Priority Decisions

What is Priority Decision?

The OMSCS program has implemented a Priority Decision process for its two admission cycles (Fall and Spring semester matriculations). "Priority Decision" means that applicants who submit their applications according to the requirements below will be given priority for having their applications reviewed and released both before and after the deadlines for the two application cycles.  Those deadlines are March 1 and August 15 for the Fall and Spring semester matriculations respectively.

Realize that the Priority Decision protocol is in effect throughout the entire review and release timeline.  I.e., no matter when your application meets the requirements for Priority Decision, then your application is immediately given priority for review and release over applications not meeting the requirements from now through the end of the review and release timeline (which is approximately 10-12 weeks after the March 1 and August 15 deadlines for the Fall and Spring semester matriculations respectively).  

Why is the OMSCS Admissions Committee implementing this process?

There are several reasons why the Admissions Committee is implementing the Priority Decision process. The Committee 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 choice as to which program's offer they will accept and plan their future accordingly. Having an earlier application review process assists the Committee in spreading its work out over a longer period of time and assists 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:

  • You MUST specifically opt-in for the Priority Decision process; it is not automatic that you want Priority Decision - you must request that on the application.
  • All OMSCS-specific questions must be answered appropriately and truthfully.  Failure to do so will disqualify your application from the Priority Decision process.
  • All 3 letters of recommendation must be submitted.  It is NOT necessary that all 3 letters have been submitted at the time that you have submitted your application and paid the application fee.
  • 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.
    • What does "scan" mean?  A "scan" can be a literal scan of the officially issued document, or it can be a clearly readable photograph of the officially issued document, or (preferred) the electronic copy (e.g., PDF) of the officially issued document sent to you.
    • Submission of advisor transcripts, web transcripts, student information system transcripts, degree audits, or similar documents will automatically disqualify your application being considered for Priority Decision.
      • THE most common reason for an application's being disqualified for Priority Decision is because the applicant submits a document which clearly has a phrase or wording such as "UNOFFICIAL," or "to be used for advising purposes only," etc., or clearly is a web page document.  If it is not obvious to the Committee that the document is official, then your application will be disqualified from Priority 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, the name of the conferred degree and the conferral date MUST BE printed on your academic document. If it is not, you will need to upload a copy of the degree certificate that shows that information along with your transcript.  Failure to follow this instruction will automatically disqualify your application being considered for Priority Decision.
    • 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.  WES, Spantran, etc. evaluations CANNOT substitute for an official English (or official English translation) transcript.
  • 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.
  • Even if you attended or graduated from Georgia Tech, you MUST still submit a copy of your official GT transcript.
  • 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 Priority 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 Priority Decision?

Priority Decisions for the Fall semester matriculation will typically start being released no later than January 15. Priority Decisions for the Spring semester matriculation will typically start being released no later than June 15.  The exact date on which Priority Decisions will start being released may vary.  

This page will be updated when a specific date for a specific semester's applications has been determined.

However, note that just because your application meets the requirements for Priority 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 volume of applications that we have been receiving in the past few cycles (we received over 10,000 applications for the 2024-2025 academic year), we expect to release Priority Decisions on a regular (e.g., weekly) basis before the March 1 and August 15 deadlines for the Fall and Spring matriculations respectively and potentially more frequently after those deadlines.

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

Do the March 1 and/or August 15 deadlines change?

No, the deadlines for applications for the Fall semester matriculations and Spring semester matriculations remain March 1 and August 15 respectively.

What happens after the deadlines pass?

Applications which meet the Priority Decision requirements, even after the respective deadlines have passed, 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 respective application deadline has passed. A more specific timeline, along with other instructions and information, will be sent to applicants whose decisions have not been released by the respective deadline shortly after that respective deadline has passed.