Future of Emory University's Ranking?

bernie12
Sun, 03 Feb 2019 05:48:46 +0000

elite creative writing program*

As well as very strong history, political sciences, etc (and of course the B-school is strong).

I just sometimes wonder if current Emory students even have a clue about how strong some of these programs are at Emory versus some of its peer schools even. Emory is elite, but isn’t quite at the level of some Ivies that are very aware of their relative standing beyond the rankings and will do things like: hit up friends at another elite school/Ivy to compare syllabi or coursework. Emory is more like a bubble (and a lot of its near ranked peers are) so there is often lack of knowledge whether there is an academic (or other) shortchange or relative excellence.

But I’ve seen worse, as some at near peers are so much in a bubble that they are nearly delusional and actually think everything is the same level or better than say Harvard (it isn’t and every single piece of evidence will hint at it) and thus they deserve more respect/a higher rank. Emory students tend to have the opposite delusion (kind of self-denigrating like Harvard students almost who go out of their way to say: "Yeah I’m at Harvard but am still underwhelmed or was expecting something else…but in reality, if you compare it, it is much better than counterparts elsewhere, even its own near peers). I don’t know what makes some places like this and some others the opposite. All I know is that Emory ain’t Harvard so can’t afford to be delusional in a negative way or overly humble about some things as it often is (and this level of humility has historically reflected in the very modest marketing it tended to do). Admins and students both need to be aware of the big strengths so that they can be marketed effectively and aware of what can be improved and then seek a way to go about it. For undergraduate, the lack of student awareness and affinity (how attached is one to the university and would they do like…say me, and stick their neck out for it if necessary?) hurts the most in some ways, but I think they are working on that. But basically, if Emory’s own students act apathetic or are very modest in marketing or celebrating it, then it isn’t loud enough to outsiders considering becoming a part of the school.

Seriously, check the fervor (even when a bit delusional or completely one-sided) of some of these other CC elite threads (which I think are somewhat representative of how loud its affiliates are in real life) and how many folks contribute to the fervor. Emory really needs to develop this among undergrads (and I guess their parents) some how. I believe it does have an effect on both app. numbers and recruitment which is important for anyone concerned about a USNWR rank because it is basically a popularity contest/beauty pageant in many ways. Places that are already well ranked that are loud (via the marketing materials of the university and random affiliates on social media like this) in telling their story and celebrating the school will get more attention (and no doubt that counselor and peer admin ratings respond to this directly or indirectly). It is like a feed forward loop.

I shouldn’t have to get on here anymore and reply to threads about whether or not “X really good department or program/track is good”…at this point, people should know Emory’s strengths at the UG level, and it shouldn’t be questioned. What is worse is when someone actually thinks another schools’ is better because it has an overall higher rank. I don’t see folks do this to say, CS at Georgia Tech or Carnegie Mellon but it happens to Emory a lot, and I’m usually the only one to check some of this on CC and elsewhere because Emory students and alum are just very “quiet”. We’ll let those from elsewhere completely control the narrative with literally no nuance or evidence.