Our takeaway from our comparison trip- went to Oxford Preview Day on Friday and then the Admitted Students Swoop Day at Atlanta campus on Saturday.
At Oxford after the welcome we broke into three groups had an Academic Q&A with professor panel, then we split off and had Student panel Q&A to get the ‘Inside Scoop’, incoming 1st years were separate from parents (so they could feel free to really open up), then we had a housing/Res life Q&A. They had a donut/coffee truck set up for breakfast then had a luncheon prepared in dining hall where more Ox students came and ate with us to chat about their experiences … and we also got to chat with other accepted students who were coming from all over the country … and then a walking tour before checking out and getting a bunch of swag! (Really rolled out the red carpet!)
Emory had a Q&A with a panel of students and then a campus tour (we had toured last Spring and it was basically the same) and they also gave us vouchers to eat at the main dining hall on our own (which we did). We were able to see a dorm room at both campuses (Oxfords seemed nicer and larger but both typical dorms). No chatting with professors in Atlanta but it was also Saturday. One of the four students on the Emory panel had also started at Oxford so several questions were asked regarding her personal experience with the transition, housing when she came to ATL campus, how she was able to assimilate and feel a part of Emory main from Oxford (also several working in admissions started at Oxford and were happy to share their story). There were SEVERAL parents/students in ATL Saturday who had been at OX on Friday; we as a group asked many questions! Got the impression that since the first two years are mostly core classes as students matriculated to their majors as juniors you’re meeting new people anyway but still have your Ox friends.
With regards to our opinion of Oxford… campus was small but really nice, main quad was strung with lights and had tons of Adirondack chairs for lounging or visiting and we saw several students around campus all seemed friendly with each other; beautiful buildings that were well maintained, science building seemed state of the art, dorms were just as generous as some we’ve seen; gym, pool, workout facility needs to be updated-son was a little disappointed in these especially the pool. There is also really nothing immediately around the actual Oxford campus except old houses but campus has tons of study spaces and outdoor gathering space and porches. The small town of Covington is a busy place not 2 miles from campus. Quaint downtown ‘square’ with cute shops and little eateries and a few coffee shop hang outs and a fabulous place to get bubble tea! Several movies and tv shows have been filmed in and around Covington (most noted The Vampire Diaries but other movies too) so it was fairly lively as a tourist spot!
There was a lot of reassurance that the academics are the same on both campuses. We had looked at the course offerings and that seemed to be true. Son is going to email dept head at EmCampus to ask his thoughts on how prepared he feels Ox students are for CompSci/Math major and ability to double major as he’s starting to really think about adding.
Oxford admittedly is remote but son saw several benefits-smaller classes (38 largest class vs 150-200 at Atlanta campus) means more exposure to professors less intimidating to approach them if you just aren’t getting it, much more support from non-academic staff, got the impression students have more say in programming-suggestions can happen easier with only 1000 vs 6000, good opportunity to be a leader on campus … less competition for leadership within clubs and organizations if that’s an interest … plus if you want to go to Atlanta there is a free shuttle running several times a day … on Friday and Saturday it runs until 2am!! What we heard from students is they felt like they got to know more people being at Oxford because they connect with class above their 1st year and class below 2nd year. But we also heard the students have to put themselves out there as far as getting involved and getting to know their professors, things aren’t just handed to you at either campus … I think that’s true anywhere and might be less intimidating at Oxford. Oxford has a ton of events and activities but you have to be willing to show up. Same goes for getting academic advice, while professors will notice if you don’t show up to class they may/may not realize you want help or advice if you don’t ask… again that’s going to be at any campus.
The three students in my Inside Scoop all did social life differently-one 1st year thought she’d be in Atlanta every weekend as she came from a big city, but ended up so far only going three times. She found there are so many activities at the Oxford campus to go to she stopped having FOMO about main campus and was happy being with friends in Ox. Another was a 2nd year and had done two gap years so is a little older. He was very involved with a few organizations at the Atlanta campus so he said he’s there every maybe other weekend but mainly because he put himself there and got involved. The third said he’s never had a desire to go to Atlanta campus, thinks there will be time for that and just enjoys sleeping and hanging out with friends. Although none chose Greek life they knew people who did and that was another way to make a connection with ATL campus.
Sorry so long… wrote it as much for myself as others 