Hey all. I’m trying to choose between Emory and Baylor for my undergraduate education.
Baylor is closer to home (I live in Texas). I was accepted into the University Scholar’s program, the most selective honors program offered. I love the atmosphere and social life. I have visited multiple times and feel like I know a lot about the school.
Emory, in Georgia, is much farther, but this in itself doesn’t bother me. Emory is much more prestigious, but I feel like the fact that I got into USchol at Baylor evens out the academics somewhat. Atlanta is a great city with many opportunities. I’d be starting over with new people and a new area at Emory. A lot of kids at my huge public school never leave Texas, so I like the chance I have to do something different.
I don’t feel a strong leaning either way. I’m very indecisive, and honestly cannot figure out which school is best for me. Does anyone have any insights or advice?
I think you have two great choices! Congratulations. However, it does seem you are leaning more towards Baylor from your description. Full disclosure, I am Baylor graduate and loved my time there. Regardless, whichever choice you make is going to be fine.
You have an opportunity to go to one of the great universities in the country, but really don’t articulate a case for choosing that school or even why you applied.
I do think that it is very easy to differentiate these schools. Emory values diversity and its student body. It has a national student body, which is diverse in race, ethnicity, and even nationality. It embraces that as well as secular values. Baylor has a reputation as more of a conservative southwest Christian school.
At the end of the day, Emory might challenge you more academically and as a person out of your comfort zone and Baylor might be much easier transition. Ordinarily, I would encourage someone with this choice to choose Emory and being in Atlanta, but I see the same as others and your desire to stay in your comfort zone and go to Baylor.
I do enjoy Baylor, and my dad is strongly pushing for that option because of my admission to University Scholars. However, my concern is that if I go to Baylor, I will never leave Texas. I really liked Emory when I visited; the opportunities presented by Atlanta, the way they structure their majors, and the reputation of the school are fantastic. I applied because their English program (and yes, I know Emory is largely made up of pre-professional majors and students pursuing the medical field) and because of a scholarship opportunity. I do wish I knew Emory in a more intimate way like I do Baylor. I’ve been able to stay overnight at Baylor with a friend and visit multiple times, and I don’t have the same access to Emory. I feel I will be missing out in big ways with either choice. They are so incredibly different that it is hard to compare and the pros of each are very contrasting.
The top ten majors at Emory by enrollment: (1) Business Administration; (2) Biology; (3) Economics; (4) Nursing; (5) Neuroscience & Behavioral Biology; (6) Psychology; (7) International Studies; (8) Political Science; (9) Applied Mathematics; (10) Computer Science.
The Creative Writing Major is ranked in the top four nationally as well.
I guess today is decision day and best of luck to you. As you say, these schools are so different that you just need to decide if now is the time to get out of your comfort zone of Baylor and Texas. I will say that Emory is very supportive and you would gain the intimacy you are seeking soon enough. Good luck with your choice.
Emory is considered the more selective school. Baylor has strengths as well. In the end you can do great things coming from either school. Especially as an honors scholar at Baylor. TBH My choice would be Emory if my daughter was asking me. I think it would be advantage in job hunt eventually.
I wonder what @stasyahopp ended up deciding. It’s pretty much a case of whether someone is ready to take on a life experience which offers challenges and change or stay with the comforts of home.