Tech has been very rough for a long time and that's what I like most about it. Tech is not for prima donnas, no matter how bright or how athletically gifted they may be. Tech is for people who want to work, who like to work, and who can advance through work.
Back in the day (the 1950s) we were on the quarter system and required 230+ hours to graduate, depending on our major. Divide that by 12 quarters and you can get a picture of our work load. 7% of students graduated on time and 2/3rds flunked out or left. When I graduated, a 2.7 GPA put me in the top 10% of my class. Labs were numerous, we had Saturday classes, and lots of students attended during summer quarter just in order to catch up. Co-eds? We had about 50.
Our small campus was called the Asphalt Jungle for very good reason. Our only air conditioned building was the library. We had football success under Dodd and basketball was reasonably good, but it took Cremins several decades later to take basketball to the next level. All the other sports were just...meh. For nearby entertainment, there was Harry's and frat parties, but who had much spare time for entertainment anyway?
Did we fuss, moan, and groan? Of course. But would we have traded the Tech experience for an easy ride at a party school? Not a chance. Because after Tech, everything else is just a walk in the park. EVERYTHING!! Believe me, I know.
Tech separates the men from the boys. And those boys who don't have the mentality can just stay boys; but they won't be able to do it at Tech, no matter how bright or athletically gifted they are when they arrive on campus. Tech is tough, Tech draws out the best in people, and THAT is what makes me proud to be a Tech man. All the football, basketball, golf, tennis, baseball, etc. wins and championships...that is merely delicious icing that adds to the taste of the cake.
EOR