Search the handbook

• Overview
• Section 1: Organization and Administration
• Section 2: Academic Programs
• Section 3: Student Affairs
  • 3.1 Requirements for Undergraduate Admissions
  • 3.2 Freshman Requirements
    • 3.2.1 High School Graduation
    • 3.2.2 High School Grade Point Average (HSGPA)
    • 3.2.3 Required High School Curriculum (RHSC)
    • 3.2.4 Test Scores
    • 3.2.5 Freshman Index (FI)
    • 3.2.6 Special Admissions
  • 3.3 Undergraduate Admissions for Transfer Students
    • 3.3.1 Limited Transfer Admission
    • 3.3.2 English Proficiency and Transfer Students
  • 3.4 Non-traditional Students
  • 3.5 Persons Aged 62 or Over
  • 3.6 Admission Requirements for Undergraduate Programs Not Leading to the Baccalaureate Degree
    • 3.6.1 Admission to Career Programs
    • 3.6.2 Admission of Students to Certificate Programs at Designated Vocational Divisions
  • 3.7 Admission of Non-degree Students
  • 3.8 Admission of Transient Students
  • 3.9 Admission of Auditors
  • 3.10 Social Security Number
  • 3.11 Students With Learning Disorders
    • 3.11.1 Regents' Centers for Learning Disorders
    • 3.11.2 Alternative Media Access Center
    • 3.11.3 Admissions Considerations
    • 3.11.4 Regents' Test Administration
    • 3.11.5 Learning Support Considerations
  • Appendices A - C
    • Appendix A: Memorandum: Admitting GED Students, 2006
    • Appendix B: Pilot Admission Project
    • Appendix C: ACT-SAT Concordance Tables
  • Appendices D - H
    • Appendix D: Disability Documentation
    • Appendix E: Specific Documentation Guidelines
    • Appendix F: Regents' Centers for Learning Disorders
    • Appendix G: Referral Packet Flowchart
    • Appendix H: Admission Consideration Flowchart
• Section 4: Academic Personnel
• Updates and Revisions
• Contact Information

Last reviewed: January 2010

SOURCES:
BoR POLICY 4.2, UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSIONS
BoR POLICY 4.2.3.2, REFERRAL OF STUDENTS TO OTHER INSTITUTIONS
BoR POLICY 4.2.3.3, RIGHT TO REFUSE ADMISSION

The following section contains policies and procedures related to admission of students. Institutions have the authority, unless explicitly prohibited by policy, to require additional or higher requirements for general admission to the institution or to special programs at the undergraduate level. Institutions seeking exceptions to policy must receive approval from the Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Academic Officer of the University System of Georgia (USG).

Institutions have the right to examine and appraise the character, personality, and qualifications of any applicant and the right to refuse admission to any academically eligible student, regardless of Georgia residency, if the applicant that does not satisfy all requirements established by the institution. Institutions also have the right to refuse admission to non-Georgia residents as well when admission would exceed maximum capacity of the institution or a specific program. The Chancellor has the authority to limit the number of students enrolled at an institution.

Recognizing the differences in mission and academic offerings of the 35 institutions that comprise the USG, institutions should actively assist Georgia applicants who are denied admission at one institution to find another USG institution that appropriately match the students' interests and credentials.

Last reviewed: January 2010

SOURCE:
BoR POLICY 4.2.1.1, FRESHMAN REQUIREMENTS

Students seeking admission to a USG institution as a freshman must meet the following criteria:

3.2.1 High School Graduation

Last reviewed: January 2010

The student must be a graduate from a public school regulated by a school system and state department of education or be a graduate from a high school accredited by one of the following:

• A regional accrediting association such as the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
• The Georgia Accrediting Commission
• The Georgia Private School Accrediting Council

A student graduating from a non-accredited high school or who is homeschooled can be considered for admission as a freshman under the provision for alternative requirements for home-schooled students and graduates of non-accredited high schools. See Section 3.2.6, Alternative Requirements for Homeschooled Students and Graduates of Non-accredited High Schools.

General Education Diploma (GED)
Students who earn the GED may be considered for admission at a two-year or state college. A student who presents the GED is expected to be at least 18 years of age and for his/her high school class to have graduated. However, should the student in possession of the GED be younger than 18 or from a class not graduated, the institution is permitted to make an exception on a case-by-case basis. See Appendix A, Admitting GED Students, for more information.

return to top

---

3.2.2 High School Grade Point Average (HSGPA)

Last reviewed: January 2010

The High School Grade Point Average (HSGPA) is calculated on an alpha four point scale. Numerical grades indicated on transcripts should be converted to letter grades based on the conversion table provided by the high school. Institutions must obtain these tables. The letter grades should be converted to quality points as follows:

A = 4
B = 3
C = 2
D = 1
F = 0

The HSGPA is calculated only on the Required High School Curriculum (RHSC) units required for all students. If a student takes more than the required number of courses in any one area, the best grades may be used in the calculation of the HSGPA (instead of the first courses taken that satisfy the requirement). If a student takes two years each of two foreign languages, the language in which the student had the best grades would be counted.

Students graduating from high school before 2012 must have the following HSGPA:

• Students graduating with a College Preparatory Curriculum (CPC) Diploma must have a 2.00 HSGPA calculated on the grades in the 16 required units of the CPC.
• Students graduating with a Technical/Career Program (TCP) Diploma must have a 2.20 HSGPA calculated on the grades in the 12 academic units of the TCP.

Students graduating from high school 2012 or later must have 2.00 HSGPA calculated on the grades in the required 17 units of the RHSC.

Institutions are required to use a standard procedure to calculate the HSGPA for reporting to the BoR, which includes not adding weights to particular courses. However, institutions may use other methods of HSGPA calculation for determining admission eligibility.

return to top

---

3.2.3 Required High School Curriculum (RHSC)

Last reviewed: January 2010

(Formerly called College Preparatory Curriculum)

Students are expected to meet the USG's RHSC requirements. In addition to these course requirements, students are encouraged to take additional academic units in high school to improve their probability for admission and success.

Students graduating from high school in 2012 must present 17 specified RHSC units of credit. Students graduating from high school prior to 2012 must present 16 CPC units.

• 4 units of mathematics
• 4 units of English
• 3 units of science (Students who graduate in 2012 or later must have 4 units.)
• 3 units of social science, including one course focusing on world studies.
• 2 units in the same foreign language (2 units of American Sign Language may be used to satisfy this requirement.)

The Office of Student Affairs maintains a complete list of courses that can be used to satisfy the RHSC requirements. See Staying on Course at http://www.usg.edu/PDF/admissionStandards.pdf.

return to top

---

3.2.4 Test Scores

Last reviewed: January 2010

Students seeking admission to a university (research, regional, or state) must have a minimum SAT Verbal/Critical Reading score of 430 and Mathematics score of 400 or must have an ACT English score of 17 and ACT Mathematics score of 17. However, with approval, institutions may set higher SAT/ACT requirements.

If the student has taken the SAT or ACT more than once, the highest verbal/critical reading and highest mathematics scores may be used for determining eligibility for admission. Students must use verbal/critical reading and math scores from the SAT, OR verbal/critical reading and math scores from the ACT; students may not use a combination of SAT and ACT scores to meet minimum requirements.

In Fall 2005, the BoR approved a pilot admission project for two-year and state colleges. The original pilot eliminated the submission of test scores for students seeking admission to two-year and state colleges. The terms of the pilot were revised in June 2008 and the pilot was extended for an additional three years for freshmen seeking associate degrees. State colleges may reinstate the test score requirement for students seeking admission for baccalaureate degree programs. The decision to require test scores at the state college is not mandatory and is left up to the individual institution.

In all cases, students should be encouraged to submit test scores that can be used to exempt placement testing. See Appendix B, Pilot Admissions Project, revised June 2008.

Students seeking admission to a two-year or state colleges who submit SAT test scores of 430/400 or higher or ACT test scores of 17 or higher are exempt from Learning Support.

return to top

---

3.2.5 Freshman Index (FI)

Last reviewed: January 2010

The BoR has set minimum scores for each sector. With permission, institutions can require higher FI requirements; or they can use a combination of test scores, HSGPA, and FI as their admission standards. Following are the FI requirements for regular freshman admissions and limited freshman admissions by sector.

