<p>Wow, I never looked over this thread before. Surprised/Shocked about some comments.<br>
whs’s comment about Rice being FAR better than Emory: You have no proof of this, so to proclaim to know so is a bit out there. If anything they are very different and have strength in completely different areas (like engineering and physics of course, which do indeed reinforce each other. We have strength in liberal arts, health sciences, business). It is hardly FAR better than us. I don’t know where this popular perception among so many people is derived (most people have not attended classes at or have researched both schools extensively, so to make proclamations like that is nearly stupid if you ask me. Emory is actually a lot different than the other “southern Ivies” like Rice, Duke, and Vandy, because of the structure of the programs and curricular offerings along w/campus layout, architecture, history, sports, etc). Their SATs are certainly higher (as most top 20 schools), but not significantly higher to the point where it it’ll motivate professors to be more rigorous or teach better (in fact as will be conjectured, it normally has the opposite effect). Also, the SAT scores beyond a certain point do not affect the quality of the education. For example, many would argue that Harvard undergrad is not as great (teaching/education wise) as some lesser ranked peers (in fact surveys reveal that their own students don’t consider it of extremely high quality). How about making a judgement after attending here for a while? You may find that we are very similar in terms of things you can’t judge on the surface (such as educational quality). We both have excellent academics, teaching, student-faculty interaction and grade inflation. Though Rice has much more of the last one and thus may be slightly less rigorous. My friend is from Texas and knows people who attend and apparently the inflation even penetrates the STEM majors a lot. That is rare among any top 20. You may also want to argue that their students get more awards or something (We don’t do badly there either. We just recently had 8 fulbrights from Emory CAS, 2 Goldwaters, and 1 Marshall. Not bad IMHO, regardless of how it compares to peers). This normally hardly reflects on quality of students or instruction moreso than the number of people wanting/willing to apply. For example, people who use this logic should also say that UGA offers a better education because it has, for the past 10 years, produced at least 1 Rhodes scholar annually. We’ve had none (in reality, schools w/D-1 sports seem to have a disproportionate advantage here b/c sports is a major component upon criteria for it).
I think you really just said that because you had a bad experience and see Emory students as conceited. Many are, just as at other top private schools, but you’ll find an equal amount (or higher) who are not. Also, you certainly shouldn’t judged based off of a campus tour. I bet not even close to half of those students enrolled (or were admitted for that matter) here. The conceited people you speak of in your tour could be at some other top 20 known for excessive snobbery or a state flagship known for “preppiness”(like UVa for example). As a person who attends here, I can tell you that it is very diverse despite what you experienced on some tour.<br>
Also, Citylife: Is just really stuck up, and I essentially agree w/everything aig said. Why the heck someone would essentially come on here to look down upon someone else and flaunt their credentials. I really have no idea why someone would be discouraged from attending Oxford. Oxford students are generally much more interesting and intellectual than students on main campus (they apparently compose many of the PhD candidates from main campus. In fact they may nearly make up most of them). I don’t understand how people get away with calling people essentially at UGA caliber or higher (probably gonna have to work harder at Oxford than at UGA also) ■■■■■■■■. That is elitism at its best (the other things he said were elitist also). It’s basically saying that people who do not attend top 30 schools (particular private ones) are “not bright” or didn’t work hard. What a load of crap. That website probably made it clear that they are not the only one of such opinions (I didn’t go on it, I’ve seen Campus ACB or w/e and it’s horrible so I won’t look, I’ll just assume it’s idiocy and reflects poorly on us). I here people who say things like: “There is no way Georgia Tech can be harder because it’s a public school”. I sometimes wonder what type of world these students live in. Statements (from main campus) like citylife’s and those capable of proclaiming the aforementioned reveal that despite being able to score high and maybe get a high GPA in HS (and indeed be admitted to top schools) that they still aren’t very bright and choose to delude themselves w/unwarranted elitist views. If anything such students are conceited grade grubbers (can we really prove that they “work hard” as citylife proclaims. Most High schools, even “good” ones are easy and have skyhigh grade inflation/curving when it isn’t. Most people at Emory did not really work but so hard in high school) who know how to “work” an exam (which can be accomplished by buying a prep. book, getting extensive and expensive tutoring, or paying full tuition for a prep. class). Being able to make high grades in HS, and successfully take a multiple choice exam does not reflect but so much on the ability to “work hard”. It more so reflects an ability to work a system (which is why most people hardly even learn in HS despite their credentials). People do the same in college. They take the easiest classes and professors (and thus perhaps make an abnormal amount time to pay for and prep. for some standardized test. And then some still screw up because their coursework wasn’t rigorous enough to serve as a support mechanism or complement to the prep.) and then brag about their oddly high GPA. When you ask about the professors and classes they took, more than often, you’ll be less than impressed (in some/many cases you will, but too often you won’t). I’m sure that many who make elitist statements about what “hard work” achieves and about how the quality of an education at certain institutions is insufficient are maybe even disproportionately guilty of such things. They work the system hard, that’s all.</p>
<p>Also, people like him should know that many students at Oxford will receive a better education there than at Emory for the first two years primarily because of the size and widescale experimentation w/innovative curricula and course design. In fact, I know in the sciences, they have some courses that we don’t even have (also their labs are much more hands on probably require more work) W/that said. Discouraging people from going is completely misguided. What’s the worst that could happen? They’ll be just as elitist or or less than bright as some of the main campus students. A risk worth taking for a more intimate experience 1st and 2nd year.</p>
<p>Also, the person speaking on how instate folks (Ga. people) evaluate higher ed. choices is correct. Georgia Tech is actually probably a little more prestigious in state than Emory. I mean, who wouldn’t respect a school producing a bunch of engineers (not only that, but most will be staying in and contributing back to Ga’s economy and workforce)? Many/most Emory students will go elsewhere (as they are from outside of the state originally). However, given that Emory isn’t majority STEM and has no engineering school, the salary outlook being 10k lower is not really bad at all. It also may reflect differing goals. Many Emory students will pursue options that reflect civic orientation (things like teach for America) that pay less (or other liberal arts/social science oriented careers that lie outside of professions such as law. Ones that also pay less). It’s just far different from Tech and should not be compared. It makes more sense to compare it to UGA I think. Tech and Emory should only be compared if you are considering a BBA, pre-med, or anything in the natural sciences (STEM like majors maybe only account for 20-25% at Emory whereas it maybe like 60-80% at Tech, this will make a huge difference in pay and career outlook of the overall campus).</p>
hahah It looks like you are going to Oxford College this fall. Have fun and best of luck!</p>
did you find the exam easy? (I’m sure you did…I suck at math)</p>
I think we need a defibrillator. Lol</p>