I have read conflicting opinions on here about whether or not admission decisions take into account intended major. Some posts say, for example, that CS is a more competitive major to get into. Other posts say that admissions are based on scores and not major since many kids change after they enroll. Can someone clarify? While I’m at it, chances please?
OOS white female
Intended major: industrial design
GPA UW 4.0, weighted 4.44
6 AP classes including Physics and Physics C
ACT 33
I’m not sure how that would apply to ID, but I suspect they would be looking for a curriculum and ECs that included some art, design, drafting, etc. I would also imagine that their decisions would also have to focus on meeting target enrollment numbers for each college at the very minimum
Regarding your chances:
[ul]Your stats are in range[/ul]
[ul]Being OOS is going to severely restrict your chances. GT’s overall OOS acceptance rate was 18% last year[/ul]
[ul]They’ve received significantly more EA applications this year (an 8% increase I think). Someone else has posted that the expected EA OOS admission rate will be 21%. If you didn’t apply EA, your chances are probably much smaller than 18%.[/ul]
[ul]Looking at the CDS from 2016-2017, twice as many men applied as women (21K vs 9.5K), but the overall acceptance rate for was 22% vs 34%. That’s a pretty significant difference that should work in your favor this year.[/ul]
D has similar stats, but indicated Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering as her major. I wish I could be more optimistic on her chances, but it’s going to be hard to overcome the OOS hurdle.
It is a bit discouraging as there are no schools with that major in our home state. Looking at decreased chances of admission AND out of state tuition at all programs. Good luck to your D - I guess the waiting game starts now (yes, applied early).
According to Rick Clark, the Director of Undergraduate Admissions, “Georgia Tech does not admit students to a specific major as freshmen. However, we do consider students through the lens of the major they intend to pursue. We discuss whether or not a student’s high school courses, academic performance, activities and essays align with their intended major. Since nearly 40 percent of our students change their major during their freshman year, we must ensure that any admitted student is capable of excelling in any of our programs of study. In order to create a well-rounded class, we are intent upon enrolling students with a variety of passions and talents both inside and outside the classroom.” http://getschooled.blog.myajc.com/2016/09/02/eight-myths-about-getting-into-georgia-tech-what-applicants-need-to-know/
Some will argue that as a consequence of increasing applications to a popular majors (such as CS in the last few years) that admission to those majors must necessarily become more competitive, but keep in mind that if you apply early, no colleges have yet “filled up.” The most popular majors are also some of the largest and therefore capable of accepting more students, and the university does hire new faculty and expand programs that are in high demand. As Clark states, many students will change their major, so it would be a bit silly to place too much emphasis on major choice. Applicants really should just apply to the major they are most interested in, if they have one, so that they can tell their story in a more authentic and enthusiastic manner.
You have perfect grades in a slightly easier than average curriculum (“only” 6 AP classes) and strong test scores. If you also have compelling involvement and wrote strong essays you will have a strong chance at admission. Tech has become very competitive, so there are no guarantees; just submit the best application you can and the rest is out of your hands.
@InPursuit I agree with your second paragraph. If choice of major was a significant factor in admissions, then one would expect applicants to select the major they believed was the least competitive for admissions, since GT expects and allows changes of major after the first semester. Since GT hasn’t restricted major changes for specific majors, it stands to reason that the frequency (and direction) of major changes hasn’t created issues for the different departments.
The biggest hurdle in OPs case (and my D) is probably being OOS. The state of Georgia requires at least 60% admissions be in-state, putting OOS students at a disadvantage.