Torn between Bard and Emory

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Need a little help selecting schools, so I figured consulting CC would help. </p>

<p>26-year old non-traditional student accepted to Emory and Bard as a transfer student from a community college in New York. I have an eleven-month old son, wife, and dog.</p>

<p>Emory offered me 39K in scholarships, which means I would only have to take out $4,000 in subsidized loans per year. Emory also accepted 41 of my 43 credits. As a Biology major, I plan to take advantage of the research opportunities afforded to undergraduate students. Moreover, the University is in a decent location, and the campus, from what I have seen, is nice; it's worth adding, however, that I visited when school was out. There are cool areas in Atlanta -- thinking primarily of Downtown Decatur. Although the change from New York to Atlanta/Decatur would be difficult for all of us, I am certain we will find our niche once we settle in. </p>

<p>I am a bit older, though not significantly, and so I don't see fitting in as a problem. However, my issue with Emory is from what I have read -- from student reviews -- and seen. I get an elitest vibe. And that makes me uncomfortable. What's more, there's a stigma attached to the Emory undergraduate student body: "Emory Apathy" and lacking school pride/not involved in campus activities. That sincerely disheartens me, as the reason I am looking to go back to school is to enrich my life. I love learning and discussing abstract -- and not-so-abstract -- ideas and thoughts with my peers; there's nothing like sitting around and sharing ideas with passionate people. Emory, as it seems, does not appear to have that. "Students are more concerned with making money than talking about politics and philosophy," said a former Emory student. Again, disheartening. I am thus torn, and unsure. </p>

<p>Then there is Bard College. Bard offered me 38K in scholarships, leaving me to take out $7,500 a year in subsidized loans, and they accepted only 31 credits. Money, at this point, is not an issue. I would like to keep my costs minimized, but if I have to shell out a little more, so be it. I love Bard's approach to learning; it is deeply rooted in the methods of critical thinking and interdisciplinary study -- all in conjunction with writing-laden courses. Students are also more involved at Bard. They enjoy a good conversation about, say, Hemingway or the latest Israel-Palestine news. I appreciate that kind of learning. My only concern is that Bard is small. Really small. I think I would fit in better here, though I worry about my family getting acclimated to an incredibly small town in the middle of nowhere. Also, Bard is in New York. I grew up in New York City, and that's where my heart is -- it's where I feel comfortable. However, there's the part of me that says "step out of your comfort zone and see the world." </p>

<p>It's tough. I am deeply torn, not to mention stressed. Some days I think Bard is the place: it's small, I can get to know people -- especially professors -- and be a part of an enthusiastic group of learners (which is not to suggest that such is not the same at Emory). And then there are those foolish days where I think, "Man, I'm I really going to pass up Emory? Emory? I never once thought I would get into college when I dropped out of high school in tenth grade...let alone Emory!" But I know better than to buy into the hype of so-called "prestige." </p>

<p>Any help or thoughts or sharing of similar experiences would be helpful, as I am, at this point, partial to both schools. </p>

<p>Thank you in advanced.</p>

2

<p>I remember reading earlier posts in which you were very enthusiastic about Emory.</p>

<p>I think you need to do more research into how many non-traditional students there are at Bard. It is in a somewhat isolated area and is a pretty insular place. Because it is only a bachelors-granting institution, you will not find many students older than about 23 or 24. You will not meet a lot of (if any) married young couples with kids. I would guess you might feel more out of place there and struggle more socially than you would at Emory, which is so much bigger and in a big city to boot.</p>

<p>I wouldn’t make assumptions that you will get lost in the shuffle at Emory just because it is bigger. You are a unique student and will get to know your professors wherever you go. You will stand out to them because of who you are and what you offer. </p>

<p>Atlanta is full of NY transplants for a reason. It’s a fun, vibrant, eclectic city, which might be better for your wife and child as well. The dog would probably be equally happy in either place. :)</p>

3

<p>@ Sally: You were the first person to reach out to me on CC. Your kind words have remained with me. Thank you for your insight - I will continue to do my research. (I’m actually in Atlanta with my wife and son exploring the area. Have to say, Atlanta/Decatur is pretty cool!) I tried to stay away from the broad paintbrush, but I failed. Generalizations are just that - general. I wish I was more like my dog! </p>

