Emerson College Top Questions

Emerson, like most Boston schools, is very liberal. I'd say Emerson is even more liberal than most. Different types of students certainly interact with each other and everyone is accepted. There are studnets from all over the country.

When I first arrived, it really did seem like a group of talented kids looking for a supportive creative environment. Now, as I'm leaving, I look at the incoming classes, and they seem to be growing increasingly apathetic, undecided, and overall, uninspired.

The students can be a bit snobby at first, but they all have something in common immediately when they get to the school. Most kids are active trend-seekers and like to share and critique thoughts and feelings.

Students here are very motivated and driven. People here definitely know what they want, or if they're unsure, they are very inspired to find what it is they want to do. The Emerson population is unique and extremely varied. We have people from everywhere in the country and many places throughout the world. Also, the financial backgrounds of students are very varied as well. As mentioned before, there is a significant gay population here and that goes along with the general open and liberal attitudes of students at this school- though there definitely are people here that represent the more conservative side as well. Students here tend to be very socially aware, and even if you aren't at first, or are hesitant to learn about things like this, it's something that just becomes part of your education here at Emerson and something very valuable as well. There really are no cliques at Emerson, which is something that is very nice to see. Of course people have their really close group of friends, but students here generally aren't the type of people that aren't open to making new friends or expanding their circle.

Emerson has a very diverse student body, but not in the most traditional sense of the term. Most people tend to only look at skin color to gage diversity. In that sense we are not incredibly diverse. However background-wise we are very diverse. There are people from all over the states as well as from all over the world. Everyone has a different view of the world because of how and where they grew up. There is also a huge population of gay, lesbian, and bi-sexual persons. Religion is not all that important to most students, many being agnostic, but there is still a representation of different christian religions, as well as many Jewish people, and some Hindus and Muslims. On a whole Emerson tends to be left wing, and even the few moderate to conservatives that you find tend to be very open minded and not hard core right wing. If students talk about how much we will earn someday it tends to be about how big or small the cardboard box will be that we will live in. The only students who actually talk about real salaries are the marketing students. Most students are very fashion-minded in whatever style they like. It's kind of rare to see the typical sweatshirt, sweatpants and flip-flops that rule most campuses.

Emerson's campus is far from diverse. Ethnically, racially, or socio-economically. There is a large white, Jewish, upper-middle class concentration. Emerson is notorious for not giving financial aid, but that may have to do with the typical parent base being more well off than on most campuses. I got an amazing financial aid package, but I'm a "non-traditional" student, considered an independent, and much lower middle class (and that situation is far from the norm). I'm 28, and I feel a little out of place sometimes, as the students are of a much more traditional age, but it's so worth it for the education Emerson provides. Students locations vary, but I've met a lot of out-of-staters from California. I don't know if that's because an arts and theater school would be well known out there, or if it's because Emerson has a campus in LA, but of anywhere in the States, CA seems to have the most delegates (other than MA).

Unfortunately, diversity is not a huge priority at Emerson. While it does have a strong international presence for such a small school the average student is white and upper middle class. I also found most of my film classes to be predominantly men. At first I found the students to be a little to trendy and average, wanting to go into the most boring fields television and film have to offer. But I found students in my upper level classes more open-minded and interesting.

Sooooo open to different sexualities, and while I've never experienced or heard anyone make any racial remarks, it's really pretty homogeneous. Not a whole lot of diversity. There are lower- and middle-class students, but the vast majority is pretty well-off, and able to pay Emerson's increasing tuition. I think I've met two conservatives while I've been here. And if you're from the Midwest, like I am, you're going to be hard-pressed to find many people who don't assume you live on a farm. Everyone is from one of the Coasts, a lot of kids from L.A., New Jersey and Connecticut.

Very accepting of everyone, very little interpersonal drama in my experience, and though there are stereotypes, most people actually don't live up to them.

All different types of students interact with one another, but it's a matter of breaking the barrier between social groups. You will know a rich snob from LA when you see them, though, haha! Financial backgrounds are usually very lucrative. Most parents write out a check for $30,000 to pay for the tuition bill...but there are equally as many students who take out loans and pay for college themselves like I do. Students are VERY politically aware and active. Most of the students at Emerson are outspoken and will say how they feel, and as we know...honesty is the best policy!