Entrance Requirements

New Admissions Requirements Starting Fall 2012

Beginning fall 2012, test scores will be required for all freshman applicants. Students must meet testing requirements before an admissions decision can be made. The testing requirement can be satisfied by meeting the minimum scores on 1 of 3 tests:

COMPASS scores will also be used for course placement. Applicants will be denied admission if they place into all three areas of Learning Support or if they score below the minimum on one of the sections of the COMPASS exam.

Beginning freshmen must also meet the minimum 2.00 GPA.

Proficiency in mathematics allows a student to register for an introductory mathematics course (MATH 1111, MATH 2000, and BUSA 2000). SAT or ACT scores are insufficient for enrollment in higher mathematics courses (MATH 1113, MATH 2200). A student who desires to register for a higher mathematics course must take the COMPASS Placement Exam or have CLEP, AP, or IB credit (see Alternate Credit Options).

Students who attend a high school outside the United States must be evaluated by an approved evaluation service such as Joseph Silny & Associates; World Education Services; or Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. The student must submit transcripts to an evaluation service and request that an appropriate evaluation be submitted to the Georgia Gwinnett College Admissions Office.

Freshman Requirements

Applicants who have never attended other colleges or who have earned fewer than 30 transferable semester hours from previous colleges are classified as freshman. The following requirements are in effect for freshman applicants:

High School Diploma

• Freshmen must have a High School Diploma from a high school accredited by a regional accrediting association (such as the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools), or by the Georgia Accrediting Commission, or from a public school regulated by a school system and state department of education. Certificates of Attendance or Special Education Diplomas are not acceptable.
• High school students with a general Diploma must have a minimum 2.00 grade point average based on the grades in the 17 units of Required High School Curriculum as defined by the Board of Regents.
• As part of the admission process and in compliance with Board of Regents Policy, each student will be evaluated to determine satisfactory completion of the following 17 units of the University System of Georgia Required High School Curriculum (RHSC):

Exceptions to freshman admission requirements for special groups of students

Limited Admissions Category
In recognition of the fact that a limited number of students do not meet established standards but do demonstrate special potential for success, institutions are authorized to grant admission to a limited number of such students. Institutions will use multiple measures whenever possible, such as interviews, portfolios, and records of experiential achievements, for students being considered for Limited Admission. The number of students who may be granted Limited Admissions will be restricted.

Presidential Exceptions
Presidents of University System of Georgia institutions may grant Presidential Exceptions to the Required High School Curriculum units and requirements for Limited Admissions if the student shows promise for academic success in college and has at least a high school diploma or GED credential. Institutions will be required to report to the University System of Georgia chief academic officer on those students granted Presidential Exceptions. Presidential Exceptions must be included as part of the institution's maximum percentage for Limited Admissions.

Students who enter under the Limited Admissions category (including Presidential Exceptions) must make up any Required High School Curriculum units deficiencies in accordance with University System of Georgia procedures. They must also be screened, as applicable, for placement in LS courses using a placement test administered by a University System of Georgia institution and must meet University System of Georgia criteria for exemption or exit of learning support in reading, English, and mathematics.

Home School Applicants

Applicants from home school or graduates of non-accredited high schools may be considered for admission upon submission of a portfolio of the student’s academic work and official SAT/ACT scores. Students who have completed each of the 17-unit RHSC areas as documented in the portfolio (or as documented by the SAT II Subject Tests) and have achieved the minimum SAT scores described in “Course Placement.” All applicants in this category must be reviewed by the Admissions Committee and an interview with the candidate may be required.

Required High School Curriculum Requirements (RHSC) - Home School and Non-Accredited High School Applicants

All home school and non-accredited high school applicants must demonstrate equivalent RHSC competence as required by Board of Regents policy. Home School applicants who receive credit from accredited institutions and curriculum providers can demonstrate compliance by submitting official transcripts from these providers. These transcripts will be evaluated for RHSC competence based on the general RHSC requirements detailed in Freshmen Requirements listed above.

