How happy are students at Emory?

Emory students experience a mix of high satisfaction, with rankings for Quality of Life and Happiest Students, but also significant academic stress, burnout, and mental health challenges, balanced by strong community, Atlanta's amenities, and diverse student body. While some find a vibrant social life, others note a lack of school spirit due to no football, requiring them to create their own fun.

Are students happy at Emory?

Most students appreciate the opportunity to learn from their classmates, and many find it “truly a thrill” to be around so many people who “challenge you to think about what you know and reveal how much you don't.” Students like that their peers “are serious in school but also find time to be involved.” It's an ...

What is the vibe at Emory University?

It has a strong pre-professional vibe. Greek life is prominent — about 30% of students belong to a house — but outside of the Greek system, students complain there's not much to do socially. There's no football team, there's not a lot of school spirit, so you often have to make your own fun.

Is Emory a stressful school?

Yes, Emory University is generally considered a stressful environment due to its rigorous academics, competitive atmosphere, and demanding workload, with high rates of anxiety, burnout, and pressure for high achievement, especially in pre-med and competitive fields, though students find ways to manage stress through support systems and extracurriculars, with experiences varying by major and individual focus.
 

Is Emory in the hood?

No, Emory University is not "in the hood"; it's located in the affluent, historic Druid Hills neighborhood in Atlanta, known for its mansions, tree-lined streets, and upscale environment, offering a "bubble" feel with access to a vibrant city. The area is considered very safe, though like any urban campus, general night safety precautions are advised, but it's far from what is commonly described as "the hood,". 

A Day in the Life at Emory: Mukundha

Is Emory as good as an ivy?

Emory is often considered a "Southern Ivy" or "New Ivy," academically on par with many Ivies, especially in specific fields like health sciences, but it lacks the traditional Ivy League's overall brand prestige and history, though it's highly selective (around 13% acceptance) and ranks high nationally (e.g., #24 by U.S. News for 2026). While not an Ivy, Emory competes with top schools like Duke and Georgetown and offers a prestigious education with strong research, but some feel it doesn't always get the same national recognition as Ivies or other top non-Ivy peers like Stanford or MIT. 

Why is Emory so popular?

Emory is renowned for its diverse academics—it's as well known for its liberal arts education as its Goizueta Business School and its pre-med advising.

How rich are Emory students?

The median family income of a student from Emory is $139,800, and 58% come from the top 20 percent.

What do Emory students do for fun?

The Emory Activities Board (EAB) brings fun and exciting campus-wide events for students such as concerts, movies, games and more. EAB has open membership for any students who want to share their ideas for student activities.

Is Emory or NYU harder to get into?

It's generally harder to get into NYU than Emory, as NYU consistently shows lower acceptance rates (around 8-10% vs. Emory's 10-20% range, though both are very selective) and receives significantly more applications, indicating higher demand and competition, but Emory is considered extremely selective too, especially for programs like its BBA. While acceptance rates are a strong indicator, both are highly competitive "Southern Ivies" or top-tier universities, with Emory's location near the CDC offering unique opportunities, and NYU's NYC presence providing different career paths, making the fit crucial. 

What celebrities went to Emory University?

Emory University boasts notable alumni in diverse fields, including politics (VP Alben Barkley, South Korean President Kim Dae-Jung, U.S. Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar), business (Callaway Golf founder Ely Callaway, designer Kenneth Cole, music manager Scooter Braun), sports (golfer Bobby Jones, astronaut Sonny Carter), and arts/media (REM guitarist Peter Buck, actress Fala Chen). They've produced Rhodes Scholars, Supreme Court Justice (former), Nobel laureates, and Pulitzer winners, reflecting broad influence. 

Is it harder to get into Oxford or Emory?

It's generally harder to get into the main Emory College (Atlanta) than Oxford College (Emory's two-year campus in Oxford, GA), as Oxford often has a slightly higher acceptance rate and serves as a pathway, though both are highly selective, and admissions focus on "fit" for each specific campus environment. Emory's acceptance rates hover around 10-12% for the main campus recently, while Oxford's have been closer to 12-16% for the same periods, but this varies yearly, and Emory's main campus is arguably the more prestigious/competitive entry point for the full university experience. 

What is the Emory tuition scandal?

The "Emory tuition scandal" primarily refers to lawsuits alleging Emory University and other elite schools conspired to inflate tuition and reduce financial aid through anti-competitive practices, particularly via the {568 Presidents Group} and {Early Decision (ED) programs}, harming students by artificially increasing costs and favoring full-pay applicants. Emory settled its part of the price-fixing case for $18.5 million in 2024, acknowledging collusion allegations from 2004-2012, while separate lawsuits also emerged seeking refunds for online learning during the pandemic. 

Is Emory a happy school?

In the 2019 guide, released today, Emory also ranked highly on college dorms (#9), student satisfaction (#10), city/location (#11), town-gown relations (#12), beautiful campus (#15), classroom experience (#19), science lab facilities (#20) and health services (#20).

How does Emory compare to Vanderbilt?

Emory and Vanderbilt (Vandy) are both prestigious private research universities, often compared as "Harvard of the South," but differ in location (Atlanta vs. Nashville), campus culture (Emory more cosmopolitan/studious, Vandy more "work hard/play hard" with stronger D1 sports/Greek life), and specific academic strengths (Emory in Health/Public Health; Vandy in Education/Music/Engineering), with Vandy often having a slightly lower acceptance rate and higher SAT scores. The choice often comes down to fit, considering Vandy's integrated campus feel versus Emory's city-integrated experience and strong health focus. 

What are the top 3 hardest majors?

While subjectivity plays a role, Medicine, Engineering (especially Aerospace, Chemical, Biomedical), and Physics/Mathematics consistently rank among the top 3 hardest majors due to intense workloads, complex problem-solving, deep analytical skills, and demanding coursework, often involving advanced concepts in math, science, and critical thinking, with Chemistry and Architecture also frequently cited. 

Is Emory stressful?

Yes, Emory University is generally considered a stressful environment due to its rigorous academics, competitive atmosphere, and demanding workload, with high rates of anxiety, burnout, and pressure for high achievement, especially in pre-med and competitive fields, though students find ways to manage stress through support systems and extracurriculars, with experiences varying by major and individual focus.
 

Is a degree from Emory respected?

The Emory University ratings have also been in the top 15 for best undergraduate business programs. These rankings demonstrate that Emory University is a highly respected and competitive institution. You can find more specific information on Emory University rankings by program on their website.

What are the three Little Ivies?

The "Little Three" are Amherst College, Williams College, and Wesleyan University, an elite group of New England liberal arts colleges known for fierce rivalries, akin to the Ivy League's "Big Three" (Harvard, Yale, Princeton). They are often part of the broader "Little Ivies" group, which also includes schools like Bowdoin, Bates, Colby, Middlebury, and Swarthmore, all recognized for top academics and selectivity.
 

Is Emory or Georgetown harder to get into?

Georgetown is generally harder to get into than Emory based on acceptance rates, with Georgetown typically having a lower percentage of accepted applicants (around 12-13%) compared to Emory (closer to 10-13%), though both are highly selective and competitive, so the specific difficulty depends on your profile and the year's applicant pool. 

Is Emory a baby ivy?

Yes, Emory University is often called a "Southern Ivy," a "New Ivy," or a "Hidden Ivy" due to its high academic standards, selective admissions, prestigious reputation, and strong national standing, rivaling traditional Ivy League schools, especially in the South. It's recognized for excellent programs, selective admissions, and attracting top students, making it comparable to Ivies in prestige and rigor.