FAQ's

We’re looking for students who like solving challenging problems and are interested in making a difference. Grand Challenges students are excited about working in teams and challenging their own thinking. If this sounds like you, you’re in the right place.

After your first year, we hope that you’ll continue with your project. Teams that are approved to continue are required to take a 1-hour course, GT 2201.

The Grand Challenges Faculty Fellows are a cadre of faculty from all over campus who have coffee, lunch, and dinner with students. You can sign up to meet them and spend the semester getting to know them.

Unfortunately, no. All living learning communities require participating students to live in different residence halls, so students are not able to do multiple LLCs.

Students pay $400 per semester in Grand Challenges.

Any accepted student to Georgia Tech may apply to Grand Challenges by completing the Living Learning Communities Application through their admission portal. We will read your essay looking for evidence of your interest in tackling big societal challenges and for evidence of dedication and passion in your activities. Early admission invitations to join Grand Challenges will begin in early March with final offers including regular admission by May 1st. Invited students must accept or decline the invitation at least by May 1st.

You will be given specific instructions on how to accept or decline in your invitation letter. For early action, we request that you respond by April 20th and for regular admits, by May 1st.

Yes, you’re still a member of the First Year Experience program if you participate in Grand Challenges. As such, you’ll have fantastic Peer Leaders (PLs) on your floor, opportunities to sign up for a meal plan, and access to the support and resources that the First Year Experience program gives you.

No worries! When you decide to join Grand Challenges, we will work with housing to make sure that you are placed in Howell or Cloudman with everyone else.

An important part of creating a living-learning community is developing connections and shared experiences outside of the classroom, so all Grand Challenges participants are required to live in either Howell or Cloudman.

Unfortunately, Howell and Cloudman are reserved for Grand Challenges participants only. Keep in mind that if you both live on East Campus, you will probably be within 400 yards of their dorm. If you think your friends might be interested in learning to solve the world’s problems, have them apply by the deadline, and we will take a look at their application.