Undergraduate Admissions

The mission of the Office of Undergraduate Admissions is to recruit, admit, and serve an eligible, diverse student population regionally, nationally, and internationally. It embraces the University’s commitment to attain the quality of students who are able to matriculate and graduate. The Office of Undergraduate Admission also maintains the integrity of the admissions process; thus ensuring efficient and systematic evaluation of credentials and excellent service every time to every student and stakeholder.

Vision Statement

The vision of the Office of Undergraduate Admissions is to become a leader in the promotion of best professional practices and services to students.

Values

Sincerity

• The Office of Undergraduate Admissions seeks to treat students, parents and other external audiences with honesty and transparency, presenting an accurate portrayal of the University’s application processes. Students will understand the value FVSU places on academic excellence, leadership, civic responsibility and diversity.

• The Office of Undergraduate Admissions works diligently to ensure that every student leaves the FVSU campus with a positive impression of the institution and its staff.

Integrity

• The Office of Undergraduate Admissions demonstrates consistency and fairness in the application review process so that every application is given equitable treatment, while at the same time recognizing the unique educational/extracurricular opportunities and life experiences of all students.

• In turn, the Office of Undergraduate Admissions expects every student to reciprocate by taking ownership over the application process. Students are responsible for 1) completing and submitting the application, 2) fully disclosing all of the information necessary for its assessment, and 3) signing the application affirming the accuracy of said information.

• The Office of Undergraduate Admissions embraces differences and diversity of all types, including but not limited to: racial, ethnic, religious, geographic, socioeconomic, gender, and sexual orientation. Likewise, the Office of Undergraduate Admissions seeks students who will appreciate and contribute to the vast diverseness of the FVSU campus through their talent, academic strengths, backgrounds, creeds, and personal experiences.

Service

• The Office of Undergraduate Admissions offers the highest level of service and professionalism to students, their families, and other educational professionals, ensuring that all questions and concerns are addressed promptly and thoroughly. All types of interactions with the Office of Undergraduate Admissions should generate a stronger connection to the FVSU campus community and instill confidence in a student’s decision to apply to and/or attend the University.

The Office of Undergraduate Admissions at FVSU respects the personalized nature of each student’s college search and appreciates the unique challenges and stresses they face at varying stages of the process.

Applying For Admissions

All prospective students must complete an Application for Admission and submit a non-refundable $20 application fee. Applicants must also submit supporting documentation needed to provide a proper evaluation for the applicant. Test scores must be submitted directly from the testing agency (College Board and ACT). All transcripts must be official copies. After evaluations, the applicants will receive a notification email and letter from the Office of Admissions informing them of their admissions status or any supporting documentation needed to complete the application.

A completed application packet includes the following documents:

• Application
• $20 application fee (At times the application fee may be waived.)
• Official transcripts
• SAT or ACT scores
• Immunization Form

Upon graduation, high school students must submit their final high school transcript with the graduation date before full acceptance is granted. Transfer students must submit official transcripts from all institutions of higher education previously attended.

Undergraduate Admission Categories & Requirements

Traditional Freshman Requirements

Students who have (or will have) graduated from high school and never enrolled in a college or university, unless during joint enrollment in high school

Students applying for freshman admissions to FVSU must meet the following criteria.

• GPA-2.25 (as calculated only on the Required High School Curriculum courses)
• Test Scores (only the following sections are required for admissions purposes)
  • SAT Evidence-Based Reading & Writing 480, and Math 440
  • ACT English 17 and Math 17

  Verification of Lawful Presence

  Effective Fall Semester 2011, as mandated by state law, the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia (USG) requires Fort Valley State University to verify the lawful presence of all incoming students who pay in-state tuition. According to your current tuition classification, you are required to submit a legible copy of ONE of the following to prove your lawful presence in the United States.

