Due to the severe weather issues surrounding UGA, Atlanta and the Southeast, the freshman Regular Decision application deadline and file completion deadline of January 15 has been extended to January 18 at 5 p.m. EST. Please remember that we will be flexible with materials coming from high schools, and we will keep the online school evaluation and teacher recommendation forms open for a short while after the deadline to assist school officials. Please be safe during this severe weather situation, and I suggest not waiting until the last minute to submit your applications!
Go Dawgs (and be safe!).
i've been trying to post my short essays and it keeps saying "Short Essay A is required. Please use only letters, numbers and punctuation. Note: when pasting from a word processor, some punctuation such as quotation marks and apostrophes might cause this error. Please find and retype these punctuation characters in the text area above. ( Page: Short Essays)"
ReplyDeletei did copy it from a word document, but i retyped all the punctuation. it still won't let me move on to the rest
Help!
what should i do ??
confused&worried
Confused and worried: Since I cannot look at your essay specifically, I cannot say exactly. My suggestion is to open your Word document, and select "Save As", then save your file as an Open Document Text (I believe this clears away the odd Microsoft formatting). Then cut and paste from the Open Document text into your essay. If all else fails, and if the application does not show your issues, then you can always write in "see emailed essays" and email the 4 essays together as a pdf attachment to admproc@uga.edu, and we will add it to your file.
ReplyDeleteI have read all about how UGA calculates GPAs and uses the core classes to determine GPA. But,my question is would a 3.5 be considered low when compared to the GPA of average students who are admitted? Also, what would be an example of a good SAT score to be considered as a competitive applicant? Sorry, I know you probably get questions like this all the time, but you know its getting toward March and I'm getting butterflies in the stomach haha.
ReplyDeleteAnon: Remember, we look at things in concert with one another, so I could not say what a "good" SAT or GPA is without looking at the whole application. And while March is approaching, we still have a long time before late March where we will be reading thousands of files!
ReplyDeleteI am a deferred applicant who has just submitted my essays, however my teacher recommendations were sent in online before Christmas break. My status page still does not show my teacher recommendations being received. Could it be because I have just sent in my essays?
ReplyDeleteAnon: The teacher recommendations would have nothing to do with the essays, so I would first contact the teacher(s) to make sure about the recommendations and the name/SSN/birthdate on them, and then email our office at admproc@uga.edu if there is still an issue.
ReplyDeleteHey, quick question: all of my essays were either exactly 200 words on the mark or literally just a few words under. It might be a dumb question, but does that have any effect to how long they are? I didn't mean to write so much and had to cut it down to fit, and I've already submitted them. Just curious to how the length plays a factor.
ReplyDeletep.s. Thanks for everything this blog does by the way!
Punctuality: Are you asking if we think more highly of essays that have more words in them? If so, no. I have seen a number of great essays that are shorter than 200 words, and a number of long essays that are not so great (and the reverse). Do a search on essays on the bottom right hand side of this blog to see what we look for in essays.
ReplyDeleteWhat is the correct format for addressing envelopes that contain my letters of recommendation for teachers? I have two and they just put them in blank envelopes, so should I put those two envelopes in a manila folder and just address it to UGA Admissions? Will they know what they are?
ReplyDeleteHello! Thank you for all the advice on this blog. I am also having issues with the word count on my online application. On Word my essays are under 200. I took your advice and converted the file to an open document text, but it still said I had gone over 200 words. I then retyped the essay into the online form and it still said that I had exceeded the 200 limit. I even counted the words myself and it is under 200. Is there a difference in the word count on a Word document and on your online application? Also, are certain punctuations or numbers counted as words? Thank you so much!
ReplyDeleteAnon: What you have stated (putting the sealed documents in another envelope and addressing it to admissions) is correct. When we open them, we will know what they are. Remember, it takes a little while longer to get documents into our system that are mailed in (instead of online), so please be patient.
