<p>I’m interested in going to GA Tech but after some research I’m having some doubts as apparently alcohol is not permitted on campus, smoking is restricted (Banned entirely!!!), and the dining halls don’t provide trays… >_></p>
<p>That said, I have a few questions as the answers may mitigate these issues:</p>
<p>1) Are there any food options surrounding the campus? For instance, UCLA has very little choices in food surrounding the campus whereas USC has various fast foods around. Particularly, are there any fast foods within walking distance?</p>
<p>2) Are there any bars or clubs around that students from campus hang out at? I don’t really drink but would like a fun, welcoming environment to socialize outside of studies. Also, at football games no one can drink??!?</p>
<p>3) What is the smoking situation? The website isn’t too specific other than 20 ft away from any entrance but what that means is beyond me as in CA smoking is either banned across campus or it isn’t. (The 20 ft from any public door or window is rarely, if ever, enforced)</p>
<p>Alcohol is sold on campus and they recently finished building a bar in the College of Management. </p>
<p>You are allowed to have alcohol in dorms, fraternity houses, and other residences as long as you are 21 or older. You cannot walk down the street drinking alcohol or drink alcohol in class but that’s the law in most places (you’ll get a ticket for public consumption). There are certain approved places to drink (dorm rooms, fraternity houses, and other residences, on campus restaurant and bars, etc). That’s policy is very, very similar across all colleges in the US.</p>
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<p>Smoking isn’t any more restricted than it is by state law. You can smoke on campus, but it has to be outside and you can’t stand within 20 feet of a door. That’s not really a big deal unless you’re on the fourth floor and you’re a 2-pack per day smoker. You’ll see areas where all of the smokers in a particular building will congregate to smoke (usually 20 ft away from a door where there’s a bench or some other sort of covering).</p>
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<p>You can get an unlimited amount of food, you just have to go to the food area more than once if you can’t fit your entire meal on a plate. </p>
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<p>Tech is in midtown Atlanta and surrounded by all sorts of places to eat. In fact, some of the best restaurants in the country are within walking distance of Tech (if you’ve ever watched Top Chef, two of the chefs have restaurants within walking distance and a third - Richard Blais - is opening one in the area as well). As far as fast food, you can get to 2 McDonalds, 3 Burger Kings, Moe’s, Wafflehouse, 2 Subways, Chick-fil-A, 3 Taco Bells, KFC, 2 grocery stores, Chuck’s Famous Sandwhiches, all major pizza places deliver, Rocky Mountain Pizza, and I’m probably missing a ton. </p>
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<p>No one can drink at any college football game unless it’s played in a professional stadium (like Miami). That’s an NCAA policy. People either drink before the game or try to smuggle in a flask (it’ll get confiscated if found, but many people do it).</p>
<p>As far as bars, there are a few places on campus (Barrel House, Rocky Mountain) where people drink, but then there are two big club/bar areas in Atlanta where most people go: Buckhead (mostly to Moondogs, Peachtree Tavern, East Andrews, etc) or Virginia Highlands (Limerick, Darkhorse, Cavern, etc). There are also some good places outside of those areas.</p>
<p>Thank you for the response. Very informative.</p>
<p>I’m happy to hear alcohol isn’t restricted. The US News list of top colleges stated GA Tech doesn’t allow alcohol for 21+ students so am happy to hear otherwise.</p>
<p>Glad that those looking to have a smoke can do so on a bench as opposed to only certain parking lots in particular areas. And relieved to know there are food options off campus within walking distance. </p>
<p>KamelAkbar --</p>
<p>The questions are not weird. Academically I feel GA Tech and myself are a match, but then again, I feel the same way about Berkley, Cal Poly, USC, and a few other schools. That said, another important factor in my choice of college is my social experience. I’m looking to have a fun, welcoming, relaxed environment.</p>
<p>Moreover, in regards to these issues, I have an objection. Schools that ban alcohol where students living on campus must visit a bar, that is off campus and likely must be drove to, create unnecessary risks. Nothing like making a newly turned 21 year old drive to a bar and then figure out how to get home. Much safer to consume in dorms or else where on campus in a safe environment.</p>
<p>With smoking, I don’t smoke regularly but during finals and or before an intense exam it helps take the edge off. It’s ridiculous here in CA where our campuses have nice landscaping and benches to sit at but yet you can’t smoke anymore. As a result, all the landscaping and sitting areas go to waste and everyone is at the edge of campus in parking lots smoking cigarettes. It’s pathetic. </p>
<p>And the trays… That’s just absurd. I’m not a fan of cost-cutting measures where the savings aren’t passed to the consumer but because it’s done for the environment it’s somehow okay. Like video game cases having a fourth of the plastic missing and flimsy 2-page, black & white manuals yet costing the same. Or everything from Apple costing a small fortune yet lacking a true user manual, instead you’re given a link to some pdf. Additionally, the tray dilemma is also a means of portion control. I don’t need anyone but myself regulating my portions. </p>
<p>Fortunately, off-campus eating options remedy that issue and everything else I was misinformed or lacking in information; which is the reason for this thread. </p>
<p>Now I just have a few questions about my major(s) and class sizes for which I will create a separate thread.</p>