<p>It seems like some people have a negative opinion about Oxford. Despite the fact that it's in a small city (some people actually like living in small cities), I was wondering if someone who has visited the campus can tell me more about it. I heard that there are a lot of leadership opportunities at Oxford. I would appreciate it if anyone who actually knows something can give some insight... I found this old thread which was kind of useful..if anyone else has some of the same questions I have.... <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/emory-university/46922-oxford-college-emory-5.html%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/emory-university/46922-oxford-college-emory-5.html</a></p>
<p>hi Madi,</p>
<p>We had so many professional friends tell S he needed to check out Oxford that I literally forced S to go to a visitation day. We drove in from the back side, so when we arrived we were literally in the “middle of nowhere”. At that point, I was like NO WAY!</p>
<p>We pulled up to campus and parked at the Methodist Church next door, followed the red brick path to registration. Quad was lovely, though small. We checked out the campus map and realized that everything we could see from the quad was the school. That was it, zip. </p>
<p>We did your normal visitation stuff, listened to admissions, listened to teachers, listened to students, had lunch, asked questions and pretty much spent five minutes “touring campus”. Not much campus to tour.</p>
<p>As we went along, the student body was very diversified. All styles dress, manner, race and demeanor. All were friendly and all knew each other. Everybody knows everybody!</p>
<p>Having taken son to tour so many outstanding colleges/universities all over the SE and even up to Yale and Brown in the NE, I kept waiting for him to start laughing. But turns out he had actually listened to what the teachers & students were saying about the educational opportunities and leadership opportunities available at Oxford. As we were leaving, I asked him what he thought. He replied, “I think this is where I want to go”.</p>
<p>Since then we’ve visited Oxford several more times, we’ve talked to professors about different opportunities. We’ve ate at the “one” dining hall several times and while the food is not excellent, it is pretty edible. (Pastries are great as they have a super pastry chef). </p>
<p>S was accepted at Emory College too, but maintains that Oxford is where he wants to spend his first two years. His choice. He’s not going in the “backdoor” as so many on CC try to imply. (I told him about this philosophy and he just laughed and said “people are idiots”). </p>
<p>This school/campus is definately not for everybody. The same as how Emory College is not for everybody. They will quickly tell you at Emory College that if you want a school with tailgate parties, go somewhere else. </p>
<p>The main advise I would give every student and parent is to go and visit whatever school you are thinking of commiting to. All schools are very similar but all are also vastly different. The same with students. Some kids would die a thousand deaths if they had to spend two years at Oxford, other kids would love every minute and thrive like kudzu on the side of I-75. </p>
<p>One should think of the time & money spent to visit a school as an investment in the future. Right now everyone on this forum has several options and opportunities. But if you go to a school and end up not liking it, then you’ve wasted a semester or year, wasted money and worse you lose the chances you had before. </p>
<p>As said before, S loves Oxford and as a parent who has read the course catalogs, talked to upperclass students at Emory College who started at Oxford, heard the stats of how Oxford students excelled at Emory College proportionately higher than Emory College underclassmen, I think Oxford is a very small but priceless diamond that most overlook. </p>
<p>JMHO</p>
<p>now that everything it’s over we are left with little choices and one of them it’s Oxford. i have a ton of questions about the place, so the best way to investigate is to go and travel for preview day(late April) . i would like to thank Motherofmine for the detailed explanation i know more what i’m going to discover… it could be a good choice for my D. My only problem is that it looks lonely and very rural … am i wrong? what are they doing on week-end or extended vacation?</p>
<p>Thank you motherofmine! That was very helpful. Hearing that from someone who was accepted to both makes a difference. I really hope I get a chance to visit before I make my final decision!</p>
<p>My second D is graduating from Oxford next month, and both of my daughters have completely enjoyed the Oxford experience. My oldest graduated from the business school last May, so I can answer questions about the transition to Emory. BTW, both daughters applied to Emory main campus, were accepted, and offered enough scholarship/grant money to completely cover tuition. Both received full tuition offers at Oxford. Both chose Oxford.</p>
<p>gamom2 thank you for your response. I have some basic questions.
How are the dorms at Oxford?? Was it hard for your D to transfer to the main campus? I mean like did people treat her differently because she was from “Oxford” even though she is as smart as the rest. Also what does it say on her diploma + transcript?? Does it say Emory University or Oxford College?? Thanks again for your help!</p>
<p>Sorry for the delay, I had trouble with my sign-on. Anyway, as to the dorms, they are pretty basic. Alpha and Beta just opened this year and are both very nice. I would say Haygood might be a little better than JRC, but JRC has a little better location. None of the dorms are apartment style, but it’s only for 2 years and isn’t really an issue once you get settled in. </p>
<p>It was not hard at all to transfer to main campus. Remember that you will not only have all of your close friends in your class, but also the class ahead of you is there and Oxford alums always look out for each other. They will let you know the good/bad professors, where to go, etc. Many of the Oxford students really do well on main campus. Last year, 2 of the 4 Bobby Jones scholarships went to Oxford continuees, the SGA president was from Oxford, and also the business school group was led by an Oxford graduate. Most likely your close friends will be Oxford students. They tend to stick together because they have become friends the first 2 years, as do the main campus students. However, it is certainly possible to make new friends, and that depends on you. Don’t prejudge Emory College students as snobby before you get there, they are the same as any other campus. Some good, some not. Get involved when you get to main campus, and you will definitely make friends there too.<br>
Your diploma/transcript says Emory University, the same as any other student in the school. The difference is you will have 2 diplomas when you graduate, an Associate degree from Oxford and your bachelor’s degree from the university. They make a nice set 
If you haven’t visited, I would definitely encourage you to. It’s a great place to start. If you are looking for a big party school, then it probably isn’t a good fit for you. You can definitely find a party and people to party with, but a much more laid-back campus than Emory College. Don’t underestimate the value of Oxford. Recommendation letters from the Oxford faculty are generally well-written and personal. My youngest is doing summer research at an Ivy League school, and knows the letters she received were an important part of that. Good luck and let me know if I can answer anything else for you.</p>
<p>Thank you! That was very helpful!! =] Just one more question about the transcripts. Aside from saying Emory University, do they mention where you spent the first two years/last two years??</p>
<p>GAmom2,</p>
<p>That is a wonderful post! It is intelligent, objective and full of personal anecdote that hopefully will prove useful to others. I like that it is devoid of the pretentious discussion surrounding “prestige” and rankings and better/worse scenarios. What it says is that Oxford College is a viable option that can work, depending on one’s preferences (and I gather you are CORRECT that it’s probably not a “big party school”! 
