FAQ on Admission

FAQ on Admission

  • Q: Can I apply to both GT-Atlanta and GT-Shenzhen?
    A: For each major, you have to choose one campus. For different majors, you can choose different campuses by filling out separate applications and paying separate sets of fees. For example, you cannot apply to both ECE in GT-Atlanta and ECE in GT-Shenzhen, but you can apply to CS in GT-Atlanta and ECE in GT-Shenzhen. Even though the admission requirements are the same for GT-Atlanta and GT-Shenzhen, many qualified students are denied by GT-Atlanta each year because of space limitations.
  • Q: I have previously applied to GT-Atlanta, and have just learned about the GT-Shenzhen program. Can I transfer my application from GT-Atlanta to GT-Shenzhen?
    A: We can transfer your GT-Atlanta application to GT-Shenzhen within the same discipline. For example, if you had applied to GT-Atlanta ECE, but want to switch to GT-Shenzhen ECE, we can transfer your application easily – just email GT-Shenzhen your first name, last name, GTID and your planned enrollment term for GT-Shenzhen (Spring, Summer or Fall), we will then coordinate the transfer of your application. On the other hand, if you had applied to GT-Atlanta Computer Science (in the College of Computing) for example, but want to be considered by GT-Shenzhen ECE instead, your online application cannot be switched over, and you will need to complete a new online application and pay another online application fee. This is because ECE has its own discipline-specific form that must be completed as part of the online application. We can retrieve the TOEFL, GRE scores and the transcripts from your first application however so you only need to contact ETS for one set of scores and submit one set of transcripts.
  • Q: The TOEFL, GRE expectations are described in http://www.ece.gatech.edu/academics/graduate/apply.html What about TWE or TSE?
    A: We do not look at the TWE score or the TSE score at this point.
  • Q: I have taken IELTS (International English Language Testing System) but not TOEFL. Can you accept my IELTS score in lieu of TOEFL?
    A: Yes. As of Spring 2020, we will accept either the IELTS test or the TOEFL test as proof of English proficiency.
  • Q: You require a minimum GPA of 3.25 for admission to the MS degree program in ECE. How should I estimate my GPA since my university does not report course performance using the letter grade basis?
    A: Unless your university specifies a different conversation table on your transcript, you can use the following conversion rule. On a 100-point scale, Score of 85-100: grade=A (4.0 point); Score of 75-84: grade=B (3.0 point); Score of 60-74: grade=C (2.0 point); Score of 0-59: grade=F (0 point). Note: There is not a D grade in the above conversion. Here is an explanation on how to average the grade points to arrive at the GPA (grade point average).
  • Q: The Registrar’s Office at my university offers two options for transcripts: one that does not display the GPA, one that does. Which option should I take?
    A:
    Take the option that does NOT display the GPA. Most Chinese universities do not take into account all courses in the GPA calculation (such as omitting the elective courses), so the GPA shown on the transcript is usually different from the GPA that Georgia Tech would arrive at. Georgia Tech counts all courses shown on the transcripts, except for pass/fail courses, in the GPA calculation. In order to avoid confusion and unintended consequences, it is better that you take the option that does NOT show the GPA on your transcripts. We will calculate your GPA “in-house” at Georgia Tech.
  • Q: The GPA entered for me in the OSCAR system is lower than what my university said my GPA is. Could you please use the GPA as determined by my university?
    A:
    Georgia Tech evaluates all international transcripts in-house. We use a 4.0 scale whereas your university may use a different scale. If using the conversion method as described above, you arrive at a very different GPA, you can let us know.
  • Q: My undergraduate university has a reputation for grading harshly. Do you use different grade conversion tables for different universities?
    A: Unless your university specifies a different conversion table on the transcript, Georgia Tech uses the grade conversion method described above for Chinese university transcripts.
  • Q: My university gives GPA on the 3.3 point basis, and mine is 2.7. Should I enter 2.7 as my current GPA?
    A: Please use the guideline described above to re-calculate your GPA on the 4.0 basis and supply with your online GT application. The GT Graduate Admissions Office will calculate again to verify your GPA once they receive the official transcripts.
  • Q: Do you include elective courses in the GPA calculation?
    A: Except for courses that are graded on the pass/fail basis, all other courses (including elective courses) shown on your transcript are included in the GPA calculation.
  • Q: My university reports some of our grades on the letter grade basis. Do you convert those letter grades?
    A: If your university uses the A, B, C, D, F letter grade system, we will use those grades “as is” in calculating the GPA. If your university uses the A+, A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-,D+, D, D-, F letter grade system, we will convert (A+, A-) to A, (B+, B-) to B, (C+, C-) to C, and (D+, D-) to D, before calculating the GPA.
  • Q: What are the institute and department codes to use when requesting ETS to send official TOEFL and GRE score reports for my GT-Shenzhen application?
    A: The Institute Code for Georgia Tech is 5248. For GRE score reports, the ECE department code is 1201-1204 (any one of these numbers will work). For TOEFL score reports, the ECE department code is 66.
  • Q: I took the TOEFL / GRE test in October and asked ETS to send my official score reports to GT. Now it is already January and it seems you still have not received my official score report. Do you know what might have happened?
