We’re looking for students who are interested in kick-starting their undergraduate career by exploring opportunities in research and pre-health with world-renowned faculty, supportive staff, and engaged mentors.

We are looking for students who:

• Possess a curious mind that likes to investigate.
• Want to build strong foundations in math and sciences.
• Want to make discoveries that can change how we see the world.
• Intend to apply scientific discoveries to solving real-world problems.
• Are in majors or truly passionate about: Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences​ Biochemistry Biology Chemistry Earth and Atmospheric Sciences Environmental Science Mathematics Neuroscience Physics (including Applied Physics) Psychology Solid Earth & Planetary Sciences

After your first year, we hope that you’ll continue to live and connect with first-year students as mentors, GT 1000 Team Leaders, Resident Assistants, or a number of other leadership positions. There are no requirements to continue to participate, only opportunities.

Unfortunately, since all living learning communities require participating students to live in different residence halls, students are not able to participate in multiple First-Year LLCs. The only exception is the Ignite program, as students can participate in Ignite over the summer, and another LLC during the academic year.

YES! Ignite is a wonderful way to engage with students prior to the hustle and bustle of the start of the academic year. Ignite features a number of pathways that students may choose based on their interest. Your participation in Ignite does not require you to live in an LLC during the academic year, though many students do choose to.

The Explore program fee is $400 per semester for first-year students and $250 per semester for incoming transfer students. This fee covers all trips, events, faculty dinners, community service opportunities, lab tours, guest speakers, the fall retreat, spring research showcase, Explore swag, and so much more!

Any student accepted to Georgia Tech may apply by completing the First-Year Learning Communities application received by email. Your Explore application will be read by the Explore staff and admission team. College of Sciences students will receive an automatic admission into the Explore LLC with decisions released on the same day as the other LLCs. Additional students will be admitted based on your interest in research, health, and the fields of math and science.

You will be given specific instructions on how to accept or decline in your invitation letter. We offer our invited spaces on a first-come, first-served basis. These spaces are highly competitive and do fill quickly. 

No worries! When you decide to join Explore, we will work with housing to make sure that you are placed in the Eighth Street West Apartments.

Note: Explore LLC is moving to Eighth Street West Apartments beginning Fall of 2024. First-year Explore students are required to have a Georgia Tech meal plan. 

An important part of creating a living-learning community is developing connections and shared experiences outside of the classroom, so all Explore first-year and incoming transfer participants are required to live in Eighth Street West Apartments. 

First-year Explore students are required to have a Georgia Tech meal plan. 

Eighth Street West Apartments are reserved for Explore participants only. Keep in mind that if you both live on West Campus, you will probably be within 400 yards of their residence hall. If you think your friends might be interested in learning about undergraduate research or pre health opportunities, have them apply by the deadline, and we will take a look at their application.