<p>issymom. She is a Management Major and though the engineers may snicker she certainly wasn't interested in engineering and felt that GA Tech was more suited to her than UGA or Mercer. She will have a minor in Biology when she graduates and is taking the pre-med track. She likes GA Tech and the friends she's made (she joined a sorority which I strongly believe has helped her social life which at times seems to be extremely busy). Her best experience is studying abroad this past summer in Europe and at Oxford. She has mentioned that Tech wasn't the BEST choice of schools for her but she has never considered transferring. She is now applying for summer internships in the medical field.</p>
<p>And she did take Physics somewhere else than GA Tech and transferred those credits due to the horror stories she heard about first year Physics and that she didn't take AP Physics in HS.</p>
<p>my once without a doubt is now a little worried. always thought that this was the school for me and when i read everything negative, i don't know what to do. last thing i want is my first two years of college to be hell and so far no one has been able to tell me that that is not the case at GT. what in the world are they thinking? with this reputation, don't they know that we are scared to death to go there/</p>
<p>I think the school assumes anyone attending GT believing there is little work involved is lazy, naive, or a combination; hence to get rid of those elements they tie you to a rack and force you to derive functions for two years. </p>
<p>From what I have heard, Calc I is simple enough, but Calc II crucifies the mathematically disinclined and Physics does the same thing. That's part of the reason I think engineers (or anyone, really) who graduates from tech schools are looked up on. Most adults I know are engineers of some sort (mainly a mix of electrical, computer, and mechanical), and I've just been nurtured to engineering. So Tech is a no-brainer for me.</p>
<p>Say what you will about tough classes, the problem is many (not all) of their professors could care less whether you pass their class and if you need help, God forbid you aske them for assistance. This input is from many students and not just students who are having to struggle or work hard to stay afloat. When the school has that reputation...that's a sad commentary on the faculty. You can be a demanding professor but you don't have ambivalent towards students. Look at the enourmous upside Tech would have if their professors put forth some effort in caring for their students. It would be an amazing institution. I attended a very challenging undergraduate institution that demanded everything you had; however, professors cared and made themselves available when you needed them. That was part of their job. Tech has many upsides but the access to their professors is not one of their strong points.</p>
<p>Hey guys, I am an out out of state student from California who was recently admitted into Georgia Tech's biomedical engineering program, and I was wondering if any of you guys could answer a few of my questions. Gt06, I would especially like answers from your experience since I assume that you too are a biomed major. I got in with a 3.5-3.6 weighted GPA and a a 1350 SAT score. I usually get high B's or low A's in my science and math classes. Tech has been my top choice for quite some time, but like some other ppl, tons of negative reviews have affected my spirit. I just dont want to fail out if I go to Tech. I am an above average student, but am by no means a "genius" like most people who go to Tech are categorized. However, I feel that my desire to go to Tech will give me the adequate work ethic to graduate (in 5 years hopefully), but I just want to know Tech's graduation rates. I think I can put in an above average work ethic. Basically, I just want to know if Tech is incredibly difficult for a merely above average student like me? I am willing to deal with a few sleepless nights.
P.S. I haven't taken Calculus in high school...Is that bad?</p>
<p>My son is starting at Tech in the fall and I've warned him to take Calc I and Physics I. A friend of mine's boss (PhD from MIT) teaches every few years at Stanford and all math professors are complaining that students are not taught calculus very well in high school. Basically they know how to figure out an answer, but do not understand mathematics. And he said it's a rare student who didn't have 800 on SAT Math.
So, take the courses and be surprised that you'll learn a lot. And if you have a 4 or 5 on AP Calc, you'll probably have a bit easier time of it and be much better prepared for Calc 2.</p>
<p>There are also those math professors who feel students should not take Calculus in high school because professors have to undo poor teaching. So, coming in with a strong precalc class should be just fine. (you could also take a community college class in basic calculus for 6 weeks this summer, if you feel especially nervous.)
Also the Freshman Experience has helped keep their freshman to sophomore retention rate at 93%- so just make sure you sign up for it. Provides tutors in every dorm and the support you need to get in the groove.
