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Before you envision yourself getting settled in at Georgia Tech, you must get over the hurdle of writing the Georgia Tech essays. The Georgia Tech supplement requires you to write a short essay specifically for Georgia Tech. But what is the essay prompt? And what should you include in your Georgia Tech essay?

Keep reading to learn exactly what the Georgia Tech essay is, what kinds of topics you can write about (and what kinds of topics to avoid), and how to ensure you're submitting a quality essay.

Feature Image: Wally Gobetz /Flickr

What Are the Georgia Tech Supplement Essay Prompts?

The Georgia Tech application includes a total of two essays . For one of these, you'll choose one of the seven Common App prompts to respond to, and the other is specific to Georgia Tech. Here's the Georgia Tech prompt:

Why do you want to study your chosen major specifically at Georgia Tech?

How to Write the "Why Georgia Tech?" Essay

This prompt is a version of the "why this college?" prompt . Specifically, this prompt is a "why us?" prompt: It's asking you to elaborate on why this college and the major you've chosen are best suited to you and your aspirations. In other words, what about Georgia Tech and the field of study you want to pursue there will help you achieve your future goals?

To answer this question, you'll need to do some research on Georgia Tech and the academic program you're applying to . The easiest way to do this is to go to the Georgia Tech website to get an overview of what's offered by your program, including the kinds of classes, study abroad options, professors, and internship opportunities.

If possible, I suggest visiting the campus to sit in on classes and meet professors so you can get a clearer feel for the academic program as well as the environment at Georgia Tech as a whole.

In your essay, try to pick a specific characteristic to focus on —don't just say you want to attend Georgia Tech because it's prestigious or well-known. Lots of colleges are!

Next, you'll need to know how your education at Georgia Tech will help you after college . For example, you could write about how you think Georgia Tech's cooperative education program will help you gain relevant professional experience and make connections with like-minded peers.

Regardless of what aspects of Georgia Tech and your major you want to write about, make sure to clearly connect the essay back to you and your own interests and goals .

Here are some possible topics you could use for your "Why Georgia Tech?" essay:

• An anecdote relating some sort of positive personal experience you had at Georgia Tech (such as while on a campus tour)
• A positive interaction you had with someone affiliated with Georgia Tech, such as a current student or professor involved with the major you're applying for
• Your excitement about getting to work with a particular faculty member  and how this opportunity will help you further your career goals
• Your enthusiasm for getting to study in a program, major, or minor that's not usually offered at many schools or that has a unique, interesting angle at Georgia Tech
• A special facility or piece of equipment you're looking forward to being able to work in or with that isn't offered on other campuses or is very rare

Georgia Tech Essay Examples + Analysis

We've written two Georgia Tech essay examples to help give you an idea as to what and how you could write your Why Georgia Tech essay. Additionally, we go over what makes them good essays for a Georgia Tech application.

Georgia Tech Essay Example 1

"Honestly, I can't imagine what my life would be like if I hadn't gone to Georgia Tech."

Katrina was a few years older than me and the sister of my best friend, Troy, who'd given me her email address so I could ask any questions I had about her time at Georgia Tech. This was the last line of her response—and by far the most memorable.

Like Katrina, I can't imagine myself not attending Georgia Tech. As an aspiring environmental engineer, I see Georgia Tech as a gateway to not just learning but also professional success. The flexibility of the major would allow me to focus specifically on my passion for reducing the negative effects of climate change and securing access to clean water. As a senior, I plan to take several hydraulics-focused electives.

In addition, through the InVenture Prize, which I hope to participate in at least twice, I'll be able to utilize the knowledge I've gained through my classes, projects, and fieldwork by translating it into a concrete vision—specifically, an invention that will increase the availability of fresh, healthy water for disadvantaged communities.

After graduation, and as a proud Georgia Tech alumnus (ideally with an InVenture Prize), I plan to implement the skills I've gained through my environmental engineering major in the nonprofit sector.

I haven't met Katrina yet, but I feel as though I know her—perhaps it's that shared sense of joy at having discovered the perfect school for the paths we've chosen.

Here's why this Georgia Tech essay works:

• It's got a creative hook that draws you in. This Georgia Tech essay opens with a quotation that immediately makes it feel as though you're reading a compelling story. It then goes on to connect this hook directly to the narrator who "can't imagine … not attending Georgia Tech," ensuring the focus remains on the applicant and not Katrina.
• It mentions specific features of Georgia Tech. The applicant doesn't just write about how prestigious Georgia Tech is but specifically mentions opportunities she's interested in taking advantage of, such as hydraulics courses and the famous InVenture Prize competition.

The mark of a good college essay is an acceptance letter!

Georgia Tech Essay Example 2

Atlanta has been my home all my life, and I've always known that I want to be one of the people who help make it such a wonderful place to live. My dream is to create my own business that makes it easier for other start-up businesses to get up and running. Georgia Tech is my dream school because I know it will give me the absolute best chance of achieving my goals.

The course catalog for Georgia Tech's Scheller College of Business makes it clear that all business students receive a top-notch and comprehensive business education no matter what area they choose to focus on. However, what really interests me is Scheller's emphasis on entrepreneurship. I'm so excited to take advantage of the opportunities the school offers, like LBAT and study abroad programs that focus on starting a new business, the certificate in entrepreneurship, and the Enterprise Innovation Institute where I hope to collaborate with professors, business leaders, and peers to learn how to create and grow and successful business of my own.

Growing up in Atlanta, learned early that it has many resources for people hoping to go into business, and I know Georgia Tech will help me take advantage of them. Under the school's internship program, I hope to work for a start-up company, learning about what makes some new companies thrive while others fail, and getting on-the-ground experience learning what new companies need to do well and avoid common pitfalls. I'll also use Georgia Tech's extensive connections with local business leaders to continue to expand my business acumen outside the classroom.

I have so many ideas for what I want to do with my career, and I can't wait to attend Georgia Tech to learn the skills I need to make these dreams possible.

• It goes in-depth on what Georgia Tech offers. Like the first essay, this one also gets specific on exactly which parts of the school the writer plans to take advantage of the most. From mentioning the course catalog, specific business programs, and the school's connections with the community, it's clear the writer did her research and knows which of Georgia Tech's resources will be of most value to her.
• It has a clear vision of a career path. You don't need to know exactly what you want to do after you graduate college, but having a general idea can really help you show the admissions committee how you're going to take advantage of what Georgia Tech offers. In this case, it's the entrepreneurship and business opportunities at the school, which will help the writer start her own business after graduation.

How to Write a Great Georgia Tech Essay: Three Essential Tips

Now that you know the specifics of the Why Georgia Tech essay prompt, here are three key tips to use while writing your essay.

#1: Be Specific and Concise

The Georgia Tech supplemental essay only gives you room for up to 300 words. That's a pretty short essay! Since you're so limited in terms of length, you'll need to make sure you're using the space you have wisely. Don't write super flowery, verbose descriptions or rely on overly vague examples.

Instead, be as specific as you can be so that you're emphasizing only the most important parts of the story you want to tell. Specificity will make your essay more concise and easier to follow.

#2: Show, Don't Tell

You've probably heard this refrain a million times, but it's especially important for college essays: show your experiences, emotions, and perspectives instead of simply telling them to your readers . Doing this will make your Georgia Tech essays sound vibrant and alive rather than dull and boring.

One of the very best ways to catapult your descriptions to a whole new level and to lend a stronger voice to your writing is to use a variety of literary devices , including flashbacks, anecdotes, imagery, and euphemisms.

#3: Polish and Proofread

Before you submit your Georgia Tech essays, make sure to take some time to read them over, edit them, get feedback, and proofread them.

The best way to do this is to start by writing a rough draft. Once finished, put your essay away for a little while—from a couple of days to a week or so depending on the amount of time you have left before college applications are due —and then take it out again.

As you read your essay, mark any areas that are unclear, awkwardly worded, or irrelevant . You should also proofread your essay for any glaring typos and errors in punctuation, spelling, and grammar.

Once you've repeated this process a few times, it's time to get a new set of eyes to look it over for you. Ask someone you trust, such as a teacher, parent, or counselor, to read your essay and offer comments and corrections on it.

Doing all of this will ensure that your essay is completely polished by the time you turn it in to Georgia Tech!

What's Next?

If you're reading this, you're likely not only applying to Georgia Tech. Get more tips with our expert guides to the Stanford essays , the Northwestern essay , and the Harvard essay .

Applying through the Common App? Check out this comprehensive list of schools that accept the Common App , and learn more about how to write the Common App essay .

To learn more about Georgia Tech and how to get in, take a look at its admission requirements page .

Hannah received her MA in Japanese Studies from the University of Michigan and holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Southern California. From 2013 to 2015, she taught English in Japan via the JET Program. She is passionate about education, writing, and travel.

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Georgia Tech Essay 2022-2023

Georgia tech essay 2022-23, georgia tech essay: quick facts.

• Georgia Tech Acceptance Rate: 18%— U.S. News ranks Georgia Tech as a most selective school.
• 1 ( ~ 300 word) essay
• Georgia Tech Application: Students must submit their Georgia Tech application through the Common Application . Make sure to double check all Georgia Tech application deadline and requirements. 
• Early Action I: October 17th  
• Early Action II: November 1st
• Regular Decision: January 4th
• Georgia Tech Essay Tip: In addition to the Common App essay , there is only one Georgia Tech essay to complete. Be sure to give yourself plenty of time to thoughtfully and authentically complete the Georgia Tech essay. 

Does Georgia Institute of Technology have supplemental essays?

Yes. In addition to your Common App Personal Statement, you will craft a why Georgia Tech essay that explains why you want to attend Georgia Tech. However, there aren’t multiple Georgia Tech supplemental essays.

Applicants must only complete one Georgia Tech application essay and the Common App essay .

Since the Georgia Tech acceptance rate is rather low, you should ensure your essay thoroughly explains why Georgia Tech best fits your goals.

While this task may seem daunting, the Georgia Tech application essay is not intended to trip you up. Make sure your Georgia Tech application essay shares new information while also explaining specific reasons why Georgia Tech is the place for you. Emphasize specific details that help the reader understand who you are and why you would fit in at Georgia Tech. Successful Georgia Tech essays will answer the why Georgia Tech essay completely and thoughtfully.

