FAQ

Applying

• What are the entrance requirements?
  • Our minimum requirements to be considered for admission are: 1) You must be a rising high school junior or senior. 2) You must have an unweighted academic GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale. 3) You must have either an 1150 SAT score with a 580 Critical Reading score and 530 Math score OR a 25 Composite ACT score with a 25 English score and 22 Math score.
• Who is eligible to be an Academy student?
  • Any student who meets the above criteria is eligible to apply. We welcome students from our state of Georgia as well as from other states and countries. If you are an International Student, please see the International Applicants link on the Admissions Tab.
• When is the application deadline?
  • For Spring 2012 (beginning in January 2012): October 17, 2011.
  • For Fall 2012 (beginning in August 2012):
    • Freshman Foundation Scholarship: January 18, 2012
    • Presidential Scholarship: February 22, 2012
    • Need-based Scholarship: June 1, 2012
    • International Student Deadline: June 1, 2012
    • Final Deadline: June 1, 2012
  • All parts of the Advanced Academy application are due with scholarship applications on the dates listed above.
  • Applications must be received - not postmarked - by the deadlines indicated above.
• Do you ever accept students younger than 11th grade?
  • We will occasionally accept students who are younger than rising juniors (11th grade) if they score in the top 5% nationally on the SAT and demonstrate exceptional maturity during their interview.
• Can home-school students apply?
  • Home-school students are welcome to apply as long as they meet the entrance requirements. There is one additional form that home-school applicants must fill-out as part of their application.
• I've taken the PSAT or SSAT. Do I have to take the SAT or ACT?
  • Yes. You must have qualifying scores on the SAT or ACT in order to be considered. You may take an ISAT (Institutional SAT) at the University of West Georgia if you choose.
• Is it better to take the national (regular) SAT or the ISAT?
  • We recommend that all students take the national SAT since ISAT scores can only be used for admission to the Advanced Academy and UWG. However, if it is past the deadline to register for a national SAT, the ISAT is available. Please keep in mind that the ISAT can only be taken once and that it is not any easier (or more difficult) than the national SAT.
• How is an admissions decision made?
  • Admissions decisions are made by a committee of Advanced Academy staff after reviewing a student's complete application - including transcripts, test scores, teacher recommendations, essay, resume, etc. - and the student's interview. A student must meet the entrance requirements to be considered for admission.
• How soon after applying will I know if I'm accepted?
  • Interviews are scheduled shortly after the Advanced Academy receives an application. Applicants are notified of their admissions decision no later than one full week after their interview.
  • An admissions decision will be one of the following: 1) student is admitted, 2) student is wait-listed, 3) student is denied.  If a student is wait-listed, they will take all of the necessary steps (such as registering for classes) as if they were fully admitted; this is to ensure that the student will have a schedule, room assignment, etc. if they are admitted after the wait-list period. Wait-listed students will be notified of a final admissions decision (admitted or denied) shortly after the Final Application Deadline.
• Can I apply online?
  • No. You must fill out the paper application and mail it (along with all accompanying documents and $30 application fee) to: Advanced Academy - Program Specialist, University of West Georgia, Carrollton, GA 30118.

• My high school is not very encouraging about my attending the Academy. What should I do?
  • Talk to your high school guidance counselor and/or principal or assistant principal. Let them know exactly what the Advanced Academy is. Assure them that they are not "losing" an advanced student - they are gaining an Academy student. Encourage them to contact the Academy staff with any questions or concerns.
• Can I come tour the Academy and UWG before applying?
  • Of course! Contact our Program Specialist, Kate Theobald at 678-839-5529 or kate@westga.edu to schedule a tour.

