uga application essay requirements

2023 Application Essays

  david graves        june 3rd, 2022 in blog.

• Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
• The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
• Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
• Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?
• Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
• Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?
• Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you’ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.
• The shorter essay prompt will continue to be the following – “The college admissions process can create anxiety. In an attempt to make it less stressful, please tell us an interesting or amusing story about yourself from your high school years that you have not already shared in your application.”

As I have done in the past, I am including an essay from an enrolling student for Fall 2022 that our office believes is an extremely strong writing sample. Why is this essay strong? It is personal, it gives details and emotions, and it gives insight into the person. It also well written, shows that the student is able to stretch out beyond her comfort zone, and that she is not afraid to grow and learn. And lastly, I now know a great deal more about the student. When you write your essays, let us know more about you and less about the event (The Rocky Horror Picture Show in this case), as it lets us better understand you as an individual.

I am a very basic person, at least when it comes to my personal appearance. If you run across me any day of the week you’ll find I’m usually in a t-shirt, leggings, and some sneakers. That wasn’t the case one Friday night last fall. My outfit consisted of fishnet stockings and Doc Martens, a t-shirt so big I wore it as a dress, a comically large pearl necklace, and bright pink rubber gloves that went up to my elbows. I was way out of my fashion comfort zone.

My friend Emma had convinced me to go see a screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show with her, and I decided to defy my usual caution and go all in on the experience. I listened to the movie soundtrack beforehand and spent weeks planning my costume: a toned-down version of Dr. Frank N. Furter.

Emma is my opposite in many ways. She loves horror movies and classic rock, wears all black, and chops off her hair every couple of weeks. Where I’m socially anxious and worried about how others might perceive me, she is bold and unforgiving and a fierce protector of her family and friends. We all need friends like Emma who can challenge our assumptions and help us overcome our fears. And who spark us to create some great memories.

The screening was being held at Ciné, a local Athens art house theater, and there were butterflies in my stomach at the thought of venturing downtown in my get-up. As Emma and I walked into the theater, no one spared us a second glance. But we were clearly the coolest kids in attendance. Well, we were the only “kids” in attendance, the only high schoolers there in an audience made up mostly of people who looked well over thirty. Nevertheless, we danced in the aisle, shouted at the screen and had a blast. I’m saving that costume and will be ready to do the “Time Warp” again and again.  – Ella J.

Tags: essays , freshman admission

Choose Your Test

Sat / act prep online guides and tips, 4 tips for writing stellar uga essays.

College Info , College Essays

The University of Georgia is an excellent public school ranked in the top 50 universities nationwide . If you're applying here, you'll need to submit two amazing essays. So what are the UGA essay prompts? And how can you ensure your UGA essays will make you stand out?

In this in-depth guide, we give you all the current UGA essay prompts and tips for choosing and approaching the best prompt for you. We also look at an actual UGA application essay example to give you an idea of what your own essay can and should look like.

Feature Image: Boston Public Library /Flickr

What Are the UGA Essay Prompts?

The UGA application, which you can submit via the Common Application or the Coalition Application , requires all first-year applicants to submit two essays.

The first essay is the personal essay that's part of the Common App or Coalition App. You can find a list of the Common App prompts and how to answer them here (and you can find the same information for the Coalition App here) .

The second essay you'll submit is unique to the University of Georgia application. The first UGA essay must answer the following prompt:

The college admissions process can create anxiety. In an attempt to make it less stressful, please tell us an interesting or amusing story about yourself from your high school years that you have not already shared in your application.

This essay prompt is pretty different from what you'd expect in a college application; it offers you many possibilities, both content-wise and stylistically. But don't worry: we're going to break it down for you below!

How to Write the UGA Supplement Essay

All applicants must respond to this prompt in 200-350 words. Here it is again for reference:

As noted above, this prompt isn't like most other college essay prompts in that instead of asking about your academic goals, skills, or accomplishments, it's trying to loosen you up by having you write about something fun and unique in your life.

In other words, UGA wants to tease out your less serious, less academic side to get a better sense of who you are as a person and not just as a student. Specifically, they want to know what holds meaning in your life and what kind of experience you think is worthy enough to share with the admissions committee.

Therefore, your first UGA essay must accomplish the following:

• Should be different from what you've talked about elsewhere on your application
• Should highlight your sincerity and personality
• Should reveal something important about who you are and/or what you value
• Should NOT be too serious—remember that UGA wants an "amusing" story!

Some of these qualities might go against everything you thought you knew about college essays, but it's important here to really try to be sincere, write with an authentic voice, and not shy away from showcasing your more irreverent side.

Here are some examples of possible topics you could write about:

• A time you made a faux pas or silly mistake (in or outside of school), how others reacted, and what you did to remedy the situation and/or learn from it
• A funny misunderstanding you had with someone, such as a teacher, friend, or parent, and what this experience taught you about the importance of clear communication
• Something amusing or thought-provoking you watched, listened to, read, or did, and why you found this particular thing so fascinating (this shouldn't be any old movie or book but something a little more unique)
• A unique hobby or interest you have, how you developed it, and why it's important to you

As you can see, you have a lot of options for what you can write about for this UGA essay. That said, make sure to avoid the following topics:

• Politics, religion, or any other overly serious or potentially controversial topic
• Death, illness, or any other grave event or moment from your life
• Something everyone has experienced or heard of—your topic should be unique to you
• Anything you've already mentioned in a different section of your application
• Stories about bodily functions (UGA specifically mentioned getting too many of these stories, so have some pity on them and choose a different topic!)

A Real UGA Application Essay Example + Analysis

Below is an actual UGA application essay example written by an admitted applicant named Micaela B. This essay, which is a response to an older prompt (" Tell a story from your life, describing an experience that either demonstrates your character or helped to shape it" ), was taken from the UGA undergraduate admissions website where it was used as "an example of what we [UGA] consider a strong essay."

Here is the essay, at just around 300 words long (the word limit):

It's unassuming, the tiled top square table with mismatched chairs, its lacquer wearing thin from dishes being passed back and forth, room for four but always crowded by eleven. It may be unassuming but its power is undeniable.

As I grew older, the after-dinner conversations grew more intriguing to me. I began to stay and listen, to the politics I didn't understand and the adult gossip I shouldn't have been privy to. The dynamic of the debate shifted almost every time the topic changed, but the one thing that was consistent was that after all the plates were cleared and the chairs were pushed back in, everyone came together for dessert; pizzelles and biscotti. No afterthoughts, no bitterness.

I admire my family's ability to embrace each other for their differences, instead of letting it break us apart. There was no greater example of the lesson in acceptance than when my family learned of the change in sexuality of one of our relatives. After the dissolution of a marriage and a traditional family, the initial resentment towards her for the challenge to our family values was difficult to digest, yet unavoidable. It was the first dispute that ever brought tears to that weathered table with the peeling laquer. Instead of allowing differing lifestyles to drive a wedge between us, our family challenged each other's misconceptions, we discussed, we cried and we accepted.

Being raised in such a racially, economically and religiously diverse community, I am lucky to have developed the skill set to empathize with the people around me and understand that not everyone thinks the same way. In fact life would be pretty boring if everyone acted in uniformity; in a more harmonious world, everyone should be able to voice their opinions and speak their minds, and still come together for dessert.

Here's what makes this UGA essay work:

• It opens with a captivating description: This essay, especially the first two paragraphs, is undeniably attention-grabbing. The vivid image of the "tiled top square table" and how it is "always crowded by eleven" thrusts us directly into Micaela's boisterous life, making us feel as though we're sitting right there beside her and her family.
• It's tightly focused and easy to follow: From the beginning, we can tell that the crux of this essay is family, specifically the challenges that come with being a member of a large, diverse group. The story here really begins to open up by the third paragraph, where Micaela relates a surprising event—the "change" in a relative's sexuality—and shows how her family learned a valuable lesson in acceptance as a result.
• It's got a positive spin: Even though the essay discusses the challenges for a family to come together, it ultimately ends on a high note. This reveals to us a lot about Micaela's character, especially her commitment to harmony and her open-mindedness toward others.

