UNG aims to ease application process

The University of North Georgia (UNG) is launching "Apply to Fly!" nights on UNG's Blue Ridge, Cumming, Gainesville, and Oconee campuses this fall, with two events on each campus. 

These evening events are designed to allow prospective students and their families to come to these campuses to work with UNG's Undergraduate Admissions and Financial Aid teams to complete their application, apply for financial aid (pending when the new FAFSA will be released), and get a sneak peek of UNG.  

The "Apply to Fly!" nights, which will run from 5-8 p.m. are set for the following dates: 

• Blue Ridge: Sept. 10, Oct. 15 

• Cumming: Sept. 17, Oct. 17 

• Gainesville: Sept. 24, Oct. 29 

• Oconee: Sept. 19, Oct. 8  

Phoenix Borrego, a junior from Woodstock, Georgia, pursuing a degree in communication with a concentration in multimedia journalism, serves as the tour guide student manager. She is excited for potential future students to experience "Apply to Fly!" 

"These nights will be very helpful to students. Getting all their questions answered while they fill out the application will make the process even better," Borrego said. "Students will be completing it live with someone right next to them who can help." 

AK Hardwick, a senior from Athens, Georgia, pursuing a degree in sociology with a minor in history, serves as a student tour guide. She expects the new application nights to make a strong impression on future UNG students.  

"It shows the heart of UNG, of genuinely helping students and being student-focused," Hardwick said. 

Both Borrego and Hardwick hope others will see in UNG what they have experienced. As a first-generation college student, Borrego said the university has embraced her.  

"Finding leadership roles is easily accessible for any student. When you come into UNG, you're treated with respect. You have a community that will lift you up," Borrego said. "This event gives a preview of the help you'll receive when you are a student. It's a sneak peek of what will come in the next four years. You'll always have someone accessible to help you." 

Hardwick pointed to the low student-to-faculty ratio. 

"Professors are going to know your name and care how you do inside and outside the classroom," Hardwick said.  

MaKenzie Bryant, assistant director of Undergraduate Recruitment and campus visitation, said the application nights can make the process less intimidating. 

"Students come from many different backgrounds where this may be their first college application, they may be a first-generation college student, or they may be a student who still might not be sure if college is going to be an option for them," Bryant said. "These nights will allow our Undergraduate Admissions staff to take some of that potential anxiety from students to ensure that if they have any questions during the application process, they will have experienced UNG staff members ready to help."