Can some people shine some light on the truth about the social environment here?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Georgia Institute of Technology
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<p>SKIP below if you dont want to read all this. Its a bit unnecessary.</p>

<p>So I wanted to originally go to a Midwest University for college(UW, UI, OSU). Im from Ohio so I thought itd fit best, and it just appealed more. Though, Ive lived here in Atlanta for 8 years now, and I do like Atlanta. And I do like most southern people more now.(Im 20) Though, I want to get into Aerospace Engineering, and GA Tech is the best/only place to do that the best here in GA. Thing is, I was homeschooled in my high school years. And the main reason I wanted to go out of state is because I wanted to ATLEAST experience the thrills and fun of the "College life" since my early teenage years were so miserable and introverted. But I dont want to go out there and graduate with 100-150K in debt. My family cant afford anything towards OOS University. </p>

<p>GA Tech... it is almost perfect in everyway. It has prestige, in the TOP 5 best Universities in the nation for Aerospace/Engineering, people who make it out of this rigorous institute get good jobs(not everyone, anything can happen), all that stuff. And to make it even better? I can go to such a good Engineering school, and get IN state tuition on it? Sounds amazing (Despite the 5 hours of studying ill need to do on the daily, but trust me, Im willing to do that). Only down side... I hear so many bad things about 75% of the guys being introverts, nerds, "no guuurlz", crime, the teams suck etc etc. </p>

<p>Literally the exact opposite of what I wanted to experience since I had no high school life, and literally no friends, I kept telling myself "well Ill just wait till college, and ill have a ball" but the College I can go to that I can afford is literally one of the few with a reputation like this. Im lucky to be able to go here for so cheap, but also unlucky. Kinda ironic. </p>

<p>TLDR
Anyways, heres the too long didnt read/I dont care about all that part.
Can some students here, or anyone who has knowledge about this, tell me how its REALLY like here socially? Im not saying I want it popping here. But atleast I hope I can go on campus and find people to hang out with, theres clubs, activities people do, -some- extroverts, do people enjoy going out into Atlanta, are the sports teams REALLY(I checked the basketball team already, not good , but I wouldnt say bad, I think people exaggerated that one.), that bad etc etc. And no, Im not a big fan of frats. Any input would be appreciated, Ill feel much better about coming here if so. Yes, Im willing to sacrifice the last chance I get to socially enjoy my youth for great career success, but I really don't want to....</p>

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<p>I know two kids who are attending Tech as freshmen this year…both guys…neither very sociable…both of them have absolutely <em>loved</em> it…far exceeded their expectations as far as making friends and having lots to do. I think Tech is doing a big meet-and-greet for prospective students in Feb…possible to travel to campus for that? It might be your mind at ease. [Preview</a> Georgia Tech | Admission](<a href=“Blow the Whistle! (404 error: page not found) | Undergraduate Admission”>Blow the Whistle! (404 error: page not found) | Undergraduate Admission)</p>

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<p>So I did alot of researched, read reviews, even looked up vids on Youtube from students here (alot of goofy ones, lol), talked to people I know here in the Atlanta metro and even checked out the sports teams and all that. And its not NEARLY as bad as what other people were saying. Im more broke than a joke so I cant go do that visit in Feb, but I feel I have enough info now. From what people are telling me/I see, its really what you make it, and its alot that goes on. And with GT being RIGHT downtown, people talking about it being not much to do on Campus (which in itself isnt true) are silly, when Downtown is like a 5 minute bikeride from Campus. </p>

<p>And the guys say since about 50% of the guys are introverted, and in their dorms alot, it even out the M/F ratio a bit more for outside, lol </p>

<p>Anyways, it looks like my kinda place. I thought it was like this dungeon where people slaved over studies and had nothing to do afterwards.</p>

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<p>My daughter (white from Texas) is a second year at Georgia Tech. She LOVES Georgia Tech and loves Atlanta. She already says that she wants to stay in Atlanta when she graduates. There is plenty of fun to be had at GT. There may be some kids who stay in their rooms and study, but there are plenty who have fun. I have been to two GT football games. There were students of all nationalities in the student section at the games. The students have great spirit and have a ton of fun interacting with the GT band. My daughter has been to basketball and baseball games, too, and enjoyed them. Whatever you can do at any other college, you can do at Tech. My daughter doesn’t drink and still has fun. There are MANY kids who like to party so you won’t be alone if that is your thing.</p>

