Emory Woodruff Scholar vs. Penn

College Search & Lists
1

Hi friends,

I’m struggling with my decision. I was accepted to UPenn (my #2 dream school after Yale) and as a full ride Woodruff Scholar at Emory. My family has the savings to send me to UPenn, so the money isn’t really stresser, but I’m trying to figure out the pros/cons of the programs themselves.

At Penn I’d be a small fish in a huge pool. I wanted to go because I’m pretty passionate about urban work and would love to live right in Philly. I was selected to apply for the Civic Scholars program and would probably also take as many classes in the school of Social Policy and Practice as possible. I’m considering pursuing graduate school in Social Policy, Urban Education, Law and other degrees they’re extremely strong in. Additionally, I’d likely complete a music major. However, I’m aware that Penn is known as a competitive/intense place to be and I would likely have to fight for resources.

At Emory, despite not having been a school I considered until I learned about the Woodruff, I’d have all the attention I could dream of. I’d get extra advising through the Scholars program, priority class registration, summer trip/internships funding and a few other silly perks (housing, a lounge…). Downsides of Emory include the lacking of a Social Policy graduate school and a political science major that I’m interested in (it’s extremely math heavy). It’s also just not a school that’s known very well where I’m from (the Northeast) so it’s hard to assess its reputation. However, considering that I wouldn’t have to fight for attention - I’d generally be a bigger fish in a (slightly) smaller pool - and I’m sure I could make the academics work.

When I think about turning down Penn I feel crazy, after all it was my dream school. But, when I think about turning down a full ride and all the perks of the Emory Scholars program I feel even crazier.

What do other people think? Will I simply have regrets either way?

Thanks so much,

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Why does it matter that Emory lacks a social policy graduate school? You could always get your graduate degree from Penn with all the money you’ve saved from going to Emory.

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^^indeed. Emory for free, and then you can afford any grad school you like for MA/MS.

Emory has a Poli Sci+Math major which obviously is quant focused, but Emory also offers regular Poli Sci.

http://polisci.emory.edu/home/undergraduate/political_science_major/index.html

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@albertsax I guess the logic in terms of social policy is that I could matriculate into a program at Penn and do it quicker and also there would just be more faculty to get involved with in the fields I’m interested in.

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Hi, I read your post with interest as my child was struggling to decide between a Woodruff Scholarship, Duke and and another very tempting merit scholarship…but somewhere COLD!.. Got down to Emory or Duke. She now feels that she will accept the incredible offer from Emory. She has determined that she will enjoy, and thrive in, the smaller environment and classes during her two years at Oxford, and that the many opportunities that she will have in the Scholars Program at Emory are too good to pass up. She feels truly lucky to have such incredible choices, and so should you! It’s a win-win situation, so follow your heart! Best of luck with your decision.

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You’re right in Atlanta at Emory. Not downtown, but well inside the “ring”. Atlanta is a bigger city than Philly (geographically), not as densely populated. It’s also growing, while Philly is shrinking (in terms of population).

I do not prefer one city over the other, but they are both major cities.

Also, depending on what kind of Poli Sci interests you, Atlanta is the capital. Philly is a couple of hours from Harrisburg.

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Although if you were my kid I would tell you to take the full ride, I would like to point out that you probably wouldn’t have to fight for resources as much as you fear. Classes at Penn (outside of introductory courses in STEM fields) are surprisingly small and access to professors is surprisingly easy, from what my daughter tells me. Yes, it is competitive and intense, but you sound like someone who could handle that. Admittedly, it is quite a bit easier for me to contemplate spending your parents’ money than my own. :slight_smile: But if money is REALLY no object (and I mean REALLY), Penn is pretty amazing.

