<p>I don’t know premed, none of the observations of the people you’ve spoken with line up with my experiences.</p>
<p>There may be a little less school spirit because there isn’t a football team, sure. I guess I can buy that. But I wouldn’t say that there is any shortage of people who are proud of Emory and proud to be here. There are plenty of college t-shirts around campus every day, and half the cars in the parking lot have decals just like anywhere else. If you really want to go to a football game it isn’t like Atlanta doesn’t have options…</p>
<p>Emory is a school that has a gaining reputation. Some students apply here as a safety school for their ivy league aspirations, sure. Those students may be, at least for a period, bitter about being here. Honestly, if they exist as you say, I haven’t met them – but I can believe it. However, if you’re concerned that this is the predominate attitude among the student body, don’t be. It isn’t.</p>
<p>Regarding the food, it’s not 5 course 4 star dining, no. It also isn’t your high school cafeteria food either. The main problem is that freshman are required to live on campus and required to purchase the unlimited meal plan. The dining hall in the DUC tries to mix things up to the best of their ability but that’s tough to do for 3 meals a day, every day, for the entire school year. So, just like if you had to eat Olive Garden every day for 9 months…it does get a little old. If you want my personal opinion though, I don’t think the food is “that bad” at all. I am a junior and I actually purchased a (completely optional) meal plan so that I could eat lunch on campus.</p>
<p>People are having plenty of fun. Campus is beautiful and Atlanta provides plenty to do. The weather here is beautiful for all but maybe one month out of the year. You can keep a suntan well into November. In my experience, the students have been very nice. Fortunately though, on this happiness topic, you don’t have to even take my word for it. Emory was actually just selected as the 9th happiest school in the country like last week by Newsweek and The Daily Beast. </p>
<p>[College</a> Rankings 2011: Happiest Schools - The Daily Beast](<a href=“http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/features/college-rankings/2011/happiest.emory-university.html]College”>http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/features/college-rankings/2011/happiest.emory-university.html)</p>
<p>Overall though, it honestly sounds to me like you’re talking to the wrong people. Go take a tour of campus and talk to some actual students while you’re there - I think you’ll find a different story.</p>