<p>The hardest thing to do would be to step out of my comfort zone and attend Emory and challenge myself to open up to the world. Just wish it wasn’t so freakin’ difficult to actually do.</p>

4

<p>“I have an eleven-month old son, wife, and dog.”</p>

<p>Of those three, the wife’s opinion matters the most. What was the reason for a 10 credit difference between the two schools? What about employment prospects for your wife at the two?</p>

<p>“the reason I am looking to go back to school is to enrich my life. I love learning and discussing abstract – and not-so-abstract – ideas and thoughts with my peers;”</p>

<p>A more cynical view is that you are in school to get your ticket punched. Maybe you just need to associate with the few non-pre-professional undergrads and the humanities and social science grad students at Emory.</p>

5

<p>@rhg3rd: My wife’s opinion absolutely matters the most. She is fortunate enough to work from home. Her stance is as follows: Emory is in Atlanta where there is more to do, but Bard is much closer (2 hours driving distance) to our families. </p>

<p>I will heed your advice and see if I can connect with some of the graduate students while I am still in Atlanta. </p>

<p>Appreciate your response.</p>

6

<p>I think you have a romantic view of college life that doesn’t comport with your situation. You’re 26 years old with a wife and baby–face it, you don’t have many true “peers” at any undergraduate school and you won’t really “fit in” with a bunch of kids. When you aren’t in class or the library you will be (or should be) spending your free time with your family, not navel gazing in some dorm room in a haze of marijuana smoke. At this point in your life you can’t live like a typical undergrad. That ship has sailed. So choose Emory, the school with the better reputation, the better financial deal, and the location that doesn’t involve exiling your wife to the boonies.</p>

7

<p>Emory is the no-brainer here. It’s cheaper and you can graduate earlier. But as the other poster noted, will da’ wife like Atlanta?</p>

<p>Bard will not end up as your romanticized ideals.</p>

<p>

</p>

<p>Sciences are a strength at Emory. Plenty of New Yankees there. Yes, it has more of a pre-professional vibe than Bard (nursing, law, and b-schools on campus), but that is the life of a bio major – premeds predominate in that discipline. In any event, few Bio majors have the time to philosophize about Hemingway or the next-Conflict. And bio majors with a family have absolutely no time for such.</p>

8

<p>If you actually think that all Emory students are just obsessed with getting a job and not actually exploring, you don’t understand Emory’s culture. I assure you, a great many “intellectual” conversations come up if someone just initiates them. But then again, even when you’re there, you probably won’t be able to interact with the undergrads, for the reasons MommaJ pointed out. Also, what a 19 year old deems intellectual might seem like annoying dribble to a 26 year old father of one.</p>

<p>I’d encourage you to get connected with the graduate students association or at least talk to your professors, as many of them also have families. I believe Emory also offers students who make less than $58,000 a year a discount on tuition at the [Clifton</a> School](<a href=“http://www.thecliftonschool.org/visitors/tuition.htm#]Clifton”>http://www.thecliftonschool.org/visitors/tuition.htm#) but you’d need to inquire further if you or your wife deems this necessary. </p>

<p>As others have stated, Emory is your only viable option. It’s cheaper, offers far more research opportunities, including well paid ones, in the biological sciences, and has a much broader range of ages because of the ~6,000 graduate students and numerous faculty.</p>

9

<p>I appreciate the feedback, but I’d like to clarify a few things. There’s this notion inherent to a few comments that suggests that I will not be spending time with my wife and son (and dog) if I am busy “romanticizing” intellectual conversations. Even when I worked 55-hours a week, my son and wife were my priority, and any spare time was dedicated to them. That will not change. There is a time and place for everything. My issue with Emory, as I clearly stated above, stems from former-student reviews and the feeling I had while on campus. There is no such thing, at any university, as a typical student; generalizations simply do not apply. I know that. But when there are a plethora of former students discussing “Emory-Apathy” as though it’s a known and common thing, it raised a red flag, and I thought it warranted further attention. Hence why I created this thread. “Live like a typical undergrad.” That made me laugh. I didn’t realize that I gave off that impression. Hey, like I said: I just want to be an active member of the community – whether that means being a part of a club, shooting the ****, or developing close ties with professors. Perhaps I do have a romantic view of the college experience – but it doesn’t make me any worse off. And no, no “navel-gazing” for me through “a haze of marijuana smoke.” </p>

