UGA sets early action application records

ATHENS — The University of Georgia continues to draw the best and brightest students throughout Georgia and the United States and recently offered admission to more than 9,000 early action applicants for the Class of 2028.

UGA received 26,760 early action applications for next fall’s incoming class, a record over last year’s high of 26,000. More than 11,500 applications were from Georgia residents, an 8% increase over last year, and more than 15,000 were from out-of-state applicants. The Office of Undergraduate Admissions increased high school visits within the state of Georgia this year by roughly 30% compared to last year.

In all, students from 50 states and Washington, D.C., including 107 counties across Georgia, applied for early acceptance and continued the trend of rising academic excellence among UGA students. Admission was offered to those with superior academic records, with the middle 50% of admitted students reporting a GPA of 4.13-4.38; ACT score of 31-34; SAT score of 1,370-1,500; and 9-13 AP, IB or dual enrollment courses.

“I am pleased that our reputation as an academic and athletic powerhouse continues to attract the top students from Georgia and across the nation,” UGA President Jere W. Morehead said. “High-achieving students can rightly envision themselves reaching their academic and career goals here because UGA is the most comprehensive university in the state, with world-class faculty and staff who are committed to student learning and success.”

Because of the increased number of applications, the University of Georgia announced early action admissions decisions in two waves: in-state admitted students were announced on Nov. 17, and out-of-state admitted students were announced on Dec. 15.

The admitted in-state students span 107 Georgia counties and 368 high schools. Approximately 23% of early admitted in-state students are first-generation students.

“While getting into the University of Georgia is increasingly competitive, UGA is the state’s flagship institution, and our primary focus is on recruiting, admitting and enrolling Georgia residents,” David Graves, the director of undergraduate admissions, said.

Approximately 50% of Georgia residents who applied early were offered admission versus 25% of out-of-state students.

Students who were deferred to the regular decision round will still be given full consideration for admission to UGA. The regular decision application deadline is Jan. 1, and final admissions decisions for deferred early action and regular decision applicants are usually announced in mid-March.

UGA continues to elevate its academic offerings and student support, resulting in record achievements for its students. The university has a four-year completion rate of 75% and six-year completion rate of 88%. Of UGA’s Class of 2022 graduates, 96% were employed or continuing their education within six months of graduation. UGA students also have won many highly competitive awards for post-graduate study in recent years, earning back-to-back Rhodes Scholarships in 2022 and 2023, among others.

UGA is ranked No. 20 in the latest U.S. News & World Report list of top public universities, marking its eighth consecutive year in the top 20.

Special Illustration: UGA