How to Apply to Computer Science at Georgia Tech: Threads in the College of Computing BS in Computer Science, Changing Majors After Enrolling, and Requirements and Timeline for Chinese, Canadian High School and Transfer Students

At the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech), undergraduate computer science is offered by the College of Computing as the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (BSCS). Here is what you need to know for fall 2027 entry, based on official Georgia Tech information, for students at high schools in China, students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver students), and transfer students.

1. The degree and Threads

• Credit hours: 124 for graduation, plus a two-hour Wellness course. All required CS and Thread courses need a C or better. Besides the standard four-year plan, a five-year cooperative (co-op) plan is offered.
• Threads: the curriculum is organised into Threads, and each student chooses any two to build a personalised CS degree; every pair meets the requirements of an accredited BS in CS. Students do not have to choose early.
• Number of Threads: the two sources differ. The BSCS page says “8 Threads”; the catalog and the Threads page say nine: Cybersecurity and Privacy, Embedded Devices, Information Internetworks, Artificial Intelligence, Media, Modeling & Simulation, People, Systems & Architecture, and Theory.
• Other options: a Research Option (undergraduate research over at least two terms plus a thesis), and a BS/MS (apply to the MSCS after 60 hours with a GPA of at least 3.4; up to 6 hours count toward both degrees). The catalog notes the International Plan may not be available with every Thread combination.
• Getting a head start: the FAQ points to three self-paced edX courses matching the intro sequence: CS 1301 (no prior programming, Python), CS 1331 (some experience, object-oriented Java) and CS 1332 (data structures and algorithms).

2. First-year admission: no major admission, but major matters

• Intended major: first-year applicants do not apply to a specific major or college, but select an intended (primary) major on the Common App and may add a secondary one. Georgia Tech says major is an important part of review and looks for evidence of interest in and preparation for it. To study CS, list Computer Science.
• Scholarships: Stamps President’s and Gold Scholarship consideration is based on the primary major on the application; recipients cannot change major before enrolling or until the last day of their first spring term.
• Residency: as a public university Georgia Tech enrolls a majority of Georgia residents, and says residency is one of the biggest factors affecting admit rates.
• No demonstrated interest: the College of Computing states that campus visits, mailing lists and similar are not considered in first-year or transfer review.

3. Changing into Computer Science after enrolling

The FAQ says the CS department is again accepting change-of-major applications on a limited basis (including adding CS as a second major), with the policy updated on 15 April 2025 based on semester of matriculation. The change-of-major page’s guide lists:

• at least 12 Georgia Tech credit hours for a letter grade before applying;
• an intro computing course (CS 1301, CS 1315 or CS 1371) with a B or better, and CS 1331 with a C or better; AP, Advanced Standing Exam and transfer credit are accepted where applicable;
• good academic standing, and completion of the CS Change of Major Module before applying;
• 2026–27 review cycles: fall 2026, deadline 30 October 2026, decisions 16 November 2026; spring 2027, deadline 19 March 2027, decisions 5 April 2027.
• Admission is space-available: meeting every requirement does not guarantee admission, and dates and policies may change.

4. Students at high schools in China

• Transcripts: submit transcripts for every year of secondary school; if your high school covers only grades 10–12, a grade 9 transcript is also required before enrolling.
• Calculus: if your national curriculum has no calculus course, Georgia Tech suggests earning subject certification through the free schoolhouse.world platform, especially in calculus.
• IB and A-levels: there is no IB minimum, but most competitive applicants have 6s and 7s; A-level students must complete at least 3 full A-levels before enrolling. Georgia Tech publishes no Gaokao policy and no separate CS admission requirements.
• SAT or ACT required: all first-year applicants must submit at least one SAT or ACT score (self-reporting allowed). AP, IB and A-level results are optional.
• English: University System of Georgia scores (minimum / recommended): TOEFL iBT 3.5 / 4.0 (69 / 79 for tests before 2026); IELTS 6 / 6.5; or SAT Reading and Writing 480, ACT English 17 and others. Non-native English speakers may submit an optional InitialView or Vericant interview.
• Application fee: USD 85 for international applicants, non-refundable.

5. Students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver)

• Georgia Tech lists no specific requirements for Canadian or BC curricula; applications are reviewed in the context of your school and region. SAT or ACT is required.
• Applicants who are not US citizens or permanent residents are treated as international.

6. Deadlines (2026-27 cycle)

• Early Action 2 (non-binding): for non-Georgia students, including international applicants. Closes 2 November, materials by 16 November, decisions in late January.
• Regular Decision: closes 6 January, materials by 22 January, decisions in mid-March.
• Enrollment deposit by 1 May. Stamps and other merit scholarships require Early Action.

7. Costs and aid

• 2027-28 out-of-country first-year estimate (USD): tuition 34,572, fees 1,696; with books, housing, meals, personal and travel costs, 56,194 living on campus or 59,970 off campus. The College of Computing pages do not mention a separate CS tuition charge.
• Little aid for international students: they are not eligible for federal or state aid, and scholarships from the financial aid office generally do not go to international students.

8. Transfer students

• Minimum: at least 30 semester hours, and high school graduation before the application opens.
• GPA: at least 3.3 (on 4.0) for College of Computing and College of Engineering applicants; the 2025 admitted transfer class averaged 3.7.
• CS course requirements: all majors need English Composition 1101 and 1102 and Calculus I (MATH 1551) equivalents; CS also needs Calculus II (MATH 1552), a two-course lab science sequence (biology, chemistry, calculus-based physics, earth and atmospheric sciences or environmental science, with labs) and a computing course (CS 1301 or CS 1371). Computer science and engineering courses do not count as lab science.
• Deadlines: fall entry 1 March, with required courses completed by 30 May; spring 15 September; summer 15 January.
• International transfer: if you studied at a university outside the US, submit a course-by-course evaluation (with GPA) from an accredited agency. Official credit evaluation happens after admission.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Apply Early Action 2 by 2 November or Regular by 6 January, listing Computer Science as your intended major
• SAT or ACT required; TOEFL or IELTS at University System of Georgia levels
• Take calculus if you can; submit grades 10–11 transcripts and a grade 9 transcript before enrolling
• Budget about USD 56,194 for 2027-28

Students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver):

• Same deadlines; SAT or ACT required
• No specific Canadian curriculum requirements; non-US citizens are reviewed as international applicants

Transfer students:

• At least 30 hours and a GPA of 3.3 or higher; fall deadline 1 March
• English Composition 1101 and 1102, Calculus I and II, a two-course lab science sequence, and CS 1301 or 1371

Sources: Georgia Institute of Technology, College of Computing BS in Computer Science; Threads; Prospective undergraduate FAQ; Changing majors to Computer Science; Catalog: BS in Computer Science; International first-year applicants; Deadlines; Standardized tests; Major selection; Application fees; Transfer deadlines and fees; Transfer course requirements by major; Transfer GPA requirements; International transfer; Undergraduate costs; Aid for international students; University System of Georgia English proficiency. Information is for fall 2027 entry (2026-27 application cycle; 2027-28 cost estimates). Check Georgia Tech for the latest details.