<p>I will make in a point to ask more questions about graduate student associations. </p>

<p>Again, thank you for all for the feedback.</p>

10

<p>“choose Emory, the school with the better reputation, the better financial deal, and the location that doesn’t involve exiling your wife to the boonies.”</p>

<p>I can’t argue with this. Unless you are independently wealthy and your wife is supportive, spending more semesters at a more expensive college doesn’t make sense to me.</p>

11

<p>There are non-traditional students at Bard. And there are, actually, graduate students. It’s a common misconception that Bard does not offer graduate programs. There are a number of programs in NYC and during the summer, but Bard also offers graduate degrees at the Annandale campus in:
Environmental Policy: [Bard</a> Center for Environmental Policy - About CEP](<a href=“http://www.bard.edu/cep/about_bcep/]Bard”>http://www.bard.edu/cep/about_bcep/)
Curatorial Studies: [CCS</a> Bard | About CCS Bard](<a href=“http://www.bard.edu/ccs/visit/about-ccs-bard/]CCS”>School - CCS Bard)
Conducting: [Bard</a> College Conservatory of Music | Graduate Conducting Program | Overview](<a href=“http://www.bard.edu/conservatory/gcp/]Bard”>Graduate Conducting Program)
Vocal Arts: [Bard</a> College Conservatory of Music | Graduate Vocal Arts Program | Overview](<a href=“http://www.bard.edu/conservatory/vap/]Bard”>Graduate Vocal Arts Program)
Economic Theory and Pplicy: [Bard</a> College | Master of Science in Economic Theory and Policy](<a href=“http://www.bard.edu/levyms/]Bard”>Levy Graduate Programs in Economic Policy and Theory)
MA in Teaching: [Bard</a> College | Master of Arts in Teaching Program](<a href=“http://www.bard.edu/mat/]Bard”>Bard Master of Arts in Teaching Programs)</p>

<p>Asides from older students in the graduate programs, there are non traditional students in the regular undergraduate programs - although I don’t know how the percentages compare to Emory. In addition, the relationships formed with the professors is incomparable - there is no question that the OP can form long lasting and deep relationships with his professors.</p>

<p>I also take issue with the idea of Bard being in the "boonies.’ Yes, it’s not in a major urban area - but there are many people who’ve left the NYC area to raise their families in the surrounding area - which is a terrific place to bring up children with lots of diverse resources and opportunities, partly because of Bard itself, and partly because of its bucolic nature yet proximity to NYC.</p>

12

<p>emerson</p>

<p>Let me start by saying, both are good schools. So there’s not really a wrong decision here.</p>

<p>My own view (which really isn’t based on a lot) is that Emory is probably better for you. Although, you are not older by a lot than most undergraduates, you are in a different stage in life – having a wife and a child. Bard is a bit out in the boonies (which is a strength for many), while Emory is more mainstream. While I agree with SpiritManager, that the Bard area is a lovely place to raise a family, I’m not sure it’s a better place to be for a couple of years.</p>

<p>If your child were older (say school age) I might have a different view, but I’d be concerned that Bard would be limiting.</p>

<p>Your are concerned that Emory is more elitist – probably true, but probably not as much as you’d think. Many top schools have a thin crust of students who are basically full of themselves, but when you get under that crust, it’s just people trying do the best they can.</p>

<p>Also, re Emory-Apathy – I am virtually 100% sure that you will be able to find groups to engage in intellectually stimulating conversations 24/7 at either school. I am equally sure that there are groups of students who have no interest in such issues at each.</p>

<p>Another factor for me would be that Emory has a national reputation – while Bard is a great school, not as well known nationwide. I don’t know how important this is for you.</p>

<p>Finally, the cost differential is what it is. Not much to say about that.</p>

<p>Good luck!!!</p>

13

<p>I’ve heard nothing but good things about Emory, and it seems very engaging and quirky. I have heard good things about Bard as a school, but have heard some negative things about their administration. I don’t want to spread rumors, so I won’t say what these things were, but they weren’t all that bad, just not the type of thing I would like to experience as a student. As much as I hate to launch vague and anonymous criticisms, I thought you ought to know.</p>