Category: Prospective Student

Embracing Essay Writing AuthenTECHly  

This week we welcome Senior Admission Advisor, Julissa Ortiz, to the blog. Welcome, Julissa!

As the fall season approaches, I eagerly anticipate the cozy evenings ahead… bundling up with a blanket, watching my favorite movies, and preparing for the holidays. It’s my favorite time of year!  

But there’s something else I love about this season: as an admission counselor at Georgia Tech, I get to read the stories of so many incredible students through their college essays. This will be my third year reviewing applications, and I must say, it’s a privilege. Every year I’m amazed by the courage, creativity, and authenticity that so many students bring to their writing.  

I know this process can feel overwhelming. But remember, your essay is more than a task we require… it’s a unique opportunity to speak directly to us! As seniors everywhere begin to tackle their college essays, I’d like to offer some advice to help you shine through your writing.  

Find Your Voice 

Your voice is one of the most essential elements of your college essay. It’s what makes your writing feel genuine and memorable—it’s the way your personality, values, and experiences shine through your words. Write out loud

To find your voice, use language that feels natural to you. There’s no need to overcomplicate things with fancy words. Read your essay out loud and ask yourself, “Is this what I would actually say if I were speaking to an admission counselor in person? Does it sound like me?” Getting feedback from someone else can also help, but trust your instincts—you know yourself best! Don’t forget, we’re genuinely trying to get a glimpse of who you are, so don’t hold back or overthink. Be authentic and let your true self come through. 

Share Personal Stories  

Your personal stories are what make you uniquely you, and they have the power to transform your essay into something you’re proud to use to represent yourself. Georgia Tech is on the Common App, which offers seven different prompts to choose from. There’s no right or wrong choice—each prompt is designed to help you reflect on the moments that have shaped who you are today.

Think about the experiences that have left a mark on you: maybe it was overcoming an unforeseen challenge, discovering a passion that excites you, or having a conversation that shifted your perspective. Big or small, these moments reveal who you are beneath the surface. When you write with honesty and self-reflection, you invite the reader to see the world through your eyes. 

Don’t Overlook the Supplemental Essay 

Beyond the Common App essay, Georgia Tech asks for a supplemental essay to understand how you might fit within our campus community. Our motto is “Progress and Service,” and we’re looking for students who are not only excited about what they can gain here but also about what they can contribute.  

Think about how Tech aligns with your goals and passions. Reflect on how you see yourself engaging with our community, both in and out of the classroom. This is your chance to show us why Georgia Tech is the place for you—and why you’re a perfect fit for us. Be thoughtful, be specific, and most importantly, be yourself! Share how you see yourself living our values and contributing to our dynamic campus life. 

Be Your AuthenTECH Self! 

At the end of the day, what’s the key to writing a great college essay for Georgia Tech? Be your AuthenTECH self! Your story matters, and we can’t wait to hear it. So, grab your favorite fall treat, take a deep breath, and start brainstorming your thoughts. We can’t wait to meet you through your words and discover the unique perspective you’ll bring to our Yellow Jacket family. 

Julissa Ortiz has dedicated her career to supporting students. She joined Georgia Tech in 2022 as a Senior Admission Advisor within the First-Year Team, bringing her experience and enthusiasm for fostering college access. As a first-generation, small-town student herself, Julissa is deeply committed to expanding educational opportunities for all. She also serves as an advisor for the Women’s Recruitment Team, a dynamic student organization on campus focused on supporting prospective women, while creating an empowered community among members. 

A View from the Trashcan: Navigating College Fairs, Part 1

I am not going to tell you how many college fairs I have attended in my 17 years in admission, but let’s put the over/under at A LOT. Why title this “a view from the trashcan”?

I have not always worked for a college that begins with the letter G, which currently puts me in the middle of a college fair floorplan (colleges are usually arranged in alphabetical order—more on that later!).  

I spent many years at an institution that put me at the beginning of the alphabet.  And coincidentally, right by the trash can.  Every time. I have literally spent YEARS of my life standing by a trash can with a view of the whole gym/convention center/mall/barn/breezeway/cafeteria/structure-hopefully-with-a-roof-but-not-always.  

