Freshman

Apply online via Clayton State Application (recommended for Georgia residents) or Common App.

CommonApp Applicants

Once you've applied to Clayton State through CommonApp, we need just a few more details to get to know you better. Here’s how to make sure your application is complete:

1. Visit the Clayton State Application Portal: Go to https://apply.clayton.edu/.
2. Sign in: First time here? Click "Forgot Password" on the login page, enter your CommonApp application email, and we'll send reset instructions.
3. Answer Additional Questions: Your CommonApp info is already in your new account. Just make sure it's all correct. You'll also see a few new questions (some required, some optional). Fill those out and hit "Submit".  Don't worry , you will not be charged the application fee again.
4. Check Your Status: Once you're done, return to your application portal to see what's missing and get updates on your decision.

Applicants must pay a nonrefundable $40 application fee (credit or debit card) or submit a fee waiver.

Check out our Fee Waiver policy  for more details.

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:

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:

Refer to this document for more info about course eligibility: College Preparatory Courses acceptable by the University System of Georgia.

REQUIREMENTS

If you're an international student applying to Clayton State University, follow these guidelines.

All international academic documents (transcripts, mark sheets, certificates, etc.):

• Must be in English.  If not in English, provide certified translations along with the original transcripts in the native language.  
•  Must be evaluated by an accredited service, such as
  
  
  • Josef Silny & Associates, Inc., International Education Consultants.
  • World Education Services
  • Other evaluation services accredited by NACES
• Must be formatted as follows:
    - High School Transcripts: Document-by-document evaluation with GPA (required for test-optional eligibility).  
    - College/University Transcripts: Course-by-course evaluation.  

Submit International Transcripts

Evaluations and authenticated transcripts must be sent directly from the evaluation service using one of the following methods:  

•    In-Person or By Mail:
        Clayton State University  
        Office of Recruitment and Admissions  
        Edgewater Hall, Suite 150  
        2000 Clayton State Boulevard  
        Morrow, GA 30260-0285  
• Electronically:
   transcripts@clayton.edu.

• 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

SAT:

480 - Evidence-based Reading & Writing

440 - Math

OR

ACT:

17 - English or Reading

17 - Math

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 ACT 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.

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. 

Many home-educated students have made Clayton State University their choice for post-secondary education.

Applicants from accredited home school programs must follow Freshman admission standards when applying.

Students who have not completed an accredited home school program must apply using the Portfolio method by submitting this document: Home School Students - Portfolio Procedure 2024-2025.

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.