Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has announced the launch of a new initiative called GEORGIA MATCH, which aims to transform college admissions processes in the state. This innovative program will provide tailored options for higher education to over 120,000 high school seniors preparing for the Fall 2024 semester. GEORGIA MATCH is a collaborative effort among various state agencies and is set to simplify educational opportunities for students across Georgia, making it one of the most extensive state-run initiatives in the nation.
The initiative will begin next week when personalized letters will be sent to over 120,000 high school seniors in Georgia. These letters will specify the available spots in technical colleges, colleges, and universities for the Fall 2024 semester based on the students’ academic eligibility. The program will consider factors such as the students’ 11th-grade HOPE GPA and freshman index score to determine the number of schools listed on the GEORGIA MATCH letter. Eligible students will receive offers for admission to institutions within the Technical College System of Georgia, with higher GPAs potentially leading to admission in University System of Georgia institutions.
Governor Kemp expressed his excitement about GEORGIA MATCH, stating, “This program will ensure that every high school student in our state knows they have options to learn and succeed here in the No. 1 state for business.” The initiative aims to provide personalized admission opportunities to students and increase access to higher education across the state.
In an effort to further facilitate the application process, all institutions participating in GEORGIA MATCH will waive application fees for students who choose to apply through the program during November 2023. This exemption will make it easier for students to explore their options and apply to the institutions of their choice, according to an 11 Alive article.
While the majority of Georgia’s universities and technical colleges are actively participating in the GEORGIA MATCH initiative, a few institutions have decided not to take part. The University of Georgia, Georgia Tech, and Georgia College and State University have chosen not to participate due to their admission processes, which involve standardized tests and consider various factors, the 11 Alive article said. However, Georgia Tech will still offer a waiver on application fees for Georgia students in the month of November.
The GEORGIA MATCH initiative comes at a time when the Western Interstate Commission on Higher Education predicts a decrease in the number of Georgia high school graduates by 2037 compared to 2025. College administrators hope that this program will help increase the attendance rates of their institutions and provide more opportunities for students to pursue higher education.
Overall, GEORGIA MATCH represents a significant step forward in simplifying college admissions processes and providing tailored options for higher education to high school seniors in Georgia. Through this collaborative effort among state agencies, students will have a clearer path to pursue their educational goals and succeed in the No. 1 state for business.