FI for Two-year Institutions
As part of the Pilot Admissions Project, the FI was waived for students seeking admission to two-year institutions. The FI is required for State Colleges that reinstate test scores as an admissions requirement for baccalaureate programs.

Calculation of Freshman Index
The FI report is calculated only on the high school curriculum units required for all students. If a student takes more than the required number of courses in any one area, the best grades may be used in the calculation of the HSGPA (instead of the first courses taken that satisfy the requirement). If a student takes two years each of two foreign languages, the language in which the student had the best grades would be counted.

The HSGPA for the FI report is the sum of all quality points divided by the number of courses, rounded to two decimal places, and with a maximum value not to exceed 4.0.

If the student has taken the SAT or ACT more than once, the highest verbal/critical reading and highest mathematics scores may be used to calculate the FI. Students must use verbal/critical reading and math scores from the SAT, OR verbal/critical reading and math scores from the ACT; students may not use a combination of SAT and ACT scores to meet minimum requirements.

The comparable score tables from a joint study by ACT, ETS, and the College Board should be used for institutional admissions criteria above the USG minimum scores. See Appendix C, ACT/SAT Concordance Tables.

return to top

---

3.2.6 Special Admissions

Last reviewed: January 2010

Students may also be admitted as freshmen based on other evidence of college readiness. Following are modified or additional requirements for specific groups of applicants.

1. Limited Admissions
   In recognition of the fact that a limited group of students does not meet established standards but does demonstrate special potential for success, the BoR has created other categories of admission that institutions can use. Institutions are expected to adhere to requirements prescribed and the admissions percentages allotted for their sectors.

   Limited Admissions Restrictions
   Institutions are restricted by sector to a maximum number of students who may be admitted in this category. The number of traditional freshmen students who can be granted Limited Admissions for the entire academic year will be no more than the following percentages of the institution's annual first-time freshman headcount enrollment.

   Research Universities	Up to 7 percent
   Regional Universities	Up to 15 percent
   State Universities	Up to 20 percent
   State Colleges*	Up to 33 percent

   *State Colleges that elect to require test scores for admission are required to adhere to the limited admit percentage.

   Non-traditional freshmen and transfer students are not to be included in the Limited Admissions percentage allowed for each institution, nor will these groups be included in determining the base.

   Presidential Exceptions
   Under the limited admissions provision, presidents of USG institutions may grant exceptions to the BoR minimum freshman admission requirements if the student shows promise for academic success in college. Institutions can use multiple measures, such as interviews, portfolios, and records of experiential achievements for considering students in this category.

   Students who are admitted under the Presidential Exception option should be included in the maximum number of Limited Admissions allowed for an institution.

   Even under very special and rare circumstances when institutions have extensive evidence that a student has potential for success despite not meeting USG requirements, institutions must demonstrate that the student meets at least one of the following:

   • High school diploma from an accredited or approved high school as specified in BoR Policy 4.2.1.1, Freshman Requirements (certificate of attendance or special education diplomas are not acceptable)
   • GED

   Addressing RHSC Deficiencies
   Students admitted in the Limited Admission category, including Presidential Exceptions, who have RHSC deficiencies shall be required to satisfy those deficiencies by subject area in the following manner:

   • English and Mathematics
     Students with fewer than the four required units of English or mathematics are required to take the comparable COMPASS (computer-adaptive college placement test) sections administered by a USG institution or a comparable placement examination approved by the BoR. Based on his or her scores, the student will exempt Learning Support (LS) or be placed in the appropriate LS course in English and/or reading and/or mathematics.

     Institutions may use comparable scores for students transferring from Commission on Colleges (COC) accredited Technical College System of Georgia institutions. See BoR Policy 3.3.5, Collaboration Between the USG and the Technical College System of Georgia.

   • Science, Social Science, and Foreign Language
     Students with fewer than the required number of units in an area are required to take additional for-credit courses selected from the appropriate area of the USG Core Curriculum. The course(s) must be in the specific content area in which the student is deficient. Students who have completed only one year of American Sign Language are considered deficient and are required to take courses in a foreign language to satisfy the deficiency.

   The college credit courses used to satisfy RHSC deficiencies will count as degree credit, but the hours earned will not count toward a student's degree program. The student must earn a "C" or better in each of these courses.

   Students who accumulate 30 or more semester hours of college-level credit in the institution before completing all RHSC requirements may not register for other courses, unless they also register for the appropriate deficiency course or courses.

   Institutions may petition the Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Academic Officer of the USG for permission to offer a Learning Support (LS) course for students admitted with RHSC deficiencies in the sciences and social sciences that would serve as an option to taking additional college-level courses in science and social science for no degree credit. This might be a co-requisite LS experience when science and social science courses are taken in the core.

   Summary of Regular and Limited Freshman Admissions Standards

   Summary of Minimum System Admissions Requirements by Sector for Freshman Applicants
   Sector	Regular Admission	Limited Admission
   Research Universities	16 CPC or 17 RHSC units FI of 2500 Minimum testing scores: 430 SAT Verbal/Critical Reading 400 SAT I Math or 17 ACT English and Math	16 CPC or 17 RHSC units FI of 2020 Minimum testing scores: 430 SAT Verbal/Critical Reading 400 SAT I Math or 17 ACT English and Math
   Regional Universities	16 CPC or 17 RHSC units FI of 2040 or more Minimum testing scores: 430 SAT Verbal/Critical Reading 400 on the SAT I Math or 17 on ACT English and Math	16 CPC or 17 RHSC units FI of 1830 or more Minimum testing scores: 430 SAT Verbal/Critical Reading 400 SAT I Math test or 17 on ACT English and Math
   State Universities	16 CPC or 17 RHSC units FI of 1940 or more Minimum testing scores: 430 SAT Verbal/Critical Reading 400 SAT I Math or 17 on ACT English and Math	16 CPC or 17 RHSC units FI of 1790 or more Minimum testing scores: 430 SAT Verbal/Critical Reading 400 on the SAT I Math or 17 on ACT English and Math
   State Colleges	16 CPC or 17 RHSC units FI of 1830 or more Minimum testing scores: 330 SAT Verbal/Critical Reading 310 SAT I Math or 12 on ACT English and 14 on Math	High School diploma or Minimum testing scores: 330 SAT Verbal/Critical Reading 310 SAT I Math or 12 on ACT English and 14 on Math
   Two-Year College	16 CPC or 17 RHSC units	High school diploma or GED

2. Alternative Requirements for Homeschooled Students and Graduates of Non-accredited High Schools
   Applicants who have been homeschooled or graduates of non-accredited high schools may be considered for admission at any USG institution. BoR Policy 4.2.1.1, Freshman Requirements, establishes guidelines for institutions to determine a homeschooled/non accredited high school student's probability of success in college.

   Institutions wishing to use SAT II tests to validate a student's college preparatory requirements are expected to establish required scores for students seeking admission to the institution.

   Each institution may establish additional admission requirements above those set by the BoR. Institutions are encouraged to list requirements for homeschooled and graduates of non-accredited high schools in the catalog and on the institution's website.

   Homeschooled students or graduates of non-accredited high schools must submit SAT or ACT equivalent scores and satisfactory documentation of equivalent competence in each of the RHSC areas at the college preparatory level in lieu of the Freshman Index and Carnegie unit requirements of the RHSC.

   For the period of time the Pilot Admission Project is in effect, homeschooled students or students from non-accredited high schools seeking admission to a two-year institution will be expected to present test scores at or above the average test scores for the institution's Fall 2005 freshman class. Homeschooled students seeking admission to a state college that has reinstated the test score requirement must meet the test score requirement for the institution.

3. Admission of Students with Outstanding Scores
   BoR Policy 4.2.1.1 permits institutions to consider those few students who, through test scores and personal achievement, have demonstrated their potential for success in college. However, institutions are advised to assess the student's readiness to do college work. Factors that should be considered include academic experience, historical attendance patterns, and level of maturity. Students under the age of 18 are at greater risk for failure, and institutions are advised to admit only those students who show the greatest potential for success. Institutions seeking to enroll students under the age of 16 should consult federal guidelines for compliance rules before offering letters of acceptance. For requirements for students who have not yet graduated from high school but who wish to enroll in USG core courses, see Opportunities for High School Students in this same section.

