Emory University
Responses from the Student Interview
From a student who identifies as Majors: Political Science and Philosophy double major
Minor: None
Student Self Identifies as: White Straight Woman
Summary
I am a varsity athlete, a tour guide, and I work in the admissions office. I am also part of Greek Life.
Background
Gender Identity: Woman
Race/Ethnicity: White
Sexual Orientation: Straight
High School Experience: A private high school in Los Angeles, CA with 300 students in the graduating class. There was a strong culture of going to college.
First Generation College Student: No
Majors: Political Science and Philosophy double major
Minor: None
Extracurricular Activities: I am a varsity athlete, a tour guide, and I work in the admissions office. I am also part of Greek Life.
Did any of your extracurricular activities have a particularly big impact on your experience? In what ways?
The most important one to me is my sport. I made my best friends and have grown a lot throughout my time playing.
Academic Experience
Can you describe the weekly coursework for your majors?
For Philosophy, it’s a lot of essay work and writing. It’s made me a more comprehensive reader and has increased my writing skills a lot. My Political Science classes have taught me a lot about working with data and how to use this data.
Is there anything you feel the Political Science or Philosophy departments do especially well or poorly?
In both of my majors’ departments, I personally am not that close with the professors. The way they assign us advisors for our major is kind of random if you are declaring early. It’s obviously up to you to make the relationship with your professor, but I feel like my advisor didn’t really know me or what I wanted with my undergraduate experience. Other than that, the course offerings are fantastic and the classes are taught well. The material we read is interesting which makes you feel engaged, and the professors are very approachable.
How would you describe the learning environment in your majors? Is it particularly competitive or collaborative?
The best part about Emory is that everyone wants to be and do the best but not at the expense of other students. It’s very much a collaborative environment where people will share notes and are willing to study together.
What is your favorite class and least favorite class you have taken in both of your majors?
Political Science: My favorite class was Global Human Rights. I was taught the class from a data analytics and theoretical standpoint which worked together well. My least favorite class was Political Science 208, focused exclusively on data analytics and data science. It was very tiring and the class itself could’ve been crunched down into a seminar.
Philosophy: I have not had a bad Philosophy class. My favorite was a seminar on Cornell West, which was a very discussion based, close-knit class of 15 students.
Do you think people are open to multiple schools of thought in the classroom?
In a lot of discussion-based classes, I feel like people are free to state their opinions as long as they are respectful to others There is a difference between being biased and objective. I think with these discussions the people are able to listen to other’s opinions as long as we aren’t attacking each other’s voice.
Why did you pick your majors? Are you happy with your choices?
I kind of just fell into Philosophy. I was already taking so many classes in it I thought I may as well major in it. Majoring in Political Science was more of a conscious decision. I took National Politics during the 2016 election, and this had me fired up to learn more about how it works.
How was managing both your sport and coursework?
It’s not too hard. Emory has resources in place if you need it. There is something called the Eagle Edge program which I have used a lot. If you have trouble getting into a class because of your practice schedule, they work with a professor to get you in. You won’t get penalized in a class for traveling, and the professors can be seen attending our games.
Reasons to Attend
1) Atlanta is a super cool, unique city with a ton of resources.
2) The quality of professors you get is unparalleled and care about your success.
3) It’s a very diverse space with different identities represented.
4) Emory strives to be the best in everything such as academics and the arts.
Reasons Not to Attend
1) If you know exactly what you want to do beforehand don’t come because of the liberal arts education.
Around Campus
Where have you lived during college?
Freshman: Longstreet, a double room with 1 roommate
Sophomore: Sorority lodge, with 1 roommate and 2 suitemates
Junior: Sorority lodge for one semester, and then lived abroad
Senior: Off-campus house with 2 roommates
What was your favorite living situation?
The sorority lodge. I felt very close to my sorority and friends. It was a very social and fun atmosphere.
How was transitioning from Los Angeles to Atlanta, GA?
I thought it’d be a bigger transition than it was. Both are spread out cities where you need a car. The people are friendlier in Atlanta, but I felt a similar vibe of where the hot spots of the city are. Weather-wise, it was a little cold for me at first.
Can you describe the level of safety you’ve experienced on and around campus?
I have never felt unsafe around Emory’s campus. I have walked home in the dark from the library by myself and have felt fine.
What is your favorite off-campus restaurant?
My favorite social place is Anticos, a pizza place in Midtown. If you are 21 you can bring your own wine and they make the pizza in front of you.
What is your favorite place to get away from campus?
I really like working in the Inman Park area. When I need a day to myself there is a nail salon next to Bar Taco, and then go sit in the coffee shop to people watch and hang out.
Social Opportunities
What kind of nightlife or weekend activities do you participate in at Emory?
I do a lot of social stuff with my sorority. We have date parties in Atlanta and get to see different venues. I like the Buckhead Bar scene. I also like to just hang out with my friends on the weekend and maybe go get some drinks.
What nights of the week do you regularly do things?
I like going out on Thursday nights because I don’t have class on Fridays. It gives me time on the weekend to get my homework done. Saturday nights are when I’d probably go out into the city because that’s when the rest of Atlanta goes out.
What is the impact of Greek life on nightlife?
I think Greek life is great for nightlife. I love how inclusive it is. Before I joined my sorority, I was still welcomed to go to any event on campus. It’s really what you make it, but is not essential to going out and having fun at Emory. Only one-third of the campus is affiliated with a sorority or fraternity. [About 30% of Emory students belong to Greek organizations.]
How happy were you with the nightlife at Emory? Is there anything you would change?
I’m very happy with the nightlife. It’s a good balance between it’s fun, it’s safe, and there are on campus events where you don’t have to Uber or drive. I like that we are situated in a city like Atlanta where the bar scene is available.
Campus Culture
What have been your favorite times at Emory?
The times I’ve spent with my team. This is when I’ve made my best friends and seen the fruition of our efforts. I also really loved living in the sorority lodge. The late nights dancing and singing with my sisters are definitely memories I’ll remember.
How did you meet your closest friends?
I definitely met them through my sport, which helped introduce me to other student athletes. My sorority, as well as my freshman seminar, helped me make great friends as well.
How would you describe the overall social scene at Emory?
During the daytime the social scene revolves around where we eat. Most people will go to the dining halls, which are also good study spaces. When the weather is good, people will sit outside on the Cox Bridge and people watch. [Locals] from the neighborhood will also bring their dogs [to campus] so it’s nice for the community and Emory to mix. Greek Life is the most visible social scene, but it’s not the only one. A lot of students will drive to New Orleans for Mardi Gras. [New Orleans is about a 7-hour drive away.]
To what extent do people of different races and sexual orientations mix socially?
There is always work to be done in making sure people from different backgrounds learn from each other and have the best college experience they can. I wish there was a little more collaboration, as the most diverse people I interact with are in my classes. We are one of the most welcoming campuses for people of LGBTQ [in my opinion], and I interact with those groups on campus a lot.
Do people generally seem happy with their college choice of Emory by their senior year? Do people “love” your school?
I think so. I haven’t reached the end of senior year yet but I’m a firm believer that college is what you make of it.
Careers
Has the alumni network helped you find internships or jobs?
I have used alumni to get on-campus jobs which has been absolutely awesome. I haven’t used it much to get any summer internships.
What have you used the career office for? How helpful have they been?
I enjoy going on Handshake and seeing what the companies have to offer. When I have an interview, I go through the career office where we do mock interviews along with resume workshops.
Have you learned any computer programs or computer languages that have been or will be especially helpful professionally?
I am very good at Excel now. Also, I am pretty comfortable with the major coding program called R.