Welcome, class of 2027!

We welcome all of our new and returning students back to campus today, with special focus on the 6,200-strong first-year class:

The incoming class includes students from 470 Georgia high schools, 143 Georgia counties, 45 states and 14 nations. Approximately 81% of the first-year students are Georgia residents. Overall, 84.5% of UGA’s undergraduate student body are Georgia residents, a percentage of in-state students far above that of many other state flagship institutions in the Southeast. Fourteen percent of the incoming first-year students are the first in their families to attend college.

Around 1,700 transfer students also are beginning their studies at UGA this week, supported by campus resources such as the Transfer Student Experience Success Pathway. Close to one-third of UGA’s graduates enter the university as transfer students.

At the graduate level, approximately 2,860 students representing 48 states and 63 nations are beginning their studies at UGA. They are joined by nearly 500 incoming professional students in law, veterinary medicine and pharmacy. In addition, the Augusta University/UGA Medical Partnership recently welcomed 60 first-year medical students.

“UGA’s incoming class is very impressive,” said Marisa Pagnattaro, vice president for instruction and senior vice provost for academic planning. “The class of 2027 is intelligent, creative and hardworking. We’re confident that this very bright class will do great things, and we’re here to support them on their journey.”

Our best wishes for everyone – faculty and students – to get off to a great start this fall. Get a jump on you assignments, remember to sleep and eat well, and have fun. It's a great time on the UGA campus! You are here. You belong here.

Image: Incoming students in the Class of 2027 formed the “Power G” under the Sanford Stadium lights and between the hedges for Freshman Welcome. (Chamberlain Smith/UGA)