Happy holidays: You’re admitted to UGA
Many Georgia seniors find out today whether they will walk through the UGA arches next year.
Congratulations to early admits at UGA who find out today. To the high school seniors still waiting for good news, hang in there. I hope spring brings an acceptance letter.
I have to note here that my oldest transferred to UGA and is now at Georgetown University for graduate school. So far this year, she tells me that most every book she has been assigned to read in her master’s program was assigned to her as an undergraduate at UGA.
The AJC is writing a news story on UGA early admissions. If you are among the students getting good news and are willing to share, please contact Laura Diamond at ldiamond@ajc.com.
Here is the statement from UGA:
For some 6,100 high school seniors, the holidays will be off to a happy start when they learn they have been offered early admission to the University of Georgia.
Those who applied for “early-action” admission to UGA can learn their status in one of several ways this year. They can wait for decision letters that will arrive by mail starting next week or they can find out by going online this evening –Dec. 3 — and using the password-protected status check on the admissions office web site. Others may choose to get the news via their iPhone with the UGA Admissions App that allows them to check their application status.
Technology also has enabled the admissions office to release decisions about a week earlier than in past years. Use of imaging, electronic submission of materials and self-reported grades have reduced the amount of time it takes to process applications, according to Nancy McDuff, associate vice president for admissions and enrollment management.
Although the size of the early-action applicant pool was nearly the same as last year—just over 10,600—about 100 more students have been admitted at this point compared to 2009. “That’s a reflection of the academic quality of the applicants this year,” said McDuff.
About a third of early-action applicants will learn that a final decision has not been made yet and will be asked to submit additional information by the regular-decision deadline of Jan. 15.
“We always try to stress to early-action applicants that if their admission decision was deferred, they still have a chance to be part of the incoming freshman class,” McDuff said. “In the past few years, we have been able to admit about half of the students who were initially deferred and then completed Part II of the application by the regular-decision deadline.”
UGA initiated a non-binding early-action program in 2003 for students who choose to submit applications by an Oct. 15 deadline. Early-action admissions decisions are based solely on academic criteria.
McDuff believes that many students wait to apply until the regular-decision deadline in order to have additional factors considered, such as high school activities and volunteer work. “For some students, that’s a good decision,” she said.
McDuff predicted that the admissions office will receive close to 18,000 total applications for next year’s incoming class, with a target enrollment of 4,800 new first-year students entering in the summer or fall and another 200 in spring 2012. Typically, about half the students offered admission go on to enroll at UGA, a comparable yield to other selective universities.
This year’s early-action applicant pool is again academically strong and diverse. Those offered admission at this point have an academic grade point average mid-range of 3.83-4.07, an SAT mid-range of 1230-1390 (with a mean SAT writing score of 652) or a mean ACT range of 28-32. UGA requires students to submit writing scores with their ACT and SAT tests and those scores are an integral part of the selection process, McDuff said. Those students admitted through early action also took an average of six Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate classes.
More than 24 percent of the students applying for early action identified themselves as being from an ethnic or racial minority group. More than 720 early-action applications, representing nearly seven per cent of the total pool, were received from African Americans. The number of early-action applications from Hispanic students totaled almost 500 students, a 23 percent increase from the previous year.
“The odds of being offered admission are always driven by how strong a student looks relative to the rest of the applicant pool,” McDuff said. “The first offers of admission are extended to students with the strongest academic records, but the most important factors in the regular-decision process are also academic—in particular grade point average and the rigor of the courses that the students have taken relative to what is available in their school. However, regular-decision applications and applications from students deferred from the early-action program are given a holistic review that includes other factors that tell us about students’ talents and activities outside the classroom.”
To help students and parents understand the admissions process, David Graves, senior associate director for operations in the admissions office, writes a blog for the admissions office web site.
“The blog gets about 2,500 hits a day and we think it helps reduce anxiety felt by students and parents, as well as answers questions and provides helpful advice,” McDuff said. “The Nov. 30 post is about how to react to early-action decisions.”
By Maureen Downey, for the Get Schooled blog
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85 comments Add your comment
Mom3Boys
December 4th, 2010
8:22 am
@TBird: the attraction to early admission is that it is decided based on GPA, SAT, and class rigor. You do not have to write essays. As a parent, it was one less thing to have to remind the kiddo to do…so early admission was to be celebrated! It’s also not binding, so the kids could continue to apply to other schools if so desired.
