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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 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 Essays 2023-24

Georgia Institute of Technology is a public university in the University System of Georgia , located in Atlanta. As one of the nation’s premier research universities, the Georgia Tech essays form a key part of the school’s admissions process. 

Founded in 1885, the 400-acre Georgia Tech campus is home to more than 18,000 undergraduate students. The institution offers majors across 6 colleges and 28 schools focusing on business, computing, design, engineering, liberal arts, and sciences. With an acceptance rate of 18%, Georgia Tech is a highly competitive school, especially compared to other Georgia universities. Ranked #15 in Top Public Schools by U.S. News, Georgia Tech is one of the best colleges in Georgia . 

In this guide, we will walk you through the Georgia Tech essays and application requirements. Keep reading for tips and tricks on how to write the Georgia Tech essays, “why school essay” examples, and gaining acceptance to Georgia Tech!

Georgia Tech Essay Quick Facts:

• Georgia Tech Acceptance Rate: 18%. 
• The Georgia Tech ranking by U.S. news is #15 in Top Public Schools and #44 in Best National Universities. 
• Common Application Personal Essay: First-year applicants will choose one of seven essay prompts provided by Common App.
• Georgia Tech Short-Answer Question (max 300 words): Why do you want to study your chosen major specifically at Georgia Tech? This is the only Georgia Tech supplemental essay. 
• Georgia Tech’s Application: Georgia Tech exclusively uses the Common App for first-year admission.  
• Early Action 1 (Georgia students only): October 16th
• Early Action 2 (Non-Georgia students only): November 1st
• Regular Decision: January 4th
• Georgia Tech Essays Tip: Start early on your Common App and Georgia Tech supplemental essays to submit Georgia Tech essays that have good content and writing skills. Don’t write what you think the admission team may want to read; write what you want to say. Take the Georgia Tech supplemental essays seriously. The Why Georgia Tech essay allows the admissions team to get to know you and what you could offer to the diversity of the class. 

Please note that essay requirements are subject to change each admissions cycle, and portions of this article may have been written before the final publication of the most recent guidelines. For the most up-to-date information on essay requirements, check the university’s admissions website. 

What are the Georgia Tech supplemental essays requirements?

In addition to your Common App Personal Statement, you are required to complete other Georgia Tech essay prompts. Specifically, there is only one additional Georgia Tech essay: the Why Georgia Tech essay. 

In 300 words, you will answer the following Georgia Tech essay prompts:  Why do you want to study your chosen major specifically at Georgia Tech? 

Besides the Common App personal statement, you have one other shot to impress Georgia Tech admissions with the Georgia Tech supplemental essays. Submissions are limited to 300 words. This means it is vital that you plan your Why Georgia Tech essay ahead of time. Use clear and concise language, and get personal with the details you choose to include. You should put your best foot forward given the low Georgia Tech acceptance rate. 

Writing Georgia Tech essays can be intimidating, but the Georgia Tech essay prompts are not trick questions. Craft an honest and original response to the Georgia Tech essay prompts by sharing information not found on your resume and explaining specific reasoning in your Why Georgia Tech essay. You should help the reader understand who you are and why you would fit in at Georgia Tech. Successful Georgia Tech essays answer the why Georgia Tech essay prompts entirely.

Georgia Tech Essays – Personal Statement

The first of the Georgia Tech essays is the Common Application Personal Essay. For this, students will choose one of seven essay prompts provided by Common App. The current Common Application essay prompts are as follows: 

Common App Essay Prompts

Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. if this sounds like you, then please share your story., the lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. how did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience, reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. what prompted your thinking what was the outcome, reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. how has this gratitude affected or motivated you, discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others., describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. why does it captivate you what or who do you turn to when you want to learn more, share an essay on any topic of your choice. it can be one you’ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design. , how do i write the georgia tech essay.

Nailing the Georgia Tech essays can seem daunting, especially given the limited word count. However, with ample time to prepare, a solid outline, and time to edit and revise, you can write standout Georgia Tech essays. 

Begin your Georgia Tech essays writing process by researching unique aspects of the school and curriculum. That way, you can get a sense of how Georgia Tech will contribute to your overall career goals. You should describe how you hope to develop your interests at Georgia Tech and how the community will help you do so. 

So, spend some time thinking about the Georgia Tech essay prompts. Then, establish a structured outline. This will focus your thoughts and help you write successful Georgia Tech essays.

Why the Georgia Tech essays matter

The admissions team uses your Georgia Tech essays to determine whether you would fit into the campus community. So, your Georgia Tech essays should show that you have thought about your ideal college environment and future goals. The admissions team hopes to enroll a class of diverse, innovative thinkers and problem solvers. So, prove to them how you would contribute to their community in your Georgia Tech supplemental essays.

With a low acceptance rate of 18%, it is even more important that your Georgia Tech essays stand out. Your Georgia Tech essays should capture your accomplishments and goals, highlighting why Georgia Tech is your ideal next step. 

Utilize “show” vs “tell” writing. Your Georgia Tech essays should show readers who you are beyond your academic achievements. To do so, think of stories from your life that capture your identity and values. What have you done that reflects your interests? What examples can you give of your character? Show the admissions team examples that reflect your characteristics rather than simply stating them. Your Georgia Tech essays should paint a clear picture of how and why you would succeed on campus. 

Your readers will assess your Georgia Tech essays for content and quality, so make sure to revise them thoroughly. Brainstorm and draft the Georgia Tech essays well before the Georgia Tech application deadline so you don’t feel rushed. This is particularly important if you are applying by the Early Action Georgia Tech application deadline of October 16th.

For more tips on how to answer the Georgia Tech essay prompts and how to get into Georgia Tech, check out this guide to the Georgia Tech Essays 2022-2023 . It also includes previous Georgia Tech essay prompts. 

Why Georgia Tech Essay

Like many other colleges, Georgia Tech requires a Why Georgia Tech essay. There are not multiple Georgia Tech essay prompts, so this is the only supplement you will submit. 

Here’s the prompt:

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

You’ll likely write “why school essays” for many colleges on your list. So, you should understand how to approach the Georgia Tech supplemental essays. The Georgia Tech essay prompts require you to describe why you would like to attend Georgia Tech and how you would contribute to the community. For the Why Georgia Tech essay, you are asked specifically to explain why you want to study your chosen major. To answer these Georgia Tech essay prompts, you should explain how their curriculum, values, and campus environment will help you achieve your academic and career goals. 

Preparing for the Georgia Tech essay prompts

To prepare to write your Why Georgia Tech essay, spend time researching specific aspects of Georgia Tech that align with your goals. As you conduct your college search, you should only apply to schools that meet your needs. Research your schools’ requirements, programs, and offerings. That way, you can submit a well-informed and persuasive application. 

The why Georgia Tech essay is also a “why major essay.” Once again, this is the kind of college essay you’ll likely write for several schools. 

What do you want to major in at Georgia Tech and why? Like choosing a college, choosing a major is a big decision. When choosing your Georgia Tech major, you should consider your academic interests and career goals. In your Georgia Tech essays, talk about what you wish to major in and what makes this subject interesting to you. 

How do I write the Georgia Tech Short-Answer Question?

The Georgia Tech supplemental essays ask you to highlight two things in one 300-word response. First, the Georgia Tech essay prompts you to describe your interest in Georgia Tech. Second, the prompt asks you to discuss why you’ve chosen to pursue your intended major. 

So, how should you approach answering this why school/why major essay? 

The why school essay allows the admissions team to learn more about you and your interests. You should address what you want to major in at Georgia Tech and why. The purpose of your why major essay is to highlight who you are and what you hope to gain from Georgia Tech. Your Georgia Tech essays allow the school to get to know you, assess mutual fit, and understand how you could enrich the Georgia Tech community. 

