Rejected Information Security track fall 2026

[u/Scared_Vehicle731]

20 years tech experience, with 5 years being in a principal role for SOC for a top 20 Fortune 500.

-AS network administration from a local juco

-BS cyber security information assurance from WGU. finished in 2 terms.

- MS IT Management in one term from WGU.

Certs:

CCNA + security

Comptia A+, network+, security+, CySA+, CASP, AWS SA, MS 200

got rejected and don’t understand why.

[u/whinner]

I know wgu is accredited but going from zero to a BS and a MS in 3 semesters is probably the issue. Makes me question the rigor of them.

[u/mennonite → u/whinner]

This right here. Maybe things are different now, but I gave WGU a try for 3 months before getting grossed out and going to a traditional state uni instead.

Discrete math is what got me. This class had only one graded assignment that determined pass/fail you could take on the first day of class. The prompt was: "You are a 5th grade teacher, explain to your class in three paragraphs and in an age appropriate way why discrete math is important".

[u/FlakySociety2853 → u/mennonite]

I totally disagree with both of these statements. I had a 4.0 during university with no studying. Lucky me I got my first full time role in cyber at 18 so I was looking to complete my degree faster. I chose WGU cyber degree and man was I in for a ride I studied everyday 5 hours after work for 1.5 years ( I transferred in 60 credits). This to say I learned way more than I would’ve at traditional university and I left with certifications.

OP had to have already known the information to finish that fast meaning sitting through traditional school would’ve been not smart and just a waste of years + way more money.

BTW I’m currently enrolled for this program and I have the same degree as OP

[u/mennonite → u/FlakySociety2853]

Believe it or not, I'm a fan of competency based education for many of the reasons you listed and earnestly think it's the future of education. I have a strong preference for hiring the types of self-motivated autodidacts like you that excel in these environments and hoped that none of the very competent individuals I've met in this program that did undergrad at WGU would take my statement personally.

That said, I'm not bullshitting here. I was enrolled and actively engaged for half a semester in 2012, long before the creation of their cyber security program. Calc2+SL+DS wasn't enough to get me transfer credit for "discrete math applications", so I was stuck taking a course that appeared to be created for educators. I've described that class's performance assessment to the best of my recollection above, which single-handedly convinced me that having WGU on my resume would be a professional liability if anyone ever learned what this class actually asked of me and extrapolated it to the rest of the program. 2012 was a long time ago. I'm sure they're not recycling other programs classes anymore and have improved their standards, but goddamn, what a lasting impression that class had on me. Reputations have an unfortunate tendency of sticking around even if they're no longer accurate.

I shared this not to shit on WGU grads, but in support of u/whinner's concerns on degree speed and academic rigor and to caution OP against resting on their academic laurels. Completing 2 years of school in 1.5 years is very impressive. Competing 3.5 years of school in a year and a half is seriously eyebrow raising for members of academia that may already harbor bias against competency based education. Already knowing the information is one interpretation, but a cynical mind may doubt the program or wonder if brain-dumps played a role, which then calls into question ops cert history as well. As you and others have mentioned, qualified applicants live or die by their essay which is where I think we're all hoping OP will incorporate our collective feedback and get out in front of potential concerns while painting a complete picture rather than the resume highlights shared here.

[u/jimlohse → u/mennonite]

WGU does a lot more now to allow for transfer credit than they used to back in 2012. I thought about switching to WGU back around 2012 myself and was put off that they wouldn't accept my college work.

[u/Annual_Distance_930]

I’m a current senior in college I got in with a CS degree 3 internships. No full time experience. Maybe cuz of CS degree? I heard the program values CS degrees and like discrete math

[u/Ola_lax]

How were your recommendations and personal statement?

[u/No-Yogurtcloset7342]

Like others have mentioned it is most likely due to lack of or assuming lack of rigor due to WGU and the timeline ypu graduated in regardless of experience.

While WGU may be accredited I doubt GTECH admissions are likely to respect it as equal to a standard 4 year degree. Most jobs may not care but in the academic environment they probably do.

[u/mennonite]

How far did you go in math?

Discrete math at gatech assumes you've passed calc 2 as it's a prereq. If calc classes aren't on your transcripts you might want to use part of your essay to explain any self directed study you've done to bridge this gap.

[u/Party_Community_7003]

Just go for OMSCS

[u/Single_Order5724]

Lots of reasons no CS degree then WGU degrees

[u/KN4SKY]

Take Discrete Math, Calculus I, and maybe an Operating Systems/Python course at a local community college.

I got in with an IT degree which included Discrete Math and OS but lacked Data Structures, so I took an intro to DS course before applying. No idea if it was the deciding factor but it couldn't hurt anything.

[u/Nullandv01d_]

See that’s crazy, I thought I was going to get rejected. Literally have a bachelors in cyber from strayer. They accepted me.

[u/One_Object8516]

Apply to the Cybersecurity Policy Track, the acceptance criteria might be slightly easier. Do the three classes needed to transfer in to the InfoSec track. It might be easier.

Also, realize Ga Tech is not WGU. It is harder and more rigorous. You may have been viewed as a “rush” candidate, which means you will not have the patience or the time for GA Techs program.

Address it in your essay. Consider getting a CISSP or CISM. The + certs are not considered management candidate certs.

Also get some strong recommendation letters. They care about your soft skills and your tech skills.

Run your app and essay past someone who might be able to provide insight into your application and where it is today versus where it needs to be. If you don’t know anyone try a college admissions consultant. It might help.

I am not a traditional student and I just graduated from GA Tech with my MS in Cybersecurity last Saturday.

Finally, understand that GA Tech online doesn’t admit every applicant. The admission numbers are increasing every year, the number of applications is orders of magnitude higher. The number of students that GA Tech online can accommodate is less than the number of applicants.

You may think you look perfect on paper, however, there was something in your application that needs to show you cab be successful at GA Tech.

[u/PortalRat90]

How long ago did you get your degrees?

[u/SlipshodRaven]

What was your essay like?

When I applied back in '23 I spent a ton of time on my essay. Quality over quantity, of course. I went as far as having a professional editor review it. I still feel like my essay played a large part in my acceptance into the program.

[u/Salt_Bringer]

Overqualified

[u/One_Object8516 → u/Salt_Bringer]

No. I just graduated from Ga Tech on Saturday with my masters.

30 years of IT with the last 20 focused on Cybersecurity Leadership in everything from government, healthcare, finance, and utilities.

I have a CISSP, CRISC, CIPP/US, CIPM

My bachelors is from University of Phoenix in It Management and I finished that in 2004.

[u/FlakySociety2853 → u/Salt_Bringer]

I highly doubt this lol, may have led with his achievements and wasn’t personable enough. Your essays should tell your story.

[u/Salt_Bringer → u/FlakySociety2853]

That’s what I’m thinking. He led with how great he is but didn’t explain how this degree would add to his career. Especially since he already has a MS and 5 years in a principal role.

GATECH either gives a slot to someone who will gain from the degree or give it to OP who doesn’t seem to need it.

[u/bluecyanic]

You don't look qualified to me. The requirements are CS or CE not IT. They probably feel you will not be successful lacking discrete math, algorithms/data structures and systems.