Tech organized a reception to welcome all the Atlanta Public Schools (APS) students admitted to be part of Georgia Tech’s incoming freshman class.

Students, their families, high school principals and APS Superintendent Meria Carstarphen mingled with campus administrators. Students and their parents received answers to questions about financial aid, academic programs and student life.

The reception is just one example of the work going on to increase exposure and access to Georgia Tech for Atlanta Public Schools’ most prepared students.

Earlier this year Tech launched the APS Scholars program, which grants automatic admittance to all Atlanta Public Schools valedictorians and salutatorians who apply and an award to cover the cost of in-state tuition and mandatory fees for eight semesters.

“What we are trying to do is be much more aggressive and reach out to Atlanta Public Schools in a number of ways,” Peterson told the crowd at the reception. 

Peterson joked that some students may think they don’t want to attend Georgia Tech because it’s too close to home. He reminded them that about 8,000 students live on campus.

“Don’t worry – we are a long way from home,” he said as the students laughed.

“We are very, very excited to have you,” Peterson said. “We look forward to seeing you in the fall. Go Jackets!”

Georgia Tech received 130 applications from Atlanta Public Schools students this year – a 77 percent increase from last year, said Rick Clark, director of Undergraduate Admission. Tech received applications from all public high schools in the system, he said.

The Institute admitted 45 students, and during the reception students were encouraged to join Tech’s Class of 2019.

Tapping into the NCAA March Madness, Clark compared Georgia Tech to a point guard.

“The beauty of and the power of a good point guard is that they see the floor and that they call the plays,” he said. “They have the vision of what needs to happen and they make everyone else around them better. That is exactly what and who Georgia Tech is.”