Your essays are evaluated for content, writing, and grammatical skills. Before submitting your application, you should edit your essay thoroughly, preferably with another set of eyes. Your essays should demonstrate authenticity, self-awareness, and thoughtfulness. You should also show Georgia Tech how you are a good fit for them and how your goals align with their values and mission statement. 

If you are interested in applying to Georgia Tech, make sure to familiarize yourself with their requirements as well as Georgia Tech Why Major essay examples . 

Is the Georgia Tech essay required?

Yes—all students applying to Georgia Tech must complete one of the seven Common App essay prompts as well as the Georgia Tech Short-Answer Question.  

Because the Georgia Tech acceptance rate is highly selective, you should submit an outstanding essay that lets your personality shine through. Make the most of the 300-word limit as you show the admissions team what sets you apart and how you can contribute to the campus community. Your essays should reflect your academic potential as well as who you are as a person. 

Georgia Tech admissions uses a holistic review process, meaning they consider your application taken as a whole—no single requirement will make or break your admissions odds. They consider factors such as academic preparation, standardized tests, contribution to community, personal essays, recommendations, major selection, and institutional fit. Your Georgia Tech supplemental essays should give your readers insight into your academic interests, intellectual curiosity, and unique traits.  

Is the Why Georgia Tech essay important?

Your Georgia Tech supplemental essays may be the single most important part of your application because they are your only opportunity to speak directly to the admissions office. Moreover, the Georgia Tech essays allow you to convince your readers why you are a good fit for the Georgia Tech community. 

The Georgia Tech essay prompts require you to describe specific reasons why you would like to attend Georgia Tech and how you may contribute to their environment.  You are asked to explain why you want to study your chosen major specifically at Georgia Tech. As you start writing this essay, it can be tough to know where to start.

Before you get into writing your Why Georgia Tech essay, we recommend getting to know more about the school you are applying to. One of the most important things you can do to prepare to write your Why Georgia Tech essay is to spend time researching specific aspects of Georgia Tech that align with your educational and career goals. You should want to be just as good of a fit for the school as it is for you. So, use your passions, interests, and values to your advantage when answering the Why Georgia Tech essay prompt. 

Keep in mind that the Why Georgia Tech essay has a limit of 300 words. It may be helpful to write your initial draft without worrying about the word count. Then, you can edit your draft down to your strongest arguments.

For inspiration on answering the Why Georgia Tech essay prompts, check out this example .

Additional requirements for Georgia Tech application

Beyond the Common Application Personal Essay and Georgia Tech Short-Answer Question, there are other requirements for applying to Georgia Tech. 

The Georgia Tech admission office uses a holistic admission process for first-year applicants. This means that the admissions team considers a multitude of factors when reviewing your application. The process identifies applicants who will benefit from the Georgia Tech learning environment and enrich the overall community. 

The first of many considerations by the admissions office is Academic Preparation . Because Georgia Tech is highly selective, they look for students who have taken the most rigorous curriculum available at their high school, which includes AP, IB, and Dual Enrollment courses. 

As a requirement for admission, Georgia Tech requires these high school credits: 

• English – 4 Units
• Math – 4 Units
• Science – 4 Units
• Social Science – 3 Units
• Foreign Language – 2 Units

Another consideration for undergraduate admission is Standardized Tests. All first-year applicants must submit results of the SAT and/or the ACT to be considered for admission to Georgia Tech. Unlike many other universities, Georgia Tech is not test-optional. 

Georgia Tech also looks for Contribution to Community. This relates to your extracurricular activities and involvement in your communities at school and beyond. Community involvement reflects traits that the admissions team values in the application process, including: 

• Self-motivation
• Personal Responsibility
• Compassion for Others
• Entrepreneurism
• Intellectual Curiosity

If possible, you should try to tie these values and characteristics into your Georgia Tech essays. 

While Recommendations are optional, they are considered in the holistic admissions process if submitted. Georgia Tech accepts one recommendation from your high school counselor and one from a teacher of your choice.

As a part of your Georgia Tech Common Application, you can select a primary and secondary choice major. Georgia Tech admissions considers your Major Selection as an important part of the application review process in order to enroll an academically diverse first-year class. You should provide evidence of your interest in and preparation for the major that you list on your application. This is a key component of your Georgia Tech supplemental essays. 

Five Tips for Writing the Georgia Tech Essays

1. Start early

The first step to writing Georgia Tech essays is starting early. Give yourself enough time to develop ideas, draft Georgia Tech essays, and review them for any contextual or grammatical mistakes. Familiarize yourself with the college application requirements, guaranteeing that you are well prepared and write the best Georgia Tech essays. Your essay is an extremely important component of your overall application, so you need time to brainstorm, research, draft, edit, and repeat. 

2. Do your research

Before you start writing your why school essay, you should learn more about Georgia Tech. Spend time researching their values, mission statement, majors, campus setting, and organizations. The best Georgia Tech essays are full of school-specific details. Your Why Georgia Tech essay should show how Georgia Tech meets your needs and how you plan to contribute to the campus community. Prove to the admissions team that you have invested time and energy into finding the best college for you. 

3. Get personal and be specific

The most crucial aspect of a successful essay is authenticity. To write Georgia Tech essays that stand out, write a solid introduction that grabs the reader’s attention. Your essay should make the reader want to get to know you better. Write your essay in a way that authentically reflects who you are and helps Georgia Tech understand why you belong on campus. Use detailed anecdotes to help the reader understand what makes you unique. This will make your essay more interesting and fun to read. 

4. Be clear and concise

Clarity counts for more than creativity of vocabulary, so you should focus on quality over quantity. Remember that your Why Georgia Tech essays have word limits, so you must make every word count. Admissions officers can be easily frustrated by a student’s failure to follow directions, which could reflect poorly on you. Keep your essay concise, clear, and focused. 

5. Leave time to review your essays

Georgia Tech supplemental essays are evaluated not only for content, but also for writing style and grammatical skills. When you think you have finished, you should proofread, edit, and make sure you have answered all parts of the Georgia Tech essay prompts before you submit. Additionally, have several trusted sources review your essay for grammatical errors. However, make sure to maintain your own writing style and voice. 

Georgia Tech Essays Takeaways

While your grades and test scores are important components of the application, your essays have the power to help you stand out in the competitive applicant pool, especially the Why Georgia Tech essay. Therefore, use this opportunity to tell the admissions team where you have been, where you are, and where you are heading.  

Most importantly, start early, create an outline, draft your ideas, revise, and proofread. These steps will help you write outstanding Georgia Tech essays that display your background, experiences, ambitions, and personality. So, use the Georgia Tech essay prompts as an opportunity to make a good impression and get you the Georgia Tech acceptance letter you’re looking for. After reading this guide, we hope you have a better understanding of the Georgia Tech admissions process and how to get into Georgia Tech. If you’re interested in attending Georgia Tech, you should check out our guide to the HOPE scholarship , a merit-based scholarship reserved for residents of Georgia, and Georgia Tech’s financial aid information. For more help, you can look at our other CollegeAdvisor resources or schedule an appointment with one of our advisors. Good luck!

This article was written by Bailey Bennett. 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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How to Write the Georgia Tech Application Essays 2016-2017

Check out the georgia tech application essays for 2017-2018.

Georgia Institute of Technology, or Georgia Tech, is a public university located just outside downtown Atlanta. Considered one of the best engineering schools in the country, Georgia Tech is an excellent choice even if you can’t take advantage of in-state tuition. The school admits roughly a third of all applicants, making admission challenging, but entirely possible for any passionate student.

Georgia Tech’s student body boasts some impressive standardized test scores (SAT average: 1450, ACT average: 31), and its relatively short supplement questions might give the impression that its admissions staff care more about numbers than words. Don’t be fooled; strong essay responses can easily turn a borderline application into a solid acceptance, so give these prompts your full attention.

