The University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia, or UGA, is considered an academic and athletic powerhouse. The university has paved the way for public higher education and set a high learning and research standard.
As a result, it is easy to understand why a student may find themselves considering transferring. UGA is one of the nation’s top public universities and ensures rigorous academic opportunities with plenty of hands-on, experiential learning.
Founded in 1785, UGA is known as the “birthplace of higher education” in America. Since its conception, it boasts both national athletic championships, as well as award-winning research discoveries.
The university has launched 25 Rhodes Scholars to Oxford.
According to Niche’s 2023 Best College Rankings, UGA is ranked #10 among the top public universities in America. US News & World Report ranked UGA #16 among top public colleges, and #48 in national universities.
Nearly 95% of freshmen at the university return for their sophomore year. This clearly demonstrates a commitment to UGA and satisfaction with their experience.
With all of these considered, UGA is still highly competitive. Over a third of the class of 2025 had a GPA of 4.0 or higher, while 5% of these students were valedictorians or salutatorians of their graduating high school class.
The university states that they have a place for everyone, from traditional-age students to veterans and non-traditional students, such as parents, international students, and non-traditional groups. Therefore, what is the likelihood of a successful transfer to UGA?
University of Georgia Transfer Acceptance Rate
The transfer acceptance rate into the University of Georgia is 74%, according to Fall 2021 student transfer statistics.
Over the past decade, acceptance rates have fluctuated at the university from as low as 60% for transfer students to nearly 80%.
In 2021, 2,970 students applied for transfer consideration, and 2,207 were admitted. This suggests that out of every 100 transfer applicants, 26 will be rejected.
Considering the data, there is a much better likelihood of acceptance as a transfer than as a first-year student.
In 2021, 39,090 students applied for first-year admission to UGA. Only 15,689 were offered admittance. Forty percent of those that applied were accepted.
UGA prides itself on providing an engaging college experience that encourages a broad range of academic and social opportunities for its students.
They are in search of applicants who are curious, work outside their comfort zone, and actively engage in their learning. As a result, UGA hopes to create a student body of shared values and diverse interests in order to provide a top-tier educational experience.
If interested, applicants can discover additional admissions information and statistics from the UGA Factbook, which is publicly available information on admissions and other student-related information.
Application Requirements & GPA for UGA Transfer Students
The required GPA for students transferring to UGA is a 3.30 or higher calculated transfer GPA.
In addition to GPA, a student is eligible to transfer to an undergraduate program on the Athens, GA campus if they have completed at least 30 credit hours by the application deadline.
While these are the current consideration requirements, the university is forthcoming by stating that these are subject to change given space and availability each year.
It is also important to note that some programs have limited seats; therefore, these colleges or departments may be more competitive and influence an admissions decision.
To be considered, applicants must submit their application for transfer admission, a non-refundable application fee of $70, and all official transcripts from colleges and universities attended. These materials must be postmarked before the transfer application deadline described below.
Students can learn more about the application process and requirements by visiting the transfer admissions website or watching the short transfer presentation provided by the department.
UGA Transfer Deadline
The deadline to apply to the University of Georgia as a transfer student is August 15th for intended Spring enrollment and March 1st for intended Summer/Fall enrollment.
To help more students realize their dream of attending and graduating from UGA, staff believe that students should be able to pursue admission multiple times throughout the school year instead of the traditional Fall enrollment route.
If a student is looking to transfer for Spring 2023 intended enrollment, the application will become available and open on May 31, and all materials will be due by August 15th for review.
If a student is looking to enroll for Summer or Fall courses, the application will open on January 22nd, and all application materials are due no later than March 1st.
As first-year admission is very competitive, this is an excellent option for someone looking to begin their journey at UGA as quickly as possible.
UGA offers pre-transfer advising for support in the application and to answer any questions an inquiring student may have.
Additional resources offered through the department include a transfer planning guide and transfer planning worksheet. These tools can help to ensure a smooth transition for the transfer applicant with proper preparation and attention to detail.
What Is the Decision Date for UGA Transfer Students
Students who have applied to the University of Georgia as transfer students will hear from the school no later than early May for summer and fall enrollment, and spring applicants will receive a decision as early as July and as late as September.
Senior Associate Director for Operations, David Graves, answers related questions on a helpful admissions blog. There is typically not a set date that transfer students will receive a decision, as it is based upon the number of applicants and how challenging a file is to review.
During the review period, decisions go out every Friday. Still, the university cannot predict when a student will hear back. These decisions are generally based on the term the student has applied and how quickly they can review the file.
In 2022, Graves wrote that the university planned to release the first group of transfer decisions on March 4th for Summer/Fall transfer applicants. He noted that summer applicants typically hear back before fall, when possible.
Applicants should receive an email alerting them to a change in status and regarding the decision. Therefore, a student does not need to check the admission status page frequently.
As always, the university advises that students do not compare application and release dates with others. UGA sometimes receives hundreds of applications on specific dates; therefore, it is irrelevant when another applicant makes a decision.
Deciding Whether You Should Apply to UGA As a Transfer Student
UGA has a tremendous amount of opportunities to offer a potential transfer student. Across the various programs, there are more than 142 unique fields of study.
The university has some long-term goals in mind, including a $64m building to support collaborative research across scientific disciplines, called the Interdisciplinary Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (I-STEM) Research Complex.
Approximately 88% of students can graduate within six years, far greater than other comparable campuses. Ninety-two percent of graduates were employed or enrolled in graduate programs within six months of graduation.
Double Dawgs might be an excellent option for a potential student interested in graduate programming but anxious about the price tag. Students can earn both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in five years or less while saving money and positioning themselves for various opportunities come graduation.
Additionally, UGA places a great emphasis on diversity and inclusion. They offer the GAAME Scholars Program, which supports and provides mentorship to African-American male students. In addition, the DeLTA project aims to promote diversity within the STEM fields.
Transitioning schools can undoubtedly be beneficial, but also overwhelming. UGA is aware and provides excellent support and community among transfer students. Their slack account, UGA Transfer Services, connects individuals with other transfer students to meet new people, answer questions, and find support.
Recap: How To Apply to UGA As a Transfer Student
With this in mind, UGA might be an excellent fit for a student seeking new possibilities in Athens. The opportunities for social and community connections are endless through the 800 unique student organizations and the large variety of programs to choose from.
With a transfer acceptance rate of approximately 74%, students have far better odds of being accepted as transfer students than as first-year students.
To be considered for admission, students must have a 3.30 or higher calculated transfer GPA.
An individual must submit the necessary application materials by the deadline, pay a non-refundable deposit of $70, as well as submit all transcripts from any former universities or colleges attended.
UGA accepts transfer applications in two waves, with a deadline of August 15th for intended Spring enrollment and March 1st for Fall/Summer enrollment consideration.
While there is not a set decision date when students will hear, most will typically know by May for Summer/Fall enrollment and September for Spring enrollment.
There is so much to be discovered at UGA. The university hopes to ensure a well-rounded college experience both academically and socially.
They invest in student and faculty success, which provides a strong foundation for graduates to impact our changing world positively.
