Emory University Top Questions

I advise parents and students to start preparing for college early by attending college fairs, taking college tours, and talking to people that are attending college or have attended college. Don't let the price of college deture you from attending because there are so many different ways to finance college and the earlier you check into your finance opitions the better chances you have at getting good finances for college.

Finding the right college is not an exact science. Just like there is no formula for you to get into the school of your dreams there is no formula for choosing the school of your dreams. But there is something you can do--visit the college. I don't mean visit the school and go on an admissions tour with your parents. I mean visit the school alone in the middle of the week with classes in session. If possible try to stay with a college freshman. You want to achieve the purest experience possible and the only way to do that is by not attending artificial information sessions and not forming anyone's opinion except your own. Blend in and be a student for a day and you will be treated accordingly. The best way to find out about a college is, in fact, to attend that college. Unfortunately, most cannot afford to go around paying tution at various schools until one feels just right. We can only hope that a day or two can be projected onto a year. In the end, you will make the right choice and if you don't, one word: Transfer!

When I found Emory, I felt what I can only describe as a "buzz." When I got onto campus I felt energetic and curious. The environment was stimulating and I knew from research that the academic programs were strong enough to provide me with a strong background in any subject I chose. Once you get to the school where you belong, do your best to let go of your preconceived notions about what you are supposed to do or supposed to study in college. The majority of us changed our major at least once, but that's the point. The best thing you can do for yourself is follow whatever passions you may discover along the way and find something you can see yourself being happy with for the rest of your life. Don't choose your major based on average salary; that changes. Choose your major because it's something you don't dread staying up until 2 or 3 am to study and master. It took me two years to discover these things, but I don't regret that I spent 2 years not knowing because I now own this knowledge.

I advise anyone choosing a college, to listen to your inner desires. Do not let anyone influence your idea of what kind of school you want. For example, if you want to be in big school with hundreds of people in each class, then follow your heart because I gaurantee you, if that's what you want, you will never be happy in a small school regardless of how academically beneficial it is. Do not let anyone talk you out of what you feel is right for you.

find financial aid first and then accept

Absolutely visit the college and try to talk to people outside of the traditional tours, which are designed to impress you, and remember they're only part of the story. Also, really think about what kinds of activities you enjoy doing in your hometown and see what the accessibility is from where you're applying. For example, look into the public transportation and proximity of parks so you can find ways to decrease your spending and get off main campus once in a while. I stongly encourage parents to let students explore on their own, because they're more likely to get honest answers from people closer to their age. Parents should be supportive about letting their children go into college undecided and excited, instead of feeling stuck in a major and possibly intimidated. Definetly explore the greater communities outside of college which can be rewarding personally and professionally in the long run. Attend extra lectures in subjects that interest you, perhaps outisde of your major, instead of starting your partying early because by the end of undergrad you won't remember the afternoons you blew off nearly as well as the stimulating new ideas which colleges can provide.

The only advice I can give other than the typical "excellent academics, available professors" suggestions is to find a campus where you know you will be able to relax. Search for a campus with wonderfully green surroundings or a quiet library or whatever environment will help you to relax. Despite the fact that college can be a lot of work, there is a good amount of down time, and sometimes we all need a little time to escape the books.

Nothing

When choosing a school it is important for people to make sure they enjoy it. In oreder to perform your best, you must be happy. At the school you attend, make sure that most of your needs are met. Ask yourself, am I happy? Will attending this school help me be successful? Lastly, picture yourself at any school you are considering. Then ask yourself can I see myself here everyday for the next four years. To students trust the judgement of your parents. To parents listen to ALL of the needs and wants your student has. If you do most of what I have said, your college selection should be easy and enjoyable! I wish everyone the best of luck!

No regrets, and have fun. School makes everything so serious and it doesn't always have to be that way.

I think you always have to keep an open mind when entering college. It's a big step and a huge adjustment. Make sure to use the reseources you have, such as friends and family, because that's your best bet to really easing yourself into the change. Any decision you make, really stick to it and see how you can integrate yourself into the school rather than forcing the school to mesh with you.

Definately go and visit the school. Stay with someone in their dorm or apartment for and extended time (at least 2-3 days) to really get a feel of campus life. Open House weekends are great to get information about the school, but to really be able to picture yourself there, go during a regular weekday/weekend and talk to as many people as you can. You will be able to feel if you can see yourself there or not for the next four years of your life.

Go where you want and put your heart into it.