4. Admission of Students with Non-U.S. Academic Credentials/ Admission of Students Whose First Language Is Not English

   Freshman Students
   Freshman international students may be considered for admission in any category or in this special category. International students may also be admitted as Presidential Exceptions.

   Students whose secondary education was completed outside the United States system of education may be admitted with acceptable foreign credentials and English language proficiency as described below:

   • Foreign Credentials
     Academic performance described by a certificate, diploma, or other document deemed generally equivalent to a U.S. required high school curriculum by a reputable credential evaluator (internal or external to the institution) is acceptable.

   • English Language Proficiency Requirements
     The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or some other USG-approved evaluation of English proficiency is required.

   The minimum and recommended scores acceptable for admission follow:

   	Minimum Score for Admission	Recommended Score for Admission
   Paper TOEFL	523	550
   Computer TOEFL	193	213
   Internet TOEFL	69	79
   IELTS	6	6.5
   SAT Critical Reading	430
   ACT English	17

   Institutions and departmental programs within the institution may set higher minimum test scores for admission.

   Institutions may develop procedures to determine whether there is a need for placement in LS reading and English and/or ESL courses for students who meet the minimum English Proficiency requirements.

   Math admissions criteria, including the SAT or ACT, and placement criteria are required for international students.

   An academically admissible applicant with credentials from another country who needs supplemental English language instruction (as indicated by an approved method for determining English Proficiency described above) may be admitted to a degree program on the condition that the student will receive the supplemental English language instruction in a System-approved program. This conditional admission is possible only at those institutions approved to provide English language instruction for non-native speakers of English. Programs of English-as-a Second Language used under this provision must be approved by the Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Academic Officer.

   English Proficiency and Transfer Students
   Students who are non-native speakers of English, who transfer from an institution of higher education outside the U.S. where English was not the language of instruction, are required to submit a TOEFL or IELTS score or some other recognized evaluation of English along with their foreign credentials.

   The minimum and recommended scores acceptable for admission follows:

   	Minimum Score for Admission	Recommended Score for Admission
   Paper TOEFL	523	550
   Computer TOEFL	193	213
   Internet TOEFL	69	79
   IELTS	6	6.5

5. Institutions and departmental programs within the institution may set higher minimum test scores for admission.
   Students who are non-native speakers of English and who are transferring from an accredited institution of higher education inside the U.S. may be required to retake the TOEFL if their English proficiency cannot be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the admitting institution.

   U.S. Immigration Regulations
   Federal regulations place significant responsibilities on students and universities in the administration of the U.S. laws pertaining to F-1 or J-1 non-immigrant students. Institutions are required to follow certain record-keeping and reporting requirements of the U.S. government.

   Institutions enrolling international students are required to determine the academic admissibility and the financial resources of applicants prior to the issuance of the immigration document I-20 A-B or IAP-66.

   Only a Designated School Official appointed by the institution's president and registered with the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) may sign forms I-20 A-B, I-538, and other F-1 student immigration-related documents. Only a Responsible Officer or Alternate Responsible Officer approved by the U.S. Department of State may sign forms IAP-66. For more information, see http://www.immigrationdirect.com/?gclid=CK3qo_zM85oCFQJ-xgodwmDydA and http://www.ice.gov/sevis/.

   Admission of Students with Disabilities
   Students who meet regular admission requirements should be admitted without regard to disabilities. Students with documented disabilities seeking admission to a USG institution are required to meet the RHSC requirements and achieve the institution's SAT or ACT score requirements with testing accommodations. Students who are unable to meet the foreign language requirement due to a documented disability may petition for a course substitution following the procedures described in Section 3.11.3. See Section 3.11 for additional information regarding students with disabilities.

6. Opportunities for High School Students
   The USG is committed to providing opportunities to high school students allowing for the enhancement of their high school curriculum through the availability of college offerings prior to high school graduation.

   The USG has approved the following three opportunities for academically talented high school students to earn college credit before graduating from high school:

   Dual enrollment	A student, while continuing his/her enrollment in high school, enrolls in a course for both high school and college credit.
   Joint enrollment	A student, while continuing his/her enrollment in high school as a junior or senior, enrolls in courses for college credit.
   Early admissions	The student enrolls as a full-time college student following completion of the junior year in high school.

   To participate in one of these options a student must be enrolled in a public or private secondary high school that is regulated by a school system and state department of education or accredited by one of the following:

   • A regional accrediting association (such as the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools)
   • The Georgia Accrediting Commission
   • The Georgia Private School Accrediting Council (GAPSAC)

   Homeschooled Students
   Homeschooled students may be considered for joint enrollment if they are enrolled in Non-traditional Educational Centers that are recognized by GAPSAC or by state departments of education. Students attending non-accredited home school programs or non-accredited high schools may also be eligible to participate in joint enrollment opportunities if they meet all general admission requirements for dual enrollment and have validated their on-track Required High School Curriculum (RHSC) units according to the policy of the institution to which they are applying. Institutions are encouraged to include information about joint enrollment requirements for students from non-accredited home school programs or non-accredited high schools in their catalog and on their web sites.

   General Admission Requirements
   The BoR has established the following admission standards for accelerated learning; however, each institution has the authority to establish higher and additional admission requirements.

   • Minimum SAT score of 970 (combined Verbal/Critical Reading and Mathematics sections) or ACT composite of 20. Institutions seeking to use alternative placement test(s) must seek prior approval from the Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Academic Officer of the USG.
   • Minimum cumulative high school grade point average of 3.0 as calculated by the institution for admission purposes
   • Exemption of all LS requirements
   • Written consent of parent or guardian if the student is a minor
   • Evidence in the transcript that student is on track towards the completion of the USG RHSC requirements and high school graduation.

   Institutions may have more restrictive requirements for high school juniors; however, establishing such higher requirements may not preclude high school juniors from participating in these programs.

   Exceptions for Outstanding Scores
   Students who do not necessarily meet all of the above admission criteria but who demonstrate very high academic abilities through their SAT or ACT scores may be permitted to enroll in college courses at the discretion of the institution. Institutions may set additional requirements but may permit students with scores of at least the following:

   • 700 on the SAT I Mathematics test (or 31 on ACT Mathematics) to enroll in college courses that require advanced mathematical ability
   • 700 on the SAT I Verbal/Critical Reading test (or 31 on ACT English) to enroll in college courses that require advanced verbal ability

   Certificate Programs
   Students who do not meet the admission requirements for Dual Enrollment, Joint Enrollment or Early Admission but who wish to enroll in courses leading to a certificate program should contact the Director of Admissions at the institution. High school students who enroll in certificate programs may be eligible to apply for the HOPE Grant. For more information on the HOPE Grant program, students should contact the Georgia Student Finance Commission.

   Acceptance of Transfer Credit for Dual Enrollment, Joint Enrollment and Early Admission Students
   Freshman seeking admission to a USG institution can expect that the college credit earned at a COC-accredited institution prior to high school graduation will be considered as transfer credit if the prospective student meets the USG institution's regular admission requirements.

7. Residential Programs The Advanced Academy of Georgia on the campus of the University of West Georgia and the Georgia Academy of Mathematics, Engineering and Science at Middle Georgia College offer on-campus residential programs for gifted, talented, and motivated high school student. Admission and program requirements are established by the individual institutions.

8. Early College
   Early College represents an approved partnership between a Georgia public school system and a USG college or university. For more information and a complete list of Early College programs and their partner institutions, see http://www.gaearlycollege.org/earlysites/.

return to top

---

Last reviewed: January 2010

SOURCE:
BoR POLICY 4.2.1.3, UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR TRANSFER STUDENTS

Students with fewer than 30 transferable semester credit hours must meet the freshman admission requirements.

Institutions must give priority consideration to students transferring from another USG institution who meet transfer standards higher than the USG policy standards. Transfer students must receive the same consideration as native students in determining program admissibility.

