Emory University or Tulane University?

College Search & Selection
1

I’ve visited tons of schools, but Tulane and Emory ended up being my top 2 choices. Ultimately though I am having a really hard time picking either of them as my “#1” choice school.
I visited Emory over the summer, so when I toured the campus there were not any actual students going through their daily routine. I have heard really great things from people saying they know people who have gone to Emory and have loved it and have had amazing experiences. I also know successful alumni.

I recently visited Tulane this past September, so there were students on campus. All the students seemed very happy, and very friendly. I know many people who, love Tulane and the city of New Orleans. I also know successful alumni.

Emory has a more prestigious academic reputation than Tulane (I think), but that is not to say Tulane has low academic caliber. I’ve been doing as much research as possible on these schools, but I’m still not sure what to think.

Emory seems to have a less exciting social scene, almost seems a little boring. It seems like the school events are not popular or loud in attendance. I have heard there is not much school spirit, and getting into the hub of the city scene in Atlanta is difficult. I’ve never been someone who wanted to join a sorority. I have heard that there are sororities at Emory, that aren’t your “typical sorority.” I feel like, based on explanations, the college experience I want to have, would only be attainable through joining greek life.

Tulane: Tulane I know has an exciting social scene. However, I do not want to be too distracted by the variety of events I could attend. I also would not want to experience a constant inner battle between choosing to study or giving into the temptation of a party/event and go out with my “friends.” (hopefully will have future friends).

If I was more towards academics I would choose Emory. If I was more focused on partying I would choose Tulane. However, my main concern is to have both. I want to go to school where I will meet great people, attractive people, interesting people, funny people. Where I will learn a lot, and grow as a person. Where I will be given an opportunity to build a strong foundation for my future, and future success (post college). I really want to have fun. I really do not want to gain the freshman 15. I want to be able to focus. I want to be surrounded by an interesting and happening city (so Atlanta and New Orleans are both good).

I need to decide ASAP however, because the only way I could be considered for admission into Emory would be through the binding Early Decision, since I fall on the lower spectrum of the average admitted Emory student, statistically. Tulane, I have a better shot at being accepted.

PLEASE COMMENT ANYTHING YOU THINK I SHOULD KNOW ABOUT EITHER/BOTH INSTITUTIONS. I am not great at making big decisions.

P.S. I know any college experience, is what I make of it! I know I have to put forth effort, and I have to get involved . However, it is possible that one institution may provide me with more opportunities to make this experience better for myself, than that of another institution.

2

Why do you think this? Early Decision has a higher acceptance rate in part because the students who tend to apply early also tend to be more competitive applicants. If you are unlikely to get accepted during the regular decision round, you are unlikely to get accepted ED.

The other thing is, if you are so uncertain about a university and whether or not you’d be happy there, why would you want to bind yourself to it - even if you thought that was the only way to get in? The goal is not simply to get admitted; it’s to select a college that you think is a great fit for you overall. If you’re not sure whether Emory is a good fit, don’t commit yourself to it before you’ve had the chance to really think about it.

That said, I think you are way underestimating the academics at Tulane. Tulane is an excellent university - you’ll get a great education there, and if you love the social scene that’s a great bonus. It seems like you like everything about Tulane better except that you’re just worried about lower prestige relative to Emory, but that’s not something to be concerned about - they’re both great and they can both lead to post-college success. (A close friend of mine went to Tulane for undergrad; she got her PhD in public health from Johns Hopkins, the number one school in that field, and is currently a research associate at Harvard.)

3

“If you are unlikely to get accepted during the regular decision round, you are unlikely to get accepted ED.” (#1)

Do people regard the Harvard/Kennedy study, which pointed to a different conclusion, as being outdated?

4

We visited Emory and it was my daughter’s top choice, but we were only going to get FA for one year and at the time I was unable to afford $60,000 + for the remaining 3 years, so she turned it down. She has quite a few friends who attend Tulane. My daughter would fit in beautifully at Emory; I do not see her fitting in at Tulane despite the fact that yes, it is a wonderful school. ED is for students who are absolutely 100% positive that they want to attend a particular school; the drawback is that you can’t change your mind if a few months later you decide you want a different type of school than the one you ED’ed to. Our HS guidance counselor has seen this happen on more than one occasion.

I would not ED to either school. Putting “prestige” aside, there are differences between the schools and you need to see them before you decide to attend.

5

Twogirls,
I have seen them both. I thought I was 100% sure I wanted to go to Emory, and then I started looking at these types of threads on college confidential and other websites, to gain a better sense of the college life and student experience. at Emory, just to double triple check, the school could provide me with the essentials that would ensure my happiness at the school…i.e. the type of information that they do not tell you on the college website, on campus tours, or during information sessions.

6

Did you see the students at both?

7

Nobody can decide but you. And nobody can “ensure your happiness” at any school.

To me it sounds like Tulane might be the better academic fit since you seem to be more in the range for the school. And my D has a friend at Tulane who loves it there.

If you are not 100% sure of your decision, don’t ED to any school.

And you have many ways to do this (I think). Can you apply to Emory ED and Tulane EA? Can you apply to Tulane SCEA and if it doesn’t work out Emory ED?

8

Twogirls: I saw students at Tulane, I did not see students at Emory (minus the one who gave me the tour).

Happy1: I can apply ED to Emory and EA to Tulane. I could not apply SCEA to Tulane, and know in time whether it will work out or not, to still be able to apply ED to Emory.

anyone: Any current students enrolled in either Emory or Tulane, I would really appreciate your insight on the school. I would love to learn more about Emory and about Tulane from student perspectives. Comments about Emory do not have to be in context with Tulane/ compared with Tulane and vice versa. I just want to hear and learn more.

Are there any websites or systems I could use to contact/ hear from enrolled students who are not affiliated with admissions offices, (aka any student who could be 100% honest)?

9

Here is my opinion, for whatever it’s worth- I would not apply ED. ED is for people who are 100% sure that they are in love with a school and absolutely can’t see themselves going anyplace else. You are not at that point. Additionally, applying ED to Emory without seeing students may be a mistake.

We did not visit Tulane because my D had no interest. She has 2 friends who are there; one loves it and is having a ball, and the other is not so happy. Not sure why.

This is what my D loved about Emory: On our tour, the tour guide told us that it is very common for her to wake up her roommate at 3:00 am to discuss some type of biological process (forgot what) in frogs.My daughter’s face lit up.

Can you visit Emory when the students are there?

10

I am trying to figure out if there is a “night with a student” or “stay with a student” program. I am not close enough with any of the people in my high school who go to Emory, to feel comfortable asking to visit/stay with them.

11

I think ED will definitely help you out more than RD because you are showing your commitment to the school. EMORY has ED2 so you still have a small amount of time to appply