I think you should be fine. My humble opinion!</p>
<p>The generalization that most Tech students have an 800 on their Math SAT is bs. Most students don't have an 800. The vast majority have taken Calculus in HS, the majority AP but certainly they haven't have all scored 800. It's simple math, just look at GT's SAT Math Avg. Just study smart, don't study in a noisy dorm room, use the library, seek help before you need it, don't wait until you're weeks behind to finally wake up to the point that you need to catch up and most of all, SHOW UP TO ALL CLASSES whether or not you understand your professor. Get in a study group if needed. And remember, you don't have to take Physics at Tech. If you don't have a strong background in it, you can take it during the summer at another college and transfer the credit.</p>
<p>Thanks a lot guys. I am coming to Atlanta this weekend, and I am most likely going to attend Tech (unless I hate the city/campus). I appreciate your honest answers. Is there any other advice that I should know about as a future Tech biomed engineer?</p>
<p>I was referring to Stanford Univ students having 800 on SAT Math but not undestanding mathematics. It's a real indictment of high school math teachers who are teaching to the test.
So, to those who didn't have calculus in high school, I'd say there are a lot of professors out there who are happy to teach calculus to you for the first time becuase they think they teach it correctly, as opposed to too many of the high school math teachers. (or take a 6 week community college calc class if you want to have a taste of what calculus is)
My son will be starting in engineering and I think he is worried about physics. I've told him to take a 6 week course this summer, but I think he's going to 'wing it'.
Look forward to seeing you all in August!
PS I saw there's a special Fall Open House program for women (high school Juniors) in the non-engineering majors so maybe in due time, the balance of boys:girls will improve!</p>
<p>Just came back from the Tech campus this week. It is the actually pretty nice. Issymom, you'll probably be glad to know that the biomed buildings are brand new and state-of-the-art. They are AMAZING.</p>
<p>we visited this past weekend and loved it. where they get that it is not nice is confusing. really pretty campus and we loved the area across the bridge...new stores, new buildings, and a great place to hang out. and there were so many girls there ....pretty girls. i have to believe that the negative comments are either from kids that can't cut it or from kids that can't socialize. my d knows kids at so many schools that are within 1-2 hours drive. my new worry is that it will be too much fun. oh, and the women there make you proud to be female. smart, on the ball, and successful.</p>
<p>My son was accepted by GT to study civil eng from fall 2006 and he also received acceptance notice from UCLA to study mech eng just yesterday.</p>
<p>Having read the very negative comments on GT, I was scared by the alleged unsafe environ and the apathetic prof. It was good to have read this thread of comments, otherwise I might have made a wrong choice. </p>
<p>Though not decided yet, I tended to go for GT. Any advice from you wise people there.</p>
<p>we were concerned about the negative comments, too. but i must say, after visiting NYU (very ugly campus), BC (very pretty campus), and some others, we had to weigh in city vs town location. For a school in the middle of a large city, it was amazing how you don't even know you are in a city once you are on campus. It is pretty, many of the buildings are new and the buzz is right across the street if you want it. As for lack of girls, we saw tons...very attractive girls with a lot on the ball. As for the negative comments from students, we saw none of that. We have been worried about the difficulty of the school. Our D is smart, pretty (blonde, cheerleader, and a bit clueless sometimes) so we thought long and hard about letting her go to a school that is so demanding. But we want her to be successful after college, not just have a party for the next 4 years. And GT's liberal arts program and the international affairs along with the biology and managements programs are exciting. Parents that I know say that their kids graduated from GT and found jobs! Parents of many other schools are not saying that. Our goal as a parent has been to teach our kids that college is an avenue to learn how to do something that someone wants to hire you for...not just to spend four years in a continuation of hs. So everything about Gt said that to us. Kids can always find a party or can always socialize. But they can't always see the big picture and I think GT gets them ready for that.</p>
<p>That's very kind of you to reply. I and my son would surely weigh your assessment in making our decision. I myself also fancy to live in Atlanta for a while to take care of him. It seems the place is quite exciting with some old buildings, museums, restaurants and art schools around. I do amateur painting myself.</p>
<p>Wish your D a lot of success among the GT boys :)
and of course flying colours in the grades.</p>
<p>My son started his semester in GIT this August, after having spent two years at a community college in California. He's a transfer, and joined as a junior. Gatech's buildings are new and modern and he is happy there. Don't understand why there were some malicious report about this college. Hope my son wouldn't see any of the ugly things mentioned in the web.</p>
<p>Just returned from freshman orientation (FASET) and found it to be very thorough and efficient for both parents and students. Departmental counseling and scheduling went well. We saw plenty of social life around Greek row and around the dorms. Pretty girls every where and the support for students moving in was not like what I had. Technical guys right there in the dorms helping establish connections and phones plus frat guys helping move everything from the curb to the room in no time. So far, so good.</p>