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First-Year Summer Programs

All students admitted for the Summer Term must begin in iGniTe, unless they apply to and are admitted to Challenge or First-Year Semester Abroad. The summer term helps students acclimate to campus, get a head start on classes, and meet fellow incoming students before the fall semester. Learn about the different summer programs below and compare the options.

  iGniTe Summer Launch Program Challenge Program First-Year Semester Abroad (FYSA)
Program Overview Students admitted to summer term are expected to begin in iGniTe unless they are admitted to FYSA or Challenge. iGniTe is your opportunity to get a head start on classes, learn the campus, and make friends! Students select from program tracks, attend events, and build relationships with their peers. Challenge is a premiere, signature five-week residential summer transition program for first-year students sponsored by OMED: Educational Services. Challenge is an opportunity for students to adjust and familiarize themselves with Tech. Students enjoy an immersive holistic experience, not only experiencing academics, but professional development, corporate engagement, cultural exploration, social innovation projects; all while getting acclimated to the “OMED way” with likeminded, excellence-driven peers. This innovative program leverages Georgia Tech’s global campuses and programs to provide a high-quality, experiential learning opportunity for incoming first-year students who wish to internationalize their college career right from the start.
Location Georgia Tech’s main Atlanta campus. Georgia Tech’s main Atlanta campus. On-campus housing is provided for all Challenge participants at no cost to students. Students begin their experience on our Atlanta campus, then travel to one of two locations: Metz, France (at GT Europe, with field trips in France) or Oxford, England (with two travel courses in Europe).
Program Dates June 24 – August 9, 2024 June 22 – August 2, 2024

  • Metz, France: July 8 - mid-December, 2024

  • Oxford, England - July 8 – early November 2024
Program Size 500 students 150 students 100 students (50 per location)
Eligibility Requirement

  • First-year students admitted to summer term must join iGniTe unless they are admitted to Challenge or FYSA.

  • First-year students admitted to fall term may choose to enroll in iGniTe courses (additional costs apply).

All first-year students admitted to Summer or Fall term may apply to join Challenge.

  • Must be 18 years or older by the time of departure for the abroad portion of the program.

  • Students who are pursuing a major in the College of Design must discuss joining this program with their academic advisor.

  • Students in all majors may also need to discuss specific academic questions with their academic advisor.
Recommended For All incoming first-year students.

  • Incoming first-year students who are interested in developing themselves in a multicultural environment with like-minded, high acheiving students.

  • Students who want to enhance their skills, tools, and network early in order to effectively take advantage of the many Georgia Tech resources and for academic and career success (i.e. social, cultural, professional, and academic, etc.).

 Students interested in gaining intercultural competency skills and global perspectives.
Program Costs Coming soon! For more details on Ignite 2023 costs, please click here. $500 program activity fee, plus additional summer meal/meal plan costs.* (*meals provided at all Challenge sponsored events - approximately 12-15 scheduled) Click here for details. Program charge + tuition and fees. Click here for details.
Financial Aid Availability Yes. Click here for instructions on how to apply for financial aid for the summer semester. Please note that changes to the FAFSA process will impact the summer financial aid application process. Additional information is coming soon. For specific questions, please contact us directly. No. There are no tuition or housing cost for students to attend Challenge. Therefore, financial aid is not required and may not be used for Challenge. However, students may request a need based waiver to cover the program activity fee. Yes. Click here for instructions on how to apply for financial aid for the summer semester.
Eligibile to Participate in Learning Community? Yes. Yes. No. While First-Year Semester Abroad begins in the summer, we are an academic-year long Learning Community. Students are abroad in the Fall as part of the FYSA program and therefore, are unable to participate in another on-campus learning community.
Credit Hours Earned 6-7 credit hours (includes GT 1000 and two additional courses). N/A. Challenge is not a tuition based course program. 3 credit hours in the summer and 12-15 hours in the fall.
Grades Grades earned during this program are permanent on your transcript.

  • N/A. Students who complete Challenge receive an audit grade in the Challenge seminar courses. Other Challenge courses are program based courses, covering equivalent course materials to Georgia Tech's Calculus, Chemistry, Computer Science, and Social Sciences courses. Challenge courses occur in a dedicated learning cohort with smaller student to faculty ratios.

  • Students have the opportunity to be reimbursed between $150-$500 of their program fee, with a chance to earn an additional $1,000-$1,500 in corporate scholarships based on academic performance in Challenge program courses.

 Grades earned during this program are permanent on your transcript.
Program Website https://experiential.learning.gatech.edu/ignite/ https://provost.gatech.edu/challenge-summer-program https://firstyearabroad.gatech.edu/
Video Overview iGniTe overview Challenge overview FYSA overview

Want to Join Us This Summer?

Apply for any of the summer programs listed above in the Summer Programs Portal located in your Admission Portal.

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Want to Join Us This Summer?