Georgia Tech Application Essay Prompts

Beyond rankings, location, and athletics, why are you interested in attending Georgia Tech? (max 150 words)

This is a question you should always ask yourself before applying to a school. The best place to start brainstorming a response is Georgia Tech’s website: read up on its academics, research opportunities, and clubs, and see what draws you in. If you know a student or alum, ask them for insights (however, don’t make a personal connection the focus of your essay).

Your answer should be consistent with the rest of your application, meaning that any interests you discuss in this essay should also be reflected in your transcript or extracurricular activities. Remember to steer clear of mentioning rankings — there are plenty of other things to focus on.

For example, over half of the student body majors in engineering ; if you love designing and building, Georgia Tech has one of the highest concentrations of like-minded individuals you’ll ever encounter. Including facts like this and connecting them to your personal desire to attend the school will make for a much more effective essay than a lazy reference to its high rank.

Please choose ONE of the following questions and provide an answer in 150 words or less.

When answering this prompt, the first step is to choose your question. As you read through the options, pay attention to whether any ideas or experiences jump out at you. Your essay will be much more compelling if you’re actually passionate about your topic, so take the time to come up with something you truly want to write about.

Tech’s motto is Progress and Service. We find that students who ultimately have a broad impact first had a significant one at home. What is your role in your immediate or extended family? And how have you seen evidence of your impact on them?

With this option, keep in mind that the scope of the question is quite narrow. This is a great choice for a student who has helped their family out substantially, such as caring for a sibling or ailing relative, working a part-time job, or translating for non-English-speaking parents. Even if you haven’t done any of these things, this question isn’t off-limits — for example, you might regularly introduce your non-technical parents to fascinating new scientific concepts.

For the impact part of the prompt, try to show rather than tell; instead of simply stating that your parents have had a lot more free time since you started babysitting your siblings, describe how your parents have more energy when they come home from work and your siblings gush about all the great books you’ve introduced them to. If you can’t think of a good example of the impact you’ve had on your family, you might want to pick a different prompt.

Students are often told what classes they should take. If you had the opportunity to create a class, what would it be and why?

This is a very open-ended prompt, making it perfect for creative students. The exact subject you write about isn’t as important as the reasoning you give (although you should make sure that Georgia Tech doesn’t already offer a similar class). Focus on the skills or experiences your class would give students, such as improved public-speaking confidence or a new appreciation for a previously unfamiliar culture.

Although most students will probably find it easiest to write a lighthearted response to this prompt, it’s fine to choose a more serious topic. For example, if you know someone who died due to bystanders lacking some basic training, your class might provide a comprehensive discussion of physical and mental first aid, as well as how to recognize the most common warning signs.

We challenge our students to “be comfortable being uncomfortable.” Tell us about a time in high school that you felt outside of your comfort zone and the resolution.

The definition of “uncomfortable” is intentionally vague in this prompt, giving you a broad range of options. You could write about standing up to a bully, pushing yourself too hard during track practice, visiting a new country… the possibilities are endless. Whatever topic you choose, make sure to talk about both the situation and the outcome.

Although there’s nothing inherently problematic about discussing an argument or heated debate, make sure that your response doesn’t paint you in a negative light. Avoid situations or wording that might make you sound stubborn or close-minded. This is a great chance to show off some of your best qualities — take advantage of it!

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How to Write the Georgia Tech Application Essays 2023-2024

November 3, 2023

Are you ready to take on the challenge of applying to Georgia Tech? With its prestigious reputation and cutting-edge programs, getting accepted into this top-tier university is no easy feat. But fear not! In this blog post, we will guide you through the process of writing the Georgia Tech application essays, giving you the tools and strategies you need to stand out from the competition and showcase your true potential. From understanding the essay prompts to crafting a compelling narrative, we'll cover it all. So, grab your pen and paper, because it's time to dive into the world of Georgia Tech admissions and unlock the secrets to writing a winning application essay.

Georgia Tech Supplemental Essay Prompt 2023-2024

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 started, 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 detail. Once 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. 

Remember to keep in mind 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. Additionally, cut unnecessary words! It’s obvious that the Georgia Tech College supplemental essay 2023-2024 provides you very little room to write your answers. 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 2023-2024 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.

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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 Essay Prompts

• Why Major - Example 1

View our complete guide to Georgia Tech admissions.

Georgia Tech asks students to a single essay prompt, on which major they want to study. In the past, they have asked other questions as well, but currently only ask for a single 300 word response.

Why Major - Example

Why do you want to study your chosen major specifically at Georgia Tech? (50-300 words)

Throughout my life, I have worked with many different artistic mediums. But touching brush to canvas, capturing the perfect moment in the aperture of a camera, and tinkering with my poem’s rhyme scheme all pale in comparison to the ability to express myself – freely, naturally, completely – offered by computer programming. One might think that the rigid framework of coding language, its procedures and rules, would preclude spontaneity.  But the beautiful paradox of computer science is revealed as the coder imposes constraints and limitations in order to open doors and possibilities for creative expression.  

In a “platformer” game (think Mario), I have to set some initial limitations on the “physics” of the game to determine the character’s movement, its interactions with the environment and monsters, etc. Once I have these basic limitations in place, that’s when the creativity kicks in. When running the game, I see that the player lacks the ability to jump over certain obstacles, so I introduce a new “double-jump” mechanic so that the player can progress. A cohesive and convincing video game product is slowly woven together by creating new mechanics in response to the obstacles that a given rule-set presents to the creator. 

The omnipresence of computer programming in so many different fields of study and areas of life proves that video game design is more than just an idle pastime. Programming is not just about making video games; it has a philosophical import that extends into other seemingly unlikely areas of research. Whether it be constructing algorithms in a “lit lab” to detect  patterns characteristic of 18th-century Gothic novels, or developing Neuralink technology to give movement to the physically disabled, my dream is to be at the forefront of the exciting extension of the power of coding into previously unconnected domains of life.

Why Major - Analysis

This is a very straightforward question; Georgia Tech wants to know why exactly you’re interested in the subject you are. As the school is very focused on practical subjects, and is known for being quite difficult, they want to judge student’s passion and commitment to a subject when they are admitting them. They only want to admit students with the drive and dedication to truly thrive when studying difficult subjects.

In the example above, the author talks about computer programming through the lens of creativity and creative expression. They discuss programming in an almost abstract way, discussing their adventures coding a platformer game without going into specifics of times or places or achievements. Instead, the focus of the essay is on how programming allows the author to express themselves, and how it allows them an artistic license. 

In the final paragraph, the author goes further, discussing the overwhelming presence of and potential for computer science in the world. The author is clearly passionate about computer science, and has clear goals for its use. While your own goals do not need to be so grand, Georgia Tech does want to see students are eager to better the world, and effect change through what they learn at the school. Showing that your passion extends to the application of what you learn is a good way to demonstrate how much you care to the school.

If you do discuss your long term motivations for applying what you learn, lofty language about changing the world and discovering new things is good if it is authentic. Even if your goal is to get a good career, you should focus on the joy of discovery or how you want to help better the world more. While there is nothing wrong with wanting a good career, this essay is not the place to emphasize that.

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Georgia Tech Admission Blog

Category: essays, seniors, can we chatgpt.

Last week I wrote a piece for rising juniors about how they could consider using generative AI platforms such as ChatGPT and others in order to assist in their college search. The takeaway is that these tools are helpful for brainstorming, iterating, and sparking thought and reactions, which is essentially what the college search, application, and selection process should be.   

The responses I received via email and direct message were… mixed.  

A few were extremely appreciative– another good resource and a helpful way to open students’ minds to choices and options.  

Others were- let’s just say- less appreciative. Everything from references to an “unchecked Pandora’s Box” to some straight up vitriol. Welcome to the world of blogs and social media.  