4 Essential Tips for Your UGA Essays

Now, it's time to wrap up with some final helpful tips for your UGA essays.

#1: Be as Specific as Possible

Specificity is key to producing an effective and compelling college essay. In both your UGA essays, make sure you're being as specific as you can be: use real names of people or places, describe the emotions you felt at the time, and tell us what was said, both by whom and to whom.

Details are what will ultimately make the UGA admissions committee be able to more easily relate to your experiences, passions, and point of view. So don't forget to include them!

#2: Use an Authentic Voice

The essays are the time for your personality to shine, so don't hold back— use your natural voice to tell your story. It's OK to tell some jokes or emphasize your love of flowery language with a few poetic metaphors, for example.

That said, essays don't give you free rein to be impolite or to completely break the conventions of English grammar, so know what your limits are as you write.

#3: Write Concisely

You only have up to 350 words for the supplemental UGA essay, so it's important to focus on being concise. If one of your rough drafts exceeds the word limit by a lot, you can try to trim it down by deleting any irrelevant or wordy passages.

#4: Remember to Edit and Proofread

Finally, don't forget to edit and proofread your UGA essays! As you edit, spend time looking for the following:

• Irrelevant passages, phrases, and/or sentences
• Redundant words, phrases, and/or descriptions
• Awkward-sounding or misplaced phrases/passages
• Errors in spelling, grammar, and/or punctuation

Once you've done your own edit of your UGA essays, give them to someone to look over, such as a teacher, parent, or older sibling. Ask this person to proofread the essays and to offer you any advice they might have on how you can improve them in terms of organization, examples or details, word choice, etc.

What's Next?

Applying to other colleges in the eastern United States? Then check out our in-depth guides for tips on how to write the Georgia Tech essays , the Duke essays , and the Johns Hopkins essay .

Lots of colleges use the Common App and require an essay submitted through this system. Read our guide to learn all about the Common App essay prompts and how you can ensure your essay will impress admissions committees.

Still want to know more about UGA? Take a look at our UGA admissions requirements page to get info on the GPA and test scores needed to secure admission to this popular school.

Hannah received her MA in Japanese Studies from the University of Michigan and holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Southern California. From 2013 to 2015, she taught English in Japan via the JET Program. She is passionate about education, writing, and travel.

Ask a Question Below

Have any questions about this article or other topics? Ask below and we'll reply!

Improve With Our Famous Guides

• For All Students

The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 160+ SAT Points

How to Get a Perfect 1600, by a Perfect Scorer

Series: How to Get 800 on Each SAT Section:

Score 800 on SAT Math

Score 800 on SAT Reading

Score 800 on SAT Writing

Series: How to Get to 600 on Each SAT Section:

Score 600 on SAT Math

Score 600 on SAT Reading

Score 600 on SAT Writing

Free Complete Official SAT Practice Tests

What SAT Target Score Should You Be Aiming For?

15 Strategies to Improve Your SAT Essay

The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 4+ ACT Points

How to Get a Perfect 36 ACT, by a Perfect Scorer

Series: How to Get 36 on Each ACT Section:

36 on ACT English

36 on ACT Math

36 on ACT Reading

36 on ACT Science

Series: How to Get to 24 on Each ACT Section:

24 on ACT English

24 on ACT Math

24 on ACT Reading

24 on ACT Science

What ACT target score should you be aiming for?

ACT Vocabulary You Must Know

ACT Writing: 15 Tips to Raise Your Essay Score

How to Get Into Harvard and the Ivy League

How to Get a Perfect 4.0 GPA

How to Write an Amazing College Essay

What Exactly Are Colleges Looking For?

Is the ACT easier than the SAT? A Comprehensive Guide

Should you retake your SAT or ACT?

When should you take the SAT or ACT?

Stay Informed

Get the latest articles and test prep tips!

Looking for Graduate School Test Prep?

Check out our top-rated graduate blogs here:

GRE Online Prep Blog

GMAT Online Prep Blog

TOEFL Online Prep Blog

Holly R. "I am absolutely overjoyed and cannot thank you enough for helping me!”

What are your chances of acceptance?

Calculate for all schools, your chance of acceptance.

Your chancing factors

Extracurriculars.

University of Georgia Essay Example by an Accepted Student

The University of Georgia is a large public research institute and one of the top public schools in the nation. If it is one of your school choices, it’s important to write strong essays to help your application stand out. In this post, we’ll share an essay a real student has submitted to the University of Georgia. (Names and identifying information have been changed, but all other details are preserved).

Please note: Looking at examples of real essays students have submitted to colleges can be very beneficial to get inspiration for your essays. You should never copy or plagiarize from these examples when writing your own essays. Colleges can tell when an essay isn’t genuine and will not view students favorably if they plagiarized. 

Read our University of Georgia es say breakdown to get a comprehensive overview of this year’s supplemental prompt.

Essay Example – Humor in Cooking

Prompt: Tell us an interesting or amusing story about yourself from your high school years.

Cooking is one of those activities at which people are either extremely talented or completely inept. Personally, I’ve found that I fall right in the middle, with neither prodigal nor abhorrent talents. After all, it’s just following instructions, right? Unfortunately, one disastrous night in my kitchen has me questioning that logic.

The task was simple enough: cook a turkey stir fry. In theory, it’s an extremely simple dish. However, almost immediately, things went awry. While I was cutting onions, I absentmindedly rubbed at my eyes and smeared my mascara. (Keep this in mind; it’ll come into play later.) I then proceeded to add the raw turkey to the vegetable pot. Now, as any good chef knows, this means that either the vegetables will burn or the turkey will be raw. I am admittedly not a good chef.

After a taste test, I decided to take a page out of the Spice Girls’ book and “spice up my life”, adding some red chili paste. This was my fatal mistake. The bottle spilled everywhere. Pot, counter, floor, I mean everywhere . While trying to clean up the mess, my hands ended up covered in sauce.

Foolishly, I decided to taste my ruined meal anyway. My tongue felt like it was on fire and I sprinted to the bathroom to rinse my mouth. I looked in the mirror and, noticing the raccoon eyes formed by my mascara, grabbed a tissue. What I had neglected to realize was that chili paste had transferred to the tissue—the tissue which I was using to wipe my eyes. I don’t know if you’ve ever put chili paste anywhere near your eyes, but here’s a word of advice: don’t. Seriously, don’t .

I fumbled blindly for the sink handle, mouth still on fire, eyes burning, presumably looking like a character out of a Tim Burton film. After I rinsed my face, I sat down and stared at my bowl of still-too-spicy and probably-somewhat-raw stir fry, wondering what ancient god had decided to take their anger out on me that night, and hoping I would never incur their wrath ever again.

What the Essay Did Well

This is a great essay for the prompt! Don’t assume that the admissions committee wants deep, personal stories with hard-earned lessons in every essay. They are people too, and they want to be engaged with  amusing stories. This essay does a great job of being light, playful, and funny, while still revealing a lot about the student who wrote it.

Starting off with the story the student chose, it works so well because it is so specific. Focusing the essay on a short period of time—making dinner—allows the student to include a lot of details that wouldn’t have fit in an essay that tried to explain their entire history with cooking. This is proof that zeroing in on what might seem like a mundane experience can make for a really strong essay.

Another thing this essay does really well is structure the story in a clear, sequential manner. The essay starts by setting expectations for the student’s cooking abilities, which builds anticipation for the reader. Then, the essay follows the various steps of the cooking process almost like following a recipe. The beginning of each paragraph establishes each new step of the story—”The task was simple enough”; “After a taste test”; “Foolishly, I decided to taste my ruined meal anyway”; “I fumbled blindly for the sink handle”—which creates momentum for the essay that makes reading it quick and easy.

Perhaps what makes this essay so stellar is how much the student’s voice shines through. This student is unapologetically themselves and admits to their shortcomings as a chef. By sharing a funny and embarrassing story, the admissions committee reading the essay gets a much better sense of the student’s character and personality than if they had shared a story about the time they scored the winning goal at the soccer game. The language is casual and informal and it feels much more like the student is telling a story than writing an essay, which should be the goal of any college essay.

