A Review Of Emory University in Atlanta

Emory University was founded in 1836, and is located on 631 acres in Atlanta, Georgia. The college provides students with 70 majors and 55 minors to choose from. Home to only 5,500 undergraduates, Emory provides students with the feel of a small college. Although the campus size is not as large as a Big 10 School, the academics and research are top-notch.

Admissions

Acceptance into Emory University is not easy. 90% of the students graduated in the top 10th of their classes, and 72% had a GPA of 3.75 and higher. The average SAT score has a range of 1310-1500 and an average ACT of 30-33. Given the academic strength of the applicants, the university puts much emphasis on the application essay, recommendations, and extracurricular activities. The acceptance rate for the university is 27%, meaning the majority of students will not be accepted for admission.

Student Body

Emory University likes to think of itself as a diverse university. 70% of the students are from places outside of Georgia and 8% are international. Caucasians makeup 50% of the of the students and Asians fill another 20% of the student body. With regards to religion, about 1/3rd of students consider themselves Jewish. The school is known to have a lot of students coming from affluent backgrounds, but this does not have much of an impact on the personalities of the students. Many of the students are said to be approachable and friendly, while few are said to be arrogant and snooty.

Students tend to be active in the community, dedicating 6-10 hours each week to clubs and teams. In 2008, Emory University received the Presidential Award for Community Service after dedicating more than 150,000 hours to community service with more than 200 community partners and projects.

Academics

The university is well known in several areas of study. The university ranks as the #18 overall college in the nation according to US News & World Report. Programs in the liberal arts such as History, Political Science, Sociology, and Psychology rank among the top in the nation. Even the Medical, Law and Business Schools are among the top in the nation. In the end, the University provides students with a solid education in all areas of study.

Social Life

Many of the students are community leaders and heavily involved with the organizations on campus, but that does not keep them from going out on the weekends. Many students visit the bars or attend Greek functions. Despite being located in Atlanta, a taxi or car is needed to become a part of what Atlanta has to offer.

Overall

Emory University is a campus full of bright students and future leaders. Many of the students are heavily active with the on-campus organizations and give back to the community. The university houses well-known faculty including: Salman Rushdie, Jimmy Carter, and Natasha Trethewey. The city of Atlanta has a lot to do, but students without a car will need a friend or taxi to visit the downtown area. In the end, Emory has strong academics, a diverse student body, and a campus next to a large city.

Sources:

Emory University; Emory University

Emory University; Princeton Review