GTstudent willing to answer questions

<p>Hi, I'm gt08. I can help with answering questions you may have, or direct you to the best sources of info. I'll be graduating this December, with a BS in chemical engineering.</p>

<p>Is it a better idea to take 15-16 credits for each of your first two semesters, or to take 12-13 first semester and 18-20 second semester? I know you should take it light your first semester, but is it worth the sacrifice second semester?</p>

<p>maea, </p>

<p>It depends on your opinion of your preparedness for college, as well as the caliber of courses that you'll be taking (math/science as opposed to liberal arts ..)
I went the first route, because that kind of consistency appealed to me and I wasn't about to hurt myself by taking an excessive load. I was being cognizant of my own abilities and wanted to be careful in dealing with classes like Phys I, Calc III, my first chem engg course etc ...
You may feel more confident about handling a larger course load in your second semester, and so may want to take a lighter load in your 1st semester, so as to have more time to explore Tech/ATL ... Alternately, an extra lit/history class your first semester might alleviate your burdens in the second semester esp. if you plan to take advanced math/science classes.</p>

<p>Would you recommend re-taking Calc I, or any class for that matter, that you may have AP credit in? Will I be behind in Calc II if I exempt?</p>

<p>I'll be an incoming freshman this fall 2008 and I have some questions:</p>

<p>1) I hear it's REQUIRED for all incoming freshmen to own a laptop computer. How are they going to regulate this, and why are they making this a requirement? If you know, that is.</p>

<p>2) I'm planning on getting a PC laptop (don't like Macs), which brand would your recommend me to get? Which brand do most Tech students use? </p>

<p>3) Do you think I should get a bike for the campus or do most people just walk around?</p>

<p>4) Is it a good idea to take CS 1371 in the first semester or should I wait till second semester?</p>

<p>5) What kind of job opportunities to GT students get? Is it true that GT students get many job offers?</p>

<p>6) What is the scene for graduate school for GT undergrads? I'm assuming a lot of them don't have high GPAs that will let them get into high caliber grad schools. Does Tech take this into account when their own students apply for GT grad school? I just kind of want to the know the general consensus of things for people aiming to go to grad school.</p>

<p>Thanks for whatever questions you can answer. :)</p>

<p>Oh, I have an additional question regarding the laptop requirement.. I have a laptop, but it doesn't quite meet the specs they "require" (not good enough processor, not enough hard drive space). Is this going to be a big deal? I don't want to buy a new laptop - I just got this one a year ago!</p>

<p>cb21,
It depends on how comfortable you feel with AP Calc AB. Tech needs a 4 to exempt Calc I, but Calc II is rigorous and the first part of the course is briefly covered in Calc BC, not AB, so yes you would be slightly behind. So as to not overstretch yourself in your first semester, you may want to re-take Calc I. Even if you feel confident, it'd be an easy A at least!
On the other hand, if you really want to get ahead, you may want to go ahead and take Calc II (if you feel assured about your skills in math i.e. you thoroughly aced AP Calc and easily got a 5 on the exam). You'd get a jump on your peers, too.</p>

<p>Feez,</p>

<p>(1) I'm not sure if anyone's regulating this. Georgia Tech's RHA (Residence Hall Association) does have a branch that oversees students technology issues (the branch is known as ResNet) and they may know if you haven't got an existent IP address or something. I don't think that it's a big deal, authoritatively.
However, a computer/Mac is used frequently in school for everything ranging from hw turn-in to taking online quizzes etc ... Libraries and computer labs are available with free-to-use computers, but very few students rely solely on them.</p>

<p>(2) There's no specific brand that Tech students use. Personally, I'd recommend NOT to get a Dell. I made that mistake. Maybe a HP ...</p>

