Hi Guys I was just wondering what my chances at GT/UoM are, if you could also let me know what its like at tech I’d love to hear your guy’s thoughts. Thanks a ton for any response!
GPA: W 4.121 UW 4.0
Rank 1/396 (unmatched I believe)
ACT 31
English 29
Math 32
Reading 30
Science 31
Writing 30
Out of State (South Dakota)
I’ve got Good recommendation letters from my Counselor and teacher
Race: African American/Middle eastern
Gender: Male
My Essays from what I can tell
Intened Major: BME
EC’s
Tutoring kids (3 years)
Economics Club (2 years)
Spanish Club (2 years)
Lifting (4 years) (Personally trained friends for two)
Class load this year (I’ve taken all advanced classes and all but two AP’s)
AP Calc
AP Psych
APUSH
AP Lit
DR Micro Econ
In total (7 APs)
For GaTech I was very similiar to you out of HS 2 yrs ago). I finished with a 4.0 UW and 4.0+ W. I also made a 31 on ACT but I got perfect Math and didnt do too hot on the English. Also had many EC’s (mostly sports). Despite this, I was denied. However, I only took 4 AP classes which I believe to be the leading reason I was denied. (I applied for MechEng)
I believe with your 7 AP classes (and valedictorian rank) you will make a very competitive application. I would say you’re looking good for getting in.
If you get in, definitely choose Tech especially if you want to study engineering.
Yeah Tech is my dream school hahaha, I really really really want to get into GT. Minor correction its 6 APs 3 adv classes and 1 DR class in total. Thanks for the reply and the good luck! did you take AP Calc when you applied?
You can definitely get into tech, but their admissions seemed to change this year. The EA decisions were insane. I know someone with perfect grades, 10+ ap classes, 34+ act, ap calc, great ECs, and national merit status who got deferred. Then again, I know people with lower stats and no calc who got in. It’s crazy. Good luck!
Thanks for the support it means a lot, the way GT accepts its is quite spastic from what I can tell, it appears as of recently they care a lot about diversity, but have a very strong focus on GPA and ACT scores. To anyone lurking I’ll come back to this forum and let everyone know If I get accepted.
@blakester11 is GA Tech really that much better in Engineering? Michigan has a reputation as one of the best engineering schools in the country, so why should he definitely choose GA Tech?
Either one would be awesome. I am from Georgia and have many friends who have graduated from GaTech. Almost every one of them had a job lined already lined up as they graduated. GaTech just does such a great job of networking in Atlanta, their graduates usually do not have trouble finding a job after graduating.
Im sure both schools are great (ranked #6 and #7 in the US) and similiar in this regard. I am just partial to GT since it was my dream school despite them denying my application.
GaTech
So, on a normal georgia tech thing, I’d predict that your GPA and URM status could carry you in here. But as I’m sure you’re aware, your test scores are low. Furthermore, and I think more dangerously, it looks like GaTech are increasing their admissions selectivity this year, which will be even higher in their top programs like engineering. I don’t know if it will be reflected in a larger trend for them, but I have a few friends with profiles at least as good as yours who were rejected early. Who knows though, I’d guess you get denied here, based on their admissions this year.
Michigan
I’d guess you have a better chance here, although you lose your URM hook here because Michigan outlawed any racial Affirmative Action.Your scores are low again, but I think your GPA can carry you in here.
One critical flaw with your application that I see is the lack of any apparent engineering interest in your ECs, so hopefully you can write/have written essays that really detail your love for engineering.
Yes I made sure to make good notes of how I was the first person to test out of biology in my schools history and how I’m a trend setter not a trend follower also added some stuff about my culture etc. Also would GT and Michigan take into account the schooling in South Dakota? That’s a really big thing with the holistic review from what I can tell It’s nothing compared to that of larger cities.GT is big on having a diverse campus, in fact its part of their “institutional fit page”. Yes my test scores are low but they’re not that bad 33% percentile of what they accept so they’re not too bad.
I read over your forum and I’d say you have a good chance anywhere literally nothing should be hold you back from being accepted I don’t see how you could get denied everything seemed perfect on it imo.
I applied to GT for business as an instate kid and I got denied. You and I had very similar test scores/overall profile; however, you have affirmative action on your side so that may help you. What are your math and science grades like? Tech primarily looks at math/science grades, test scores, and overall GPA/class ranking. They honestly could care less for ECs.
@brian2746 I’m not sure if this would help my application but I am a son of legal Immigrants who worked there way to becoming legal citizens. All my math and Science classes have A’s in them. My GPA is 4:0 (unweighted) 4.121 (weighted, above the average acceptance rate). I also am rank 1 in my class of 396 and from SD (so the education is not the best). 1 quick thing how big of a role does being a URM play in my application. For instance the average Black ACT score is 17 where as the average white ACT score is 22 so would they compare me to the average black student that applies or the just the average student? I’m exactly sure how AA works. I don’t necessarily agree with AA but i’m just wondering. Also if I’m the only applicant from SD would that guarantee my chances of getting in? Thanks for the response it means alot!
I might want to add that GT’s admissions for in-state students this year have been extremely brutal regardless of major. I have seen many kids with top GPAs, excellent test scores, and good EC’s get deferred or denied.
With this being said, AA for GT works in a very strange way (from what I’ve seen). Assuming that an individual, who is an URM, has slightly lower scores/GPA than that of the average middle 50%, is most likely either going to get in or deferred. This had happened to my friend, who is African American and applied as an engineering major. He had lower test scores/GPA than that of mine and he got deferred. (For any girls applying to GT, AA will significantly help you in the admission process because they’re evidently attempting to increase the number of female students at GT.)
Like you mentioned how your HS education isn’t the best, GT also heavily looks into AP exam scores in order to see if you truly are good at Math and Science. I believe that they wanted all applicants to officially send or self report their AP math and science exam scores to them for undergraduate admissions. Check their undergraduate admissions website for more information about AP exams.
In order to fully answer your question about AA, I think that AA is the tie breaker between applicants assuming that you have a similar profile compared to an another GT applicant. They don’t compare scores to the national average.
Additionally, you’re applying as an OOS and that’s going to lower your chances a lot despite AA.
So bottom line, I wouldn’t get your hopes up too high, although I wish you the best of luck! I would look into other good engineering schools such as Purdue as a backup school.
Yes I’m applying OOS. I’m not sure if this has any bearing but I’m rank 1 in my HS out of 396. Also bear in mind that there’s a chance they’ll receive in applicants from SD so that might make my chances even greater (its a stretch I know).