My understanding from going through this last year is there is very little benefit to the Honors College at Tech compared to some other places. You do get priority registration which is very valuable. You also live in an Honors dorm LLC (this was a negative for my son). From what I understand, the program has a high attrition rate because it is difficult to fit honors classes into your schedule so quite a few start as honors and then don’t satisfy the requirements to get the designation on the diploma. From my understanding it makes zero difference in job market opportunities. It does give you a community of intellectually curious people and a social outlet but those things can be achieved in other ways.
Thanks, @VirginiaBelle! What was the negative with the honors dorm?
Our student was also faced with the same choice and declined to apply. I think the issues in play were accurately stated by VirginiaBelle. Priority registration alone is extremely valuable and almost worth the commitment to Honors. It can be tough to craft a decent schedule without it, and classes with the most popular profs are usually claimed by the time non-priority registration rolls around (although unexpected course openings do pop up if you diligently watch the schedules during registration times). The Honors dorm was a big negative for us because student was adamant about being on East Campus, not West Campus (where Honors dorms are). Although many say West is actually a nicer part of campus with nicer dorms, most of the social buzz is on East. That’s where the football stadium and basketball arena are, as well as the Greek houses and parties. This is important to many freshman. The library, student center, and Clough study area are also on East (or at least much closer to it). Tech Square is also just east of East Campus (restaurants, the GT hotel and bookstore are located there). West has a ton of dorms, the CRC (gym and pools), Stamps health center, a good dining hall, and quite a few academic buildings. Honors students also have prescribed weekend activities, but our student wanted to find these independently.
@WhrlingColleges, thank you for your perspective.
How serious are problems with registration for non-honors CS students?
Our son has zero interest in sports, parties, and greek life. Would that make West Campus a better option?
We know very little about GT at this point, as we were busy picking MIT dorms when the news of GT Stamps nomination came.
What are the “prescribed weekend activities”?
@WhrlingColleges, can you clarify - is your student a Stamps scholar at GT? And they still do not get priority course registration?
@TheVulcan Like WhrlingColleges, my son was also adamant about being on East Campus. It is a much more social part of campus, and my son was interested in (and did) pledge a fraternity. His dorm is across from the stadium and east campus is where all of the pre game activities are. He also liked the idea of the dorm being a mixed bag of people with varying interests rather than an LLC (Living Learning Community). West campus is a little quieter, close to the rec center and what seems to be better dining.
Since Stamps scholars receive first year priority housing, does it mean they would be guaranteed a room in an apartment-style dorm is so desired?
Edit: apparently apartments are for 2nd year and up only:
Vulcan, I’m afraid I can’t answer most of your specific questions. For one, I am unfamiliar with Stamps and the privileges that come with it. I do know, as you pointed out, that apartment-style dorms are not available to freshman. I can’t comment on registration practices for Stamps students. Registration is a stressful time for students, and those without priority can certainly expect to be closed out of preferred class times or classes taught by the most desired profs. That said, persistence does sometimes pay off, as there are ample opportunities for schedule revisions before classes begin. Sometimes openings do pop up. But I imagine that the process is easier for a student with some sort of priority registration. I think West Campus would be much nicer for a student with no interest in sports or frats. It’s much quieter than East. I can’t give specific examples of weekend Honors activities, other than to comment that Honors students sometimes go on field trips, or partake in organized activities in the the Atlanta area.
Our son said almost the exact same thing and to our surprise(and his) he ended up joining a frat and going to football games (something he was not interested in at all in HS). He did not apply for the Honors LLC, but did choose to live on the West Campus which, as people have said, is quieter and the dorms seem a little nicer. Now that he is greek. he does spend time going back an forth since he eats meals at the house but still like West campus. Though, he will probably live in the frat house next year. Though not the best reason, I think one reason he didn’t apply for Honors was by that point in the process he was just done and didn’t want to do another essay.
Thanks, everyone. If son progresses to the finalist status, he will go ahead and apply to honors.
Son didn’t progress to the finals, so will be withdrawing the app to free up an RD slot for someone else.
Thanks for everyone’s input on this thread!