The Georgia Institute of Technology is one of the nation's top research universities, distinguished by its commitment to improving the human condition through advanced science and technology.

Georgia Tech's campus occupies 400 acres in the heart of the city of Atlanta, where more than 18,000 undergraduate and graduate students receive a focused, technologically based education.

Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), the Institute offers many nationally recognized, top-ranked programs. Undergraduate and graduate degrees are offered in the Colleges of Architecture, Engineering, Sciences, Computing, Management, and the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts. Georgia Tech is consistently ranked in U.S. News & World Report's top ten public universities in the United States.

Course Descriptions: https://oscar.gatech.edu

Academic Calendar:

• Fall term: mid August to early December
• Spring term: early January to early May

Application Deadlines:

On-Campus Housing:
The residence halls at Georgia Tech provide housing that is convenient and affordable for students.  Information about the types of housing available on campus and cost per semester, please see the Georgia Tech Housing website: http://www.housing.gatech.edu.  If you would like on campus housing, please submit a housing interest form with your application.  Once officially accepted, you will be contacted to complete the online housing contract and pay a $600 housing deposit.

Unfortunately, on-campus housing is not available to exchange students who are only at Georgia Tech for the fall semester (one exception – see below).  This is unfortunately the result of a general shortage of housing, in an urban campus, where space is limited even for students living on-campus for the full academic year.

I-House:  There are 8-10 places reserved in the International House “I-House” for undergraduate exchange students each fall and spring semester.  This is the only on-campus housing option available to students who choose to study at Georgia Tech for only the fall semester.  To learn more about this option take a look at this website: www.oie.gatech.edu/i-house.  After you have been accepted for exchange study at Georgia Tech you will be contacted regarding the special application process for exchange students.  Do not apply for housing online or pay the $600 deposit yet as the website instructs you to do –Instructions on when to pay the $600 deposit if you are chosen for the I-House will be given when necessary.

Off-Campus Housing:
If you decide to live off campus, you will have to make arrangements to stay somewhere when you first arrive and during the time you will be searching for an apartment.  If you have friends in the area, you may want to arrange to stay with them while looking for a place to live.  Otherwise, be prepared to stay in a hotel or motel at a cost of approximately $75.00 to $120.00 per night until you find permanent housing.

One of the best ways to obtain an off-campus living apartment or room is to contact a student from your home country who has already been at Tech a year and who is living off-campus.  They can often help you find a place to live, or arrange for you to share their living accommodations with them --at least temporarily.  You can find contact information for other international students on the website for cultural student organizations at Georgia Tech at: http://www.cyberbuzz.gatech.edu. 

Unfortunately, the Office of International Education cannot find permanent housing for an individual in advance; this is something you must do yourself --either through the Tech residence hall system or by coming early to Tech and seeking housing in the city of Atlanta.  Here is a list of places to begin your housing search: http://www.oie.gatech.edu/isss/students/alternative_housing.pdf

Useful Links:

• University Homepage: http://www.gatech.edu
• Student Center: http://studentcenter.gatech.edu
  
• Office of International Education (OIE): http://www.oie.gatech.edu
  
• Cyberbuzz: http://www.cyberbuzz.gatech.edu/main/index.php
  
• Visa Information: http://www.oie.gatech.edu/isss/students/bilateral.html#1
  
• Incoming Exchange Student Information: http://www.oie.gatech.edu/isss/incomingexchange/

International Student Orientation:
When you have settled into your housing, on or off campus, your next stop must be the Office of International Education (OIE) – Savant Building, 631 Cherry Street, Suite 211. It is very important that you report to the Office of International Education with your passport, J-1 visa, I-94, and DS-2019 as soon as possible after you arrive on campus. The staff will tell you what you need to do during your first week at Georgia Tech. You will not be able to register until you complete the check in procedure with OIE.

The Office of International Education sponsors a MANDATORY orientation program for all international students. A detailed schedule of the orientation program will be provided to you once you check-in with the Office of International Education. This orientation will provide information on immigration regulations, campus resources, and cross-cultural adjustment issues. An additional special orientation meeting for all new exchange students will be held. Date, time and location will be provided in your acceptance packet.

Undergraduate Exchange Students: We also recommend you attend the Transfer FASET (Familiarization and Adaptation to the Surroundings and Environs of Tech) orientation program, which is designed specifically for undergraduate students so that you can receive academic advising and go through registration.

Health Insurance:
Health insurance is required for J-1 visa holders. The Georgia Tech health insurance policy is provided by a company called Pearce and Pearce that meets the J-1 health insurance requirements. As a J-1 visa holder, you will automatically be billed for this Pearce and Pearce health insurance plan on your Georgia Tech student account. This health insurance plan covers you while you are in the United States. If you already have insurance that meets the mandatory requirements, you may complete the online waiver request. For example, if your home country provides health insurance coverage you will be able to waive the Georgia Tech provided health insurance with proof of your home country insurance that meets the requirements.

FOR PEARCE AND PEARCE PLAN INFORMATION AND WAIVER APPLICATION: https://www.pearceandpearce.com/PearceSite/Schools/GA/GT/

Visa Information:
To obtain a J-1 visa you will need a DS-2019 (CERTIFICATE OF ELIGIBILITY FOR EXCHANGE VISITORS J-1 STATUS). The DS-2019 will be mailed to you with your acceptance letter. This document certifies your eligibility to obtain a J-1 visa to study at Georgia Tech as an exchange student. For further information on obtaining a U.S. Visa, please refer to http://www.oie.gatech.edu/isss/incomingexchange/predepartureinformation/#obtaining.

Estimated Cost of Living: