<p>My son is interested in studying engineering and is also a pretty good distance runner. He is considering applying to Emory (his high school times look comparable to their runners) but taking advantage of their program to study at Georgia Tech, also. Do any of you know about this program? How do the logistics work? Would there be a lot of shuttling between the two campuses?</p>
<p>Also, would it make more sense to just go to Georgia Tech from the beginning?</p>
<p>Thanks for your help!</p>
<p>I can help you out some since this is something I am considering doing as well. Basically he would go to Emory for 3 years and get the classes he needs for engineering as well as majoring in something else at Emory then for the next 2 years would be at GT to receive his engineering education. So shuttling wouldn't be a problem. The difference between this and just going to GT is that by doing this he can get a major in another field I think.</p>
<p>MaineLonghorn,</p>
<p>First, the person who can give you the most insight and valid counseling is the Assistant Dean of Science in the Office of Undergraduate Education, Preetha Ram, Ph.D. (<a href="mailto:pram@emory.edu">pram@emory.edu</a>, 404-727-6040; 727-6069). She coordinates the program for Emory and serves as student advisor for all candidates.</p>
<p>I think this is an intriguing program, but it has many things to consider. The dual-degree program with Emory/GT is fairly new in its current version. Previously, there was a joint program focused primarily in BioMedical Engineering with GT, and this program has now expanded to include other engineering disciplines.</p>
<p>I'll be blunt here. If your son is truly interested in Engineering, and that is his focus, then I would NOT recommend this program (or Emory) and instead apply directly to GT. If he has a "Renaissance Man" nature about him, and he has a sincere interest in breadth of knowledge and scholarly interests -- in addition to Engineering -- then this program has benefits. </p>
<p>Going to GT directly will put him on a focused Engineering track, whereas participating in this dual-degree program will necessitate his having a natural, driven inclination for appreciating the liberal arts (for his sake) -- to the point of having to satisfy all of Emory's General Education Requirements, plus a designated Major requirements, plus taking the pre-engineering classes needed as pre-reqs. for his next 2 years at GT. The difficulty in part is not knowing how your current 17- or 18-year old will change in his interests in the next few years. It will be a lot of work and a big commitment that needs to begin in his Freshman year. If his academic interests are indeed broad, PLUS, he wants an Engineering degree, then this is a good option ... but possibly still not the best option. </p>
<p>Here are some thoughts on the trade-offs of this dual-degree program:</p>
<ul>
<li><p>It's a 5-year minimum commitment: 3 years at Emory and 2 years at GT. It can easily spill over to another semester, depending on course requirements and availability.</p></li>
<li><p>Financial aid is handled separately at Emory vs. GT.</p></li>
<li><p>The additional degree from Emory may have only limited value as leverage in the job world. Employers seeking to find technical workers will look first for a B.S. in the relevant Engineering discipline (i.e., BSEE, BSME, BSCS, etc.). </p></li>
<li><p>From a social integration perspective, it may seem awkward to make the readjustment to GT after 3 years at Emory. Friends, and simply knowing the lay of the land, knowing resources available may take some getting up to speed on.</p></li>
</ul>
<p>I would encourage you to speak with Preetha Ram to understand the goals of the program, the commitment to the academic rigor, and the additional time commitment. Good luck.</p>
<p>Thanks so much for the responses. You've given me a lot to think about. My son does love liberal arts. He just completed three semesters of Latin in one because he liked studying it so much. He's fascinated by the human body, so he was thinking about biomedical engineering or medicine. How do Emory and GT compare for pre-med?</p>
<p>I'm really struggling to narrow down a list of schools to consider. He's so enthusiastic about everything that it's hard to know which way to direct him. I guess a big decision will be whether he should go to a LAC or an engineering school. Both my husband and I are structural engineers, but we want him to have a good pre-med option if that's the way he wants to go. His desire to run in college is complicating the decision, also. Ack!</p>
<p>MaineLonghorn,</p>
<p>If your son's primary engineering interest lies with biomedical engineering, along with wanting an option to simply go the pre-med path, then the dual-degree program has some merit.</p>
<p>The pre-med track at Emory is rigorous and demanding. There's a joke among some Emory students that pre-med students are the only ones NOT having fun -- because they have to work very hard! A good friend of my daughter (formerly pre-med herself) is pre-med, and he apparently always has his head in his books, but he has a strong sense of purpose to get into a top med school. His only outlets are sharing cooking/dinners with his roommates; playing the occasional intramural football game; volunteering at Emory Hospital on campus; and performing in the University Symphony orchestra. All in all, Emory does a good job of preparing pre-med (and in fact, pre-professional) students. The school has excellent opportunities for research/internships that benefit students.</p>
<p>Here's how it can then play out. He applies and is admitted to Emory. He shows his interest in the dual-degree program and meets with Dr. Ram. They formulate a sequence of courses for him to meet BOTH the dual-degree program requirements (e.g., GER and major requirements) AND the usual course requirements for a pre-med track. (PLUS, he gets to run cross country for Emory.) Near the end of his sophomore year, he will have a more solid inclination one way or the other to deciding on his academic focus -- either BioMedical Engineering (i.e., dual-degree program w/GT) or stay on his pre-med track (thus beginning preparation for his MCAT and completing/graduating in 4 years at Emory).</p>
<p>Again, I would not hesitate to give Dr. Ram a call and have her advise you/your son further.</p>
<p>Emory is great for pre-med. I would say that there are quite a few students who have friends at GT and sometimes Emory students will go there for football or for parties or w/e. I think that the social transition could be difficult, but I don't think it would be that hard neccesarily. Consider that something like 28% of students come from the Southeast, and a large %age are from Georgia...people have friends & connections at GT. Granted, I've only been once, but I think if you'er going to do a 3-2 program it's probably a great place to do it. And apply to Emory-it's wonderful :)</p>