Here is what we know  

• The Common Application does not have a policy for students on using Artificial Intelligence. In fact, if you enter “AI” into their platform’s search, only a list of colleges come up: American International College, College of St. Scholastica, The Citadel, Colby College, Lawrence University. FYI- that’s a very different list than the same prompt on ChatGPT, which again points to the concept of using a variety of sources and resources in your college search, application, and selection process.  
• Colleges are unlikely to have uniform policies on the use of AI that cuts across their entire student body. They’ll largely leave guidance and appropriate use to individual professors and courses.  
• Most admission offices have not published guidance for applicants or provided public information on how AI should or should not be incorporated as you work on applications, or supplemental questions, etc.  
• Most high school students are using AI to some extent for personal or academic purposes.  
• Colleges want applications that are full of details, specifics, and insight into who you are, how you think, what you have learned, and what you care about.  

So, in hopes of bridging the void and advancing the conversation, as well as giving students, counselors, parents, and school communities (on the K-12 and higher ed side) something to react and respond to (one of AIs biggest value adds), we consulted with experts on campus- specifically Dr. David Joyner in our College of Computing- in order to develop this framework- Georgia Tech’s applicant AI guidance.  

Tools like ChatGPT, Bard and other AI-based assistance programs are powerful and valuable tools. We believe there is a place for them in helping you generate ideas, but your ultimate submission should be your own. As with all other sources, you should not copy and paste content you did not create directly into your application. Instead, if you choose to utilize AI-based assistance while working on your writing submissions for Georgia Tech, we encourage you to take the same approach you would when collaborating with people. Use it to brainstorm, edit, and refine your ideas. AI can also be a useful tool as you consider how to construct your resume in the Activities portion of the Common Application. We think AI could be a helpful collaborator, particularly when you do not have access to other assistance to help you complete your application.  

  The Activities Section. (Hat tip to my colleague Mary Tipton Woolley for her experimentation with this portion.)   

At Georgia Tech, we call this Contribution to Community . We are looking for students to demonstrated “The Three I’s”- Involvement, Impact, and Influence. We talk about this in info sessions, write about it on this blog, and even include guidance and insight, including videos on our website. Still, sometimes students struggle to think through what they’ve done and how to describe that in the boxes provided on college applications.  

Here was my prompt:  can you help me put my work at Subway into the extracurricular activities into the common application  

ChatGPT response:

Absolutely! Including your work experience at Subway in the extracurricular activities section of the Common Application is a great way to showcase your skills, responsibilities, and dedication. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do it:  

• Title and Description : Start by giving your extracurricular activity a title. For example, you can write “Subway Employment” or “Subway Crew Member.” Be clear and concise. Then, write a brief description of your role and responsibilities at Subway. Highlight your key achievements and contributions.  
• Organization Name : Mention “Subway” as the organization name.  
• Position/Role : You can list your position or role, such as “Crew Member” or any other relevant title.  
• Time Commitment : Specify the duration of your employment at Subway. Mention the start date and, if applicable, the end date. If you are still working there, you can write “Ongoing” or “Present.”  
• Hours per Week : Mention the average number of hours you worked per week at Subway. This gives colleges an idea of your time management skills.  
• Key Responsibilities : List some of your main responsibilities and tasks at Subway. Highlight skills and qualities you developed while working there. For example:  
• Provided excellent customer service and ensured customer satisfaction.  
• Prepared and served food items according to Subway’s standards.  
• Operated the cash register and handled financial transactions.  
• Maintained cleanliness and sanitation of the store.  
• Collaborated with the team to achieve daily sales targets.  
• Achievements : If you received any awards or recognition during your time at Subway, be sure to mention them. For example, if you were recognized as the “Employee of the Month” or received positive feedback from customers or managers.  
• Personal Growth : Reflect on how your experience at Subway contributed to your personal growth. Did you develop communication skills, learn to work in a fast-paced environment, or improve your problem-solving abilities? Colleges value personal growth and development.  
• Skills Gained : Highlight the skills you gained or improved through this experience. These could include customer service, teamwork, time management, responsibility, or any other relevant skills.  

And then it closed with: Remember to be honest and authentic while describing your experience at Subway. Admissions officers appreciate genuine experiences that showcase your growth and development. Including work experiences like this can demonstrate responsibility, time management, and the ability to balance academics with employment. Good luck with your application!  

  Well…thank you ChatGPT. I appreciate the integrity and encouragement!     

Perfect? Absolutely not. You are not going to have space, nor do you need to delve into “Personal Growth” or “Impact and Learning.” But the rest is helpful, accurate, and fairly thorough.  

You’ll also find these tools helpful if you are struggling to fit an activity into the boxes and character count on an application. Rephrasing, reformatting, iterating, and doing so within specific word parameters is a strength of ChatGPT.  

College Specific Supplements and Essays  

Here is our specific advice:  

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.  

The truth is that getting started with anything is hard. Getting out the door to go to the gym or for a run, cleaning the house, or working on a project. Momentum is tough to create, and we all need help at times.  

Over the years, I have consistently heard students talk about the dreaded blinking cursor. The tyranny of the blank page. How do I get my thoughts out? How do I figure out what I want to write about or how to phrase things?

Some students have built in resources to help- parents, siblings, teachers, counselors, or other supporting adults around them who they can talk through their activities or essays with. Other students pay for that service and assistance.  

AI tools can complement those other resources and fill a void for students who may not have historically had these benefits. This is a good thing.  

What I AM saying  

ChatGPT can write an essay or supplemental response for you.    

Will it have any personal style, unique details, valuable specifics, or soul? No.  

Is copying, pasting, and submitting something you did not write ever a good idea? No.  

Could reading those before you go to sleep be a helpful substitute for melatonin? Yes.  

AND I am also saying that after reading the essay or supplemental prompts, it could be worth asking ChatGPT to generate a response that will help stimulate ideas and ways to improve and personalize your writing. Again, this is a tool, a collaboration, and a way to get started.    

What YOU can expect 

• Perfect grammar. These tools are built off ridiculous amounts of information. The grammar will be impeccable.
• Inaccuracies and generic writing. After reading what is produced, it will be very sanitized and relatively boring. It will lack specifics and it will not “sound like me.” Some of the content will simply not be accurate.  
• A need to revise. Re-enter the prompt adding in details and specifics. When, where, who, why?
• Head shaking. Wait… NO. That’s not what I meant. That’s not what happened. That’s not how I want to say it. And simultaneously, YES! That could be a good way to go, or I had not thought about putting it that way.
• MOMENTUM! Ok. Now you are rolling. Now your brain is working and you’re homing in on what YOU want to write about. You’ve seen the boring and impersonal way to write about your topic. Now it is time to open that Word document and take some of the lessons you’ve learned and write your own essay or supplemental response.    

As I said earlier, colleges want applications that are full of details, specifics, and insight into who you are, how you think, what you have learned, and what you care about. That’s a lot to ask. And it is a process of brainstorming, iterating, uncovering, discovering, ultimately submitting an application that tells your story. It’s a process. While AI does not make a good author, it can be a helpful stimulator, sounding board, collaborator, and momentum generator.   

Congratulations on your senior year and getting started with your college applications!     

YOUR College Admissions Playbook

This weekend I watched “ American Underdog ,” which is about former NFL quarterback Kurt Warner . Some football fans may remember he was undrafted coming out of college at the University of Northern Iowa. In his first shot with a pro team (the Green Bay Packers), he bombed. He was not ready or prepared. Over the course of the next few years, he played Arena League Football in Des Moines, Iowa. It was in those seasons that he studied, learned, grew, and realized what he wanted and why .

You don’t have a few years before you apply to college—you have a few months. But that is enough because this is not about memorizing and executing a complicated NFL playbook. Instead, I’m boiling your summer college admission application playbook down to five steps.

GET STARTED. I am challenging you to create a Common Application or Coalition Application via Scoir by July 15. The odds are you are going to use one of these platforms to apply to at least one college, and sometimes just getting started is the toughest thing. Whether it be running or writing a paper or doing a chore, the first step is often the one that requires the most energy. But as you know, once the school year starts, you are going to have assignments, practice, work, and tons of other opportunities and obligations as a senior. Knock out the basic biographical information these applications will require now.