ReplyDeleteSnowed in: When I go to my mock application, I do not show issues with word counts when I type things in. Does it indicate how many words over you are (you may need to cut a few words off the end to get this). I cannot say without knowing the details, but when I am typing essays in, it has the correct word count by a visual check. I would suggest either reviewing and doing minor editing, or stating "see email attachment" and emailing all the essays as one pdf document to admproc@uga.edu.
I had the same situation when I tried to cut and paste my essays over the weekend. The computer would not allow me to submit the essays with the proper quotation marks, punctuation and apostrophes. Therefore, in order for me to submit my application, I had to take the proper punctuation out. I also had exactly 200 words in a few of my essays and the system was telling me I was over on characters. I had to reduce a few of my essays. I am worried and concerned because I already submitted my application and adjusted the punctuation and grammar to what the computer would accept? Should I send a pdf file with an explanation and to disregard my other essays. I'm very concerned.
ReplyDeleteAnon: One thing I have noticed when cutting and pasting from Word is that the formatting of Microsoft at times adds multiple spaces after periods that cause another systems to think it is a word. Again, I suggest that applicants save any word document as Open Document text, and then cut and paste. Also, brevity is sometimes good in an essay. As for yours, you will have to do what you think is best, but I would guess that the adjusted essays will be just fine.
ReplyDeleteAll: UGA is now closed for Wednesday, January 12, due to the ice on the roads and campus. This will mean that the admissions office will not be back into work until Thursday, and thus getting items into the system will be delayed due to this closing. Please be patient with us.
ReplyDeleteHi! I am worried because I sent in my essays on December 9th and the myStatus page still shows that they have not been received. I am starting to worry. Any ideas as to what I can do to ensure my essays are accounted for?
ReplyDeleteAnon (and all): If possible, please let me know how you have done something (online, email, postal services, etc.) so I can have a better idea of what to look for. In your situation, I would suggest you email admproc@uga.edu, and let us know any other details of your application (did you apply through GA411, did you have any issues when applying such as a wrong SSN, etc.).
ReplyDeleteHi! When you say SAT scores from each section is looked at differently, do you mean that one section is more important than the other 2?
ReplyDeleteThank you!
scores: Each college might look at SAT or ACT scores differently depending on their view of things. Since the Writing section was added and UGA started reviewing it as a part of the freshman admission process, we have had to change how we look at the scores. Since the CR and Writing sections have some overlap, this has added a little more weight to the Math section than before, but this is out of the three sections, as opposed to two previously. The different sections tells us different things about each applicant.
ReplyDeleteI studied grade 9 , 10 and 11 in a foreign country and i am currently studying my 12 grade in USA. When I try to add my previous high school , there is no option to choose 'outside US' or 'foreign country'. Again you have to choose one of the states. Please suggest what to do.
ReplyDeleteAnon: Make sure to list your 12th grade school first with the accompanying HS code, and then just write out the name of the other schools. Since we will need a transcript showing these other schools, just the name will be fine.
ReplyDeleteI am using a fee waiver. Due to weather conditions, i was worried about the fee waiver not reaching the office on time .So i mailed the fee waiver before i submitted the application. Will that hurt me in any way? Please suggest.
ReplyDeleteAnon: It is fine to have the fee waiver come in before the application. Just be patient as we match it up with the application.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your quick response. But the default state is fixed at Alabama. Do i have to worry about that?
ReplyDeleteAnon: Try "Outside US" from the pull-down and you will be fine.
ReplyDeleteHi :)
ReplyDeleteIn one of my essays I mention something that needs to be italicized,but when I type it into the text box on the application it can't italicize. What do I do? Do I leave it just as is? Will it be counted against me?
tiredofsnow: Do not worry, we will not be tracking down every issue of someone not bolding or italicizing a word, so it will not be held against you. And by the way, after shoveling my driveway this morning, I am tired of snow as well.
