Notes from my Georgia Tech Visit
A few weeks ago, I had the wonderful opportunity to tour GA Tech with colleagues from HECA. We attended a wonderful information session followed by a thorough campus tour. This was my first time visiting the campus, and I was impressed with what I saw and learned about the school.
As one of the nation’s top public research universities GA Tech offers more than 39 majors within their six colleges of Computing, Design, Engineering, Sciences, Liberal Arts, and Business. As they are a ‘tech’ school, technology is indeed woven into each major. All awarded degrees are Bachelor of Science (B.S.) and all programs require Computer Science courses. While they do offer business and liberal arts degrees, it may not be a good fit for students who want a more liberal arts approach with less of a tech focus. Outside of the highly coveted programs in Engineering and Computer Science, Design and Architecture are also quite popular. Some of their newest majors include Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences and Earth and Planetary Sciences.
Currently, they enroll close to 20k undergraduate and 28k graduate students with more than 1000 transfer students each year. 29% of undergrads are out-of-state students, 10% international, and 61% from GA. They do have more out-of-state students than many other state schools in the U.S. such as UT Austin, UNC, and the UCs, but competition for those spots is tough. Out of the 60k applicants last year, only 11k were from Georgia. That means 49k applicants were competing for those non-GA spots. The acceptance rate for GA students is actually 3x that of non-GA students.
The Georgia Tech campus is spread over 250 acres and they are continuing to grow with the addition of their exciting new Science Square which will have more than 1 million SF of lab and office space dedicated to life science research. What surprised me was how although the campus is nestled against the capital city of Atlanta, it felt like a separate, more peaceful world next door. There are plenty of green spaces and places for students to be ‘away’ from the hustle and bustle of the city. Having lived abroad for the last few years, I was a little excited to see some favorite American chains located right on campus such as Dunkin’ Donuts, Chic-fil-A, and Jimmy Johns. What shocked me as I walked through their beautifully renovated library, is that almost all of their books have been moved off campus to make room for more study and working spaces. It is the first time I have visited a library without actually seeing books. Students have access to more than 35,000 scholarly journals which they can download digitally or they can order one of the more than 3.5 million books through the online catalog and have them delivered. Last but not least, the campus Makerspaces at Georgia Tech are amazing! Students, regardless of their major, have access to six different makerspaces including their newest, the first artificial intelligence supercomputer makerspace in the nation.
While GA Tech sometimes gets labeled as all work and no play, there are plenty of opportunities for students to get involved outside of the classroom. Their athletic and recreation facilities are impressive and include a beautiful pool which was home to the 1996 Olympics and a 42-foot climbing wall. They offer lots of intramural team options and fitness classes. 25% of students are Greek and rush primarily during freshman year, but some choose to rush later. Greek life definitely has a presence, but it is not as strong as at other schools such as UGA. There are many creative arts options on campus including Dramatech, the student-run theatre group which is housed within part of the Robert Ferst Center for the Arts, a state-of-the-art performing arts center with a 1000-seat auditorium. There are more than enough non-academic activities to get involved in, but students need to be self-driven and make the effort to join. With a 98% retention rate, students must be finding ‘their place’.
While lower 4 and 6-year graduation rates are sometimes seen as a negative, two of the causes of this at GA Tech are their amazing co-op and internship programs. GA Tech has the largest voluntary co-op program in America and it is a five-year program through which students alternate between study and work semesters and complete three full semesters working with the same employer. Students may instead choose to do full or part-time internships through the internship program and many do choose to take a semester off to work full time. Most students graduating from Georgia Tech come out with fantastic resumes with at least one work experience, often leading to jobs soon after graduation.
So how do you get into Georgia Tech?
Students need to show the admissions office that they have truly challenged themselves in high school. Students coming into GA Tech have taken rigorous courseloads and done well in them. GA Tech does not recalculate a GPA, they take it directly from the transcript and focus on the courses students have taken and their grade trends.
Math is very important! While not everyone has taken calculus, that is a big plus, and being calculus-ready is a MUST for students applying for CS and Engineering. Whether it is taking an online course, community college course, or something offered by your high school, make sure you have demonstrated knowledge of high-level math by the time you apply.
The college major listed on your application matters! While they do not admit by major, programs in CS and Engineering are extremely popular and they do have to limit the number of students they accept so they are not overrun. Students need to show that they truly are interested in the fields they are applying to. Extracurricular activities like research, jobs, and volunteer work in those areas are a great way to demonstrate this. But that being said, they want a diverse student body. You should also continue to do what you love, whether or not that is related to your college major, and show the admissions team who you are both in and outside of the classroom.