How to Write Georgia Tech Supplemental Essay–Question 1

Why do you want to study your chosen major specifically at georgia tech (300 max).

The why Georgia Tech essay gives you the chance to state your educational goals within the context of Georgia Tech. Students’ Georgia Tech supplemental essays will resemble those of many colleges. This means that while you won’t be able to reuse your Georgia Tech application essay (after all, that defeats the purpose of the “why school” essay), learning to write a strong response to this prompt might help you in your other applications.

Also, keep in mind that your Georgia Tech application essay should largely look toward your future rather than your past. You can—and should—mention specific ways that your academic interests have developed. However, you should devote most of your Why Georgia Tech essay to why you hope to pursue these interests at Georgia Tech. Below are some ways to ground your why Georgia Tech essay:

Focus on Academic Interests

First, and most importantly, you should consider your academic interests. Remember, this Georgia Tech essay prompt asks both why you want to study your chosen major and why you want to do so at Georgia Tech. Your response to the why Georgia Tech essay should address both of these questions—that is, you should explain the origins and development of your academic passions alongside your interest in Georgia Tech.

Think a bit about your future college major when contemplating the Georgia Tech supplemental essays. Which programs at Georgia Tech most interest you? Maybe some courses excite you because they connect to your professional goals. Perhaps there is a professor whose research lights your intellectual spirit on fire. Look for reasons why Georgia Tech is the perfect place for you, and highlight them in your Georgia Tech application essay. 

Your Georgia Tech application essay should be grounded in what intellectually excites you about college and how Georgia Tech specifically quenches that academic thirst. There aren’t multiple Georgia Tech essay prompts; so, make sure that your response to this prompt is unique and passionate about your future academic interests. 

Consider discussing c ommunity

Second, successful Georgia Tech supplemental essays will consider Georgia Tech’s community, particularly in the academic sense. Why does Georgia Tech’s campus culture appeal to you? Why would you thrive in an intellectually engaged community like Georgia Tech? 

For inspiration, you might check out Georgia Tech’s admissions office website as well as their YouTube channel . There, you can see what Georgia Tech wishes to emphasize about itself to prospective students. You can also hear from students past and present about their lives on campus. Incorporating these themes will help you prepare an excellent Why Georgia Tech essay.

Keep in mind that, at the end of the day, the Georgia Tech application essay is a snapshot of your current interests. Since there aren’t multiple Georgia Tech essay prompts, students should place special attention on writing strong Georgia Tech supplemental essays. 

Many college students change their major, and the Georgia Tech admissions team understands this. Perhaps your future professors will inspire you to change direction. Or, maybe, an internship or volunteering experience might reveal a new passion. Admissions officers know that your prospective major may shift once you arrive at Georgia Tech. Don’t feel constrained by “choosing” a future major —instead, use the Georgia Tech supplemental essay to reflect on your current interests and illustrate your overall intellect.

Georgia Tech Essay Reflection Questions:

• Does your Georgia Tech application essay provide specific examples that show you have researched why Georgia Tech is a good fit for you?
• Do you avoid extended lists of reasons why you want to attend Georgia Tech and instead focus on one or two specific things?
• Will your Georgia Tech application essay stand out amongst a pool of competitive applicants?

How do I write the Georgia Tech essay?

Writing the Georgia Tech essay can seem challenging at first, especially because you don’t have multiple chances to get the essay right with various Georgia Tech essay prompts. Still, there is a method to the madness. Students should begin these Georgia Tech supplemental essays by brainstorming what about Georgia Tech appeals to you. As you draft responses to the Georgia Tech essay prompts, a structured outline will help focus your thoughts.

Keep in mind that your Why Georgia Tech essay isn’t just about Georgia Tech—it’s about you. Your Why Georgia Tech essay should not only highlight the specific resources and opportunities that draw you to the school; it should also speak to how you hope to develop your interests and passions in college. Georgia Tech supplemental essays should demonstrate that students have thought intentionally about their ideal college environment and how it relates to their goals. In evaluating your Georgia Tech essay, the Georgia Tech admissions team will consider both what sort of student you will be and what you will bring to their college community.

As the Georgia Tech acceptance rate continues declining, admissions officers sift through more and more applications. As there aren’t various Georgia Tech essay prompts, this makes it even more important that your one Georgia Tech essay shines. Your Georgia Tech application essay should capture your accomplishments, your goals, and why Georgia Tech is an ideal next step.

Why School Essay: Three tips for researching Georgia Tech

When writing your why Georgia Tech essay, or any why school essay, you should be as detailed as possible. The biggest mistake students can make when writing Georgia Tech supplemental essays is being too general. Therefore, one of the first steps in writing your why Georgia Tech essay is to do some research on Georgia Tech. You may have some useful information from your college search that led you to complete a Georgia Tech application. For their Georgia Tech supplemental essays, students can use that initial research as a base for the why school essay, especially if a certain academic program initially caught their interest. 

Your why Georgia Tech essay should aim to impress Georgia Tech admissions while still being authentic. Georgia Tech admissions is selective. Your why Georgia Tech essay is only a small portion of your overall Georgia Tech application, albeit a very important portion. Before even beginning your why school essay research, check out our guide on how to get into Georgia Tech. You’ll also want to read all about Georgia Tech admissions to understand the selection process. Without multiple Georgia Tech essay prompts to respond to, you have time to put all of your focus on this why Georgia Tech essay. 

You may already have an idea of a major or program that you want to pursue. That’s great. Students who know their intended major have an easy place to start researching when starting their Georgia Tech essays. However, maybe you’re still choosing a major . That’s no problem. Georgia Tech essays aren’t meant to be a formal declaration of your major. Rather, Georgia Tech admissions just wants to get to know you and your academic interests in relation to Georgia Tech and its programs. 

Three tips to get you started when researching for Georgia Tech essays: 

#1- start with the mission statement.

Georgia Tech admissions wants you to show in this why Georgia Tech essay how your goals align with their values. Georgia Tech states that the institution is “ committed to improving the human condition through advanced science and technology. ” You’ll need to demonstrate, through your chosen major, how you would fulfill that mission. Students who write successful Georgia Tech supplemental essays will keep that mission statement in mind as they research academic programs for the Georgia Tech application essay. 

#2- Find a major

When writing your Georgia Tech essay, search through the majors offered at the university. You’ll likely have an area of interest even if you are still undecided on a major. In order to write impressive Georgia Tech supplemental essays, students should lean into those intellectual interests in order to find a major that they can passionately and authentically write about. Students should use their Georgia Tech essay prompts to reference specific opportunities only offered at Georgia Tech. These could be the research facilities, faculty, or internship opportunities. 

#2- Learn about the campus culture

Georgia Tech admissions wants to see through students’ Georgia Tech supplemental essays how you align with their mission and values. Showing how you would excel on the campus is important. Georgia Tech supplemental essays may reference clubs or organizations that you would get involved in. How would those opportunities add to your intended major?

Take your time

Once you’ve done all the research, focus your attention on answering the prompt in its entirety. There aren’t multiple Georgia Tech essay prompts so give yourself all the time it takes to answer exceptionally. Expand on your most relevant research for your why Georgia Tech essay by relating it back to you and your goals. How do the specific values, programs, and campus community relate to you? What will you bring to this academically rigorous program? How will you apply that to your future career? Students should think about all these questions as they write their Georgia Tech supplemental essays. 

It may be helpful to look at what works when writing a why school essay. Many schools require a why school essay. Students responding to the Georgia Tech essay prompts will make their answers specific to Georgia Tech, however, the basic goal and structure of the why school essay will be the same. Check out the why school essay examples for Yale , Northwestern , and NYU to see how to ace the Georgia Tech application essay. 

Is the Georgia Tech essay required?

Yes—all students must complete the supplemental Georgia Tech application essay.

The Georgia Tech admissions team uses a holistic application review process. This means that your how to get into Georgia Tech strategy will require presenting a cohesive application narrative. When reading Georgia Tech supplemental essays, admissions officers want to understand your academic potential as well as who you are as a person. 

In addition to thoughtful Georgia Tech supplemental essays, the Georgia Tech admissions team wants to see demonstrated interest (DI) from you. Demonstrated interest is a tool of measurement that universities use to gauge how enthusiastic students are about attending a particular school. Essentially, if an admissions officer has two similar candidate profiles in front of them—similar test scores , extracurriculars , and achievements—the final decision may come down to which student better demonstrates their interest in attending. In a Forbes article on how best to use DI in your college applications, they highlight the power of the essay. In this case, your Why Georgia Tech essay can be a powerful tool to demonstrate your interest in attending.

Recently, the Georgia Tech acceptance rate has become increasingly competitive. Many students are vying for a spot at this top science , technology, and eng i neering school. Given that there aren’t multiple Georgia Tech essay prompts to respond to, make sure to make the most of the 300 word count as you show the Georgia Tech admissions team what makes you unique. Remember, well-written Georgia Tech supplemental essays can make or break your admissions odds.

Is the Georgia Tech essay important?

Students’ Georgia Tech supplemental essays are absolutely important. The Georgia Tech application essay helps readers understand who you are beyond your grades, test scores, and extracurriculars. In fact, Georgia Tech supplemental essays can even provide important context to grades and activities. This can help you stand out to admissions officers.

As you write the why Georgia Tech essay, remember to share both the exciting features of Georgia Tech and how they connect with your own experiences and goals. Georgia Tech admissions are not only looking for your academic credentials in this Georgia Tech application essay—they also want to see who you are and how you can contribute to the campus culture. Given the low Georgia Tech acceptance rate, students want to do all they can to maximize the impact of their Georgia Tech supplemental essays.

What is the Georgia Tech acceptance rate?

As a public institution, Georgia Tech has a commitment to educating Georgians as well as students from all over the country and the globe. This means the Georgia Tech acceptance rate is twofold.