To receive priority consideration for transfer admission, students should meet the following criteria:

Sending Institution	Credit Hours	Criteria
All institutions except research universities	Students with 15-19 semester credits	Meet regular freshman admissions requirements Minimum GPA of 2.0 in core curriculum at the sending institution
Research universities	Associate Degree or 60 semester credits in core curriculum	Minimum GPA of 3.0

Transfer hours are defined as hours that would be acceptable by the receiving institution according to the USG's and the receiving institution's prevailing policies. Excluded are institutional credit courses, RHSC deficiency makeup courses, and vocational courses. These hours should include transferable hours earned at all postsecondary institutions attended.

Transfer GPA is defined as the Grade Point Average calculated on all transferable hours (see definition of transfer hours) plus all attempted but unearned hours at regionally accredited institutions in courses applicable to transfer programs at the receiving institution.

Applicants with more than 30 transferable semester hours must meet all of the prevailing LS requirements and RHSC deficiency make-up courses applicable before transferring.

Students who have earned a career associate degree may apply for admission to a program leading to the baccalaureate degree according to the institution's criteria for admission for the program. Students with an earned career associate degree will not be held to RHSC requirements.

3.3.1 Limited Transfer Admission

Last reviewed: January 2010

Students who do not meet USG requirements may be considered for admission under Limited Admission. Institutions may admit up to 10% of all transfer students as Limited Admission students. The base of this percent is the number of unduplicated headcount new transfer students admitted over the previous fiscal year. This Limited Transfer Admission category is separate from the freshman Limited Admissions category.

Transfer students admitted as Limited Admissions students, including Presidential Exceptions who have RHSC deficiencies documented from another USG institution, shall be required to satisfy those deficiencies by subject area in the same manner as defined for Limited Admission Freshmen.

return to top

---

3.3.2 English Proficiency and Transfer Students

Last reviewed: January 2010

Students who are non-native speakers of English, who transfer from an institution of higher education outside the U.S. where English was not the language of instruction, are required to submit a TOEFL or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score along with their foreign credentials.

Minimum and recommended scores for admission follow:

	Minimum Score for Admission	Recommended Score for Admission
Paper TOEFL	523	550
Computer TOEFL	193	213
Internet TOEFL	69	79
IELTS	6	6.5

Institutions and departmental programs within the institution may set higher minimum test scores for admission.

Students who are non-native speakers of English and who are transferring from an accredited institution of higher education inside the U.S. may be required to retake the TOEFL if their English proficiency cannot be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the admitting institution.

return to top

---

Last reviewed: January 2010

SOURCE:
BoR POLICY 4.2.1.4, NON TRADITIONAL STUDENTS

Students who were previously enrolled at a USG institution and who now can be considered as non-traditional are not subject to previous RHSC requirements. However, all non-traditional students must be screened for placement.

Last reviewed: January 2010

SOURCE:
BoR POLICY 4.2.1.5, PERSONS AGED 62 OR OVER

For information about eligibility rules for enrollment of persons 62 years of age or older in units of the USG, see BoR Policy 4.2.1.5, Persons Aged 62 or Over.

SOURCES:
BoR POLICY 3.3.5, COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE USG AND THE TECHNICAL COLLEGE SYSTEM OF GEORGIA
BoR POLICY 4.2.2.2 ADMISSION OF STUDENTS TO CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS AT DESIGNATED VOCATIONAL DIVISIONS

3.6.1 Admission to Career Programs

Last reviewed: January 2010

The following are the two types of admission to career programs:

• Those with a Core-based general education component allowing more than 12 semester hours of Core Curriculum coursework.
• Those with non-Core general education components allowing 12 or fewer semester hours of Core Curriculum coursework.

1. Programs with More than 12 Semester Hours of Core Curriculum
   All applicants must have a high school diploma. At research, regional and state universities and some state colleges, applicants must achieve the institutional sector's Freshman Index (FI) for Limited Admission and must have the sector's minimum SAT scores. Applicants are not held to RHSC requirements, and they will not be counted among the students in the Limited Admission category.

2. Programs with 12 or Fewer Semester Hours of Core Curriculum
   Applicants must meet one of the following criteria:

   • Graduate from an accredited high school as specified in Section 3.2.1 with a minimum GPA of 1.8
   • Meet the beginning freshman RHSC criteria for the institutional sector
   • Earn a GED

   They must also meet any other requirements specified by the institution.

   For placement purposes, students admitted to career degree or certificate programs must take the USG's College Placement Examination (CPE) in Reading, English, and Mathematics, or the comparable three sections of COMPASS administered by a USG institution.

   Comparable scores from Commission on College (COC) accredited institutions that are part of the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) may be used.

   Students whose scores do not exceed the institution's minimum cutoff scores for LS placement in the areas of Reading, English, or Mathematics will be required to enroll in LS courses as follows:

   • For students who take any course that has an LS prerequisite in an area or areas, all LS requirements in that area or areas must be met.
   • For students who take no course with an LS prerequisite, the LS requirements in that area or areas are not mandatory.

   Students who meet the institution's regular admission standards for programs leading to baccalaureate degrees are exempted from taking the CPE or COMPASS. Students may take only those Core Curriculum courses that are specified in their approved career program.

   Students who have earned an Associate of Science (AS) degree in an allied health area or an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree may apply for admission to a program leading to the baccalaureate degree according to the institution's criteria for admission. These students will not be held to RHSC requirements.

   Students admitted in the career degree or certificate category or who have not completed a career degree may be considered for admission into a baccalaureate degree program if either of the following conditions is met:

   • The student meets the requirements for Regular or Limited Admission.
   • The student shows exceptional promise and is admitted as a Presidential Exception.

   Students admitted in this category must fulfill all LS and RHSC requirements.

return to top

---

3.6.2 Admission of Students to Certificate Programs at Designated Vocational Divisions

Last reviewed: January 2010

Students without a high school diploma or GED equivalent who apply for admission to a vocational-technical program at one of the three USG institutions with a TCSG unit (Dalton State University, Clayton State University or Bainbridge College) may be required to meet the Ability-to-Benefit Examination requirements. Institutions may use tests that are on the United States Department of Education's approved list or take appropriate steps to get that agency's approval for tests not on the list. Bainbridge College and Dalton State College use Ability-to-Benefit requirements.

return to top

---

Last reviewed: January 2010

SOURCE:
BoR POLICY 4.2.2.3, ADMISSION OF NON-DEGREE STUDENTS

Students who have no prior college or limited college credit may enroll as non-degree students for a maximum of 12 semester credit hours, including institutional credit. Students may not enroll in any course that has an LS prerequisite unless they have been screened for or have exempted the relevant LS course.

Students who have earned the baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution may enroll as non-degree students in courses with no limitation on the number of undergraduate credit hours that can be earned.

Post baccalaureate students who are interested in staff development, Continuing Education Units (CEU), or professional learning units and who have not been admitted to the graduate school may enroll in courses for non-credit. However, such students must meet the prerequisites for the class.

Last reviewed: January 2010

SOURCE:
BoR POLICY 4.2.2.4, ADMISSION OF TRANSIENT STUDENTS

An applicant who is enrolled in one college or university and wishes to take courses temporarily in another college or university shall submit the following:

• A completed official application form provided by the institution to which admission is requested.

• A permission letter from the registrar of the student's home institution recommending the applicant as a transient student. The student's Guaranteed Tuition Plan rate code and rate year Must be included, if applicable.

Individual institutions may require the student to submit an application fee.

Last reviewed: January 2010

SOURCE:
BoR POLICY, 4.2.2.5 ADMISSION OF AUDITORS

Students who submit evidence of graduation from a high school as specified in BoR Policy Manual 4.2.1.1, Freshman Requirements, or a GED certificate may register for undergraduate classes as auditors. Students registered as auditors shall be required to pay the regular tuition and fees for enrollment. As an auditor, the student earns no grade or credit for the course, however, the student is entitled to all of the consideration given to a credit student. A transcript documenting the student's audit status is available upon request. Students who are admitted as auditors are not eligible to receive financial aid.

Under extraordinary circumstances, the president may waive the requirement of high school diploma or equivalent for auditors.