Test scores are important although it is a holistic review process. After becoming test-optional during COVID, the GA Board of Regents voted to require test scores for applicants to several of the big state schools in GA including Georgia Tech, UGA, August University, Georgia Southern, and Georgia State. All students applying to GA Tech are required to submit either an SAT or ACT score as part of their application. They do superscore and accept unofficial scores until enrollment. Start preparing early and plan on testing early enough to eliminate last-minute stress close to application deadlines.
The supplemental essay is another chance to shine! Here is your chance to show them that you are passionate about your subject(s) AND truly know why you want to go to Georgia Tech. This can not be a cookie-cutter essay.
Another important note is that GA Tech accepts up to four recommendation letters including one OTHER recommender. While I don’t recommend submitting four just because you can, you do have an opportunity to distinguish yourself here. Develop strong relationships with your teachers and provide them with information to write quality recommendation letters that go beyond the basics. Also, take this opportunity to ask someone outside of school to write one of your letters!
Tips for Remote Campus Visits
Exploring campuses virtually and doing proper research allows high school students to gather valuable insights and make informed decisions about their academic future. To make the most out of this unique experience, here are some tips for navigating remote campus visits.
Choosing the right college is a monumental decision, and while the traditional campus visit is definitely the best option, it is not always possible. Working with international students, I have many families who are not able to make the trip to the US to tour campuses before making their college decision. Often, even if a student does have the opportunity to tour colleges, they don’t have the time or financial resources to visit all of the schools on their college list. Sometimes, the first time they set foot on campus is when they arrive for freshman orientation. While this is not ideal, there are many ways a student can get to know their future college without physically visiting. Exploring campuses virtually allows high school students to gather valuable insights and make informed decisions about their academic future. To make the most out of this unique experience, here are some tips for navigating remote campus visits.
1. Create a Virtual Tour Checklist: Start by thoroughly researching the colleges you're interested in and create a checklist of elements you want to explore during your virtual tour. This could include academic buildings, dormitories, recreational areas, and any specific features that matter to you.
2. Attend Virtual Information Sessions: Most colleges offer virtual information sessions that cover a range of topics, from academic programs to campus life. Attend as many sessions as you can to get a comprehensive understanding of what each college has to offer. Take notes during these sessions to help you remember key details.
3. Engage in Virtual Q&A Sessions: Seize the opportunity to ask questions during live Q&A sessions. Whether it's about the admission process, financial aid, or student life, engaging with college representatives will provide you with valuable insights. Prepare a list of questions in advance to make the most of these interactive sessions.
4. Connect with Current Students and Alumni: Many colleges arrange virtual meetings with current students or alumni. Take advantage of these sessions to gain authentic perspectives on campus life. Ask about their experiences, challenges, and what they love (and maybe hate) most about the college. You can also use LinkedIn to connect with alumni. This personal touch can be invaluable in making your decision.
5. Utilize Social Media and Online Forums: Explore college social media pages, student groups, and online forums where current students share their experiences. Don’t be afraid to reach out to students on your own to get different opinions and more information. Many schools such as Bucknell and Chapman have student takeovers on Instagram to give real glimpses into student life. There are also plenty of YouTube and TikTok videos out there. Social media can provide endless insight into the day-to-day life of students, helping you understand the culture of each campus.
6. Schedule One-on-One Virtual Meetings: If possible, schedule one-on-one virtual meetings with admission counselors or professors of interest. This personalized interaction can offer tailored information and address specific concerns you might have. It's also an excellent opportunity to make a connection and demonstrate interest.
7. Investigate the Off-Campus: Getting to know the college town and surrounding area is also something to take into consideration. Take a look at online newspapers, social media pages and even Google Maps to research what is in the area, how the relationship between the university and town is, crime levels, and potential off campus housing and local entertainment options. Depending on the college location and campus life, the off-campus can be very important.
8. Seek Out Online Campus Tours and Videos: Many colleges provide virtual campus tours and videos that offer a dynamic perspective of the campus. Explore these resources to get a sense of the atmosphere and layout. Some colleges such as Carnegie Mellon actually offer Live Virtual Tours with student ambassadors so you have a chance to ask questions and request views of certain places on campus.
