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

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.

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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

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.

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

UnMAZED Magazine

Teen and parent resource for academic and personal success written by educational experts.

I recently started contributing to a new online magazine called UnMAZED - a teen and parent resource for academic and personal success written by educational experts. Although many of the contributors are from FL, we all provide advice which can be helpful to students and parents across the country. The next few months will be highlighting topics around the college process, with July's issue focusing specifically on advice on campus visits and finding the right fit. Check out the website to subscribe to the newsletter and access articles and other resources from experts dedicated to your student's success!

Parenting Your Child Through the College Application Process

While helping your child search for and apply to college is an exciting time, you are most likely battling both of your feelings of stress and anxiety on the side. Here are several tips to tackle those feelings and help you and your student along the way.

Listen – This process is about your child discovering themselves and their dreams. Although they may not have an exact idea of what they want, you can definitely help them if you only listen. The college search is about finding what fits them, not what fits you. Understand what their strengths are and help them go from there. You may think you know what is best for them, but this is a time for you to listen and learn from your child. Let them direct the search. Ask questions instead of giving answers.

Visit – You may have read my previous post about campus visits, but if you have not, do not underestimate the importance of them. Touring schools gives your student the chance to learn more about what they want from their future college and helps them fine tune their search to schools which are a better match. Go on the tours with them, notice what gets them excited and ask them questions to help them ground their opinions along the way. It is a great time for some family roadtrips!

Do not focus solely on those big names and rankings - If you have Googled schools or discussed them with your friends or peers, chances are the famous (or infamous if you ask most college counselors) U.S. News & World Report rankings have been mentioned. While those lists are undoubtedly filled with great schools, there are thousands more out there worthy of consideration. Those rankings are created using questionable data and leave many important factors out of the picture (read this Washington Post article for more on that). If you only focus on those lists or the big name schools, you are missing out on finding others which may be much better matches for your student. Not only that, you are adding to the anxiety and pressure your student may be feeling to get into one of those schools. You want them to be comfortable with wherever they are accepted, not setting them up for a potential let down.

Teach self advocacy – you can use this time to teach your student to advocate for themselves if they are not already. Once they get to school, you won't be there to call their professors or take them to their doctor's appointments. Let them take ownership of this process and teach them to take care of themselves. If they need something for their applications, let them be the one to ask their counselor or teacher. If they want more information from a college or would like to contest a financial aid award or admissions decision, they need to do this for themselves. In fact, it is viewed poorly when a parent contacts a potential college on behalf of their perfectly capable child. Send them off to college knowing they can take care of themselves!

Last but not least, remember that where your child goes is not a reflection of your parenting success. Yes, you can most likely attribute part of their success in high school to your parenting and support. Yes, you probably had an affect on their decision to go to college and where they are going. However, the school and career path they choose is their own and in no way should you think less of yourself as a parent because of their decision. Your child is becoming an adult and their choices are their own to make. Congratulations on making it this far and enjoy your time left with your child at home!