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
- College Preparatory Courses acceptable by the University System of Georgia
- 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.
Admission Requirements
Traditional Freshman
Apply online via GAfutures (recommended for Georgia residents) or Common App.
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:
Office of Recruitment and AdmissionsEdgewater 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:
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. |
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.
Admissions Eligibility | Official Core High School GPA |
---|---|
Traditional admission | 3.0 or higher |
Summer Bridge | 2.6 - 2.9 |
Other Opportunities For Admission
Deadlines
- Fall:
- Priority* Deadline - July 15
- Regular Deadline - Aug. 1
- Final Document Deadline - Aug. 10
- Spring:
- Priority* Deadline - November 15
- Regular Deadline - Dec. 1
- Final Document Deadline - Dec. 10
- Summer:
- 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.