Last reviewed: January 2010

Students are encouraged to submit their social security numbers as part of their admission applications, however, it is the student's right to refuse. Institutions should include in the student handbook their policy regarding use of the student social security number and established procedures for handling confidential information.

Last reviewed: January 2010

SOURCE:
BoR POLICY 4.1.5, STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

The USG is committed to providing equal educational opportunities to all students. USG institutions offer students with disabilities a variety of services and accommodations to ensure that both facilities and programs are accessible. The information provided on working with students with disabilities is an overview of the resources available and the policies and procedures in place that are intended to facilitate accessibility and academic success.

All institutions of the USG shall adopt the common criteria for documenting disabilities and employ a common methodology for providing services to students with diagnosed disabilities.

The criteria for documenting disabilities can be found in Appendix D. Specific documentation guidelines for nine disability categories are described in Appendix E.

3.11.1 Regents’ Centers for Learning Disorders

Last reviewed: January 2010

Learning Disorders include Learning Disabilities, Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Pervasive Developmental Disorders, Acquired Brain Injury, and Psychological Disorders as described in Appendix E. The Board of Regents of the USG has established the following three centers for the provision of assessment, resources, and research related to students who have learning disorders that impact academic, cognitive and/or behavioral/emotional functioning.

• Regents' Center for Learning Disorders at Georgia Southern University
• Regents' Center for Learning Disorders at Georgia State University
• Regents' Center for Learning Disorders at The University of Georgia

Each Regents' Center for Learning Disorders (RCLD) is responsible for serving designated colleges and universities (referring institutions) within a geographic region. The host institution serves as fiscal agent for each RCLD. See Appendix F for a list of RCLDs and their assigned institutions.

Purpose of the RCLDs

The RCLDs provide the following services:

• Comprehensive standardized assessments for students with learning disorders
• Review of documentation submitted by referring institutions in support of student requests for accommodations
• Recommendations regarding appropriate accommodations and services
• Assistance to students, faculty and staff at referring institutions through consultation, networking, and program development
• Clinical training opportunities in graduate level psychology, education, and related programs
• Research focusing on assessment and accommodation of students with disabilities in postsecondary settings

In addition to their primary mission of serving students enrolled in USG institutions, the Centers may be authorized to serve other groups of students. Current information on the availability of services for non-USG students can be obtained by contacting each RCLD directly.

Organizational Structure

The RCLDs consist of professionals who are specialists in the assessment of adults and in evaluation of disabilities that impair learning. Each RCLD has, at the minimum, the following personnel:

• Director. The director is responsible for overseeing the daily operation of the RCLD and for carrying out USG policy regarding student disabilities. The Academic Vice President of the host institution is the supervisor of record.

• Psychologist. The licensed psychologist oversees the evaluation process, including training, interviewing, scheduling, testing, staffing, and report writing. The psychologist ensures that the professional and ethical standards of the American Psychological Association are followed.

• Liaison. The liaison promotes and maintains contact between the referring institutions and each RCLD, assists in the referral and feedback process for RCLD evaluations and RCLD review of documentation of disability, assists referring institutions in the development of policies and procedures to serve students with disabilities on their campuses, and provides community outreach and education to support the mission of the RCLD.

• Other qualified personnel are involved directly in interviewing, testing, and writing reports for students who are evaluated in the RCLDs.

USG Accommodations for Students With Learning Disorders

In order to assure consistency throughout the USG, all RCLDs use the same general evaluation procedures, test battery and report format. This common evaluation methodology assures that all USG institutions employ the same definition and evaluation model.

Evaluations performed by external professionals or organizations will be reviewed using the same methodology as if the evaluation was conducted by an RCLD.

Some accommodations for USG requirements must be approved by an RCLD. Students with learning disorders, who are requesting the accommodations outlined below, are required to submit documentation to an RCLD for approval:

• Admissions - Substitution of the RHSC foreign language requirement. See Section 3.11.3, Admission Considerations.

• Regents' Tests accommodations, beyond what can be granted with institutional approval. See Section 3.11.4, Regents' Test Administration.

• Learning Support - Testing accommodations for the Collegiate Placement Examination (CPE), or COMPASS modifications or, additional semesters in Learning Support beyond what can be granted with institutional approval. See Section 3.11.5, Learning Support Considerations.

Each USG institution is responsible for providing approved accommodations or modifications, including assistive technologies. The Director of the Regents' Testing Office, the RCLDs, and the Alternative Media Access Center (AMAC) are available to assist institutions with arranging for these accommodations.

Outside Evaluations

Referring institutions must have institutional policies and procedures for reviewing documentation of disabilities that is not based on an evaluation conducted by an RCLD. Institutional policies and procedures must be consistent with BoR policy.

Referring institutions are required to submit documentation of learning disorders to meet USG requirements to an RCLD when a student requests accommodations. Referring institutions may also elect to send outside documentation for review to the appropriate RCLD under other circumstances.

Referral for Evaluations

Referring institutions are required to submit a referral packet containing the following items to the appropriate RCLD to initiate the evaluation process:

• Information letter and checklist completed by the Disability Service Provider (DSP)
• Questionnaire on academic strengths and weaknesses, historical information, and behaviors that can affect learning (completed by the student)
• Questionnaire on student's functioning ability (completed by a person who knows the student well and can provide an independent view)
• Academic transcripts from current and/or previous institutions
• Recent vision and hearing sensory screenings
• Samples of written work
• Copies of previous medical or psychological evaluations related to learning difficulties

The DSP at the referring institution is responsible for coordinating the completion of the referral packet and communicating with the RCLD regarding the student's referral, evaluation, and accommodations. See Appendix G for the referral process flowchart. For more information regarding disability documentation, see Appendices D and E.

Evaluation Considerations

1. Professional Standards and Confidentiality

   • American Psychological Association ethical standards are upheld.
   • Information gathered before, during, and after an evaluation will be kept strictly confidential.
   • Information will not be released to any person or institution without written permission of the student.
   • The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) provide additional guidelines on right of access and disclosure of protected information.

2. Liability Issues

   • Neither the referring institutions nor the RCLDs are liable for students while they are traveling to and from the RCLDs for the evaluation.
   • A contact person at the referring institution must be designated for emergency purposes while the student is on the RCLD campus.
   • RCLDs require liability insurance coverage for all RCLD personnel involved in the evaluation process. This liability coverage is necessary to meet the standards of professional practice as outlined in State Licensing Law.

3. Cost of Evaluations

   • Students are assessed a $500 fee for each evaluation (subject to annual review).
   • Payment schedules may vary across RCLDs.
   • Evaluation scholarships may be available at individual RCLDs and/or referring institutions.
   • Students may contact their local Georgia Department of Labor, Rehabilitation Services to determine if they qualify for services, which may include funding to offset evaluation costs.

4. Appeals Procedure

   Students wishing to dispute a decision of an RCLD with regard to eligibility for accommodations may appeal by submitting a request for independent review of their documentation by the directors of the other two RCLDs.

   The request must meet the following conditions:

   • Specify the issue(s) of disagreement in writing
   • Be submitted to the DSP at the student's home institution
   • Be initiated within 30 days of receiving the disputed decision

   A student wishing to appeal the decision of the independent review may appeal to the President of the home institution. The President's decision is final. The Board of Regents does not hear appeals for eligibility for accommodation.

return to top

---

3.11.2 Alternative Media Access Center

Last reviewed: January 2010

The Alternative Media Access Center (AMAC), an initiative of the USG, is committed to removing barriers and providing access to knowledge for individuals with physical, sensory, and learning print-related disabilities. AMAC serves individuals with print-related disabilities in a variety of ways.

AMAC works with all USG institutions serving postsecondary students as well as high school students transitioning to postsecondary institutions. AMAC offers a variety of services to meet the individual needs of students with print-related disabilities and the institutions serving them, including access to the following:

• Alternative media production
• Electronic files (e-files) requested from publishers
• High quality scanned image files
• E-text formatting services
• NEON, AMAC's online repository of available alternative media that tracks students, orders, and media production
• Assistive technology software and hardware
• Other national repositories, services and products (e.g., Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic)
• Password protected electronic material delivery service
• Monthly student services reports
• Training and technical assistance
• Braille text conversion or contract services. AMAC specializes in math, science, foreign language Braille transcription services.