Only in GA do we celebrate our children’s acceptance to the state’s flagship school, as it’s so hard to get into! No offense to anyone, but to all the white males from the metro area who managed to get in: CONGRATS!! Go Dawgs!
Me
December 4th, 2010
9:09 am
What’s UGA? I’m from the Midwest – never heard of UGA til I moved to ATL, except they used to have a great tennis team.
jconservative
December 4th, 2010
9:14 am
To all those who decided to go schools other than UGA that is OK, just do not trash UGA, that is “classless”. To those who are trashing those who decided to attend schools other than UGA, that is also “classless”.
Both of you show some class.
I elected to attend a smaller school. I was accepted at every school I applied, but decided on smaller. I was just turned off by the large class sizes at the large universities.
For grad school I attended a large university. Grad school has the advantage, at least in my field of study, of having smaller classes.
Every individual is different.
To the family that is having a fourth generation attend UGA, that is just wonderful. Congratulations.
Mitchell
December 4th, 2010
9:27 am
UGA is a Joke:
Re:UGA isnt the best in the state anymore people.
– UGA NEVER was the “best in the state” – just the biggest
They can’t even spell DOG.
SKB
December 4th, 2010
9:44 am
My sis just got accepted!!!
SKB
December 4th, 2010
9:47 am
@Atlanta Jock
My sister got admitted to UGA, her sat: 2360 and has a 4.0 GPA. So what is your point?
WTF
December 4th, 2010
9:52 am
Isn’t it pathetic that the dumba** on this blog can’t take a simple article about kids being accepted to perhaps the schoold of thier choice as it is written rather than trashing both the school and the kids? I used to pull for all Georgia colleges – attended three different ones when working on my degrees, and found all of them to be special places that provided good educations. For all the insecure Tech fans, just because UGA consistently beats you in football doesn’t warrant all the hate mail Be proud of your school and let others be proud of their’s, or just STFU!
historydawg
December 4th, 2010
9:52 am
@Me, In the Midwest, do people publicly acknowledge (and seemingly brag about) how provincial they are? You will find many state schools in the Midwest ranked below UGA (since many on this board only consider US News rankings, as if they are gospel). Kudos for knowing the greatness of UGA tennis. Many in Georgia have no clue.
@Mitchell, All Georgia fans spell dog as “dawg” out of affection for their school. I assume your misuse of the hyphen and the quotation mark are intended as well.
Ole Guy
December 4th, 2010
9:59 am
Let’s keep one issue in focus. You can shoot celebratory cannons over being accepted at Dawgy U, or whatever institution is posing as educational cathedral du jour. The real deal comes 4 years hence when, following a trying period of study, balancing class time with bar time, and staying one step ahead of shot gun-wielding daddys and local constables, one emerges, diploma in hand, ready to contribute, in some form/fashion, to a society which funded the early education of the new college grad. You think that might be just a wee bit more important than simply fooling a bunch of college registrars that one’s high school diploma is actually worth something?
Kat
December 4th, 2010
10:34 am
My sister just got in! So happy for her…now just waiting to hear about South Carolina and Clemson, but I hope she still goes to UGA even if she gets accepted to other schools. Happy holidays, everyone!
Suzanne
December 4th, 2010
11:51 am
I am proud to say that my daughter (with sights currently on architectural engineering) has been accepted to both TECH and UGA. After growing up in the suburbs of north Atlanta, TECH is her SECOND choice. She simply doesn’t want to live downtown. While TECH may be stronger academically (especially with regard to engineering), the collegiate experience in Athens and UGA is better. And, now that UGA has become so much stronger academically (and soon to be offrering engineering doesn’t hurt), the decision to attend TECH over UGA is no longer obvious. Having said that, I would not be surprised if my daughter chooses to attend a “city” school like TECH or MIT for graduate school; but for undergraduate UGA is perfect. As a parent, I feel much better knowing she will be in Athens rather than downtown Atlanta. Unfortunately, TECH has a real challenge on its hands with security.
Congratulations to all of the seniors who go off to whatyever college they choose. After all, it IS a choice and a very personal one at that!
Bill
December 4th, 2010
4:45 pm
Good luck to all.
Bob
December 4th, 2010
5:24 pm
WAAAAAAYYYYY too much importanced placed on getting into UGA. There are many fine colleges in the state that eqaul the education at UGA. Same books same formulas. In fact, those that go to other colleges and enjoy much smaller classrooms I would argue get a much better education than those lost at UGA.
Buzz…..I really admire Tech’s acedenics, but you can not compare an engineering school to a liberal arts school. (Even though UGA wants to offer Engineering….it would be a joke compared to GT and Southern Poly in Marietta (Which in my view is a way over looked gem in the Georgia Educational System.)
