University of Georgia Academics
The University of Georgia (UGA) is among the oldest universities in the United States, having been incorporated in 1785. Actual classes began in 1801 in the building that is now known as the Old College. The main campus is comprised of more than 300 buildings in 39,000 acres of campus area.
UGA is ranked 18th among the top 50 public universities in the United States according to U.S. News and World Report 2011. The MBA program at UGA’s Terry School of Business is ranked among the top 100 in the world. Apart from this, the mass communication program is ranked among the top five in the United States, and most of the university’s other programs have been ranked highly as well.

The university has a total of sixteen colleges and schools, with the Odum School of Ecology as the most recent addition in 2007. Some schools and colleges at UGA include:
•  Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
•  Journalism and Mass Communication
•  Pharmacy
•  Public Health
•  Social Work

Students have the option of enrolling in undergraduate, graduate, honors, and continuing education programs. Distance education is available in the form of online programs in teaching and avian healthcare. More details about online and distance programs can be found here. UGA also has an honors program for academically talented students which includes study abroad options and student exchange programs.
Programs are available across four different campuses. The largest campus is the main campus in Athens. Others include the Gwinnett campus, Griffin campus, Tifton campus, and Terry College of Business in Atlanta.

University of Georgia Admissions
All prospective students must first submit an application form. Admission criteria vary depending on the type of program you are applying to.

Undergraduate Students
Official high school transcripts, a completed school or counselor evaluation form, SAT or ACT scores, and teacher recommendations are mandatory.

Transfer Students
As a transfer student, you must have completed one academic year at an accredited college post high school. Junior and senior transfers must have a minimum GPA of 2.80 and sophomore students must have GPA higher than 3.20 to be considered for admission. A minimum of 30 credit hours are required.

International First Year Students
Students who are not citizens of the United States or have completed some part of their education outside the USA are considered international students. International applicants must have the following:
•SAT I verbal scores of 430 or higher
•TOEFL or IELTS scores
•  2.5 minimum GPA on English 1101 and 1102 at an accredited U.S. institution.

Nontraditional Students
To be considered as a nontraditional student, you must have been out of high school for more than five years, should have available GED scores and high school transcripts, and should not have more than 30 credit hours. Nontraditional applicants must submit the following:
•  Personal statement
•  Official high school transcripts
•SAT I or ACT scores. (Students who do not have these scores available must take the COMPASS examination.)

Graduate Students
The application fee for graduate students is waived for McNair scholars. Students must submit all official documents, letters of recommendation, and any other documents required by the department they are applying to.
Most departments at UGA require GRE scores for graduate applicants. Some also require individual scores on the verbal and analytical sections. Master of Education program accepts MAT scores as well. GMAT scores are mandatory for applying to the Terry School of Business and the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication. International students must submit TOEFL or IELTS scores.

Financial Aid
To be eligible for financial aid, students must first fill the financial aid application form known as the FAFSA. At UGA, financial aid is available in the form of grants, student loans, and work study programs. A limited number of university owned scholarship programs are available, such as the Foundation Fellowship, Bernard Ramsey Honors Scholarship, and the Presidential Scholarship. Stipends usually range from $1000 to $5000 in annual renewable scholarships. Several departments also have scholarship programs for meritorious students. Students are also encouraged to apply for outside scholarships available from other federal institutions and civic bodies.

University of Georgia Students
Housing facilities on campus include furnished suites and apartments for freshmen and first year students. Unfurnished apartments are available for students with families. Residence halls are divided into seven communities. Facilities at the communities include vending machines, laundry services, and study lounges. Graduate housing for upper class students or students with families includes high speed internet services. Rents vary depending on the services available in the residence halls or apartments.
Campus dining commons are available across five locations. A la carte and other eating options include the Red Clay Café, UGA Creamery, Dawg Snacks, and more.
At UGA, students can become a part of seventeen Greek fraternities and sororities. Members of Greek communities stay in mansions and chapter houses located at the South Lumpkin Street.
Recreational facilities can be found at RecSports and the Ramsey Center. At RecSports, students can use the gym facilities or attend aerobics and Yoga classes. The Ramsey Center has two swimming pools, a running/walking track, climbing and bouldering walls, racquetball, basketball, and squash courts.

Athletics
Known as the Georgia Bulldogs, athletic teams at UGA are members of the NCAA Division I Sports and participate in the Southeastern Conference. They are the leading gymnastics national champions in the NCAA and have won several other national championships in football, baseball, tennis and golf.
The Georgia Bulldogs have a 100 year old rivalry with the Auburn Tigers and a more recent rivalry with the Florida Gators. Several unrecognized sports club at the university have won championships in lacrosse and ice hockey.

Alumni
•  KimBasinger, actor
•  AbdulKarim al-Iryani, Prime Minister Yemen
•  Deborah Blum, Pulitzer Prize winner
•  Crawford Long, invented anesthesia
•  JamieCuticchia, Director Human Genome Database
•  Alton Brown, TV show host and celebrity chef