  • A certified US birth certificate showing the applicant was born in the US or a US territory. (Photocopies are not acceptable.)
  • An approved FAFSA form or other documentation demonstrating eligibility for federal financial aid
  • Copy of a current US passport.
  • Copy of a current driver’s license issued by the state of Georgia after January 1, 2008.
  • Copy of a US certificate of naturalization.
  • Copy of a US certificate of citizenship.
  • A US certificate of birth abroad issued by the Department of State or a consular report of birth abroad.
  • A current, valid Permanent Resident Card (USCIS form I-151 or I-551).
  • Current ID issued by the State of Georgia.
  • Current Military ID (service member only, not dependent). The ID must be presented in person.
  • An F, J, or M visa
  • Applicants who are naturalized citizens, immigrants or non-immigrants will be verified through Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlement (SAVE) Program. The required documentation must be submitted prior to the 1 st day of class as scheduled on the academic calendar for the semester in which you will enroll. If we do not receive the required documentation, your tuition classification will be changed to out-of-state status. After registration you will be responsible for the out-of-state tuition balance. All documents except the U.S. Birth Certificate can be submitted by the following methods:
  • Emailing scanned copies to admissions@fvsu.edu.
  • Mail to: Office of Recruitment and Admissions Fort Valley State University 1005 State University Drive Fort Valley, GA 31031

  Required High School Curriculum

  Completion of the USG’s Required High School Curriculum (“RHSC”) requirements and graduation from a high school accredited by a regional accrediting association (such as the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools) or the Georgia Accrediting Commission or from a public school regulated by a school system and state department of education.

  Students applying to any institution must present credit for sixteen (16) specified units. Students who graduate from high school in 2012 or later must present credits for seventeen (17) specified units

  The 16 (17 for students who graduate in 2012 or later) specified USG units are:

  • MATHEMATICS: Four (4) units of Mathematics, including Algebra I, Algebra II, and Geometry. For students who graduate from a Georgia Public School in 2012 or later, the 4 units of Mathematics must include a course at the level of Math 3 or higher.
  • ENGLISH: Four (4) units of English which have as their emphasis grammar and usage, literature (American, English, World), and advanced composition skills.
  • SCIENCE: Three (3) units of science, with at least one laboratory course from the life sciences and one laboratory course from the physical sciences. Students who graduate in 2012 or later must have four (4) units of science. Georgia Public high School graduates must have at least one (1) unit of biology, one (1) unit of physical science or physics, and one (1) unit of chemistry, earth systems, environmental science, or an advanced placement science course.
  • SOCIAL SCIENCE: Three (3) units of social science, with at least one (1) course focusing on United States studies and one (1) course focusing on world studies.
  • FOREIGN LANGUAGE: Two (2) units in the same foreign language emphasizing speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Two (2) units of American Sign Language may be used to satisfy this requirement.

  In addition to these minimum requirements, students are encouraged to take additional academic units in high school to improve their probability for admission and success.

  Freshman Index

  Effective Fall semester 2011, presidents of state and two-year colleges at their option shall require one of the following: a) submission of SAT/ACT test scores and meeting of the Freshman Index, as described below; or b) a minimum high school grade point average (HSGPA) and mandatory placement testing in lieu of SAT/ACT test scores for admissions. A designated score on the Freshman Index (“FI”), which is based on a combination of a student’s SAT I or ACT assessment scores and high school grade point average (HSGPA).

  The Freshman Index Calculation is:

  FI = 500 x (HSGPA) + SAT Verbal/Critical Reading + SAT I Math (or)

  FI = 500 x (HSGPA) + (ACT Composite x 42) + 88

  The minimum FI required for admission to FVSU is: 1940

  The minimum FI required for limited admissions to FVSU is: 1790

  In addition to the FI, students must have a minimum SAT I Verbal score of 430 and Mathematics score of 400 (or ACT equivalent) for admission to a university (research, regional, or state) and are required to exempt or exit learning support (“LS”) in the areas of deficiency. Students meeting the minimum FI requirements are not guaranteed admission.

