My son got accepted to GA tech fall 2017, he is eligible for 40 + credit hrs. my question is it good to avail all the credits (all are courses numbered 2k and below) and how is it going to affect his GPA.
Regarding FASET, to avail the AP/IB credits he should wait till 3rd FASET date, will it be ok or attending 1st or 2nd FASET date is better.
Thanks, in advance.
Yes, take the credits. The transferred grades/credits don’t impact the GPA, just reduces the total number of credits to graduate. The actual GPA that GT reports is based on the classes you take at GT. Taking credits will allow him to have a reduced course load per semester and/or pick a minor in a another subject if he so desires. When GA Tech gets a AP/IB scores reported to them, they will automatically give you credit.
In theory, he can apply for transfer credits after FASET. However if waiting for a later FASET means that GT has the AP/IB score, then it is better to wait. This will allow him to register for the right classes during FASET. There is no real advantage to attending earlier FASET over later one in terms of getting into classes/schedule.
In general, GT is more generous with credits for humanities and social sciences than with engineering classes (expect pre-requisites class like introductory Calculus, Physics, Chemistry and Computer Science).
@RightDirection. I am a parent of a freshman. I agree with GaussPi100 with one caveat. Last year, FASAT 6 was the most crowded so I would avoid FASAT 6. All international students and most OOS students choose FASAT 6 or 7. Try to avoid both. For the College of Computing, FASAT 6 was so crowded last August that no one was able to register for required English or Health classes! Georgia Tech actually sent an apology letter to all FASAT 6 students last year who were registering with the College of Computing. Be prepared as a parent to be sitting for hours during the registration part of FASAT.
Registration at Georgia Tech is a learned skill. I actually get it now that my son has done this three times. Its not a big deal, but it appears to be really disorganized at FASAT. So be prepared to feel some stress~! . Its not reflecting badly on the school, but registration is a two week process, with waiting lists and a second chance to get into classes later. It usually works out but it is very stressful for parents watching!
I actually recommend as a parent to skip most of FASAT. It will just raise your blood pressure. Instead, wander around Georgia Tech on your own and talk to people. Everyone is very friendly. The FASAT is very good for students and not very good for most parents. FASAT will allow you to meet other GT parents though if you want to do that.
@Coloradomama What are the main benefits for the students. If the student comes without parents, which FASAT would you suggest ?
FASAT is required for freshman, as I remember. You can bring your parents if they want to accompany you. It costs money for parents as they feed the parents lots of meals. They also feed the students, you are divided into various groups to meet other students and hear lectures, skits, tour various places, meet other students and professors and talk with professors, students and administrators, and then register and then go to the Bookstore for your photo and Buzz Card ID. Its a fun experience overall. Your parents may want to hear the lectures so then they need to pay for the food portion too. They separate students and parents for some of the lectures and information. There are some seminars about fraternities, sororities, the freshman resume/career seminar which is required for all freshman, and study abroad, and many other topics. Its reasonably informative. There is a lunch were parents can ask anything, (students are in a different room having lunch ) and lots of questions about safety in Atlanta came up last year, as well as workload questions and other things parents worry about. The GT police give one presentation to students and parents about safety too.
There are seven FASATS all summer long and for most majors, any of them should be fine. How registration works is they save spots in freshman subjects for each FASAT. You will be divided up by major and register with others in your major in a room together with some academic advisors. For CS, last year, for FASAT 6, there was some confusion, and it took about two hours longer than usual because I think of the high number of students who wanted certain math classes, and students waited to try to get enough credits so they felt comfortable.
Registration gets easier and easier as you learn the process and also as you are given priority as you go from year to year. Seniors have the most priority in signing up for classes.
If you are out of state, FASAT 6 and 7 lets you move right into the dorm, which is why those two are popular with international and OOS students. However many OOS students fly in for an earlier FASAT just to have a calmer experience.
FASAT 6 may be the most crowded, just because most students don’t want to wait until FASAT 7. I believe FASAT 7 is usually a little less crowded than 6, but that can vary year to year.
All the FASATS are exactly the same, so there really is no reason to pick one over the other, but if you can drive in, an earlier one may be less crowded.
there is an optional off campus experience for freshman, that my son did not sign up for, but if you sign up for FASAT 6, I think you can fit that in, or you can come early for it, if you are in an earlier FASAT. Its an overnight, as I remember at a YMCA like camp, near Atlanta, with upper classmen teaching you about all the GT traditions.
@Coloradomama Thank you!