 

Classes

• What classes will I be taking?
  • You will be taking classes to satisfy high school graduation requirements and to satisfy core class requirements for your Bachelor's Degree in your chosen major or field of study. You can also take classes that simply interest you. Quite often, classes for high school graduation and for your core are the same classes and will "count" in both areas.
• What will my class schedule look like?
  • There is not a "typical" Academy schedule. Your schedule will be based on the classes you have left to satisfy graduation requirements and the times those classes are offered, as well as on your preferences. We strive to place you in classes with the best professors at UWG. You will have strong input regarding your class schedule. Some classes meet on a Monday/Wednesday/Friday schedule, some on a Monday/Wednesday schedule, and some on a Tuesday/Thursday schedule. Additionally, labs for science classes usually meet one afternoon a week.
• What are my options for a major?
  • Academy students can major in/study any subject that the University of West Georgia offers. For a complete list and more information please see the University of West Georgia's web page. There are more than 20 degree programs offering more than 50 majors at UWG.
• How much harder are academics at the Academy?
  • Well, college is inherently more advanced than high school - that's the point of it. But, the degree of difference in difficulty depends on the student's study habits, abilities, preparation and motivation as well as the area of study.
• How do I earn high school and college credit at the same time?
  • You will take all of your classes at the University of West Georgia. The classes you need for high school graduation will count as high school credits and college credits at the same time. For example, if you still need to take US History for high school graduation, you will take it at UWG and earn both a high school credit and UWG credits.
• What is the difference between the Academy and Dual Enrollment or other early-entrance programs?
  • Academy students are enrolled full-time at the University of West Georgia, and they live on campus in the Academy's Gunn Hall. Dual Enrollment students commute to UWG and take some classes at high school and some at UWG.
  • The Advanced Academy offers the opportunity to live and study at a comprehensive university that offers Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees. Academy students have the opportunity to participate in Undergraduate Research while in the Academy and to stay at UWG to complete an undergraduate degree after the Academy. There are very few full time, residential early-entrance programs in the United States and even fewer in Georgia, and none can offer the unique environment and opportunities available at UWG and the Advanced Academy.
• Can I attend another college or university after the Academy?
  • Yes. You can apply to any institution of your choice after your time as an Academy student. The credits you earn while in the Academy will transfer to almost all in-state public institutions and to several out-of-state or private institutions. It is best to check with the school you desire to attend for full details regarding credit transfer. You may choose to apply as a freshman or as a transfer student to other institutions.
• How does attending the Advanced Academy look to other colleges and universities?
  • Attending the Advanced Academy shows that you have sought the most rigourous curriculum available. If you do well, it proves to any college or university that you are able to succeed in a university environment and that you are prepared for the rigor and demands of university classes.
• May I receive the National Merit Scholarship?
  • Yes, as long as students take the PSAT during their junior year of high school and earn a qualifying national score. The Academy administers the PSAT each October for its students. For additional information about the National Merit program, students should contact the College Board.

 

Financial Information

• What is the total cost of attendance for one semester?
  • Georgia residents: About $4000-4500*.
  • Out-of-state and international students: About $12,000-14,000* (USD)
  • *Please keep in mind that these figures are approximate and reflect estimates for upcoming tuition, room and board, and books based on Fall 2011 figures.  Cost is subject to change each year. 
• What scholarships are available?
  • Partial merit-based scholarships are available to those who qualify and apply by the posted deadline for each scholarship. Applicants are competing with both entering Academy and UWG students.
  • Partial need-based scholarships are available to those who qualify and are accepted by the Final Academy Application Deadline. These scholarships are awarded to the Academy students with the highest financial need as determined by their FAFSA student aid report and parents' income tax information. Full information on how to apply is available in the Scholarship Application.
  • A limited number of out-of-state tuition waivers are available for out-of-state and qualifying International Students. These waivers allow students to pay the regular in-state cost of about $6000-8000 per semester. These are awarded on a first-come/first-served basis, so applying as soon as possible is essential.
• Can I be guaranteed a scholarship?
  • The Advanced Academy does not guarantee a scholarship to any student. We encourage you to apply for the scholarships if you are competitive according to a scholarship's requirements.
• I am a Georgia resident. Can I get HOPE?
  • All Advanced Academy students who are enrolled in an accredited public or private Georgia high school or an accredited Georgia home-school program receive Accel funding. Accel was recently moved from under the HOPE scholarship umbrella to a state appropriations committee for funding purposes. Accel will still cover 100% of tuition for Georgia students. This is what takes the total cost for students from the regular in-state amount of about $6000-8000 per semester down to about $4000-4500 per semester. Students with Accel are still responsible for room and board, etc. Credits funded by the Accel program do NOT count toward the 127 hour HOPE maximum beginning with the Fall 2011 semester.
  • *Please be aware that ACCEL is subject to change each year.  As changes are made, students will be notified.