ReplyDeleteUnder 'academic record' it asks you how many IB/AP courses will you have completed....well i am not a diploma student but i am taking IB MATH HL and IB Biology HL right now (i'm a senior). Both of them are year long courses and i'm pretty sure i will pass them. So do i put in 2 from the pull down??
ReplyDeleteWhen I received my transcript at school the other day I noticed an error. It said that I only had .5 credits for my biology class. When I talked to my counselor she said it would be fixed, but the problem is that I have already sent my transcripts to uga. Since I had to take the EOCT for the class that means that I had to have taken the full class. I plan on sending another transcript, but will uga recognize this as just an error? also, when is the deadline for the transcripts with last semesters grades for deferred students? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteAnon I: If the IB math and IB Biology are the only two AP or IB classes you will have taken between the start of 9th grade through the end of 12th grade, then you should put 2.
ReplyDeleteAnon II: We will be fine with an updated transcript with corrected information and will see the first as having an error, and the updated transcript deadline is Feb. 1.
when I type my essay in the space provided on the application and then in word to check for errors, the spacing between the paragraphs is way off. The gaps between the paragraphs look huge in word and when i copy and paste from word into the application, there aren't any spaces. Should i keep the double space that i have on the application. it looks like this:
ReplyDeleteThis is where the new paragraph would start.
does it have to be postmarked by feb. 1 or in by feb. 1? Our official transcripts were not ready when we went back to school and now with this crazy weather, i'm not sure when I will be back in school to be able to send it. I am just afraid that it won't get there on time.
ReplyDeleteAnon I: The spacing you have shown looks fine to me. It is really not that big of an issue, so do not worry about it.
ReplyDeleteAnon II: It is January 11 right now, so I expect you will be back at school well before Feb. 1. Our deadlines are postmarked, but this is one where I would suggest getting the updated transcript in ASAP, as we will begin our file reading shortly.
I am a legal permanent resident.On part I of the permanent resident form, it asks you to sign your name in ink..so do i like print out the form, sign it , scan the form and send it via email to uga? Again, does this form has to be turned in before the regular deadline?
ReplyDeleteAnon: That would be the best thing to do for the perm. residency form, and remember to also scan and send in a copy of the actual perm. residency card as well. It does not need to be in by the deadline, but I would suggest getting it in shortly after you submit your application so we can review it for residency.
ReplyDeleteI just turned in my application. But the problem is that i have already mailed my fee waiver to:
ReplyDeleteUndergraduate Admissions
Terrell Hall
Athens, Georgia 30602-1633 .
Besides, it says that the page must be printed and sent along with the fee waiver.What should i do now? Is the address that i mailed to okay?
I initially applied for Early Decision and my application got deferred. I just finished Part II of my application to apply for Fall of 2011. I now have the opportunity to go somewhere for 6 months after I graduate and I was wondering, if I get accepted for Fall of 2011, will I be able to defer my admission until January of 2012? Or do I have to reapply later this year?
ReplyDeleteThanks!
-martha-
I go to a high school in Georgia that uses block scheduling. Therefore each semester we get one full credit per each course taken, for APs though we have some that take place both semesters in which we are awarded two credits (one credit each semester, one of the credits is considered an elective and the other is the actual course). Is it true that UGA counts year long courses as two ap courses/credits or only one?
ReplyDeleteAnon I: We will be okay without the fee waiver form, as long as the fee waiver has your name on it and we can match it to the application. The address is correct, so just be patient, as UGA will now be closed Wednesday as well, so it will be Thursday before we push in applications, part II's, and get to the mail.
ReplyDeleteMartha: We do make decisions to defer accepted students, so if you are admitted (and you are sure you want to take 6 months off), then you would email admproc@uga.edu with the details.
Anon II: Generally, we would count the year long AP course as one course, as it is actually one course.
I have a question about making the $60 application fee payment. Neither of my parents have credit cards, so what other payment options do I have? Would a debit card or money order work?
