You can also find driving directions to UGA.
Are campus tours and information sessions available? If so, do I have to make an appointment in advance?
The best way for students to start planning a visit to UGA is by contacting our Visitors Center. The Center is the primary source of information about the UGA campus, special events, and overnight accommodations. If you are interested in taking a guided tour of campus, you need to make a reservation for one of the scheduled tours. These tours, led by a current student, include a walking tour of North Campus and a bus tour of the remainder of campus. We suggest you make your tour reservation well in advance at http://www.uga.edu/visit/calendar.php and call the Visitors Center at (706) 542-0842 if you need more help planning a visit. The Visitors Center office hours are 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 pm Saturday, and 1 - 5 p.m. Sunday (all times are Eastern Time). Remember that the Center is closed on official University holidays, and tour times might be modified on national holidays.
How can I get in touch with other students from my country?
The International Student Life Office is dedicated to helping international students adjust to life at UGA and connect them with other students who are have similar experiences. At the beginning of each semester, incoming international students participate in the international student orientation, which has a special focus on helping international students to acclimate.
Is there a special application for international students?
You can find the supplementary requirements for international students as well as an explanation of the admissions process for international students here.
Although English is not my primary language, I am bilingual and have studied in an English-speaking country. Should I take the TOEFL?
If English is not your first language, then you must provide proof of English proficiency. There are five ways to do this:
- Submit an official SAT-I verbal score of 430 or higher. All first-year applicants must submit SAT-I scores.
- Submit an official TOEFL score of at least 80 on the Internet-based exam or 213 on the computer-based version. Remember that all score reports must be official. TOEFL scores must be less than two years old if you have not been studying at a U.S. institution since taking the exam. Information regarding the test dates and centers can be found at www.ets.org.
- Submit an official IELTS score of 7.0 or higher. All score reports must be official. Note: Transfer students applying to the Terry College of Business should contact the College about their score requirements as they are higher. Official test dates and centers can be found at www.ielts.org.
- Take the equivalent of English 1101 and 1102 (first-year composition) at an accredited U.S. institution and earn a minimum 2.5 combined GPA for the two courses. This must be reflected on an official transcript.
- Submit proof of a bachelor's degree earned at an accredited U.S. institution.
Living abroad, it is difficult for me to do on-campus interviews. How will that affect me?
The University of Georgia does not require interviews as part of the admissions process.
Does being the child of an alumnus or alumna help my chances of getting in?
Applicants who are legacies are not given special consideration.
Does UGA have quotas for international students or students from a specific country?
No, UGA does not have quotas for students for any particular region or country.
How important are extracurricular activities in the admission process?
While a student's extracurricular record is one of the secondary factors in the admissions process, UGA nonetheless seeks to create a student body that is well-rounded and diverse.
Do you offer financial aid to international students?
Does this affect my chances of being admitted? Students who are studying in the United States on an F-1 or similar visa are not eligible for federal need-based aid. UGA also requires a statement of finances from students requiring an F-1 visa for their studies. International students must provide proof that they can afford all the expenses associated with attending UGA. The expenses of attending UGA can be found at here.
Are merit scholarships available?
Yes, first-year international applicants are eligible for UGA's merit-based scholarships.
Where am I going to live during my first year?
UGA requires first-year students (students who have never attended college before) to live on campus. Transfer students have the option to live on campus or off campus. Please visit the UGA Housing website to explore our on-campus residence halls or visit the Current Student website to learn about off-campus housing in the Athens area.
How safe is campus?
The UGA Police Department's website to learn about the services that they offer to maintain a safe atmosphere for students, faculty, and staff at UGA.
Are there any special activities for international students?
The International Student Life Office offers various opportunities, activities, events, and organizations for international students and students who wish to learn more about other cultures. You can visit http://www.uga.edu/isl/ to learn more about these offerings.
Are there any clubs available for students?
UGA offers more than 500 student organizations. You can learn about these organizations at www.uga.edu/stuorgs/.
Other than student organizations, what do students do outside the classroom for fun?
The website for "Athens Life Unleashed", which can be found at www.visitathensga.com/, describes all the dining, shopping, music, and other fun activities available in Athens.
