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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Sheree Smith (left) casts her ballot at Wolf Creek Library in Atlanta on Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025. In addition to municipal races for mayors, city councils and school board members, this year’s election also will decide the members of the Georgia Public Service Commission. (Miguel Martinez / AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez/AJC

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Public Service Commission candidate Peter Hubbard gets a hug from Brionté McCorkle, executive director of Georgia Conservation Voters, during an election-night party in Southwest Atlanta on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025.  (Ben Gray for the AJC)

Credit: Ben Gray for the AJC