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I think for what you are studying, going to Penn won’t be a huge advantage in terms of outcomes. If this was Wharton, the logic would be different, but even then with the money it would be a tough choice. But don’t forget that Emory is a great school in an area with warm weather, and you can be very successful from there especially considering the perks of being a scholar and the financial advantage you’ll have. In this case, probably taking the full ride will be the best option - go to a great school, save a lot of money, and start your life after college pretty well! Congrats!

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One of the things I’m worried about is if Emory’s student body is academic enough. Does anyone have experience with what the Emory student body is like? Are people focused on studying? Or partying?

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I’m a current Emory student. I’d say the student body is work hard, play hard–with a bit more emphasis on the “work”. If you want a party, it’s not too hard to find one since 1/3rd of the student body is Greek. It’s also very easy to find a more academic crowd if that’s to your liking. As for it being “academic” enough, I was in the top 5% of my high school class but am probably somewhere in the middle here if that puts things in perspective.

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So its between Penn at $300k and Emory at $0? I would say take the money in this case. If you really regret it later on you can always try to transfer. There was a kid named Donald who years ago transferred from Fordam to Penn with mediocre grades. You can probably do it too.

1 Like
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@SeeWithThe Heart: Could you please list the benefits of the Woodruff Scholarship offered to you by Emory University ?

Penn will cost you about $300,000.

The easy answer is Emory on a full ride scholarship. Save the $300,000 for graduate school or a house.

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Wow Op - congratulations. What remarkable offers.

@publisher is 100 correct.

But just to correct some of the nonsense that surrounds these issues.

Emory is a renowned university. It’s elite and it’s well known by those who matter for your career aspirations.

Sophisticated employers and academia.

Penn is fantastic of course. It’s a brand that has value. But I always find it interesting to look at the CVs of the most brilliant and accomplished people at the school.

The professors.

The scholars actually doing the research and teaching the classes at any school.

So I took a look at Penn’s poli sci profs - the PhDs who are doing the research at Penn, the school most people will tell you is the best.

And doing the actual work you seem to be interested in pursuing.

Here’s what can be found only going to the letter K. Maybe 10 or so.

Below is a list of the Undergrad BA or BS for the standing academics at UPenn college of arts and science - political science department. Letters A through K only.

Emory
Florida State
Amherst
Wesleyan
University of Tel Aviv
University of Buenos Aires

Yale -2
Penn -2 (1 was from a commuter program)

As you can see. The hoopla here on cc and among one’s high school friends focuses on all of this as a chase, a race. It’s really the only the first lap. And it’s a much longer race than people think.

Take the long view.

I would be interested if you asked the professors listed above what they would do in your case.

A Woodruff scholar at Emory and 300k for other academic pursuits. Or Penn full pay.

Don’t ask me. Ask them.

8 out 10 didn’t go to Penn and they are the academics Penn has representing them to the world.

If you choose penn no one would second guess you and it’s wonderful!

But don’t buy the hype. Do the research.

Many here and around the high school world thinks actual research means what

-they chose
-what their kid decided
-confirmed by ranking created to sell magazines not outcomes.

Like usnwr and niche. All subjective and superficial .

Good luck and I hope your first step I this process leads you to wonderful things in life.

14

I’m surprised at your diminished view of Emory. It is considered an elite university. Because it’s not in the NE or Ca it sometimes gets overlooked but don’t underestimate the school or its students.

My child is there. It is not a party school. Not even a football team. Students are serious and work hard. The school is also noteworthy for its study abroad programs as well as community service. They had 4 Rhodes Scholar finalists this year. The business school is a bit cutthroat but other majors seem to be quite collaborative in nature. Jimmy Carter gives a private lecture to the freshman class each year, and the Carter Center is right there too. The school also has a partnership with the Dalai Lama. It you’re interested in poli sci Emory offers lots of unique opportunities.

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Have you looked into this program at Emory? https://orgsync.com/130733/chapter

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I went to Penn, and recommend it highly , but in your case, I would take the free ride at Emory and use the one you for grad school, possibly at Penn. ? congratulations !