International Applicant Frequently Asked Questions
Below you will find some commonly asked questions for international applicants. Please keep in mind that the application process is student-managed and that students are responsible for keeping up with dates, deadlines, and items to be submitted.
You should apply as an international student if you meet one of the following:
- You will require an F-1 visa to enter and study in the United States.
- You are not a U.S. citizen and are currently in the United States on an F-1/F-2 (student) visa and attending a United States High School.
- You are currently in the United States on some other class of visa (including: H, E, L, etc.).
No. For the purpose of your application, please apply as a domestic student, and plan to submit a front and back copy of your Green Card.
Yes. If you are in the process of obtaining permanent legal residency, please also plan to submit all documentation related to this process. This would include, but not limited to, an Employment Authorization Document, the form I-485, or your I-94 departure record.
Yes. If you hold refugee or asylum status, apply as an international student. Please plan to submit all documentation related to this status.
At this time you are able to apply and receive an admissions decision, however you will be unable to enroll at the University of Georgia unless your immigration status changes. For more information on the USG policy for DACA and Verification of Lawful Presence (VLP), please visit: https://www.admissions.uga.edu/apply/vlp/.
You can find more information about the visa process and the International student experience at UGA through the Office of Global Engagement and International Student Life at UGA.
You should apply as a First Year Student.
As a US Citizen you are considered a domestic student and you should apply to UGA as such, even if you attended high school or college outside of the United States. To evaluate your international grades, submit your international transcripts and our office will make the proper adjustments to obtain your new GPA.
If you are applying as a First Year Student, there are several ways you can demonstrate English proficiency. All First Year students are required to meet the minimum SAT or ACT scores required by the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia for admission to its research universities. Since these scores align with the International Freshman English Proficiency Requirements set by the Board of Regents, most international students meet these minimums through their SAT or ACT scores. However, most competitive students’ scores are much higher than these minimums. Additionally, many students choose to send us an IELTS or TOEFL score to further demonstrate their English proficiency during our holistic review. The average English scores for admitted international First Year students from 2019 through 2023 are below:
- SAT EBRW – 650
- ACT English – 30
- IELTS – 7.5
- TOEFL – 102
The University of Georgia accepts transcripts from many different types of curriculums. Before you submit, please review the recommendations for your application below:
- Translate your academic records into English and send us your final academic records from each school. Based on this information we will calculate a new GPA.
- Students will need to complete the level of education that would allow them to enroll in a competitive university in their home country.
- On your application to UGA, select the option to “not self-report your grades”.
As an international student you don’t need to do this. Please do not self-report your grades.
You should apply as a Transfer Student.
Please apply as a Transfer student. In addition to the required application items listed on the transfer website please note:
Credit Evaluation
- If your college or university is outside of the United States, and is not accredited by a U.S. Regional Association of Colleges and Schools, we REQUIRE that you use an evaluation service that does a “course by course” evaluation to ensure that your transcript is evaluated properly (if you do not submit a “course by course” evaluation, your application to UGA will be incomplete).
- These are the approved evaluation services: Josef Silny & Associates, Inc. International Education Consultants, World Education Services, Inc., Education Credential Evaluators, Inc., International Education Research Foundation, Inc., American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, Lisano International, and International Education Evaluations, Inc.
- Non-transferable coursework includes English as a Second Language, more than one hour of Physical Education, applied, technical, diploma or certificate credit. In addition, Non-US Institution Credit is awarded without letter grades.
Language Proficiency
If English is not your first language, you can demonstrate English proficiency. For example:
- An official transcript with the equivalent of English 1101 and 1102 (first-year composition – not in progress hours – these have to be final credits with final grades) at an accredited U.S. institution, minimum 2.5 combined GPA or higher, OR
- SAT R – EBRW score of 480 or higher, OR
- ACT English section score of 17 or higher, OR
If your SAT English scores are below 480 or if your ACT English score is below 17, you may submit:
- IELTS: 6.5 or higher, OR
- TOEFL: 80 or higher