ReplyDeleteAnon: You can select the check/money order/fee waiver option, and then send in the payment by money order.
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteThis past fall I applied to the university, but did not have enough transfer hours and was denied. Now, I have the correct number of hours, and am preparing to apply again for Fall 2011. I have followed the path to the application that I used last time, as it says under the Reactivation portion of the website. It takes me to the "myStatus Login" page, where I enter my info and move on to the Dashboard. Here it still shows the information from my last application, including the "check my application status." When I select that option. It does not have my rejection from last time, but it also doesn't offer an option to start a new application anywhere. Should I create a new user id using another email, or do you have a different suggestion?
Returning Applicant: In about two weeks, the application data for this Spring term will be pulled off our site, and this will allow you to then re-apply. My suggestion is to be patient for a few weeks, have an updated transcript sent in, and then apply. If this still does not help, email adm-tech@uga.edu and let them know of your situation.
ReplyDeleteGreat thanks!
ReplyDeleteHello, I'm not sure where to ask this, but as regards to the question "What is your native language" I learned both English and another language in the same critical period and can speak both 100% fluently. I'm not sure whether to put English or "Other" as my native language(though I currently have English selected temporarily). I speak both 50% of time, english in school, the other language at home or other places. Is this detail too insignificant and I should leave it as is or would it be beneficial for me to select one or the other?
ReplyDeleteHi DGraves!
ReplyDeleteI was accepted EA back in December, and listed my major as Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. I went to my settings page in myStatus to change my major to Applied Biotechnology, but it wasn't listed. Will I be able to change this at some point soon? Also, I was auto-admitted into Honors and put down my original major on my registration form, so would I need to contact them about the change? I know it's not a huge difference, but I think that this new major would be better suited toward my interests. Thanks in advance! :)
Anon: I am guessing that since you are bi-lingual, and that you attend a US school, then most likely the non-English language is probably your "Native" language, which I consider the language that your parents grew up speaking. This does not have any impact on the decision, but you have my suggestion.
ReplyDeleteDGraves,
ReplyDeleteI know that two letters of rec. are required. However, one of them can be a non teacher, correct? How does the non teacher send in the letter?
Thanks for your help!
I have a fee waiver. Is it okay if I send the fee waiver to UGA before I submit my application ?
ReplyDeleteWhat if my fee waiver arrive after the deadline?
How do I know if my fee waiver will be accept by the school?
I sent my SAT scores about a week ago, is it okay if the scores arrive after the deadline?
Thank you for your time.
TreeofHeaven7393: Go ahead and send the fee waiver, as it will most likely get here at about the same time as the application flows into our system (remember, our deadlines are postmarked deadlines). When we get the fee waiver and put it into the system, it will show up on the myStatus page. As for the SAT scores, if you have already requested them, then they will be fine and will get here okay. Just keep track of things on the myStatus page.
ReplyDeleteAshton: Only one teacher recommendation is required, but if you also want a recommendation from a non teacher, then have them mail it to our office.
ReplyDeleteI sent the copies of my permanent resident card to admproc@uga.edu. How do I know if the school receive the copies of my card ???
ReplyDeleteMy ACT scores were under my prefer name, I forgot to fix it and sent the scores. If I put the same name under the " prefer name " in the application, will it get match up with my ACT scores ?
ReplyDeleteThank you for your time ^_^
Tree: If you sent it, then be patient and you will receive an email reply or a change in your status if you are claiming GA residency. As for the ACT, if your SSN on the application matches the one on the ACT, then that is fine. If there is no SSN, then send an email to admproc@uga.edu.