Home School applicants who have credits from non-accredited institutions and curriculum providers, as well as applicants from non-accredited High Schools, will submit a Home School/Non-Accredited High School College Preparatory Credit Evaluation Form (or a transcript in similar form) and one of the following:

• SAT II or CLEP scores in Biology, Chemistry or Physics, American History and World History, and a foreign language. Applicants should contact the Admissions Office for the minimum score criteria
• A detailed description of course work completed in each subject area that includes the subject title, course description, texts or program used and primary teacher as well as writing samples, reading lists, major projects and assignments, exceptional learning experiences and additional standardized test scores, such as the Iowa Basic Skills, that can be used to evaluate RHSC compliance. Each subject should be representative of one Carnegie Unit (or academic year) of study. The Admissions Committee will review the portfolio for RHSC compliance and at its sole discretion can recommend that an applicant has met some, all or none of the RHSC requirements.
• Applicants who do not satisfy these requirements may still be admitted, but will be required to enroll in the appropriate courses (outlined above under the general "RHSC Requirements") to satisfy the RHSC deficiencies.

Home School Portfolio Review Procedures

The committee will review the student portfolio with the primary goal of determining the applicant’s potential for success at the college level. If the committee is not satisfied with the material submitted in the portfolio, it will seek additional information from the applicant as a condition for admission. If the committee’s request is not satisfied, the applicant will be denied admission.

Home School Evaluation Form (PDF)

General Educational Development (GED)

Persons over 18 years of age (or whose class has already graduated from high school) whose secondary schooling was interrupted may be admitted by presenting General Educational Development (GED) equivalency. Official GED test score reports must be mailed directly from the Technical College System of Georgia Office of Adult Literacy/GED to the Georgia Gwinnett College Admissions Office. GED applicants are strongly suggested (but not required) to take either the College Board Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) or the American College Test (ACT), the results of which will be made part of the applicant's portfolio. All GED applications must be reviewed by the Admissions Committee and an interview with the candidate may be required.

GED cutoff scores are as follows:
Traditional students - Minimum score of 260/2600 - regular admission
Non-Traditional students - Minimum score of 225/2250 - regular admission

Dual-Enrollment/Joint Enrollment/Early Admission of High School Students

The USG recognizes the need to provide academically talented high school students with opportunities for acceleration of their formal academic programs. This recognition has led to the development of three organized programs:

• A dual enrollment program in which a student, while continuing his/her enrollment in high school, enrolls in a course(s) for both high school and college credit.
• A joint enrollment program in which a student, while continuing his/her enrollment in high school as a junior or senior, enrolls in courses for college credit.
• An early admissions program in which the student enrolls as a full-time college student following completion of the junior year in high school.

The minimum admissions standards for the dual enrollment, joint enrollment and early admissions programs have been developed to allow certain students to receive both high school and college credit for some courses. Procedures for admission, course selection and instruction can be found in Section 3.0 of the Academic Affairs Handbook (BoR Minutes, September 2004).

Move On When Ready

The Move on When Ready Act (MOWR) permits 11th and 12th grade students to leave their assigned high schools and attend post secondary institutions full-time to earn course credit that will apply towards high school graduation and college. MOWR is intended as another option (not replacement) for the 11th and 12th grades, in addition to other regular dual enrollment programs, residential programs, early college, career academics and charter schools.

Georgia Gwinnett College admissions requirements for Move On When Ready:

• Be a student who is entering the 11th or 12th grade and who spent the prior year (2 consecutive semesters) in attendance at a Georgia public high school.
• 3.5 Core Academic GPA
• 1200 Combined Critical Reading/Math SAT with 600 Critical Reading and 600 Math OR
• 27 ACT Composite with 27 English & 25 Math

RHSC Deficiencies

Students who have not completed the required RHSC units must take additional courses as outlined below to make up for the RHSC deficiencies. All RHSC deficiencies must be made up before the student has earned 20 semester hours of college level credit. College courses taken to satisfy RHSC deficiencies are required for degree completion but cannot be used to fulfill Core Curriculum or program requirements at Georgia Gwinnett College. The credits earned for these courses are calculated in the term grade point average but not in the cumulative Georgia Gwinnett College grade point average. Transfer students who satisfy RHSC requirements at another institution of the University System of Georgia will be acknowledged as having met those requirements.

