Overview:
Clayton State, along with the 22 other University System of Georgia campuses, will waive ACT and SAT scores for incoming freshman for the Fall 2022 semester.
by Robin Kemp
If you’re thinking about applying to Clayton State for the fall semester, you’ve got one less thing to worry about—and more money in your pocket.
Clayton State, along with the 22 other University System of Georgia campuses, will waive ACT and SAT scores for incoming freshman for the Fall 2022 semester.
This is your chance
The idea is to give students from underrepresented groups a better chance at a college education.
“The University System of Georgia’s approval to allow Clayton State University to be test-optional for undergraduate students for Fall 2022 will have a significant impact on providing equitable access to the transformational outcomes of a Clayton State University education,” said Dr. Eric Tack, interim vice president of Enrollment Management and Student Success. “This decision means thousands of applicants can now receive an admission decision without having to access and identify funding for the SAT or ACT. Historically, we have found that a student’s core high school GPA is the greatest predictor of a student’s likelihood to be successful in a Clayton State classroom.”
This means new freshmen this fall will not have to take or pay for the ACT or the SAT. Because of testing issues during the COVID-19 pandemic, the university says, “thousands of Clayton State applications will now be automatically reviewed.”
Those students also will have access to academic support systems to bolster their college readiness during the transition.
Summer Bridge
With Clayton State’s Summer Bridge Program, eligible Fall 2022 freshmen with a 2.6 to 2.9 GPA and who do not meet the minimum admissions requirements will get the chance to take two college course this summer. If they do well, they will continue as regular students in the fall.
Summer Bridge students get to live on campus. They also have access to tutors, mentors, social events, and networking opportunities.
100% success rate
According to Dr. Jill Lane, interim provost and vice president of Academic Affairs, “The test-optional access gives us a chance to accept new students and provide them with support services for a successful transition. Our Summer Bridge Program has been highly successful. This past fall 100% of students in the Summer 2021 cohort continued taking courses during the following semester.”
Be a trailblazer
If your GPA is between 2.2 to 2.59 and you are eligible, you can take part in the Laker Trailblazer Program. You’ll have the chance to take classes at Clayton State and Atlanta Metropolitan State and Clayton State, earning college credit that is guaranteed to transfer between institutions. You’ll also live in the dorms at Clayton State, with full access to all student resources and activities.
Accepted students will get ongoing support through their second and third years as members of the Laker Nation.
The ACT costs $63 without the writing test and $88 with the writing test. However, you can apply for a fee waiver, which includes free access to Kaplan Test Prep.
The SAT costs $55, but you can apply for a fee waiver. If you meet the income requirements, you also can retake the test, get unlimited scores, and won’t have to pay application fees to participating colleges and universities.