Another aspect of this essay that really allows the student’s voice to shine and makes it so enjoyable to read is the humor. Including humor into essays can sometimes be hard, but when it’s done successfully it give the reader a sense of your personality and can brighten their day. Including interjections like “(Keep this in mind; it’ll come into play later.)” and references to pop culture like “I decided to take a page out of the Spice Girls’ book and ‘spice up my life'” gave the audiences little chuckles as they read. Especially for a prompt that wants an amusing story, the humorous tone and inclusion of jokes throughout the essay really made this essay stand out.

What Could Be Improved

There isn’t much this student could do to improve the essay. It’s very well-written and a perfect response to the prompt. However, to really strengthen the essay, the student could remove the first paragraph. The first paragraph isn’t bad, and it starts to introduce some of the humor seen throughout the essay, but it doesn’t directly relate to the story being told. Removing the first paragraph would allow the student to jump right into the action of the story and have more words to add details and more jokes during the rest of the essay.

Where to Get Your University of Georgia Essays Edited

Do you want feedback on your University of Georgia  essays? After rereading your essays countless times, it can be difficult to evaluate your writing objectively. That’s why we created our free Peer Essay Review tool , where you can get a free review of your essay from another student. You can also improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays. 

If you want a college admissions expert to review your essay, advisors on CollegeVine have helped students refine their writing and submit successful applications to top schools. Find the right advisor for you to improve your chances of getting into your dream school!

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

Full-Time MBA Admissions

Considering the University of Georgia Full-Time MBA?

Take the next step.

We look for down-to-earth, driven, resourceful candidates who are intellectually curious and who enjoy solving problems in a collaborative environment. On this page, you’ll learn more about admissions requirements, application materials and deadlines, and how to apply to the Full-Time MBA program.

Application Deadlines

The Full-Time MBA application cycle has four deadlines. We encourage you to apply when you are ready and can submit the strongest application. If you are interested in our merit-based awards, consider applying in the two earlier rounds. We work hard to review applications in a timely manner, and we promise to issue our decisions no later than the dates posted below.

Application Requirements

Full-Time MBA application requirements include:

• Two (2) years of professional work experience (post-bachelors degree) before entering the program
• A one-page business résumé
• Two letters of recommendation (professional recommendations are preferred)
• Unofficial copies* of your transcripts from each institution attended for college credit
• Self-reported* GMAT or GRE scores (Select applicants may apply for a test score waiver. Please review the application instructions for more information.)
• Self-reported* TOEFL or IELTS scores (for non-native English speakers)
• Essays (two required, one optional)
• Video Essay (optional)
• $100 Application Fee (paid online at time of application submission)

*If you are offered admission, we will require your official transcripts and score reports at that time.

Learn More About Georgia Full-Time MBA

Sign up for a one-on-one meeting with an admissions representative, connect with an MBA Ambassador , register for an event , or watch videos to learn more about the student experience.

Full-Time MBA Admission FAQs

1. Complete the online application . 2. You will then answer several questions, upload the required application materials, and pay the application fee. 3. You can save the application and return to it multiple times until you finish it. 4. Do not submit the application until it is complete. You cannot change it after submitting.

The admissions committee strongly prefers that candidates possess a minimum of two years of full-time work experience for two reasons. First, students are expected to relate real-world experiences to concepts presented in the classroom. Second, MBA employers strongly prefer candidates with a minimum of two years of professional experience. Entering an MBA program with less experience may limit your employment options and reduce your return on investment.

Please include your employment and educational history in reverse chronological order (most recent first). For work experience, include titles, dates, and whether you worked part-time or full-time. Your educational record should indicate dates of attendance and degree(s) earned. Other information is encouraged, especially as it quantifies your experience and puts your achievements into context. When possible, include information about outside activities and interests, including community service and hobbies.

The University of Georgia requires that all MBA applicants possess a baccalaureate degree or a foreign equivalent from a regionally accredited institution. Please refer to the Graduate School website for more information about requirements for domestic and international students. Candidates are expected to have a minimum 3.0 GPA. You can still apply if you do not meet the GPA requirement, but it is highly recommended that you submit an optional essay addressing your academic performance. Official transcripts will be required after admission.

We accept both, but the GMAT is preferred. We do not have a minimum score requirement for either test, but please refer to our Class Profile to understand the average applicant profile. We highly encourage candidates to take time to prepare before test day. Many online resources are available to assist you, including practice tests . You can register for the GMAT at mba.com . An official score report will be required after admission.

The Full-Time MBA program considers select applicants for test score waivers. We evaluate waiver requests on a case-by-case basis for applicants with more than three years of relevant and progressive full-time work experience, active duty U.S. Military personnel with more than two years of service or those currently enrolled in another UGA graduate program. In addition, applicants must meet at least one of the following criteria to qualify: • A strong record of academic performance from an accredited U.S. institution • An advanced degree from an accredited U.S. institution (graduate, master’s, professional degrees) • Professional certifications with a quantitative focus (CPA, CFA, or other certification) • Strong performance in previous analytical or quantitative coursework

Non-native English speakers must submit valid scores for either the TOEFL or IELTS. The committee looks for a minimum overall score of 100 for the TOEFL or an overall band score of 7.0 for the IELTS. An official score report will be required after admission. Please read the International Students page for more detailed information.

Essays are a way for you to share your perspective and plans. The best essays are introspective, authentic, and succinct. Required Essay 1 How will the Georgia MBA help you achieve your short- and long-term career goals? (400 words or less) Required Essay 2 Option A : Tell us about a time you created a positive impact, either personally or professionally. Describe the impact. Why was it significant to you or others? (250 words or less) Option B : Describe a time when you contributed to making a work environment or organization more welcoming, inclusive, and diverse. (250 words or less) Optional Essay Please use this optional essay to share relevant information that isn’t revealed anywhere else in your application materials. The committee wants to understand you as a whole person, so use this essay to “fill any holes” in your application. (400 words or less) Optional Video Essay This is another way for you to show parts of yourself and your personality that are not seen elsewhere in your application. Details and prompts are available in the application.

Interviews are by invitation only. After we receive and review applications, select candidates may be invited to schedule an interview. We can arrange virtual interviews for international applicants and domestic candidates unable to travel. If you attend a Campus Visit Day for your interview, your day will include: • A face-to-face interview with a member of the MBA Admissions Committee • Lunch with current MBA students • A class visit

Ready to get started? Apply now .

University of Georgia

Standard admissions process.

The UGA School of Law Juris Doctor degree program is a full-time day program. First-year students may begin classes only in the fall semester.  

Application Instructions

All applicants are required to apply online through LSAC.org .  A completed School of Law application must be received by the School of Law Office of Admissions by 11:59 p.m. ET on June 1, 2024,  in order to be considered for admission to the 2024 entering class. All required supporting materials must be received by the School of Law Office of Admissions by June 30, 2024 . For priority merit scholarship consideration, applications should be completed and received in the Office of Admissions by February 1, 2024 . Applications received or completed after the deadline may be considered by the Admission Committee at its discretion.

Applicants need not possess a baccalaureate degree at the time the application for admission is submitted. Except for 3+3 applicants, in order to register for classes, it is necessary to provide documentation the degree has been conferred.

Application decisions are sent to applicants via regular U.S. mail; therefore, it is important that you provide us with any updates to the current mailing address submitted with your application. In addition, application decisions post immediately online. You can check your application status online . Decisions are made on a rolling basis as files become complete beginning in late fall and continuing through early summer.

Items to accompany the application form include: Admission Essay Each applicant is required to provide a brief personal statement.   Application and Processing Fee All applicants are required to pay a $50 (U.S. funds) non-refundable application and processing fee. This fee must be paid online when applying through LSAC.org .