For in-state applicants, the Georgia Tech acceptance rate this past year was 35% . As for non-Georgians, the Georgia Tech acceptance rate was only 13%. Georgia residents may also want to consider applying to Georgia’s HOPE scholarship , as it’s only available to them. It’s a merit-based scholarship largely based on your GPA. 

How to Win a HOPE Scholarship

Whether or not you’re a resident of Georgia, students who make the most of the Georgia Tech application essay, will have a better chance against the low Georgia Tech acceptance rate. Since the competition is so keen, you should give it your all when crafting your Georgia Tech essay. There aren’t multiple Georgia Tech essay prompts. That makes it even more important for applicants to write the best Georgia Tech essays possible. It’s your chance to show admissions who you are and why you deserve to be a part of the Georgia Tech community. 

What are the admissions requirements for Georgia Tech?

As a globally recognized research university, Georgia Tech provides excellent educational opportunities to its students. The Georgia Tech acceptance rate has decreased in recent years, and Georgia Tech admissions have become increasingly competitive. Successful applicants will not only have impressive Georgia Tech supplemental essays, but also strong GPAs, standardized test scores, and extracurriculars. 

Considering applying to Georgia Tech? Keep in mind that Georgia Tech admissions exclusively accepts undergraduate applications (including students’ Georgia Tech supplemental essays) via the Common App . 

The Georgia Tech admissions requirements include:

• Strong standardized test scores (SAT/ACT)
• High grades/ GPA
• Evidence of academic rigor in high school courses
• Strong Common App Personal Statement and Georgia Tech application essay
• Evidenced contribution to your community
• Optional recommendation letters from your high school counselor and one teacher in a core academic subject

While many schools have opted to go test-optional , Georgia Tech does require standardized test scores. Be sure to plan early in order to get the strongest score possible. Extracurriculars are another vital piece of your application narrative. Check out tips on crafting the best extracurriculars list possible. 

Acing the Georgia Tech admissions requirements

Want to stand out in Georgia Tech admissions? Make sure to take challenging courses at your high school to demonstrate your academic drive. You should also consider including optional recommendations from your high school counselor and a teacher (ideally from a core academic subject, which generally is a course you need to take to graduate, such as English or math). 

Keep in mind that Georgia Tech admissions officers use a holistic application review process. This review process includes your contributions to your community and, importantly, your personal essays . You will submit all materials for your Georgia Tech application—including your Georgia Tech essay—through the Common App.

You will also submit letters of recommendation from your teachers through the Common App platform. Additionally, the Common App will allow you to address any notable disruptions due to COVID-19, if applicable.

Keep in mind that although the Georgia Tech admissions process considers all aspects of your application, a weak Georgia Tech application essay can prevent you from getting in—even if you have high grades and scores. To maximize your admissions odds, you should put as much thought into your Georgia Tech essay as possible. Well written Georgia Tech supplemental essays will maximize your chances of admissions. 

Five Tips for Writing the Georgia Tech Essay

The why Georgia Tech essay can seem vexing. You don’t have multiple Georgia Tech essay prompts, so you may feel even more pressure to get this one right. How do you craft an answer that reflects both your own interests and specific details about Georgia Tech? 

Five tips for writing the Georgia Tech Essay: 

Start early.

There aren’t multiple Georgia Tech essay prompts for applicants to answer. There is only one Georgia Tech application essay (in addition to the Common App personal essay ). However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t give your Georgia Tech essay the time and care that it deserves. Successful Georgia Tech essays will take more than a night to complete. Your essay is extremely important when considering how to get into Georgia Tech. You need time to brainstorm, research, draft, edit, and repeat. To stay organized, check out these tips on building your college application timeline . 

Do your research

The key to successful Georgia Tech supplemental essays is being specific. To make your essay count, research how you can explore your interests at Georgia Tech. You might incorporate a quote, a specific course, or a faculty member to boost your essay’s impact.

Connect the dots

In your “Why Georgia Tech” essay, make sure each detail about your interest in Georgia Tech that you include to highlight your interests also gives the reader a sense of your identity. For instance, the courses you mention could link back to ideas you have studied outside the classroom. A professor’s research that excites you could connect to a club you run or a project you did. By building these connections, you can use your Georgia Tech supplemental essay to show both the depth of your intellectual engagement and how you’ll fit in at Georgia Tech.

Be authentic

While understanding what Georgia Tech admissions is looking for in its applicants is important, you don’t want to write a Georgia Tech essay that is just what you think admissions wants to hear. Write about your genuine interest in academic programs at Georgia Tech. And show through your authenticity and passion why you’re a perfect fit for the program. 

Make sure to proofread

Georgia Tech supplemental essays are evaluated not only for content, but also for mechanics and writing style. Make sure that you carefully proofread your final draft of the Georgia Tech essay before submitting. Have someone else read it over for grammatical errors and content. If implementing someone else’s feedback, be sure to maintain your own voice and style. 

Georgia Tech Essay – Final Thoughts

Grades and numbers can only do so much. Your Georgia Tech application essay has the power to illuminate where you have been, where you are, and where you hope to go. Without various Georgia Tech essay prompts to respond to, admissions will be carefully examining each why Georgia Tech essay. Do everything you can to make it stand out. It may be helpful to find inspiration in other successful essay examples .

It is natural to see the low Georgia Tech acceptance rate and wonder how to stand out. Still, keep in mind that the Georgia Tech admissions team uses a holistic review process that extends beyond grades and test scores. This gives you the power to curate a strong Georgia Tech essay—and application—that sheds light on why you’d be a great fit on campus.

Who you are and what matters to you

The Why Georgia Tech essay lets you share both who you are and how your passions align with Georgia Tech’s offerings. Going in with a plan, such as an outline or brainstorming sheet, can help you get off to a strong start. You might also ask another person to proofread your Georgia Tech application essay and offer feedback. 

Remember that outstanding Georgia Tech supplemental essays can lead to an acceptance letter . There aren’t multiple Georgia Tech essay prompts, so admissions is looking for excellent responses to this one essay. Keep focused on creating the best Georgia Tech essay possible and hopefully you’ll be looking into Georgia Tech enrollment by spring. Good luck!

This Georgia Tech essay guide was written by Sarah Kaminski. Looking for more admissions support? Click here to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. During your meeting, our team will discuss your profile and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how CollegeAdvisor.com can support you in the college application process.

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The Admissions Strategist

How to write the georgia tech supplemental essays 2021-2022 (with examples).

Located in the heart of Atlanta, Georgia, Georgia Tech is a school well-known for its engineering and computer science programs.

Its admissions rate has decreased over the years, hitting 21% in 2020 as it becomes more selective.

As such, you need a great application to be considered for admission to Georgia Tech.

While your academic success and extracurricular activities are all important aspects of the application process, Georgia Tech takes your essay responses seriously and treats them as “an important way to get to know you, and what you have to bring to Georgia Tech.”

Luckily, you don’t need to be a future English major to create a personal, powerful essay.  

Georgia Tech takes both the Common Application and the Coalition Application.

• On top of the Common or Coalition App general essay , you are expected to write one short answer response.  

In this article, we will guide you through Georgia Tech’s short answer question to give you an idea of how to approach it .

Click above to watch a video on Georgia Tech Supplemental Essays.

General Guidelines: Georgia Tech Supplemental Essay

The essay response is 300 words long, translating to about 2-3 paragraphs in length. However, you need to be economical with your words and make every single one count. That means there is no room for generalities.

• You need to be specific and get straight to the point.
• Every word should contribute to showing your personality, your motivations, your ambitions, or your successes. 

You should also focus on topics that you haven’t covered elsewhere in your application.

Georgia Tech wants the essay to bring out what they can’t already figure out from your transcripts and club participation.

• Georgia Tech wants the essays to bring out what they can’t already figure out from your transcripts and club participation.

Above all else, be authentic. Don’t write what you think the admissions officers want to read. Be honest in your interests and your accomplishments, and show Georgia Tech what you have to offer them.

Georgia Tech Supplemental Essay – Why This Major at Georgia Tech?

Why do you want to study your chosen major specifically at Georgia Tech? (Max. 300 words)”

The wording of this question is a little tricky. At first, it seems like it’s asking why you’ve chosen your desired major. While this is a point you’ll want to make in your essay, you’ll want to keep it brief. The real answer Georgia Tech wants here is why you want to study your major at Georgia Tech.

• It’s more of a “ Why This College ” essay than a “Why This Major” prompt.

However, it’s not just about why you love Georgia Tech. They want to know specifically why you love Georgia Tech’s version of your major program.

If you’re planning to major in Chemistry, did you choose Georgia Tech for their outstanding research opportunities?

• If you’re going for engineering, is the school’s “best of the best” reputation your main selling point?

Think about why your field of study will be special at Georgia Tech, and craft an essay from that.

• Tip: It’s always a good idea to show Georgia Tech that what you’re doing now will carry over to your major program (if you can squeeze it into the 300 word limit).

For example:

• Share a sentence or two about your research project that won the state science fair last spring, and explain how you’re wanting to continue to challenge yourself through similar opportunities.
• Write a little bit about the club you founded in your high school, and share that you want to take that same entrepreneurial spirit and begin your own business someday. Point out how Georgia Tech’s hands-on business program will prepare you for your goals.

You can approach this question in a few different ways:

The first way is to approach this from an academic perspective. Remember, they don’t want you to tell them they’re highly ranked in engineering and computer science – they already know that. They want you to be specific in your desire to earn a certain major from Georgia Tech.

• What pieces of your major program are unique to Georgia Tech?
• How will these qualities benefit you directly?

Look at some of the research happening at Georgia Tech.

For instance, Georgia Tech is currently researching ways to improve worldwide sanitation by reinventing something that is used by every person multiple times per day– the toilet. They are aiming to create a toilet that turns human waste into clean water, specifically for the parts of the world that do not have access to adequate amounts of clean water or sanitation,

• If you’re interested in new technology and how it can make a lasting difference in humanitarian issues around the world, this type of research may be why you’re interested in attending Georgia Tech.

Second, consider looking into faculty members and their research interests.

If their research interests fall in line with what you plan to do, mention them in your essay. You may even want to reach out to the professor, forming a connection that could lead to future opportunities.