CREATE (or UPDATE). If you do not already have one, there are plenty of online templates and resume generators to help you. Again, the summer prior to senior year is the time to do this. Some colleges allow you to upload resumes directly into their application, and with AI tools you can take copy from your resume and easily reformat into the Activities section of college applications.

If you go for a campus visit this summer where an interview is offered, you will want to bring your resume, and ultimately if you are part of scholarship or honors program interviews, you’ll need a refined resume. In our first-year seminar at Georgia Tech, we help students refine resumes because employers, scholarship programs, and research opportunities all expect these. Get ahead when you have capacity this summer.

DRAFT and REVISIT. The Common Application essay prompts are posted. I know the weather is good and sitting in front of a computer is not the first image that pops up when someone says, “Summer.” But your goal in the fall is to be as far out in front of deadlines as possible.

Ultimately, you want to submit an essay that you believe tells more of your story and complements the other information on your application. That’s not going to be done in one sitting—even though we try to tell ourselves, “I do my best work when I’m under pressure.” I’m suggesting you pick a prompt (or two) and knock out a first draft by August 1. Under that timeline, you’ll have plenty of time to revisit your essay, run it by a teacher, counselor, or another trusted adult, and be completely set by October 1 at the latest.

READ and RESEARCH. Since you do not have actual school homework this summer, here is my assignment for the weeks ahead. READ. Think about the colleges you are currently considering and read more about them. Too many students build their list of schools based on rankings, football conferences, or the opinions of others. Read and consider what you learn about a few of the schools you are excited about. Check out their student newspaper, a recent alumni magazine online, or some of the latest stories featuring professors or students.

Ask yourself if what you are seeing excites you, encourages you, and gets you more motivated to apply… or not. This is a gut check. As you are reading, be honest with yourself about why that particular school is of interest and how it landed on your list of colleges to consider.

EDIT and ITERATE. Your first essay draft will not be your best. You will improve your writing by coming back to it with fresh eyes in multiple sittings. Too many students do not look back over their entire application to consider what they have left out or how they can improve the overall submission. But if you follow steps 1-4, you’ll have time to do this. There will be time for a parent, friend, or another adult look over your entire app and ask you questions about why you either did or did not include particular elements. Iterate.

And your college list can (arguably should) be changing this summer too. We are too quick to believe changing our mind is a weakness. Instead, it means you are thinking critically, doing your research, and staying open to what you want, what you learn, and which colleges match and fit your goals and interests. Editing and iterating is a strength. Don’t believe me? Check out Adam Grant’s instructive book or podcast for more on this lifelong skill of re-examining or “thinking again.”

Two Thumbs Up- Another element I loved about the movie was it was clear that Kurt Warner was having fun playing football. There was pressure but he did not look at it like a job. Instead, it was a privilege and an opportunity. That’s what this is, my friends- a privilege and opportunity. My hope is you’ll have fun visiting, researching, and ultimately applying to college. Sound crazy? Sound impossible? See: Kurt Warner.

Stay Curious

Early on in my time at Georgia Tech, a colleague received an email from a prospective student with a full signature line, including an inspirational quote at the bottom. I’m sure you have seen these before.

Typically, it looks something like this:

George P. Burdell King of Georgia Tech “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.”

In most cases, you immediately recognize the quote (like the one above) or the person to whom it’s attributed. In my experience, Gandhi, MLK, Mother Teresa, or a dead politician or author are fairly common.

This particular situation had us curious because:

• Most high school students don’t have signature lines.
• Neither the quote nor the person to whom it was attributed were familiar.

So, we discussed, we debated, and we Googled. Finally, after extensive investigative research, we connected the dots. The mystery person who uttered these inspiring words was… the applicant’s dad—the different last name threw us off initially, but once we figured this out… it was on. For a good month, every internal email we sent included a quote from our own parents or close relatives.

“Don’t make me pull this car over.”

“Failing to plan means planning to fail.”

“This hurts me more than it hurts you.”

There were a few absolute gems. But it also led to some really personal conversations about our relationships with parents and some of the wise, interesting, and influential things they shared with us growing up.

Now, I’m not proposing you create a formal signature line for your emails during high school or walk around quoting your dad, but I do think this story is instructive. The truth is I cannot recall any of the other signature line quotes I’ve read over the years, but this one is emblazoned in my memory. Why? Because it was not familiar. And as a result, it led us to ask questions, research, and ultimately have enriching, bonding conversations.

In hopes of getting you started, here are a few accessible and available tools you may not have considered yet in your college search and selection experience.

College Scorecard – This site is hosted by the U.S. Department of Education. It is an increasingly valuable tool for searching for schools by academic program, size, cost, location, and other factors. It does a very good job providing details on price, median career earnings, graduation rates, and retention data, which often are tough to find on individual admission or university homepages. As you are researching where to visit or apply, the Scorecard comparison feature is helpful because it is easy to tailor based on a variety of factors. And it will give you data to consider or metrics to compare that you may not have previously encountered or factored. My hope is you will use this along the way, whether it be prior to visiting, applying, or deciding on a college.

ChatGPT – Based on their historically glacial rate of change and adaptation, I do not expect Common Application to include instructive language about the use of AI this year. So, there is no need to stare helplessly at a blinking cursor on the screen. One of generative AI’s greatest strengths is facilitating brainstorming and iteration.

There are seven prompts to choose from in the cycle ahead, so let’s assume you pick this one: Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

Include a few bullet points of your ideas and be sure to name specific people, places, situations, and perhaps a quote or two- and then ask the program to produce a response of 500 words.

Make notes of what is accurate and helpful? What does not resonate with you as specific enough or reflective of your voice and experience?

In the essay, admission reviewers want details and insight that is uniquely yours. If you are applying to a college that receives 35,000 applications and the essay responses are evenly divided, then five thousand other students are responding to the same prompt you choose. As my colleague Dr. David Joyner from Georgia Tech’s College of Computing said , “use your interaction with the AI assistant as a learning experience, then let your assignment reflect your improved understanding.”

Degree Choices.   Rankings get a lot of press and attention in the college admission conversation. However, in most cases, we do not dig into how these lists are formulated. Degree Choices provides a series of rankings lists based on region, academic program, return on investment metrics, etc. Even if you do not agree with the way they approach their rankings, at least it gets you thinking about what you do value. As I’ve said before, a good high school student becomes a good college applicant becomes a good college student. That starts with doing your homework, asking questions, re-thinking, and considering a variety of angles and sources.

The Common Data Set Initiative – For the data wonks among you- or for those who want to see information presented in a uniform manner from colleges. You can easily search for any institution’s CDS online. As an example, here is Georgia Tech’s . Particularly in the test optional world we are all attempting to navigate, the CDS can be helpful in understanding the number or percentage of test takers. CDS also highlights retention rates, financial aid distribution, and residency, ethnicity, and gender breakdowns, as well as size of classes, faculty degree attainment information, and more. Looking at multiple years of information in this format can point to trends or suggest institutional priorities. Again, taken alongside other tools and resources, examining Common Data Sets will inevitably generate questions for you to ask or additional topics to research when you visit campus and speak with students, faculty, or admission officers.

Did you wonder who George P. Burdell was in the example signature line? Did you follow the link to learn more? If so, you are well on your way with this whole curiosity and exploration adventure (If not, I’ve got you covered- here’s the link ).

Rick Clark AVP/Executive Director- Undergraduate Admission “Stay Curious.”

Three (MORE) Messages Parents of High School Students Need to Hear About College Admission

Learn more and listen to Q&A about this blog on the College Admission Brief podcast! Apple | Spotify | Spreaker | Google

…and we’re back. As mentioned in Part I , I decided to write these two blogs specifically for my friends, neighbors, and other adults in my life who now have kids in high school or considering college. As such you are welcome to read and consider, read and ignore, or not read but still forward or share.