Non-traditional Freshman

Non-traditional freshmen are defined as individuals who meet all of the following criteria:

• Have been out of high school at least five years and whose high school class graduated at least five years ago.
• Hold a high school diploma from an accredited or approved high school or have satisfactorily completed the GED.
• Have earned fewer than 30 transferable semester credit hours.

All non-traditional freshmen must be screened for placement in learning support courses using a placement test administered by a University System institution and must meet University System criteria for exemption or exit of learning support in reading, English, and mathematics.

New Admissions Requirements for Non-Traditional Students Starting Fall 2012

Non-traditional applicants are required to take the COMPASS placement exam prior to enrollment and will complete any learning support requirements as indicated. The following minimum compass scores are required:

English 32
Reading 62
Math 20

Adult learners can carry a maximum of two learning support deficiencies for college admission. COMPASS scores will also be used for course placement. Applicants will be denied admission if they place into all three areas of Learing Support or if they score below the minimum on one of the sections of the COMPASS exam.

Non-traditional applicants must also meet the minimum 2.00 GPA requirement.

Institutions may choose to award credit to students who did not complete the diploma program but were awarded a certificate for completion of a specific subject area for higher level courses with an assessment score of four or better.

Notes about Admission

An applicant may be declared eligible for admission, registration, enrollment or re-enrollment at a University System institution only after satisfying all requirements established by the University System of Georgia and the institution concerned. The institution shall have the right to examine and appraise the character, personality and qualifications of the applicant. In order that this examination and appraisal may be made, the applicant shall furnish to the institution such biographical and other information, including references, as may be required. Each unit of the University System reserves the right to refuse admission to a non-resident of Georgia, to an applicant whose admission would cause the institution to exceed its maximum capacity, to an applicant whose request for admission is only to a program that is already filled, to an applicant whose transcript(s) are from an unaccredited institution or who is otherwise ineligible for admission. Applicants seeking additional information on referral of students to other institutions, right to limit admissions, limited admissions/Presidential exceptions, or the use of social security numbers, should refer to the Board of Regent's manual: www.usg.edu.

Readmission

Students who must apply for readmission include transients and students who have not been enrolled for 12 consecutive months (three terms) as well as students changing classification. If the student does not enroll, the process must be repeated. The application for readmission is online at www.gacollege411.org. The readmission application must be submitted along with the non-refundable processing fee and any required supporting credentials fees by the deadline for the term of the desired re-enrollment.

Course Placement

Beginning fall 2012, test scores will be required for all freshman applicants. Students must meet testing requirements before an admissions decision can be made. The testing requirement can be satisfied by meeting the minimum scores on 1 of 3 tests:

1. Minimum SAT Scores:
Critical Reading	480
Math	460
2. Minimum ACT Scores:
English	21
Math	19
3. Required Minimum COMPASS Scores:
English	32
Reading	62
Math	20

COMPASS scores will also be used for course placement. Applicants will be denied if they place into all three areas of Learning Support or if they score below the minimum on one of the sections of the COMPASS exam.

Beginning freshmen must also meet the minimum 2.00 GPA.

Proficiency in mathematics allows a student to register for an introductory mathematics course (MATH 1111, MATH 2000, and BUSA 2000). SAT or ACT scores are insufficient for enrollment in higher mathematics courses (MATH 1113, MATH 2200). A student who desires to register for a higher mathematics course must take the COMPASS Placement Exam or have CLEP, AP, or IB credit (see Alternate Credit Options).

Students who attend a high school outside the United States must be evaluated by an approved evaluation service such as Joseph Sliny & Associates; World Education Services; or Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. The student must submit transcripts to an evaluation service and request that an appropriate evaluation be submitted to the Georgia Gwinnett College Admissions Office.