I've learned from advice and my own experiences, that wherever you end up going to college will just feel right. You'll find a niche, maybe not in the first semester, but you will find one. And you'll find friends, because every freshman is in the same boat at the beginning of the year; everyone needs to make new friends, and usually jumps at the chance to have someone to sit with in the cafeteria. To get the most from the college experience I would encourage students to try everything: new classes that just sound interesting, different sports, different clubs, volunteering, rushing and possibly joining a fraternity or sorority. All these things can only be done in college. The most important thing is to just get out there and be available to meet new people on the campus. Eventually, you'll click with someone or something, and everything will fall into place. It's an incredibly scary first step to leave the comfort and safety of your home and family and friends, but you'll grow so much that first year and your independence and self-sufficiency will be so much greater. I know mine is.

To find the right college, I believe that the student should visit the campus as soon as possible in order to get a feel for the size and atmosphere of the school. When I was applying for colleges, I thought that I wanted a small liberal arts school, so I applied to mostly schools that fit that description. However, when I ended up visiting the campuses of these colleges, I realized that they were too small for me. So, once my acceptances came in, I really did not have much to choose from for colleges and was left wondering if I could have made a better choice. One of my other deep regrets about college is that I didn't get involved in more extracurricular activities earlier on. There were so many activities that I wanted to do, like research or volunteering, but I often gave excuses not to participate. Now, as a junior, I wish that I had taken advantage of more of these opportunities earlier on. I advise all students to seize the day by taking advantage of the academic, extracurricular and social activities that college has to provide as soon as possible.

Going to college is a life changing experience; there are many factors that should be taken into consideration. Make sure you have enough money to afford the college of your choice because it is difficult to truly enjoy college if there is a mountain of debt waiting for you after graduation. Student loans are extremely helpful but try not to completely depend on them. Location is also a key factor. If you move out-of-state, prepare to be separated from your support system. The transition to college can be difficult when you are surrounded by unfamiliar things. Another vital aspect to finding the right college is to visit it. It can look amazing on paper, but it might not feel like the right place if you visit. Talk to students and faculty to get an idea of what life would be like there. You might be surprised to find that it would have been a horrible choice. Last and most importantly, could you see yourself being happy there? College needs to be a great experience because you only go once so make the most of it and make sure you can do that with wherever you decide to go.

The most important thing to keep in mind when choosing a college is that any college can be the "right" college. I do not fit the stereotype of an Emory student, but with time, I still found my place. I have been taught by world-class professors and have made friendships that will last a lifetime. I did not join a sorority like most of the girls I knew, but instead found my own clubs and interests such as Outdoor Emory and Emory EMS. College is about personal growth, both socially and educationally. It is most students first time away from home, and can be lonely, so developing friendships is more important than it was in high school. College is the time to discover what interests you most and to learn as much about it as possible. College offers many new areas of study to explore that many high schoolers had not though of before. At any college there will be good professors and students to be friends with. It is all about finding your place within the school. Every college has something to offer, so whatever school is chosen will be the "right" college, given enough time.

Keep an open mind. Let yourself try things you never thought you'd let yourself do. Don't get in a relationship right off the bat, and just relax and don't fall behind in classes.

If fiscally possible, try visiting it and staying there for a night. Read up as much as you can about not only the education you will recieve but the type of life you will be living. It is important to have fun and live in a comfortable setting because without this, it can become very difficult to suceed. Learn about what type of people attend the schools you are looking at. Find out if they are career oriented, school oriented etc. Make sure that you are going to a school that will help you find out what you want to do in life and if you already know what you want to pursue, make sure you attend a school that is good at teaching what you want to learn. Make sure that you are attending a school that you will be proud of ten years from now, not only because of the quality of education but becuase of the strides they are making in the global community. Finally, make sure that you are attending a school that can help you in finding a job of proffesional school once you leave your undergrad school.

Finding the right college can be a daunting task, and with all the options out there it?s really difficult to know where to start. It is important to find a college that fits your personality. College is like dating. You can always see yourself working well with someone, but its not until you meet "the one" that you realize you have found the person for you. Searching for college mirrors the same process. There are a lot of universities that would be a good fit. However, its not until you discover the immediate comfort and energy of a university that you know you've found the place for you. Start off by looking at the basics. Is it academically challenging? Does the college offer what you are interested in? What is the social atmosphere? Do you get the sense that the college is working to improve and advance in its fields of specialty? Once you have narrowed down the list go and visit. There's no better way to get a feel for a school than by sitting in on classes and soaking up the extra-curricular atmosphere. Don't be unsure of your choices...be excited to dive into your college experience, wherever that may be.