This fall, the University of Georgia welcomes more than 6,250 first-year students to campus. Continuing UGA’s longstanding commitment to serve the state of Georgia, more than 80% of the incoming class — over 5,000 students — are Georgia residents.
A record 51,600+ students applied for admission to UGA this year, reflecting growing demand for a University of Georgia education. The incoming Class of 2030 represents one of the university’s strongest academic cohorts, arriving with an average weighted high school GPA of 4.2, an average of 12 Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate or dual-enrollment courses, an average SAT score of 1360 and an average ACT score of 31. The class also includes more than 220 Georgia valedictorians and salutatorians.
“Providing an exceptional education for the people of Georgia is central to the University of Georgia’s mission as the state’s flagship university,” said President Jere W. Morehead. “The Class of 2030 reflects that commitment. We are proud to welcome talented students from every corner of our state, as well as many remarkable scholars from across the nation and around the world who further strengthen UGA’s outstanding learning environment.”
Serving students across Georgia
The Class of 2030 includes students from 460 Georgia high schools and 143 of Georgia’s 159 counties. Students also come from 43 states and the District of Columbia, along with 23 nations.
More than 3,600 transfer students enrolled during the spring, summer and fall semesters, the largestcohort of transfer students among Southeastern Conference universities and the most academically qualified group of transfer students in UGA history with an average GPA of 3.72. Of the transfer students, 98% are Georgia residents.
“As Georgia’s flagship university, our responsibility is not only to recruit exceptional students but also to help them succeed once they arrive,” said Marisa Pagnattaro, vice president for instruction and senior vice provost for academic planning. “From first-year seminars and undergraduate research to internships, study abroad and career preparation, we’re investing in the success of students from communities across our state.”
Building success from day one
Every incoming undergraduate student begins with a First-Year Odyssey seminar. These small classes taught by tenure-track faculty help students build connections, develop confidence and engage in the intellectual life of the university from day one.
Students also have access to an expanding array of experiential learning opportunities, including Connect Abroad, a program that offers faculty-led first-year study abroad experiences in eight countries with scholarships that make global learning more accessible.
The Comprehensive Learner Record, UGA’s new innovative digital credential, further prepares students for life after graduation by documenting not only academic achievement but also leadership, research, internships, service learning and other experiences that employers value.
“Students choose UGA because they know they will receive an education that prepares them to lead and serve,” said Ron R. Walcott, interim senior vice president for academic affairs and provost. “Whether they come from rural Georgia, metro Atlanta or across the globe, our responsibility is the same: to provide an education that creates opportunity, strengthens our state and prepares graduates to make a difference wherever they go.”