•  The admissions essay. First, not all colleges require students to write an essay or respond to short answer questions on their application. Those who do include writing as an opportunity for students to bring voice and personalization to an otherwise heavily box, number, and line- filled application. In reading essays, admission reviewers simply want to get a sense of students’ ability to express themselves or provide insight into their character, background, motivations, and so on. As a result, essays matter. Nobody adds questions or prompts to their application just to make it longer. We read. We share. We glean insight from student writing.

However, just as much as a comma splice or failure to underline the name of a book in an essay is not going to keep a student from being admitted, the essay in general is not going to be the thing that “gets your kid in.” Anyone who tells you otherwise: a) has never worked on a college campus b) has a vested (usually monetary) interest in convincing you otherwise c) that’s it. There is no C—other than their pulse on college admission. Is it wise to have someone look over an essay for feedback? Absolutely. Should students put thought, effort, and care into their writing for colleges? Undoubtedly. But as a parent or a supporting adult please do not edit out your kids’ voice/style, or pressure them to write about something they don’t genuinely value or believe has been impactful to them, because in doing so you rob the application of the very qualities we are hoping to see in their writing. More here. Bottom line: Essays are not the magic bullet/Hail Mary/death nail/Lazarus factor people believe them to be.

As your athlete has success at higher and more competitive levels, it is exciting to imagine them playing in bigger stadiums, in front of more people, or even on TV. My hope is you will focus more on the day to day and week to week of supporting, encouraging, and enjoying watching your athlete play club and high school sports, than speculating about or assuming where it may lead. Keep saving for college. Keep pushing your student to excel in the classroom. Be proud of them for who they are and what they’ve accomplished– and be sure they know it. In other words, don’t convince yourself there is an inverse correlation between the number of trophies or media coverage and the number of dollars you will be spending on college. It may play out that way, but in the overwhelming number of cases, it won’t. Dream killer or friend? You decide. Stay grounded, stay humble, and stay focused on being able to finance a college degree without dependence on a full athletic scholarship.

3. Quality of institution is not correlated with admit rate, ranking, or any other singular number or metric.

Whether it be an effort to simplify, ego, or buying into the false narrative around selectivity and rankings, parents and supporting adults too often reduce a student’s options, limit their perspective, and curb their ability to explore based on numbers.

Admit rate: When I arrived at Tech, we were admitting well over 60% of applicants. Just a few years ago we sat around 40%. This year’s class will see an admit rate below 20%. Are the students significantly smarter, more talented, or more destined for future success? Absolutely not. Students we admitted at 60% are running companies now and sitting on boards of major organizations. I’m not going to go down the rabbit hole of how different colleges count differently on apps received or admits issued, but the bottom line is selectivity level is not a proxy for academic quality. Most colleges in the country admit more students than they deny. If the best match for your student has an admit rate that is 20 points higher than another one they are admitted to, don’t let your ego or a false narrative cloud your judgment.

Ranking : The students at Tech who are currently sophomores applied here when we were ranked number five in the nation for public universities. Within a month of enrolling here, we’d dropped to number eight, and this year we are number 10. I’ve yet to see a student transfer because of this change—because nothing has changed. Same great students, important research, and valuable network/job opportunities. I  urge you to not draw firm (arguably arbitrary) lines, whether it be at number 10, 50, or 100. College is a big decision. College is expensive. College cannot be reduced to one number. Don’t fall into that trap. And for the love of all things holy, friends, if you are going to ascribe any value to a singular number or deem it an authoritative signpost, examine the methodology and ask yourself if your values are in line with their calculations.

In most cases, leading or pushing your student to limit or dictate their choice of where to apply or attend based on one number (or even small set of numbers) is short-sighted bordering on irresponsible .

Since there won’t be a part three to this series, let’s conclude this way. I know it’s challenging supporting your student through high school, and particularly through the college experience. So, while I do hope you will legitimately consider everything I have shared in this blog and the one prior, I also want to sincerely thank you.

Thank you for loving your kids.

Thank you for advocating for them.

Thank you for wanting them to have a better life and more opportunities and experiences than you have had.

Thank you for encouraging them and supporting them, even when they drive you nuts, roll their eyes, mumble one-syllable responses, or keep you up late at night worrying.

Thank you for washing the same dishes and clothes a thousand times.

Thank you for driving to and from practice and sitting through hours of swim meets or dance or music performances (just to hear or see your child perform for a fraction of that time).

Do I wish you wouldn’t disguise your voice in order to procure your daughter’s admission portal password? Sure.

Would admission officers prefer to come in the morning after releasing admission decisions, get a cup of coffee, and check the scores from the night before, rather than having parents outside (or in the parking lot) wanting to appeal or provide 13 additional recommendation letters? Yep.

Do I enjoy having my competence, intelligence, or soul brought into question based on an admission decision? Not particularly.

Nevertheless, as the parent of two kids, I get it. The truth is you are doing what you always have–loving them, protecting them, and providing for them. And since you absolutely do not hear this enough– THANK YOU!

Got friends who won’t read 1200 words on this topic, but still may benefit from hearing these messages– pass them this Twitter thread.

Three Messages Parents of High School Students Need to Hear About College Admission

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I am getting older. I know this because I now bring a mini-massage gun with me when I travel; my pant legs neither tightly hug my calves nor end an inch above my ankle; and when I buy wine at the grocery store the cashier either does not card me or goes back to scanning items when I confidently reach for my wallet (plus, hey, I’m regularly buying wine at the grocery store).

I’m not sure if you are also experiencing this, but my kids are getting older too, as are their parents. So, with each passing year, I’m getting more texts, emails, and calls from friends about college and college admission, and over-hearing both discussed frequently at games or other events.

While I did write an entire book on this subject, I feel like I owe my friends more than simply texting them an Amazon link. Plus, I understand not everyone is up for reading 200+ pages. But after watching this cycle repeat itself for over two decades (use of “decades” being another “getting older” give-away), I’m convinced there are a few messages most parents of high school students need to hear-and hopefully will listen to also.

Pronouns Matter. As your kids enter and move through high school, and especially as they are applying to college, I hope you will be cognizant of your pronouns. If you find yourself commonly saying things like, “We have a 3.8,”Pre-Calc is really killing us this year,” or “Our first choice is ___________,” it may be time to take a long walk, a deep breath, or a stiff drink. Ask yourself if those pronouns are just a reflection of your love and years of intimately intertwined lives, or if they are a subtle prodding to step back and let your student demonstrate what you know they are capable of handling.

As you well know, parenting is a delicate dance that becomes increasingly complicated as kids get older. Be honest with yourself and pay attention to when its time to take the lead or step back. Interestingly, it was current Atlanta Mayor (and former Georgia Tech staff member) Andre Dickens who introduced me to the concept of moving from parent to partner with a presentation he used to give at new student-parent orientation. And that should be your focus as your kids move closer toward graduation from high school.

College admission is not fair. However, in contrast to what most people think, it is easy to understand. Admission is driven by two fundamental rules:

• S upply and demand. The Applicant to Class Size ratio drives admit rate. If applications go up and enrollment does not, the admit rate drops.

This is why you hear about Younger Sibling not getting into University of X (Home of the Fighting X’s) with the same, or even better high school grades and classes, than Older Sibling (a current junior at X with a 3.4 GPA). Three years have passed, U of X’s new first-year class size is the same, but this year they receive 5000 more applications than the year Older applied. Could Younger do the work? 100%. Is Younger talented, ambitious, and very interested in going to University of X? Without question. Is this fair? Nope, but it is logical.

• Mission drives admission. As we just established, Older is a good student and a good person (3.4 GPA in college and very active on campus). But three years ago, when she applied as a high school senior, there was another candidate vying for admission—Applaquint. “App” had better grades, better classes, better writing, and more community involvement (all the things U of X says it values) than Older. App, however, was denied.