9. Compare and Contrast: As you visit multiple campuses remotely (and live), create a system for comparing and contrasting each college. Consider factors such as academic programs, extracurricular activities, campus culture, and any unique features that stand out to YOU. This will help keep your thoughts organized as the details tend to run together after several visits.
While remote campus visits may not replicate the on-site experience entirely, they provide an invaluable opportunity for high school students to explore their college options. Even if you do have the opportunity to visit campus, these tips can help with your college search too. By actively engaging with virtual resources, attending sessions, and connecting with current students, you can gather the information needed to make an informed decision about your academic journey. Remember, each effort you make to engage with and research your potential colleges brings you one step closer to finding the college that aligns with your goals and aspirations.
Additional Resources:
Travel and Leisure Best College Towns and Cities
Virtual Tours on Appily (YouVisit)
The College Tour - YouTube channel with real students and stories
Tips for Researching Colleges
While much of this advice applies to researching schools any other time as well, it is particularly important for today’s students to understand the many ways they can learn about schools of interest outside of an official tour. Students are choosing their final college or building college lists without having the opportunity to visit the schools, but they are not taking the time to fully learn about them. It is vital that they understand the continued importance of educating themselves on their potential colleges and universities and use the tools available to them to learn what they can.
Many campuses are now allowing tours again, but they are limited and traveling is still discouraged. Most of my students who have gone on tours recently have been disappointed with the lack of what they are able to see and do at this time. Beyond that, it is hard to get a feel for the campus culture when many students are not there or are not socializing as they normally would. While much of this advice applies to researching schools any other time as well, it is particularly important for today’s students to understand the many ways they can learn about schools of interest outside of an official tour. Students are choosing their final college or building college lists without having the opportunity to visit the schools, but they are not taking the time to fully learn about them. It is vital that they understand the continued importance of educating themselves on their potential colleges and universities and use the tools available to them to learn what they can. These include:
College Websites – The number one source of information would be the school itself. Many other websites copy the information from there or from other databases which are not always accurate. The first place to go should be the college’s website. Go beyond the basics of admissions requirements and quick FAQs. Really take the time to investigate academic programs of interest, activities and clubs, campus culture, career services, etc.
Virtual Information Session – As they have cancelled tours or limited visits, nearly every campus now offers virtual information sessions. They will give you a good overview of the school as well as an opportunity to ask questions. It is also a great way to demonstrate your interest in the school and show them you are doing your due diligence. Some schools also offer sessions focused on certain areas of study to help you dig deeper into the programs.
Virtual Tours and Student Q&As – Many schools offer virtual tours via videos or interactive maps posted on their websites. If they do not, you can find tours and videos of some campuses posted on YouTube. Also, CampusReel has thousands of videos and tours directly from colleges and students and College Scoops offers many great video Q&A sessions with students from campuses all over the US.
Alumni or Current Student Connection – Reach out to alumni or current students to get additional views of campus. While everyone has their own opinion, speaking to someone who recently graduated or is currently there will allow you to get an insider’s opinion and get some of your questions answered. You can use the various forms of social media to find them (LinkedIn is great to find recent grads) or reach out to the college and ask if they would connect you with someone. It’s also a possibility someone you know already has a connection to grads or current students from your schools of interest, you just need to ask.
Virtual College Fair – Virtual college fairs allow you to attend several information sessions from various colleges all in one day. Sign up for them online, find the sessions where your potential schools are presenting and join in. Here are some upcoming fairs to check out:
Social Media – You can easily learn more about the student culture and various organizations on campus by investigating them on social media. Check out the clubs, sports teams, organizations, etc. on Instagram for example to see what they are involved in and what kind of culture they are ‘presenting’.
Hopefully by late spring traditional campus tours will be more of an option. But in the meantime, do what you can to learn about your potential schools online and through family and friends. Outside of the pandemic, it is often not possible for all students to visit every campus they are interested in due to financial and/or time constraints. Do not rely solely on the opinions of others and do not expect your family or counselor to do all of the research for you. It is up to you to make an informed decision for YOUR future. There are a lot of valuable FREE resources out there if you take the time to use them.
