Choose Your Test
- Search Blogs By Category
- College Admissions
- AP and IB Exams
- GPA and Coursework
3 Tips for Writing Stellar 2024-2025 Georgia Tech Essays
College Info , College Essays
Before you envision yourself getting settled in at Georgia Tech, you must get over the hurdle of writing the Georgia Tech essays. The Georgia Tech supplement requires you to write a short essay specifically for Georgia Tech. But what is the essay prompt? And what should you include in your Georgia Tech essay?
Keep reading to learn exactly what the Georgia Tech essay is, what kinds of topics you can write about (and what kinds of topics to avoid), and how to ensure you're submitting a quality essay.
Feature Image: Wally Gobetz /Flickr
What Are the Georgia Tech Supplement Essay Prompts?
The Georgia Tech application includes a total of two essays . For one of these, you'll choose one of the seven Common App prompts to respond to, and the other is specific to Georgia Tech. Here's the Georgia Tech prompt:
Why do you want to study your chosen major, and why do you want to study that major at Georgia Tech? (max 300 words)
How to Write the "Why Georgia Tech?" Essay
This prompt is a version of the "why this college?" prompt . Specifically, this prompt is a "why us?" prompt: It's asking you to elaborate on why this college and the major you've chosen are best suited to you and your aspirations. In other words, what about Georgia Tech and the field of study you want to pursue there will help you achieve your future goals?
To answer this question, you'll need to do some research on Georgia Tech and the academic program you're applying to . The easiest way to do this is to go to the Georgia Tech website to get an overview of what's offered by your program, including the kinds of classes, study abroad options, professors, and internship opportunities.
If possible, I suggest visiting the campus to sit in on classes and meet professors so you can get a clearer feel for the academic program as well as the environment at Georgia Tech as a whole.
In your essay, try to pick a specific characteristic to focus on —don't just say you want to attend Georgia Tech because it's prestigious or well-known. Lots of colleges are!
Next, you'll need to know how your education at Georgia Tech will help you after college . For example, you could write about how you think Georgia Tech's cooperative education program will help you gain relevant professional experience and make connections with like-minded peers.
Regardless of what aspects of Georgia Tech and your major you want to write about, make sure to clearly connect the essay back to you and your own interests and goals .
Here are some possible topics you could use for your "Why Georgia Tech?" essay:
- An anecdote relating some sort of positive personal experience you had at Georgia Tech (such as while on a campus tour)
- A positive interaction you had with someone affiliated with Georgia Tech, such as a current student or professor involved with the major you're applying for
- Your excitement about getting to work with a particular faculty member and how this opportunity will help you further your career goals
- Your enthusiasm for getting to study in a program, major, or minor that's not usually offered at many schools or that has a unique, interesting angle at Georgia Tech
- A special facility or piece of equipment you're looking forward to being able to work in or with that isn't offered on other campuses or is very rare
Georgia Tech Essay Examples + Analysis
We've written two Georgia Tech essay examples to help give you an idea as to what and how you could write your Why Georgia Tech essay. Additionally, we go over what makes them good essays for a Georgia Tech application.
Georgia Tech Essay Example 1
"Honestly, I can't imagine what my life would be like if I hadn't gone to Georgia Tech."
Katrina was a few years older than me and the sister of my best friend, Troy, who'd given me her email address so I could ask any questions I had about her time at Georgia Tech. This was the last line of her response—and by far the most memorable.
Like Katrina, I can't imagine myself not attending Georgia Tech. As an aspiring environmental engineer, I see Georgia Tech as a gateway to not just learning but also professional success. The flexibility of the major would allow me to focus specifically on my passion for reducing the negative effects of climate change and securing access to clean water. As a senior, I plan to take several hydraulics-focused electives.
In addition, through the InVenture Prize, which I hope to participate in at least twice, I'll be able to utilize the knowledge I've gained through my classes, projects, and fieldwork by translating it into a concrete vision—specifically, an invention that will increase the availability of fresh, healthy water for disadvantaged communities.
