Georgia Tech launched the Focus Program in 1991 with the goal of increasing the number of master's and doctoral degrees awarded to students traditionally underrepresented in higher education, not only at Georgia Tech but nationwide. The first Focus participants convened in January of 1992. The Focus Program lays the groundwork for achieving this goal by bringing together undergraduate students to meet with faculty, peers, alumni, and speakers from the corporate and government arenas.

During Focus weekend, participants visit classrooms and research labs in their areas of interest and talk with the students and faculty who live the Georgia Tech experience every day. Participants will also receive information about the process of applying to graduate school. We hope this visit will encourage each student to pursue an advanced degree at the Georgia Tech or any other graduate school of their choice.

During Focus weekend, scholars will:

• Attend current student and alumni panel discussions to learn about real-life experiences, academic life, and professional careers.

• Gather by college of interest for a welcome and information session by the appropriate college dean.

• Visit the academic units and research laboratories according to interest and interact with current students and faculty in the departments.

• Meet with representatives from the Office of Graduate Studies to discuss admission timelines, expectations, funding sources, and application procedures.

• Visit historic sites around Atlanta and experience the cultural and social aspects of the city.

• Arrive at the Georgia Tech Hotel on Thursday afternoon and leave late Saturday evening or early Sunday morning.

Qualifications

• Junior (85 percent of participants)
• Senior (15 percent of participants)
• Graduate (case-by-case basis)
• Average GPA = 3.6/4.0

Why Georgia Tech?

• No. 1 in physical sciences doctoral degrees awarded to African American students (Diverse: Issues in Higher Education, 2019)
• No. 2 in engineering doctoral degrees awarded to total underrepresented minority students (Diverse: Issues in Higher Education, 2019)
• No. 3 in architecture master's and doctoral degrees awarded to African American students (Diverse: Issues in Higher Education, 2019)
• No. 2 in computer and information sciences master's degrees awarded to total underrepresented minority students (Diverse: Issues in Higher Education, 2019)
• No. 2 in master's degrees awarded to total underrepresented minority students (Diverse: Issues in Higher Education, 2019)
• No. 1 in engineering master's degrees awarded to total underrepresented minority students (Diverse: Issues in Higher Education, 2019)
• No. 1 in engineering bachelor's degrees awarded to African American and total underrepresented minority students (Diverse: Issues in Higher Education, 2019)
• No. 8 top public university in the nation (U.S. News & World Report, 2021)
• No. 8 best graduate engineering school