AMAC services and costs vary depending on membership status. AMAC services help institutions to:

• Protect themselves against copyright infringement laws

• Comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act standards and provide students with print-related disabilities equal and timely access to materials

• Increase the knowledge of institutional information technology departments, faculty, and staff on accessible digital media and accessible information technology through the incorporation of universal design for learning environments

AMAC is not a replacement for disability services, but a resource that offers expertise in alternative media production and assistive technology software and hardware. The AMAC team works closely with disability service providers and students to ensure that they receive high quality and timely services.

return to top

---

3.11.3 Admissions Considerations

Last reviewed: January 2010

Applicants with disabilities are expected to have completed the Required High School Curriculum (RHSC) with the appropriate instructional accommodations. No exemptions or substitution are permitted for these required courses with the exception of the foreign language requirement.

Students who are unable to complete the RHSC foreign language requirement successfully due to a documented disability may petition for a substitution for the foreign language requirement (see Appendix H, Admissions Consideration Flowchart) using the following guidelines:

Foreign Language Requirement

Two years of a single foreign language or two years of American Sign Language is required for admission to USG colleges and universities. To receive permission for a substitution, students should do the following:

• Notify the Office of Admission at the time of application that they are petitioning for a RHSC foreign language substitution
• Contact the DSP at the institution for assistance in completing the petition.
• Submit their petition documentation with the admission application

If the petition is approved, the student will be allowed to satisfy the RHSC foreign language requirement by substituting another type of course. The approval of a petition for substitution does not waive the requirement.

Approval of a petition for a course substitution for the RHSC foreign language requirement does not extend to the foreign language requirements of certain degree programs at the University level. Students must submit a separate petition, following their institution's standard procedures for modifications to program requirements, to request a course substitution for foreign language coursework required for a specific program of study or degree.

Other Considerations

Students with disabilities will not be penalized for taking standardized admissions tests (e.g. ACT, SAT, GRE, LSAT, MCAT) with accommodations. Students seeking disability accommodation should contact the testing agencies (College Board and ACT).

To be considered for admission, students are expected to achieve the institution's admission requirements, including minimum SAT or ACT scores with the testing accommodations.

return to top

---

3.11.4 Regents’ Test Administration

Last reviewed: January 2010

The Regents' Testing requirement for reading and writing skills courses may not be waived for students with disabilities, but appropriate accommodations will be provided. The Regents' Testing Program Office does not have to be informed when a student takes or passes an alternative test. However, the student record system must indicate that alternative procedures have been used.

Accommodations for students with learning disorders that can be granted with institutional approval are outlined in Section 2.8.10, Special Administrations of the Regents' Test.

For more information regarding special administration of the Regents' Tests for students with disabilities as described in Appendix E, see Section 2.8.10, Special Administrations of the Regents' Test.

return to top

---

3.11.5 Learning Support Considerations

Last reviewed: January 2010

Students with documented disabilities, who are required to enroll in Learning Support (LS), must fulfill all stated requirements, including test (COMPASS or CPE) and course requirements. Students will be provided with appropriate test and/or course accommodations. Documentation of accommodations provided must be maintained at the institution and summarized in the annual report on accommodations. See Section 2.9.1, Administrative Procedures for Learning Support Programs. Accommodations for students with learning disorders that can be granted with institutional approval are limited to the following:

• Extended time on COMPASS or CPE
• Authorized use of a calculator for mathematic testing
• Separate test administration
• Maximum of two additional semesters of LS

Accommodations and test administrations other than those listed above must be approved by an RCLD.

return to top

---

Appendix A: Memorandum: Admitting GED Students, 2006

In instances, the question arises as to whether or not GED students can be admitted under the State and Two-Year Colleges' Pilot Admissions requirements even if they are younger than 18 or will not begin attendance prior to the time their high school class would have graduated. The current policy is non-permissive in this regard.

However, unlike the absolute prohibition on the admission of students who do not hold a high school diploma or the GED, the age/high school graduation requirement for the GED student should perhaps allow room for exceptions. It does seem that it would be in the best interest of the state and the students to allow those students who have dropped out and subsequently completed the GED, and who have a reasonably good probability of benefiting, to enroll in college without waiting one or two years.

Accordingly, two-year colleges, state colleges, and the three universities having "access" missions, Augusta State, Columbus State and Savannah State, may consider admitting selected GED students as presidential exceptions on a case-by-case basis. The Chancellor has approved this recommendation from Academic Affairs.

At the very minimum, in order to assess the readiness of a student to do college work, each potential student must be interviewed by a professional(s) on your staff who is familiar with issues surrounding high-risk students. However, whether or not the parents are present at the interview, the student should be the focus of this interview and must be present. Additionally, the institution must also receive at least one letter of recommendation from someone other than a family member, who is in a position to speak to the student's educational potential.

Factors that determine the readiness should not only include academic indicators, but also historical attendance patterns and level of maturity. In short, because GED students as a group are high risk, and students who are not yet 18 may be at greater risk, we urge you to enroll only those students who professionals on your campus believe will be well served.

Keep in mind that you are not required to accept these students.

Furthermore, if you do, you may set higher expectations than those described here. It will also be important that you keep accurate records of the student's progress, because, as with all such experiments, we want to be able to monitor the results and modify the policy if warranted. Obviously, the file on each student must contain documentation on the process leading to the decision to admit.

return to top

---

Appendix B: Pilot Admission Project

The Pilot Admission Project was approved for adoption May 2005 and modified June 2008.

Note: The College Preparatory Curriculum (CPC) is now called the Required High School Curriculum (RHSC).

Two-year and State College Pilot Admissions Project: Admissions Requirements
An outline of the two-year and state college pilot admissions project follows below. It applies to the seven two-year colleges, eight state colleges, and the three University College units in state universities (Augusta State University, Columbus State University, and Savannah State University).

• High School Diploma or GED. The student must have a high school diploma or a General Educational Development (GED) credential. 1

• Minimum High School Grade Point Average and Evaluation of College Preparatory Curriculum Completion. Students enrolling in programs that lead to a baccalaureate degree must have completed the 16 units of the College Preparatory Curriculum (CPC, called the College Preparatory Program by the Georgia Department of Education) or the 13 academic units of the Technology/Career Preparatory Program (TC, also called Tech/Prep) in high school. Regardless of the diploma earned in high school and accepted for admission, each student will be evaluated to determine satisfactory completion of the 16 courses of the USG CPC.

  The USG strongly encourages students intending to go to college to take the CPC curriculum, and it encourages all students to take additional academic units in high school.

  A minimum high school grade point average (HSGPA) is required as follows:

  College Preparatory Curriculum: Each student will be evaluated to determine satisfactory completion of the 16 units of the CPC. Students with the CPC must have a 2.0 HSGPA calculated based on the grades in the 16 units of the CPC.

  Technology/Career-Preparatory Curriculum: Each student will be evaluated to determine satisfactory completion of the 13 units of the TC. Students with the TC must have a 2.2 HSGPA calculated based on the grades in the 13 academic units of the TC.

  Students who have not completed the 16 units of the CPC and who intend to be in degree programs leading to a baccalaureate degree must take additional courses to make up for the CPC course deficiencies. Students who enter with a TC diploma, students from private high schools or other states, students with a Georgia DOE General Diploma, and home schooled students must be evaluated for CPC completion and must take additional courses as necessary, following standard USG policy.

  Presidents may grant admission through a Presidential Exception for students who have not completed either the CPC or Tech/Prep course requirements or who do not have the minimum HSGPA requirement. Presidential Exceptions are allowed for up to 20 percent of first-time traditional freshmen (based on the comparative term for the previous year of headcount enrollment of first-time traditional freshmen)2. Exceptions should not be granted for students who do not show other evidence of the ability to succeed.

