Atlanta — December 10, 1997

More than two years of work aimed at fine-tuning the University System of Georgia’s strengthened admissions requirements culminated today at the Board of Regents monthly meeting, with the adoption of an entirely updated policy document that governs every aspect of undergraduate admissions.

The 11-page document, Section 402 of the Board of Regents Policy Manual, encompasses all of the stronger admissions requirements currently being phased in at the University System’s 34 public colleges and universities and will be fully implemented in the year 2001. In addition, a comprehensive 36-page set of procedures has been developed to implement the 2001 Admissions Policy, and will be included in the University System’s Academic Affairs Handbook.

“A great deal of effort has gone into this process,” said Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs James Muyskens. “It reflects the contributions of the many faculty, staff and administrators who served on the various task forces and committees charged with refining these important policies. The new requirements to raise the bar are a reality and they are essential. More importantly, the time for full implementation is rapidly approaching. That fact drives our commitment to ensure that the policies are crystal clear for all who will be impacted by these changes.” University System officials have made great strides during the past year in fleshing out the details of the recently adopted admissions requirements. Since the Board of Regents’ Recommendations on Implementing the Admissions Policy Direction was approved in June 1996, several key issues have been addressed, moving the policy further toward implementation. These include:

• a decision regarding specifically which college prep courses will be accepted for admissions consideration;
• development of more reasonable and equitable policies for consideration of limited admissions students;
• greater consistency regarding the courses included in the calculation of high-school grade point averages between the University System and the HOPE Scholarship Program;
• increased access to associate-level institutions by students graduating from high school with a Technology/Career Preparatory diploma;
• strengthened policies to improve transferability among University System institutions; and clarification of procedures regarding the admission of home-schooled applicants.

Among other requirements, the new admissions policy increases the number of high school College Preparatory Curriculum (CPC) units required for admission to all public institutions from 15 to 16, with the additional CPC unit being in mathematics. Students will be required to present a transcript that includes four specific units of English, four of mathematics, three of science, three of social science and two of foreign language. The newly approved policy documents clearly identify what specific courses must be taken to fulfill these requirements, including the additional courses that will be required by students desiring consideration by upper-level universities. The System’s four research universities will require four academic Carnegie units above the minimum requirement of 16 units, the 15 state and regional universities will require two additional units, and the 15 two-year colleges will not require any additional CPC courses.

Additional CPC courses presented to the board today are categorized in the following fields of study: Humanities and Literature, Science and Mathematics, Foreign Language, Social Science, and Fine and Performing Arts. University System officials are urging prospective students to meet the highest level of academic requirements to increase their opportunities for admission to their institution of choice and to achieve academic success once they begin matriculating.

In addition to the 16 CPC unit requirements, freshman applicants will be considered for admission based upon the “Freshman Index” (FI)–a combination of an applicant’s SAT or ACT score and high-school grade point average–which will be used to help determine a student’s readiness for college work. (See fact sheet below for specific requirements.)

Transfer students–defined as those who have earned at least 30 semester credit hours from another college or university–also will be required to adhere to new entrance requirements based on the type of institution to which they are applying and their grade point average. A refinement of the originally proposed policy also was included in the procedures reviewed by the board today. Rather than being required to have a 2.3 GPA after 30 hours of credit, and a 2.5 GPA after 60 hours of credit, all transfer students within the University System now can be considered for transfer admission to a research university with the 2.3 GPA. This policy adoption provides an incentive for students to remain at associate-level institutions.

The Board of Regents’ revised admissions policy, once implemented, should enhance student success, retention and graduation rates. The ultimate goal of the policy is to raise the educational attainment level of Georgia’s citizens, preparing them to be viable contributors to an increasingly competitive marketplace. University System officials cite that entering freshmen students should be more than prepared to meet the new standards by the year 2001, if they adequately respond to the advance notice being provided.

FACT SHEET

New Admissions Standards - 2001 - University System of Georgia

College Prep Curriculum Requirements:

• 16 College Preparatory Curriculum Units required at all University System institutions:
  • 4 units of CPC English;
  • 4 units of mathematics, including Algebra I, Algebra II, and geometry;
  • 3 units of science, including at least one lab course each from the life and physical sciences;
  • 3 units of specified social science courses; and
  • 2 units of the same foreign language.
  • In addition, different types of institutions (research universities, regional universities, state universities) require additional academic units.

Freshman Index (FI): SAT Verbal Score + SAT Math Score + High School GPA x 500 Minimum admission standards for traditional freshmen (those who graduated within the past 5 years):

• Research universities: 16 CPC units plus four additional academic units and a FI of 2500.
• Regional universities: 16 CPC units plus two additional academic units and a FI of 2040.
• State universities: 16 CPC units plus two additional academic units and a FI of 1940.
• Two-year colleges: 16 CPC units and a FI of 1830. Limited admission: 13 CPC units and a FI of 1640.
• There can be a limited number of admissions at each institution for students who meet most, but not all, requirements. Check with institution for details.

Admission standards for non-traditional freshmen (haven’t attended high school within the previous 5 years):

• These students are exempt from the SAT/ACT requirement and from the CPC requirements.
• They must take the University System of Georgia “Collegiate Placement Exam” or COMPASS exam and participate in academic assistance, if needed.

Minimum admission standards for transfer students:

• Research universities: with less than 30 semester credits, meet freshman admissions requirements; with more than 30 semester credits, have at least a 2.3 GPA and meet learning support and CPC make-up requirements; with 60 or more semester credits, have at least a 2.3 GPA.
• Regional universities and state universities: with less than 30 semester credits, meet freshman admissions requirements; with 30-59 semester credits, have at least a 2.0 GPA and meet learning support and CPC make-up requirements; with 60 or more semester credits, have at least a 2.0 GPA.
• Two-year colleges: with less than 30 semester credits, meet freshman admissions requirements; with more than 30 semester credits, eligible to continue or return to sending institution.

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