ReplyDeleteHey DGraves, just to make sure, the reason MyStatus isn't updating is because UGA has been closed right? I submitted SAT and ACT scores and submitted my essays this past weekend and hopefully a teacher rec and transcripts will mail out once we get back in school. The MyStatus page hasn't said anything even about my Part II app being completed, even though my home page said it's done and I can "Print for Records" or something.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
-Jay
Jay: Since we have not been in the office all week, nothing has been updated. We will return to work tomorrow at 11 a.m., but be patient, as we have a lot of work to do. As for the test scores, if you just submitted them, it takes a little while for the testing agencies to get them to UGA, and for us to import them into our system.
ReplyDeleteHello DGraves,
ReplyDeleteJust a quick question for you pertaining to mailed-in materials. If an applicant wished to send in extra information that goes along with his or her application, what address would we send it to? Also, how do we make sure admissions can attach it to our file? Thank you.
NoSnow: All materials that are mailed in should go to the following address:
ReplyDeleteUndergraduate Admissions
University of Georgia
Terrell Hall
Athens, Georgia 30602-1633
As for making sure it gets to your file, make sure you put your full name and birthdate on all pages, and we will get it into your file.
Thanks for the quick information.
ReplyDeleteHow much impact does a teacher recommendation have in an admissions decision?
ReplyDeleteI just checked my application status and it said that i have been classified as non resident student.
ReplyDeleteI have been living in georgia for 7 months up to now but by the time i will start my first day of classes( if i am admitted) i will already have lived here for more than a year. Will my status change?
Mr. Graves I have a question about an Honors application essay. The prompt about community service on the Honors application is almost exactly the same as the prompt on the regular UGA application. Can I use the same response if it answers both questions? I don't want to seem lazy, but I really liked my response.
ReplyDeleteGood morning –
ReplyDeleteLike several others that have posted, I had issues submitting my essays. After trying the suggestions you posted, the only option that worked was to remove all quotes and apostrophes from my essays.
I do not want to inundate the Admissions office with duplicate materials by emailing them as a pdf attachment, however, I also want the counselors to understand I know how to properly construct an essay.
Should I email the grammatically correct essays, or are the counselors aware of the issue and will look past it as they are reviewing files?
Thank you and enjoy your first day back!
Hi DGraves, I think my question might have been accidentally skipped...I was asking about changing my major to something that wasn't listed, above your reply to the bilingual student. Can freshmen not declare this as their major, or is it just not listed for some other reason? Thanks.
ReplyDeleteto all of those posting about problems with copying and pasting your essays in the application because of the punctuation..the essays are only 200 words each..just retype the entire thing in the box and it shouldnt be a problem! it will take less than 60 seconds to retype 200 words!
ReplyDeleteI know that this has nothing to do with the RD application, but I do have some questions regarding Transfers.
ReplyDeleteI'm a student at MGC and while filling out my application, I put that I had 17 hours in progress because that was the number of hours I had planned to take for the spring semester. I have since dropped one of my classes (public speaking) because I wanted to concentrate on my core classes (Bio II, Lit II, Precal, US Hist II) and I knew that the work load for all of these classes would be hard to bare while working to afford college. I'm still a full time student (14 hours) but I was wondering how this affects my application. On the transcript that was sent to UGA it listed my classes in progress. Should I have my college resend an updated transcript.
Also, at MGC my declared major is Forestry, but on the transfer application I chose a different major. Does this affect my application at all.
I'm just very worried because, like all who apply, I just want to get accepted...
Thanks for your help!
Anon I: There is no specific "weight" that a teacher recommendation has for an applicant. We use it to see what you are like as a student, as a person, and what you are like in the actual classroom.
ReplyDeleteAnon II: Since you have been in GA for less than 12 months right now, you will have to complete a petition for residency, http://www.reg.uga.edu/files/forms/Petition4classification24July08_2.pdf, so we can review your situation.
Jane: I do not comment on the Honors process, as I do not work for the Honors program.
Jane: Go ahead and email the essays as one pdf document.
MG: Sorry if I missed it, as it looks like the blogger system was having issues. The applied biotechnology major is within the College of Agricultural and Env. Sciences.
no problem: thanks for the suggestion!
