Emerson College Top Questions

The student organizations are really well-controlled and managed. The people that run in are a pretty talented bunch. As a film major, a lot of my fellow peers are actively involved with the film organization FPS. EIV is also a good one, they have won a buttload of awards for their newscasts. I don't really believe in kissing ass to get up the chain, so I'm not very involved oncampus unless I actually know the person rather than using them for some resume I'm making to impress some big studio exec in Los Angeles.

There are a lot. Most of them take themselves too seriously. A lot of opportunities to create, if you can handle the inflated egos of those students who "run" these organizations. Student Government Organization is marred by self importance and favoritism.

Greek life exists but is underground. Really, it is not popular here and when people were like "I'm rushing!" most of us responded by saying, "We have fraternities here?" In the beginning of the year, everyone left their doors open because we were all getting to know eachother, but once the social groups formed, we closed our doors. For me, Emerson is all about theatre. Emerson Stage puts on several shows a year and a lot of students go to see them. There are also thousands of other plays going on all the time(We are located in the middle of the theatre district) and kids will go see on average about ten per semester. If I'm awake at 2:00 on a Tuesday evening, I'm probably cramming to finish a project due the next day or I've lost track of time and am hanging with a few close friends in their room/suite. For me, I have morning classes, so staying up late all the time really doesn't serve me too well. A few students I know still havent gotten this idea yet. Sleeping is very important and a lot of students here are sleep deprived.

There are so many activities at Emerson. The Emerson Channel and Emerson Radio are a big deal. All the theater productions are a big deal as well. Students in dorms feel very safe. My roommate and I almost always leave our door unlocked at all times. Athletics exist, but barely. No one really pays attention to sports. If I hear someone that says they came to Emerson for sports, I don't take them very seriously. Guest speakers are VERY commonly seen at Emerson. The Culter Majestic Theater is part of Emerson's space, and that's a huge coo for us. It's an amazing space for theatre, tech, or music students to be able to use. Many girls find the dating scene difficult, since a lot of the guys at Emerson are gay, but it is possible to find straight guys at Emerson. I've found it to be pretty even. I met my closest friends within my major and on the floor of my dorn. If I'm awake at 2am, I'm in my room working on a paper due the next day. There are a lot of diversity events on campus as well as a lot of political events. Theatre, improv, music, and comedy events are a big presence on campus. People party often, but those parties rarely occur on campus. I got to MIT a lot for parties, and Boston University. Frats and sororities are not a big deal at Emerson. There aren't very many. There's a lot of historical things to see in Boston, so things like the Freedom Trail are a cool thing to do. Newbury Street is a HUGE shopping location, so a lot of students head over there for fun.

I'm on the softball team, but half the students don't even know that the sports teams exist. There aren't very many Emerson parties, and they are usually really lame. If you like going out it's not impossible to do, but you have to ride the train to other colleges.

As far as social activities go, Emerson has too many for one person to attend. Theater, dance, music, book readings, slam poetry, fashion....and within most of those are several different groups focused on different things. When I transfered in one of the most impressive things to me was the number of groups and organizations available to students. If it has anything to do with art, Emerson has a club and several performances each semester. I am in fashion society and this past weekend we held our second annual fashion show. It was made up of all amateur designers (most of them from Emerson) and all the models were Emerson girls who came to a casting call. We ended up with around sixteen designers and over fifty models. It was spectacular! We incorporated two of the a cappella groups from Emerson to sing during intermission and had a wonderful turnout. People literally had to stand all around and in the back even though we had set up around eighty seats. As far as Saturday night plans go, if you aren't looking to attend one of the many Emerson shows, well, you're in the heart of Boston. Less than a block from the school is a movie theater. There are also lots of clubs around for those who are 18 or older. If you hop on the subway (we call it the T) you can go to my favorite place to eat, the north end. The north end is where most of the original Italian families settled when they came to Boston and now there are SO many authentic Italian restaurants to choose from down there. And for dessert you have to go to Mike's Pastries in the north end. I promise you won't be disappointed. If you still want to see something artsy, the Wang and Majestic Theaters are only a block or two away and there's always either a show or a ballet or something going on there. Of course, there's also Newbury Street just two blocks down, which is the place to go for shopping in Boston. If you can't find something to do here on a Saturday night it's because you haven't left your dorm.

Social life is great and there are all these wonderful organizations that support your major. There's film clubs, there's writing clubs, there's magazines and the newspaper and the radio. There are always events happening in Boston and on campus. Our comedy troupes are the best and there is usually a show every weekend. Our improve comedy troupe is top notch!

Also tend to be one-sided. A lot of film groups, theater groups, comedy troupes, etc., but not a whole lot that goes much beyond the majors Emerson offers.

Athletics is not a huge part of the school's social scene, but that's changing a little now that there's a gym. But don't be surprised if you don't know anything about athletics unless you seek it out or know someone on the team. People party usually only on the weekends. Lots of silly themed parties that may or may not be a "get drunk fest." Usually it's get a little drunk and have a fun theme. Harmless and in control. Sometimes not. Popular organizations on campus: WERS- the radio station, EmComm, Musical Theater Society (MTS), EVVYs, The dating scene sucks. It's a total hook-ups scene. I know few people in long term and healthy relationships. I met my closest friend because she was my roommate. I met my boyfriend through the resident assistant program. Res Life rocks! Plus, if you get the job, you get free room and board.

There aren't many popular TEAMS at Emerson, but there's a great selection of film production companies and comedy troupes. The theater is somewhat expensive but a great experience. There's never a lack of things to do in the city because there are ALWAYS people out on the streets. Sororities and Frats are sort of a joke here, and when they aren't, they're mostly doing community work. People are always willing to party, but it's difficult if you live on campus. The dating scene for straight girls is bleak as most of the Emerson male population is gay, but there are plenty of other schools in Boston that provide straight men. And hey, you'll have a ton of guy best friends.