Photo courtesy: NACAC

As such, I have been privy to the myriads of conversations that happen at the front door as students walk into a college fair, and I was often the last witness to the final words spoken as students head out. To put it in old timer’s terms, I’ve seen a thing or two, and I want to share the best takeaways from literally years of watching these social experiments called college fairs go down.  

What I’ve seen: First timers 

Here are some indicators of first-time college fair attendees: 

  • Freezing at the entrance to the fair, eyes wide and visibly overwhelmed. 
  • They spend 20 minutes staring at signage/map/layout.  
  • When asked their name, they look at the adult with them before answering.  
  • They drop every brochure on the floor at every table.  Every time.   
  • Bring a notebook with 15 questions – half of which are answered on the college’s website and in the brochure on the table. 
  • Don’t get to every college they want to see.   
  • Leave feeling overwhelmed instead of better informed. 

Sounds stressful? Read on, because there is a better way!  

Make a Plan.  

Pre-register – Whenever possible, look up the college fair website and pre-register. This unlocks useful information like a map of the facility, a place to load your information to share with the colleges you choose, a list of colleges attending, directions, parking information. All the details that help you feel less stressed and better able to tackle the college fair itself.  

Bring an empty bag – Colleges LOVE shiny brochures! But for you, shiny = slippery. Some college fairs give you a bag at the entrance, but savvy college fair shoppers will bring an empty bag. 

Get a floor map – Typically the check in table has a map of the fair layout. Ask how the tables are set up. Common layouts include arranging colleges alphabetically, in-state vs out-of-state school, public vs private schools, largest schools on the outside rim of the room, and sometimes, and this is a tough one, there is no specific order. Get the details before you launch yourself into the fray.  

Charge your phone! Many times, college fairs give registered students a QR code to show colleges, and when shared, that code gets you on the college’s mailing list. You want to be ready.  

When they ask your name, don’t look at your mom. You are going to college. That means you know and can say your name.  I am not throwing shade if you are nervous. That’s okay!! At the table you will probably be asked, what’s your name, what high school do you attend, what year are you in school, and what are you thinking about studying? College admission representatives love students and want to help, so don’t be nervous about talking with us.  

Pro Tip: Make a list of MUST-SEE colleges and visit them at the beginning so you don’t run out of time.  

Social Strategies  

Back to standing at the trash can watching students enter.  I want to address a few common scenarios: walking in alone, with friends, or with a family member. 

Alone – I see some successful college fair navigation from students on their own. The lone student visits tables that interest them, asks questions that matter to them, and, if they have a bag, gets loads of material and information to consider. Pro-tips for flying solo at a fair: pre-game with a family member to think about important questions, and bring a notebook. You won’t have anyone helping you remember, and key insights can be forgotten in the noisy atmosphere of a college fair.  

With Friends—I think this is the trickiest scenario to navigate as a student. You may feel that going with your buds will boost your confidence, but here are some thoughts.  What if you want to talk to a college that your friends think is uncool?  What if you waste 20 minutes at a table where you don’t want to be because the group thinks it is cool? I accept bending to peer pressure on where you go out to eat, but not where you will spend the next four years of your life.  Sometimes you need to break from the crowd. I am amazed at the negative things I’ve heard teenagers say to each other at college fairs. Pro-tip: if you want to go with friends, make a pact that you will do some solo exploring and meet back up to compare notes. Best of both worlds!  

With a parent/family member – Here’s the truth: many student/parent/family combos spend a lot of time fighting at the trashcan. They fight as they enter. They fight as they leave. (I have also witnessed them whisper fight in front of me at the table.) I know how deeply emotional the college search can be. It brings out the hopes, fears, joy, nervousness, insecurities… of your parents. Students feel all these emotions too. And sometimes those feelings clash at college fairs.