Additional Resources:
Check out Bucknell University’s newest Virtual Tour experience, a great way to ‘see’ a school without traveling: https://www.bucknell.edu/news/be-here-anywhere-bucknell-virtual-experience-helps-future-students-see-campus-their-own-eyes
Lessons From Applying to College During a Pandemic: https://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/admission/blog/lessons-applying-college-during-pandemic/?utm_source=in-house&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Counselor_NL_030321
Virtual Tour Tips: https://www.cappex.com/articles/match-and-fit/virtual-college-tours
New Amazon series touring a different campus each episode: https://www.amazon.com/The-College-Tour/dp/B08QMDXR7Z
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/28/us/coronavirus-virtual-college-university-tours.html
How to Research Colleges During a Pandemic
While much of this advice applies to researching schools any other time as well, it is particularly important for today’s students to understand the many ways they can learn about schools of interest outside of an official tour.
While much of this advice applies to researching schools any other time as well, it is particularly important for today’s students to understand the many ways they can learn about schools of interest outside of an official tour. Many students are building college lists without having the opportunity to visit the schools, but they are not taking the time to fully learn about them. It is vital that they understand the continued importance of educating themselves on their potential schools and use the tools available to them to learn what they can.
College Websites – The number one source of information would be the school itself. Many other websites copy the information from there or from other databases which are not always accurate. The first place to go should be the college’s website. Go beyond the basics of admissions requirements and quick FAQs. Really take the time to investigate academic programs of interest, activities and clubs, campus culture, career services, etc.
Virtual Information Session – As they have cancelled tours or limited visits, nearly every campus now offers virtual information sessions. They will give you a good overview of the school as well as an opportunity to ask questions. It is also a great way to demonstrate your interest in the school and show them you are doing your due diligence.
Virtual Tour – Many schools offer virtual tours via videos or interactive maps posted on their websites. If they do not, you may also find tours and videos of campus posted on YouTube or check out CampusReel for thousands of videos and tours directly from colleges and students.
Alumni or Current Student Connection – You can reach out to alumni or current students to get additional views of campus. While everyone has their own opinion, speaking to someone who recently graduated or is currently there will allow you to get an insider’s opinion and get some of your questions answered. You can use the various forms of social media to find them or reach out to the college and ask if they would be able to put you in touch with someone. It’s also a possibility someone you know already has a connection to grads or current students from your schools of interest, you just need to ask.
Virtual College Fair – Virtual college fairs allow you to attend several information sessions from various colleges all in one day. Sign up for them online, find the sessions where your potential schools are presenting and join in. Here are some upcoming fairs to check out:
NACAC is hosting four college fairs this Fall with more than 600 colleges and universities participating https://www.nacacfairs.org/attend/attend-virtual-college-fairs/students/
The Coalition is hosting a 2 day fair August 26-27 with more colleges and universities participating https://www.coalitionforcollegeaccess.org/august-virtual-college-fair
Private Tour – If you feel comfortable traveling and have the resources to get to campus, many schools are offering on-campus alternatives to the traditional tour and information session. This may include driving tours in which you use your own car and are given the audio and map to guide you or you are provided a live guide via Zoom. Some schools are also offering private in-person tours if you schedule them ahead of time. Check out their websites for more information. However keep in mind that the current campus situation is much different than usual with most students having online class and many social activities cancelled. If you want to get the true ‘vibe’ of the school, now is not the time.
Social Media – You can easily learn more about the student culture and various organizations on campus by investigating them on social media. Check out the clubs, etc. on Instagram for example to see what they are involved in and what kind of culture they are ‘presenting’.
Hopefully by Spring traditional campus tours will be more of an option. But in the meantime, do what you can to learn about your potential schools online and through family and friends. Outside of the pandemic, it is often not possible for all students to visit every campus they are interested in due to financial and/or time restraints. Do not rely solely on the opinions of others and do not expect your family or counselor to do all of the research for you. It is up to you to make an informed decision for YOUR future. There are a lot of valuable resources out there if you take the time to use them.
Demonstrated Interest
A term which is somewhat unknown to many new to the college search and application process has been gaining a lot more attention recently. ‘Demonstrated Interest’ is real and very much alive! Although one can not be certain how much weight it has in the admission decision, it is not something to be brushed aside.
A term which is somewhat unknown to many new to the college search and application process has been gaining a lot more attention recently. 'Demonstrated Interest' is real and very much alive! Although one can not be certain how much weight it has in the admission decision, it is not something to be brushed aside.
In the 2016 NACAC Admission Trends Survey, nearly 40% of the colleges responding rated demonstrated interest to be of moderate or considerate importance in their admissions decisions. Although we can not be certain what that means, we can safely assume that if a student is matched up with a candidate of very similar caliber, having demonstrated interest would give them the advantage.
