Emory University has a variety of resources available for students-- great interning opportunities as well as opportunities to work with amazing scientific researchers in a variety of fields. Starting out in my college career, I did question the administrative staff of Emory and if they had the students' best interests at heart but over time, Emory has grown more receptive to the needs of their students and challenges itself in racial, environmental, and gender-based issues. Overall, Emory has served me well in growing as a person and becoming more knowledgeable about the issues facing my generation.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
Any prospective student should just dive in and go for it. Emory does a great job in getting first-years acclimated to the Emory campus with nearly a weeklong of orientation and on top of that, a semester-long orientation class to know the ends and outs. There is a large student activities fair held at the beginning of the semester, and I suggest everyone attend this event and try out several things to find out what fits best with you. If you're going in to medicine or research, Emory has great volunteer opportunities within the hospital and clinic (which is right on campus) and plenty of labs looking for freshman lab assistants. Get plugged in early and allow your interests to pique and fully blossom!
Do you find there’s enough academic rigor at your school?
Many classes, especially pre-med/pre-health classes, are quite challenging. I also hear that some of the business school classes can be pretty difficult. But like with anything, if you spend enough time studying, you'll get by just fine. It is easy to get sucked into a vortex of study mode in order to try to stay ahead of the game, but it's important to also find time to relax. Emory offers concerts and fun events to cut the edge off in the stressful atmosphere of a top-tier university.
Describe the dorm life at your college.
Many of the freshman dorms are almost completely new. One is old and historic, Dobbs, which is where I was placed my freshman year but has been updated with new furniture. Dobbs I believe had the best community since the rooms were small and allowed more people to leave their rooms and mingle with dorm-mates. I can't say much for the other dorms since I've only lived in freshman dorms (was an resident advisor my sophomore year and lived off-campus junior and senior year). The upperclassmen dorms are pretty roomie with their own kitchen which is nice but some of them are a little old.
Describe the food and dining at your college.
Food is pretty good. The main cafeteria, the DUC, doesn't always offer the best food but has a solid spread. Cox, the other dining hall, offers a few choices but is over-priced. As a whole, there is a good range of healthy food options but they could do more to add variety in the main dining hall and add more dining options.
What’s there to do for fun at your college?
Atlanta is a great city with lots to do, but you DO HAVE TO HAVE A CAR for everywhere you go... The public transit in Atlanta is terrible. But Emory does have free shuttles on some weekends that go to the mall and different areas around Atlanta. There are also constant shuttles going to downtown Atlanta and midtown. There are plenty of great restaurants and cool lounges and clubs to go to. Also, there are plenty of events that Emory hosts on campus such as the fall and spring concerts, Dooley's Ball, Alumni weekend (trust me, everyone can go, even if you're not alum yet), and Midnight Pancake breakfast during finals week.
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
Emory is expensive as h3!! but given all the events put on by Emory and the great opportunities for research and internships, it might not be such a bad trade-off. Also, financial aid is okay and helps (as long as you're middle class or below).
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
Dooley's Week is a great tradition in which we honor our unofficial mascot James W. Dooley, who I believe was the first school president (maybe?). Anyone, Dooley comes back to life for one week in the spring semester, dressed in his natural skeleton wardrobe, donning a cane and tophat. He has a posse dressed in all black with sunglasses that follow him and let students out early from classes during Dooley Week. Also there's lot of free food, comedy shows, and the big spring concert during Dooley's Week. That's always fun.
Which types of students will excel at your college?
For students who like a smaller university in a nice-sized city, any type of major (there's something for everyone), and those who are expressive and stand for something
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
There's a club and activity for nearly everything. If you don't see what you want, you can make a club for that! There's even a club for quidditch I think (yes, Harry Potter quidditch).
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
Blegh.... Don't like to deal with it much. Not a big deal I guess, but nearly 50/60% of students are in greek life. Doesn't matter either way if you are or not though.
How would you describe campus safety? Do you feel safe on campus?
