Freshman

At Clayton State, we seek to build a diverse student body made up of engaged learners. We want freshman candidates who will be successful in a challenging classroom environment.

If you have graduated high school within the last five years and have never attended another college other than for dual enrollment credit while in high school, you are considered a freshman.

Freshman Admission Quick Links:

• Admission Requirements
• Other Opportunities for Admission
• Deadlines

Important Announcement

If you are considering applying to Clayton State for freshman admission, there's great news!

Applying just got easier through Summer 2026.

Following the University System of Georgia's test-optional initiative, Clayton State will not require incoming freshmen with a 3.0 or higher core high school GPA to submit ACT/SAT scores for admission.

See the Test Optional Note section below for more info.

Got questions?

Email us at admissions@clayton.edu, call us at (678) 466-4115 for general questions, or reach out to your admissions counselor for individualized support.

Traditional Freshman Admission Requirements

Apply online via GAfutures (recommended for Georgia residents) or Common App.

Fee waivers cannot be attached to the online application at this time. Access our Fee Waiver policy for more details.

Need help with the application process? Watch the video below!

Applicants are required to pay a non-refundable $40.00 application fee. Online applicants must use a credit or debit card to pay the application fee.

Applicants must submit a final official transcript upon graduation high school. Official transcripts must have the institution’s seal and must be presented in an unopened official envelope from the sending institution.

Once we receive your transcript, you can attend orientation and register for classes.

Submit an Official Transcript

We can accept your transcripts in-person, by mail, or electronically.

You may mail or deliver your transcripts to:

Office of Recruitment and Admissions
Edgewater Hall, Suite 150
2000 Clayton State Boulevard
Morrow, GA 30260-0285

We currently accept electronic transcripts from E-Transcript providers such as:

• Parchment
• Clearinghouse
• GAfutures
• eSCRIP (for students with existing eSCRIP accounts)

If your previous school(s), college(s), or universities offer this service, submit official transcripts to: transcripts@clayton.edu.

Required High School Curriculum Units

*Please Note: A high school diploma is required if you graduated within the last five years. GED scores will not be accepted for new freshmen. If you graduated more than five years ago, please apply as a non-traditional freshman.

Transcripts must include coursework in the following required subjects:

2 units of the same foreign language* 2 units of American Sign Language may also be used to satisfy this requirement.

International Credentials

You must submit all official transcripts from your high school. All transcripts must be in English; if not in English, they must be translated by a certified company. Please submit the certified translations along with your original official transcripts in the indigenous language.

Clayton State University requires that all international academic documents (transcripts, mark sheets, certificates, leaving examination results, etc.) be formally evaluated by an independent evaluation service, which can be found below:

• Josef Silny & Associates, Inc., International Education Consultants.
• World Education Services
• Other evaluation services accredited by NACES

*High school transcripts: document-by-document with GPA (For test optional eligibility consideration)

*College/University transcript: course-by-course evaluation

All official evaluation and authenticated attached transcripts must be either sent by mail directly from the evaluation service to the address below, or electronically to transcripts@clayton.edu.

You may mail or deliver your transcripts to:

Clayton State University
Office of Recruitment and Admissions
Edgewater Hall, Suite 150
2000 Clayton State Boulevard
Morrow, GA 30260-0285

• Traditional freshman applicants must also have a minimum cumulative high school grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 in core academic subjects as calculated by the institution for admission purposes WITHOUT a passing test score OR 2.0 in core academic subjects as calculated by the institution for admission purposes WITH a passing test score
  
  • Core academic subjects include the Required High School Curriculum (RHSC) units of English, Math, Social Science, Science, Foreign Language, and AP Computer Science. For admission purposes, the applicant's GPA will be calculated using grades in these subjects only. Grades earned in elective classes (e.g. Art, P.E., Yearbook) will not factor in the GPA calculation for traditional freshman admission to Clayton State University.

  Submit Official ACT/SAT Scores

  Submitting Official Test Scores to Clayton State

  When requesting scores, use Clayton State University's College Board code #5145 for the SAT test. Use Clayton State University's ACT code #0803 for the ACT test.

  Minimum scores for admission

  480 - Evidence-based Reading & Writing

  OR

  17 - English or Reading

  Take the SAT at Clayton State

  Clayton State University periodically administers college entrance and placement exams, including the SAT and ACT, at our on-site testing center. Contact the Testing Center at (678) 466-4495, for more information.

  The Clayton State University Testing Center does not administer the National ACT. Go to www.ACT.org to locate ACT test locations.

  Fall 2023 - SUMMER 2026

  Students with a core high school GPA of 3.0 or higher who are applying for freshman admission are NOT required to submit official ACT/SAT scores for admission consideration.

  Test score requirements will resume Fall 2026. All students applying for Fall 2026 and beyond will be required to submit ACT/SAT scores for admission consideration.

  Core High School GPA

  Core high school GPA is calculated with grades earned in academic subjects only (elective units are not included). Test scores are not required for students with 3.0+ high school GPA for freshman admission until Fall 2026, but students are still encouraged to submit them to help strengthen their application. In the absence of ACT/SAT scores, the core GPA on your official final high school transcripts will be used to determine admissions eligibility.

  Admissions Eligibility	Official Core High School GPA
  Traditional admission	3.0 or higher
  Summer Bridge	2.6 - 2.9

  Other Opportunities For Admission

  Dual Enrollment Continuation
  

  Are you currently enrolled at Clayton State for dual enrollment and interested in continuing your education as a college freshman? Check out this quick checklist to learn more about applying for undergraduate admission.

  Freshman Transfer

  A Freshman Transfer is someone who graduated from high school in the last five years and attended another college/university, but earned less than 30 semester hours or 50 quarter hours of transferable college course credit.

  Application Requirements	Freshman Transfer: Graduated within 5 years Earned less than 30 Semester Hours or 50 Quarter Hours
  Application for Admission	Yes
  College Transcripts	Yes, minimum 2.0 transferable GPA
  High School Transcripts	Yes, minimum 2.0 RHSC core GPA
  SAT/ACT Scores	Yes (Test Optional for Spring, Summer and Fall 2021 only)
  ACCUPLACER Test	No

  Many home-educated students have made Clayton State University their choice for post-secondary education. Learn more about applying as a home school student.

  Summer Bridge is an invite-only program designed to support select applicants who show great promise academically but did not qualify for regular admissions based on one or more scores on the SAT or ACT. Learn more about The Summer Bridge Program.

  Deadlines

  • Fall:
    • Priority* Deadline - July 15
    • Regular Deadline - Aug. 1
    • Final Document Deadline - Aug. 10
    • Priority* Deadline - November 15
    • Regular Deadline - Dec. 1
    • Final Document Deadline - Dec. 10
    • Priority* Deadline - April 15
    • Regular Deadline - May 1
    • Final Document Deadline - May 10

    *Benefits of Applying by the Priority Deadline

    Applying by the priority deadline offers several key advantages for students:

    • Applying early ensures timely decision notifications, providing more time to plan and reducing the stress associated with waiting for admission decisions.
    • Early applicants receive priority consideration for financial aid and scholarships.
    • Early applicants also have enhanced opportunities for securing spots in desired academic courses and preferred housing options.