Welcome, Class of 2029!

It's that time – crowded buses and sidewalks, nervous energy and general wonderment of students back on campus for the fall of 2025. Welcome to the Class of 2029 – the next in a distinguished line of high-achieving, ambitious, creative freshmen entering UGA and the Franklin College with big dreams:

This year, every measure of the incoming class’s academic profile increased. These first-year students arrive with an average of 11 Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate or dual-enrollment courses and an average high school GPA of 4.17, marking the ninth consecutive year that the average weighted high school GPA of the incoming class exceeds 4.0. The Class of 2029 also posts an average ACT score of 31, an average SAT score of 1356 and includes 215 Georgia valedictorians and salutatorians.

Approximately 80% of the first-year students are Georgia residents, a percentage far above that of many other state flagship institutions in the country. The incoming class includes students from 463 Georgia high schools, 142 Georgia counties (out of 159), 45 states and 15 nations. More than 2,050 transfer students also are beginning their studies at the university this week, meeting UGA’s goal of enrolling one transfer student for every two new first-year students across the most recent spring, summer and fall semesters.

“UGA’s incoming class continues to impress,” said Marisa Pagnattaro, vice president for instruction and senior vice provost for academic planning. “We’re devoted to helping students thrive, and we’re excited to connect the Class of 2029 with our extraordinary faculty, innovative programs, and all the opportunities that make learning at UGA truly exceptional.”

Best of luck to all new and returning students. Develop good habits, do your reading to stay ahead and get plenty of rest.

And like coach says, Go Dawgs!

Image: Incoming first-year students gather for the annual Freshman Welcome event in Sanford Stadium. (Photo by Dorothy Kozlowski/UGA)