Georgia Tech offers 6 exciting and engaging living-learning options for continuing residents. The overall program is called ThinkBig@Tech, and each ThinkBig community is a specialized residential program initiated by and having direct connections with faculty within the Undergraduate Studies division of Academic Affairs. In partnership with Residence Life staff, these faculty work to link the community's theme and residential experiences in ways that create opportunities for engagement, deeper understanding and fun!

Along with the popular and well-established Women, Science and Technology (WST) and International House (I-House) programs, 4 new faculty-led communities have been developed.

Why Were These Created?

These exciting ThinkBig programs are designed to give a small group of residents a great opportunity to interact closely with a faculty member and live with students who also share a similar interest. These programs are designed to be fun and informative! Each community will be faculty-led on a particular theme (click buttons on the left for details of all programs).

Studies have shown that students involved in ThinkBig living programs are more connected socially, academically and are more successful in college. The ThinkBig communities are open to all continuing students. They are particularly targeted for sophomores and transfer students. However, all interested students are encouraged to apply.

Students who have lived in I-House and WST, or traveled on a study abroad program will tell you that they feel much more comfortable approaching and talking with faculty members after their involvement in such programs. ThinkBig communities can have the same impact on residents as well!

Why participate in a ThinkBig community?

Students who participate as members of these communities have higher retention and graduation rates and report higher satisfaction with their undergraduate experience at Tech. These positive outcomes result from:

• the connections that are made with students who share similar interests,
• the substantial contact that occurs with individual faculty members outside the classroom,
• enhanced event/activity opportunities,
• specialized guidance on academic planning, potential service learning opportunities, and creative utilization of the research, cultural, natural and business resources of the Atlanta area.

Details

Sponsored by Georgia Tech Undergraduate Studies and the Department of Housing's Residence Life team, ThinkBig@Tech communities are designed to increase academic performance and improve student retention by bringing faculty and students together to pursue further conversation around topics beyond those in the classroom. This interaction is created to be fun and engaging, and not more "homework!" To facilitate this interaction:

• each community is limited to 20-50 students,
• faculty will visit the hall once per week for either a "coffee hour" chat or a program/activity,
• some activities will be off campus - transportation provided,
• Fall and Spring Semester,
• residents will form an "Advisory Board" to work with the faculty leader to tailor the topic to growing and changing interests,
• designed to appeal to many types of residents, including different majors and interests, and genders,
• cost: $150 each semester to compensate faculty time, food and transportation costs, etc. This is an academic fee and not a Housing charge. (I-House and WST fee is $25/ semester).

How to Sign-Up Online

Current students - If you have already applied for fall 2009 housing (the deadline was March 3, 2009) and now wish to transfer to one of the ThinkBig programs, send an email to Vicki.Hill@housing.gatech.edu and write ThinkBig in the subject line. Please list which program you wish to room transfer to. Housing will work all summer long to make this change occur but cannot guarantee it.

Transfer students - Once you are eligible to apply for housing, please make your preferred ThinkBig program's residence hall your first choice. Also, please send an email to Vicki.Hill@housing.gatech.edu and write ThinkBig in the subject line. Please list which program you wish to join. Housing will work all summer long to make this your fall assignment but cannot guarantee it.

Information about each program's goals and sample activities is available by clicking on the program title tabs above. Also, visit www.thinkbig.gatech.edu!