Home > Administrative Offices > Admissions > FAQ
VALDOSTA STATE UNIVERSITY
What You Want To Know
How do I complete the VSU admissions process?
All applicants must complete an application for admission and submit a $40 application fee. Freshmen must submit an official high school transcript and SAT or ACT scores. Transfer students with less than 30 transferable hours must meet freshmen admission requirements as well as submit all official college transcripts. Transfer students with more than 30 semester hours are only required to submit official transcripts from all colleges attended. While the priority deadline for admission is 30 days prior to the beginning of the semester, you are strongly encouraged to apply early. Campus housing, scholarships and some forms of financial aid are contingent upon your acceptance to the University and do have much earlier deadlines. All students are also required to submit a certification of immunization and report of medical history.
What do I do if I am undecided about my major?
Not knowing what you want to major in right away is nothing to worry about. There are advising and career placement centers on campus to help you choose what’s best for you. You’ll have plenty of time to take some of your basic courses before having to declare a major. The University also offers VSU 1101, a class designed to help you adjust to college life and make the most out of your time at VSU.
What types of financial aid are available at VSU and how do I apply for them?
Types of aid include federal loans and Pell Grants, HOPE scholarships and various VSU scholarships. The first step is to obtain the VSU Office of Financial Aid packet and begin filing required forms as soon as possible. One of the most important forms is the Federal Application for Federal Student Aid form (FAFSA) which can be completed after Jan. 1 of the year you are planning to enroll. You may pick up this form from your high school guidance counselor. You should also request a scholarship application from the Financial Aid office. By filling out the General Scholarship Application, you will be considered for VSU scholarships. Don’t forget to search for scholarships independent of VSU.
On campus housing, what’s available? How do I apply?
Once you have been accepted to VSU, a housing postcard will be sent to you in regards to completing the housing application online.VSU currently houses 2970 students on its campus. Auxiliary Services has conducted major renovations on current residence halls – Brown Hall, Lowndes Hall, and Patterson Hall. Hopper Hall and Georgia Hall, our two new suite-style facilities opened Fall 2008 and Fall 2009 respectively. Centennial Hall, our newer apartment community, opened in 2005 and is an option for upper class students. Converse Hall, an older hall that has been converted to a super suite style facility, offers double units with a bathroom and a kitchenette and quad units with a bathroom and a full kitchen. All of the halls are air-conditioned and are already set up for wireless internet and cable television, and that even includes the VSU movie channel which broadcasts current movies for students. Some of the residence halls also offer unique living-learning experiences such as the Honors, Air Force ROTC, Outdoor Adventure, and Freshman Year Experience Residential Learning Communities (RLC). All residential learning communities are placed in traditional style buildings, such as Reade Hall, which houses the Honors (RLC).
Housing is offered on a first-come basis and is generally full by April. Housing assignments for Fall 2011 will be released early in July, and you will need to login to your Banner account to view your assignment information. Please note that Housing is limited for returning students. For more information, please visit the Office of Housing and Residence Life website.
What about the availability of off-campus housing?
Valdosta has plenty of off-campus housing ranging from townhouses to apartments to houses. In addition to local realtors, the Department of Housing and Residence Life keeps a list of off-campus housing including amenities and price ranges.
What steps does VSU take to make sure the campus is safe?
VSU prides itself on having a safe campus for its students. The Department of Public Safety has approximately three certified police officers on duty at just about any time. The department even offers an escort service for students walking around campus, especially at night, and has more than 30 emergency phones located throughout the campus as well as closed circuit cameras which are monitored 24 hours a day. In a preventative effort, classes are conducted, free of charge, on self defense and drug and alcohol awareness. Residence halls are also staffed 24 hours a day and entrance into the halls is limited to residents and their guests. Residence halls are locked 24 hours a day. Your ID card serves as your key to enter your residence hall - another safety feature at VSU.
What happens if I get sick?
The Student Health Center provides health care for students under the supervision of the university physician. Additional staff includes a nurse practitioner, registered nurses, a medical technologist, a pharmacist, x-ray technician, and office staff. Although the Health Center is equipped to handle most short-term illnesses, major illnesses and surgical treatment usually require the patient to be returned home or, in the case of emergency, to be taken to South Georgia Medical Center, located a few blocks from the campus. Student Health's operating hours are Monday - Thursday: 8:00am - 5:30pm (doors are locked at 5:00pm) and Friday: 8:00am - 3:00pm (doors are locked at 2:30pm). During the Fall term, we are opened on some Saturdays. Please look at the posted hours on our Home Page. We are closed on Sunday. A $127 health fee per semester makes the student eligible for visits to the Health Center during the semester.
Hungry? Where to eat on campus.
At Valdosta State University we strive to provide our students with choices to meet varying dietary needs, desires, and lifestyles. Partnered with Sodexho, VSU Dining Services is constantly evolving to offer the best food in the most pleasant environment. Students living on campus enjoy Palms & Hopper Dining Facility, where meal plans transform into all-you-care-to-eat experiences. We offer stations that feature classic entrées, delicious hot pizzas, made-to-order deli sandwiches, hot-off-the-grill favorites, soups, salads, desserts, and even an international station where a chef prepares each dish individually! Other great places on campus include:
- Chik-fil-A
- Chef's Table
- Sky Ranch Grill
- Einstein's Brothers Bagel Company
- Loop Pizza and Grill
- Nathan's Hotdogs
- Starbucks
- Moe's Southwestern Grill
- Tsunami Sushi
- Quiznos
With more than 13 dining locations on campus, restaurants that offer continuous service throughout the day, and menus that are innovative and fresh, it’s always easy for you to eat…where, when, and how you want to.
What about campus transportation? Can freshmen have cars?
Getting around campus will be one of the last things you worry about at VSU. Any student may have a car on campus, but you must get a permit from the Parking and Transportation Department. If you decide to have a car at school, there are about 3,000 parking spaces for students. VSU also has a shuttle bus system that will take you all over the campus from 7:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., Monday through Friday.
What kinds of computing facilities are available? Should I bring my own computer to VSU?
Students may bring their own computers for their dorm rooms. All of the Residence halls have access to a “wireless” Internet connection. However, if you choose not to bring your own computer there is a computer lab within 100 yards of each residence hall for students to use. VSU, recognized as a technology leader within the University System, has 44 computer labs on campus that are opened for student use and a newly opened 24-hour Internet Café in the Odum Library featuring a Jazzman’s Cafe. E-mail accounts and Internet use are free. You can even register for classes through the Internet.
How do I access my VSU e-mail address?
What can I expect a VSU freshmen class to be like?
A typical size of a freshmen class will probably remind you a lot of your high school classes. We have very few lecture-style classrooms with hundreds of students. And graduate assistants won’t be teaching you either. The typical class size is approximately 35. Over 75 percent of our faculty holds a doctorate or terminal degree in their field of study.
What is the city of Valdosta like?
Valdosta is Georgia’s 10th largest city and is continually growing. We’re 15 miles from the Florida border and only four hours away from Atlanta and Orlando. Our warm climate makes for a great location where you can spend tons of time outside and not have to worry about layering the clothes on. Valdosta is the county seat for Lowndes County which has a population of 110,000. Valdosta is a city large enough to offer just about any experience you’d want, yet small enough for people to remember your name. With the beautiful campus covered with palm trees and azaleas, the friendly people of Valdosta and top-quality faculty, Valdosta State University is an ideal place for you to continue your education quest.