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Georgia Tech offers full scholarship to top Atlanta high school students

ATLANTA — The Georgia Institute of Technology will now automatically accept the top two high school graduates from all Atlanta public schools.

Atlanta Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Meria Carstarphen announced Thursday that the top two graduates will be accepted and receive an automatic four-year, full-tuition scholarship.

Georgia Tech’s President Bud Peterson said he hopes more top scholars will stay in-state instead of accepting a full-ride somewhere else.

“It’s to try to help these students in Atlanta public schools realize (that) Georgia Tech is within their reach. If they are qualified, we can help them figure out how to do it and how to afford it,” Peterson said.

Atlanta City Council member Andre Dickens said he knows what the diploma is worth.

“It changed my life to become a chemical engineer, coming from southwest Atlanta to going to APS, then graduating (from) Georgia Tech opened doors. Just the experience at Tech opened so many doors,” Atlanta City Council Member Andre Dickens said.

The program begins with 20 to 25 valedictorians and salutatorians.

They can begin to benefit from their Georgia Tech scholarships as soon as next summer, Carstarphen said.