<p>A cool thing about GT is its proximity to most fun things in Atlanta - Peidmont Park, Centennial Park, places to eat, Atlantic Station, museums, etc… Everything is much closer than you realize.</p>

<p>There is also an active Greek scene there, too. It seemed significantly more relaxed than other colleges.</p>

<p>The campus has a lot of green spaces and picnic tables, grills, volleyball courts right outside the dorms for kids to hang out. </p>

<p>Another important GT fact is that most kids live on campus. My daughter and all her friends will live on campus all four years. That means you are always where the action is and your friends are just around the corner.</p>

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<p>Rundy3 - please keep Auburn in mind if you GT doesn’t work out for you - I think you will love it! Lot of aero kids attending on scholarship - smart group of engineering students at Auburn.</p>

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<p>This is ancient now threeofthee lol.
Ive visited GT and everything by now, and I gotta say its ALOT different actually being there versus what you just hear. For one the campus is so intertwined with Midtown(outside the dorm aeas), tech square alone has all kinda cool stuff stuff around. And I saw alot of students owning bikes, it only took me like 10-13 mins to walk from Tech Square at the Barnes and Noble back to the downtown area across the brdige. So if you biked youd be down thee quite fast. HOWEVER that Varsity area is sketchy… I had a GT hat on so this other student thought I was one too, and a homeless guy with this huge bag of metal was like kinda eyeing us and walking next to us and the two other students came in close to me when walking past there. Lmao. No but eally, if its even kinda sketchy in broad daylight… at night? That whole area acoss the bridge id be careful about, and trust me Ive been in ATL for years, I know sketchy when Im around it.Youve been warned. Lol.</p>

<p>None the less the school spirit was great too, you could tell just being around/on campus. Maybe its because it was right before GT’s ACC Championship game with FSU. Which they lost… but they stood toe to toe with the National Champs, good run. Anyways, its very energetic out there. I was talking to some guys in GTs gamestop (CEO is GT alumni btw) and just chillin around tech square. </p>

<p>As fr as the bad… all I will say is some of those guys, well no, most of them looked like your stereotypical, nerdy, engineer student. I mean my sis was with me the whole time and she was giggling at alot of them. Im talking like short shots, sandals, glasses, with the goofy walk and all. However I dont see where the hate for the chicks go, alot of them were actually kinda cute/hot. Oh and its -extremely- diverse. Sitting at tech square I saw a groups of students speaking three different languages walking by throughout the day. So yeah most the cute/hot chicks were non-white… Im Black so I valued the diversity is all. </p>

<p>Most people dont comment on the Frat/Sorority stuff. But theres some huge ass frat/sorority houses, not that this is uncommon but yeah… cant help but wonder with so many of them the greek life is kinda hardcore around GT, but again I wouldnt know im not a student. And I actually like all the hills on campus. Im from Atlanta so it feel right at home pretty much… I know I would like it as far as the campus goes. No clue about the -real- student/faculty life. But that wasnt what this thread was about. We have to move to Florida now though, so most likely after my last year in FL Ill lose residency in GA so… still doing AE though. But I came to realize whenever youre in a major city setting you cant ever really get bored, unless youre just lazy and dont ever wanna travel… or broke. But the things you do in a college town when broke is no different than in a city imo? </p>

<p>Btw I heard from actual ex-students that share a similar background as me that the students arent too friendly towards certain kinds of students unless you’re a athlete or religious… :frowning: But Im not surprised in rural AL. Birmingham is very friendly though so I was surprised to hear that. Then again, those are students versus normal people of all ages. That would never happen at GT…</p>

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<p>Ha! How did I pick up such an old threat! Haven’t heard that about Auburn, as far as not being friendly to, well, just about anybody. But, I’m a white “chick” with a white male student who loves his school.</p>

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<p>Probably were searching my threads I made and found this one, but yeah its pretty old, lol, its all good though, only about a year now. Not like its three years.</p>

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<p>I think if you start at a Georgia college before your parents have moved you could still be considered in state. I know if you had graduated from a Georgia high school that would be the case. It might be worth checking out.</p>