• In the LSAT section of the application, applicants should enter a 0 for the test score.
• Please indicate the type of test taken (GRE) and enter the score received
• Please indicate the month and year the test was taken

Foreign-educated applicants must register with the CAS and submit their transcripts through the CAS. Except for foreign work through a study abroad, consortium, or exchange program sponsored by a U.S. or Canadian institution, transcripts for all post-secondary work completed outside of the United States, its territories, or Canada must be evaluated by this service. The service is included in the CAS registration fee. 

Letters of Recommendation Applicants must provide two letters of recommendation. It is preferred that the letters of recommendation be no more than two years old. We prefer letters from professors, employers, or other recommenders who can attest to your ability to enter a competitive professional program. If you have been out of school for multiple years, employer references will suffice. Applicants are required to use the letter of recommendation service provided by the Law School Admission Council (LSAC). Applicants using the LSAC letter of recommendation Service must use the Letter of Recommendation Form provided on LSAC.org .

Resume Submit a resume detailing your education, employment, skills, honors, awards, and accomplishments. Upload the document as an attachment to the application form.

International Student Requirement All new international students at UGA, including the School of Law, are required to check in with the  Office of Global Engagement  (OGE) by phone at 001-706-542-2900 or by email at  [email protected] . F-1 and J-1 students in particular must be careful to check in with  OGE  in a timely fashion. Your student record cannot be registered with the government until you have completed the immigration check-in process. In addition, you will not be able to register for classes until you check in with  OGE .

Applicants who intend to practice law should be aware: In addition to a bar examination, there are character, fitness, and other qualifications for admission to the bar in every U.S. jurisdiction.  Applicants are encouraged to determine the requirements for any jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission by contacting the jurisdiction.  Addresses for all relevant agencies are available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners .

Applicants for admission to the 2023 entering class who did not enroll must pay the application fee and submit a new application and supporting materials in order to be considered for the 2024 entering class. Applicants for admission to the 2024 entering class will not be able to use any previously submitted materials. Transcripts must be sent to the Law School Admissions Council and a new LSAC Law School Report must be provided. 

University of Georgia 2023-24 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

Early Action: Oct 15

Regular Decision Deadline: Jan 1

You Have: 

University of Georgia 2023-24 Application Essay Question Explanations 

The Requirements: 1 essays of 200-300 words

Supplemental Essay Type(s): Oddball

T he transition from middle to high school is a key time for students as they reach new levels of both academic and personal discovery. Please share a book (novel, non-fiction, etc.) that had a serious impact on you during this time. Please focus more on why this book made an impact on you and less on the plot/theme of the book itself (we are not looking for a book report).” (200-300 words)

This prompt asks you to discuss a book that made a big impression on you as you navigated the transition from middle to high school. At CEA, we always recommend that you choose an unexpected work in order to stand out from the pack, but ultimately, you should aim for authenticity rather than uniqueness. If Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone was the book you turned to in the beginning of freshman year, where you found not only fantastical escape, but also an accurate reflection of the struggles of fitting in (even if you weren’t the “chosen one”), then write about that! But a word of warning if you choose a more commonly read book such as those from the Wizarding World: your essay has to go above and beyond if it has any chance of making an impression on the admissions department at UGA. 

If, however, there is another less-mainstream book that struck a chord with you, we encourage you to select that one to elaborate upon. No matter your choice, as you contemplate the prompt, ask yourself: Which characters have inspired you? Which plotlines have stayed with you long after you closed the book? How did you apply what you took from the story to your own life?

Regardless of the book you choose, try to give yourself as much time as possible to reflect on its impact and the role it played in helping you navigate your introduction to high school. As always, it’s your job to tell admissions a story, one that reveals information about who you are, what you care about, and/or what inspires you.

About Kat Stubing

View all posts by Kat Stubing »

We have school-specific prompt guides for almost 100 schools.

Contact us for information on rates and more!

• I am a * Student Parent Potential Partner School Counselor Private College Counselor
• Name * First Last
• Phone Type Mobile Landline
• Street Address
• Address City State / Province / Region Afghanistan Albania Algeria American Samoa Andorra Angola Anguilla Antarctica Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Aruba Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bermuda Bhutan Bolivia Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Bouvet Island Brazil British Indian Ocean Territory Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cabo Verde Cambodia Cameroon Canada Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad Chile China Christmas Island Cocos Islands Colombia Comoros Congo Congo, Democratic Republic of the Cook Islands Costa Rica Croatia Cuba Curaçao Cyprus Czechia Côte d'Ivoire Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Eswatini Ethiopia Falkland Islands Faroe Islands Fiji Finland France French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Gibraltar Greece Greenland Grenada Guadeloupe Guam Guatemala Guernsey Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana Haiti Heard Island and McDonald Islands Holy See Honduras Hong Kong Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Isle of Man Israel Italy Jamaica Japan Jersey Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Republic of Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Lao People's Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macao Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania Mauritius Mayotte Mexico Micronesia Moldova Monaco Mongolia Montenegro Montserrat Morocco Mozambique Myanmar Namibia Nauru Nepal Netherlands New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria Niue Norfolk Island North Macedonia Northern Mariana Islands Norway Oman Pakistan Palau Palestine, State of Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Pitcairn Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Romania Russian Federation Rwanda Réunion Saint Barthélemy Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Martin Saint Pierre and Miquelon Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa San Marino Sao Tome and Principe Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Sint Maarten Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands South Sudan Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Svalbard and Jan Mayen Sweden Switzerland Syria Arab Republic Taiwan Tajikistan Tanzania, the United Republic of Thailand Timor-Leste Togo Tokelau Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Türkiye US Minor Outlying Islands Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States Uruguay Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela Viet Nam Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, U.S. Wallis and Futuna Western Sahara Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe Åland Islands Country
• Which best describes you (or your child)? High school senior High school junior College student College grad Other
• How did you find CEA? Internet Search New York Times Guidance counselor/school Social Media YouTube Friend Special Event Delehey College Consulting Other
• Common App and Coalition Essays
• Supplemental Essays
• University of California Essays
• University of Texas Essays
• Resume Review
• Post-Grad Essays
• Specialized Services
• Waitlist Letters
• Private School Essays
• General College Counseling
• School list with priorities noted:
• Anything else we should know?
• Name This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

School Stats:

• Agnes Scott College
• Alvernia University
• American University
• Amherst College
• Babson College
• Bard College
• Barnard College
• Baylor University
• Bennington College
• Bentley University
• Berry College
• Bethany College
• Bishop’s University
• Boston College
• Boston University (BU)
• Bowdoin College
• Brandeis University
• Brown University
• Bryn Mawr College
• Bucknell University
• Butler University
• California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
• California Lutheran University
• Capitol Technology University
• Carleton College
• Carnegie Mellon University
• Catawba College
• Centre College
• Chapman University
• Claremont McKenna College
• Clark University
• College of Mount Saint Vincent
• College of William and Mary
• College of Wooster
• Colorado College
• Colorado School of Mines
• Columbia University
• Cornell University
• Culver-Stockton College
• D'Youville University
• Dartmouth College
• Davidson College
• Drexel University
• Duke University
• Earlham College
• Elon University
• Emerson College
• Emory University
• Flagler College
• Fordham University
• George Mason University
• Georgetown University
• Georgia State University
• Georgia Tech
• Gonzaga University
• Harvard University
• Harvey Mudd College
• Haverford College
• Hillsdale College
• Hofstra University
• Illinois Institute of Technology
• Illinois Wesleyan University
• Indiana University Bloomington
• Ithaca College
• Johns Hopkins University
• Kalamazoo College
• Lafayette College
• Lehigh University
• Lewis and Clark College
• Linfield University
• Loyola Marymount University (LMU)
• Lynn University
• Macalester College
• Malone University
• Manchester University
• Marist College
• Mary Baldwin University
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
• Meredith College
• Monmouth College
• Moravian University
• Morehouse College
• Mount Holyoke College
• New York University (NYU)
• North Park University
• Northwestern University
• Occidental College
• Oklahoma City University
• Olin College of Engineering
• Pepperdine University
• Pitzer College
• Pomona College
• Princeton University
• Providence College
• Purdue University
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
• Rice University
• Saint Elizabeth University
• Santa Clara University
• Sarah Lawrence College
• Scripps College
• Seattle Pacific University
• Smith College
• Soka University of America
• Southern Methodist University
• St. John’s College
• Stanford University
• Stonehill College
• Swarthmore College
• Syracuse University
• Texas A&M University
• Texas Christian University
• The College of Idaho
• The George Washington University
• The New School
• Trinity College
• Tufts University
• Tulane University
• University of California
• University of Central Florida (UCF)
• University of Chicago
• University of Cincinnati
• University of Colorado Boulder
• University of Florida
• University of Georgia
• University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
• University of Maryland
• University of Massachusetts Amherst
• University of Miami
• University of Michigan
• University of Minnesota
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC)
• University of North Carolina at Charlotte
• University of North Carolina at Greensboro
• University of Notre Dame
• University of Oklahoma
• University of Oregon
• University of Pennsylvania
• University of Pittsburgh
• University of Richmond
• University of San Diego
• University of San Francisco
• University of Southern California (USC)
• University of Texas at Austin
• University of Tulsa
• University of Vermont
• University of Virginia (UVA)
• University of Washington
• University of Wisconsin-Madison
• Vanderbilt University
• Vassar College
• Villanova University
• Virginia Tech
• Wake Forest University
• Washington and Lee University
• Washington University in St. Louis
• Wellesley College
• Williams College
• Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI)
• Yale University

