Apply to Grady College

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply to a Grady College major, students must meet the following criteria:

  • Be accepted and currently enrolled in classes at the University of Georgia.
  • Area I-V in the General Education curriculum must be in-progress to completion or complete by the application deadline.
  • Earn a 2.8 minimum overall GPA.
  • Be in good academic standing during the semester of application (cumulative UGA GPA of at least 2.0).
  • Complete the online application during the posted application dates. The Spring application process opens each year on November 15; the Fall application process opens each April 15. The deadline to complete the online application and Statement of Interest is 5 p.m. on Friday of the second full week of classes each Spring and Fall semester.
  • Complete a written statement of interest. The statement must be written at the UGA Testing Center .

The above criteria are minimum application requirements and do not guarantee admission to Grady College or to a particular major.
Admission to Grady’s high demand majors is highly competitive, and acceptance is not guaranteed. We expect this high demand situation to continue, due to high interest in journalism and mass communication, the vibrant reputation of Grady College and the high quality of students who apply to study here.
Selection of applicants will be based on scores in the following areas:

  • 75% Grades in Areas I, IV, and V in the General Education curriculum
  • 25% Score on written statement of interest

The number of spaces available for new students varies by semester and is determined by the availability of teaching staff, classroom space, lab facilities and other resources for each major, as well as our commitment to help students proceed efficiently through our four-semester programs.

Honors intended Grady students should visit this page.

The Application Process and Deadlines

A complete application includes both 1) the online application, and 2) the statement of interest.

1) Click here for the Online Application.

2) Submit your statement of interest through the University Testing Center. No handwritten statements will be allowed during this application period. Only statements submitted online via the University Testing Center will be accepted.

Deadline to start Spring Semester 2024:

Application Opens: April 15, 2023

Application Deadline: September 1, 2023, by 5 p.m.

Future deadlines:

Fall Semester: Begins at 8 a.m. on April 15 and ends at 5 p.m. the Friday of the second full week of classes.

Spring Semester: Begins at 8 a.m. Nov. 15 and ends at 5 p.m. the Friday of the second full week of classes.

Students who are accepted through the fall semester application process begin their Grady majors the following spring; students accepted through the spring semester application process may begin their Grady majors the following summer or fall.

Change of major information for current Grady students

Special information for current Grady students.

Grady majors are eligible to apply to change majors the semester following admission. Grady students who wish to apply for a change of major should complete the online application by posted deadlines. They may also rewrite their statements of interest. Please remember that changes of major are competitive and not guaranteed.

Complete the online application by posted deadline.

Admissions Information Session PowerPoint

Download Admissions Information Session

Writing your Statement of Interest – Guidelines and Tips

Your statement of interest highlights interests, ambitions and/or experiences relevant to study at and a career in journalism and mass communication. You may focus on a specific major or on an issue in journalism and mass communication that interests you. The important thing is to showcase your commitment, your promise and your credibility. Your statement should be distinctive and compelling. It should also be readable! The sky is the limit on how you develop your statement. Use it to represent you at your best. You may write up to two pages.

In the Testing Center, students may type their statement of interest on a computer or handwrite it. You must make an appointment to assure the availability of a computer; students who walk in without an appointment may have to hand write their statements. To make an appointment, call 706-542-3183.

You will have 90 minutes to complete your statement. If you are a non-native speaker of English extra time is available; please contact Brittney Minor, brittney@uga.edu, for more information. The testing fee is determined by the UGA Testing Center and information is available at https://testing.uga.edu/ . You must bring a photo ID.

How will your statement be scored?

Your statement of interest and admissions question response will be evaluated for content and credibility. Effective communication is Grady’s lead core competency. That is one reason why the statement of interest counts 25% of your admissions score. Use it to showcase your interests, skills and professional experience.

Students who have applied to the college in previous admissions cycles may use their previous statement scores, if they choose. If more than one score is on file, Grady College will use the highest score.

Students who have applied previously and who would like to write a new statement in hopes of bettering their score may do so. Again, Grady Admissions will use your best score. Best luck!

Download Statement of Interest guidelines and scoring criteria

Download tips for writing the most effective statement.

Visit on Prospective Student Days

Prospective Student Day is an opportunity for prospective high school and transfer students and their parents to learn more about the College of Journalism and Mass Communication. Students will register for an in-person or Zoom session to hear from professors and students about experiential learning, eligibility, and the Grady experience.

Spring 2023
Prospective Student Days

 In Person Sessions:
February 17, 2023

March 24, 2023

April 7, 2023 (at capacity)

May 5, 2023 (virtual)

To register for Prospective Student Day, please click here.

For questions or to schedule an individual meeting, please contact: Marcella Genut, Prospective Student Advisor

gradyprospective@uga.edu