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Non-Traditional Student

Non-traditional students are those who have been out of high school for at least five years or whose high school class graduated at least five years ago.

Home / Admissions / Non-Traditional Student

How to Apply

1

Submit Your Application

Complete your application online. If you are using an acceptable fee waiver, please submit the completed paper application by mail with the waiver. We accept official application fee waivers from College Board, ACT, and NACAC.

2

Request Your High School Transcripts

Request your official high school transcript or GED test scores to be sent to GSW. If you obtained a GED and completed 2 units of a foreign language before leaving high school, please submit both your high school transcript and GED scores. 

3

Request Official College or Technical School Transcripts

GSW will check the National Student Loan Data System to ensure all non-traditional students have not attended any colleges, universities, or technical colleges. Failure to list previously attended schools on your application will delay or prevent the processing of your application and may result in the reversal of admission or enrollment.

4

Send official copies of your test scores

We encourage you to send any SAT and ACT Scores from the testing agency: (SAT Code: 5250 / ACT code: 0824). Students may register online to take the ACCUPLACER on GSW's Campus. If you have taken the ACCUPLACER within the last 12 months at another institution, please have those scores sent directly to GSW.

5

Check Your Status

You can review what information is needed and what documents have been received by checking your status online. 

6

Check Your Email

We will send a variety of emails to notify you of your acceptance and allow accepted students the opportunity to register early for housing, STORM Registration Days, and other exclusive opportunities.

Admission Requirements

Non-Traditional Freshmen Requirements

  1. Have been out of high school at least five years or high school class graduated at least five years ago.
  2. Have graduated from a properly accredited high school or have satisfactorily completed the GED, HiSET, or TASC.
  3. Met the minimum required test scores on the ACCUPLACER, SAT, or ACT as outlined in the chart below.
    • Students must be approved to take the ACCUPLACER before a testing appointment may be scheduled. Students receive an "Approval to Test" letter after the 2 above requirements are met. The ACCUPLACER must be completed prior to registration.
    • Students should prepare for the test by going to https://ACCUPLACER.collegeboard.org/students/prepare-for-ACCUPLACER to receive information about the ACCUPLACER test, tips, and sample questions. Southwestern non-traditional students take the Reading Comprehension, WritePlacer, and Elementary Algebra sections of the ACCUPLACER.

Non-Traditional Transfer Requirements

  1. Have been out of high school at least five years or high school class graduated at least five years ago.
  2. Have graduated from a properly accredited high school or have satisfactorily completed the GED, HiSET, or TASC.
  3. Have earned less than 30 transferable semester credit hours.
  4. Have a 2.0 or higher on all attempted college work.*
    • Transfer students who have taken learning support courses must exit those courses successfully, and earn credit for the HaveArea A equivalent courses that correspond to the mandated remedial/learning support courses with a “C” or higher.
  5. Have met the minimum required test scores on the ACCUPLACER, SAT, or ACT as outlined in the chart below.
    • Students who have completed ENGL 1101 (or its equivalent) with a "C" or better would be exempt the Reading/Writing test requirements. Students who have completed MATH 1001, 1011, or 1101 (or their equivalents) with a "C" or better would be exempt the math test requirements.
    • Students must be approved to take the ACCUPLACER before a testing appointment may be scheduled. Students receive an "Approval to Test" letter after the 2 above requirements are met. The ACCUPLACER must be completed prior to registration.
    • Students should prepare for the test by going to https://ACCUPLACER.collegeboard.org/students/prepare-for-ACCUPLACER to receive information about the ACCUPLACER test, tips, and sample questions. Southwestern non-traditional students take the Reading Comprehension, WritePlacer, and Elementary Algebra sections of the ACCUPLACER.

*If you have under a 2.0 on all attempted college work, you should consider the University College Program at Georgia Southwestern.

Minimum Test Scores

Minimum Admit Scores for ACCUPLACER Test Scores Needed to Exit Learning Support

Next Gen: Reading Comprehension/Reading: 216

Next Gen: Reading Comprehension/Reading: 237

WritePlacer:  3 or Higher

WritePlacer:  4 or higher
Next Gen: Elementary Algebra/Quantitative Reasoning: 212 or Higher Next Gen: Elementary Algebra/Quantitative Reasoning: 258
*Score required for College Algebra: 266
Minimum Admit Scores for SAT: Minimum Admit Scores for ACT:

Evidenced-Based Reading and Writing Score: 480

Math Score: 440

17 English or Reading

17 Math
 
Need to Take the ACCUPLACER?

The ACCUPLACER test is offered for Non-Traditional Freshmen, University College Freshmen, and Dual Enrollment applicants. Non-traditional students must meet minimum scores in ALL sections of the ACCUPLACER. Students who fail to meet the required exam scores must wait one year to attempt the application process again.

Non-traditional students seeking admission to GSW must apply for admission and send their official high school transcript or GED scores. After a review of these items, eligible students will be "Approved to Test." These students should then register to take the ACCUPLACER test at GSW. Students may also request for ACCUPLACER scores to be submitted to the Office of Recruitment and Admissions from other approved institutions. If scores are submitted from another institution, scores submitted must include the exact ACCUPLACER sections listed below in order for the student to be able to be considered for admission.  

Register for On-campus ACCUPLACER Test          Register for an Online/Remote ACCUPLACER Test

Students may only take the ACCUPLACER test twice per admission cycle, unless additional testing is approved by the Office of Recruitment and Admissions or First-Year Experience.

Once Accepted

Make sure to complete the following items before you can begin registering for classes:

  • Submit your $45 acceptance deposit to reserve your place in our upcoming class
  • Submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to receive Financial Aid
  • Sign up to attend Storm Registration Day
  • Student email accounts are created automatically the morning after you have been accepted to Georgia Southwestern. Students will receive a CanesNet account, which is a set of credentials used to authenticate a variety of IT systems across campus.
  • Submit your Application for Student Housing (Accepted students receive the link to the application by email beginning November 1st of each year)
  • Submit your immunization record to the GSW Health Center.
  • Read and submit the Financial Agreement Authorization.
  • Submit proof of Lawful Presence if you plan to receive in-state tuition. Online only students and students paying out-of-state tuition are not required to submit this documentation.
  • Request for your high school to send your final transcript after graduation, your official college transcripts for Dual Enrollment credit, and for Advanced Credit Course scores to be sent to Georgia Southwestern.

Stay Updated

Remember to check your status online to see when the above information is completed. If you have any questions about GSW or need help with any of the above information, please contact the Office of Admissions.