Want free stuff?

We thought so. Sign up for free instructional videos, guides, worksheets and more!

One-On-One Advising

Common App Essay Prompt Guide

Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

• YouTube Tutorials
• Our Approach & Team
• Undergraduate Testimonials
• Postgraduate Testimonials
• Where Our Students Get In
• CEA Gives Back
• Undergraduate Admissions
• Graduate Admissions
• Private School Admissions
• International Student Admissions
• Common App Essay Guide
• Supplemental Essay Guide
• Coalition App Guide
• The CEA Podcast
• Admissions Stats
• Notification Trackers
• Deadline Databases
• College Essay Examples
• Academy and Worksheets
• Waitlist Guides
• Get Started

• Dean’s Welcome
• Meet the Staff
• Information Sessions
• Why Honors?
• High School Applicants
• Current UGA Student Applicants
• Transfer Student Applicants
• Request Information
• Apply to UGA
• First Year Experience
• Advising & Registration
• Academic Requirements
• Graduation Requirements
• Honors Student Network
• Involvement Opportunities
• Undergraduate Research
• Honors Internship Programs
• Honors International Scholars Program
• Lunchbox Lectures & Book Discussions
• Career & Scholarship Resources
• Prospective Students
• Internal Scholarships
• External Scholarships
• Honors Sections
• Honors Option
• Honors Seminars
• Graduate Course Access
• Faculty-Mentored Internships
• Faculty Teaching Awards
• Moore Hall Facilities
• Honors Magazine
• Admissions >

First-Semester Entry

Current first-year UGA students in their first semester at the university may apply for acceptance into the Morehead Honors College. The first-semester entry application process is the only opportunity that current UGA students have to apply for Honors acceptance.

You must meet the requirements below during your first semester in order to be eligible to apply:

• You are eligible to apply during your first semester at UGA as a first-year student .
• You must be enrolled in at least 14 hours of graded A-F courses in your first semester at UGA.
• You are required to have a cumulative UGA GPA of at least 3.8 .

Credit hours earned through Advanced Placement, summer classes, or joint / dual enrollment courses will not be counted toward this minimum credit hour requirement. However, grades earned through summer classes or joint / dual enrollment courses taken at UGA will be counted toward the minimum GPA requirement.

Entry into the Morehead Honors College is competitive. The fulfillment of the requirements listed above does not constitute automatic admission into the Morehead Honors College. In addition to the fulfillment of the requirements listed above, applications will be evaluated based upon UGA grades and the overall quality of the application, including required essays and a faculty recommendation.

You must submit an application by Reading Day of your first semester to be eligible for acceptance. In all cases, you will not know your exact cumulative University of Georgia GPA before the application deadline. However, you must submit your application by the deadline in order to be considered. Admissions decisions will not be made until all grades have been posted.

Students who apply for entry during their first term will be notified of the college’s decision via their UGAMail account over the semester break and given the opportunity to register for Honors courses for the following semester if accepted.

Spring applications are due Reading Day by 5 p.m. ET.

Letter of Recommendation

The First-Semester Entry application requires a letter of recommendation from one of your first-semester instructors. You will be prompted to enter the name and UGA email address of your recommender when filling out your application in InfoReady. Please be sure to follow the instructions for this portion of the application carefully, and please be mindful that the Morehead Honors College will not contact instructors to obtain a letter of recommendation on your behalf if one is not received by the application due date.

Browser Compatibility

Letter writers and applicants should access InfoReady ( https://uga.infoready4.com/#honorscuro ) from a desktop computer or laptop rather than a mobile device. InfoReady is most compatible with Chrome and Mozilla Firefox. We encourage any instructors or applicants who are experiencing technical issues while accessing InfoReady from Safari to switch browsers.

The Latest Honors News

May 2, 2024

April 16, 2024

April 12, 2024

Upcoming Honors Events

Welcome to the Morehead Honors College! Whether you are a current Honors student, a high schooler or parent looking for more information, or an Honors alum, we have events scheduled just for you.

Our calendar includes upcoming information sessions, external scholarship application deadlines, lunchbox lectures, book discussions, important semester dates, and events for our alumni and friends, among other items.

Get Connected With Honors

Morehead Honors College 115 Moore Hall Athens, GA 30602 706-542-3240 [email protected]

• Student Life
• Alumni & Giving

UGA Requirements

Transfer consideration requirements are subject to change for each semester as the University reviews space availability for that term. Different GPA baselines are set depending on the hours that transfer into the University of Georgia, with a change in class standing every 30 semester hours. Additionally, some colleges and departments have limits on the number of students in their programs, so an applicant’s intended major might be a factor in the admission decision.

When reviewing a file, the best indication of academic success at UGA is a student’s calculated transfer GPA along with the number of classes completed. In calculating your GPA, we use all academic grades you have earned in transferable courses (including D's, F's and WF's) from every college you have attended. If a course is repeated, we will use both grades. As well, we only review transfer work with specific course titles, course numbers and credit hours.

Transfer admission decisions are made on a space-as-available basis. Thus, there are neither GPA nor completed credit hour levels that guarantee admission.

Athens Campus 

You are eligible for transfer admission consideration to the undergraduate program on UGA's Athens campus if you have:

• 30-59  completed  hours of transferable credit by the application deadline,
• graduated from high school at least 12 months prior to the term of intended enrollment,
• completed  at least one year of college by the term of intended enrollment, and
• a 3.30 or higher calculated transfer GPA.

Residence Requirement

Transfer students must earn at least 45 of the last 60 semester credit hours in residence. In addition, 15 of the semester credit hours required for a student’s major must be earned in residence. (Some majors may require more than the minimum of 15 semester credit hours.)

For example:

• If you have 90 hours, you still have to take 45 hours here.
• If you have 75 hours, you can’t take any transient courses.
• If you have 60 hours, you can’t take any more than 15 hours of transient courses over your time here.

Please see  UGA Bulletin  for more information regarding this requirement.

Tifton, Griffin, or Online Campuses

You are eligible for transfer admission consideration to the undergraduate programs on UGA's Athens, Tifton, Griffin , or Online campuses if you have:

• 60 or more  completed  hours of transferable credit by the application deadline,*
• completed  at least one year of college by the term of intended enrollment, and
• a 2.8 or higher calculated transfer GPA.
• Tifton, Griffin, or Online campuses require Program Coordinator Authorization.

*   For Spring of 2025 and beyond, the transfer consideration level for students with 60 or more completed hours of transfer credit will change to a 3.00 or higher calculated transfer GPA.

If your intended major at UGA is an Undergraduate Program within a high demand major, please be aware there are additional requirements and a second application process after the offer admissions into the UGA Undergraduate Program.

