Panther Excellence Program
The Panther Excellence Program (PEP) gives you a unique and exciting opportunity to quickly establish yourself at Georgia State and set yourself up for academic and interpersonal success. Through PEP, you will:
- Develop strong study habits and academic skills.
- Begin fulfilling degree requirements.
- Increase your likelihood of attaining or maintaining HOPE Scholarship eligibility. (GA Residents Only)
- Learn about a wealth of resources for support and guidance.
- Make enduring friendships.
Get the Tools You Need To Start College on the Right Foot
PEP consists of programs, activities and services that work together – and with you – to put you on the path to college success. They include:
- Student Success coaching
- Academic skills workshops
- Individualized guidance and support from the Financial Aid Office, University Advisement Center and more
- Individualized study skills and learning-style assessments
- Introduction to key faculty and staff
- Social and networking events
Atlanta
First-Year
How does it work?
How do I get in?
To be considered for PEP, you must meet the following requirements:
- Receive an invitation from the Office of Admissions (email or letter).
- Complete the Intent to Enroll form (included in your invitation email or letter).
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) (using Georgia State’s school code: 001574).
- Sign the Commitment Statement to participate for the duration of the program (available during New Student Orientation).
How do I stay in the program?
Success in college takes commitment and engagement, both in and out of the classroom, so PEP asks for your full participation in a range of specific programs and activities, including:
- Mandatory attendance at selected academic and cocurricular events throughout the year, including one-on-one meetings with PEP staff
- Commitment to enroll in designated Core Curriculum classes in Fall Semester '24 and Spring Semester '25 (All Core courses will count toward your major, regardless of your major.)
- Completion of the fall and spring semesters of PEP, which consist of 12-13 credit hours for all participants for each semester
- GPA of at least 2.5 following Fall Semester '24 (Students who do not meet this requirement may have registration restrictions in the spring semester.)
Frequently Asked Questions
Panther Excellence Program FAQs
The class schedules vary, but students have class Monday through Thursday. Fridays will be used as opportunities for study skills workshops, tutors and other academic support. We will also have guest speakers from the community and across campus who will be scheduled during the time students are here.
All Federal Work-Study (FWS) options are listed in Handshake. The university consistently offers FWS options for students. Our Student Financial Services team will be available at New Student Orientation to answer any questions regarding FWS and general aid eligibility. (Be sure your FAFSA is complete for the appropriate aid year.)
Once you receive your financial aid award, you will know if you are eligible for FWS. If FWS is something you require to attend Georgia State, be sure to discuss this with the Financial Services Team at New Student Orientation this summer.
Not for fall. PEP aims not only to provide you with successful skills to help you do well at Georgia State, but also to form a small, friendly community within a large research university. If you do not take the same courses as everyone else, you will not be fully integrated in the PEP community. You will have the opportunity, however, to select certain courses for spring semester.
We encourage students to live on campus because many events and activities are held on campus. Living in University Housing allows you to attend easily. Another reason to live on campus is that Residential Advisors will be on your floor to assist you with everything from transitioning to living on your own, to organizing activities, to helping you discover Atlanta. Finally, studies have shown that students who live on campus tend to stay in school and graduate at higher rates. Since we want to make sure you succeed at Georgia State, living on campus is a good place to start. However, before submitting your application to live on campus, it is vital that you consider your financial situation and determine whether you can afford to live on campus.
It is a one‐step process. Simply complete the Intent to Enroll form online. (The Office of Undergraduate Admissions should have provided you with the URL.) Completing the form will not only confirm your participation in PEP, but will also indicate that you will attend Georgia State.
Once you indicate that you will participate in PEP, you will be issued a CampusID and Panther. (Your CampusID will be the first letter of your first name, your last name and a number. Your Panther ID will be a 9-digit number.) As soon as you receive both IDs, you will be able to apply for housing.
No. Georgia State University’s Atlanta Campus does not offer remedial programs. The courses you will take are regular courses that will help you progress toward graduation.
- GSU 1010 First-Year Experience — This course is required for everyone in this program. The class is not part of the Core Curriculum, but it counts in the institutional and HOPE GPA. We have research that shows that students who actively participate in this course graduate faster, retain the HOPE Scholarship at a higher rate and have higher GPAs over their college careers. This is the course that will provide us with the opportunity to assist you in developing solid academic skills and to aid in your college transition. We have dedicated resources for this class to provide study skills and learning-style assessments for students, and designated a peer mentor to attend the class and help you with your transition.
- Engl 1101 English Composition I — Required course for all students.
- Other courses in the Core Curriculum that count towards graduation for all majors.
The Commitment Statement will be available for you to sign during New Student Orientation. It acknowledges that you understand the program you are joining lasts for two semesters (fall and spring) and that you will participate for the duration of the program.
PEP is designed to help students transition from high school to college by providing individual guidance and coordinated support. The program not only includes additional academic assistance, but also specific cocurricular programs and activities to further enhance your success at Georgia State University.
The Commitment Statement will be available for you to sign during New Student Orientation. It acknowledges that you understand the program you are joining lasts for two semesters (fall and spring) and that you will participate for the duration of the program.
Students were selected to participate in PEP based on either their recalculated high school GPA (test-optional admission *) or First-Year Index score, which is the calculation Georgia State uses to determine admission to the school. The First-Year Index is based on a combination of SAT/ACT scores and high school GPA in college prep courses.
*Georgia State University is test optional through summer 2025. This means you may not be required to submit SAT or ACT scores with your application for admission for bachelor’s and associate degree.
Potentially. You could work in the evenings or on the weekends because we don't intend to schedule too many required events then. If you are living on campus, there will be evening programs that you can attend to enhance your experience.