How to Apply
The UWG Admissions Office receives the online application, standardized test scores (e.g., GRE, GMAT), all official transcripts, and citizen or immigration documents, if applicable. The College or School to which the student wishes to apply collects the remaining documents, as required by individual programs (e.g., essay, letters of recommendation, scheduled interview), because programs vary in their admission requirements. International applicants should work with the International Services and Programs office to meet the additional criteria required of international students.
Program Admission Standards
Program admission standards aid the selection of applicants whose academic preparation indicates they will be successful in graduate studies at the University of West Georgia, although programs may reject otherwise qualified applicants due to space limitations or other programmatic variables. Programs may require additional indicators, beyond transcripts and grade point averages that demonstrate the applicant's ability to successfully complete graduate study prior to rendering an admission decision. For example, some programs may require letters of recommendations, narrative statements, art portfolios, program qualifying examinations, interviews, and/or musical performances to determine the admissibility of students. See information in the Graduate Catalog about individual graduate programs for more details regarding admission requirements.
Application Process
Applicants must submit an online application with a $40 non-refundable application fee. (Georgia residents 62 years of age or older are not required to pay the application fee). The online application and instructions for the application process can be found at http://www.westga.edu/gradstudies/apply-now.php.
Graduate admission application deadlines vary by program and some programs do not admit students every semester. Application deadlines can be found at http://www.westga.edu/gradstudies/important-dates.php. International students must meet additional requirements and earlier deadlines. Admission information for international students can be found at http://www.westga.edu/gradstudies/international-students.php.
An applicant who applies, but chooses not to enroll during the semester of application, may update the semester for which he or she is applying, if the update is completed within 12 months. The student can update the application online at http://www.westga.edu/~admiss/application_update.php. Only one update is permitted.
Students furnishing the University with false, incomplete, or misleading information relating to their application or academic record will be subject to rejection or dismissal.
Admission Appeals
Graduate programs make the decision to admit or not admit. Because the UWG Admissions Office does not participate in the graduate admission decision, an applicant who is denied admission to a graduate program must appeal to the College/School that houses the program that denied admission. Admission appeals procedures for the individual Colleges and School of Nursing follow below.
College of Arts and Humanities
If a prospective student's application for admission is denied, she or he may appeal in writing to the department’s Director of Graduate Studies within ten (10) business days after receipt of notice that admission has been denied. Should the prospective student submit the written appeal to the department’s Director of Graduate Studies after the ten (10) business day deadline, it may not be accepted or the review may be delayed. The department’s Director of Graduate Studies will reconsider the admissions decision after the applicant submits additional materials supporting the request and upon the recommendation of the faculty of the program to which the applicant has applied. The prospective student will be notified once a decision has been rendered.
College of Education
Each academic department, in consultation with the Graduate Studies office, establishes its own timeline and procedures for making admissions recommendations. Once departments forward their recommendations to the Graduate Studies Office, a final review is made by the Director of Graduate Studies. Candidates are informed by way of an official letter from the Admissions Office of UWG concerning their admission status. Applicants may appeal an admissions decision by contacting, in writing, the Director of Graduate Studies – College of Education. Applicants may appeal denial of admission only if additional relevant information is provided for review. The Director of Graduate Studies will consider the new information and may elect to confer with the Program of Study. The Director of Graduate Studies will notify the student with his/her decision.
College of Science and Mathematics
If a prospective student's application for admission is denied, she or he may appeal in writing to the Dean of the College of Science and Mathematics within ten (10) business days after receipt of notice that admission has been denied. The Dean will reconsider the admissions decision after the applicant submits additional materials supporting the request and upon the recommendation of the faculty of the program to which the applicant has applied.
College of Social Sciences
If a prospective student's application for admission is denied, she or he may appeal in writing to the Department Chair of the program within (15) business days after receipt of notice that admission has been denied. Should the prospective student submit the written appeal to the Chair after the (15) business day deadline, it may not be accepted or the review may be delayed. The Department Chair may reconsider the admissions decision after the applicant submits additional materials supporting the request and upon the recommendation of the faculty of the program to which the applicant has applied. The prospective student will be notified by the Chair’s Office once a decision has been rendered.
Suggestions of supporting materials:
- Additional letters of recommendation. Should you decide to have additional letters submitted on your behalf, it is required that the letters come from individuals familiar with your academic prowess and job performance.
- Your academic skills should be evaluated by a professor who has taught you recently (within the last two semesters from the receipt of notice of admissions denial). Letters of recommendation should be submitted on letterhead.
- Awards or other types of special recognition you have received. It is preferable, but not required, that awards and other forms of recognition are field related.
- Community service, particularly as it relates to educational goals or objectives.
- Newspaper pictures and/or articles in which you appear.
- Any other information the prospective student deems useful.
If a prospective student’s application for admission is denied a second time, she or he may appeal in writing to the College of Social Sciences Dean within (15) business days after receipt of notice of the second denial. Should the prospective student submit the written appeal to the Dean after the (15) business day deadline, it may not be accepted or the review may be delayed. The Dean will render a decision after discussing and reviewing all materials with the appropriate department. The prospective student will be notified by the Dean’s Office once a decision has been rendered.
Richards College of Business
If a graduate student's application for admission is denied then a written appeal may be submitted and delivered to the Director of Graduate Studies – Richards College of Business within ten (10) business days after receipt of notice that admission has been denied. The student may submit additional relevant information for review with their appeal. Applicants will be informed of the appeal decision by way of an official letter from the Richards College of Business.
School of Nursing
Applicants may appeal an admission decision by contacting, in writing, the SON Associate Dean of Graduate Programs. Applicants should include relevant information to be considered in the re-evaluation process. The Associate Dean will review the appeal and inform the applicant of the decision.