Many of the top kids are now going to schools like GA Perimeter so they can cut down on cost and get two years with pretty much an easy 4.0.
Bob
December 4th, 2010
5:25 pm
Meant too add……for those wanting to get into UGA and have gotten the “letter”…….congrats and good luck!
Woof Woof
December 4th, 2010
7:05 pm
Suzanne’s letter:
“And, now that UGA has become so much stronger academically”
- Yeah, right.
- Top party school in the country
- Fulmer cup
- Students/Fans trashing campus constantly
- More funding than any other school – yet still second tier in ratings
- Emory and Tech have better rankings than UGA in the programs that are supposed to be UGA’s stars
- Endowment 1/2 that of Tech and a fraction of Emory’s
- A president who is universally despised
- A school that couldn’t even get along with its own foundation
UGA is good for only one thing: an Mrs. degree
Students at KSU, GSU, GSU, Tech, Emory, and Southern Poly are all far more focused and employable.
Atlanta Jock
December 4th, 2010
8:02 pm
I is clear that the admissions standards at UGA have risen. However, much of this popularity for UGA is due to its #1 party school reputation. Students like to have a good time at UGA. The Princeton Review ranked the top party schools based on a combination of academics and partying( primarily drinking). The academic aspect takes into account the amount of homework done by the student body. So it should not be a surprise to see that UGA is #1.
A lot of people om here are comparing the two schools (UGA and Tech) based on the degree of difficulty to get accepted. The other factor to look at is the quality of the faculty and the rankings of the various programs. Outside of agricultural related courses, UGA does not have many disciplines ranked in the top 10-15 nationally. Folks at UGA mention the journalism, law and business programs. However, none of these are highly ranked nationally. Meanwhile, Tech has numerous engineering programs ranked in the top 10 nationally.
Therefore, the difference between Tech and UGA results from the fact that Tech is a nationally-ranked school while UGA’s academic reputation is limited to the state of Georgia! This is supported by the US News rankings.
Toto: speakin' dog to dawg
December 4th, 2010
9:06 pm
@SE dawg fan, UGA student:
Bow wow. Bowwow bowow rrrrrrrrrrh. RoUG(A)h!, roUG(A)h, roUG(A)h!
Translation:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ld7n3ATRUHY
Quentin
December 4th, 2010
10:00 pm
Toto:
This one is more appropriate for Dawg fans:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7RT5M44AVM
Lee
December 4th, 2010
11:16 pm
Congrats to all who have received early acceptance to the college of your choice. This is a great accomplishment and a testiment to your hard work.
And to those who put others down for their college choice, grow up. After your first job, nobody really cares where you went to college.
Toto: speakin' the truth to power
December 5th, 2010
12:20 am
Georgia Tech grad:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXW0bx_Ooq4&feature=related
UGA grad:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTG-yhsBJv8&feature=related
Milo
December 5th, 2010
9:46 am
Hey, “Toto: speakin’ the truth to power”, did you notice that there was a GT grad in the UGA grad video? Foxworthy is a Tech grad.
Kate
December 5th, 2010
10:16 am
On Friday, I received the wonderful news that I’m officially a dawg! I can’t wait until next fall.
To those who are trashing UGA and saying that other schools are better, why can’t you just give it a rest? UGA is still a fantastic school, and the college experience is all in what you make of it. Maybe it is the #1 party school in the country, but a large number of students also chooses NOT to party or drink. I was actually raised in a house of Tech fans–both my parents are graduates and my sister is a freshman–but I can’t wait for UGA. For me, going to the school is about becoming a part of something bigger than myself and really finding out who I am and who I want to be, all while getting a great education. Isn’t that what college is all about? It’s time to make some peace, Tech and UGA fans. Save the rivalry for the football stadium and support each other for outstanding academics that you BOTH have.
Toto: speakin' the truth to power
December 5th, 2010
4:16 pm
@ Milo
I had forgotten that! I think his dad worked for IBM. A friend of mine went to high school with him.
I have family that graduated from Tech and UGA. I just like a good laugh now and then.
Toto: speakin' the truth to power
December 5th, 2010
4:58 pm
@Milo
Here’s one for ya
The Yellow Jackets retaliate…..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQ9ishSVc9Q
Toto: speakin' the truth to power
December 5th, 2010
5:41 pm
To all of the UGA journalism students/grads:
What is your opinion on Julian Assange’s statement?
