how is Atlanta? (for a kid from the Northeast)

<p>So out of all the cities I've been to in the US, Atlanta isn't one of them. Before realizing that Emory's Goizueta UGrad Biz school was highly esteemed, I never really thought much of Emory (or Atlanta). Now I'm thinking of possibly applying as a transfer for my junior year.</p>

<p>I'm curious about college life in Atlanta. How is the campus? and how is everything nearby (i.e. traffic, clubs, diversity, internships, crime, parties, etc)
Particularly interested in feedback from people originally from the northeast.<br>
thanks.</p>

<p>I’m originally from the Northeast but I moved down to Georgia ten years ago. Although I could say that Atlanta is a tad bit smaller scale NYC. There are a bunch of clubs that I have heard but have never been to (never plan to: I mean they can get pretty rough as most clubs do :|). There is a good bit of crime. A lot of diversity. Traffic can be pretty intense especially during rush hour. Internships: well I bet there are a lot ( CDC, CNN, and some others that I can’t think off the top of my head) Idk I think you would like it :)</p>

<p>Last year I was in the same boat as you. I’m from NYC, I had gone to Atlanta once to visit Emory and loved it but had no idea what Atlanta was actually like. I got down there with the thought that it was just going to be like NYC but alot warmer…not so much. Emory’s campus is gorgeous, legit, there are flowers and trees everywhere and they bloom in the beginning of april just after it rains for the first time. its pretty much beautiful all year around. The weather is nice, its warmer for longer (it didnt really get cold until december, january) and it doesnt get too too cold in the winter. But it did snow, and we had a “two hour” delay if you will (my first morning class was cancelled), and there is like a two week stretch when it is freezing. In the spring the weather is sporatic, itl be like 80 one day and 55 the next, and it does tend to rain alot. </p>

<p>As for ATL itself, its much, much MUCH more spread out then NYC or any other regular city. The only thing withen wakling distance from the actual campus is the CDC (great for internships!). There are shuttles that go to Buckhead/Lenox mall, and Toco Hills, Buckhead has great (though pricy) resturants and the mall is quite famous and is fun as well. Toco Hills is also another great eating area. Around campus there are various clubs and bars that upperclassmen frequent alot (esp. on thursdays which is college night). Then there is Atlantic Station which has a club, shopping and eating, and the Atlanta Underground. The only thing i dont like about the city is that there is no one concentrated area where everything is. Its basically a bunch of suburbs strung together. and the traffic can be hell, especially right around campus. Ive heard upperclassmen who live off campus but at most 10 mins away say that it can take a half hour to drive from thier house to campus. Right outside of campus there is “Emory Village” which tehcnicallyis our college town. its small but has starbucks, 24 hour CVS, an awesome breakfast diner that i highly suggust, a Panera, Supercuts, and like three more little (but yummy) resturants. mainly alot of freshman use the village to get off campus easily. i would definatly bring a car if you can afford it. </p>

<p>As for your other questions, Emory’s campus is extremly diverse though alot of the races tend to stick together. though as a student of color myself i have a great diverse group of friends. the crime around emory is relativly low, though i mean it is atlanta so there is some crime. there are great internships from the cnn center to the cdc to the aclu and beyond. theres also the Carter Center for human rights, (oh and also for fun things the aquarium which is actually really cool and the world of coke). Parties are usually held on frat row (where all the frat houses and some sorority houses are), or you make your own party in the dorm (which can be alot more fun), and alot of student club members have parties on weekends as well. basically if you want a party, you can find one (or make one)</p>

<p>well i apologize if this is a bit lengthy, but i hope i answered your questions about atlanta.</p>

<p>wow! that answered questions i didnt even know i had! haha</p>

<p>is it easy to get to a movie theatre or mall?</p>

<p>thanks for the good input everyone, esp emorygirl, I appreciate the help.</p>

<p>from what I read and hear, Atlanta sounds like sort of LAish. sprawled out. I know there is some crime, but is it centralized in a few areas of the city? I know in LA you don’t want to be in the south central region, but the north western part is nice and ritzy. For Atlanta, is Emory in the “nice” or “bad” part of town?</p>

<p>I personally haven’t been there but the wiki for Emory said that Emory is located in the 2nd wealthiest county in Georgia.</p>

<p>Just stay away from Downtown Atlanta, near Underground; only go south of I-20 if you are going to the Airport; and never go to the West side unless you are headed to Six Flags. Other than that Atlanta isn’t that bad on crime. Its an amazing city. Traffic is bad, but once you become familiar with the city you will learn back roads that will get you to where you need to go.</p>

<p>lol…My dad wanted to visit Atlanta Underground in the mercedes we had rented, when I went to visit Emory…Good thing we didnt do that lol…Thanks for the heads up…I guess he thought it was sightseeing attraction because it said Atlanta Underground…</p>

<p>I thought South ATL was bad, not the West…</p>

<p>on an unrelated note, I didn’t realize there were two EmoryGirls on CC. haha.</p>

<p>I’m from Philly originally, though I didn’t live there in high school. I really like Atlanta- there is so much to do and everything is conveinant. MARTA takes some getting used to but I take it every week now to volunteer. Atlanta is a great city; I love living here. And Emory is about 15 min from downtown Atlanta so you still have a beautiful 600+ acre campus.</p>

<p>There are some areas in West Atlanta that are in the middle of redevelopment with a lot of lofts and new shopping and restaurants. One of the best restaurants in Atlanta called Bacchanalia ([Star</a> Provisions](<a href=“http://www.starprovisions.com/]Star”>http://www.starprovisions.com/)) is in that area. It’s phenomenal, and I highly recommend it, though it’s quite expense. A lot of the area is a little shady though (and a bit of a drive). </p>

<p>Emory students tend to stick to downtown Decatur, Buckhead, the Virginia Highlands, Little 5 Points near Poncy-Highlands (not to be confused with 5 points in downtown), and midtown. Those are the better areas of town inside the perimeter (I-285) and you’ll be just fine in those areas, even at night, as long as you use common sense. It’s really a great city, and even those from Chicago, NYC, LA find parts of Atlanta endearing, even if it’s nothing like those bigger places.</p>

<p>How’s the public transportation? I don’t have a car or a license. Would I feel held back by a lack of a my own transportation?</p>

<p>There is a train called MARTA that runs through Atlanta. A friend of mine who lives in Atlanta said it’s efficient. </p>

<p>If all else fails, make some upperclassmen friends and demand that they drive you around (I plan on doing this).</p>

<p>Marta’s great if you live near the marta train and want to go somewhere near the marta train. Sadly, the train doesn’t go near campus; it’s a 5-10 minute drive. And it doesn’t really go to a whole lot of the places that Emory students go, at least without transferring to a bus. I’ve found that a lot of people use MARTA to go to the airport, Braves/Falcons/Thrashers/Hawks games, and not much else. </p>

<p>You’ll have friends with cars though, so don’t stress about it too much. Emory also does a pretty good job of providing shuttles for freshmen and those without cars to places around the city (grocery stores, malls, movie theaters, etc.).</p>

<p>just rent one of emory’s zip cars…</p>

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<p>Thanks for the other info. I’m considering Emory or Tufts to fill the last spot on my list of schools to apply to (with an open mind for other schools).</p>