Freshman Admission
GENERAL INFORMATION (Fall Semester Applicants)
Berry College reviews applications on a Rolling Admission (first-come, first-served) basis. We begin reviewing fall term applications around October each year and continue reviewing files on an individual basis until our class is full.
We use February 1 as our priority admission date and encourage fall term applicants to submit all application items before this date. As part of Rolling Admission, we do not have an Early Admission or Early Action application option and an offer of admission is not a binding agreement. Admitted students have until May 1 to notify Berry of their plans to enroll.
APPLYING
Freshman applicants should submit each of the following items* to apply:
As a college dedicated to strong academics and the value of meaningful
work done well, we encourage applicants to submit a resume of work, volunteer,
service and/or academic activities along with other information that helps defines
the applicant.
Application materials being sent by mail should be addressed to:
Berry College
Office of Admissions
P.O. Box 490159
Mount Berry, GA 30149-0159
Berry College Codes
SAT: 5059
ACT: 0798
FAFSA: 001554
*We may require additional application items, such as college transcripts for joint-enrollment courses already completed or new credentials after an initial review of your application items (i.e. after an initial review, we may request your fall semester/term grades or more SAT/ACT scores and will hold your application file until these are received).
HOMESCHOOLED STUDENTS
Berry welcomes applications from homeschooled students. They are offered admission based on the same academic criteria as all other freshman applicants. To apply for freshman admission, homeschooled students should submit the application form and essay, as well as a transcript, official SAT and/or ACT scores and two Berry College Personal Recommendation Forms (in place of the Counselor Recommendation form requested of other freshman applicants).
Please read our FAQs for Homeschool Applicants for more information. Feel free to contact our office at 1-800-BERRY-GA or admissions@berry.edu for Homeschool Applicants do not address your questions or if you would like additional assistance.
ADMISSION DECISIONS
The academic record is the main determinant for freshman admission to Berry. The Admission Committee primarily considers three criteria when reviewing application files – curriculum choice, grades in core, college preparatory classes and SAT or ACT scores.
Curriculum
We recommend the following curriculum (at minimum) as the best high school preparation for students pursuing admission to Berry College:
- 4 units of English
- 4 units of Math*
- 3 units of Social Sciences
- 3 units of Sciences
- 2 units of Foreign Language**
* All math units should be college prep courses. Non-college prep courses such as Business Math, Consumer Math, Personal Finance and SAT Prep Math will not be considered as one of the units recommended for admission to Berry.
** Ideally two consecutive units of the same foreign language. We accept languages such as Spanish, French, German, Latin, Chinese, American Sign Language, etc.
Though not required for freshman admission, many Berry students completed more than the minimum units in the College Prep subject areas (often in math, science, social sciences and/or foreign language) and most completed at least a few Honors, Gifted, AP or IB courses. We encourage students to challenge themselves academically in high school (to the extent provided by their schools), especially in subject areas relevant to their potential fields of study in college. More information regarding course credit for AP or IB courses can be found on the Registrar's page.
Grades and Exam Scores
Most Berry students had the following academic record from high school:
- 3.0 GPA (in core, College Preparatory courses only)
- 1100 (Math + Critical Reading) SAT or 24 composite ACT
This is the academic record our Admission Committee prefers to see, though we do consider every application on an individual basis. Importantly, if you are interested in Berry you should apply. We look forward to the chance to determine whether you and Berry are a good match.
DATES TO KNOW (For Fall Semester Applicants)
October The Office of Admissions begins reviewing applications by mid-October. Completed applications - with all necessary supporting items - received by October are the first to be considered for admission decisions. We continue to review additional applications as they are received on a space-available basis until the class is full. The first admission decisions typically mail by early November. Please note: there is no October application deadline – this is just the typical timeline for us to start reviewing application files.
December First academic scholarship award letters typically begin mailing by late December to students who have been offered admission. This should be considered an initial offer, as other aid options are also available to admitted students. For additional information, please see the scholarship and aid info of our FAQs.
February 1 –Admission Priority Date
Fall term students are encouraged to have all application items in before this date for guaranteed admission and scholarship consideration. Applicants who submit their application and supporting documents after February 1 may miss opportunities to apply for some specialized scholarships because of deadlines in the selection process.
March 1 – Financial Aid Priority Date
Admitted students are encouraged to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) before March 1 to ensure maximum consideration for additional aid (above and beyond academic scholarships). The first financial aid award letters (reflecting grant aid and loan options based on the FAFSA) typically begin mailing in March to students who have completed all necessary steps to apply for assistance using the FAFSA. The FAFSA becomes available for fall semester applicants after Jan. 1 of the high school senior year.
May 1 – National Candidate Reply Date
Admitted students should secure their spots for the fall term incoming class by paying their deposits (explained in the acceptance letters) no later than May 1. We guarantee class enrollment and housing to admitted students who submit their deposits by this deadline. We cannot guarantee class enrollment and housing to admitted students who do not pay their deposits by the National Candidate Reply Date of May 1 (regardless of acceptance date).
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Please read our FAQs for Applying for answers to other questions you may have. If our Web site does not answer your question please feel free to call 1-800-BERRYGA for assistance from the Office of Admissions or submit a question for an admission representative to answer by e-mail.