Daily life as GT student

Colleges and Universities A-Z Georgia Institute of Technology
1

Hi, I have a few questions that I was hoping someone more familiar with life at GT would be able to answer.

  1. Would you recommend having a car around Atlanta? I am looking to do some weekly grocery shopping, possibly going to church, maybe going to see a game or a play or sightseeing around the area. I am trying to balance the benefits of having a car with the costs and hassles of having one.

  2. What is the bike culture like around campus? I plan on bringing a bike but I am worried about bike thefts and also about crowded bike racks outside of buildings.

  3. Are there any services that help students move in? I applied for an unfurnished apartment. Are there any services that offer to receive and store your belongings before students arrive on campus to pick them up?

  4. Are all student housing equipped with elevators?

  5. Is there anything else I should know about life on/around campus?

2

Here’s what i know (and my kid hasn’t started there yet but this is research i’ve done). Freshman are allowed to have cars but most don’t. If you do bring one, the annual parking permit fee is $740. In addition, most of the campus is either car-free or headed that way. They also offer free shuttles to grocery shop, attend movies, etc. https://pts.gatech.edu/subsite2/Pages/Tech%20Trolley%20and%20Midnight%20Rambler.aspx

3

You might get more answers about moving services and life on campus by asking on the GT subreddit: http://www.reddit.com/r/gatech/

4

my freshman D did have a car for the second half of the year. She really enjoyed the freedom to be able to get off campus on her terms. She lived on west campus and parking was very available, although likely to get less so.

I have yet to see an elevator in GT housing, but maybe some of the higher ones do.

My D also had a bike and said it was very useful. She never had a problem finding a place to put it. Yes, theft is a problem. Bring a cheap bike and get a U lock.
If you move in on move-in day I believe that Greek life helps out a lot. Last year my D moved in 2 weeks early for a special program and she still had help. Contact housing to find out what to do about sending belongings ahead. I’m sure they know of something given the large amount of international students.

You asked about anything else you should know and I hesitate to share this because you didn’t choose it. D is back from her first year and she said one of the things that made all the difference in her first year was choosing a freshman experience dorm. Yes the room and roommate were not the best, but everything else helped her to bond with her dorm mates and have a great first year. So much so that she will be a PL in a neighboring dorm next year! Good luck at Tech!

5
  1. For freshman year, I would not recommend having a car, it's too much of a hassle. Most things are walkable, and I never felt at a disadvantage not having a car. The bus/trolley takes you where you need to go.
  2. Tons of kids have bikes, and it's actually quite useful. Most buildings will have racks, make sure to get a good U lock.
  3. Yes, I believe there are some services that help you move in, I'm not to sure about this one though.
  4. No, not all student housing has elevators, but since you applied for an apt, it definitely should have one.
  5. I'm curious why you applied for an apt, you'll be missing out on dorm life!
6

If you look at the GT housing page it says that all apartments are furnished.

7

My D is a rising Junior and is going to bring a car to campus this fall for the first time

8

OP, if you’re a freshman and applied for an on-campus apartment, I’m pretty sure you’re still going to get a standard freshman dorm. They really want all freshmen in dorms. All the freshmen dorms on West Campus have elevators and only one (Towers, maybe Glenn as well when it opens next year) on East Campus has one.