For more information on application and required submission materials, please visit the Transfer Applicants page on the Office of Undergraduate Admissions site.

BSEd in Communication Sciences and Disorders

Explore human communication through speech, language, hearing, and their related disorders with a B.S.Ed. in Communication Sciences and Disorders. This undergraduate program provides an excellent foundation for students wishing to pursue the advanced degrees required to work as a speech-language pathologist, audiologist, or other private practitioner.

Admittance to this high-demand major is limited. Apply by the January before your junior year.

• High-demand major, with applications due in January for the following Fall
• Follows a cohort model, in which groups of students progress together
• Most graduates continue on to master’s or doctoral studies

This undergraduate program teaches the foundations of human speech, language, hearing, and the disorders related to them. While some graduates go directly into the workforce, this program is best suited for those who want to pursue further studies to become certified or licensed as a speech-language pathologist, audiologist, or another professional practitioner.

Before applying to the major, you should work with your advisor to take prerequisite coursework in such areas as physics, linguistics, and statistics. If you are accepted to the major, you will take at least 36 hours of required courses that address

• Anatomy, physiology, and neurology of speech, language, and hearing
• Speech, voice, and hearing science
• Children’s communication development
• Diversity, differences, and disorders in speech, language, and hearing
• Critical thinking; scientific thinking; and professional and clinical issues for speech-language pathology, audiology, and related fields

Students in this program must maintain an overall grade point average of 2.75. If the overall GPA drops below 2.75, the student will not be allowed to take further communication sciences and disorders courses until the GPA is raised to 2.75. A grade of C or better is required for all communication sciences and disorders major courses; any grade of C- or lower in a major course will prevent the student from registering for subsequent courses and will delay the student’s completion of the major. A grade of B or better is required in EDSE 2000/2000E.

Download 2023-2024 Four-Year Plan (PDF) Download 2024-2025 Four-Year Plan

In typical cohort years, the maximum number of students admitted to this program is 60-80. Many more students apply than the program can admit, so admission is highly competitive. Most applicants’ credentials greatly exceed the minimum eligibility criteria.

Prior to application, you should consult with the Office of Undergraduate Advising . They can advise you on how to arrange your program of study prior to application, so you are well-positioned for enrollment if accepted.

Minimum Eligibility Criteria

Please Note: Meeting the minimum eligibility criteria does not guarantee acceptance to the program.

• Overall minimum GPA of 3.4 or higher (GPA of 3.7 preferred) at the end of the Fall semester (including Fall semester grades) prior to the year for which admittance is sought (typically the middle of the second year to begin the major in the Fall of the third year)
• Completion of the following courses or their equivalents with a minimum grade of B or higher prior to application: ENGL 1101, ENGL 1102, MATH 1101, and BIOL 1103/L
• Completion of (1) Federal and Georgia Constitution and (2) U.S. and Georgia History University requirements by the end of the semester of application ( Note : You may only take the exemption exams for these subjects a certain number of times. Please consult with the UGA Testing Center to ensure your timeline works. )

How to Apply

Part 1: apply to uga.

If you are not a UGA student already, you must apply to the university. See the requirements and deadlines provided by the University of Georgia Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

Start UGA Application

Part 2: Apply to the B.S.Ed. in Communication Sciences and Disorders

You are ready to apply to the major when you have met the minimum eligibility requirements. If you are in the process of completing any required core coursework during the Spring semester, you may be provisionally accepted contingent upon satisfactory completion of the required courses while maintaining the required minimum 3.4 GPA for admission.

Fall Major Admissions Timeline

• Application Opens – December 20th
• Application Deadline – January 26th at 11:59 p.m.
• Decisions Released – March 1st

Application Materials

To apply to the Communication Sciences and Disorders program, use the College’s Major application. In your application, you’ll submit the following materials:

• Download Essay Prompts (PDF)
• Additional items Please upload unofficial transcripts from all institutions attended as a PDF. You should adhere to the following file naming format: Last Name_First Name_Transcript (example: Smith_Jane_Transcript.pdf ).
• B.S.Ed. Program Application FAQs

Apply to the Program

Selection Process

Applications are evaluated by a committee of faculty and staff in the communication sciences and disorders program. The rubric-based evaluation process examines all applicant materials, including your GPA, performance in the required prerequisite courses, and quality of essay responses. Candidates in the application pool are ranked according to rubric scores.

Simply meeting the minimum eligibility criteria does not guarantee acceptance to the program. Applicants who are not accepted may apply again in the following application cycle.

Admission decisions will be made by March 1. You will be notified via email of the admission decision by the program coordinator or other program contact.

Special Requirements Upon Admission

A grade of C or better is required for all communication sciences and disorders major courses. This requirement may preclude taking further courses in a prerequisite sequence.

Admission Contact

Jeannine Parry

Additional Resources

Please use our online form if you have any questions for the department. Please be as specific as possible so that we may quickly assist you.

The College’s programs are taught by dedicated faculty who are experts in a range of areas and are passionate about helping students succeed both in their programs and professionally.

Meet Faculty

All undergraduate students at UGA meet with an academic advisor each semester. This meeting is critical to student success and provides a chance to discuss courses and electives, certification criteria, and general graduation requirements.

Find Your Advisor

Almost all in-state students begin their studies at UGA paying limited tuition or fees. Please note that these amounts are subject to change and are meant to give prospective students an idea of the costs associated with a degree at the University of Georgia College of Education.

Students may qualify for a variety of assistantships, scholarships, and other financial awards to help offset the cost of tuition, housing, and other expenses.

Tuition Rates   Browse Financial Aid

Held primarily in the same building as the Department of Communication Sciences and Special Education and the UGA Speech and Hearing Clinic, our centralized classes provide plenty of opportunities for students, faculty, and staff to interact and work together.

You will take most of your classes with your fellow students as a cohort. By progressing through the program together, you will support and learn from each other and develop lasting relationships.

Extend your interest in speech and hearing by volunteering as a “reading buddy” to local schoolchildren, distributing earplugs and pamphlets at Athens’ famous music festivals, or joining the campus chapter of the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association.

See for yourself how much UGA College of Education has to offer! Schedule a tour of campus to learn more about the UGA student experience.

Schedule A Visit

Useful Links

• Career Outcomes
• Four-Year Plan (PDF)
• Guided Observations Materials (Zip Archive)
• Strategic Plan (PDF)
• Student Handbooks
• What can I do with a major in…?

Multi-Search is getting a new look on May 30. Learn more...

My Accounts

• My Library Account View/renew books, media, and equipment
• ILL Account (ILLiad) Interlibrary loan requests
• Special Collections Research Account (Aeon) Archives and Special Collections requests

Essay Guidelines

The UGA Libraries' Undergraduate Research Award recognizes excellence in student inquiry and the library research process.

Essays must be 750-1000 words (3-5 pages) long and address the student’s research process while working on their project. Applicants are required to meet with a subject specialist librarian as part of the application process.

Submissions are judged based on how well the applicant demonstrates the following:

1.) Sophistication, originality and/or unusual depth or breadth in their use of library collections. Collections used as part of the project can be in any media (e.g., printed materials, databases, primary sources).

2.) Exceptional ability to locate, select, evaluate, and synthesize library resources and use them in the creation of a project in any media. Projects should show originality and/or the potential to lead to additional original research in the future.

3.) Reflection on the research process and development of the research project, including personal learning and growth as well as the development of a habit of research and inquiry that is likely to persist in the future.  This would include "aha!" moments, road blocks, and any sort of example to demonstrate maturing of the research journey of the student.

The deadline for the essay is March 11, 2024 .  In-process research projects (such as Senior Theses) are eligible for consideration. Please consult the Application Checklist for more details on applying for this award.  

The  Essay Evaluation Guidelines  provide a detailed description of evaluation criteria as well as how the review panel awards points.

Prizes will be awarded at the CURO Symposium on April 8-9, 2024 . All applicants will be contacted by email to inform them of their status. 

Submit completed application package (application form, essay, and bibliography) online.  