  Test Scores

  Students seeking regular admission as a first time student or transfer student with fewer than 30 hours to a college or university must have a minimum SAT Evidence-Based Reading & Writing score of 480 and Mathematics score of 440 (since 2016); or 430 Reading, 400 Math (prior to 2016); or must have an ACT English score of 17 and ACT Mathematics score of 17. Individuals with less than 30 transferable semester hours of post-secondary credit applying to USG institutions that require SAT or ACT must submit scores from the SAT or ACT.

  Evaluation of Freshman Applicants

  • Compute high school grade point average (2.25) /freshman index (if below 2.25) (Official Transcript required). Grade point average is calculated by using the highest 16 CPC units or 17 Carnegie Units (Georgia Required High School Curriculum effective 2012 graduating class)
  • Verify SAT/ACT Scores-SAT: Evidence-Based Reading &Writing-480/Math-440 (since 2016); or Reading 430/Math-400 (prior to 2016) orACT: English -17 / Math-17
  • Record GPA (Freshman Index), SAT/ACT scores, Graduation Test results, CPC deficiency, and decision with evaluator’s signature and date on application.
  • Update record in Banner.
  • Generate letter for notification to applicant.

  Special Admissions

  Students may also be admitted as freshmen based on other evidence of college readiness. Following are modified or additional requirements for specific groups of applicants.

  Limited Freshman Applicant

  In recognition of the fact that a limited group of students do not meet established standards but does demonstrate special potential for success, the BOR has created other categories of admission that institutions can use.

  FVSU limited admissions requirements are as follows:

  • 16 CPC or 17 RHSC units
  • FI of 1790 or more
  • Minimum testing scores:

  SAT: Evidence-Based Reading & Writing-480/Math-440 (since 2016); or Reading 430/Math-400 (prior to 2016) or ACT: English -17 / Math-17

  Presidential Exceptions Applicant

  Under the limited admissions provision, presidents of USG institutions may grant exceptions to the BOR minimum freshman admission requirements if the student shows promise for academic success in college. Institutions can use multiple measures, such as interviews, portfolios, and records of experiential achievements for considering students in this category.

  Students who are admitted under the Presidential Exception option should be included in the maximum number of Limited Admissions allowed for an institution.

  Even under very special and rare circumstances when institutions have extensive evidence that a student has potential for success despite not meeting USG requirements, institutions must demonstrate that the student meets at least one of the following:

  High school diploma from an accredited or approved high school as specified in BOR Policy 4.2.1.1, Freshman Requirements (certificate of attendance or special education diplomas are not acceptable) GED

  Evaluation of Special Applicants

  • Compute high school grade point average
  • Calculated FI (if GPA below 2.25)-Official Transcript required).
  • Verify SAT: Evidence-Based Reading & Writing-24/Math-440 (since 2016); or Reading 430/Math-400 (prior to 2016) or
  • ACT: English -17 / Math-17. Verify receipt of Recommendation Forms or additional information for proof of college readiness.
  • Verify acceptable English Placement Index (EPI) and Math Placement Index (MPI)
  • Record GPA (Freshman Index), SAT/ACT scores, Graduation Test results, CPC deficiency, and decision with evaluator’s signature and date on application.
  • Update record in Banner.
  • Generate letter for notification to applicant. Addressing RHSC Deficiencies Students admitted in the Limited Admission category, including Presidential Exceptions, who have RHSC deficiencies shall be required to satisfy those deficiencies by subject area in the following manner: English and Mathematics Students with fewer than the four required units of English or mathematics are required to take the Accuplacer (computer-adaptive college placement test) sections administered by a USG institution or a comparable placement examination approved by the BOR. Based on his or her scores, the student will exempt Learning Support (LS) or be placed in the appropriate LS course in English and/or reading and/or mathematics. Institutions may use comparable scores for students transferring from Commission on Colleges (COC) accredited Technical College System of Georgia institutions. See BOR Policy 3.3.5, Collaboration Between the USG and the Technical College System of Georgia. Science, Social Science, and Foreign Language Students with fewer than the required number of units in an area are required to take additional for-credit courses selected from the appropriate area of the USG Core Curriculum. The course(s) must be in the specific content area in which the student is deficient. Students who have completed only one year of American Sign Language are considered deficient and are required to take courses in a foreign language to satisfy the deficiency. The college credit courses used to satisfy RHSC deficiencies will count as degree credit, but the hours earned will not count toward a student’s degree program. The student must earn a “C” or better in each of these courses. Students who accumulate 30 or more semester hours of college-level credit in the institution before completing all RHSC requirements may not register for other courses, unless they also register for the appropriate deficiency course or courses. Institutions may petition the Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Academic Officer of the USG for permission to offer a Learning Support (LS) course for students admitted with RHSC deficiencies in the sciences and social sciences that would serve as an option to taking additional college-level courses in science and social science for no degree credit. This might be a co-requisite LS experience when science and social science courses are taken in the core.