• Doing so shows Georgia Tech that you have both initiative and interest in the research that is happening at Georgia Tech, and that you’re committed to learning from GT faculty.

Third, study your major’s plan at Georgia Tech and how it compares to programs at other colleges and universities.

• Are there any classes that are unique to Georgia Tech?
• Will your program have internships or other hands-on experiences?

Figure out what makes your specific program unique at Georgia Tech, and make a list of all the ways these differences will support you throughout your college journey and in your future career.

• After you show why Georgia’s Tech has standout opportunities in your major , make sure to demonstrate your ambitions or post-undergraduate plans.

It’s important to note that you don’t need to know exactly what you want to do with your life after college – you might not know quite yet, and that’s just fine. Even if you do have a solid plan, it’s possible it will change as time goes by.

With that said, you should have a general idea of the field you want to enter.

With that said, you should have a general idea of the field you want to enter and it should be closely related to the major you choose.

• Overall, you must demonstrate that you know about Georgia Tech’s offerings (within your major) and have a vision for taking advantage of them.

Colleges want students who will utilize as many campus resources as possible to build a personalized education, and to become successful professionals.

Thus, be specific about Georgia Tech’s offerings that you want to become a part of.

A few more tips:

• If possible, try scheduling a campus tour and asking questions about the various aspects you’re interested in.
• Look at Georgia Tech’s website and its various faculty directories for current research and campus events.
• For even more inspiration, check college forums, such as College Confidential, to get perspective from current and former students.

Once you’ve got all of your information and inspiration gathered, you’re ready to write.

Why This Major at Georgia Tech Example Essay 1

We’ve provided you GT essay examples throughout this guide. They will help you visualize your essay outline.

Remember, never plagiarize. Colleges, naturally, frown upon this. You should always create your own work.

After my three-hour commute to Rutgers University, my advisors and I would huddle over a whiteboard, brainstorming mathematical models of pricing strategies. I spent the remainder of the day poring over my laptop, coding and debugging Python programs, translating these models into computational simulations. At the end of my two-year research project, I will determine the optimal pricing strategies for wireless service providers and publish a paper in the Gaugers Conference. I intend to continue my passion for research by participating in ongoing projects at Georgia Tech’s Institute for Robotics and Intelligent Machines. My primary interest is advancing robotically assisted surgery technologies, giving patients access to the best medical minds. By working in the “Medical Robots and Human Augmentation” strategic research area and collaborating with professors like Dr. Jaydev Desai, I aim to provide struggling communities with the resources to utilize sophisticated robotics developments. I wish to further my passion for robotics by leading design teams on the Georgia Tech RoboJackets robotics team. Whether it’s coding an autonomous robot to play soccer or creating powerful mechanisms to break robots, I believe the RoboJackets have a niche for me. My desire to join Georgia Tech was reinforced after speaking with Tomas Osses about the endless possibilities on the RoboJackets. Diving deeper into robotics, I hope to enroll in the intelligence thread of the School of Computing to further my knowledge of autonomous machines and AI. I am eager to enhance my computer science skills as a Yellow Jacket.

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Why this major at georgia tech example essay 2.

I heard my name spoken into the microphone, and my teammates jumped from their seats. We had just taken first place in the New York State Science Fair with our Insulin Resistance research project. Our project had not only won, but it lead to wide open pathways that could someday make a difference in the treatment of Type 1 Diabetes. I want to attend Georgia Tech because I know that the Biomedical Engineering program will provide me with access to similar experiences. Professors like Dr. Hee Cheol Chol (with his scholar status in Pediatric Bioengineering) would give me the tools and knowledge necessary to make a true impact throughout my future career in the medical field. Georgia Tech will give me the specific courses, research opportunities, internships, and expert faculty members that I need to become one of the best in the field. With my passion for science and difference-making, I know that Georgia Tech is the only place that will allow me to reach my full potential.”

Georgia Tech Supplemental Essay #2: From Previous Years

In this section, we’ve added essays from previous years. This should give you context into the quality of essays Georgia Tech is looking for.

Each prompt provides you with an opportunity to showcase an accomplishment or passion outside of an academic context. Because of this, it’s important that you choose the essay that shares your best qualities or achievements.

For both of these essays, you should focus on what makes you a unique asset for the Georgia Tech community. It’s not so much about why you want Georgia Tech, but why Georgia Tech wants you .

• Keep in mind that your accomplishments don’t have to be extraordinary. You don’t have to cure cancer or end world hunger to be considered.
• Small differences you’ve made in a person’s life or steps you’re taking to change the world around you can create just as much of an impact.

Georgia Tech Supplemental Prompt A

Georgia Tech is committed to creating solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges. Tell us how you have improved or hope to improve the human condition in your community.

This prompt asks what you have done (or what you want to do) to make a difference in your community.

As shown in the question, you can take one of two paths when writing this essay:

• Explain something you’ve already done to make a difference in the lives of the people around you. This can be a large or small task; maybe you’re bilingual and you started an after-school tutoring club to provide direct support to younger kids who are learning English for the first time. Maybe you’ve gotten a group of friends together to make meals for the homeless population in your town.
• If you haven’t had the chance to make a difference directly (or if you’ve got a bursting idea that you dream of bringing to life), pour it out on the page. Write about a problem you’ve witnessed firsthand in your community, and how you want to solve it.

Remember to reflect on the impact this action had (or will have) on the community you live in.

Don’t write about improving life in another country if you don’t live there. This is about fixing the problems that occur on the same streets you grew up on.

• Be sure to share a concrete plan if you’re writing a problem you hope to solve in the future. Be specific and really show how your skills can make a positive impact in your community.
• Keep the description of the issue brief; Georgia Tech wants to know about how you can solve this more than they want to hear about the problem at hand.

When showcasing the skills you used to make a difference, also share what the experience has taught you:

• You learned how much back-end work goes into solving a humanitarian issue.
• You gained leadership skills while providing guidance to a large group of students.
• You found independence and realized your actions can lead to significant change with an intense focus and the correct use of your personal skill set.

While there are a lot of different ways to take this essay, it may not be the ideal essay for every applicant. Make sure your action or plan shows off both your skill and desire to change the world around you.

Georgia Tech Supplemental Prompt B

“If you feel that your personal or community background can provide additional insight to your application that we have not already seen elsewhere, please take this opportunity to share that information with us.”

This is a fairly vague prompt, but it provides you with an excellent opportunity.

It eliminates the problem that arises when applications only show your academic successes, and lets you showcase anything you want the admission team to see.

Maybe you have a health condition that has motivated you to succeed in academics, so you can someday work toward finding a cure. Maybe you’re a LEGO expert and want to turn your design skills into a future engineering career.

• Take the first part of your essay to explain an important piece of who you are that is not shown on your application.
• Make sure this characteristic or experience shows off why Georgia Tech is the perfect school for you (and why you’d be a perfect addition to the GT student body).

Now, how can Georgia Tech benefit from the characteristic or experience that makes you stand out?

• Does Georgia Tech offer study abroad programs in a third-world country you’ve always wanted to make a difference in?
• Are they currently conducting a long term research study in an area that personally relates to your or someone close to you?
• Is there a club or organization that you’d be a perfect fit for? Or one that would give you the tools you need to make an impact in the world around you?

Be specific, and show Georgia Tech something unique about yourself. Show them why you need their school, and why they need you as a student.

Make sure to look through Georgia Tech’s website to see if any of their core values, programs, or opportunities line up with a piece of your life that is not already shown on your application.

Georgia Tech Personal Background Essay Example From Previous Year

I moved to the United States when I was just six years old. I started first grade the following week, without knowing a word of English. I had an ESL teacher to meet with once a day and a computer program to teach me a whole new language. I couldn’t make new friends because I didn’t know how to speak to them. I couldn’t participate in class because I did not understand my teacher. Fast-forward to my Freshman year of High School. I’m now fluent in Spanish and English, and I wake up one morning with an idea that I absolutely need to bring to life. I’ll start a club for students in my local elementary school who are learning English as a second language. Fast-forward to today. For the past three years, my club has met three times per week during lunch and recess. My students have had a safe space to share their challenges (with translator apps, so they do not need to feel alone like I did). They have learned English quickly, they have made friends with each other, and they have triple the amount of English language learning time as was previously available. I know my club has made a difference in their lives, and also in my own. I’ve gained independence and leadership skills, and I now know that I am capable of making a significant impact in the world around me.

Georgia Tech Supplemental Essay Example From Previous Year

It’s 5:50 a.m. on a Wednesday as I wake up to the shocking blast of the Mission Impossible theme song. It feels like I was up only a few hours ago, slogging through the assignments and projects that are due soon. I hop on the hour-long bus ride and try to get sleep to refresh myself for school. At school, I participate in classes, group projects, and labs, all of which have developed my critical thinking, communication, and collaborative skills. On the ride back home, I socialize with friends about the latest sports news and listen to music. After I arrive home, I play piano and get some physical activity to calm my nerves and collect myself. After an hour of playing piano and exercising, it is off to volunteering at the the Iverness Hospital and then Iverness Orchards. Volunteering has taught me that not everything is about my life. I want to help those who cannot help themselves. After returning home and eating dinner, I clean the dishes and kitchen to alleviate my parents’ stress. Now comes the storm. I embark to complete math, physics, and biology projects and read up on literature and history. It’s 11:00 p.m., and while my parents and sister have gone to sleep, I still have so much to do. After working until 1:15 a.m., I finish my assignments and hit my bed. Today was a short Groundhog Day.

Conclusion: Georgia Tech Supplemental Essay

Georgia Tech’s supplemental essay allows you to demonstrate why Georgia Tech is the perfect school for you and why you’re a student that Georgia Tech needs.

Remember, this short answer essay gives you a chance to communicate with Georgia Tech’s admissions officers in a way that your test scores and transcripts can’t. Use this opportunity to your advantage.

Overall, you will write one, 300-word maximum, supplemental essay to show your interest in a specific major at Georgia Tech.

When you show Georgia Tech who you are and what you have to offer, you’ve got a much greater chance of getting in.

