How To Get Into Georgia Tech

The Georgia Institute of Technology is a public research university and institute of technology in Atlanta, Georgia. Established in 1885, it is part of the University System of Georgia and has satellite campuses in Savannah, Georgia; Metz, France; Shenzhen, China; and Singapore.

What is Georgia Tech? 

The school was founded as the Georgia School of Technology as part of Reconstruction plans to build an industrial economy in the post-Civil War Southern United States. In 1948, the school changed its name to reflect its evolution from a trade school to a larger and more capable technical institute and research university. Today, Georgia Tech is organized into 6 colleges and contains about 31 departments and academic units, with emphasis on science and technology.

Testing Scores for Admission

According to the college, the average SAT score ranges from 1360 to 1540, while the average ACT score is between 31 and 35. The average unweighted GPA of acceptance is around 3.9 and 98% of students placed in the top quartile of their graduating class. As such, GPA is just as important as the main two standardized tests. 

Acceptance & Graduation Rate

To get into Georgia Tech, a student’s standardized test scores and high school GPA have to be great. This is reflected in the acceptance rate as it is 4% with a high graduation rate of 89%.

How Are Applicants Rated? 

There are eight factors that Georgia Tech ranks as being “very important” to their admissions process: rigor of secondary school record, GPA, essays, extracurricular activities, paid work experience, volunteer work, and character/personal qualities. State residency, geographical residence, and test scores are “important”. Factors that are “considered” are recommendations, talent/ability, first-generation status, legacy status, racial/ethnic status.

Tips to Get Into Georgia Tech   

  • Georgia Tech accepts applications through the Common App so students should use that to their advantage by filling out the activities section and completing a strong personal statement. 
  • Spend time refining your answer to their essay prompt, “Why do you want to study your chosen major specifically at Georgia Tech” (max 300 words).
Help with Georgia Tech Essay prompts
  • Georgia Tech does consider “demonstrated interest” so you will be judged on whether or not you made a campus visit, contacted an admissions officer, etc.
  • Georgia Tech does not offer any type of in-person or alumni interviews for incoming freshmen. As a result, one of the best ways for admissions officers to get to know you on a personal level is through your two required recommendations.
  • 18% of the most recent enrolled class were either the valedictorian or salutatorian of their high school class. This means it helps to do well in high school. 

How Does Georgia Tech Compare to Other Top Universities? 

Georgia Tech’s yield rate is 43%. This number is over 35 points lower than Harvard and Stanford but in the same ballpark as many other selective private universities. Georgia Tech sports a similar yield rate to schools like NYU, Rice, USC, and Carnegie Mellon.

Are you or will you be attending Georgia Tech?

Stock up on gear to show your pride for the Yellow Jackets. Grab this sweatshirt, decals for your laptop, or this Georgia Tech tumbler.

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