What is it? It is pretty much all in the name. It is the student showing their interest in their potential colleges. It is the student letting the school know they are considering it. It is a student establishing a relationship with the school. It is the student putting themselves on the school's radar.
Why should you do it? Colleges have a tough decision deciding between thousands of quality applicants and knowing that a student has taken the time to connect with the school and get to know it demonstrates to them that they have a genuine interest. They want to enroll a certain number of students and students who have demonstrated interested are more likely to accept their offers of acceptance. Makes sense, right?
How do you do it? There are many ways to demonstrate interest, most of which will likely occur on their own as you are doing proper research to find which schools are a good fit. Going on campus visits, requesting information, emailing admissions with questions, attending college fairs and speaking to your local admissions representatives, participating in interviews if available, following the schools on social media platforms, and applying to Early Decision or Early Action deadlines are all common and somewhat easy ways to demonstrate interest. When you attend official campus tours, the colleges usually collect your information. If you decide to do your own, be sure to stop in at the admissions office and speak with a representative to get your name on their 'list'.
No need to go crazy emailing admissions on repeat and risk annoying the already extremely busy staff, just do your due diligence with your research and be sure to show the schools you are interested in some love! As always, be real, be YOU.
For more information on this topic listen to Ethan Sawyer, The College Essay Guy in his podcast: https://www.collegeessayguy.com/podcast-stream/demonstrated-interest-how-to-build-authentic-relationships-with-colleges-and-why-its-a-good-idea
Campus Visits Done Right
What may seem to be a long drive for a boring tour given by an overly peppy guide who speaks faster than ever imagined possible is actually more valuable than most families think if done right. Giving the students a clearer picture of what they want and don't want from their future college, allowing them a chance to demonstrate interest to their top choices, getting their questions answered and showing them what they are working for and where they may be in a short time are all reasons not to forgo the campus visits. Here are 5 tips for getting the out of your next campus visit.
What may seem to be a long drive for a boring tour given by an overly peppy guide who speaks faster than ever imagined possible is actually more valuable than most families think if done right. Giving the students a clearer picture of what they want and don't want from their future college, allowing them a chance to demonstrate interest to their top choices, getting their questions answered and showing them what they are working for and where they may be in a short time are all reasons not to forgo the campus visits. Here are 5 tips for getting the out of your next campus visit.
Research first - walk onto campus with some knowledge of the school and programs you are interested in. It is unlikely you will know exactly what you want to major in, but you probably have some ideas. These visits are your chance to sort through them. You should have your questions which were not answered online ready to go so that you can ask the admissions counselors or program directors on site.
Tailor your tour – make arrangements ahead of time with the admissions office to meet the people you want to meet and see what you want to see. If you think you are interested in English, try to schedule a meeting with an advisor for that department and look at those classrooms and curricula. Interested in science? Take a good look at the labs, look at what students are doing in their classes, speak with some professors. Although many schools will not be able to or want to accommodate such individual requests, you can take the initiative to do most of these things on your own while on campus and if it is a school you are truly interested in, do not take no for an answer. Some schools also have open houses or visits geared specifically towards certain majors or departments. Pay attention to their schedules and attend one which most matches your interests. In addition to the academic facilities, you may be interested in athletics, arts, or another side of campus. Explore those as well. Scheduling your tour around an athletic competition, concert, or other student event is a fun and easy way to explore beyond the tour.
Get a feel for student life – general student characteristics and social life can vary significantly by campus. Visiting campus while school is in session is crucial. Take the time to eat in a campus dining hall, visit the library, tour the student activity center, and pick up a campus paper and other information on student activities to get a feel for campus life. If you can not attend a tour while students are on campus before applying, be sure to revisit later.
Explore the area– campus location can play a big part in your decision and it is better to find out what you think of the town/city now. Safety, transportation and entertainment options are among the things to take into consideration off-campus.
Take notes – after a few tours, the campuses and information may seem to blur together. During or after your visit, do not forget to write down your thoughts. You can even take pictures to jog your memory later.
Big or small, urban or rural, religious or not – a student may have no idea what they prefer until they experience it in person. Campus visits are invaluable for showing a student what qualities they want in their future school. Even visiting a school a student knows they have no interest in can prove helpful as it shows them a different side of things and gives them a clearer picture of what they do not want. You wouldn't buy a car without driving it or a house without seeing it, so why would you pay for an education at a school which could potentially cost more than either of those without visiting beforehand? Do the campus visits, and do them right!