Georgia Tech . . . A great deal in the middle of Hotlanta!
The history of Georgia Tech is quite interesting. Following the Civil War, a few important Georgians understood that the South faced a difficult challenge in order to succeed in the new “Industrial Age”. Prior to the war, the South had relied on an agrarian economy but that wouldn’t be enough to succeed in the coming 20th century. But simply changing the region’s economic base form agriculture to industry wasn’t quite that easy. First, there would need to be an institution to teach the new generation of Americans in the South “how” to succeed in business, engineering and other industrial skills. Originally founded in 1885, by 1888 the Georgia School of Technology, as it was first named, began accepting students. The dream of John Hanson and Nathaniel Harris had become a reality!
In designing their vision of the new school, its founders carefully considered the two premier Northern technology oriented schools, MIT and Worcester Polytech. Today Georgia Tech is well known for presenting its students with a serious and challenging course of study but that tradition dates back to its origins. Right from the beginning, Georgia Tech designed its student curriculum to stress both theory and practice. Highly sought after in the workplace following graduation, or “getting out” as it’s known on the Atlanta campus, Georgia Tech “yellow jackets” earn their credentials with four years of serious study.
As a public institution, a Georgia Tech education is subsidized by the taxpayers of Georgia. The result? A degree from Georgia Tech is one of the most outstanding “values” among America’s leading colleges. For out of state students, it’s a great deal. For Georgia students, it’s almost too good to be true!
One little known alumnus is former President Jimmy Carter. Although he graduated from the United States Naval Academy, he briefly attended Georgia Tech before moving on to Annapolis.
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