After graduation, and as a proud Georgia Tech alumnus (ideally with an InVenture Prize), I plan to implement the skills I've gained through my environmental engineering major in the nonprofit sector.
I haven't met Katrina yet, but I feel as though I know her—perhaps it's that shared sense of joy at having discovered the perfect school for the paths we've chosen.
Here's why this Georgia Tech essay works:
- It's got a creative hook that draws you in. This Georgia Tech essay opens with a quotation that immediately makes it feel as though you're reading a compelling story. It then goes on to connect this hook directly to the narrator who "can't imagine … not attending Georgia Tech," ensuring the focus remains on the applicant and not Katrina.
- It mentions specific features of Georgia Tech. The applicant doesn't just write about how prestigious Georgia Tech is but specifically mentions opportunities she's interested in taking advantage of, such as hydraulics courses and the famous InVenture Prize competition.
The mark of a good college essay is an acceptance letter!
Georgia Tech Essay Example 2
Atlanta has been my home all my life, and I've always known that I want to be one of the people who help make it such a wonderful place to live. My dream is to create my own business that makes it easier for other start-up businesses to get up and running. Georgia Tech is my dream school because I know it will give me the absolute best chance of achieving my goals.
The course catalog for Georgia Tech's Scheller College of Business makes it clear that all business students receive a top-notch and comprehensive business education no matter what area they choose to focus on. However, what really interests me is Scheller's emphasis on entrepreneurship. I'm so excited to take advantage of the opportunities the school offers, like LBAT and study abroad programs that focus on starting a new business, the certificate in entrepreneurship, and the Enterprise Innovation Institute where I hope to collaborate with professors, business leaders, and peers to learn how to create and grow and successful business of my own.
Growing up in Atlanta, learned early that it has many resources for people hoping to go into business, and I know Georgia Tech will help me take advantage of them. Under the school's internship program, I hope to work for a start-up company, learning about what makes some new companies thrive while others fail, and getting on-the-ground experience learning what new companies need to do well and avoid common pitfalls. I'll also use Georgia Tech's extensive connections with local business leaders to continue to expand my business acumen outside the classroom.
I have so many ideas for what I want to do with my career, and I can't wait to attend Georgia Tech to learn the skills I need to make these dreams possible.
- It goes in-depth on what Georgia Tech offers. Like the first essay, this one also gets specific on exactly which parts of the school the writer plans to take advantage of the most. From mentioning the course catalog, specific business programs, and the school's connections with the community, it's clear the writer did her research and knows which of Georgia Tech's resources will be of most value to her.
- It has a clear vision of a career path. You don't need to know exactly what you want to do after you graduate college, but having a general idea can really help you show the admissions committee how you're going to take advantage of what Georgia Tech offers. In this case, it's the entrepreneurship and business opportunities at the school, which will help the writer start her own business after graduation.
How to Write a Great Georgia Tech Essay: Three Essential Tips
Now that you know the specifics of the Why Georgia Tech essay prompt, here are three key tips to use while writing your essay.
#1: Be Specific and Concise
The Georgia Tech supplemental essay only gives you room for up to 300 words. That's a pretty short essay! Since you're so limited in terms of length, you'll need to make sure you're using the space you have wisely. Don't write super flowery, verbose descriptions or rely on overly vague examples.
Instead, be as specific as you can be so that you're emphasizing only the most important parts of the story you want to tell. Specificity will make your essay more concise and easier to follow.
#2: Show, Don't Tell
You've probably heard this refrain a million times, but it's especially important for college essays: show your experiences, emotions, and perspectives instead of simply telling them to your readers . Doing this will make your Georgia Tech essays sound vibrant and alive rather than dull and boring.
One of the very best ways to catapult your descriptions to a whole new level and to lend a stronger voice to your writing is to use a variety of literary devices , including flashbacks, anecdotes, imagery, and euphemisms.
#3: Polish and Proofread
Before you submit your Georgia Tech essays, make sure to take some time to read them over, edit them, get feedback, and proofread them.