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Georgia Tech Supplemental Essays 2023-24 – Prompts and Advice

July 13, 2023

Georgia Tech has always been an excellent university where one could receive a top-notch educational experience. However, it was not always a highly-selective institution on the admissions front. In fact, back in the days of the Clinton White House, Georgia Tech accepted over two-thirds of those who applied. In 2023, this is a school that only admits 12% of out-of-state applicants and 29% of freshmen were the valedictorian or salutatorian of their high school class (let that sink in a moment…). It’s fair to say that an applicant to Georgia Tech today is playing a completely different ballgame than applicants in 1995, 2005, or even 2015. Even students with nothing lower than an A- on their transcript and an SAT/ACT score above the 95th percentile still need a compelling application in order to have strong odds of becoming a Yellow Jacket. That brings us to the Georgia Tech supplemental essays…

 (Want to learn more about How to Get Into Georgia Tech? Visit our blog entitled:  How to Get Into Georgia Tech: Admissions Data and Strategies  for all of the most recent admissions data as well as tips for gaining acceptance.)

Although it only has one general essay prompt, Georgia Tech’s supplemental section still affords applicants an opportunity to illustrate what makes them uniquely qualified for admission. Below is Georgia Tech’s supplemental essay for the 2022-23 admissions cycle. The College Transitions team also dishes advice on how to pen a winning essay.

2022-2023 Georgia Tech Essay Question

Why do you want to study your chosen major specifically at Georgia Tech? (300 words max)

This is part “Why Us?” and part “Explain Your Major” and your aim is to seamlessly touch on both topics in a tightly-woven 300-word composition. Georgia Tech is very forthcoming in its essay-related advice to applicants. They wisely advise all applicants to demonstrate “authenticity & self-awareness,” “thoughtfulness”, and to “display attention to topic, style, and grammar.” For a deeper dive, let’s examine the list of common pitfalls followed by a list of characteristics of a winning Georgia Tech supplemental essay:

Common components of a mediocre “Why Georgia Tech?” essay

• Georgia Tech’s engineering/business/computer science program is atop the U.S. News rankings, is prestigious, and has a great reputation.
• Generalities about why Atlanta is an ideal location for your college experience.
• Generalities about why Atlanta is an exciting/cosmopolitan/diverse/culture-filled city.
• Too many generic expressions of feeling (e.g. I know with all my being that Georgia Tech is the school for me…).
• Recycled statements from your other “Why Us?” essays that come across as stale, impersonal, or worst of all–irrelevant/inaccurate.

How to write a needle-moving “Why Georgia Tech?” essay

• Demonstrate how your goals align with the school’s mission statement. “The Georgia Institute of Technology is a public research university established by the state of Georgia in Atlanta in 1885 and committed to developing leaders who advance technology and improve the human condition.”
• Cite specific academic programs, professors, research opportunities , internship/externship programs, study abroad programs , student-run organizations , etc.
• How will you be an active, contributing member of the academic community at Georgia Tech?
• Show evidence of how your past/current endeavors will carry over onto Georgia Tech’s campus.
• How will you take advantage of Georgia Tech’s immense resources both inside and outside of the classroom?
• Lastly, address why Georgia Tech is the perfect fit for you. Also, touch on why you are the perfect fit for Georgia Tech.

Big-picture thoughts on a “Why this Major/College” essay

In any “Why Us?” composition, you need to show that you’ve done your homework on a given school. Yet, you don’t want it to read like a robotic list of items that you Googled ten minutes before writing the essay (even if the timing of the Google search is roughly accurate).

In addition to the pure research element, a lot of the time and skill required in creating a stellar Georgia Tech essay will involve connecting the classes, professors, opportunities, etc. of interest that you have uncovered to your distinct values, talents, aims, proficiencies, and future goals.

How important is the essay at this school?

Eight factors are “very important” to the Georgia Tech evaluation process. The Common App and supplemental essays are among them. Additional factors considered “very important” are: rigor of coursework, GPA, recommendations, extracurricular activities, character/personal qualities, volunteer work, work experience, and the level of the applicant’s demonstrated interest.

Georgia Tech Admission Essays – Personalized Assistance

If you are interested in working with one of College Transitions’ experienced and knowledgeable essay coaches as you craft your Georgia Tech supplemental essays, we encourage you to get a quote  today.

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Georgia Tech Admission Blog

Will saying i’m a blueberry get me into college supplemental essays 101.

This week we welcome Senior Assistant Director of Admission  Katie Mattli to the blog. Welcome back, Katie!

I considered titling this post “Secrets to the Supplemental Essay,” but doing that goes against all I believe in. In my experience, the phrase “Secrets to…” in an admission post is almost always a blatant example of click bait and philosophically, I just don’t buy it.

So that we are all on the same page, I am not talking about the personal statement or main essay many colleges require.  I am speaking to the additional short answer or supplemental essay questions that often ask you to talk about why you are applying to the specific college or to give your thoughts on a prompt (one that is separate from the main, long essay).  Not all colleges or universities have supplemental questions, but if they do, you should take them seriously.

Supplemental essay questions can seem like the red-headed stepchild of the college application.  Seminars, camps, coaches, teachers, counselors, and peers spend A LOT of time talking about the activities section and main essay prompts on the college application.  Very little time is spent speaking about a short answer or supplemental essay response.  This small but mighty paragraph plays a stronger role than you might expect in the holistic admission process. I want to give it the respect and time it deserves—as should you!

See it for what it is—an opportunity to keep talking!

If I asked a group of students to raise their hand if they wanted to have a cup of coffee with me and just talk, all the hands in the room would shoot up.  If I ask the same group if they want to write another essay, most hands would go down.  I might even hear crickets.  I get it.  Seniors are busy and tired.  They are certainly tired of writing college essays.  But a supplemental essay is another way to talk to the admission committee.  Instead of rolling your eyes that, yes, you need to write something else, think about it like this:

• What have I not had a chance to say?
• If I don’t write this, what won’t they know about me?
• Wow, thank goodness I have a few more lines to talk!

Does it really matter what type of fruit I am?

You may get a really out-there supplemental question, and yes, you should still answer it well.  I have seen all sorts of “creative” questions ranging from How are you like a chocolate chip cookie? to What three items would you want on a deserted island? and, the notorious , If you were a fruit, what would you be and why?

If you are tempted to not spend time on the answer or to get a little snarky in your response, don’t.  Remember, this is an opportunity! Someone on the admission committee will read your response, so enjoy creating the answer.  The purpose of this question is to understand how you think and give the committee a glimpse into your personality.  Whether you think you are blueberry, you would die without sunscreen, water bottle and your cat, or–like a cookie in the oven–you turn out well under pressure, the answer itself does not really matter.  At the end of the paragraph, they will know you better, and you don’t want to miss that opportunity.

Sorry to break this to you—you can’t cram for the “Why Our College?” question.

Many of these short answer questions will ask why you want to attend their college. It is understandable. A college doesn’t want to give up a seat in their class without discerning if a student actually wants to be there, or if they are just trying to collect acceptances. Scanning the college website to glean some key words or phrases to include in your answer is not enough.  Any admission counselor worth their salt knows immediately if you are just regurgitating the first paragraph from the “about” section of the website.

To answer this question well, you need to research, and real research starts with curiosity.

• What intrigues you about this college?
• What made you search and click and dive deeper?
• What about this college piqued your interest to begin with and what have you learned that kept this college on your list?
• What research specialty, unique program or offering makes you want to know more?

Those thoughtful reflections are the “secret” to answering a question focused on the college itself.

Low Hanging Fruit

This gives me pause. Again, it doesn’t sink an application because most admission officers are not cruel people. We realize many seniors are worn thin and have many priorities on their plates.  But it does plant the seed of doubt—are they genuinely interested? Since many times, supplemental essays are the last piece of an application reviewed, is that the impression you want to leave with the committee?  Probably not. That being said,  proof this writing piece as thoroughly as your main essay!

Parting Thoughts

I tell every student who will listen, “Write your supplemental essay.  Go to bed.  Read it again the next day.”  Students spend an inordinate amount of time stressing, dissecting and proofing their activities and main essays.  Then at the end of the process, when they are exhausted, they throw something down for the supplementals and hit submit. Give that puppy a once over in the light of day to see if it is well written.

This advice really aligns with my over-arching guidance for all high schoolers—take a beat!  Yes, there is work you must do, but when you can, as frequently as you can, schedule a breather.  I believe student work, and especially college application work, is better if you have a chance to review it with a clear head. So, if completing your college application just involved a Google search for “all the different kinds of fruit”, smile, take a deep breath and enjoy the process.  We can’t wait to read what you have to say!

If you would like to subscribe to receive blog entries when they post, please enter your email address in the “subscribe” box at the top of the page. We welcome comments and feedback at  @gtadmission on Twitter.

Author: Rick Clark

Rick Clark is the Executive Director of Strategic Student Access at Georgia Tech. He has served on a number of national advisory and governing boards at the state, regional, and national level. Rick travels annually to U.S. embassies through the Department of State to discuss the admission process and landscape of higher education. He is the co-author of the book The Truth about College Admission: A Family Guide to Getting In and Staying Together, and a companion workbook published under the same title. A native of Atlanta, he earned a B.A. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a M.Ed. from Georgia State University. Prior to coming to Tech, Rick was on the admissions staff at Georgia State, The McCallie School and Wake Forest University. @clark2college View all posts by Rick Clark

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How to Write the Georgia Tech Application Essays 2020-2021

Padya Paramita

July 13, 2020

The Georgia Institute of Technology recently made headlines with the announcement that it will no longer accept the Common Application personal statement . They will still use the Common Application system, but will “ will no longer utilize the long essay portion of the Common Application.” Instead, the school has introduced its own essay prompts that students will answer alongside the rest of the Common App sections . While keeping their “why Georgia Tech” essay from last year as it was, the Georgia Tech application essays 2020-2021 have added two new prompts.

Writing essays on top of the “why school” prompt might sound intimidating at first. However, since chances are that you’re also writing a personal statement for other schools on the Common App, you likely already have content that can be repurposed for the Georgia Tech application essays 2020-2021 . The new prompts are somewhat similar to the personal statement questions and ask students to reflect on their character, background, and interests. To guide you through each of the questions, I’ve gone over them in greater detail and added tips on how to make your essay specific to the university, and unique to your application profile.

