What Is Georgia Tech Known For?

What’s Covered:

• Overview of Georgia Tech Admissions
• Unique Aspects of Georgia Tech
• What Are Your Chances of Acceptance at Georgia Tech University?

If you’re looking for a mid-sized university with competitive admissions, an emphasis on technology, and exciting athletics, Georgia Tech may be the perfect fit for you. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about being an undergraduate student at Georgia Tech—from extracurriculars to traditions, as well as crucial information about the admissions process.

Overview of Georgia Tech Admissions

Location: Atlanta, Georgia

Undergraduate Enrollment: 20,592

Acceptance Rate: 14%

Middle 50% SAT: 1370-1530

Middle 50% ACT: 30-34

The Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) is a public school in Atlanta, Georgia, with a selective admissions process. When making admissions decisions, Georgia Tech considers the following factors “very important”:

• Course rigor
• Academic GPA
• Character/personal qualities
• State residency

It also considers the application essay and extracurricular activities “important” to admissions decisions. Georgia Tech requires students to submit an ACT or SAT score; however, it only “considers” standardized test scores in admissions.

Although Georgia Tech does not offer an early decision plan, the university does offer an early action plan that closes October 15 for Georgia residents and November 3 for out-of-state residents. Students from Georgia who apply during early action have a 33% acceptance rate, which is more than double the overall acceptance rate of 14%.

Out-of-state students have an 8% admission rate, which is lower than the overall acceptance rate; however, the majority of out-of-state students apply early. In 2025, out of 38,320 applicants, 36,185 applied early action.

The takeaway is that it’s more likely for Georgia residents to be accepted to Georgia Tech than out-of-state students—nearly 33% of in-state students are selected compared to 10% of out-of-state students.

The regular admissions deadline for the 2025-2026 academic year is January 5. Students can apply using the Common Application and will be required to submit a supplemental essay.

Learn more about Georgia Tech and see your chances of acceptance.

Unique Aspects of Georgia Tech

Academics

Georgia Tech is commonly ranked among the best public universities in the United States and is the South’s largest engineering and industrial research agency. The university offers over 100 technology-focused undergraduate majors and minors that span six colleges and 29 schools. The colleges include:

• The Scheller College of Business
• The College of Computing
• The College of Design
• The College of Engineering
• The Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts
• The College of Sciences

Georgia Tech’s Scheller College of Business and College of Engineering are both highly ranked. The university is deeply involved in government and industry research, contributing significantly to the Georgia Research Alliance, which plays a key role in driving the state’s economic development strategy.

Engineering is the most popular major at Georgia Tech—other popular majors include computer science and business administration. Georgia Tech also offers ample opportunities for students to complete their Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in accelerated programs, specifically in the College of Liberal Arts and the College of Engineering.

Notable faculty at Georgia Tech include Annie Antón, who President Barack Obama selected to serve as one of the 12 members on the Commission on Enhancing National Cybersecurity, and Mostafa A. El-Sayed, who won the Priestley Medal in 2016 for his decades of contributions to chemistry research.

Extracurriculars

There are plenty of opportunities for students to connect outside the classroom at Georgia Tech. The university offers over 500 student-run organizations and 55 Greek organizations. Georgia Tech also features an award-winning Campus Recreation Center, 43 club sports, and over 100 guided adventure trips every year.

Georgia Tech plays NCAA Division I sports as a part of the ACC. Their 17 men’s and women’s teams are called the “Yellow Jackets.” Georgia Tech’s football team is the most popular at the university and has won four national championships. They were also the first team to win the Rose Bowl, Orange Bowl, Sugar Bowl, and Cotton Bowl.

Georgia Tech also emphasizes the importance of interworking art and technology. They offer nearly 40 student-led arts programs and 28 academic programs that blend technology and art.

Traditions

Georgia Tech has multiple student traditions, with many centering around the school’s sports teams.

Ramblin’ Wreck Fight Song—Georgia Tech’s world-famous fight song originated in the 1920s and was inspired by an old folk ballad, “​​The Sons of the Gamboliers.”

Ramblin’ Wreck Model-A Ford—This 1930s vehicle was donated to Georgia Tech in the 1960s by a retired pilot, and it is now seen at all games and alumni events as a symbol of the university.

RATS Week—RATS (Recently Acquired Tech Students) Week describes the orientation week for new students. During this week, first-year students learn Georgia Tech’s history and traditions.

The Whistle—In the 1890s, a steam whistle called students to their classes. Today, a computerized “steam whistle” blows at five minutes ‘til the hour from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. to release class on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and also blows after the Yellow Jackets score touchdowns during home football games.

Dorms

Georgia Tech offers three types of housing for undergraduate students: traditional dorms, suites, and apartments. Georgia Tech also offers traditional dorms and suites exclusively for first-year and honors students.

While it’s not required for freshmen to live on campus, the university recommends that freshmen students live on campus in one of the first-year experience dorms or suites to become acquainted with the university (97% of first-year students do live on campus).

Financial Aid

First-year students applying for need-based financial aid at Georgia Tech will need to fill out the FAFSA, the Georgia Tech Application for Scholarships and Financial Aid (GT app), and a CSS Profile. Students must complete these documents by January 31.

The CSS Profile is only required for students hoping to receive institutional funds, like scholarships, grants, or loans. It’s not required for students applying for federal funds. In addition to need-based aid, Georgia Tech also offers over 850 institutional, named scholarships.

Students attending Georgia Tech can also apply for the HOPE Scholarship and Zell Miller Scholarship, awarded by the Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC). Students who apply for the HOPE and Zell Miller scholarships will need to complete the GSFAPPS in addition to the FAFSA and GT app.

Resources

In addition to Georgia Tech’s main campus in Atlanta, the university also has a campus in Savannah, Georgia, and campuses in France, Panama, Singapore, and China. These overseas campuses offer students ample opportunities to study abroad.

Location

Georgia Tech is located in the heart of Atlanta, which is ranked 23rd out of 182 urban cities as the best place to find employment—making this location ideal for landing internships during college or finding a job post-graduation.

The university is also located just two miles from the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, where the Atlanta Falcons football team plays, and 12 miles from the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, making travel during the school year easy and convenient.

What Are Your Chances of Acceptance at Georgia Tech University?

Even though the Georgia Tech admissions rate is highly competitive, your chance of acceptance may be better than other prospective students based on your unique combination of grades, standardized test scores, extracurricular activities, and more.

To better understand your chances of admission at Georgia Tech, we recommend using our free admissions calculator. This calculator uses your academic profile, test scores, background, and more to estimate your odds of acceptance. It will also give you tips on improving your profile to provide you with a better chance at meeting Georgia Tech’s admissions requirements.

You can also use the school search tool for other best-fit schools based on your chances and other important factors like school size, location, majors, and more. This tool will simplify the college admissions process by giving you a reliable strategy to follow.