The best way to do this is to start by writing a rough draft. Once finished, put your essay away for a little while—from a couple of days to a week or so depending on the amount of time you have left before college applications are due —and then take it out again.
As you read your essay, mark any areas that are unclear, awkwardly worded, or irrelevant . You should also proofread your essay for any glaring typos and errors in punctuation, spelling, and grammar.
Once you've repeated this process a few times, it's time to get a new set of eyes to look it over for you. Ask someone you trust, such as a teacher, parent, or counselor, to read your essay and offer comments and corrections on it.
Doing all of this will ensure that your essay is completely polished by the time you turn it in to Georgia Tech!
What's Next?
If you're reading this, you're likely not only applying to Georgia Tech. Get more tips with our expert guides to the Stanford essays , the Northwestern essay , and the Harvard essay .
Applying through the Common App? Check out this comprehensive list of schools that accept the Common App , and learn more about how to write the Common App essay .
To learn more about Georgia Tech and how to get in, take a look at its admission requirements page .
Trending Now
How to Get Into Harvard and the Ivy League
How to Get a Perfect 4.0 GPA
How to Write an Amazing College Essay
What Exactly Are Colleges Looking For?
ACT vs. SAT: Which Test Should You Take?
When should you take the SAT or ACT?
Get Your Free
Find Your Target SAT Score
Free Complete Official SAT Practice Tests
How to Get a Perfect SAT Score, by an Expert Full Scorer
Score 800 on SAT Math
Score 800 on SAT Reading and Writing
How to Improve Your Low SAT Score
Score 600 on SAT Math
Score 600 on SAT Reading and Writing
Find Your Target ACT Score
Complete Official Free ACT Practice Tests
How to Get a Perfect ACT Score, by a 36 Full Scorer
Get a 36 on ACT English
Get a 36 on ACT Math
Get a 36 on ACT Reading
Get a 36 on ACT Science
How to Improve Your Low ACT Score
Get a 24 on ACT English
Get a 24 on ACT Math
Get a 24 on ACT Reading
Get a 24 on ACT Science
Stay Informed
Get the latest articles and test prep tips!
Hannah received her MA in Japanese Studies from the University of Michigan and holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Southern California. From 2013 to 2015, she taught English in Japan via the JET Program. She is passionate about education, writing, and travel.
Ask a Question Below
Have any questions about this article or other topics? Ask below and we'll reply!
What are your chances of acceptance?
Calculate for all schools, your chance of acceptance.
Your chancing factors
Extracurriculars.
How to Write the Georgia Tech Essay 2024-2025
The Georgia Institute of Technology is the southeast’s premier public university oriented towards technology. Located in downtown Atlanta, Georgia Tech is consistently ranked in the top 40 national universities.
Engineering, computer science, and mathematics are among the strongest offerings at Georgia Tech. Georgia Tech is also known for its emphasis on hands-on experience, and the majority of students have internships and/or study abroad.
Georgia Tech is highly selective and admissions officers will look closely at your essays. While drafting their supplemental essay can be daunting, CollegeVine is here to help! Read on for a guide to tackling Georgia Tech’s essay.
Read these Georgia Tech essay examples to inspire your own writing.
Georgia Tech Supplemental Essay Prompt
Why do you want to study your chosen major and why do you want to study your major at georgia tech (300 words max).
This prompt is both straightforward and challenging, and is essentially a “ Why this major? ” essay. Given the brevity of your answer, you will need to selectively use your background and resume to convincingly describe how Georgia Tech fits into your future. Here’s how to approach this prompt:
1. Describe your interests and background.
The first portion of your response should explain what drew you to your prospective major. A common pitfall students make here is being way too general – try to make your response something that is unique to you and your life experiences. For instance, one applicant might write an anecdote about how they first interacted with the subject. Another might describe a niche within the subject that appeals to them the most. Be sure to include specific details such as people, roles, and events that influenced your decision. Here are two examples of how to start off your essay:
Weak: “For as long as I can remember, I have been interested in civil engineering. I love working with my hands, so engineering has always seemed like a good fit for me. I have also always done well in the relevant classes, like math, physics, and computer science. In addition, I knew I wanted to pursue a subject that would make the world a better place.”
