Christopher
New member
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2026
- Messages
- 4
Spelman has this dual-degree program. Three years at Spelman, two years at Georgia Tech. You end up with two degrees: a BA from Spelman and a BS in engineering from Georgia Tech. It's the best of both worlds: liberal arts + top-tier engineering. 
My parents don't get it. "Why not just go straight to Georgia Tech? Why add an extra year?"
Here's why.
I want to be an engineer. But I don't want to be just an engineer. I want to understand history. I want to read literature. I want to think about ethics and policy and community.
At Georgia Tech, I'd take mostly STEM classes. At Spelman, I'd take a mix — and then transfer to Tech for the hardcore engineering.
Plus: Spelman's community. I've visited. The energy is incredible. Students support each other. They don't compete — they collaborate.
I sat in on a computer science class at Spelman. The professor stopped mid-lecture because one student looked confused. She walked over, knelt beside her desk, and explained the concept one-on-one. The whole class waited. No one rolled their eyes.
That doesn't happen at Georgia Tech. I've sat in on Tech classes. The professors are brilliant but distant. The students are stressed and competitive.
I want the rigor of Tech. But I want the support of Spelman.
The dual-degree program gives me both. It'll take five years instead of four. It'll cost more. But I think it's worth it.
My parents are coming around. Slowly.
My parents don't get it. "Why not just go straight to Georgia Tech? Why add an extra year?"
Here's why.
I want to be an engineer. But I don't want to be just an engineer. I want to understand history. I want to read literature. I want to think about ethics and policy and community.
At Georgia Tech, I'd take mostly STEM classes. At Spelman, I'd take a mix — and then transfer to Tech for the hardcore engineering.
Plus: Spelman's community. I've visited. The energy is incredible. Students support each other. They don't compete — they collaborate.
I sat in on a computer science class at Spelman. The professor stopped mid-lecture because one student looked confused. She walked over, knelt beside her desk, and explained the concept one-on-one. The whole class waited. No one rolled their eyes.
That doesn't happen at Georgia Tech. I've sat in on Tech classes. The professors are brilliant but distant. The students are stressed and competitive.
I want the rigor of Tech. But I want the support of Spelman.
The dual-degree program gives me both. It'll take five years instead of four. It'll cost more. But I think it's worth it.
My parents are coming around. Slowly.
