Admission Tips
Updated: August 2020
As you prepare your college application, check out these helpful application tips from our admission counselors.
Ready to apply now? Georgia Tech's application for first-year admission is now open.
5 Reasons to Apply to College During Early Action
- You’ll find out faster.
If you’re a Georgia student who applies by October 15, you will get your decision by mid-December. If you live outside of Georgia and apply by November 2, you’ll get your decision by early January. - The criteria are the same.
The Early Action application is exactly like the Regular Decision application, and we will make our admission decision based on the same factors. - You’ll be considered for competitive programs.
Students who apply early are eligible for consideration for certain programs such as the Stamps President’s Scholars Program and the Scheller College of Business Dean’s Scholarship. - If deferred, we’ll read your application again.
And you can update us on your fall grades and activities. - There's nothing to lose.
Early Action is not binding, and you will have until May 1 to decide whether or not you want to attend Georgia Tech.
How to Write an Awesome College Essay
- Start early.
Don’t wait until the day before the application deadline to write your essay. Take time to choose a topic and formulate the content of your essay. - Be authentic.
Write about a topic that’s personal to you and specific to your life story. Think about your passions in life and what excites you. When you can feel yourself “get into” what you’re writing, you’ll know you’ve found your topic. Still stressed out over what to write about? Read this blog by our director of Undergraduate Admission: College Admission Essays: I’ve Heard That One Before… - Stay on topic.
When you review your essay, be on the lookout for tangents. The points you make and details you include should relate to your main topic. - Show rather than tell.
For example, instead of simply saying, "I am active in my community," describe things you have done to serve your community. - Proofread, then proofread again.
Grammar and syntax are important. Write your essay in a document editor (such as Microsoft Word) so that you can easily make edits and changes to your copy. Also, read it aloud. That’s a good way to pick up on typos and awkward phrasing. - Don’t overlook the supplemental essay.
This small essay packs a big punch in the admission process. Check out the Georgia Tech Admission Blog for tips on making your short essay stand out.
The Right Way to Email a College Admission Counselor
- Do your research.
Check out the college’s admission website before hitting “send.” Most colleges have a wealth of information available on their admission sites. Examples include admission requirements, application deadlines, scheduling campus visits, and what majors are offered at the school. - Vet your email address.
Admission officers notice email addresses that are less than professional. If your current address is more cutesy than professional, you may want to consider creating a new account specifically for the college search process. - Target your audience.
Be sure you’re sending your message to the correct department, and also to the correct school. - Include your name and where you’re from.
There are times your message might be redirected to your specific admission counselor, and counselors are often divided by geographic location or by last name. - Don’t send personal information via a general email account.
If you're asked to submit information such as your Social Security number or a copy of your passport, call the admission office and ask for a specific address for a staff member, rather than sending your personal information to a general email account. - Remember spell check and grammar check.
These are effective tools that do make a difference. - Be polite and appreciative.
A respectful, courteous attitude will get you much further than being arrogant, pushy, or demanding. Be respectful, and it will motivate the person on the other end of the message to go the extra mile for you!
College Admission Tips for Parents
- Read the Georgia
Tech Admission Blog.
It offers a wealth of information, insights, and tips about the undergraduate admission process. - Pay close attention to all application deadlines.
- Make sure your student submits all required documents.
- Fill out financial aid forms, which are required for scholarships, grants, and
loans, early!
All financial aid documents are available starting October 1. The priority deadline for consideration is January 31. - Offer decision support.
If your student is accepted at several schools, making a final decision as to which one to attend can often be stressful, so your role in the process is critical. Here are some ways to help your student make this decision:- Start with an old-fashioned pros/cons list.
- Be realistic about college costs and what your family can afford.
- Explore all options for financing your child’s education.
- Take one last visit – you and your child will likely see the college through a completely new lens.
- Secure your student’s spot.
May 1 is the deposit deadline by which many schools across the nation, including Georgia Tech, expect to know whether an accepted student will attend. Be sure to pay your admission and housing deposits by this date.