Strong: “As an environmental activist, I firmly believe everyone has a social responsibility to help keep the planet healthy and I am always looking for new ways that I can contribute to this endeavor. In high school, I started the Anti-litter Volunteer Club, where my peers and I picked up trash around our campus and neighboring community. Exploring my passion in college as a civil engineer seemed like the logical next step in developing ways to preserve nature. I am especially passionate about reducing waste by making product packaging out of biodegradable materials.”
This first response is weak for several reasons. The student mentions wanting to work with their hands, but this is much too general as it can apply to any type of engineering and other subjects as well. In contrast, the second response shows, rather than tells, admissions officers that this student has a passion for the environment. The student includes specific details about their past that communicate their desire to engage with civil engineering.
The first applicant also lists superficial reasons, such as their academic prowess, which can come off as boastful and disingenuous rather than as a passion for the major itself. Instead, efforts you have made to pursue the subject outside of the classroom, like the anti-litter club, provide much better examples of your interest in the subject. Finally, the second applicant introduces a niche in civil engineering that they are especially passionate about. This level of detail lends authenticity to your response, and you can use forward-thinking phrasing to connect to the next portion of your essay. Keep in mind that these examples are just excerpts, and you should elaborate more in this area if word count allows for it.
2. Connect them to your choice of major and resources at Georgia Tech.
After you have established a foundation for your passion for your major, you can delve into how you can continue to develop it at Georgia Tech. This will reaffirm your interest in the school while also providing a realistic path through which you can accomplish your goals. Try to avoid clichés like small classroom size and mention more specific offerings instead, like programs and classes that are unique to Georgia Tech. Here is a weak and strong example of this portion:
Weak: “With the second best undergraduate civil engineering program, Georgia Tech is a leading institution that will provide me the tools to be successful in this field. I look forward to taking engaging classes, including breadth electives, that will expand my knowledge of civil and other types of engineering. I plan on joining clubs like Engineers Without Borders to continue learning outside of the classroom.”
Strong: “Georgia Tech can provide me with ample opportunities to pursue my passion; for instance, I can work on creating a biodegradable takeout box with my peers in the Geotechnical Society, and then implement our prototype design in on-campus dining facilities like Colony Bistro and Bhojanic. I also look forward to attending the Sustainability Banquet to hear from Atlanta’s leaders in sustainability like Dr. Jennifer Hirsch. Her work in grassroots sustainability innovation and use of a cross-cultural lens embody the approach I wish to take in civil engineering.”
The first response makes a common mistake in lauding the school’s accomplishments. Admissions officers are aware of statistics and ranking but want to know what, beyond prestige, makes you interested in this particular major at this particular university. The second prompt achieves this by mentioning specific offerings like the Sustainability Banquet, and a professor’s work that closely aligns with the student’s values.
Though the first prompt does name a club at Georgia Tec h, the applicant fails to describe how exactly they plan to use this resource. Meanwhile, the strong response mentions a society and provides a hypothetical scenario where they might participate in it. The latter response is a much more effective approach in that it shows, rather than telling, admissions officers how you plan to pursue your major on-campus. Again, keep in mind that these examples are just excerpts, and you should elaborate more in this area if word count allows for it.
3. Explain how Georgia Tech will prepare you for your prospective career/future.
Finally, you should wrap up your response by mentioning how your passion for your major and involvement on Georgia Tech’s campus will culminate in your future. Avoid platitudes about making the world a better place and growing academically and professionally. Instead, tie your conclusion back to the purpose behind your essay and communicate that you want to pursue your passion for this subject beyond your college career.
Weak: “Obtaining a degree in civil engineering from Georgia Tech will allow me to further my passion for this subject. I look forward to using the skills I learn in my future career.”
