On Monday, 460 first-year students began classes to jumpstart their time at Georgia Tech through Ignite, a summer program at Tech.
Over the course of the five-week program, students will earn 6-7 credit hours, be fully immersed in the culture of Tech, and build their community before the bustle of fall semester.
“Ignite is a fantastic opportunity for incoming first-year students to acclimate both socially and academically to life at Tech,” said Erik Johnson, assistant director of Ignite at Tech. “It allows them to adapt to college life in a supportive environment and builds a strong foundation for their future success. We pride ourselves in providing an experience that all Ignite students will benefit from, and one that helps to solidify their confidence in the decision they made to join our Yellow Jacket community”
What Do Ignite Students Do?
Students typically take GT1000, a one-credit seminar course required for all students, and one to two additional classes. Students pick from eight tracks that will guide their learning experience: Analyzing Atlanta, GTF1RST (a specific track for first-generation college students), Health & Wellbeing, Innovation, Leadership, Pre-Health, Sustainability, and Undergraduate Research.
Beyond academics, the Ignite students enjoy programming throughout the five weeks to get to know Atlanta and Tech. Past cohorts have attended Atlanta United games, gone whitewater rafting, made pottery at Paper and Clay or completed the ropes course on campus, gone indoor skydiving, and visited Six Flags Over Georgia. The program takes pride in offering over 75 events each summer for students to attend.
Ignite students living on campus moved in to Glenn and Towers Hall on June 20 to settle in for the semester. Amid the frenetic energy of getting belongings to their dorms, students were excited for the semester ahead of them. Caitlin Maroney, an Ignite student this year, noted she and her roommates had already been thinking about which events they wanted to attend after they move in.
“I’m really looking forward to it,” she said. “We’ve been talking about which ones we want to go to for weeks. Beyond that, I’m excited to settle in and get set up for the summer.”
Additional Benefits of Ignite
In addition to helping students navigate campus and classes for the fall semester, completing courses over the summer allows them to gain a solid understanding of the resources provided by Tech. This head start gives students more time to connect with the Career Center and other campus units, enabling them to build their resumes and explore professional development opportunities.
And through shared classes, events, and activities, students build strong connections with their peers, creating a support network that can be crucial throughout their college years.
“Ignite helped me find a community on campus, and that was one of the things I was most nervous about coming to a school where I knew nobody,” said Sameer Arora, a 2023 Ignite participant. “Professionally, I think it helped expose me to a ton of opportunities both on and off campus. Whether it was how to organize my resume to apply for internships, what skills hiring managers are looking for, or simply where the Career Center is on campus.”
To learn more about Ignite, visit their website.