Early Decisions

What is Early Decision?

The OMSCS program is implementing an Early Decision process for the Fall 2025 semester matriculation. "Early Decision" means that applicants who submit their applications according to the requirements below will be given priority in having their applications reviewed and released both before and after the March 1, 2025, deadline for application submission.

Why is the OMSCS Admissions Committee implementing this process?

There are several reasons why the Admissions Committee is implementing this process. It recognizes that many applicants who are applying to other programs would like to have an earlier decision in order that they can make an informed decision as to which program's offer they will accept and plan their future accordingly. Having an earlier application review process will assist the Committee in spreading its work out over a longer period of time and will assist Georgia Tech's Office of Graduate Education (OGE) in the final processing of applications.

How do I participate?

In order to participate, your application must meet all of the following requirements:

  • All 3 letters of recommendation must be submitted.
  • Scans of officially issued academic credentials/documents (transcripts, mark sheets, or diploma supplement) must be submitted. Documents from every institution attended for academic credit must be submitted—even if you did not complete a degree at that institution.
    • Submission of advisor transcripts, web transcripts, student information system transcripts, degree audits, or similar documents will automatically disqualify your application being considered for Early Decision.
    • "Officially issued" means that your documents have been issued by a representative of the Academic Registrar's Office, the Examinations Office, or the equivalent office that issues official documentation of records at your university. Most often, this means that your transcript has been signed and, where appropriate, stamped by the issuing institution (e.g., controller of examination, secretary, registrar, dean, or the equivalent). If a degree was awarded, please be sure that the degree conferred and the conferral date are printed on your academic document. If it is not, you will need to upload a copy of the degree certificate along with your transcript.
    • If you attended an institution outside of the United States and the academic documents are not in English, we require you to upload an English translation issued by the college or university in addition to the native language documents. If your institution does not provide documents in English, you can use an official translation agency. Be sure to order a word for word translation of your documents.
    • If your degree is in progress (i.e., the degree has not yet been conferred), you may still participate.  Submit a scan of your current official academic credentials/documents (transcripts, mark sheets, or diploma supplement) as specified in the preceding instructions and comply with all the other instructions.
  • Georgia Tech requires that all applicants provide proof of English language proficiency at the time of application. Learn how this requirement can be satisfied on the English Proficiency page.

Note that the date on which the Early Decision requirements are met is the date that your application enters the priority review and release queue, not the date on which the application was submitted.

When will I receive the Early Decision?

Early Decisions for the Fall 2025 semester will start being released no later than January 15, 2025.

However, note that just because your application meets the requirements for Early Decision does not mean that your application will be released at a guaranteed time—meeting the requirements means that your application is given priority in the review and release process. Due to the expected volume of applications (we received over 10,000 applications for the 2024-2025 academic year), we expect to release Early Decisions on a regular (e.g., weekly) basis before the March 1 deadline and potentially more frequently after the March 1 deadline.

Important: Do not contact the OGE staff or OMSCS staff (including the Help Desk) or the OMSCS Admissions Committee to ask when your Early Decision will be released. If we determine that you have made such contact, then your application will immediately lose its priority status.

Does the March 1, 2025, deadline change?

No, the deadline for applications for the Fall 2025 semester remains March 1, 2025.

What happens after March 1?

Applications which meet the Early Decision requirements, even after the March 1 deadline, will still be given priority in the review and release process.

Other applications will be reviewed and released in the normal manner. All decisions will be released no later than approximately 10-12 weeks after the March 1 application deadline has passed. A more specific timeline, along with other instructions, will be sent to applicants whose decisions have not been released by March 1 soon after the March 1 deadline has passed.