Strong: “Embarking on projects like these will provide me with hands-on learning opportunities that will reinforce my commitment to sustainability. A background in civil engineering will provide me with the tools to literally build a better planet, a passion I will continue to pursue beyond my college career.”
While the first response tells readers what the author plans to do, it lacks specific details and the narrative-like quality that will keep admissions officers engaged. In contrast, the second conclusion restates the applicant’s goal of sustainability and their major of choice while providing a future-facing ending. This drums up the correct level of interest within the reader and lends your response closure without making it feel finite.
This prompt is designed to help admissions officers understand your character, background, and how you think. You should never just relist your extracurriculars and coursework. Instead, your essay should show , rather than tell , readers about your interests and make your major and career choices seem both logical and borne out of a genuine passion.
Where to Get Your Georgia Tech Essay Edited
Do you want feedback on your Georgia Tech essay? After rereading your essays countless times, it can be difficult to evaluate your writing objectively. That’s why we created our free Peer Essay Review tool , where you can get a free review of your essay from another student. You can also improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays.
Need feedback faster? Get a free, nearly-instantaneous essay review from Sage, our AI tutor and advisor. Sage will rate your essay, give you suggestions for improvement, and summarize what admissions officers would take away from your writing. Use these tools to improve your chances of acceptance to your dream school!
Related CollegeVine Blog Posts
Undergraduate Admission
- Application Review Process
- Academic Preparation
- Standardized Tests
- Contribution to Community
Personal Essays
- Recommendations
- Interview for International Applicants
- Major Selection
- Institutional Fit & Residency
The purpose of the essays is to assess your writing ability and, most importantly, to learn more about you as an individual. This portion of the application helps us get to know you, assess mutual fit, and better understand what you could contribute to Georgia Tech.
Application Essay Prompts
Below are the Georgia Tech essay questions for 2024 applications. Both prompts are required of all applicants.
- Common Application Personal Essay: First-year applicants will choose one of seven essay prompts provided by Common App.
- Georgia Tech Short-Answer Question (max 300 words): Why do you want to study your chosen major, and why do you want to study that major at Georgia Tech?
Start Your Essays
What Are We Looking for in Your Essays?
Essays are evaluated for both content and writing/grammatical skills. So, before submitting your application, you should take the time to edit and review your essays thoroughly. Strong essays include traits that:
- Demonstrate authenticity & self-awareness.
- Demonstrate thoughtfulness.
- Display attention to topic, style, and grammar.
- Demonstrate a student's thoughtfulness about why Georgia Tech, specifically, is a fit for them and how their goals align with Georgia Tech’s Values . The Georgia Institute of Technology is a public research university established by the state of Georgia in Atlanta in 1885 and committed to developing leaders who advance technology and improve the human condition.
Our Advice for this Portion of the Application
- Get started early. Don’t wait until the last minute to complete your essays!
- Write and edit your essay in a document editor. Once you have the final draft, you can cut and paste it into your online application.
- Don’t write what you think we want to read. Write what you want to say!
- Don’t blow off the essay! We wouldn’t ask you to write it if we didn’t find it to be an important way to get to know you, and what you could bring to Georgia Tech.
- In the same way you would not copy directly from any other source you may incorporate into the writing process, you should not copy and paste directly out of any AI platform or submit work that you did not originally create. Instead, approach and consider any interaction with an AI tool as a learning experience that may help you generate ideas, provide alternative phrasing options, and organize your thoughts. Ultimately, we want to read and hear your unique and valuable writing style.
Per Georgia state law and Georgia Tech policy , all admission staff are mandatory reporters who are required by law to report suspected abuse or neglect of minors to appropriate authorities. Any statements in written materials, including anywhere in a student’s application or supporting materials, that give admission staff reasonable cause to believe abuse or neglect of someone under the age of 18 may have occurred must be reported to the Georgia Tech Police Department. Learn more about reporting requirements .
This website uses cookies. For more information, review our Privacy & Legal Notice . Questions? Please email [email protected] . OK
IMAGES
VIDEO