Potential Magazine Feb/March 2013 | Page 31

4. take easy courses Make all A’s. Acceptance guaranteed. Universities like ambitious students. Maintaining a high GPA is essential, but as stated by UGA admissions staff, “We expect students to take advantage of the most challenging courses offered at their high schools. It is possible that a student with a 4.0 GPA who has avoided the challenging courses offered at their high school may not be admitted while a student with a lower GPA who has attempted the most rigorous courses at their school is offered admission.” 5. out-of-state There are different standards for outof-state residents. Standards remain the same for in-state and out-of-state applicants at most universities. A low percentage of out-ofstate students typically relates to the increased tuition for non-residents or unique scholarship and grant programs in each state, such as Georgia’s HOPE Program. 6. early action admission It’s easier/harder to get admitted Early Action than Regular Decision. First, it’s important to understand each decision plan and its requirements. Early Action on campus University of Georgia facts & figures applicants submit standardized test scores along with grades and curriculum earned through the end of their junior year. Regular Decision includes the same criteria, but also accounts for extracurricular activities, leadership, community involvement and other non-academic criteria. If a student is deferred Early Action, his or her application is put back into the pool to be considered for Regular Decision. Because all admissions offices have different processes, it’s important to choose whichever plan will highlight your student’s most noteworthy assets and accomplishments. 7. Summer enrollment Applying for summer enrollment will better my chances of acceptance. The admissions process is typically the same for summer and fall terms. Some students may prefer to start their college courses during the summer for an easier transition into upper level classes, but the acceptance rates are about the same. 8. Legacy status The entire family graduated from the university, so my legacy status will help me get admitted. U.S. News & World Report’s recent report on the role of legacy status in the college 5th best value among public universities (Princetown Review) Top 20 “Best Buys” (Money Magazine) Out-of-State residents costs image courtesy of university of georgia Tuition & fees – $28,052 Typical residence halls – $5,088 Typical 7-day meal plan – $3,882 *Tuition, room & board – $37,022 Estimated books & supplies – $848 Estimated living expenses – $1,590 Total Cost – $39,460 (according to UGA undergraduate admissions) Most popular majors for 2011 graduates National quality & value rankings 6th overall value among public institutions Psychology Finance Marketing/marketing management Biology/biological sciences Business Administration and Management (Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Magazine) 4th nationally in best “payback” of earnings to tuition (Smart Money Magazine) 21st in the nation’s top public universities (U.S. News & World Report) The University of Georgia became the first public, state-supported college in America when it was founded in 1785. Now more than two centuries later, the university is still making great strides in higher education. www.potentialmagazine.com UGA ith a interview w top professor Dr. Tina Maria Harris is a Professor in the Department of Speech Communication at the University of Georgia where she has been on faculty since 1998. She is a recent recipient of the University of Georgia’s esteemed Josiah Meigs Distinguished Teaching Professorship (2010), which is the institution’s highest teaching honor. One conversation with Dr. Harris is all it takes to realize teaching is not her profession. It’s her passion. “I believe teaching is my ministry, my calling and purpose in life,” she said. There were 180 students in her most recent intro level interpersonal class, about 80 percent of them freshmen she described as “bright, inquisitive and eager to learn.” However, she’s noted that many freshmen are unprepared for college, assuming that college is an extension of high school, or that they are automatically going to make A’s in their courses. “I tell my students they are working their way towards an A, but they’re working their way up. Not the other way around.” Dr. Harris focuses on the wellbeing of her students and teache 2F