Freshman

Apply online via GA Futures.

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.

Submit Official GED Scores

If you have earned a GED diploma, you will need to request your official score transcript to be submitted to Clayton State. Your scores must be presented in a sealed envelope, or electronically, from the testing provider.

Required High School Curriculum Units

Transcripts must include coursework in the following required subjects:

English	4 units
Mathematics	4 units
Science	4 total units
Social Science	3 units
Foreign Language	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 admissions@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 academic subjects as calculated by the institution for admission purposes WITHOUT a passing test score OR 2.0 in academic subjects as calculated by the institution for admission purposes WITH a passing test score
  
  • 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 www.ACT.org to locate ACT test locations.

Fall 2023 - SUMMER 2025

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 2025. All students applying for Fall 2025 and beyond will be required to submit ACT/SAT scores for admission consideration.

Core High School GPA

Test scores are not required for freshman admission until Fall 2025, 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
Laker Trailblazer	2.2 - 2.59

 

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.

Laker Trailblazer Program FAQs

Can I apply directly to the Laker Trailblazer Program?

No, no one can directly apply to Laker Trailblazer Program. Only applicants who have been denied admission to Clayton State University will be considered for the Laker Trailblazer Program. From that group, Atlanta Metropolitan State College will invite a limited number of students to join the Laker Trailblazer Program.

Is there a GPA requirement to remain in the program once accepted?

Yes, good academic standing is critical to college success. Once enrolled in the Laker Trailblazer Program, students must maintain an acceptable 2.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA). The first semester that a student's cumulative GPA falls below 2.0, the student will be placed on Academic Warning for the next semester. The status of Academic Warning will be changed to good academic standing when students have achieved the minimum acceptable GPA. Students who are on Academic Warning are required to meet with their assigned Academic Advisor and Student Success Coach.

How long is the Laker Trailblazer Program?

The Laker Trailblazer Program is for one academic year (fall & spring semesters). Successful students earn at least 15 credit hours each semester. Upon completion of the Laker Trailblazer Program with 30 credit hours of transferable college credit and a cumulative G.P.A. of at least 2.0, the student is eligible for transfer admission to Clayton State University or continue at Atlanta Metropolitan State College.

What is the cost to participate?

While in the Laker Trailblazer Program, students pay the same costs as Clayton State University students for housing, parking, textbooks, and institutional fees. Students pay Atlanta Metropolitan State College’s lower tuition rate for coursework in addition to the Atlanta Metropolitan State College institutional fees. Interested students will receive detailed information based on the semester of enrollment.

Do I need to complete a FAFSA for Atlanta Metropolitan State College?

Yes, if you have not filled out a FAFSA form (necessary for financial aid), go to www.fafsa.gov. Don't wait! Our financial aid number is 012165. If you have already filled out a FAFSA form, be sure to go back to https://fafsa.ed.gov/ and add our financial aid number: 012165. We cannot process financial aid for you unless you take this important step.

Do I have to attend a New Student Orientation?

Yes, students are required to attend the Laker Trailblazer New Student Orientation (LT-NSO). The LT NSO will be a collaborative event sponsored by Clayton State University and Atlanta Metropolitan State College on the Clayton State campus. Invitation to the LT NSO event will be communicated to you upon acceptance to the Laker Trailblazer Program.

Will I need to speak with an Academic Advisor to be registered for classes?

Students are assigned an AMSC professional Academic Advisor and Student Success Coach upon acceptance to the Laker Trailblazer program and remain with their designated care team until transfer admission to Clayton State University.

Will I have to live in Clayton State University housing?

Yes, students in the Laker Trailblazer program are required to live on the CSU campus. Students will be housed in University Housing at Clayton State University and attend classes on Clayton State's campus in courses that are taught by Atlanta Metropolitan State College's faculty.

Will I need to select a meal plan?

Yes, you will be required to select a plan after being accepted by AMSC. Meal plans are available for purchase through student accounts.

Where will I get my books?

Books are available for purchase virtually from Atlanta Metropolitan State College's bookstore.

Will I have access to Student Success and Student Life at CSU and AMSC?

Yes, students in the Laker Trailblazer program have access to all Student Success and Student Life services offered by Clayton State University and Atlanta Metropolitan State College.

Can you start the Laker Trailblazer Program in the Spring semester?

Yes, this program has a Fall and Spring start date opportunity.

Is there a required field of study while attending through AMSC?

Yes, students will need to select the ‘General Pathway’ when applying to AMSC.