FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (Scholars Only)
Program Related
Q. Which FOCUS group do I belong to?
A. FOCUS Scholars are invited college juniors and seniors.
FOCUS Friends are invited high school seniors who have been accepted into any Georgia Tech undergraduate degree program. For more information please contact Keith Jordan.
FOCUS Fellows are minority doctoral students who are one or two years away from graduation. Postdoctoral candidates and researchers holding or pursuing Ph.D. degrees in engineering, computing, the sciences, mathematics, architecture, and management are also invited. For more information please contact Miya Smith.
Q. Who is eligible for the program?
A. While FOCUS is designed for underrepresented minority juniors, the program is open to all whose
proposed graduate major corresponds to the degrees listed on this Web site under
Degree Programs. Seniors
may also be considered on a case-by-case basis, space permitting.
Q. How do I apply for the program?
A. Students are recommended by their institution and are given an identification number. Once you have
an identification number, you may access the application on the FOCUS Web site.
Q. When is the program held?
A. The program is an annual event held on the weekend of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.
Q. How can my school obtain information about the program?
A. To obtain information about the program, please ask the faculty or staff member who will serve as a
coordinator at your institution to contact the FOCUS office by e-mail or phone.
Q. Can faculty members attend the program?
A. YES. Faculty members are allowed to accompany their students at their own expense.
Q. What happens if my plans change and I cannot attend the program?
A. If you have been accepted and your plans change, please e-mail or call us so that we may give another
student the opportunity to attend.
Q. When is the deadline to apply for the program?
A. See FOCUS Scholars.
Q. How do I apply to Georgia Tech?
A. Visit www.admission.gatech.edu for
admission information.
Q. What if I decide not to go to Georgia Tech?
A. We encourage you to apply and enroll at a graduate school of your choice.
Q. What activities are planned for the program?
A. The 2008 Agenda will be posted shortly.
Q. Will there be time for me to meet with individual faculty members?
A. If you would like to meet individually with a specific faculty member(s), the available time for that
activity will be Friday from 10:30 a.m.–1:15 p.m. (See forthcoming 2008 Agenda ).
You are responsible for making the arrangements prior to your arrival. See your respective department Web
page for more details about faculty members and their research interests. Please remember that lunch is
also scheduled within this timeframe, so plan accordingly.
Q. What is the dress code for each event?
A. Thursday-Casual, Friday-Business, Saturday-Casual, Sunday-Business/casual. Wear comfortable shoes.
Q. Will I have any free time for myself?
A. There is very limited free time. This program is designed to give you all of the information you need to
know about graduate school in three days. Therefore, your time at FOCUS is maximized. There will be some
free time on Friday and Saturday nights to be used at your discretion. Please remember that there are
mandatory events scheduled for Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Any participant who misses events
will not be reimbursed.