Why? Well, it happens that App is from Y (the state just to the east of X). Because University of X is a public school, students from the state are admitted at 5 times (would have been too confusing to say 5x) the rate of non-Xers. Fair? No! Again, App is smarter, nicer, and better looking than Older. But again, totally logical.

College brochures may make all campuses look the same, but the goals for the composition of their classes vary widely in number, geography, major, gender, and so on. So when admission committees discuss candidates, they are reviewing and considering GPA, essays, and letters of recommendation,  but ultimately institutional mission and priorities are the lens and filter through which admission decisions are made.

As a parent, my sincere hope is you hear, believe, and prepare yourself for this truth- neither an admit nor deny decision is a value judgment or evaluation of your job as a parent. My friend Pam Ambler from Pace Academy puts it perfectly: “Admission decisions feel deeply personal, but that is not how they are made.” As a result, many parents react when their student receives disappointing admission news. They see that hurt and think they need to call the admission office (or the president or the governor), appeal the decision, “come down there,” or pull strings. After watching this cycle repeat itself over and over, and particularly as my own kids grow up, I’ve come to appreciate ALL of that comes from a place of deep and genuine love. But ultimately, in these moments what kids need from you is very simple—love, concern, empathy, belief, and encouragement, or sometimes just a heartfelt hug.

College Parents > HS Parents. When your kids were little and you were struggling with potty training or getting your baby to sleep through the night, did you seek advice and insight from other parents in the same chapter? No! Because they were either a: just as clueless or frustrated as you were b: maddeningly oblivious c: prone to lie, exaggerate, or hide the reality of their situation.

The bottom line is parents of high school students should talk to fewer parents of high school students about college admission, and more parents of current college students, or recent college graduates. These folks, who are one chapter ahead, invariably provide perspective, levity, insight, and sanity. They are far less prone to exaggeration, and in fact often incredibly raw and honest in their evaluation. “She was crushed when she did not get into Stanvard. But now she’s at Reese’s U and is not sorry.” Or “We didn’t get the financial aid package we needed for him to go to Enidreppep University, so he ended up at QSU. He graduates this spring and already has a great job lined up with the company where he’s been interning.” Again, seek perspective, levity, insight, and sanity from parents of current college students, and spend your time talking to parents of other high school students about the upcoming game or recently opened restaurant in your area.

Thanks for reading. Thanks for listening. And stay tuned for upcoming podcasts and blogs with a few more key messages for high school parents coming soon…

If you have friends who not won’t read 200+ pages, but are likely not even ready 1000+ words, you can send them to my original Twitter thread with these messages for parents. 

• Search All Scholarships
• Exclusive Scholarships
• Easy Scholarships to Apply For
• No Essay Scholarships
• Scholarships for HS Juniors
• Scholarships for HS Seniors
• Scholarships for College Students
• Scholarships for Grad Students
• Scholarships for Women
• Scholarships for Black Students
• Scholarships
• Student Loans
• College Admissions
• Financial Aid
• Scholarship Winners
• Scholarship Providers

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How to Respond to the 2023-2024 Georgia Tech Supplemental Essay Prompts

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The Georgia Institute of Technology is a public research university located in Atlanta, Georgia. Commonly known as Georgia Tech, this university is  known for its top engineering programs. Georgia Tech has a 16% overall acceptance rate, so you will need to really showcase your strengths in order to stand out amongst so many applicants.

After completing Common Application personal essay , Georgia Tech applicants should turn their attention to supplemental essays. Although many schools have multiple prompts to answer, Georgia Tech asks for just one. 

For some students, this is great news because it’s less writing. On the other hand, it also gives you less space to elaborate on your story. With proper planning, however, you are sure to communicate your personality and goals successfully. 

Let’s take a deep-dive into the Georgia Tech supplemental essays. Read on for tips on how to craft a stand-out response!

Also see:  Scholarhips360’s free scholarship search tool

Georgia Tech supplemental essays: Prompt #1 

“Why do you want to study your chosen major specifically at Georgia Tech? (50-300 words)”

This prompt is a classic “why” question. But unlike some other schools’ questions that reference the whole student experience, you need to drill down on academics here. There are two main pieces, asking: What is your biggest intellectual interest? And why is Georgia Tech the best place to study this topic? 

You should have chosen your major for a reason. Have you always had a knack for a certain subject? Are you fascinated by the developments in a particular field? Do you have a dream career? Think about what draws you to this major and an anecdote that brings this reasoning to life. For example, say your intended major is Building Construction. You could discuss how your biggest role model growing up was your grandfather, a general contractor. A nice hook could be describing your childhood enthralled with exploring his lots in-progress. Or, perhaps you have your sights set on Biomedical Engineering. Your anecdote could be about a revolutionary medical device that emulates the type of innovation you hope to contribute to.

There are all kinds of ways to elaborate, from sharing a personal story to discussing an individual curiosity. Adding in this detail goes a long way in letting your sincerity shine through.  Computer and Information Science, Mechanical Engineering, and Industrial Engineering are GT’s most popular majors. Keep in mind there will be heightened pressure to convey your distinction for these study tracks with so many top-notch applicants. 

Also see:  How to write an essay about yourself

Do your GT homework!

Now that you have stated why you selected your particular major, do your research. GT consistently ranks as one of the top technology, science, and business universities. Investigate why that may be. Look into GT’s course catalogs, professors, student research, alumni, special events, and more. Make a list of anything that genuinely excites you. Then, see how you can utilize these intriguing offerings to help accomplish your academic and professional aspirations. The more specific you can be, the better.

Finally, keep GT’s mission in mind. It states: 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. How will you take advantage of GT’s resources to accomplish these noble feats? What new groundbreaking discoveries do you hope to make? What plans do you have for giving back to the community through your major? 

These three components to the prompt should end up telling a cohesive narrative. First, offer a story for why you chose your major. Next, explain why GT is the best choice for pursuing that major and why (with details). And to conclude, how will your studies make a difference? 

Questions to consider: 

• What fuels your intellectual curiosity?  
• How might your major help you achieve your career aspirations?
• Which distinct Georgia Tech resources are you most excited to utilize? 
• How can the field of technology be improved? 

Final thoughts for students

The Georgia Tech admissions committee offers advice for applicants on their website. Beyond making sure you are addressing the prompt content-wise, don’t forget strong writing skills. Be sure you are submitting a well-written, grammatically correct response. Also avoid repetition. In addition, don’t try to write what you think admissions wants to hear; being true to what your passion is will ensure your voice is authentic. Finally, be confident! Conviction in your path to achieve your dreams will signal to GT that you are a great fit. You can ace this essay! 

While you are applying to colleges (and before and after as well!), be sure to apply for all the scholarships you are eligible for!

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Additional resources

As you’re applying to colleges, you have a lot of decisions to make. While you work on your Georgia Tech supplemental essays, check out some of our resources to help guide you through other questions.

• Finding safety, reach, and match schools
• How many schools should I apply to?
• How to complete the Common App activities section
• Asking for letters of recommendation for college

Other colleges to consider

• University of Georgia (Athens, GA)
• Emory University (Atlanta, GA)
• Wake Forest University (Winston-Salem, NC)

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Last updated March 22, 2024

Every piece we write is researched and vetted by a former admissions officer. Read about our mission to pull back the admissions curtain.

Blog > Essay Advice , State School , Supplementals > How to Write the Georgia Tech Supplemental Essay

How to Write the Georgia Tech Supplemental Essay

Admissions officer reviewed by Ben Bousquet, M.Ed Former Vanderbilt University

Written by Ben Bousquet, M.Ed Former Vanderbilt University Admissions

Key Takeaway

In addition to your Common App personal statement , Georgia Tech also asks you to write the Georgia Tech essay.

The Georgia Institute of Technology—or Georgia Tech, for short—is one of the best state schools in the country. We know from their Common Data Set that your essays play an important role in their application review process.