Prompts for the Georgia Tech Application Essays 2020-2021

Both prompts below are required for all applicants. The school suggests that your answers stay within 50-300 words. Since you don’t have a lot of space, it’s important that you use your words strategically.

Essay Prompt 1

Why do you want to study your chosen major specifically at Georgia Tech?

This is an accelerated version of the “why this school” essay, with a more clear focus on your choice of major. Your response shouldn’t revolve around broad categories that make Georgia Tech wonderful - everyone knows it’s a strong STEM college. This essay is not asking you to highlight extracurricular, cultural, or other resources at Georgia Tech; this essay is explicitly asking you to speak in depth about Georgia tech’s academic resources —major, curriculum, classes, professors, and more. When you get start, think about how a Georgia Tech education pertains to your goals, specifically. This means that you have to identify your goals in the first place. Then, whether you are applying for Industrial Design or Applied Languages and Intercultural Studies, demonstrate how Georgia Tech will help you accomplish your specific goals. The key is to connect experiences and aspirations with academic reasons for why  you’ve chosen the school. 

Research is the key to any “why this school” essay. Before you write this response, it’s important to sit down and look through Georgia Tech’s majors and course offerings in great detailOnce you’ve decided which major appeals to you, it’s time to think about your own experiences. How did your love for the field begin? How have you honed your skills in the discipline since then? If you’ve taken any challenging courses or started relevant clubs, how is Georgia Tech the perfect place for you to continue your exploration? No matter which major you’ve chosen, it’s important to show admissions officers why your interest makes sense for you and that your dedication to the field is real. 

Essay Prompt 2  

All applicants must choose one of the two questions below:

Option 1: Georgia Tech is committed to creating solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges. Tell us how you have improved or hope to improve the human condition in your community.

Competitive schools are looking for students who will graduate from their schools and later go on to change the world for the better. With a STEM-oriented school like Georgia Tech, it is looking for students who will use their skills and ambitions to bring innovative solutions to issues in today’s world. When approaching this essay, you need to identify a community, think of a problem it has faced, and show concrete evidence that you’ve worked on solving this problem. 

Since the prompt hasn’t specified which kind of community, think about a place where you’ve actually made the biggest impact. Think about how to differentiate yourself from other applicants. While you can definitely improve the human condition through service trips abroad, this experience isn’t necessarily unique.. You could write about the smaller circles such as your family, friend group, or neighborhood. You may have helped the community as a whole or you could have helped one or two individuals who belong to it. 

To think about the kinds of contributions to elaborate on, ask yourself the following questions:

• How have you collaborated - or hope to do so - with others in your community?
• What is different in your community as a result of your involvement?
• Have you taken any risks to help others? How have they paid off?
• Have you spearheaded any initiatives towards change?
• Are there any service examples that portray your curiosity and creativity?
• Why do you care about this community? How have you shown it? 

If you choose a larger community - like your whole school or city - make sure your essay still focuses on your own contribution and role. A response to such a prompt needs to follow the classic “show, not tell” advice. Admissions officers won’t be satisfied with just “I helped my family.” You need to dig deeper and convince them through the Georgia Tech application essays 2020-2021 that you are the kind of hardworking and passionate individual who can thrive at Georgia Tech.

Option 2: If you feel that your personal or community background can provide additional insight to your application that we have not already seen elsewhere, please take this opportunity to share that information with us.

This question is very similar to a prompt from the Common App essays and is a very open-ended prompt. You can pretty much go any direction with your essay since it’s asking about your personal background or a community that has shaped you. You could also write about how you hold certain beliefs that have defined the course of your life. You can choose to elaborate on a cultural tradition that you look forward to and how the ways you’ve celebrated it changed with time. You can focus your essay on your career interest - for example, is there a compelling story that changed everything for you and developed your desire to pursue a career in engineering after college? 

The key here is “we have not already seen elsewhere. ” Remember that Georgia Tech will receive the rest of your Common Application. So don’t directly copy/paste words from your activities list or honors section. Make sure your response adds new information about you that isn’t present anywhere else in your profile.

Additional Tips

• Know what the school is looking for: An important part of doing school research includes digging in to find out what the school wants out of these essays. On its website , Georgia Tech adds that it’s wants your responses to achieve the following:
• Demonstrate authenticity & self-awareness
• Demonstrate thoughtfulness
• Display attention to topic, style, and grammar
• Demonstrate a student has thought about why Georgia Tech, specifically, is a fit for them and how their goals align with Georgia Tech’s mission statement: “The Georgia Institute of Technology is a public research university established by the state of Georgia in Atlanta in 1885 and committed to developing leaders who advance technology and improve the human condition.”

Make sure your answer fits this bill. If you’ve got any doubts, make sure you ask another reader such as a teacher, parent, friend, or college counselor to see if you’re meeting the criteria.

• Use Your Common Application Profile As Inspiration - Chances are, other schools on your list also use the Common Application. You’ve likely already written a personal statement. While you don’t want to repeat yourself, you can likely repurpose your personal statement content to fit Prompt #2. If there’s anything in your Common App essay that you haven’t gotten a chance to express for the Georgia Tech essay, you can use your essay as a base, and cut down words to fit the limit the school has set.
• Cut unnecessary words: It’s obvious that the Georgia Tech College supplemental essays 2020-2021 provide you very little room to write your answers. Between the two essays, you only get around 600 words! It can be tricky to get your point across in so little space. But, you can’t change the limit. So don’t waste your time sulking or complaining about the fact that you’re 300 words over on your essay and start cutting words. Use a thesaurus, ask a teacher or friend for feedback, and read sentences out loud to see if they’d still make sense if you shorten them. 

The Georgia Tech application essays 2020-2021 provide you with the chance to tell the admissions officer who you are. While the first prompt is all about showing that you really have done your research, the optional essays enable you to share more about your background and interests. Both are golden opportunities to solidify your interest in Georgia Tech and convince them how you embody the values they look for in students. So, take advantage of the supplemental essay component. Your knowledge of the school and stories exemplifying Georgia Tech’s ideal characteristics might end up getting you admitted.

Tags : georgia tech application essays 2020-2021 , georgia tech essays , georgia tech application , applying to georgia tech , how to write the georgia tech application essays

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Undergraduate Admission

• Application Review Process
• Academic Preparation
• Course Requirements by Major
• Grade Point Average

Personal Essays

• Contribution to Community
• Major Selection
• Institutional Fit

Two essays of 300 words each (max) are required as part of the transfer application. The purpose of the essays is to assess your writing ability and, more importantly, to learn more about you as an individual. This portion of the application helps us get to know you, assess mutual fit and better understand what you could contribute to Georgia Tech.

Essay Questions

Required Essays

Why do you want to study your chosen major specifically at Georgia Tech?

Georgia Tech's Strategic Plan outlines  nine distinct Institute values . Select one and discuss how your past experiences have prepared you to contribute to our community.

What Are We Looking for in Your Essays?

Essays are evaluated for both content and writing/grammatical skills. So, before submitting your application, you should take the time to edit and review your essay thoroughly. The traits of a strong essay include ones that:

Demonstrate authenticity.

Brings you to life on paper.

Are excellent in topic, style, and grammar.

Demonstrate thoughtfulness.

Demonstrate a student has thought about why Georgia Tech, specifically, is a fit for them and how their goals align with  Georgia Tech’s Values . The Georgia Institute of Technology is a public research university established by the state of Georgia in Atlanta in 1885 and committed to developing leaders who advance technology and improve the human condition.

Our Advice for this Portion of the Application

Get started early. Don’t wait until the last minute to complete your essays!

Write and edit your essay in a document editor. Once you have the final draft, you can cut and paste it into your online application.

Don’t overthink it. It may not be easy to write about yourself, but just write what you feel most comfortable with.

Don’t write what you think we want to read. Write what you want to say!

In the same way you would not copy directly from any other source you may incorporate into the writing process; you should not copy and paste directly out of any AI platform or submit work that you did not originally create. Instead, approach and consider any interaction with an AI tool as a learning experience that may help you generate ideas, provide alternative phrasing options, and organize your thoughts. Ultimately, we want to read and hear your unique and valuable writing style.

Per Georgia state law and Georgia Tech policy , all admission staff are mandatory reporters who are required by law to report suspected abuse or neglect of minors to appropriate authorities. Any statements in written materials, including anywhere in a student’s application or supporting materials, that give admission staff reasonable cause to believe abuse or neglect of someone under the age of 18 may have occurred must be reported to the Georgia Tech Police Department. Learn more about reporting requirements .

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Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, georgia tech example essays.

Hi all! Struggling with my Georgia Tech essays and could use some inspiration. Can anyone point me towards any example essays that have gotten students admitted? I just need a nudge in the right direction. Thanks!

Hello there! It's nice to see that you're looking for inspiration to write your Georgia Tech essays. While it's understandable that you're seeking example essays, I would caution you against relying too heavily on them, as your essay should be a genuine reflection of your unique thoughts, experiences, and personality. Instead, I suggest approaching the essay with the following strategies to help guide your writing:

1. Brainstorm: Before you start writing, brainstorm ideas that are meaningful to you and relate to the prompt. Think about your experiences, personal growth, and future goals. Jot down important moments in your life that have helped shape who you are or demonstrate a lesson you've learned.

2. Create an Outline: Once you have a few ideas, map out the structure of your essay by creating an outline. This will help you organize your thoughts and ensure that you have proper flow and cohesion throughout the piece.

3. Focus on Your Voice: Admissions officers want to hear your unique voice, so make sure to inject your personality into the essay. Be authentic, be candid, and let your true self shine through.

4. Be Relevant: Stay on-topic by directly addressing the prompt, and always try to connect your experiences and ideas to Georgia Tech specifically. Explain how your experiences and aspirations align with the school's values and resources.

5. Revise, Revise, Revise: Once you've written your essay, set it aside for a day or two. Coming back to it with fresh eyes will help you spot errors, inconsistencies, or areas that need improvement. Read it aloud to ensure that it flows naturally, and have someone you trust review it for feedback.

