DEFINE
4th year
Make senior year the year to DEFINE your future. Put the finishing touches on your time at UGA and move on to bigger and better things!
Pathway to Success
This pathway is designed to help you navigate your senior year at UGA, celebrate your accomplishments, and feel better prepared to take the next steps toward achieving your life goals after college. Integrate these suggestions as they best fit into your personal and academic goals.
Finish Strong
- Review DegreeWorks with your advisor to make sure you have met your general education and major requirements for graduation.
- Make sure you have met the History and Political Science Requirement which can be satisfied through approved coursework or examinations administered by University Testing Services.
- If you have not yet met the requirement and plan to take one or both of the exemption exams with University Testing Services, start studying now and plan to complete this requirement the semester before you graduate. That way, if you are unsuccessful in passing the exam, you will have time to register for the class(es).
- Apply to graduate using the graduation application available in Athena (learn how here) by the withdrawal deadline of the semester in which you intend to graduate.
- Complete exit counseling for federal loans.
Take Steps Toward Post-Grad Goals
- Collect letters of recommendation from references or request letters to be sent directly to schools.
- Study and take a graduate or professional entrance exam if you need to and have not already done so.
- Request transcripts.
- Have graduate school admission essays reviewed by the Writing Center or by the Career Center.
- Practice your interviewing skills. Check out the Career Center's Interview Preparation resources.
- Submit graduate school applications on time. Different schools and programs have different deadlines so pay attention to their requirements and timelines.
- If you are seeking enrollment in The Graduate School at UGA the following fall, attend their "Future Scholars Visitation Program" (hosted in the fall), which is part of the Graduate School's Pathways Program.
- If you have not already done so, consider participating in the Career Center's Arch Ready professionalism certificate program to be Arch-ready for graduation!
- Explore these resources from the Career Center to help you prepare for life after graduation:
Make Decisions
Get Support
- Consider academic coaching, working with a peer tutor, attending a student success workshop, or UNIV or drop back course through the Division of Academic Enhancement.
- If you need help with a writing assignment, visit the UGA Writing Center.
- Get 24/7 mental health support by calling Counseling & Psychiatric Services (CAPS) at 706-542-2273.
- Get in touch with Student Care & Outreach to create a network of support.
- Attend a free BeWellUGA well-being workshop at the University Health Center.
- Be aware of resources such as Wellness Coaching, the ASPIRE Clinic, or Financial Hardship Resources.
- Visit well-being.uga.edu to learn more about campus resources that are here to support you.
Focus Forward
- Finalize your resume. Check out "Resume Breakdown" on the Career's Center's website to guide you as you put the finishing touches on your resume during Drop-In Hours.
- Read the Career Center’s Life After UGA Guide to learn about the transition from college to career.
Graduate!
- Order or rent your academic regalia for graduation. Most regalia is available at the UGA Bookstore.
- Make reservations in advance for any hotel rooms you may need for family attending graduation.
- Attend your school or college's convocation ceremony.
- Attend Commencement! You did it! You are officially a UGA Grad!
- As a UGA Grad, you will forever bleed red and black, connect with the UGA Alumni Association to stay engaged with UGA and your fellow alumni!
- Complete the UGA Career Outcomes Survey and consider if you would like to continue to use Alumni Career Services.
Adapted from Mercer University’s Orangeprint