Introduction to Georgia Tech & Atlanta

Georgia Institute of Technology

Georgia Institute of Technology, one of the premier research universities in the United States, was established by an Act of the Georgia Legislature on October 13, 1885. The Institute is best known for its top-ranked academics, world-renowned faculty, and highly motivated students. The U.S. News & World Report consistently ranks Georgia Tech as one of the nation's top public research universities.

Over the years, Georgia Tech has expanded its resources to serve over 20,000 students, more than 6,000 of whom are seeking graduate degrees. Our students come from more than 120 countries to pursue studies in the Colleges of Design, Computing, Engineering, Sciences, the Scheller College of Business, and the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts. These six colleges offer 35 undergraduate and over 100 masters and doctoral programs, representing a wide range of traditional and interdisciplinary studies.

The Institute occupies more than 450 acres and 237 buildings. A great addition to Georgia Tech is Technology Square, a $180 million-dollar multi-facility complex that is home to the Scheller College of Business. Technology Square is located in the heart of Midtown, Atlanta’s vibrant and growing technology corridor that offers students and faculty extensive exposure to the Atlanta business community.

You can learn more about Georgia Tech’s history, traditions, facilities, and students at About Georgia Tech.

 

Atlanta, Georgia

Atlanta is the capital of the state of Georgia, the site of the 1996 Olympic Games, and one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States. The metro area is home to over 6 million people and boasts the busiest airport in the world.

Atlanta, the undisputed business and cultural center of the southeast, is consistently ranked as one of the top 10 places to for high-tech and international career opportunities. More than 1,600 international businesses are in Atlanta along with many Fortune 500 companies, including Coca Cola Enterprises, Delta Air Lines, Home Depot, Newell Rubbermaid, and UPS, are headquartered in the area.

The city combines classic small-town southern hospitality with all the amenities of a cosmopolitan city. The moderate cost of living, which is below the national average, and the pleasant climate, which permits year-round outdoor activities, makes Atlanta appealing to many.

 

Climate

When you arrive in Atlanta in August, the probable temperature range will be from an average high in the upper 80s to lower 90s Fahrenheit (lower to mid-30s C) during the day to a low at night of around 70 degrees Fahrenheit (22 degrees C).  It also rains often in Atlanta throughout the school year. 

The city has four distinct seasons, allowing residents and visitors to enjoy a range of comfortable climates. During the fall and spring, Atlanta is quite comfortable with temperatures of 70-80° F (21-26° C). Summers can be quite hot and humid, with temperatures sometimes reaching 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius), and winters are normally mild with a few colder spells. The annual rainfall is about 48 in (122 cm).

We suggest buying as much of your wardrobe as possible here unless you feel the cost would be prohibitive. Student dress on campus is casual and entirely according to your personal taste