New & Prospective Students - Admissions and Immunization

The ISL office provides the following admissions information on this web site as a resource only.  Specific admissions questions should be addressed to the appropriate admissions office or to the particular academic department in which you wish to study.  Websites for the University of Georgia Admissions offices are as follows:

Graduate Admissions
http://www.grad.uga.edu/

Undergraduate Admissions
http://www.admissions.uga.edu/

Both of these websites include special pages specifically focused on international applicants that include information concerning the unique procedures required for internationals desiring to study at UGA.

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General Information
The American system of education allows students to start their academic studies at the beginning of any semester. However, the majority of students apply to be admitted in the fall semester because this is considered to be the beginning of an academic year in the U.S.  Before applying to UGA, be sure that the University offers the degree and program of study that you want by reviewing the appropriate information on the UGA admissions websites.  Each admissions office (and sometimes your academic department) will have important information concerning specific deadlines and special application procedures that must be adhered.  Pay close attention to these deadlines to insure that your application receives full consideration by University officials for admission to UGA. 

Graduate student applicants should be sure to contact the appropriate academic department to find out specific information concerning any additional materials that may be required by your program (outside of the materials you must provide to the UGA Graduate School). 

Applying for international admission at UGA can be a lengthy process.  Give yourself plenty of time to complete all of the necessary steps for admission.  There are many offices at UGA that you may have to speak to while gathering information about applying to UGA.  Additionally, keep in mind that application procedures for admissions to U.S. colleges and universities can be time consuming and sometimes awkward to understand.  You may want to begin the application process at least one year before the term in which you wish to matriculate (begin your studies).  

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Special Degree Programs
There are a few degree programs at UGA that have unique application procedures for all students (especially at the graduate level).  Some of these programs include (but are not limited to) business, law, pharmacy, and veterinary medicine.  It is best to check with the department in which you wish to study to make sure that you are completing the admissions process according to the appropriate procedures and deadlines. 

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Special Terms and Definitions (An Admissions Glossary)
Some of the terms used on the admissions application forms may be unfamiliar for international applicants.  We hope the list below will help clarify some of these commonly misunderstood words. 

Freshmen
Undergraduate students in their first year of studies are called Freshmen. As students take classes and earn academic credit towards their degree they become known as Sophomores, Juniors and finally, at the highest level before graduation, they are called Seniors.  These levels are based on the number of undergraduate credit hours earned towards completing a bachelor’s degree. 

Graduate Students
Typically individuals who have already completed a bachelor’s degree (by U.S. standards) and who are studying for an advanced degree including a master’s or doctorate in their chosen field of study.  (The term master’s degree is not to be confused with the master’s degree offered by the European Union.  In the U.S. system of higher education, these two terms are not necessarily synonymous.)

Transfer Students
Some students begin their undergraduate studies at other universities around the world, but then decide they want to study at UGA instead. Instead of simply starting their degree at UGA from the very beginning, they may be able to transfer credit for some or all of the classes they have already taken previously.    

Semester
The academic year at UGA begins in August and is split into two terms called semesters (each approximately fifteen weeks long excluding holidays and school breaks). The first term is called fall semester (August – December) and the second term is called spring semester (January – May). In the summer, students can take classes in a short 4 week term called Maymester or they can take classes during the summer semester.

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Your Immunization Requirements (for International Students)
Before you can register for any classes, you must submit proof of certain immunizations to the UGA Health Center.  For the most current listing of the types of immunizations required of UGA students, visit the Health Center’s website.  If you do not have proof of the immunizations required, you will not be able to register for classes and will be required to get the appropriate immunizations before registering for class.  There is usually a charge for getting your immunizations in the U.S.

You must also complete the University Health Center’s Immunization and Medical History Form.  This form should have been included with the materials UGA sent to you by the admissions office when you were admitted.  If you do not have this form, visit the Health Center’s Web site to download a copy.  If requirements are met, the Health Center staff will clear you to register for classes.

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