Remember that the goal of the essay is to help the admissions officers understand you better as an individual and how you might be a good fit for the Georgia Tech community. Focus on conveying your unique story in an engaging manner and showing how your experiences and goals align with the school's mission.

As much as I'd like to share specific examples here, doing so would run the risk of undermining the originality and authenticity of your essay. However, there are various resources available online (e.g. CollegeVine, Reddit) that might have examples you can browse for some inspiration. Just make sure to still put your own spin on the essay!

Good luck with writing your essays, and I hope this guidance helps to nudge you in the right direction!

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.

Why US Essay Georgia Tech

Hi guys. I’m applying to the Computer Science major for Georgia Tech. For the “why major + why us” essay, I mentioned that I want the join its entrepreneurship program(CreateX) because I want to make tech business, and also I want to go to their France campus because I want International experience without learning French.

I feel like my essay is really weak, but I’m really out of idea now. I try to find a research I want to join, but I can’t find one that can be tie to my essay.

Can anyone please give me some inspiration…?

What does GT offer that other schools don’t? Why do you really want to go to GT? What about it makes it special to you?

The biggest reason is how good their CS program is, in terms of ranking, and also a variety of courses and intern opportunities offered. However, those applies to so many other schools too. I want my essay to stand out and can only apply to GT

Way to superficial. You need to go deeper. So you need to research what makes GT, GT.

What kind of people apply to GT? What do they have in common? If your just interesting in rank then your way off… Try again…

I appreciate your help but Im not superficial. I promised I already spent over 20 hours together researching about GT. I know that their cs department, especially their new cs dean, weights community a lot. But I don’t find any programs or anything that strengthen the community. I know a lot of other facts, like how many labs their cs building has, all the names of the entrepreneurship programs, their cheer leading team etc … but I just have no idea how to elaborate on them. I just want to join because I wanna lean, that’s it.

Everyone are just saying how GT students are hardworking and willing to exceed minimum course work…well my transcripts can show that

I don’t have a lot of requirements for colleges. As long as they have wide range of classes, has entrepreneurship opportunity, and is not rural, I’m fine. There are so many colleges that has these in common, so I really can’t say anything special about any of them

There are several articles online about the exact prompt. Look it up. I tried to post one but was flagged since it’s a blog (sorry about that, mods).

You want to show and not tell is the key here. Use an experience and link it back to your major and interest. They want to know who you are not that they are a great university with a stellar cs program that is highly ranked. They know that and that tells them nothing about you.

It is fine to say you want to study abroad in France, but leave out the part about not wanting to learn French.

After 20 hours of research you should have some good material. Set the essay aside for a day and just review your research. Think about what it takes to get into CreateX, what kind of people join, what they do, what successes they’ve had.

Read this article by GT’s admissions director, Rick Clark. Its been posted before, but it is repeated several times because it is spot on. Don’t tell Tech what they already know about themselves. Don’t tell them they have a top ranking or good labs. Tell them what you are going to do with their resources http://pwp.gatech.edu/admission-blog/2018/09/28/college-admission-essays-ive-heard-that-one-before-2/

I like the honesty shown by your statement that you would like an international study experience in France without being required to learn French. It is both truthful & sincere and demonstrates that you have researched Georgia Tech’s study abroad options.

Many colleges have study abroad programs that teach in English. Thats not unique. What makes this program unique and what do you bring to it? That is what you would address.

Yes, but OP will just be referring to this particular Georgia Tech study abroad program in France which happens to be taught in English. Plus, it is OP’s honesty & candor that is appreciated in addition to his interest in the program.

We will agree to disagree on this one, @Publisher . Its not all that interesting, IMO. Honesty and candor isn’t what gets you into Tech!

Sure, but it helps distinguish one app from another.

OP: In my view, what may make Georgia Tech’s study abroad program special, while relevant, is equally as important as the fact that you are interested in attending Tech’s semester in France. Assuming that you are a well qualified candidate for admission to Georgia Tech, expressing a desire to participate in their study abroad program is a plus as these programs tend to be more “profitable” for these non-profit schools.

Nevertheless, admission to a CS major is quite difficult.

Read the GT mission statement and moto. How are you going advance their mission while you are there?

@Publisher - GT has a lot of study abroad programs. https://atlas.gatech.edu/index.cfm?FuseAction=Programs.ListAll The OP needs to explain why that one particular program is unique (teaching in English is not unique) and what the OP plans to do with the opportunity. Otherwise its … meh. Tech’s Lorraine facility is. cool https://lorraine.gatech.edu/ but just mentioning that one wants to go there so they can get a study abroad experience in their native language (English) isn’t enough… In fact its a bit weak-sounding. No need to debate the point. Lets move on

@jym626 . Rick Clark is my favorite admission blog person but I couldn’t find it for some reason.

@racereer … Yep, mission and moto. Get a those qualities into the essay per school. Every school is unique. If your values don’t match the school and the essay shows it might not be a good fit /match for the admissions committee either. Think this is more important then people think. Plus it was mentioned in his blog also…

@Knowsstuff - the link I provided will take you right to the one he wrote about how to write an admission essay. Its excellent (and GT has reposted it several times because its so helpful).

The France one is unique because GT actually has its own campus in France. (Is it too weak to say because GT has its own campus and library in France? ) Well, actually you’re right since it never hurts to pick up some French while Im there.

What’s the school motto?

“Sliderules rule”.

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r/ApplyingToCollege is the premier forum for college admissions questions, advice, and discussions, from college essays and scholarships to college list help and application advice, career guidance, and more.

What Was Georgia Tech Looking For???

Honestly the people I was pretty confident on getting into gatech got deferred and everyone else who I thought had an okay chance got rejected... WTF tech? For people who got into georgia tech, first of all congratulations, but what do you think set you apart from other people or were your strong points?

More From Forbes

College essays that worked and how yours can too.

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CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS - JULY 08: A view of Harvard Yard on the campus of Harvard University on ... [+] July 08, 2020 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology have sued the Trump administration for its decision to strip international college students of their visas if all of their courses are held online. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

The college essay is a pivotal piece of the college application showcasing your individuality and differentiated outlook to admissions officers. What makes an essay truly shine? Let’s dive into the words behind three standout essays so you can get into the right mindset for crafting your own narrative.

Embracing Differences: Finding Strength in Uniqueness

Essay Excerpt: " Bra Shopping " (Harvard)

This essay recounts a student's humorous and insightful experience of bra shopping with her grandmother, weaving in her unique family dynamics and challenges at her prestigious school.

What Works:

• Humor and Honesty: The student's humor makes the essay enjoyable to read, while her honesty about her challenges adds depth.
• Self-Awareness: She demonstrates a strong sense of self-awareness, embracing her uniqueness rather than trying to fit in.
• Resilience: Her narrative highlights resilience and the ability to find strength in differences.

For Your Essay : To write an essay that embraces your uniqueness, start by identifying a quirky or challenging experience that reflects who a key insight into your experience. Think about how this experience has shaped your perspective and character. Use humor and honesty to bring your story to life, and focus on how you have embraced your differences to become stronger and more resilient.

‘The Acolyte’ Rotten Tomatoes Score Keeps Falling, And Maybe It Should If We Ever Hope To Find Balance In The Force

Wwe raw results, winners and grades after great wyatt sicks follow-up, china delivers another economic blow to russia, finding connections: humor and self-reflection.

Essay: " Brood X Cicadas " (Hamilton College)

Nicholas writes about the cicadas swarming his hometown every 17 years and draws a parallel between their emergence and his own transition to college life. He uses humor and self-reflection to create a relatable and engaging narrative.

• Humor: Nicholas uses humor to make his essay entertaining and memorable. His witty comparisons between himself and cicadas add a unique twist.
• Self-Reflection: By comparing his life to the cicadas’, he reflects on his own growth and readiness for change.
• Relatability: His narrative about facing new experiences and challenges resonates with readers who have undergone similar transitions.

For Your Essay: To infuse humor and self-reflection into your essay, start by identifying an ordinary experience or object and think about how it relates to your life. Write down funny or insightful observations about this connection. Use humor to make your essay more engaging, but ensure it still conveys meaningful self-reflection. This balance can make your essay both entertaining and profound.

Persistence and Multicultural Identity: Life Lessons from Tortilla Making

Essay: " Facing The Hot Griddle " (Johns Hopkins University)

In this essay, the student uses the process of making tortillas to explore her multicultural identity and the challenges she has faced. Her story beautifully weaves together her Guatemalan heritage and her experiences growing up in the United States.

• Metaphor and Symbolism: The process of making tortillas becomes a powerful metaphor for the student’s journey and struggles. The symbolism of the masa harina and water mixing parallels her blending of cultural identities.
• Personal Growth: The essay highlights her perseverance and adaptability, qualities that are crucial for success in college.
• Cultural Insight: She provides a rich, personal insight into her multicultural background, making her story unique and compelling.

For Your Essay: To write an essay that explores your identity through a metaphor, start by thinking about an activity or tradition that holds significant meaning for you. Consider how this activity relates to your life experiences and personal growth. Use detailed descriptions to bring the activity to life and draw connections between the process and your own journey. Reflect on the lessons you've learned and how they've shaped your identity.

A winning college essay isn’t simply about parading your best accomplishment or dramatizing your challenges. It’s not a contest for which student is the most original or entertaining. Rather, the essay is a chance for you to showcase your authenticity, passion, resilience, social awareness, and intellectual vitality . By sharing genuine stories and insights, you can create an essay that resonates with admissions committees and highlights your unique qualities.

For you to have the best possible essay, mindset is key. Here’s how to get into the zone:

• Reflect Deeply: Spend time thinking about your experiences, challenges, and passions. Journaling can help you uncover deep insights.
• Discuss and Share: Talking about your stories with friends, family, or mentors can provide new perspectives and emotional clarity.
• Immerse Yourself: Engage in activities that you are passionate about to reignite the feelings and memories associated with them.
• Draft Freely: Don’t worry about perfection on the first try. Write freely and honestly, then refine your narrative.

