Chance Me - Georgia Tech Class of 2022

Hi! I was just wondering about my chances for get into Georgia Tech.

My first SAT score was 1420 (English + Math)
My first ACT score was 32 (35 Math).

I plan on taking both of these exams again.

APs: AP Stats, AP Computer Science Principles, AP Physics A, AP Psychology, AP Calc AB

UW GPA: 3.5
W GPA: 4.3

Extracurriculars: Math Team, Robotics Team, Science Olympiad, Aviation Club, Politics Club, Debate Club, MUN, Tae Kwon Do

Sports: Basketball since 9th grade

Volunteering: Volunteered at Library, Volunteered at Hospital, Red Cross, NHS, Various Festivals

Intended Major: Computer Science

In-state or OOS? Male or female?

OOS, Male

You may be able to get an idea of where you place relative to recently admitted students by looking at the Georgia Tech Common Data Set: Part C9 of the CDS gives the median 50% for both SAT and ACT scores, as well as the percentage of the entering first-year class falling within certain ranges of SAT and ACT scores; Part C11 gives the percentage of entering first-year students falling within a range of unweighted GPA on a 4.0 scale, and Part C12 gives the average high school GPA of first-year applicants.

The CDS also tells you, under Part C7, that GPA and the rigor of your high school record are “very important” academic factors considered for freshman admission, whereas standardized test scores and your application essay(s) are “important” academic factors considered for freshman admission. Extracurricular activities are considered as “very important” non-academic factors. When I attended an Open House at Georgia Tech this past February, the Admissions Director, Rick Clark, echoed these points of emphasis — and primarily that GPA means more than standardized test scores to the Georgia Tech Admissions Office.

Mr. Clark also mentioned that about 1/2 of the applications to Georgia Tech come from domestic OOS students, and about 1/4 from international students; with about 60% of admitted students coming from Georgia, 30% of admitted students being domestic OOS applicants, and 10% of admitted students coming from outside the U.S. At that time, using the most recent statistics then available, he said that there was a 23% acceptance rate among domestic OOS applicants.

Your ACT score is very competitive in general terms, although I am not sure that it is competitive for computer science students. Your unweighted GPA is a little lower, but your weighted GPA is a little higher, than last year’s freshmen admittees; again, it may not be as competitive with OOS applicants who plan to study computer science. By way of comparison, our OOS high school usually has 5-10 students who apply, and 1-2 students who are admitted, each year to Georgia Tech; and, with the exception of the rare D-1 athlete, historically most of our admitted students have had ACT scores of 31-35, an average SAT of 1450, and weighted GPAs of 3.95+. (Although in more recent years the test scores and GPAs from our students have been trending higher.) These successful applicants also were involved in extracurricular activities that showed commitment over time (no “drive-by” ECs). Most all of these kids were “unhooked” in admissions parlance (i.e., not a recruited D-1 athlete, or a URM, first-generation college student, etc.).

Thank you so much for your help!