Georgia Tech -- Is it worth it?

<p>My son had a good experience when he was getting info during the Connect with Tech program and he had all his questions (and more) answered…the part with the frat guys was not so good. The good news is that he stayed overnight at the hotel with dad instead of at the frat house. He also had made special arrangements on another day to visit a specific class and speak with the actual academic adviser. So far, he is very impressed.</p>

<p>Did your son go to the calculus classes, I heard those are very exciting.</p>

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<p>Your statement is pretty much what a lot of people think (perhaps not in those words). I do not believe “too busy to hate” is true, otherwise you wouldn’t see the city so racially segregated. You’re not going to see anybody being belligerent about it, but there is definitely a palpable feeling of segregation when you observe whites will only go certain places at certain times of day (e.g. Atlantic Station before 9pm or Piedmont Park before 5pm on weekends).</p>

<p>It is not only race but class segregation; the reason why you do not see white people working service jobs at Tech is because the vast majority of white people that live in Atlanta are college-educated transplants from elsewhere. True, there is a surprising black middle/upper class probably unlike anywhere else in the U.S., but the vast majority are still poor.</p>

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<p>I wouldn’t say that. The city is fairly segregated within I-285. Following White Flight, the southern half of Atlanta (below I-20) became heavily African American (in some locations, greater than 80%). The North half of the city (Buckhead, Lenox, Vinings, etc) remained primarily white, as that has historically been the wealthy part of the city and in the 1960’s (and even today), the majority of individuals that can afford to live in those areas are white. </p>

<p>So where did the lower income whites go? To the suburbs. Initially Marietta, Norcross, Lilburn, Smyrna, Stockridge, McDonough, Peachtree City, Stone Mountain, etc. Now even Marietta is too expensive, so more Kennesaw. In those areas today, you’ll find plenty of lower income, non-college educated whites.</p>

<p>Thanks for reassuring me that not all students are as bad as what I saw. </p>

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<p>Yes, my priority certainly is learning. That’s why I was a bit worried by what I saw. </p>

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<p>The impression I got was that if you don’t go off to relax/party every day you’ll be fine with grades. The only problem I’m having now is that my high school classes don’t have homework assigments made far in advance, but I still did fine last semester, just at the expense of sleep. I’m expecting assignments to be assigned further in advance in college, so I’m not too worried.</p>

<p>ipopova, Ga Tech has the reputation where students “work too hard”, not “work too little”. I think Connect with Tech folks tried to give your impression that Ga Tech is not too bad since most future students tend to worry that study load is too heavy at Tech.</p>

<p>I see. That might explain it. Thanks.</p>

<p>@GP Burdell, I am a freshman at Tech, I go to Brittain Dining Hall every day, and sometimes (not 50% of the time, but enough times to be noticed) I have to pick a plate or bowl or fork carefully to ensure there’s no dirt.</p>

<p>Also, about 70-80% skip my Calc III class every day, even when the weather is nice.</p>

<p>8, 1 or 2 pm? I’ve never heard of a Tech class having even close to that level of absenteeism. </p>

<p>I’m surprised about Brittain. It’s been a few decades since the last time I was in there (for obvious reasons). Why are they not cleaning silverware? They don’t have that problem in the Student Center or in Woodruff.</p>

<p>It’s 1:30. That lecture hall is practically filled up on test day, but on a normal day, everybody could fit into the first 4 rows, not counting the sides. This is the worst I’ve seen (I’ve been in 9 total classes at Tech). Normally, like 20% or so skips. You’re right though, my calc III class is abnormal.</p>

<p>You’re right, Woodruff and the Student Center don’t have the dirt problem. Only Brittain. And good call staying away from Brittain ;)</p>

<p>Regarding non-clean silver, it probably has to do with the dishwasher or with not soaking sufficiently for the dishwasher they have. I have had the same problem in workplace cafeterias - interesting what happens when the low bidder wins or the bidder has to live with limitations.</p>

<p>Thank you all for the discussion and the well thought out replies. My D is accepted and considering GT. Reading through this thread has given us a lot of information. We visited a long time ago, so it is good to get a refresher on the school and the area.</p>

<p>Was at GT last Monday, it was a rainy day in Atlanta, so the campus may have seemed bare, it was also spring break I believe.</p>

<p>It did not seem unsafe, even though right in town. The College of Computing building was impressive.</p>

<p>Son did not get accepted there and still wanted to visit. I am glad we got it out of his system as he would not have fit in there. The rep was very clear that all the ‘horror stories you may have heard are true’!! </p>

<p>GT no doubt offers tons of research opportunities and is ranked very high - for the right individual it can work very well.</p>