Students with Fewer than 30 Transfer Hours of College Credit

The college transcripts of students who have attended other colleges (but earned fewer than 30 semester hours of eligible transfer credit) will be considered as part of the admissions process. If a student meets the freshman requirements listed above and their combined GPA from previous college work is at or above a 2.00, the candidate will be admitted without condition; those who fail to meet both these requirements will be denied admission.

A student who has fewer than 30 semester hours of college credit will be admitted on Academic Probation, if one of the following two conditions occur: a) the student meets the freshman admission requirements listed above but has a combined GPA from previous college work below a 2.00 or b) the student does not meet the freshman admission requirements listed above but has a combined GPA from previous college work above a 2.00. Furthermore, students will be required to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress as defined by their academic classification in order to be placed in good academic standing at Georgia Gwinnett College.

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Undergraduate Admission Requirements for Transfer Students

Applicants who have attended other colleges and have earned more than 30 semester hours are classified as transfer students. Students admitted from other colleges are required to meet all general requirements regarding examinations and application deadlines. Students planning to transfer from other colleges must request that the Registrar's Office at each college previously attended forward an official transcript to the Admissions Office at Georgia Gwinnett College. Official transcripts are required whether or not the applicant receives transfer credit. Documents must be mailed directly from the other college to the Georgia Gwinnett College Admissions Office.

Admission Requirements

Transfer applicants must present a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 or above (based on a 4.00 scale) on all work attempted and must be in good academic standing at the last institution attended in order to be admitted to Georgia Gwinnett College in good academic standing. Transfer students with a GPA of 1.99 or below will be denied with the option to appeal their decision.

See also:

Transfer of Credit Policy

Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) with Georgia Perimeter College (PDF)

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Post-Baccalaureate Students

Students must submit the application for admission, proof of degree and immunization records.

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Dual Enrollment Students

To participate in the dual enrollment program a student must be enrolled in public school regulated by a school system and state department of education or an accredited private secondary high school.

The minimum admission standards for dual enrollment are:

• A minimum 480 verbal and 460 math scores on the SAT-1 and a combined SAT score of 970 or a minimum of 21 English and 19 mathematics score on the ACT and at least a composite score of 20.
• Minimum cumulative high school GPA of 3.0 or higher in courses taken from the required 16 RHSC units;
• Exemption of all Student Success requirements;
• Written consent of parent or guardian (if the student is a minor);
• On track towards the completion of the University System of Georgia 16-unit RHSC requirements and high school graduation.

Students wishing to complete RHSC or high school graduation requirements by enrolling in college courses must meet the following additional admission requirements:

• RHSC English and/or Social Science - Students planning to complete their 4th year high school English and/or social studies requirements with college credit must have an SAT I Verbal score of 530 or higher or ACT English score of 23.
• RHSC Math - Student's planning to complete their 4th year of high school mathematics must have completed Algebra I and II and Geometry and have a SAT I Mathematics score of at least 530 or ACT Mathematics scores of at least 22.
• Electives - Students can enroll in appropriate elective courses as approved by the high school counselor. (Students must have completed two units of a foreign language to enroll in a college foreign language course and three units of science prior to enrolling in a college science course.)

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Transient Students

A student enrolled in a degree program at another accredited college or university may apply to Georgia Gwinnett College for transient status. Such a student is one who expects to return to the college or university where previously enrolled and must have the permission of the home institution to attend Georgia Gwinnett College. The applicant who desires transient status must submit an application and a transient letter from the home institution. Transient students are admitted on a semester basis only. Georgia Gwinnett College does not guarantee that a transient student will be able to secure the courses desired, nor is Georgia Gwinnett College responsible for advising a transient student of courses that are applicable to their program of study at the home institution. Transcripts are not automatically forwarded to the home institution. Transient students must submit a written request to have a transcript sent back to the home institution.

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For more information about entrance requirements, view the GGC Catalog.