)</p>
<p>To underscore the “hidden message within the message”, this is only the beginning for all HS seniors planning to attend college … it’s the beginning of a journey that will be full of challenges and hard work to fulfill the potential of promise. Regardless of the college, one will not succeed without conscientious effort. I’m willing to bet that GAmom2’s daughters have worked diligently to earn their success.</p>
<p>Madirocks, I have not actually seen the transcripts, so I don’t know 100%, but I don’t think they show Oxford. But you shouldn’t worry one way or the other. Would you not want your transcript to show Gouizetta or the nursing school either? They are all different colleges under the university umbella. If Oxford students continue to buy-in to the theory that Oxford is a back-door entrance to Emory, then they are only perpetuating the myth. If you go to Oxford, then be proud of your choice. The admissions office should be able to tell you, however, whether Oxford is specified.</p>
<p>NorCalDad, Thank you for your kind words. I have read your posts on other threads and am always impressed with your advice. You have helped many students with your responses.</p>
<p>^^“They are all different colleges under the university umbella. If Oxford students continue to buy-in to the theory that Oxford is a back-door entrance to Emory, then they are only perpetuating the myth. If you go to Oxford, then be proud of your choice.”</p>
<p>Well said. </p>
<p>And thank you for invaluable insight into Oxford as the parent of 2 D’s who have attended. Now tell me this, have either of your daughters ever seen the confederate ghost? And has Dooley ever come in and shut down one of their classes? And last but not least, did D1 or D2 have anything to do with the zebra? LOL</p>
<p>As to the ghost, no, Dooley, yes!! And for the zebras, thankfully no. Did you hear the sad ending to that story? I liked you post about your first visit to Oxford. Your son sounds like he has a great attitude. I hope he’s enjoying his time there, it goes so quickly!</p>
<p>Not sure about the ending to the story (not sure if I want to know?). I do know they now have a stuffed zebra on the 3rd floor, but he’s just a toy. </p>
<p>S is hoping to get to go to Oxford starting this fall. We are still trying to figure out the economics of it all. FA was helpful but we don’t want him starting somewhere he can’t finish. Tough call. We’re going to try to get some financial advise on this one. </p>
<p>S is also accepted into UGA’s Honor’s Program and he has spent enough time on that campus (workshops, camps, festivals) that he feels right at home there, despite it’s huge size. 25,000 + undergrads is a lot of students!! It’s a great school, especially the honors program and UGA is building a med school that should be ready about the time he is. And it is affordable. Tough call.</p>
<p>As for your compliment, thank you, yes he does have a great attitude. He’s never been worried too much about what anyone else thinks and is looking for the best all around fit for himself. We are going to do all we can to make it happen and we are so thankful that we have a couple of different (in so many ways) options and that he is ready to go to either one.</p>
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<p>madirocks, I surely can be wrong, but if you are asking this to find out if your transcript will look “unimpressive” because you happened to choose Oxford College, I think you should reconsider going there. If it’s a name thing - then maybe something else will suit you better.</p>
<p>Motherofmine, I’m sure your son will do well wherever he ends up. We also looked at UGA Honors program, and it had a lot to offer. I have heard from d’s friends that the Honors Program is like a “school within a school”. Plus they get perks like early registration that make it so much easier to get the classes they want. </p>
<p>I have to say I would like to see someone like your son at Oxford, but graduating without the debt is an important factor, especially when considering med school. Best of luck to you and your family!</p>
<p>@alone I in no way was implying that I would be ashamed if my transcript stated Oxford. It was just a general question. As of right now I love eveyrthing about Oxford. If FA and stuff work out, I am looking forward to going there.</p>
<p>Oh ok, sorry for misinterpretation :)</p>
<p>Madirocks, I hope FA works out for you. Wouldn’t it be great if they had a formula to award the most FA to the accepted students who most wanted to be there? :)</p>
<p>gamom2,
How many students can get into business school from Oxford college every year? What is GPA needed for Oxford students to enter business school. Is it different between Oxford and Emory college?</p>
<p>In regard to the business school, there is not a set number of Oxford students allowed to enroll. You apply to the business school sophomore year, and your application is included in the pool with everyone else. Oxford does not increase or decrease your chances.</p>
<p>"If you have completed the requirements for the associates degree of Oxford College you will have satisfied the GERs required for Oxford continuees in the BBA program. " That statement is from the business school web site, and they also show the classes you need to take. </p>
<p>I don’t know for sure on the GPA, but I think I heard 3.5. That would be a good thing to check with your advisor. My d took her econ and accounting classes at Oxford, and felt well prepared. She double majored in marketing and finance, and minored in English. </p>
<p>I know you are thinking about admissions now, but keep in mind that when your graduate, use the career center to assist in finding a job. They do an amazing job and are extremely helpful.</p>