The Georgia Institute of Technology
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Looking back on my 4.5 years at Georgia Tech, I have to say the frustration and bitterness I experienced during that time still affects me to this day. I constantly wonder how my life would have turned out if I had gone somewhere else and had a more pleasant college experience. Despite making some great friends, I still have vivid memories of the misery we went through. It was as if Georgia Tech was a bonding experience for us like people would have bonded through an epic war. We had a common enemy and it was the ridiculous workload and unhelpful professors. Images of students bursting out in tears during tests, people joking about suicide, friends taking Redbull, Monster, and Adderall to help pull multiple all nighters are burned into my memory. I remember one time watching the sun rise up from inside the library after pulling two consecutive all nighters and wondering what the heck I was doing with my life... questioning if this pain and suffering would be worth it one day. The negativity of the atmosphere has sadly made me a more cynical and sardonic person.
Academically, Georgia Tech had the potential to be a great school. The professors definitely knew what they were talking about, but for the most part classes seemed very rushed and if you wanted to understand concepts better, you would need to invest time outside of class to ask them questions. Many times professors would be very busy with research and defer your questions to the TAs. Individual attention was not expected. What helped me the most was working through a lot of problems with my classmates on conference room whiteboards. I feel like my teamwork skills improved drastically during this time.
Socially, GT is not as bad as people make it out to be. There are many interesting people, just as there are many strange and uninteresting ones. The school definitely taught me that associating with certain people helps elevate your mood more than associating with others. You definitely learn to pick your friends here. One thing that helped me get through the tough times was working out at the CRC. The gym facilities were amazing and served as a sanctuary when everything else was going to hell. It was also very difficult to meet girls at Georgia Tech, and I ended up dating girls from other schools in the Atlanta metro region during this time.
After I graduated in December 2007 it was not difficult to find a job. I found a job after living at home for a few months which turned out to be nothing closely related to what I had studied. Instead of doing hardcore electrical engineering, I ended up doing software consulting for engineering software. Fortunately for me this opened up a career path into areas which I could excel and prosper in the growing software/IT industry.
I also ended up relocated to a different part of the country. What I found disappointing was the fact that nobody outside of the south gives GT alumni the recognition you feel you deserve. The school is simply not well known outside the south by the people who matter. When I say people who matter, I'm not talking about technical coworkers. I'm talking about people who matter towards your employment prospects who are mostly managers and HR people.
In conclusion, I had to put up with more hardship than the average person during undergrad and it did not make a huge difference in terms of results. Unless you are serious about being an engineer, and engineering is your passion that you will devote most of your life to, I would advise against going here. I was motivated by wanting an above average salary, and I got what I wanted. However I could have accomplished the same at someplace moderately easier but similarly ranked. A moderately easier school may have also helped me in the search for a graduate program. This is really the next step I am looking to take and I feel like having a sub 3.0 GPA has really hurt my chances of getting into a top tier graduate program. I'm into my late 20s now, and for what it's worth I look back and slightly regret missing out on a more enjoyable while I was 18,19,20, and 21. I have a solid career now, but one thing I cannot have back are those lost years of my life.
Positive:
1. Georgia Tech has great sports programs and fans... especially at football games. Freshman year games were amazing and exciting; I always left with great enthusiasm, especially at the game when everyone rushed the field. WOOH!
2. Academics are actually not that bad. I have found that classes at Tech can be tough and some of them do seem pointless, but overall I did learn a great deal from my classes. Also, I never felt screwed over with the grading I received. Did I study constantly and not make friends? Nope... I just managed my time well and studied what I knew I had to study. It is true that Tech is NOT easy and you will have to work and for many students this is not for them. However, I believe that the work was rewarding because I like a challenge and only felt overwhelmed when I procrastinated... so it's all very doable. And yes, I got a 4.0 GPA in high school but I don't think it matters how "smart" you are at Tech. It is more important that you WORK HARD and have the capabilities to absorb and utilize new information.
3. There are great resources at Georgia Tech to succeed. We have GT Success Programs, 1-1 Tutoring, Math Lab, etc. I've been fortunate to have some really amazing TA's... I've loved them all. And sure, not all of them speak perfect English but you WILL understand them. If not, go to a different TA's recitation. Also, the people I have met through the co-op program and in the office of international education are amazing and very good at their jobs (to help you!).
Negative:
1. Freshman housing is pretty bad, especially on East campus. Simple solution: If you really care that much, live in some renovated housing like Armstrong on West - which really isn't too far from everything and close to the CRC. CRC is amazing in itself. The dining hall food in both Brittain and Woodruff is not really up to par in my opinion, though somehow I have friends who enjoy it. When you move out of freshman housing you can get an apt. and cook your own food. 2. There are some people at Tech that just complain and complain and complain. They say that Tech is TOO hard and everyone is failing and the professors don't care. Ignore these people. If they are doing so badly in their classes, you should really ask if they have gone to extra tutoring, talked to the professor by going to office hours, etc. If not, then they really shouldn't say anything. Mostly, though, you will encounter really awesome people that have the same interests as you... just remember to seek them out!
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