• 1150 SAT I with 580 verbal and 530 math OR 25 composite ACT with 25 English and 22 math
• 3.5 GPA calculated from only academic courses
• Coursework of a college preparatory level.

• 3 Brief student essays
• Parental permission form and brief statement of support
• Statement of high school’s support from counselor or principal
• 2 Teacher recommendations
• High school transcript
• On campus interview
• $20 application fee.
• Additional forms for scholarships and financial aid.

The Advanced Academy of Georgia (AAG) is a one or two year high school replacement program allowing students (typically following 10th or 11th grade) to earn upto two years of college credit while completing high school diploma requirements. These students then proceed to various other undergraduate programs around the country in order to continue their education, though some do choose to stay at UWG. AAG is considered part of the UWG Honors College.

Students in this program maintain a connection to their home high school and are generally able to graduate with their class and walk across the stage at their original school. This is accomplished by matching college coursework to outstanding high school graduation requirements. It is largely the student’s responsibility to maintain contact with his or her high school counselor and ensure that progress is being made toward finishing outstanding degree requirements. The AAG program encourages diversity among its students and accepts students from not only around the country but can also boast a number of international students as well.

Academy students reside in Gunn Hall, with two out of the three floors are currently reserved for their use. The basement floor houses UWG students in the university’s Honors College. The AAG program is prepared to take over the rest of the building should they ever receive enough qualified applicants to fill the space. This building is divided into two wings (one for each sex) that are joined at the lower and main lobby. In the basement lobby, students have access to a TV room, laundry facilities, vending machines, a pool table, a ping pong table, and a full-service kitchen. The main lobby level contains a computer lab and music practice room with piano. Every student room is wired for internet access through the campus network.

In addition to the students themselves, a number of staff also live in the building and are available to assist students. Chief among those is the Academy Residential Coordinator, who is a full-time professional experienced in dealing with gifted youth. Assisting her is a team of upper level UWG students who are “resident assistants”. Their function is described as follows by the Academy:

“This team provides supervision and role models in the daily residential experience. Study groups and programs to foster to successful campus living, community service, and good citizenship are arranged each week by the Gunn Hall staff. Academy students are given the support they need to navigate the demands of university life so that they can focus on excelling in their studies.” - The Advanced Academy of Georgia (Brochure), p. 9.

Academy students and staff have a weekly joint dinner where they share information and interact. Often guest speakers are invited to participate as well. AAG staff feel it is important to have a comfortable working relationship with their students. On weekdays, students have buffet style dining available at Hubbard Dining Hall (also known as Z-6). During weekdays and weekends there are various food shops in the University Community Center and other locations where students pay by item. The university ID serves as a debit card at these locations and an initial allotment of $150 per semester is given each student along with their meal plan.

The “Honors House”, a historic two-story house on campus, has been converted into an administrative and social center of the UWG Honors College and AAG. This facility has a computer lab, lounge, study areas, staff offices and adjacent classrooms for honors classes. Academy students are expected to provide some of the work that makes the program possible. Between 10 and 15 students are employed (i.e. paid) to perform light clerical and administrative tasks for staff in the Honors House. This opportunity allows them to get some experience, generally about 10 hours a week, with a real life work environment. Alternatively, work-study options are available from a number of programs at UWG, including math and physics labs, computer support services, library work, and others.

AAG students are invited to participate in any academic program UWG offers. Students are automatically part of the Honors College and eligible (and encouraged) to take honors classes as they desire. Additionally, AAG students are provided the benefit of registering in advance of all regular UWG students, thus ensuring they can always get the classes they desire.

Staff advise each student in order to help them find courses appropriate to their interests and ability, and to ensure that they meet outstanding requirements for receiving a high school diploma. It is not uncommon for talented students to skip the entry level classes in Enlgish, mathematics or science. Students are expected to maintain a relationship with their original high school staff, who will in most cases be responsible for issuing the diploma. AAG does not have the authority to directly issue high school diplomas, but they do offer certificates of achievement and have a recognition ceremony similar to graduation.

Some students choose to pursue the “2+2 Regents Engineering Transfer Program”. Students with an interest in engineering, who complete this UWG program will automatically be eligible to transfer to the Georgia Institute of Technology to complete their bachelors. Typically students would spend 2 years at UWG and 2 years at Georgia Tech.

Regardless of major chosen, the majority of students will transfer to another college or university after having spent 1 or 2 years with AAG and completed their high school degree. Students have continued their studies at a wide range of schools (including some of the very best) as well as a very wide range of disciplines.

Only limited details are currently available, but AAG clearly does provide some structured activities for their students, both exclusive to AAG and as part of the larger UWG community. Organizations within AAG apparently include Hall Council, Model United Nations, Academic Bowl and Odyssey of the Mind. In addition, the Academy regularly offers “programs and seminars” to “develop leadership skills and intellectual abilities” ( The Advanced Academy of Georgia , Brochure, p. 6). Some of these programs include guest lecturers and specialists invited to the University by the Academy or Honors College.

In addition to the more academic centered opportunites, student may participate in community service, recreation sports, theater events, concerts and a number of other oppurtunities available through AAG and UWG. Academy traditions include a Decathalon whose events vary annual but include such options as “cinderblock toss”, ultimate frisbee, soccer, Tetris, Quake 2, and “The Challenge”.

Students in AAG are encouraged to participate in Prom and Graduation with their home schools, and may wish to do other events as well. As previously noted, they are expected to maintain the connection with their home schools who are responsible for issuing high school diplomas. In addition to the home graduation ceremonies, the Academy also offers a “Recognition Ceremony” and Certificate of Achievement for all of it’s graduates.

Colleges and universities are typically grouped based on the highest degree that they regularly award, which in the case of State University of West Georgia is the Master’s degree.

The above data may be as much as five years old. Number of majors may include 4-year pre-professional programs. Carrollton, GA is a small town of approximately 16,000 people about 45 miles west of Atlanta, GA and about 10 miles from the border with Alabama. The UWG Mission Statement is too long to reproduce here, but it is available online at: http://www.westga.edu/policies/mission.php

A form for requesting more information about UWG can be found here: http://www.westga.edu/~admiss/info_request.htm

For detailed comparison information and college rankings, we recommend America's Best Colleges published by  US News & World Reports and available online at a cost of $10.