 

Academy Life

• Is the Academy co-ed?
  • Yes. Gunn Hall has a wing for female students and a wing for male students, with a lobby area in the middle.
• Do I have to live on campus?
  • Yes. Academy students are required to live on campus in Gunn Hall. Gunn Hall is home to only Academy students and staff, not traditional UWG students. We also have additional regulations that are not typically found in a university residence hall. See our Student Handbook for full details.
  • Dual Enrollment at UWG is an option for students living in the Carrollton area who do not desire to live on campus. Dual Enrollment students are not part of the Advanced Academy.
• How many students are in the Academy?
  • For the 2011-2012 school year, the Academy has 75 students. We expect to maintain our current enrollment for the 2012-2013 school year, though we will accept up to 100 students (50 male, 50 female).  Our attendance is based on the number of qualified applicants rather than on filling a quota.
• What will I miss out on from high school?
  • You will not take classes at your high school or participate in day-to-day activities. However, you will not miss anything from the typical high school experience. The Academy offers almost all opportunities found in a high school setting, such as sports, student government, yearbook, newspaper, etc. UWG also offers an abundance of clubs and activities that go beyond what is offered in a high school setting.
• Can I still participate in activities at my high school?
  • Since you are still a registered student at your high school, you are eligible to participate in most activities. You can attend your high school's prom, walk in your high school's graduation, etc. Participation in daily activities is discouraged because of your time constraints with a commute between UWG and your high school and the schedule of your UWG classes. Check with your high school for their policies regarding participation in clubs and activities.
• What can I participate in at UWG?
  • You can participate in anything that UWG offers with only two exceptions: NCAA athletics and Greek Social Organizations. UWG has an abundance of clubs, organizations, activities, and intra-mural sports that are available to Academy students.
• Can I have a job while I'm in the Academy?
  • Your primary focus should be your studies while at the Advanced Academy. While we cannot help place you in an employment position, you may seek out employment that does not interfere with your class schedule, study schedule, or our curfew regulations.

Questions Parents Ask

• What about safety?
  • The University is commited to providing a secure environment. You can find more information about our efforts at the UWG Campus Police Website. The Academy is committed to providing both a safe enviroment and an academic atmosphere. To help achieve this goal, the Academy has implemented the following safety measures:
    • Curfew - Sunday through Thursday students must be in Gunn Hall and on their respective sides of the building (male/female) at 11:00 p.m.. On Friday and Saturday this is extended until 12:00 midnight. Card Access - All residence halls on campus are locked 24 hours a day. The only access is with a valid UWG ID that is encoded so that it opens only the hall in which the student lives. Signing Out - Whenever an Academy student leaves campus, he/she must "sign out" in a book which records the date, time, and the destination. If there were an emergency, an Academy student could be located.Sign In Book - Some time before evening curfew, each Academy scholar must "sign in." After students sign in, they may not leave the building until 6:00 a.m. This ensures that at a quick glance the staff can determine if a student is in the building.
  • Campus Police - Campus Police are on duty 24 hours a day to deal with any emergency that may arise on campus. Having a fully trained police force on campus contributes to the safe and secure environment that is UWG. A student may request a campus police escort at any time.
  • For more information about Advanced Academy policies. Please review the Advanced Academy Handbook.
• What is the Academy's drug and alcohol policy?
  • The Advanced Academy has a zero tolerance policy that coincides with federal, state and local rules, regulations, policies, laws and ordinances that totally prohibit the use, possession, manufacture, distribution, or sale of illegal drugs ("controlled substances"), and with state and local laws that prohibit the use, possession, manufacture, distribution, or sale of alcoholic beverages to persons under the age of 21 years. Any student found to have knowingly and willfully violated any rules, regulations, policies, laws or ordinances involving illegal drugs or alcoholic beverages will be expelled from the Academy and the University. Gunn Hall is a substance-free building, and Academy students are not permitted to smoke in or around the building. Smoking is prohibited in all campus building and in other posted areas.

If your question was not answered here, please contact Kate Theobald.