MacKenzie Tobin, a senior from the tiny west Georgia town of Ellaville, said her acceptance by the University of Georgia, announced with fanfare in a surprise ceremony at her school last month, was “one of the top three events in my life.”

Her early admission puts her in a growing group. Georgia’s top universities reflect a national trend of more students taking advantage of early application options, getting their college applications in – and responses from colleges — months ahead of the normal, final deadline.

They're prompted by a number of factors. Find out what those are and learn more about the early-admission trend in our report here on myajc.com.

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A man puts his head in his hands during an Atlanta school board meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. Atlanta Public Schools held its final vote on school consolidation plans, approving several school closures. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

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Managing Partner at Atlantica Properties, Darion Dunn (center) talks with Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens during a tour following the ribbon cutting of Waterworks Village as part of the third phase of the city’s Rapid Housing Initiative on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025.
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