    A: ETS sends TOEFL and GRE score reports electronically to GT which are then written into the GT applicants database. When an online application is received, the system searches for the TOEFL and GRE scores and updates the applicant’s record. If there is any mismatch between the information you provided to GT and the information you provided to ETS (for example, the spelling of your name or the incorrect order of your first name vs. last name), the TOEFL or GRE scores will not be written to your record. If it has been at least 6 weeks since you have received ETS’ confirmation that they have sent your TOEFL or GRE score reports but those scores have not shown up on your GT record, please email GT-Shenzhen your first name, last name, along with a scanned copy of your TOEFL/GRE score report. Please inquire with ETS the cycle number or run date of your score report and forward that information to GT-Shenzhen. We will conduct a manual search based on the information shown on the scanned copy and the cycle number/run date information provided. We cannot however grant admission based on photocopy or scanned copy of TOEFL/GRE score reports.
  • Q: My TOEFL / GRE score will expire after 1 year. Can I apply now for the next year (not this year’s) program?
    A: You can apply to our program as soon as the GT online graduate application interface has included your targeted semester in the enrollment term pull-down menu; that means we are open to receiving applications for that semester. If you have already taken the TOEFL / GRE test, make sure that you request for ETS to send your score reports to GT before they expire (ETS will not send expired scores). Once the scores are received by GT and written into our database, we can then evaluate your application and make admission decisions.
  • Q: On the online application form, I have to choose between I-20 for F-1 Student Visa or DS-2019 for J-1 exchange visa in order to proceed. Since Chinese students do not need visa to study at GT-Shenzhen, how should we answer this visa question?
    A: The online application form is used mostly by applicants to GT-Atlanta so some of the questions may not apply to GT-Shenzhen. You do not need to answer those questions that do not apply. However, if you must choose between I-20 (for F-1 visa) or DS-2019 (for J-1 visa) in order to complete your online application, you can choose I-20, but knowing that you are a GT-Shenzhen applicant, we will not actually send you the I-20 form.
  • Q: My referee is having trouble accessing the online letter of recommendation.
    A: As soon as you submit your online application, an email will be sent to your referees. At the bottom of that email, there should be a link that says http://www.applyweb.com/lor?token=…. (encrypted code). If there is no token (encrypted code), the referee should contact CollegeNet (ApplyWeb) or call them at +1 503-973-5213.
    If the referee does not have or does not remember his/her password, he/she should follow the link with the encrypted code and then click “request a new password”. The system will then generate a password and email to the referee. He/she should save that password for future recommendation letter input for other students applying using the same online system. If the problem persists, the referee should contact CollegeNet (ApplyWeb) or call them at +1 503-973-5213.
    The applicant (student) can also re-send the recommendation letter request message to the referee from his/her Activity Log. The applicant can login to the system, go to “user activity page” -> “names list” -> “take action” -> “send reminder”
    Make sure that the professor’s email address works and is accepting emails. If the professor does not find the email in the Inbox, have him/her check the spam folder, bulk email folder etc as well.
  • Q: Can my referee send you the recommendation letter by email or air mail?
    A: No. All referees must complete the online “Letter of Reference” as instructed. For the referee’s information, here is a preview of the Letter of Reference; however, the form must be completed online. We do not accept recommendation letters by email or as hardcopy.
  • Q: I have submitted the application online. Unfortunately, one of the referees is non-responsive. Can I replace him with another person?
    A: Yes. Go to the Letters of Reference / Recommendation Status page and click on the online letters link. Login and you should then be able to make the change.
  • Q: Should I submit ranking certificate to enhance my chance of gaining acceptance into the GT-Shenzhen program?
    A: For admission into the program, we mainly look at your GRE/TOEFL scores, GPA, recommendation letters and personal statement; ranking certificate is not required. If you wish to be considered for scholarships, you must submit original, official ranking certificate to our GT-Shenzhen office in Atlanta – see Contact Us page.
  • Q: On the GT graduate admissions status check page, a 5-digit zip code is needed, but the zip code of my city has 6 digits. What should I do?
    A:
    Try using the first 5 digits of your zip code. For example, if your zip code is 200240, just enter 20024.
  • Q: I am an applicant to the GT-Shenzhen program. I made a mistake on my application (applied for the wrong term / selected the PhD program instead of the MS program / swapped my first name and last name / …)  Who should I contact to get the problem resolved?
    A: To make a correction to an online application that has already been submitted, please write an email
    To: GT-Shenzhen
    Subject: GT-Shenzhen Application
  • Q: I have sent several email inquiries but have not received any response.
    A: Our computer system gives every email a SPAM score. If the score exceeds a certain threshold, the email is labeled as SPAM. Most SPAM emails are not reviewed since there are just too many of them. Here are a few simple things you can do to lower the SPAM score of your email: (i) Include a few words about your question in the Subject line; do not leave the subject line empty; (ii) provide your full name in the email setting; (iii) avoid sending emails from certain web-based mail services (163.com, 263.com etc).
  • Q: What is the likely process after I have applied?
    A: After we have received all required information on your application, we will be able to proceed with admission decisions. For those applicants that we have complete information on, we will strive to make admission decisions within 3 weeks after all application materials (online application, recommendation letters, official TOEFL/GRE scores) are received by Georgia Tech.
  • Q: How do I submit my response to the GT-Shenzhen ECE admissions offer?
    A: Please complete the form on your application via GT online graduate application interface.
  • Q: If I get accepted by GT-Shenzhen, can I turn down the application if my plans change?
    A:  Yes, you have the option to accept or decline the GT-Shenzhen offer by a certain date.
  • Q: I have encountered some application trouble that is not covered by this FAQ. What should I do?
    A: Send an email to GT-Shenzhen with your first name, last name, last four digits of your application/GT ID (xxxxxx000), telephone number(s) where you may be reached, and a detailed description of the problem that you have encountered, attaching a screen-shot if possible. We will then respond with an email or phone call.