Georgia State University

An Enterprising Public Research Institution in the Heart of Atlanta

Blending academic rigor with a rich college experience since 1913, Georgia State University transforms the lives of students, advances the frontiers of knowledge, and shapes future leaders. Enrolling one of the most diverse student bodies in the nation, the university provides associate-to-graduate-degree-level educational opportunities for tens of thousands across its downtown Atlanta Campus and five Perimeter College campuses. Graduating students from all backgrounds at equal, high rates, Georgia State is the national model for student success.

Mission Statement

Georgia State University, an enterprising public research university, transforms the lives of students, advances the frontiers of knowledge, and strengthens the workforce of the future. The university provides an outstanding education and exceptional support for students from all backgrounds. Georgia State readies students for professional pursuits, educates future leaders, and prepares citizens for lifelong learning. Enrolling one of the most diverse student bodies in the nation, the university provides educational opportunities for tens of thousands of students at the graduate, baccalaureate, associate, and certificate levels.

Georgia State’s scholarship and research focus on solving complex issues ranging from the most fundamental questions of the universe to the most challenging issues of our day. The scholarly work and artistic expression of the university’s faculty create new knowledge, extend the boundaries of imagination, and enhance student learning. The university’s presence in the Atlanta metropolitan area provides extraordinary experiential learning opportunities and supports the work of faculty tackling the challenges of an urbanizing nation and world.

Applicants to Georgia State are classified as “international” if they meet any of the following criteria:

• Students who are in the U.S. on a non-immigrant visa (B-1, H-1, J-1, etc.)
• Students who are living outside the U.S. will require an F-1 visa to study in the U.S.
• Students who are in the process of applying for Permanent Residency status but have not yet received the Permanent Residency Card
• Students who have been educated outside the U.S.

International applicants must meet the admission requirements for their student type. If you have never been to college or have earned fewer than 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours of college credit, you are a first-year applicant. If you have earned more than 30 transferable hours or 45 transferable quarter hours of college credit and wish to complete your undergraduate degree at Georgia State, you are a transfer applicant. If you don’t fit in either of those categories, review the other applicant types.

In addition to meeting all of the admission requirements for your student type, as an international student you must also submit the following materials by the appropriate deadline:

• Proof of English proficiency if English is not your first language (students from Puerto Rico must meet the English proficiency requirements)
• Official evaluations of all foreign transcripts

English Proficiency

In addition to meeting all other applicable requirements for admission, non-native speakers of English must demonstrate sufficient English language proficiency. This may be demonstrated by any of the following methods:

• Graduation from a U.S. high school

• Completion of an approved University System of Georgia (USG) campus-based English-as-a-second-language (ESL) program of study

• Proof of degree completion inside or outside the U.S., where English is the official language of academic instruction

• Proof of completion of the equivalent of English 1101 and/or 1102 with a grade of C or better at an accredited U.S. institution

• Minimum scores on one of the following approved English proficiency tests

Non-native English-speaking students who do not yet have the required level of English proficiency for admission are encouraged to seek the following support:

• Georgia State University: full-time English-for -academic-purposes program offered at Georgia State’s Atlanta Campus

• Accuplacer Preparation: links from Georgia State’s Counseling & Testing Center to various websites that may help students studying for all areas of the Accuplacer Exam

After you receive your I-20 or DS-2019 from Georgia State, it is time to apply for your visa. Your F-1 or J-1 visa will allow you to enter the United States to begin your studies. You will use your I-20 or DS-2019 from Georgia State to apply for or renew your view, following these steps:

1. Pay your SEVIS I-901 Fee. You will need your SEVIS ID to make this payment, which is located on your I-20 or DS-2019.
2. Complete the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160, and print the application form confirmation page to bring to your interview.
3. Make a visa appointment at the nearest U.S. Consulate or Embassy using your I-20 or DS-2019 and your I-901 fee payment receipt.
4. Your visa will not be issued until 120 days before the start date on your I-20 or DS-2019. You may attend a visa appointment before the visa issuance date, but keep in mind that you will need to wait for your visa to be issued.
5. Obtain your visa and make your travel plans before classes begin at Georgia State. Do not purchase your airplane ticket before you receive your visa.

Georgia State’s 2024 Rankings

Time for us to break out the confetti cannons and start practicing our victory dance because Georgia State University is back at it again! Read below to find out what we’re celebrating and join in on the fun.

In the recently released 2024 edition of Best Colleges by U.S. News & World Report, Georgia State University has once again proven our commitment to innovation and undergraduate teaching.

For the fourth year in a row, we’ve nabbed the title of “No. 1 Public University for Undergraduate Teaching,” and if that wasn’t impressive enough, we’re also “No. 2 for Innovation” for the third year running. It’s simple, consistency is key!

Now, we know what you’re thinking. “Another university ranking, big deal.” But here’s the kicker, friends: Georgia State isn’t just riding a short-lived wave of excellence. Nope, we’ve been hanging around in the top four for Innovation for seven whole years! And for five of those years, we’ve been the second-best innovators in town.

“How in the world have you managed to pull off these impressive feats?” The rankings are based on a survey of presidents, provosts, and admissions deans at colleges and universities across the country. We can’t release the secret formula but to quote President Blake, “It comes as no surprise that we’re once again at the top of U.S. News’ innovation and undergraduate teaching rankings, our institution continues to be the national model in graduating students from all backgrounds at equal, high rates.”

But wait, there’s more! We didn’t stop at being brilliant in just two categories. In the “Academic Programs to Look For” category, we climbed two spots to claim the No. 4 position for our “First-Year Experience.” Basically, we know how to make freshmen feel welcome and supported.

And let’s not forget about our love for “Learning Communities.” For the fifth year running, we’ve made it to the top 10, soaring three places to land at No. 6. We love offering programs that allow students to take two or more linked courses together. It’s like a scholarly buddy system!

That’s not all! Georgia State’s J. Mack Robinson College of Business is making waves too. We climbed four spots to reach No. 47 in the undergraduate business programs ranking. And if that’s not impressive enough, the Risk Management & Insurance program moved up one spot to snag the third position overall and the Computer Information Systems program also inched up to eighth place.

In conclusion, Georgia State University isn’t just a one-hit wonder; we’re a powerhouse when it comes to innovation, teaching, and business education. We’ve got this down to a science and we’re consistently cooking up greatness every year.