In particular, your Georgia Tech supplemental essay helps you show intellectual and school fit.

Let’s take a look at the one and only prompt.

The Georgia Tech Essay

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

Yep, that’s it! That’s the whole prompt. It’s a straightforward why this major essay.

As with any why this major supplemental essay, your main goals are to a) show academic fit and b) demonstrate good intellectual curiosity. It’s always a plus when you can incorporate tidbits of information about yourself along the way, too.

Be sure to read the prompt closely. Georgia Tech isn’t just asking why you want to study your chosen major. They’re asking why you want to study it specifically at Georgia Tech. That means you’ll need to start with some research.

A safe place to begin is usually the departmental website of the major you’re applying for.

Put on your detective glasses and do some digging. You’re looking for courses, faculty, resources, opportunities, etc. that align with your interests and experiences.

Let’s say you want to major in biology and are interested in going on to a graduate program in microbiology.

Well, Georgia Tech has a wonderful research option within their biology department that would set you up for success and allow you to build on the research you’ve already done in high school. You’re also stoked about the possibility of becoming a Petit Scholar or working with Professor Han , whose research interests align with yours. Oh, and as a cherry on top, you can’t wait to join the GT American Red Cross Club and put all your Red Cross volunteer hours in high school to good work.

See? Spending a little time combing through web pages, following interesting rabbit holes, and reading up on your academic interests can help you find organic connections.

Once you’ve done your research, get to writing.

Key Takeaways

Writing a good Georgia Tech supplemental essay is all about drawing out the specific ways in which you are a good match for your major—and that match goes both ways. Show not only what you’ll gain from being part of the intellectual community but also what you’ll add to it.

You’ve got this.

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Iconic “TECH” letters removed from Tech Tower

For the first time in 106 years, Georgia Tech students will no longer see the word “TECH” displayed on the oldest building on campus. Due to an increase in light pollution measured by the Facility of Optical Luminescence and Skygazing (FOOLS), the letters have been unplugged and permanently removed from the building.  

The light emitted from the letters pulled the sky quality rating in the area surrounding Tech Tower down to the lowest reading of 16.00 — which represents the highest amount of light pollution possible. Dr. Kant Taycajoek, a Georgia Tech professor in the field of optics and light emission, served as a university advisor to a team from FOOLS.

“We tried every solution to prevent this from happening — we didn’t take it lightly,” lamented Taycajoek. “At first, we just turned off the “T” to see if that would decrease the pollution, but sadly, the “TECH” here is simply just too bright.”

Taycajoek suggested that the lights simply be turned off and that the letters should remain fixed atop the tower. However, the FOOLS team would not allow it.

“They were worried that we would simply just flip the light switch back on,” said Taycajoek. “And we would have.”

The only solution was to remove the illuminated letters from all four sides of the building. On April 1 at 12:01 a.m., a team of light removal specialists turned off the sign for the last time and dismantled the letters.

“It’s truly an SSD (sad, sad day),” said L.V. Lux, Georgia Tech’s vice president of abbreviations and acronyms. “It’s hard to imagine this campus without “TECH.” It just seems dark.”

The letters have been taken in by the Institute — deceptively and harmlessly unlit and placed in storage.

News room topics

News Center

Empowering research faculty: georgia tech’s strategic plan.

Georgia Tech is supporting career growth for its research faculty, who do critical work at the heart of the research enterprise.

The word faculty is often synonymous with tenure-track professors — the individuals who teach courses and run major labs with their surnames in the title. But while groundbreaking discoveries regularly happen at Georgia Tech, the people doing the day-in, day-out research aren’t always visible.

Research faculty are non-tenure track faculty who carry out crucial research in labs, centers, and departments across campus. They are the lifeblood of research enterprises at major universities like Georgia Tech, but their work often occurs behind the scenes.

To support these essential employees, Georgia Tech launched an initiative to recognize and develop research faculty, who comprise 60% of the nearly 4,400 total faculty currently employed at the Institute. It is part of the second phase of Research Next , the strategic plan for Georgia Tech’s research enterprise.  

Maribeth Coleman , interim assistant vice provost for Research Faculty, and Michelle Rinehart , vice provost for Faculty, were appointed as co-chairs of a Research Next implementation team tasked with finding ways to recognize, support, and retain research faculty. Building on years of effort and collaboration with campus partners, the group took on several projects to improve the research faculty experience and environment at Georgia Tech.  

“Research faculty are critical members of the Georgia Tech community, and their contributions to our billion-dollar research enterprise and the state’s economic development cannot be overstated,” Rinehart said. “We wanted to understand what it’s like for research faculty as they come on board at Georgia Tech, what the hiring process is like, and how we as an Institute can more effectively mentor and develop research faculty in terms of advancing in their careers.”

At the outset, the implementation team identified and examined several facets of the research faculty experience. They reviewed policies in the faculty handbook, giving special attention to existing guidance for promotion and career growth for research faculty.

Promotion guidelines are generally clear for tenure-track faculty. Research faculty, on the other hand, are often not actively encouraged to seek promotion, and may not even know that promotion is an option, according to Rinehart and Coleman. One issue is that funding for research faculty often comes from external research dollars. At least nine months of a tenure-track faculty member’s salary, however, comes from the state budget.

“When you’re constantly having to bring in all of your own salary, as research faculty do, it can be a stressful experience,” Coleman said. “It can also mean you’re more isolated, because you’re focused on bringing in those research dollars that will help you keep your position. But we want research faculty to know that we want them to build their careers here.”

To address these issues, the team developed reference materials and workshops for research faculty seeking promotion. The workshops are offered on a regular basis, and resources and recordings are available on the Georgia Tech faculty website . The team also created educational materials for promotion committees, often composed of tenure-track faculty who are unfamiliar with the research faculty experience.  

“We saw a need for better consistency across campus with regards to guidance for research faculty promotion committees,” Rinehart said. “Tenure-track faculty need guidance on not just how to properly hire research faculty, but also in how to mentor and retain them.”

According to Coleman and Rinehart, the implementation team’s most significant achievement was the launch of a research faculty mentoring network . The mentoring network connects junior research faculty mentees with senior research faculty mentors who have grown their careers at Georgia Tech.

“When new tenure-track faculty arrive, they are usually assigned a mentor within their School or department, but that method doesn’t generally work for research faculty,” Coleman said. “There may not be a large research faculty community in their unit, and research faculty roles and responsibilities vary significantly from person to person. For this reason, the mentoring network is meant to foster cross-pollination and build community across units.”

The mentoring network is a collaboration with MentorTech , a program run by Georgia Tech Professional Education. The program is ongoing, and enrollment is always open. 

To foster inclusivity and belonging, the team established an orientation program for research faculty, modeled after the tenure-track faculty orientation. The Provost’s Office hosted the inaugural research faculty orientation in Fall 2023. Because research faculty are hired throughout the year, the team decided the orientation should take place semiannually. The second orientation took place on March 13. 

In addition to the workshops, mentor network, and orientations, the implementation team also launched a program to welcome research faculty in a personal way. When a new research faculty member is hired, another more senior research faculty member is assigned to welcome them in person, provide them with important information for getting oriented to campus, tell them about relevant professional opportunities, and give them Georgia Tech-branded swag.

“All of this work is about recognizing that research faculty are a tremendously valuable part of our community,” Rinehart said. “They also really enhance our reputation internationally.”

According to Coleman, research faculty can sometimes be viewed as disposable, because of their support from grants that may be limited in time and scope. But she believes that line of thinking is a disservice to both the individual and the Institute.

“It’s important that we recognize the value of research faculty, nurture them, and retain them long term,” she said. “We need to make it possible for people to spend their careers here, as I have, and help make sure research faculty positions at Georgia Tech can be both viable and fulfilling long-term careers.”

To read more about Georgia Tech's strategic research initiatives, visit the Research Next website .

Catherine Barzler, Senior Research Writer/Editor

[email protected]