Full ride at Emory?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Emory University
1

<p>I was offered a full scholarship (just tuition, not room and board) to Emory. When I visited, however, I felt like partying and sororities were a big part of the social scene- and that just wasn't me. I have been accepted to WashU and Claremont Mckenna without scholarship, but I keep feeling guilty for spending an extra 120k if I choose to go to them. Could anyone comment on how the 3 universities compare and if WashU is worth that extra money? </p>

<p>As a note, I have amazing parents who are willing to pay for college irregardless.</p>

2

<p>I'm in a somewhat similar situation. Emory is the most affordable of my college options and I really like the school, but I'm also worried about the sororities/fraternities and party scene, since that isn't exactly my thing. I haven't visited yet, so I'm not sure how my feelings will change once I see the campus. But from what I've heard, people can have a great time at Emory without ever attending greek parties. (I know I'll be one of those people if I attend next year!) Roughly one third of the students are involved in greek life at Emory, and about one quarter at WashU. So as far as the greek scene goes, I don't know if it will be all that different either way. The schools are very similar in other ways, too, and both are great academically, especially if you're thinking of studying science or business.
More input would be helpful!</p>

3

<p>No way Wash U or CMK are worth the extra $$ over Emory....I think there is a party scene everywhere, but it depends how you deal with it....For $120,000. IMO, you figure out how to deal with it....It's not like you are sacrificing prestige; you will adjust to the social scene and I'm sure there are plenty of people at Emory who don't heavily party.......For the amount of $$ you are saving, you could throw your own parties and invite who you want to be there.....Ha!</p>

4

<p>OP -- I assume that with full tuition you went to Emory Scholars weekend. If so, your impression of Emory as a party school full of frats and sororities couldn't be further removed from my D's experience at the Scholars weekend and her experience at Emory as a freshman this year. It is a diverse place with kids who party and, luckily for my D, many who don't; many students into the Greek scene and many who are not. As with most colleges, Emory will be what you make of it. It is an amazing place with a lot to offer, just as the other schools you are looking at are. We too would have paid for our D to go to Wash. U (one of her choices), UNC, Duke, UVA, etc -- she picked Emory and has been happy there.</p>

5

<p>First off...I got waitlisted from WashU and that was my first choice....however I will be attending Emory...good choice or bad choice...depends...I would love to attend Wash U..but if I am in your situation..I would go to Emory....120k is a lot of money...when the education differences is not that much...I am not a party person either..I do not intend on partying or anything...it depends on u...if u stick with not drinking...i think you will find friends too....I know that I will not be the person that will be partying all night...and I am attending Emory...</p>

6

<p>If the only thing holding you back is the frat scene then definatly come. The only people that go to frat parties are high school students and freshman because it is there only option.</p>

7

<p>just party</p>

8

<p>iflylikepaper,</p>

<p>I am the parent of a daughter (sophomore status at Emory), from Northern CA, and by what I see, your choices in schools are not dissimilar from what my daughter's were a couple of years ago. My daughter also looked at an array of schools, both large and small, and narrowed her top choices to the UC's, some elite national universities, and a smattering of liberal arts colleges. </p>

<p>The process of APPLYING to colleges is different from that of CHOOSING a school. The application process, especially with today's acceptance of Common App and online applications (which only a few years ago was NOT the norm) encourages a student to cast a larger net. Notwithstanding the application fees, there's no harm in keeping your options open, as long as you have the time/willingness to track all your apps. In eventually choosing your final school, think long and hard about what you wanted in a school in the first place -- but don't be swayed by hearsay or one-time impressions. Dig deep to uncover the possibilities, and do not neglect the purpose of your education, which first and foremost should be academically-oriented. Having fun and socializing is great (indeed, necessary!), but not at the expense of compromising your academic education.</p>

<p>The three schools you mention are intriguing. Emory and WashU are very similar, and depending upon your academic interests, both share common excellence in many fields of study. Certainly in preparing yourself for Business, Economics or Pre-law, either school will do the trick. CMC has an excellent reputation, but of the Claremont colleges that my daughter explored (including 2 days visiting in Claremont), she came away liking ONLY Pomona. Truly it was a lack of "fit" with the other schools, including CMC. My daughter had no interest in Scripps b/c of the all-female orientation (although the Friday night sushi is great!). CMC seemed to lack a certain spirit of academic discovery. A lot of students seemed to be more self-focused and not exhibiting a participatory style of collaborative intellectual exploration. My daughter has friends at CMC, and two of them are considering transferring.</p>

<p>Back to Emory, my daughter was an ESP semi-finalist, and she benefits by a generous scholarship. If it were not for the financial assistance, I think she might have chosen to go elsewhere, but Emory had risen to the top of her list. The Greek scene is no doubt prominent but not the sole social outlet. It is entirely possible to find others with similar interests. Emory supports a wealth of extracurricular activities that can keep you busy as well. At any rate, don't reject entirely the idea of joining a sorority, because some may be relevant to your own interests outside of the socialization aspect alone.</p>

<p>Now, about the money... my daughter eventually took WashU off her list because of the climate factor, but it's a great school. That said, I could not imagine somebody choosing WashU over Emory and expending an additional $120+K (over 4 years) in the process. In my mind, CMC offers far fewer resources than either of the other 2 schools. Your academic interests alone makes Emory an excellent choice. In making your choice, be sure to plan a time to sit down with your parents and have a candid discussion of whether money is indeed a non-factor to them.</p>

9

<p>Hi,
I'm a freshman at Emory University currently and am on here on a substantial amount of financial aid. I was accepted at Dartmouth, Brown, WashU, USC, Cornell, and many other schools and from my first visit, I had no doubt that Emory was college for me.
Upon applying to college, I had set in my mind that I did not want to go to a school with a big party scene whatsoever. I found that after visiting Emory, there is somewhat of a party scene, but it's so much less than many other competitive schools. However, since I've been here, my initial anti-party mindset has kind of changed a little bit, but I really don't think the party scene is that intense.<br>
I'm so glad I did not go to WashU as well. I have a lot of friends who got accepted at both schools who decided to come here instead. While they are usually schools that get a lot of cross-acceptances, they are very different, and I don't think WashU is worth that extra 120K at all!
And TRUST ME, there are PLENTY of people here who don't drink at all.</p>

<p>my biggest piece of advice to you would be to come to emory, apply to themed housing for the first year (Citizenship First Year at Emory or Living Green First Year at Emory) and you will find tons of people like you who are less interested in the party scene. I feel that the kids in themed housing for freshman year a little more academic-conscious and care much more about getting a high gpa than they do about partying every night.</p>