Hey folks! I’m an OOS student who got into Tech in the EA cycle. However, I’ve kinda neglected all my Tech stuff because I assumed it wouldn’t be affordable at all. However, I got the Provost scholarship and suddenly it’s one of the most affordable schools on my list. Yay!
However, I’m having trouble deciding what LLC to apply to. I know I want to- I’ve mostly been looking into small colleges, and LLCs seem the best way to make a huge college smaller- but I can’t decide which one to apply to. Above all else, I really want it to feel like a smaller, tight-knit community inside of the larger GT community. I’m an Engineering student, and I currently plan on getting my PhD preferably at another top engineering school. Below I’ve kinda outlined my thought process so far:
Honors College:
Might not get in (I think this is the most competitive one?)
Small class sizes or something? That’s what it sounded like from the lady in the advertisement video
Interdisciplinary learning is cool IMO; I love basically all subjects, I just love Engineering the most lol
One of the closer communities? Hard to tell off of old Reddit posts
Explore:
Kinda not targetted towards engineering
Early start for undergrad research sounds awesome, and is definitely something I want to do (especially for grad school admissions)
I can’t find anything at all about culture
Would I get in since I’m an engineering student?
Grand Challenges:
I love hands on learning
Seems very tight-knit in a cool way
Projects are cool
I would appreciate any more input. I don’t know anyone who goes to GT, so it’s hard for me to gauge without an insider opinion. Thank you so much!
Honors LLC is not any more competitive than the others. Basically as long as you apply to any of them before they are full you will get in. Look into the dorms as well. Each LLC is in a specific dorm and this may help you decide (apartment, standard, etc) and look at location of the dorm.
The research component seems unimportant as anyone who wants to do research at Tech can typically get it. It is not hard to get as an undergrad at all.
Ok, that’s really good to know! I was kinda worried about getting research as an undergrad in such a big school. Do you have any input on the cultures of any of them?
I don’t. Sorry. I think Explore has a lot of college of science students because you are automatically invited to join that. The other two have greater diversity of majors. Both explore and honors are in eighth Street apartments, which will be the only opportunity you have to live in an apartment as a first year student. Eighth Street is kind of out of the way from main campus though.
My son was in the honors program. He graduated in 23. The only reason he did it was the dorm. It was a little nicer and on west campus. It’s a different dorm now.
I think he fulfilled the requirements but wasn’t impressed overall. I think it fell in the take it or leave it category. I also think it costs money but don’t remember how much. I would look at the LLC’s.
Sometimes being around or living with other kids not in engineering could be a good thing.
I feel like I’ve heard that a fair bit about the Honor’s experience. I’m leaning towards Grand Challenges right now. Thank you so much for the input! I really appreciate it!
There is a Current and Potential Parents page for Georgia Tech on Facebook. Students are not allowed to join but your parents could and ask that question. I am sure they would get very helpful answers.
One benefit to me of Grand Challenges is it is on East Campus. It is a little livelier and a little more social. That may not be your thing but both of my kids lived on East Campus and loved it.
Also, another way to make Georgia Tech feel a lot smaller is to go through rush. Because it is a STEM school and heavy on the nerd quotient there is honestly a place for everyone in Greek life. That is an easy way to make a big school feel small and have a great group of people to spend time with.
Ok, that’s great to know. Thank you! I don’t currently really plan on doing Greek life- I’m incredibly paranoid about alcohol, and not really a party person- but I do think there’s a good chance I’d enjoy the livelier feel of East. Thank you so much!
Not only do they compete for the highest GPA, Greek life at Georgia Tech has higher GPAs than non Greek life. Also, it’s just an amazing way to get advice about professors, classes, know people in your classes, leads on jobs and clubs, etc. Greek life has been very good for my kids