<p>Okay, still stuck on whether or not Emory students are happy with their choice. Seems to me like there are not very many students praising Emory and more people bashing it. Does anyone regret their decision to attend? Also, still hearing about lack of school pride too. Are people disconnected from each other? Do people support the sports teams? I think the concern is that Emory isn't like a traditional college campus - school spirit/pride, sports, and parties. Is it all academics and parties?</p>
<p>Yeah, of course we have issues in that area that probably pre-dominantly stem from the lack of sports. We more so excel in generating pride in the cultural area (so lots and lots of culturally related events that stem from the diversity). So yes, in no way is Emory traditional. I honestly don’t see the problem with not being a part of the status quo (such students that complain so much about this should have not considered us in the first place, and should not have come anyway. Surely they knew we weren’t the traditional campus. I’m sure that they just said:"Well it ranks higher than my other options in USNW, and gave it no further thought) . Of course I wish there were a little more school pride, but whatever. As long as I have awesome friends and the academic community is fine, along with a pumped cultural scene (especially for a southern school), I’m happy. And many/most others are. However, you need to be kind of be careful about what you hear, because people with more extreme views tend to be more vocal about their feelings. It seems like Emory over the years I’ve been here has been more able to take advantage of its unique situation that has had positive results in that it provides a more interesting/less stereotypical experience. Keep in mind that a surprising amount of people came here because it doesn’t have that stereotypical scene. </p>
<p>Also: Never use school pride and cohesiveness interchangeably. We all know that pride does not necessarily result in this though it appears so on the surface. It’s more like “cohesiveness on special occasions”. Essentially, it’s kind of superficial.</p>
<p>I am currently finishing up my freshman year and looking to transfer. I am not unhappy with my choice - Emory is a great place for many reasons, and I have made a lot of awesome friends. However, I really do miss that “ra ra” that a school with a big sports program can bring, and I do find it lacking in both spirit and cohesiveness (and I am not using these terms interchangeably!) </p>
<p>Emory is an extremely diverse school. Although most people do have friends from different groups, in general it seems that everyone does find their own niche and sticks pretty close to it. In that sense, the school is not as cohesive as it seems to be from an outside perspective. </p>
<p>There are several excellent division three athletic teams here, but you really have to make an effort to go to the events. Once you are there, it’s a good time and exciting. However, to the average student around campus, sports teams can seem kind of non existent. </p>
<p>I also should note that students take pride in going to Emory. That said, it really isn’t Emory that they are proud of - students don’t have Emory banners on their walls or anything like that - it seems to be a personal pride that they were capable of getting into Emory (if that differentiation makes sense!) </p>
<p>Overall, I really do love the academics here - the professors are great, and the variety of classes is wonderful. There are tons of programs and resources for students to use. I do feel that I am missing out on a big part of the college experience with no big sense of school spirit and large athletic program, but that is a personal preference - a lot of students love Emory because it lacks those things. I hope this helped!</p>
<p>My host during the essence program loves emory <em>because</em> there isn’t a big obsession over sports teams x) I know that I would feel very happy at Emory because honestly I don’t care whether my football team wins or loses. I don’t even care if there is one at all…hehe. But it is ultimately about how you feel about it :)</p>
<p>colette: You should strongly consider a good public school or somewhere like Vandy or USC (though, academics/prof. wise, Vandy), that way you can keep the cake you had here and then add icing to it once you get to your new school, Vandy does indeed have lots of the rah, rah stuff going on. I don’t care for it but so much, but you should like it. Also, they have a reasonable transfer admit rate. If you haven’t considered it, it seems like a good match or prospect at least.</p>
<p>thank you for the recs bernie. I actually have applied some places already and am waiting to hear back, but I appreciate it!</p>
<p>Omgmom – my D graduated Emory 2010 and my S will be a freshman this fall. D loved it - had an amazing experience both academically and socially. Choosing a college is personal - my D’s friends seemed pretty ra ra Emory but if big time sports scene is important, Emory may not be your school. Men’s bball had a great year and has a good following. I have been to a number of Emory sporting events - bball, volleyball, soccer, tennis and baseball. Students seem to find their smaller communities too - theater, music, greek life, community service, etc. For many these smaller communities are what make the experience; for some belonging to the larger community and school pride are more important. As a parent, I want my children to have a good time but also to get a great education b/c with the investment people make these days - I want them to get a job, cement their intellecutal curiosity and find a career they love. Emory did that and more. All my D’s friend are either working or in graduate or professional schools. Again, it is all personal so good luck working this through.</p>