Questions?  Contact

Elizabeth White ([email protected]) UGA Libraries Undergraduate Research Award Miller Learning Center, Room 373 Athens, GA 30602

*The framework for the UGA Libraries’ Undergraduate Research Award is based on the Library Prize for Undergraduate Research, University of California, Berkeley.

MFA: Studio Art and Design

Maed: art education, phd in art, emphasis in art education, ma: art history  , phd in art, emphasis in art history, art education certification only program, studio art and design: mfa, general information.

Applicants to the MFA program will complete a University of Georgia Graduate School Application and follow instructions below regarding supplemental materials and required, discipline-specific supplemental materials. 

The non-refundable fee for the Graduate School application is $75 for domestic applicants, $100 for international applicants. Upon completion, applicants can check their application in Slate . 

Supplemental Materials

Statement of intent.

In a brief statement of 1-2 pages, applicants are asked to describe the focus of their research, why they are applying to the program, and what they intend to accomplish in graduate school. 

Statements should describe the applicants’ studio practice, identifying the specific forms their research has taken, as well as the topics, questions, and disciplines on which it touches. 

A concise outline of the applicant's educational and professional history.

Writing Sample

A writing sample is not required for the MFA application. However, if writing is a part of your practice, and you would like to have it considered as part of your application, you may upload a writing sample when prompted to do so.

3 Letters of Recommendation

Three letters of recommendation are required. Applicants will be asked to submit names and email addresses of 3 individuals qualified to evaluate their academic and/or artistic capacities. Letters of recommendation must be uploaded through the Slate portal; letters issued to the student will not be accepted.

Transcripts

Applicants will be asked to upload Unofficial Transcripts in the Graduate School application. An official transcript from each degree-granting institution should be mailed directly to the Graduate School only after the applicant has been offered admission . Transcripts issued to the student will not be accepted.

The University of Georgia Graduate School Terrell Hall, 210 S. Jackson St, Athens GA 30602

Standardized Tests

GRE scores are not required for the MFA degree.

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is required of international applicants for all degrees for whom English is not their native tongue. Please see the official Graduate School page here for a full list of English language proficiency requirements. UGA institutional code for ETS reporting: 5813. Scores must be sent to Graduate Admissions directly by the responsible testing agency. Unofficial scores will not be accepted.

Graduate School Minimum Requirements for TOEFL: IBT (internet-based) Total = 80, Speak = 20, Write = 20

Program-Specific Supplemental Materials

Applicants should upload the following under "Program-Specific Supplemental Materials."

20 Digital Images

In a pdf of no more than 10 MB, please provide up to 20 images of creative work. Please label uploaded works with their title, year, medium, dimensions, and include a brief description. If you would like to submit video and/or audio files, please include a clickable link to these materials within your pdf.

If you submit clickable links in your materials, please  ensure the included hyperlinks both function and route to the correct destination. 

About You! (Optional)

Applicants may submit a short video profile, no longer than 3 minutes, by providing a clickable link to Vimeo or YouTube. If there is something about you that you were not able to share elsewhere in your application, or that you prefer to share in this format, please do so.

An "about you" video is not required, and applicants will not be penalized if they elect not to include one.

Art Education: MAEd

Applicants to the MAEd program will complete a University of Georgia Graduate School Application and follow instructions below regarding supplemental materials and required, discipline-specific supplemental materials. 

In a brief statement of 1-2 pages, applicants are asked to describe the focus of their research, why they are applying to the program, and what they intend to accomplish in graduate school. Statements should describe the specific form their research takes, as well as the topics, questions, and disciplines on which it touches.

Applicants should upload a writing sample such as an essay or academic paper so as to showcase their skills as a writer.

Three letters of recommendation are required. Applicants will be asked to submit names and email addresses of 3 individuals qualified to evaluate their academic and/or artistic capacities. Letters of recommendation must be uploaded through the Slate portal, letters issued to the student will not be accepted.

Applicants for the MAEd are required to submit scores for the GRE. UGA institutional code for ETS reporting: 5813. Scores must be sent to Graduate Admissions directly by the responsible testing agency. Unofficial scores will not be accepted.

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is required of international applicants for all degrees for whom English is not their native tongue. Please see the official Graduate School page here for a full list of English language proficiency requirements.

Applicants are asked for information regarding their academic interests and background. Alternatively, applicants may submit a short video profile, no longer than 3 minutes by providing a Vimeo or Youtube video link.

A maximum of 10 Applicant/Student Digital Images

In a pdf of no more than 10MB, you may include images of your artwork, artwork created by students or program participants, or images of collaborative creative projects (community-based art, socially-engaged art, etc.)

Art Education: Doctor of Philosophy in Art with a concentration in Art Education 

Applicants to the Doctor of Philosophy in Art with a concentration in Art Education program will complete a University of Georgia Graduate School Application and follow instructions below regarding supplemental materials and required, discipline-specific supplemental materials. 

Applicants should upload a writing sample such as a master's thesis or other academic paper that showcases their skills as a writer.

Applicants for the PhD in Art Education are required to submit scores for the GRE. UGA institutional code for ETS reporting: 5813. Scores must be sent to Graduate Admissions directly by the responsible testing agency. Unofficial scores will not be accepted.

A maximum of 20 Applicant/Student Digital Images

Art history: ma.

Applicants to the MA in Art History program will complete a University of Georgia Graduate School Application and follow instructions below regarding supplemental materials and required, discipline-specific supplemental materials. 

In a brief statement of 1-2 pages, applicants are asked to describe the focus of their research, why they are applying to the program, and what they intend to accomplish in graduate school. Statements should describe topics, questions, and disciplines on which their research touches.

Applicants should include an academic paper on an art-historical subject that reflects their rhetorical skills, interests, and training to date in the field.

Applicants for the MA in Art History are required to submit scores for the GRE. UGA institutional code for ETS reporting: 5813. Scores must be sent to Graduate Admissions directly by the responsible testing agency. Unofficial scores will not be accepted.

Additional Writing Sample (Optional)

Applicants may upload an additional writing sample if they feel it strengthens their materials and more accurately reflects their range of interests. This option is best for those with an interdisciplinary background or multiple areas of interest within the field of art history.

Art History: Doctor of Philosophy in Art with a concentration in Art History

Applicants to the Doctor of Philosophy in Art with a concentration in Art History program will complete a University of Georgia Graduate School Application and follow instructions below regarding supplemental materials and required, discipline-specific supplemental materials. 

In a brief statement of 1-2 pages, applicants are asked to describe the focus of their research, why they are applying to the program, and what they intend to accomplish in graduate school. Statements should describe the topics, questions, and disciplines on which their research touches.

Applicants should upload a copy of their MA thesis as their primary writing sample. If the thesis is in progress, please provide an overview of your project and and research to date.

Applicants for the PhD in Art History are required to submit scores for the GRE. UGA institutional code for ETS reporting: 5813. Scores must be sent to Graduate Admissions directly by the responsible testing agency. Unofficial scores will not be accepted.

Applicants may also submit a writing sample unrelated to their thesis topic that reflects their current interests and showcases their skills as a researcher and writer.

Individuals with an undergraduate degree from the Lamar Dodd School of Art or another four-year institution may request admission to Art Education for certification-only (non-degree).  This is an entry level certification that allows you to teach at the K-12 level. Prospective students must apply through Slate.  

• A resume or cv
• College transcripts
• A maximum of 10 images of your artwork
• A statement of interest (500 words minimum) outlining your reasons for pursuing certification in art education

How to Select the Certification Only program in the Graduate School Application Process

1) for Degree Level, choose "Non-degree or transient"

2) for Intended Program, choose "Non-degree, Initial Educator Certification"

3) for Area of Emphasis, choose "Art Education."

University System of Georgia restoring test-score admission requirements in 2026

ATLANTA – The University System of Georgia Board of Regents voted Tuesday to rescind a temporary waiver of test-score requirements for undergraduate admissions starting with the fall semester of 2026.

The university system began waiving test requirements for 23 of the system’s 26 institutions in 2020 with the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. The waiver has been in effect for all but 10 months since then.