I am not a psychologist, but my pro-tip here is to be extra gentle with each other if you can.  If you can say ahead of time, “I am worried we may not agree on the colleges we visit at the fair. Could we make a plan, so you are happy, and I am too?” or “I know we don’t agree on what I want to do for my major.  I will look at the schools that are really important to you.  Would you support me in looking at few others that are important to me too?” or “I know how important it is that I look at your alma mater. I will. I will keep an open mind. Will you consider some of my priority schools too?”  

There is wisdom to be gained by the trash can.  I hope these observations make your next college fair a meaningful part of your college search process!  

Katie Mattli has worked in college admission for over 17 years. She joined Georgia Tech in 2014 and works with first-year recruitment initiatives. Her previous years at a private liberal arts college for women fueled her love of student leadership and advocacy. She cares deeply about transparency in the admission process and supporting students, families and student advocates as they navigate the college admission process.

Fan Favorites: Admission Blog Greatest Hits

This week we welcome Interim Executive Director of Admission, Mary Tipton Woolley, to the blog. Welcome, Mary Tipton!

Over the last several years, the Georgia Tech Admission Blog has allowed us to share our knowledge and expertise with a wide audience. As loyal readers know, the main author of the blog, Rick Clark, moved into a new role at Georgia Tech in January.

Before the summer begins, we want to take a moment to reflect on the greatest hits over the last eight years – think of it as a Spotify wrapped for the history of the blog!

The blog started in the fall of 2015, so we’ll start our recap in 2016. These top blog posts for each year are evergreen and many continue to reign as some of our most read blogs of all time. 

2016 – The year of Brexit and the Cubs winning the World Series for the first time in over 100 years also saw the publication of one of our top blogs of ALL TIME, 25 Reasons YOU SHOULD NOT Apply to Georgia Tech. Since then, first-year applications to Georgia Tech have grown 96%, proving that telling people what they shouldn’t do means they will do just that! 

2017 – If you missed the first total solar eclipse in nearly 100 years in August, you may have agreed with the sentiment expressed in the top blog of 2017, Ad(mission): It’s not fair. 

2018 – In the same year Rick decreed that listening is That ONE Thing that is most important in the admission process, Drake was the most listened to artist on Spotify. 

2019 – The top blog of 2019 had a funny name but continues to be one of our most popular blogs of all time – Will saying I’m a blueberry get me into college? Supplemental Essays 101. Did you know that Georgia, aka the Peach State, actually produces more blueberries than peaches? 

2020 – The top blog of 2020, What does being deferred mean? didn’t come until December – maybe because we had other things on our mind that year? 

2021 – In 2021, many of us waited impatiently for life to return its pre-pandemic normalcy.  With waiting on our minds, it makes sense that the top blog of this year was all about the waitlist – The Waitlist. Why?! 

2022 – The unveiling of the first image from the James Webb telescope in July 2022 proved that man will go to incredible lengths to understand space, so why not continue to ask what requirements it takes to get into a college? What Are Your Admission Requirements addresses this continuous quest for admission knowledge. 

2023 – This year brought the summer of “Barbenheimer” at the box office and The Two Most Important Letters in College Admission as the most popular blog of the year. 

The world of college admission can often seem like an ever-changing landscape. Because of that, we are committed to reflection and critical thinking about the content we provide to you and have decided to pause the blog this summer to do just that.

You can expect us back here in August with a variety of writers from our team focusing a bit more on Georgia Tech specific content. We are hopeful this blog will continue to be a resource students, supporters and counselors can utilize in their daily work.

We hope you all have a great summer. We can’t wait to connect with you again soon! 

Tackling Tuition: Exploring How to Pay for College  

This week we welcome Enrollment Management’s Communications Officer, Amanda Budd, to the blog. Welcome, Amanda!

When I was an undergraduate student, pursuing degrees in journalism and ecology (my journey from ecology to working with college admission is a different story for another day), my ecology degree program had a Family Day to talk about career prospects. They invited our parents for tours of labs, presentations, and lunch, with the goal of affirming to both students and parents that they would get a return on their investment in an ecological education. 

Some parents had questions and doubts about the value of an ecology degree, given that it’s not a field known for large paychecks. Most of these parents had, after all, put some amount of money into their student’s education. What if they got nothing in return? 