  Students in "career" programs--those certificates, associate of applied science degrees, or associate of science in allied health programs--that require more than 12 semester credit hours in the core curriculum must meet the minimum HSGPA requirement associated with their high school diploma (a 2.0 for the CPC or a 2.2 for the TC). Because these programs do not lead to the baccalaureate, students are not evaluated for completion of the 16 units of the CPC. However, students wishing later to transfer to or enroll in an associate program that leads to a baccalaureate must be evaluated for CPC completion.

• Required Placement Testing. All students enrolling in programs that lead to a baccalaureate degree, applied associate degree or certificate programs with Learning Support prerequisites, or in courses that have learning support prerequisites must be tested for placement in learning support in English, reading, and/or mathematics.3 The COMPASS exam will be used as the placement test (a few institutions still use the Collegiate Placement Exam [CPE], but that may be phased out over time).

  Students who have SAT or ACT scores may exempt placement testing if they meet the following requirements:

  1. SAT Verbal/Critical Reading score of 430 or an ACT English score of 17 and completion of the College Preparatory Curriculum in English in high school to exempt placement testing in LS English and reading;
  2. SAT Math exam score of 400 or ACT Mathematics score of 17 and completion of the CPC in math to exempt placement testing in math.

The SAT or ACT scores used to exempt placement into LS must be from a national administration of the test and not be more than five years old.

Students who take the COMPASS exam may test out of System learning support requirements, following existing USG policies. Institutions may charge a fee for placement testing. Students placed into LS courses must meet USG requirements for exiting LS. As in current policy, institutions may set higher or additional standards for institutional LS placement and exit above the System minimum standards.

Students who make scores on COMPASS below the score that predicts success in the lowest-level LS course available at that institution should be strongly advised to seek additional post-secondary preparation before enrolling in a USG two-year college. It is not anticipated that LS course areas or LS levels will be expanded during the period of the Pilot Admissions Policy.

The two-year and state college pilot admissions project replaces the current sections of policy for traditional freshmen to two-year colleges, state colleges, and the University College units at Augusta State University, Columbus State University, and Savannah State University.

The former admissions policies will remain in place for the following categories of students:

• Non-traditional Freshmen and Transfers
• Transfer Students
• Students in Programs with 12 or Fewer Hours of the Core Curriculum
• Students in Certificate Programs at Designated Vocational Divisions
• Home-Schooled Students and Graduates of Non-accredited High Schools
• Students with Disabilities
• Joint Enrollment/Early Admission of High School Students/ACCEL
• Admission of Students with Non-U.S. Academic Credentials / Admission of Students Whose First Language is not English
• Persons Aged 62 and Over
• Non-degree Students
• Transient Students
• Auditors

The two-year and state college pilot admissions project eliminates the use of the freshman index and the SAT or ACT for admission to two-year and state colleges (and to the University Colleges in place at three state universities).

Implementation of the Pilot Admissions Project
The two-year and state college pilot admissions project will be effective for admission of students enrolling in Fall 2005. A task force with representation of Presidents, Chief Academic Officers, Chief Student Affairs Officers, Directors of Admission, Directors of Institutional Research, System Office personnel, and others was created following the March 2005 Board meeting. The Task Force's charge was to propose detailed policy and procedures to govern the pilot program and to recommend the operational and technical actions required for Fall implementation and later evaluation of the pilot. Following Board of Regents approval of the pilot project at the April 2005 Board meeting, recommendations from the Task Force were submitted to the Senior Vice Chancellor for Academics and Fiscal Affairs for action in April 2005. Recommendations that were accepted by the System Office are attached.

Because institutions may not be able to gauge the effects of the proposed changes in time for Fall admission, institutions may be allowed to limit significant enrollment growth for Fall semester with permission of the Chancellor.

Evaluation of the Pilot Admissions Program
A committee with University System and System Office personnel will evaluate the effects of the two-year and state college pilot admissions project, and it will present recommendations to the Board of Regents in November 2008. The Board will determine whether to continue the two-year and state college pilot admissions project, alter it, or make it permanent policy.

USG, May 3, 2005/Revised

Recommendations from the Pilot Admissions Policy for State and Two-Year Colleges of the University System of Georgia
June 2008

Recommended: That the Board approve resultant recommendations emanating from an analysis and follow-up report concerning recommendations on the Pilot Admissions Policy for state and two-year colleges of institutions within the University System of Georgia, effective June 11, 2008.

The Chief Operating Officer, Robert E. Watts, and the Vice Chancellor for Strategic Research and Analysis, Dr. Cathie Mayes Hudson, will provide data on the three-year pilot admissions policy for state and two-year colleges that was approved by the Board in 2005.

Background
A major question that institutions, systems of higher education, and states must address is how to balance access and the potential for student success. The University System of Georgia ("USG") has addressed this question with at least two major admissions policy changes in the last quarter century, first setting very minimum SAT/ACT or high school GPA standards for two-year college students and later requiring slightly higher standards. The USG debate over open access mirrors the national debates. Proponents of open access believe that it is appropriate to give all students a chance, and success is counted in terms of those who do succeed. Those who support a minimum admissions floor believe it is unfair to admit students who are highly unlikely to succeed.

In May 2005, the Board of Regents approved a pilot admissions policy for state colleges, two-year colleges, and four "university college" units at state universities in three identified areas of the state without access to a state or two-year college. The pilot was to be implemented for students enrolling in Fall 2005.

The pilot policy was intended to open access to the University System through the state/two-year sector. The pilot policy replaced admissions criteria that had been approved for full implementation in 2001. The 2001 policy had set slightly higher standards for admission to state and two-year colleges than the policy that had been in place in the USG since the mid-1980s. The 2001 policy still allowed for admissions exceptions (Presidential Exceptions) for students that showed promise for success even though their SAT/ACT scores and HSGPA did not meet the minimum standards.

The pilot included several fundamental changes in admissions policy. It eliminated the requirement of the freshman index, which weighted HSGPA and SAT or ACT scores. Under the pilot admissions policy, state and two-year college applicants were not required to present SAT or ACT scores to be admitted.

The primary admissions criteria were completion in high school of the 16 courses of the college preparatory curriculum ("CPC") and a high school grade point average of 2.0, with additional requirements in place for high school graduates with a technical/career diploma or a GED. Presidents could grant exceptions to the HSGPA requirement. The number of allowable presidential exceptions ("PE") was 20 percent of the institution's previous fall enrollment, replacing a 33 percent PE allowance from the 2001 policy.

Because SAT or ACT scores were no longer required for admission and because those scores had been used to exempt students from placement testing for learning support ("LS") or trigger placement testing, more students were required to be tested for placement into learning support at the appropriate level. It was anticipated that enrollment in learning support would increase, and there was concern that students might need learning support at levels below those taught by the USG. For example, the lowest LS math course is not designed to remediate deficiencies in arithmetic, but there was no real way to identify a student's needs at that level before admission to the institution.

One of the requirements of the pilot policy was that the System would evaluate its effectiveness in three years. The Board would then determine whether to continue the two-year and state college pilot admissions policy, alter it, or make it permanent policy.

This document evaluates the effects of the admissions pilot, including the potential effects of the pilot policy on SAT and ACT test-takers in the state. Proponents of the pilot policy believed that removing the requirement of testing might encourage more students to enroll in college, especially those students for whom a high-stakes test created significant anxiety or for whom the cost of the admissions tests (SAT or ACT) was a financial impediment to access.

The following areas were the focus of the evaluation of the pilot policy.

¹ As in current policy, the diploma should be from a high school accredited by a regional accrediting association, the Georgia Accrediting Commission, the Georgia Private School Accrediting Commission, the Accrediting Commission for Independent Study, or from a public school regulated by a school system and state department of education. Students who have a DOE High School Certificate (also called a Certificate of Performance) or a Special Education Diploma are not considered to be high school graduates. A GED would be required.

A student with a GED must be at least 18 years old, or the GED student's class must have graduated from high school. There are no exceptions to the requirement that a freshman have either a HS diploma or the GED. A passing score on the GED is sufficient for admission.

² With the exception of non-traditional students and students in career programs (certificate and applied associate degrees), all students who enroll without the CPC must be evaluated to determine what courses are required for CPC make-up.

