<p>SoOreMom,</p>
<p>Your son’s sentiments are likely shared by many prospective college students, and it’s not always possible to know definitively that a certain school is the right one. Even when there are so many positives, there may be a “gut-level” feel that something is missing or not quite perfect. </p>
<p>Emory may not be for everybody, even if everything looks good on the surface. That said, significant factors for a student’s success in college include being self-initiating, self-driven and open (indeed, vigilant) to exploring new opportunities. The difference between high school and college is so great in this sense… nobody is going to remind a student about his/her daily tasks. The professors do not take roll call, and parents are not around to manage schedules. It’s for this reason that I frequently recommend Harlan Cohen’s book, “The Naked Roommate” (<a href="http://www.thenakedroommate.com/%5B/url%5D">http://www.thenakedroommate.com/</a></p>
<p>Let me see if I can offer some anecdotal insights. I live only 15 minutes from the UC Berkley campus, and when my daughter began her college search process, her significant experience with a college campus was at Berkeley, where she had also attended a class. She also liked Pomona quite a bit and would have been happy at UCLA, although it seemed a bit impersonal to her. Pomona was the 4th school she visited and was on the top of her list for about a year before she finally visited Emory. I suppose it was fortuitous that by the time she visited Emory, she knew how to leverage a campus visit. She arranged to meet with people in the departments, made time to engage with students in majors of her interest, and had sorted through questions that she felt were important to address. This was a contrast to the first couple of schools we visited in which she did little preparation. Interestingly, she didn’t share with me her thoughts for two weeks following the visit, and so it was a bit surprising that she decided she wanted to apply ED to Emory instead of Pomona. She said that Emory “spoke” to her, and it’s difficult to say what it was exactly. I think it might have been the whole package. I also think that eventually she felt Pomona (and most of the LACs) were just too small for what she was looking for.</p>
<p>Aside from identifying academic interests and a schoolÂ’s resources to support those interests, so much of deciding on a school is very subjective, personal preferences. Certainly, a student must feel that s/he can make a home there for 4 years, but IÂ’ve known at least one student who loved Emory going in and then chose to transfer after her freshman year. In her case, she was homesick for her boyfriend back in Ohio and decided it was more important to maintain the relationship, thus leaving Emory and enrolling at a school back in Ohio. In my daughterÂ’s case, she had a good, but not great, freshman year. This year, she is enjoying herself immensely and doing well in all respects. There does seem to be an up-tick in affinity after oneÂ’s freshman year.</p>
<p>I know that having heard Jim Wagner (Emory President) speak a couple of times, he is fully committed to maintaining the liberal arts tradition at Emory (which is one reason why EmoryÂ’s Business School admits undergrad students beginning in their junior year, rather than having the BBA program being a 4-year program). Having been on the campus a number of times, I can see how circles of interest are formed. Initially, as a freshman, there are social circles formed around dorm life. If a student is involved with an athletic team, the bonds are formed there. Within certain academic disciplines, tight relationships are built (for instance in the Music and Dance Departments, where ensemble or choral groups are formed). About 30% of Emory students are affiliated with the Greek system, but freshmen do not rush until the second semester. Finally, as students become upper classmen, you can see excellent examples of their making full advantage of all the many resources (some of which are global) that Emory has to offer. There are also a myriad of Emory-sponsored clubs that offer special interests to students.</p>
<p>I will say that Emory has a certain “scrubbed” look about it. The landscaping and grounds are groomed immaculately, and the buildings are equally well-maintained. If you want “scuffiness” in your students, I think there are plenty in the dorms, from I’ve observed. As well, there are the somewhat “straight” and preppy-looking students who will not remind you of Berkeley or Ashland, OR. I don’t think I have any good advice to offer, but a single perception is not always going to give you the best picture of what is to come. One thing you might want to do is to contact somebody in the Office of Undergraduate Education at Emory. They might be able to give you some insight beyond what the Office of Admission might provide.</p>