“Julian Assange:
The west has fiscalised its basic power relationships through a web of contracts, loans, shareholdings, bank holdings and so on. In such an environment it is easy for speech to be “free” because a change in political will rarely leads to any change in these basic instruments. Western speech, as something that rarely has any effect on power, is, like badgers and birds, free. In states like China, there is pervasive censorship, because speech still has power and power is scared of it. We should always look at censorship as an economic signal that reveals the potential power of speech in that jurisdiction. The attacks against us by the US point to a great hope, speech powerful enough to break the fiscal blockade.”
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/blog/2010/dec/03/julian-assange-wikileaks
Jonathan Baltuch
December 5th, 2010
5:44 pm
My son unfortunately got notified that he was denied (not deferred). Can he still apply during the regular admission phase. I really think his extra items will help him. Yes his GPA is only a 3.5 and ACT 25 but he will graduate with 33 college credits (this semester he is carrying 13 in high school).
He also has lots of community service, Boys State and Mock Trial experience and captain of his Golf Team.
Does it make sense to pursue?
Mitchell
December 5th, 2010
6:01 pm
Kate,
If UGA were a “fantastic school”, the points mentioned above wouldn’t have occurred, and there wouldn’t be put-downs coming from the Tech and Emory grads of the world. If the UGA community didn’t continue to put itself out to be more than it is (above average university and designated MRS degree magnet for the state) then people wouldn’t dig on it as much. The digs have nothing to do with football.
The digs deal more with quality:
Maybe it is the #1 party school in the country, but a large number of students also chooses NOT to party or drink
Ole Guy
December 5th, 2010
10:50 pm
Jonathan, the question should be…Does it make sense NOT to pursue? So your son tripped and fell on the first snap of the ball…SO WHAT?! Teach him to get up, shake it off, and re-acquire focus on his goals. This may or may not be your son’s first experience in rejection, but it sure as hell won’t be his last. When he falls, back him up; get him on his feet again so he can get back into the game of life. If he has to make a few course adjustments/go to plans A, B, etc, help him develop those plans.
PURSUE PURSUE PURSUE! Good luck to your son, Jonathan.
Warrior Woman
December 6th, 2010
11:53 am
@Toto – Other commenters have already mentioned Hannukah, but in the next couple of weeks you also have Hijra and Muharram/Ashura (for Muslims), Bodhi (for Buddhists), Winter Solstice (for Pagans and Wicans), Kwanzaa, and the remembrance of the death of Zarathushtra (for Zoroastrians). I hope you can feel better about Maureen’s inclusiveness now.
Really amazed
December 6th, 2010
12:39 pm
Congratulations to all of the students that received early decision!! Does anyone know what the min. GPA unweighted and SAT scores were for early admissions?
Toto: speakin' the truth to power
December 6th, 2010
10:39 pm
@ warrior woman
Thank you for your exhaustive holiday research. Alas, as others have stated, the atheists have no holidays. Therefore the greeting is NOT inclusive. The offense of one trumps the majority. Ever heard of Madeline Murray O’Hare?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8o8I8kLYSA&feature=related
Toto: speakin' the truth to power
December 6th, 2010
10:45 pm
Warning: Christmas holiday content! Parental guidance advised, SO DON’T SUE ME!
This is the best Christmas movie ever! Dedicated to homeless people everywhere….
A Muppet Christmas Carol
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxMbIzKl5rM&feature=related
Happy Mom
December 6th, 2010
10:53 pm
My daughter set a goal in 8th grade to go to UGA like her Dad and I did in 1985. Well, Friday all of her hard work, dedication and smart choices paid off. She will be a proud member of the UGA class of 2015. Congrats to all of those students accepted through Early Action and best of luck to those who find out in March through Regular Decision.
Sammmm
December 8th, 2010
12:19 am
I just got accepted to UGA on Friday and I am so excited to be a DAWG!!! I’m from Miami, Florida so I’m happily breaking the misconception that a “city slicker” can’t go to UGA. But I was wondering if anyone knew when I would get my letter in the mail? I saw it online on Friday but still have not gotten the huge packet in the mail that I am so excited to receive!
Kimbo
December 10th, 2010
1:07 pm
My daughter was accepted to UGA last Friday and this DAWG house is so excited!!! Who cares about all of the bashing on this page. For those who wish to party at UGA, go ahead. It is life and life is what you make of it. My daughter has wanted to be a UGA graduate since she was 10 years old and the most important thing here is that she worked hard to make it happen. Don’t be a hater!!!