Unfortunately, there's a lot of truth to that. Southern Poly (now part of Kennesaw State) use to get the kids that GT didn't accept, but it came to a point that even Southern Poly couldn't accept all the kids that wanted to be Engineers. GT, by way of our elite and selective programs, just can't take in every kid that wants to be an engineer. GT is an elite school and we take in the best from around the world, not just the state of GA. There's only so many seats GT can fill. Same with Southern Poly. The state of GA and the United States overall has had a shortage of not just engineers, but STEM workers for years now. The shortage is a large part why GT gets so many elite applicants every year...kids want a desirable major and they want to go to the best schools they can: GT is one of the best STEM schools in the world. How many of posters on this board wanted to go to GT but couldn't get in?
https://www.usnews.com/news/best-co...ns-think-they-have-a-shortage-of-stem-workers
In a sense it's great for GT because we turn out elite quality STEM graduates and our skills are in high demand. On the other end, it affords UGA a valid excuse to encroach on a territory that was long given to GT. The other side of it is the demand for liberal arts degrees is falling, so it makes it hard for GT to approach the board to expand our "athlete friendly" majors.
If anything, GT needs to be innovative with our major offerings. GT doesn't need to "lower the bar", but create majors that are new and exciting to attract a more diverse student body. A BS in Music or Film technology and science that supports the booming music and film/television scene in GA, BS in athletic performance and biosciences that helps kids that want to pursue careers in sports medicine or be S&C coaches. Create a sports management major within Scheller Business school. It's a relatively new major that LOTS of schools are creating because there's such a large demand for careers in the sports & athletic industry. You get the point.
I don't think GT needs to "lower the bar" by any means. I think kids are willing to do the work if the payoff is something they have a passion for.
I heard this from an insider who is not any of the people you mention. I want to keep my sources by not calling them out. I put a qualifier in because it was not firsthand information. If you think I'm a liar begging for attention, then feel free to cut loose. If you think I should have said nothing, tell me to STFU. 