Orientation leaders give you the number of the on-campus police during orientation, there are nightly shuttles that go around campus and that you can call any time of the night if you do not feel safe walking back to your dorm.
Emory University has a variety of resources available for students-- great interning opportunities as well as opportunities to work with amazing scientific researchers in a variety of fields. Starting out in my college career, I did question the administrative staff of Emory and if they had the students' best interests at heart but over time, Emory has grown more receptive to the needs of their students and challenges itself in racial, environmental, and gender-based issues. Overall, Emory has served me well in growing as a person and becoming more knowledgeable about the issues facing my generation.
Any prospective student should just dive in and go for it. Emory does a great job in getting first-years acclimated to the Emory campus with nearly a weeklong of orientation and on top of that, a semester-long orientation class to know the ends and outs. There is a large student activities fair held at the beginning of the semester, and I suggest everyone attend this event and try out several things to find out what fits best with you. If you're going in to medicine or research, Emory has great volunteer opportunities within the hospital and clinic (which is right on campus) and plenty of labs looking for freshman lab assistants. Get plugged in early and allow your interests to pique and fully blossom!
Many classes, especially pre-med/pre-health classes, are quite challenging. I also hear that some of the business school classes can be pretty difficult. But like with anything, if you spend enough time studying, you'll get by just fine. It is easy to get sucked into a vortex of study mode in order to try to stay ahead of the game, but it's important to also find time to relax. Emory offers concerts and fun events to cut the edge off in the stressful atmosphere of a top-tier university.
Many of the freshman dorms are almost completely new. One is old and historic, Dobbs, which is where I was placed my freshman year but has been updated with new furniture. Dobbs I believe had the best community since the rooms were small and allowed more people to leave their rooms and mingle with dorm-mates. I can't say much for the other dorms since I've only lived in freshman dorms (was an resident advisor my sophomore year and lived off-campus junior and senior year). The upperclassmen dorms are pretty roomie with their own kitchen which is nice but some of them are a little old.
Food is pretty good. The main cafeteria, the DUC, doesn't always offer the best food but has a solid spread. Cox, the other dining hall, offers a few choices but is over-priced. As a whole, there is a good range of healthy food options but they could do more to add variety in the main dining hall and add more dining options.
Atlanta is a great city with lots to do, but you DO HAVE TO HAVE A CAR for everywhere you go... The public transit in Atlanta is terrible. But Emory does have free shuttles on some weekends that go to the mall and different areas around Atlanta. There are also constant shuttles going to downtown Atlanta and midtown. There are plenty of great restaurants and cool lounges and clubs to go to. Also, there are plenty of events that Emory hosts on campus such as the fall and spring concerts, Dooley's Ball, Alumni weekend (trust me, everyone can go, even if you're not alum yet), and Midnight Pancake breakfast during finals week.
Emory is expensive as h3!! but given all the events put on by Emory and the great opportunities for research and internships, it might not be such a bad trade-off. Also, financial aid is okay and helps (as long as you're middle class or below).
Dooley's Week is a great tradition in which we honor our unofficial mascot James W. Dooley, who I believe was the first school president (maybe?). Anyone, Dooley comes back to life for one week in the spring semester, dressed in his natural skeleton wardrobe, donning a cane and tophat. He has a posse dressed in all black with sunglasses that follow him and let students out early from classes during Dooley Week. Also there's lot of free food, comedy shows, and the big spring concert during Dooley's Week. That's always fun.
For students who like a smaller university in a nice-sized city, any type of major (there's something for everyone), and those who are expressive and stand for something
There's a club and activity for nearly everything. If you don't see what you want, you can make a club for that! There's even a club for quidditch I think (yes, Harry Potter quidditch).
Blegh.... Don't like to deal with it much. Not a big deal I guess, but nearly 50/60% of students are in greek life. Doesn't matter either way if you are or not though.
Orientation leaders give you the number of the on-campus police during orientation, there are nightly shuttles that go around campus and that you can call any time of the night if you do not feel safe walking back to your dorm.