<p>(3) Tech has an inter-campus transportation service that uses Tech Trolleys (these follow a set route - two at a time, except for holidays/gamedays) and Stingers (there are three routes followed by three different buses - Red, Blue, Green).
These are usually efficient and lots of people do walk. However, Atlanta weather isn't always friendly and the increased enrollments mean that Trolleys and Stingers are becoming increasingly crowded (occasionally to the point that they can't accomodate any more passengers - they'll just pass you by at the stop). You'd have to learn to plan your routine well.
A bike is a good idea. Just be careful because bike vandalisms/thefts are an increasingly frequent occurrence.
Here's a useful link:GT</a> Parking & Transporation: Stinger All Routes
that shows routes followed by Stinger/Trolley.</p>

<p>Feez (cont.),</p>

<p>(4) It depends: how's your programming experience/skills? If you feel that you are capable of handling programming, then take it your first semester (I believe MATLAB and Java are taught, but you may want to check this on the GT course catalog).
I had some basic HTML experience, but nothing awesome. I did have some struggles with the course when I took it first semester, but you may fare much better.</p>

<p>(5) The best companies come to GT to recruit, in every field. However, like every other school, a good GPA is needed if you will be courted by the top players.
To take my field, as an example: A chemical engineer with a good GPA can consider the best companies from wide-ranging fields like oil (Exxon, BP, Shell etc ..) to pharma (Pfizer, Merck etc ..) There are companies in all sizes and fields, and many will appeal to you.
If you want lots of offers, have a good GPA (something > 3.0), some good extracurricular activities (maybe some research/co-op/internship) and apply widely. The offers will come in!</p>

<p>(6) You make a slightly flawed assumption. GT students who want to go to grad school are for the most part pretty well accomplished, with good GPAs and research experience. Even a "low GPA" cannot be excessively low, and must be buffered with good research credentials.
I knew a couple of people who're going to grad school: one's a so-so guy (OK GPA, not too high at all, but good research --- he's going to Gainesville), another guy had an excellent GPA and not bad research either (he's going to MIT).
I think GT does consider the rigor of their undergrad program, but they're not going to cut you much slack.</p>

<p>Hey...congrats in (almost) completing your undergrad in GT. And thanks for your help. I have a few questions too. </p>

<p>I have a few questions about software needed and I have made a new thread for that. It would be really helpful if you can help me out there.</p>

<p>Secondly, I plan to transfer credit for Calc 1, Phy 1 and 2 and Chem. I mastered my AP's (Calc BC, Phy C (mech) and Chem) and I am quite confident that I will get high grades for my IB's. However, I'm scared about the load that I am going to face in the first two semesters If I skip these courses at Tech. What kind of courses should I take in my first year to make the transition smoother? (Btw, I plan major in mechE) Should I get rid of most of my elective and other liberal arts requirements? What are the math/science 'light' classes that I can take in my first year? Can I start with some introductory engineering classes? Maybe some programming...</p>

<p>Can you also outline which option, internships or co-op, is a better choice? With a co-op program are you expected to both study and work in the same time for 2 years? Should this choice be dependent on my choice of path after graduation (ie. work or MS)? Having eliminated 16 hours with credits, how long will it take for me to graduate if I wish to join the co-op program and include a minor? How many hours (approx) per semester do I need to average?</p>

<p>What are the different ways in which students acquire research oppurtunities in GT?</p>

<p>Sorry for the huge questions that I have asked? I'm just excited about my new journey...Thanks again...what's your plan now for the next couple of years?</p>

<p>*Brahmin,
I answered your questions on software on that thread.</p>

<p>(2) Don't get rid of too many electives/liberal arts classes; you can use them to balance the engineering load later on in your college career. You can take classes like Calc 3, differential equations to finish your math reqs, English classes, history classes (to fill some humanities reqs), you can take CS1371 and CS1322 (first two CS classes, teach MATLAB and Java respectively).
Some people take the first engineering course of their major their second semester; it's not a bad idea and gives you an early-on indication of whether you've made the right decision, with regards to your choice of major.</p>

