FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS


When will the program start? [back to top]

The graduate program begins every Fall semester. Georgia Tech's Fall semesters begin in mid-August. There are generally orientation meetings the week before school starts. Students are only admitted for Fall semester enrollment. Exact dates are posted in the Georgia Tech Academic Calendar.


What forms do I need to apply for an assistantship? Am I guaranteed to get one? [back to top]

You will need to place your request for an assistantship in writing and submit it with your application materials. It is not guaranteed that you will receive support. Assistantships are issued according to the availability of funds.

Students interested in obtaining assistantships should submit an email to the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) after they have officially been offered admission and accepted the offer. The email should include a link to an online CV and portfolio. Students with strong production, programming, and/or design skills are more likely to receive assistantships. Students should arrive at Georgia Tech at least 1 week before the start of the first semester and actively visit professors in the program if they want to improve their chances of finding appropriate work.


How many students do you accept into your program? [back to top]

We generally accept 20 to 25 students a year.


Is it necessary to have programming experience to apply to the M.S. program? [back to top]

No, we have applicants from various backgrounds, ages, and cultures, with and without programming experience. We do look for evidence that you are able to learn complex interactive applications and that you will be able to learn programming.


If I am accepted into your program and unable to attend, what can I do? [back to top]

You can defer for one year after you are accepted. If you do not attend within one year, you will need to reapply to the program, resubmitting everything in your application package except for the GRE/TOEFL scores (which are acceptable within a 5 year period)


What is the difference between the HCI program and the Digital Media program? Can I apply to both? [back to top]

The HCI program is interdisciplinary and students choose a home unit from Computer Science, Psychology, and LCC (the School of Literature, Communication, and Culture, which is the home of the DM program). HCI/LCC students take four courses in LCC (that is, within the Digital Media offerings). DM students are strongly recommended to take at least one course in HCI.

The Digital Media M.S. program (formerly known as IDT) emphasizes the representational aspects of the digital medium, seeing it as part of the traditions of representation that include books, theater, film, graphic and fine arts.

HCI emphasizes the computer engineering and empirical psychology aspects of design, such as usability, user testing, and system design. Applicants to HCI/LCC must submit the same Statement of Purpose and portfolio as applicants to the DM M.S.

It is permissible to apply to both programs, but it requires two separate complete applications since the applications are screened and processed differently.


How many assistantships does your program give out? [back to top]

There is no set number. It depends on the availability of our funds.


What are the application deadlines? [back to top]

February 1 is the deadline for Fall admission. Please make sure that you arrange to take the GRE or TOEFL test in time for us to receive scores before February 1.


What type of test is required for admission to the DM graduate program? [back to top]

The standard Graduate Records Examination (GRE) and the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) for international students. There is no minimum required GRE score for the program (the GPA and the complete application package as a whole is taken under consideration). The minimum TOEFL score is 650 (paper based test), 275 (computer based test), or 114 (Internet based test). See www.gre.org and www.toefl.org for dates of testing.

Generally, paper-based GRE group testing in November or December will provide results in time for our consideration. The computer-based tests are administered individually at local GRE centers year-round and scores are released approximately 10-15 days afterwards. Refer to the GRE Bulletin and website (http://www.gre.org) for up-to-date information on test schedules.


How many students apply to the M.S. in Digital Media in one year? How many do you enroll? [back to top]

About 50 - 100 students apply. We typically enroll 15-25.


What is the difference between the M.S. in Information Design and Technology (IDT) and the M.S. in Digital Media? How do I apply to IDT? [back to top]

In December 2006 the M.S. in Information Design and Technology (IDT) changed its name to M.S. in Digital Media. The course requirements have remained the same. You should now apply to the M.S. in Digital Media. Students in the program are prepared for careers in information architecture and interactive arts and entertainment. The new name better reflects the range of the program,which has characterized it since its founding in 1993, and does not reflect a change in emphasis.


What do I need to submit to be considered for admission? [back to top]

- Complete the online Georgia Tech Graduate Application and pay the fee ($50.00)
- Official Transcripts (two unopened copies)
- Statement of Purpose (explaining the place of the DM program in the applicant`s creative, intellectual, and professional development.)
- Three letters of recommendation (academic/professional)
- GRE Scores (plus TOEFL scores for international students)
- TOEFL scores for non-native English speakers
- Work Sample (disk, video, web, written or other)

For more information regarding the admissions process, please visit the application page.