Just a few questions: For transfer applicants, the area where you put your GPA and hours is just for us to have an estimate, but we look at the transcript for official information, so this has no impact at all. As for your major, we have no issue with you applying to a different major from what you are now at MCG.
I have a College Board form and it says " request for a waiver of College Application Fee ". In that form, it has both dates of the SAT which I took and used the fee waiver for them. The form also include my information and my school/counselor information. In the form, it says to enclose it with my college application. So it that form a fee waiver or do I have to use it to request for a fee waiver ?
ReplyDeleteThank you ^_^
Tree: This sounds like an admissions application fee waiver form, and you need to take it to your counselor to complete and send it in to UGA.
ReplyDeleteMy counselor completed the form. I sent the form to UGA this morning. Am I good regarding the payment for the application ?
ReplyDeleteThank you ^_^
Tree: Yes, you are fine then.
ReplyDeleteHi, my daughter mailed the admission packet over the Christmas break. Her status says that she is missing the information that has already been mailed. How long should we wait for the information to be updated before we call?
ReplyDeleteAnon: Generally, I say to give us 8-10 business days. Since we have only been back in the office for 5 business days, I would suggest giving us a little more time.
ReplyDeleteI noticed some people were confused about the website saying that their essays were over the 200 word limit when they actually weren't. I had the same problem, and figured out that putting two spaces between each sentence counts as another word. Also, pressing the "space" button before a paragraph to indent also counts as 1 word per space, so I just left mine without indentations. Hope this helps!
ReplyDeleteMaddie: Thanks for the help, and I have seen that Word does this as well when copying over the essays.
ReplyDeleteMr. Graves,
ReplyDeleteI looked at my transcript and it does not have the classes I am taking for the second semester. Can I email admproc a pdf copy of my schedule so UGA can see all my classes?
K: If you wrote your second semester classes on your application, or your counselor put it on their school evaluation form, then there is no need to do this.
ReplyDeleteHi, My daughter was accepted EA, when will we find out whether she may qualify for the scholarships where out of state kids get in state tuition?
ReplyDeleteThanks
Anon: UGA will be awarding scholarships between mid-December and mid-April, as we have a large number of files to review for both admission and scholarships.
ReplyDeleteI am almost through with completing my application, but I have encountered a problem regarding my various leadership positions. Is it OK to not use complete sentences when describing my positions and the duties that are included? When I tried to use formal language, I quickly exceeded the maximum characters allowed in the form. I wanted to make sure that listing or using sentence fragments was acceptable. (And I know that this is incredibly last-minute and have previously read the lecture comments.) Thank you SO much!
ReplyDeleteAnon: It is fine in the activities/sports/work area to shorthand some things, and complete sentences in this area are not needed.
ReplyDeleteUnderstood. Thank you for your prompt reply and time spent on this blog. It has been very helpful for the past few weeks.
ReplyDeleteThe Gacollege411.org website is not working!
ReplyDeleteI have been trying to help my son access and submit his application which has not been accessible for 4-5 days. After logging in and going to the specific saved apps an error message (Xap) appears and basically says the site is temporarily unavailable please try again in a few moments (which have turned into days) I called the listed number last week and got recorded message, sent support E-mail with no response and this morning line was busy for several hours and finally just reached a human who said they were aware of it and check back later. I reminded her about the importance and deadline and asked if tecnical support persons worked during the weekend and holiday and she said no. So obviously a concern as apparently they are just finding out about this. Not sure if you are aware of this so wanted to post, thanks..
Atlanta native: Thank you for this information. Unfortunately, UGA does not control the GA411 site, so there is nothing we can do about this issue at this time, and we have not heard anything from GA411 about the overall situation. We will try to work with you, but you can also go into the UGA admissions website and complete the application, especially if the essays have been done in a different format and can be cut and pasted.
ReplyDelete