“Putting COVID a little bit behind us feels good,” board Chairman Harold Reynolds said before Tuesday’s unanimous vote.

Under the policy change the regents approved Tuesday, minimum SAT and ACT test scores will be enforced at seven USG institutions beginning in the fall of 2026: the University of Georgia, Georgia Tech, Georgia State University, Georgia College & State University, Augusta University, Kennesaw State University, and Georgia Southern University.

Test-score requirements will be optional at the other 19 colleges and universities in the system.

System Chancellor Sonny Perdue said bringing back test-score requirements for freshman admissions will give administrators on each campus a helpful tool in evaluating the needs of entering freshmen moving forward.

“The standardized testing will be a great instrument for us to determine the strengths and weaknesses of every student coming in,” he said.

Kennesaw State President Kathy “Kat” Schwaig and Kyle Marrero, president of Georgia Southern, spoke out in favor of going back to test-score requirements and said the two-year window before the new policy takes effect will allow time to adjust to the change.

“This is an important step for us,” Marrero said. “We’re ready to move forward.”

Other items that may interest you

University System of Georgia restoring test-score …

Jose ibarra indicted in killing of uga student laken …, music midtown, popular atlanta music festival, …, gov. kemp signs $36.1 billion state budget.

Georgia public colleges to expand admissions testing requirements for fall 2026

T ime to dust off those old study guides. More Georgia colleges are set to require standardized test scores for all new applicants, reversing a policy put in place in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Starting in the fall 2026 semester, hopeful students at Augusta University, The University of Georgia, The Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia College and State University, Georgia State University, Georgia Southern University and Kennesaw State University will need to provide SAT or ACT scores on their applications under rule changes unanimously approved by the Georgia Board of Regents Tuesday. Other University System of Georgia schools can choose to implement testing requirements based on high school GPA.

Until then, only those looking to enroll at UGA, Tech or GCSU will need to submit test scores.

“Our motivation is to do what’s best for the student and the system,” said Board of Regents Chair Harold Reynolds. “Personally, maybe putting COVID a little bit further behind us feels a little good too.”

The regents began waiving test scores in early 2020 after shelter-in-place orders canceled testing appointments for kids around the country. Except for part of 2022, the waiver has been in place ever since. The regents most recently extended it at their April meeting.

Other university systems around the country did the same thing. In a fall 2023  survey  by the National Association for College Admission Counseling, only 4.9% of colleges said admission test scores like the SAT and ACT are of considerable importance – down from 46% in 2018 and 58% in 2013.

Chancellor Sonny Perdue said testing should be part of admissions officer’s decisions.

“There’s been some dispute about which is a better indicator, GPA or standardized testing, regarding student success,” he said. “However, there’s no dispute that both of those factors are supreme to either one or the other of that, in that regard.”

Some anti-standardized testing advocates said COVID restrictions spurring schools to stop accepting tests was a blessing in disguise. Even before the pandemic, some argued that standardized test scores do not measure scholastic aptitude and that requiring them discourages qualified students from poor or minority backgrounds from applying to top schools.

“Using the SAT as the gatekeeper for higher education turns out to test one thing above all else: existing station in life,” wrote Harry Feder and Akil Bello, executive director and senior director of FairTest, a group that advocates for equitable testing in education and employment, in a February  report .

“Nobody contests that SAT scores correlate fabulously to family income and wealth and parental education levels,”  Those factors determine how and where you are educated before you apply to college. Mind training, intellectual and personal habits, and comfort with the underlying content that is developed over the course of years all funnel into greater likelihood of doing well on the SAT. There is also the additional factor of being able, at the moment of inflection, to hire high priced tutors to prepare for the exam. What the SAT, and standardized tests generally, seem to pick up better than anything is whether your origins lie in the winning side of the existing birth ‘meritocracy.’”

Georgia Southern University President Kyle Marrero said he thinks moving back to required testing is the right choice and said the two-year heads-up will allow admissions departments and future applicants to get ready.

“Our processes are very much marketing communication all the way through to sophomores in high school,” he said. “That gives us time to start to message that. It also gives us time to be part of enculturating back test taking within our region, within our marketplaces. That’s going to take some time, particularly with counselors as we work through that.”

Kennesaw State University President Kathy Schwaig said she supports making the swap because test scores can be a valuable set of data for helping students.

“I do think there’s predictive validity in the test scores,” she said. “I think that’s helpful. I think it helps us to know how to better serve our students and the support systems that we want to put in place for our students. I do think there’s predictive validity in the test scores. I think that’s helpful. I think it helps us to know how to better serve our students and the support systems that we want to put in place for our students.”

This story comes to Rough Draft via a media partnership with Georgia Recorder.

The post Georgia public colleges to expand admissions testing requirements for fall 2026 appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta .

University System of Georgia ending waiver to test-score admission requirements in 2026

ATLANTA – The University System of Georgia Board of Regents voted Tuesday to rescind a temporary waiver of test-score requirements for undergraduate admissions starting with the fall semester of 2026.

The university system began waiving test requirements for 23 of the system’s 26 institutions in 2020 with the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. The waiver has been in effect for all but 10 months since then.

“Putting COVID a little bit behind us feels good,” board Chairman Harold Reynolds said before Tuesday’s unanimous vote.

Under the policy change the regents approved Tuesday, minimum SAT and ACT test scores will be enforced at seven USG institutions beginning in the fall of 2026: the University of Georgia, Georgia Tech, Georgia State University, Georgia College & State University, Augusta University, Kennesaw State University, and Georgia Southern University.

Building for the future: Designers sought for 92,000-square-foot building to be centerpiece of new UGA medical school

Test-score requirements will be optional at the other 19 colleges and universities in the system.

System Chancellor Sonny Perdue said bringing back test-score requirements for freshman admissions will give administrators on each campus a helpful tool in evaluating the needs of entering freshmen moving forward.

“The standardized testing will be a great instrument for us to determine the strengths and weaknesses of every student coming in,” he said.

Kennesaw State President Kathy “Kat” Schwaig and Kyle Marrero, president of Georgia Southern, spoke out in favor of going back to test-score requirements and said the two-year window before the new policy takes effect will allow time to adjust to the change.

“This is an important step for us,” Marrero said. “We’re ready to move forward.”

• University System of Georgia restoring test-score admission requirements in 2026

by Dave Williams | May 14, 2024 | Capitol Beat News Service

Georgia Southern University and six other Georgia colleges and universities will restore test-score requirements for incoming freshmen in the fall of 2026.

ATLANTA – The University System of Georgia (USG) Board of Regents voted Tuesday to rescind a temporary waiver of test-score requirements for undergraduate admissions starting with the fall semester of 2026.

The university system began waiving test requirements for 23 of the system’s 26 institutions in 2020 with the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. The waiver has been in effect for all but 10 months since then.

“Putting COVID a little bit behind us feels good,” board Chairman Harold Reynolds said before Tuesday’s unanimous vote.

Under the policy change the regents approved Tuesday, minimum SAT and ACT test scores will be enforced at seven USG institutions beginning in the fall of 2026: the University of Georgia, Georgia Tech, Georgia State University, Georgia College & State University, Augusta University, Kennesaw State University, and Georgia Southern University.

Test-score requirements will be optional at the other 19 colleges and universities in the system.

System Chancellor Sonny Perdue said bringing back test-score requirements for freshman admissions will give administrators on each campus a helpful tool in evaluating the needs of entering freshmen moving forward.

“The standardized testing will be a great instrument for us to determine the strengths and weaknesses of every student coming in,” he said.

Kennesaw State President Kathy “Kat” Schwaig and Kyle Marrero, president of Georgia Southern, spoke out in favor of going back to test-score requirements and said the two-year window before the new policy takes effect will allow time to adjust to the change.

“This is an important step for us,” Marrero said. “We’re ready to move forward.”

Recent Posts

• Postal service agrees to pause restructuring mail processing system
• New state committee to investigate delays in professional licensing
• Georgia prison inmate pleads guilty in meth conspiracy
• State tax revenues fall again