³ All students who are seeking a bachelor's degree (through an Associate of Science or Associate of Arts) must be tested for placement. In addition, just as in current policy, students who are not seeking a baccalaureate degree, but who enroll in career programs or courses with an LS prerequisite, must be tested for placement. Current policies apply to students in career certificate or applied associate programs requiring 12 or fewer hours of the Core Curriculum.

return to top

---

Appendix C: ACT-SAT Concordance Tables

In 2005, the College Board added a required Writing test to the SAT and ACT added an optional Writing test to the ACT. Before 2005, the ACT and the College Board had periodically produced concordance tables to assist admissions officers who wanted to understand how students of comparable ability would score on the two college entrance examinations. Given the changes to both respective tests, the College Board and ACT are now providing updated concordance tables that are appropriate to the current versions of the two tests. Students who take the SAT receive three separate test scores: Critical Reading, Writing and Mathematics. Students who take the ACT receive a Composite ACT score and four subscores (Reading, English, Math and Science). Students who take the ACT Plus Writing receive the ACT Composite with the corresponding four subscores (Reading, English, Math and Science) and also receive a Writing subscore and a Combined English/Writing subscore. Two separate concordance tables have been developed:

• Table 1 provides a concordance between the ACT Composite Score and the sum of SAT Critical Reading and Mathematics scores for 300,437 students.

• Table 2 provides a concordance between the ACT Combined English/Writing Score and the SAT Writing Score for 190,148 students who completed the ACT Plus Writing.

Both tables are based on scores from students who took both tests between September 2004 (for the ACT) or March 2005 (for the SAT) and June 2006. Students in the sample represent the first high school graduating cohort since the introduction of the SAT with Writing and the optional Writing section on the ACT. The sample includes students who completed both tests and were matched across ACT and SAT files. While the ACT and the SAT are different tests, these two tables are provided to help the education community better understand how students of comparable ability will score on the two tests.

Notes to Consider
A research report describing the sample, methodology and results will be published by ACT and the College Board in the coming months. Additional information and updates will be made available on the Web sites of ACT (http://www.act.org) and College Board (http://www.collegeboard.org). The following notes and cautions should be considered before using the tables.

• Because the SAT score scale has more score points than the ACT, a single ACT Composite score concords to a range of SAT scores. In each of the tables, a range of SAT scores is concorded to a single ACT score. For example, in Table 1, the SAT (Critical Reading plus Mathematics) scores of 980 to 1010 are all concorded to an ACT Composite score of 21. For those users who want to concord an ACT score to a single SAT score point, the most appropriate SAT score point within the range is provided. In this example, an ACT Composite score of 21 is concorded to a single SAT score of 990.

• Many students do not take the ACT Plus Writing. Consequently, the sample used for Table 2 is more restricted than the sample for the other table. Students who took the ACT Plus Writing appear to differ from the total group of ACT test-takers in terms of ability and other relevant factors.

• Concordance tables are dependent upon the sample used to establish the relationship between the two sets of scores. The ACT-SAT tables are based on an entire cohort of students who completed both tests, but this sample is not representative of either all ACT or SAT test-takers. The tables, therefore, may not be appropriate for use with scores from students who take either ACT only or SAT only. Overall, a student who receives a score on one test will not necessarily obtain the concorded score on the other test.

Document Source: (http://professionals.collegeboard.com/profdownload/act-sat-concordance-tables.pdf) (8-2008)

return to top

---

Appendix D: Disability Documentation

Definition of Disability

• An individual must demonstrate that his/her condition meets the definition of a disability under the Rehabilitation Act, 1973 and/or the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), 1990, and its Amendment (2009). The ADA defines a disability as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.

• Substantially limits, under ADA, refers to significant restrictions as to the condition, manner, or duration under which an individual can perform a particular major life activity as compared to most people.

• Whether a condition is substantially limiting to support an accommodation request is a decision made by qualified professional(s) based upon multiple sources of information.

• A clinical diagnosis is not synonymous with a disability. The specific symptoms that are present should be stated in the documentation. Evidence that these symptoms are associated with substantial impairment in a major life activity is required for provision of accommodations. A detailed description of current substantial limitation in the academic environment is essential to identify appropriate academic accommodations, auxiliary aids, and services. Specific requests for accommodations need to be linked to the student's current functional limitations, and the rationale for each recommendation clearly stated.

General Documentation Guidelines

• All institutions are required to have written policies and procedures for review of documentation submitted by students with disabilities. Decision-making for the provision of institutional-level accommodation is provided by the Office of Disability Services (ODS) or a designated office at an individual college or university.

• Secondary education eligibility reports, Individualized Educational Plans, Summary of Progress reports, or previous provision of special education services may not be sufficient documentation for college-level accommodations.

• Documentation should provide a diagnostic statement identifying the disability, describe the diagnostic criteria and methodology used to diagnose the condition, and detail the progression of the condition if its impact on the student's functioning is expected to change over time.

• Documentation should provide an adequate representation of the student's current functional abilities. In most situations, documentation should be within three years of the student's application for services. Professional judgment, however, must be used in accepting older documentation of conditions that are permanent or non-varying, or in requiring more recent documentation for conditions for which the functional impact may change over time.

• Documentation must include the names, signatures, titles, and license numbers of the appropriate evaluators, as well as the dates of testing and contact information. Evaluators must be licensed professionals whose training and licensure status is consistent with expertise in the disability for which they provide documentation.

return to top

---

Appendix E: Specific Documentation Guidelines

The following specific documentation guidelines are organized into nine disability categories:

1. Learning disabilities
2. Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
3. Pervasive developmental disorders
4. Acquired brain injuries
5. Psychological disorders
6. Sensory disorders
7. Mobility disorders
8. Systemic disorders
9. Other disabilities

In addition, all disability categories are required to follow the general documentation guidelines provided in Appendix D.

1. Learning Disabilities

return to top

2. Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD)

return to top

3. Pervasive Developmental Disorders

return to top

4. Acquired Brain Injury (ABI)

return to top

5. Psychological Disorders

return to top

6. Sensory Disorders

return to top

7. Mobility Disorders

return to top

8. Systemic Disorders

9. Other Disabilities

return to top

return to top

---

Appendix F: Regents’ Centers for Learning Disorders

Each Regents' Center for Learning Disorders (RCLD) is responsible for serving designated colleges and universities within a geographic region (referring institutions). The host institution serves as fiscal agent for each Center.

Georgia Southern University
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College	East Georgia College at Georgia Southern
Albany State University	Georgia Southern University
Armstrong Atlantic State University	Middle Georgia College
Bainbridge College	Savannah State University
Coastal Georgia Community College	South Georgia College
Darton College	Valdosta State University
East Georgia College	Waycross College

Georgia State University
Atlanta Metropolitan College	Georgia Southwestern State University
Clayton State University	Georgia State University
Columbus State University	Gordon College
Dalton College	Kennesaw State University
Georgia Highlands College	North Georgia College & State University
Georgia Institute of Technology	Southern Polytechnic State University
Georgia Perimeter College	University of West Georgia

University of Georgia
Augusta State University	Georgia Gwinnett College
Fort Valley State University	Macon State College
Gainesville State College	Medical College of Georgia
Gainesville State College, Oconee	University of Georgia
Georgia College & State University	E-Core

return to top

---

Appendix G: Referral Packet Flowchart

Referral Process

return to top

---

Appendix H: Admission Consideration Flowchart

Admission Consideration Flowchart

return to top

---

Contact Us

270 Washington Street, S.W.,
Atlanta, GA 30334
U.S.A.

Website Information

• Privacy Policy
• Accessibility
• Compliance & Ethics Reporting

Academics

• Academic Planning
• Academic Programs
• Campus-based Initiatives
• Educator Preparation, Innovation and Research
• Faculty Affairs
• Health Workforce Planning & Analysis
• Information & Instructional Technology
• Research & Policy Analysis
• Student Affairs

Administration

• Facilities
• Fiscal Affairs
• Georgia Public Library Service
• Human Resources
• Legal Affairs
• Strategic Planning

External Affairs

• Business Development
• Customer Focus
• Economic Development
• Government Relations
• Media & Publications

Board of Regents

Chancellor

Internal Audit & Compliance

USG Institutions

Newsroom

Policies & Reports