Freshmen

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.

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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!

Admissions Checklist

  1. Apply online.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.

SAT ACT
Evidence-Based Reading & Writing: 480+ English or Reading: 17+
Math: 440+ Math: 17+
Note: We will utilize your highest subtest scores from all scores received to evaluate your application.

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

Additional Information

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 mid-January. Decisions are posted online through the New Undergraduate Admissions Status Check.

Dual Enrollment

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.

Agency Address Phone
Association of Christian Schools International PO Box 1537, Snellville, GA 30075 770-353-7090
GA Accrediting Commission Inc. 706-353-7090
GA Association of Christian Schools Athens, GA 30605 706-549-2190
Southern Association of College and Schools Decatur, GA 30033 404-679-4500
The GA Private School Accrediting Commission 706-549-2190

GED Students

We are unable to admit students who received a GED as traditional freshmen to the Armstrong or Statesboro Campuses. We can accept students with GEDs as non-traditional freshmen. Review requirements here. Additional options for students with GEDs include:

  1. 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.
  2. GED students can participate in the Bobcat to Eagle Program.
  3. GED students can attend a 2-year or technical college and transfer after completing 30 college credit hours.

Last updated: 5/1/2024