<p>(3) Co-op: study/work alternate semesters (i.e. work, study, work, study). You have to finish four terms of co-op to get a designation on your diploma.
Internships: it's like a co-op, but only one semester (your summer) and there's no designation.
You are generally with one employer throughout your co-op, but since internships are only semester-long, you can work with different companies but may not have the satisfaction of starting and completing entire projects.
This is independent of whether you choose to do grad school.</p>

<p>(4) Hard to say how long you'll take to graduate - it depends on how many hours you take/semester. With a minor (depends on what it is), averaging around 14/15 credits per semester (a reasonable load), you'd take ~5 years at least.
You could take a large load of classes each semester, but I would not advise it. With ~20 hours/semester, you might make it out in 4/4.5 years.</p>

<p>(5) Research opportunities are acquired usually by talking to a professor whom you're interested in doing research for (look up his website, browse through his publications to see if you like it). Send him an email.
Usually, undergrads who want to do research start in their second year (if they want to actually publish something or make a presentation at a gathering or something).</p>

<p>Why not Dell? What problems did you encounter? Thanks for answering all of these questions; it is helping a lot.</p>

<p>Thanks a lot for your answers gt08! I have some programming experience from AP Comp Sci AB, so I guess I'll take CS1371 first semester. :)</p>

<p>Hey gt08,</p>

<p>I was wondering - I got in as a Bio major, and I plan on doing pre-dentistry. However, I've decided to take advantage of the excellent engineering programs that the school offers, and change my major before my freshman classes even begin. Is this possible? If so, how flexible is it?</p>

<p>Do you think that a BME + Pre-Dentistry is too overloaded for a student to handle? It's cuz I'm worried that it will be really tough for me to maintain a high GPA at the school with such a workload and plus some EC's I might have to accomplish over the years.</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

<p>cb21, </p>

<p>I had some issues with Customer Support and the laptop that I bought has had recurring issues. I've had to do reformat the thing at least four times and it's been an annoyance at times.
However, I do have an old model (Inspiron 5150) that others have told me, is a particularly bad model. I'm not an authority on computers; it's just personal preference based on past experience that's led to that recommendation. It may even just be that my anti-virus/spyware software wasn't run enough ... I don't know ...</p>

<p>tom1030,</p>

<p>(1) I don't think that you can change your major before school starts, but you may want to ask this question at FASET. It shouldn't matter; for the most part, freshmen take the same classes in the first semester irrespective of their major.
(2) I don't think that's too overloaded; a lot of people here at BME + pre-med/dent/vet ...
BME has a lot of courses in its curriculum that also meet reqs for medical schools, so you won't have to take many unnecessary courses as opposed to if you were any other engineering.
I don't think there's cause for worry: countless students do exactly as you describe: take those courses, study for MCAT, do ECs (maybe more so in the holidays (summer/spring break)), and still have time to relax.
Just make sure to not take too large a load in any semester, prioritize your time, do not fall behind in your classes, study, ask questions and make sure to get enough sleep.</p>

<p>I would like to correct you, gt08, on your last post, part (1). They do want you to let them know if you change your major before FASET. They want you to e-mail admissions or send a letter/fax to the admissions office informing them of the change by mid-June.</p>

<p>Thank you for that clarification, maea.</p>

<p>Thanks guys, and I actually just received that email regarding my intended major. If I do in fact request that I change my major to them by email, is it definite or will I have time to discuss it with my adviser once I'm there?</p>

<p>Do you know anything about the computational media department? They're website looks a bit dodgey considering they should be on the forefront of digital media creation. :rollseyes: </p>

<p>I'm considering between paying OOS for this at tech, or in state digital media at mtsu. (cheaper, less computer science) </p>

<p>Though I'm ok at them, I don't care for programming or math. However, I love working with and building electronics (sadly not part of the gatech curriculum), video editing and effects, web design, writing, business, etc. So the LCC side of the degree looks VERY appealing.</p>