<p>I'm a HS senior applying to colleges this fall. I have a 32 ACT, 3.68 GPA, 21% class rank and fairly good ECs. (Just to put into perspective).</p>
<p>I'm considering applying to Emory because based on what I've read so far, I like what I see. I'm planning to major in Physics, which may change, but I doubt I will be leaving the sciences/mathematics areas. </p>
<p>What is the vibe like at Emory? How would it compare to a school like Rice or Tufts? Is the greek scene overbearing? (I am not very interested in greek life at this point). Is Emory strong in the sciences?</p>
<p>Also, what's the political mindset like? I don't really care about this one too much - just curious. </p>
<p>Thanks for any answers.</p>
<p>@Ctesiphon Emory is strong in science overall, but not anywhere near as strong in physics, CS and math as say the life sciences. Chemistry is clearly the strongest physical like science (because it can also double as a life science) is chemistry. However, I would admit that advanced courses in physics typically have solid teaching and are quite rigorous (like a significant number of advanced and intermediate courses have both labs and problem solving sessions so you will be getting good training), so if your serious about math intensive science, you’ll enjoy it. Just the beginner courses like physics 151/152 and modern physics will disappoint. In life science and chemistry majors it is the opposite. The beginning courses that impress and the advanced ones that are hit or miss. Emory is more comparable to Rice (maybe because of diversity and semi-quirkiness. However, academic vibe is different because Rice has a serious engineering scene and much stronger physical and computational sciences. Rice may feel kinda “Techie”) than Tufts I would think, though I would say it is kind of quirky like Rice…because certain traditions like Dooley and the students we attracted who actually appreciate it. Lots of Greeks, but they aren’t overbearing because non-Greek organizations and events are very strong. </p>
<p>Emory is basically liberal apathetic. You won’t see that many student protests here in the name of external causes, but many (even most) students are somewhat liberal though you may rarely hear students discuss politics in a manner where they take a position (they are more likely to discuss it in a way that suggests they are just trying to keep up with happenings in the news or in a satirical fashion if it is ever discussed). </p>
<p>I’ll say this just in case: Don’t apply to Emory, or anywhere else, just based on what you read or what you hear. Judge for yourself.</p>
<p>I unfortunately will not be able to judge for myself because I will be unable to visit most of the schools I am applying to. We are possibly planning to fly to some of the universities I am accepted to (although this may not happen since admission to any of my reaches would be very slim), and I’m saving money from my job to do that.</p>
<p>Emory’s Greek scene is not that overwhelming, maybe 30%? My D isn’t into Greek life and is involved in plenty of non-
Greek campus clubs and activities. The student body seems similar to Tufts (Tufts accepts 4-6 students from our town every year.) Atlanta flights are cheap and Emory is a 30 min. cab ride away; most students take MARTA to the airport or when Emory runs free airport shuttles.</p>
<p>Take my perspective for what it’s worth (or not worth). I’m a parent of an Emory freshman, and my sister teaches at Tufts. Having toured both schools during the college search process my son strongly preferred Emory. Tufts seemed a bit too impressed with themselves, and if you read the admissions/recruiting stuff that they send out you could get sick over how special they think they are in terms of their student body. We don’t care that one of your students was a Somali prince before his family emigrated to Maine. Really.</p>
<p>My son loves Emory so far. He’s engaged in his classes, and thinks that his dorm-mates and friends are great. He’s slightly right of center politically, and he feels totally comfortable from that perspective. Prior to getting there he toyed with joining a fraternity, but he’s having such a good time with the friends he’s made so far that he may not bother. Also, he’s a sports fanatic, and had thought that he needed to be at a school with Division I football and basketball to be happy. It turns out that he’s met a whole bunch of other sports nuts there, and they’ve indulged that obsession with intramural football and watching the NFL games together on Sunday.</p>
<p>That all said, unless it’s absolutely precluded by finances you should strongly consider doing an admitted students tour in the spring of your top few choices. My son wasn’t all that engaged in the process before then, and you simply cannot get a micro and macro view of these schools unless you visit while school is in session.</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>