In admission and in enrollment management, we talk a lot about this concept of return on investment (ROI), or what you can expect to receive in exchange for spending money on a college education. ROI is a useful concept because we know that paying for college is an investment of time, energy, and money. We want students to see how they can be successful with a degree from our institution.  

But what does ‘successful’ look like, and how do we measure it? Beyond ROI, how can students and families prepare to make the investment in a college education?  

ROI is in the Eye of the Beholder 

Typically, you’ll see universities talk about ROI in terms of mean or median annual income of recent graduates. However, I like to caution that ROI means different things for different people. Going back to Rick’s blog from early February, don’t let rankings or metrics drive you. Not everyone can (or should) pursue the highest paying major or starting salary. 

Among my graduating class you’ll find a wide range of salaries. I have friends spread across the entire United States – Idaho, Maine, Washington D.C., a remote island off the coast of Georgia (only accessible by a tiny boat), and beyond, even Costa Rica! Many of them work seasonal jobs that last 4-6 months, pay a stipend, and provide housing with a handful of other benefits.  

Is that everyone’s version of success? Maybe not. But they’re traveling to new places for free or cheap and spend most of their days outside working with endangered sea turtles, grizzly bears, or some other cool organism while they get experience for graduate school or a full-time career in those fields. In most cases, it’s exactly the return they wanted when they invested in a college education. 

Decide what you truly want from your investment in college. If that looks like maximizing your salary, then average starting salary is likely a good ROI metric for you. If it’s more qualitative, research what a college’s graduates are doing, or look at job placement rates. 

Balancing the Return with the Investment – Let’s Talk Loans 

Now that we’ve talked about the ‘R’ part of ROI, let’s talk about the ‘I.’ While everyone hopes for scholarships (and Georgia students usually get the HOPE or Zell Miller Scholarship), ultimately you may be faced with taking out some loans to finance your education. 

I know how pervasive the fear of loans is as someone who graduated a mere 11 months ago – thoughts of loan repayments follow most college students around like a kind of bogeyman. It is a big choice to make, but I encourage others to recognize that loans are commonplace for adulthood — car loans, loans to buy a house, etc. For an education that will guide you for the rest of your life, consider that a loan is worth the investment. 

Recently, I spoke to six students about their experience paying for college. For those with loans, paying them off wasn’t something they saw as a considerable challenge in the context of the value of their degree and the opportunity to pursue their passion. 

“When you look at the starting salary of most Tech students after they graduate, usually any debt is something they can pay off very quickly,” one student told me. 

The average debt for a Tech graduate is also much lower than the national average — $21,672 versus $45,300 nationally. Combined with an average starting salary of $89,942, it’s a great ROI by that metric. 

However, a good ROI doesn’t mean you don’t need a plan for investing in college – like with loans at all points in your life, they should be taken seriously. Know your options for paying them back and don’t borrow more than what you need. How do you know what you need? 

Make a Plan. 

The number one piece of advice from the current students I spoke to was to make a plan – whether that be three months, three days, or three years before starting college. 

One student sat down with her parents when she was admitted to outline the next four years and how much and when her parents and herself could contribute. Another has been splitting his checks – half to savings and half can be spent now – since early high school. Yet another made a college-dedicated savings account where all his scholarship funds are held.  

From there, checking their emails for scholarship opportunities once they arrived proved critical. That, and networking for internships and co-op positions (which should be something everyone does, regardless) play key roles in funding their investment. 

Think Ahead 

There’s no right or wrong way to pay for college, but planning for it early, and keeping that momentum throughout time in college is essential. It’s not the same task it was 20 or 30 years ago, so knowing what you’re dealing with is the first step.  

Whether you’re drawn to the prospect of maximizing your salary or prioritizing qualitative experiences, it’s crucial to define what success means to you and how a college degree helps you get there.  

By embracing the opportunities and challenges that come your way, and by planning thoughtfully for the future, you’ll not only make the most of your college experience but also pave the way for a fulfilling and rewarding future beyond graduation. 

Talking Transfer: Carving Your Own Path! 

