On GaTech vs Cornell @ flat - I agree.
But most NYC Cornellians don’t have much to do with Cornell Club.
In my 20+ yrs in NYC, I’ve been there maybe twice, and that’s typical 
The engineering facilities at Cornell are wonderful.
What does the 4 year plan of study look like between the two schools? Does one appeal more to your student than the other?
You don’t have a wrong decision here. Congrats!
1 Like
a little treat that summarizes many alumni’s feeling about Big Red:
Could you elaborate any more on anything you have heard regarding GTs plans going foward with math/CS lectures being online? DS is strongly considering GT and has seen differing comments on this. GT have not been very clear when he reached out to them either.
From what we can gather, GT plans to continue having quite a few of their math/CS lectures online even after any and all Covid related restrictions are lifted? Any ideas if this will be limited to some of the larger early courses like Lin Alg and Multivariable or will extend to many more courses?
I would have created my own post or sent you a message but I felt this might be interesting for the OP.
You can go on oscar right now and see what classes are currently scheduled to be online vs in person. User Login
From what I can see, yes the big lectures are online, but the sections(or recitations or whatever they’re called at GT) are in person. As are all of the smaller classes. I believe that if the state mandates for distancing change, they may move the big lectures back in person, but they can’t do that yet because of the state guidelines. But in truth, who knows what will be going on by August. It’s basically a crapshoot.
DS has gone online and you are right it is the large classes like Lin Alg and Multivar that have online lectures only. He hopes to test out of both so not a big deal, but the issue is GT has not been very open about the plans going forward, despite asking them very specific questions.
If they plan to push more and more lectures online then he would choose elsewhere, if it is really just to handle some of the larger lectures he would be fine with it. After the last year and a half of online lectures, many kids are done with it (although some love the flexibility).
Honestly, the world is going in this direction. It’s just a matter of time. Reverse classes are actually a better way to learn ANYWAY. You watch a lecture video before, then you go to class and have either a Q&A session, or watch a prof explain you a bunch of problems. It’s a much better way to learn.
1 Like
If you haven’t signed up for the Facebook page for GT Current or Potential parents I HIGHLY recommend it. Post on there. Best source of info I’ve found. Of course it’s pro GT but you will get honest and plentiful answers from parents who have skin in the game.
I don’t have an answer for the math question but I think my son has one math left and it’s probably Discrete. He’s online next year with in-person recitation. I imagine most intro math classes are same. He hasn’t complained about his online classes except math. He’s finally come around that in-person is better, especially for math (something we adults already knew…lol). That said, I think a lot of schools are going this direction…for better or worse.
In general I think it’s been a painful year to some degree for all kids at all colleges. Some more painful than others. However, I’m so glad our son went to campus this year. A lot of unknowns but the growth and maturity we’ve seen reinforces what I always knew…that half of the college experience is just growing up and learning to be on your own.
Overall, the experience at GT has been good…I think we underestimate how adaptable and resilient our kids can be. That said, you really have to know your kid. The only thing I can really complain about with GT is the food…yes I know but it really is awful. Hopefully bringing it in-house this summer will improve the situation.
2 Likes
Agee in general but I think execution has been more of the problem this year. Tech issues, time zones, language barriers, organization, presentation skills, etc. These are solvable problems though. I keep telling my S21 who wants to go into film/video that if he could improve the online learning experience and presentation he’d be a hero.
I’m waiting for parents and students to start complaining that they have to take classes with bad lecturers. Imagine if you could just do your intro to Econ with a great professor from another school who gives a great lecture.
Seriously.
Physics by Feinman himself.
AI by that MIT professor (that lecture series is legendary).
I am sure I can find many more examples.
Depth of different levels.
I still remember my stats professor who could barely speak English … I had to relearn all the material.
1 Like