  Alternative Requirements for Home-Schooled Students and Graduates of Non-Accredited High Schools

  Applicants from home schools or graduates of non-accredited high schools may validate the Required High School Curriculum in an alternative way. SAT or ACT scores and satisfactory documentation of equivalent competence in each of the areas at the college-preparatory level may be used in lieu of the FI and Required High School Curriculum unit requirements.

  A student whose SAT Composite (Evidence-Based Reading & Writing plus Mathematics) (or ACT equivalent) score is at or above the average SAT score of the previous year’s fall semester first-time freshmen admitted to the USG institution to which he/she is applying, and who has completed the equivalent of each of the areas as documented by a portfolio of work and/or other evidence that substantiates completion of the Required High School Curriculum qualifies, for consideration for admission.

  Students in this category must also meet the minimum SAT Evidence-Based Reading & Writing requirement and the minimum SAT Mathematics requirement (or ACT equivalent) for the institution to which they apply.

  Applicants who achieve designated scores on each of the following SAT II Subject Tests in an area will be considered to have demonstrated equivalent competence and do not need to submit additional documentation in that area: English Writing, Literature, Math IC or Math IIC, American History & Social Studies, World History, Biology, and one of the following: Chemistry or Physics.

  Students admitted in this category with satisfactory documentation of competence in all areas will not be counted in the institution’s Limited Admissions (including Presidential Exceptions) category. Those with qualifying SAT I scores and documentation of partial completion of the Required High School Curriculum may be admitted on the same basis and with the same conditions as other students with deficiencies.

  Limited Admissions Restrictions

  Institutions are restricted by sector to a maximum number of students who may be admitted in this category. The number of traditional freshmen students who can be granted Limited Admissions for the entire academic year will be no more than the following percentages of the institution’s annual first-time freshman headcount enrollment.

  Research Universities Up to 7 percent

  Regional Universities Up to 15 percent

  State Universities Up to 20 percent (FVSU)

  State Colleges* Up to 33 percent

  *State Colleges that elect to require test scores for admission are required to adhere to the limited admit percentage.

  Non-traditional freshmen and transfer students are not to be included in the Limited Admissions percentage allowed for each institution, nor will these groups be included in determining the base.

  Course Credits for International Baccalaureate Diploma Completion

  System-wide Implementation Guidelines

  In recognition of the fact that a strong predictor of college success is a rigorous high school curriculum, USG institutions will award academic credit for appropriate courses in the USG core curriculum for corresponding subject areas in a completed International Baccalaureate (“IB”) Diploma Program in which the student obtained designated end of course assessment scores.

  Both Standard Level (college preparatory) and Higher Level (college comparable) courses will be considered for credit in a completed Diploma Program, as the program does not allow students to take all Higher Level courses. Higher Level end- of-course assessment scores of four or more and Standard Level scores of five or better suggests that the IB Program work is comparable to a college course.

  The course credit schema in the table below will be used system-wide, with allowances made for variable credits in each category to account for labs, and on occasion, for depth of material covered in the IB Program subject area that may be comparable to more than one college level course.

  Semester Credit Hours Granted

  Score

  Standard Level

  Higher Level