 

This week we welcome Transfer Program Manager, LaSean Price, to the blog. Welcome, LaSean!

Most journeys in life are not linear.  Although linear is the most direct path from one point to the next, life is full of twists, turns and roundabouts.  If you don’t get into your first choice college, don’t be discouraged — there’s more than one way to a destination!   

Venturing into the transfer admission process can feel daunting, and is a significant choice that requires careful consideration.  With over 15 years of experience working with and supporting transfer students, I’d like to offer some guidance and advice while you contemplate navigating this journey. 

Change your lens! 

Do not let fear or judgement hold you back.  Ultimately, the decision to transfer colleges is a deeply personal one that only you can make.  This is your life, and your path will not be identical to family or friends.  Comparisons can be deceptive.  Staying focused on your individual journey will allow you to carve your own path in life. 

Many college and university presidents are actively thinking of ways to recruit you to their campus.   That’s the very reason some colleges and universities have staff dedicated to transfer students.  Institutions with dedicated transfer staff place considerable importance on transfer students. 

Transferring from one college to another is more common than you may think.  According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), in 2022, over one million degree-seeking undergraduate students were enrolled as transfer students.  Many states even offer statewide resources for transfer students such as California’s ASSIST system or Georgia’s Georgia Transfer site. 

Research is key! 

Carefully consider the pros and cons of pursing transfer opportunities.  Researching and exploring academic programs, campus cultures, locations, financial aid options and co-curricular activities should play an important role in your decision making.   You will have to dedicate time to ensure a smooth transfer process while balancing your current schoolwork and other priorities.  Requirements and timelines vary from college to college, so pay close attention to these factors so you can stay on track.  

Do not be afraid to reach out to institutions of interest.  Attend a Transfer Information Session to learn more about the institution and application requirements and get valuable insight into their review process.  Many times counselors will highlight beneficial tools like accessing the school’s transfer equivalency tool and opportunities to connect with faculty and current students in your desired major. 

Before committing to transferring schools, it’s crucial to understand how your credits will transfer to a new institution.  Research the transfer credit policies of the colleges you are interested in to determine how the credits you have already taken, or future credit will apply towards your degree program.  Take the time to weigh these pros and cons and consider how they align with your future aspirations. 

Help us help you!  Identify yourself by signing up to receive information from colleges of interest.  That allows us to send you information from application deadlines to opportunities to connect with current students from the institution.  

Take advantage of what’s available to you. 

Every time I’m on a transfer panel and get to hear from other institutions, I’m always amazed at the variety of resources being offered at each school.  While you are considering a transfer option, maximize your time at your current institution.  Take advantage of building new community by joining clubs and organizations, exploring leadership opportunities, and/or pursuing co-curricular learning opportunities.  

These activities will expose you to other students with similar or different interests than your own, create networking opportunities, and can even improve your academic performance.  These experiences will help you prepare to take advantage of similar opportunities when you transition to another institution.  Also, many competitive transfer programs will assess your application to learn about your passion and leadership ability.  Having these experiences in both high school and college can help you develop a strong application (wink, wink). 

Don’t take this road trip alone!  Seek support from family members, mentors, and college advisors.  They can offer valuable insight, guidance, and encouragement as you pursue this option.  Transfer student organization or clubs are another great resource that can provide perspective and reassurance about the transfer experience. 

You’ve got options!

If you didn’t know, let me be the first to tell you: you’ve got options!  Deciding to transfer is a significant decision that requires reflection, research, and consideration.  Successfully executing a plan to transfer will take a series of micro-decisions that gradually shift your mindset and build upon the previous ones, moving you closer to your goal.  These small but important decisions will set you up for success.  Trust yourself, embrace the journey and seize the opportunity to carve your own path!  

LaSean Price has supported transfer students in many roles throughout her time in higher education.  She joined Georgia Tech in 2019 and currently coordinates Tech’s Transfer Pathway Programs and leads admission staff in file review of transfer applicants.  Having experienced the transfer process firsthand, she demonstrates a strong commitment to advocating for, supporting, and collaborating with transfer champions across campus.