The secret to a standout college essay lies in its authenticity, depth, and emotional resonance. By learning from these successful examples and getting into the right mindset, you can craft an essay that not only stands out but also provides a meaningful insight into who you are. Remember, your essay is your story—make it a piece of writing that you will always be proud of.

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Professor Earns NSF CAREER Award for Work in Algorithms

Assistant Professor Jan van den Brand was recently awarded a National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER Award for his groundbreaking work developing more efficient algorithms.

Van den Brand’s research focuses on dynamic algorithms and optimization algorithms.

Optimization algorithms support decision-making functionality in airline scheduling, automotive manufacturing, financial services, and other business processes.

Dynamic algorithms solve dynamic problems such as traffic congestion. When a GPS navigation app finds a route affected by construction or traffic congestion, it uses dynamic algorithms to quickly find new routes for the user.

“My research comes up with new techniques for how computers can maintain solutions for a problem that changes over time,” he said.

His proposal focuses on dynamic algorithms and linear programs, a type of optimization algorithm, and the relation between the two.

Although studied extensively, researchers know little about dynamic linear programs from a theoretical perspective. Van den Brand’s proposal explores the synergy between dynamic and optimization algorithms to build a theory for dynamic optimization problems.

Through this, van den Brand hopes to develop more general algorithm techniques that researchers can apply to many problems.

“It’s foundational research constructing tools and techniques for other engineers or scientists to solve their problems more efficiently,” van den Brand said.

As part of his proposal, he is launching a summer school program. The program will be a platform to introduce Ph.D. students to dynamic and optimization algorithms. Van den Brand says he hopes to introduce a new generation of students to theoretical computer science.

“I'm excited about the award and the new projects that it will fund. I want to thank NSF for the award and my colleagues for helpful advice during the proposal process,” van den Brand said.

Morgan Usry Communications Officer School of Computer Science

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Alabama baseball lands georgia tech transfer pitcher aeden finateri, share this article.

The Alabama Crimson Tide baseball program picked up a commitment from Georgia Tech transfer pitcher Aeden Finateri on Saturday. The Connecticut native announced his commitment to the Crimson Tide via his X account.

Finateri spent three seasons with the Yellow Jackets. As a freshman, Finateri pitched in 19 games. He finished the season with an 0-1 record and a 7.09 earned run average.

As a sophomore, Finateri finished the season with a 2-4 record and a 4.64 earned run average. He threw 64 innings and struck out 56 batters. Finateri allowed 68 hits and 33 earned runs.

During his junior season, Finateri posted a 6-4 record and a 6.24 earned run average. He made 16 starts for the Yellow Jackets. In 75 innings, Finateri struck out 80 batters. He allowed 95 hits and 52 earned runs.

With Alabama losing starting pitcher Greg Farrone, the expectation is that Finateri will have the opportunity to come in and earn a position as a weekend starter for the Crimson Tide in 2025.

Sweet Home. #RollTide @AlabamaBSB pic.twitter.com/CvhihVO8L0 — aeden (@aeden_finateri) June 22, 2024

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow the latest regarding the Alabama baseball program and its efforts in the transfer portal.

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College of Engineering

College’s grad programs climb to no. 4 in new u.s. news rankings.

Every engineering graduate degree at Georgia Tech remained in the top 10 nationally in the annual assessment.

For the fourth consecutive year, the College of Engineering moved higher on the widely watched U.S. News and World Report Best Graduate Programs list, landing at No. 4 in the updated rankings released June 18 .

Georgia Tech is tied with the California Institute of Technology in the fourth spot. The College’s new ranking puts it second among public universities.

Among specific disciplines, the H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering maintained its place as the nation’s No. 1 program for the 34 th year in a row. The Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering rose two spots to No. 2.

Also at No. 2: the biomedical engineering graduate program jointly operated by Georgia Tech and Emory University (the College also features an interdisciplinary bioengineering graduate program). Civil engineering remained at No. 3.

(2nd among public universities)

The 2024 Best Grad Schools rankings mark the 13 th year with every program in the College in the top 10 of their discipline. Most rankings were unchanged from last year’s list.

U.S. News   releases graduate school rankings each spring.   Their evaluation of engineering as a whole is based on a number of factors, including research expenditures and publications, peer and recruiter assessments, and doctoral degrees awarded. Rankings of specific engineering disciplines are based solely on peer assessments by department heads.

In the fall, U.S. News ranked the College’s undergraduate programs the best among public universities and No. 3 overall.

2024 Graduate Rankings

U.S. News & World Report

Related Stories

AE Leaps to No. 2 in the Nation for Graduate Aerospace Programs

The Daniel Guggenheim School remains No. 1 among publicly funded institutions.

Georgia Tech Recognized Among Best CEE Graduate Programs in the Nation

The School of Civil and Environmental Engineering’s graduate programs have been ranked in the top five for the third year in a row.

ChBE 5th in U.S. News Ranking of Grad Programs

The School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering is ranked No. 5 for the third year in a row, as well as No. 2 among public universities.

ECE Ranked Among Best Graduate Programs in the U.S.

Electrical engineering is ranked No. 4, and computer engineering is ranked No. 6, according to the 2024 U.S. News and World Report Best Graduate Programs lists.

Woodruff School’s Graduate Programs Ranked Among Nation’s Best

The mechanical engineering program is ranked No. 5, while Georgia Tech’s nuclear engineering program, which is housed in the Woodruff School, is ranked No. 9.

School of Civil and Environmental Engineering

College of engineering, georgia tech recognized among best cee graduate programs in the nation.

The School of Civil and Environmental Engineering’s graduate programs have been ranked in the top five for the third year in a row.

In U.S. News and World Report’s list of the nation’s best engineering graduate schools, Georgia Tech’s civil engineering program maintained its standing at No. 3, while environmental engineering was again listed at No. 5.

Overall, Georgia Tech’s College of Engineering was ranked No. 4, up from No. 5 the previous year. In addition to CEE’s excellent rankings, all disciplines within the College of Engineering were once again recognized in the nation’s top 10.

“It’s meaningful to have our programs recognized so favorably at the national level,” said Karen and John Huff School Chair Don Webster . “We are extremely proud of the educational and research opportunities we provide to our graduate students.

Related Content

• College’s Grad Programs Climb to No. 4 in New U.S. News Rankings
• U.S. News and World Report

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What’s the Best City for New College Graduates?

A recent study ranked 100 of the largest U.S. cities based on median rents, job opportunities and social metrics.

By Matt Yan

Recent college graduates have plenty on their minds this summer: The national unemployment rate ticked up last month, and a widening generational wealth gap is making it harder than ever to buy a first home. Where are they supposed to go now?

A new study by Zumper might help. It analyzed the country’s 100 most populous cities to find the best ones for new graduates based on several metrics (where adequate data was available). They include median one-bedroom rents and restaurants per capita, as well as U.S. Census Bureau data on the population of 18-to-34 year olds, the number of 25-year-olds with bachelor’s degrees, the number of single people, the median income of younger residents, and local unemployment rates.

Topping the list was Minneapolis, which had a reasonable median one-bedroom rent ($1,150 a month) and ranked 15th for its unemployment rate (5.2 percent). Oklahoma City’s median rent ($849) was the lowest among the top 15 cities, helping it rank 10th overall. San Francisco ranked fifth thanks to its high median income ($87,946) for people 25 and younger — which helps with its huge median rent ($2,895).

Laredo, Texas, fell to the bottom of the list with its small share of 25-year-olds with bachelor’s degrees. It also ranked low in median income and the number of restaurants per capita. Its higher scores for median rent ($850) and unemployment rate (5.5 percent) weren’t enough to make up for its downsides. Augusta, Ga., which ranked 91st for median income ($22,861) came in 99th overall. Providence, R.I., finished just one spot higher, ranking 31st for unemployment rate (7.1 percent), and much lower than that for its paltry population of young residents.

If you’re thinking about New York City, which finished 20th overall, it had the highest median rent of any metro in the study. But it also had the largest population of residents between the ages of 18 and 34 (more than 2 million), and scored well for median income.

Where to Take Your Degree

A study by Zumper ranked 100 U.S. cities on their suitability for recent college graduates based on economic, social and employment opportunities.

BEST FOR NEW COLLEGE GRADUATES

WORST FOR NEW COLLEGE GRADUATES

Minneapolis

Columbus, Ohio

San Francisco

Raleigh, N.C.

Oklahoma City

Kansas City, Mo.

Oakland, Calif.

Indianapolis

Colorado Springs

Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

New Orleans

Knoxville, Tenn.

Akron, Ohio

Winston-Salem, N.C.

Baton Rouge, La.

Shreveport, La.

Henderson, Nev.

Syracuse, N.Y.

Fresno. Calif.

Boise, Idaho

Providence, R.I.

Augusta, Ga.

Laredo, Texas

For weekly email updates on residential real estate news, sign up here .

Matt Yan is a real estate reporter for The Times and a member of the 2024-25 Times Fellowship class, a program for journalists early in their careers. More about Matt Yan

News Center

Georgia tech tops best value college lists.

For the second year in a row, Georgia Tech has earned the top spot on the Princeton Review's Best Value Colleges list.  

The educational services company evaluated 650 public and private schools to determine the "most exceptional in the nation at delivering great academics, affordable cost, and great career foundations."  

The Institute leads all public colleges based on the formula, which considers return on investment, academics, financial aid, quality of life, and overall costs, among other factors.  

Additionally, Georgia Tech ranked No. 1 among public universities in career placement, No. 5 for its alumni network, and No. 5 on the list of Best Schools for Making an Impact — which gauges community service opportunities, sustainability efforts, and on-campus student engagement. 

Georgia Tech has also retained its standing as a five-star institution according to Money magazine’s formula highlighting quality, affordability, and outcomes. Naming the Institute among America’s Best Colleges , the publication praised its diverse research opportunities for students and lofty median salaries upon graduation.   

Tech has recently received similar accolades — from being named to Forbes Magazine's list of “new Ivies” to Bloomberg's recognition of its high ROI . 

Related links

• Learn more about Georgia Tech’s return on investment.
• Enrollment Management

Steven Gagliano - Institute Communications