Do engineers have social lives here?

I want to be an industrial engineer and I am debating where or not I should apply to Georgia Tech. I know that I would have to work very hard, but I was just wondering about other people’s experiences. Do you have enough time to join greek life/party and also pass your classes? Would it be possible for me to join a sorority, have fun, and be successful?

Also, this is kinda random but also a concern of mine. The gender ratio at Georgia Tech is a little off, in your opinion does this have any effect on your day to day life? Do girls typically have a harder time fitting in?

Thanks in advance for any responses!

Georgia Tech is extremely competitive these days. A friend of mine who was accepted at Columbia, WUSTL, Cornell, Berkeley, and Rice was flat-out rejected there (compsci), and she used her ED bullet on Georgia Tech. I would definitely apply there but also try to visit over the summer to check that “demonstrated interest” box.

I agree, GT is very competitive these days. I would recommend applying to those schools in which you’re interested. Then compare the "fit’ once you know your options.

However, I can tell you that it is possible to join a sorority and still be very successful academically. My daughter just finished her second year and is an officer in her chapter. The daughter of a family friend graduated with a degree in industrial engineering a couple of years ago and she was president of her sorority while at GT. Most students at Tech are involved in a wide range of activities - Greek or otherwise. It seems that the ability to be very involved (and accomplished) in meaningful activities while challenging yourself with the most difficult courses offered at your high school, is a large part of the GT holistic admission process. Good luck!

GA Tech doesn’t offer ED.

Also worth noting that the acceptance rate for women was ~34% vs. ~22% for men. If your stats put you in striking distance, definitely go for it!

The ratio at GT is up to 40% girls in undergrad. Graduate school is more male dominated. So its much better than most engineering colleges and way more girls than any Ivy, or any large public engineering college, where engineering is very male dominated.

Georgia Tech only offers nonbinding Early Action with the acceptances announced on January 15, so students cannot wait they must apply everywhere along with GT. Its not like schools that give the EA or ED decision on Dec 15. Georgia Tech does not limit students other applications, and its pretty unlikely that a student got into Columbia U with a 3-5% admit rate and not GT with a 25% admit rate, but strange things do happen.

With that, it seems CS very overcrowded everywhere, and if a student applies RD from out of state and says CS is their intended major, Georgia Tech is a VERY poor bet. Apply by Oct 15 for the best chance at GT for any major.

GT is still there to serve Georgia students primarily, and dominated by Georgia students, thus OOS is somewhat harder for admissions than in state.

Also Greek life is alive and well at Tech. Look up all the fraternity/sorority options. Its got a lively football and sports culture and the best club for biking, hiking, kayaking and rock climbing in the nation. The rock climbing club goes to Tennesee to climb every single weekend.
There is a lot to do in Atlanta, so no issues there at all for social life. Its much more lively than MIT, CMU, Stanford Engineering etc.

http://www.crc.gatech.edu/programs/outdoor