I used to live in Atlanta (many years ago). I also know a couple doctors who graduated from Emory…Emory is a different level (a significant step up with many 4.0 top students from top HS, so it would be very very competitive). You DD probably will get good scholarships/grants at Rhodes. Do not expect it from Emory.
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Take them all to Chattanooga.
Go see Rock City or Lookout Mountain…check out the world famous acquarium. Stop to eat at Sugar’s on the hill - not the one in downtown. Have breakfast at Rembrandts.
UAH - you’ll be on the way to somewhere - likely Memphis. So bring them all and drop them at the US Space and Rocket Center - which is fascinating.
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unless they have need…
Agree. But unless a student fits Emory’s demographics/geography in demand, her acceptance will not happen. Emory with 11% acceptance does not need a TO 3.7 student with the line of 4.0 ones that “already traveled to the moon and back.”
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That’s what I have been saying, but someone has filled her head with it and I now just need to let her apply but make sure she stays grounded and has chance to fall in love with some realistic schools.
Rhodes is a gorgeous campus from what I see so hoping that helps!
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Emory also has Oxford - about 40 miles away (in the sticks) which gives another option. It’s for two years.
It’s fine to have a reach. I never got my daughter to Rice but she applied and would have loved it. She loved Emory. Was WL and didn’t come off - and that was appropriate I think.
It’s great to apply to “reach” schools…as long as you have the safety affordable.
If she gets turned down, so be it.
But it’s a better app than say Cornell…which my daughter wanted to apply to but we are a full pay family and they give zero merit. Emory does…not easy to get, unlikely…but you never know.
So I see no issue in checking it and Vandy out.
And if she likes them but they’re too reachy, you add a U Denver, as an example…or a school like that…that’s city adjacent and a reasonable acceptance.
I like your trip and list of schools.
Now since you’re looking at LACs and you’re in Atlanta - you might check out Ogelthorpe. I work with a couple grads and they’re solid, regardless of where the pedigree is. Why Ogelthorpe - you care about money and they’ll match in state tuition if you meet the requirements. Link below. I mean, you’re there…you can self tour.
Have fun.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Cumulative high school GPA of 3.8 (as calculated by Oglethorpe)
OR - 1400 SAT Evidenced-Based Reading and Writing + Math Superscore
OR - 30 ACT Superscore
Flagship Institutions and Tuition by State - Oglethorpe University
Sorry, but I would not take her to Emory. I would sit with her and explain that she has unrealistic expectations, and she has no chance unless she will ED, and then you are committed to pay a lot for no reason…
Visiting unrealistic school only harms students. Should you visit Harvard? She would love it too…
There really aren’t any nice hotels near Rhodes given its location. Geographically, Memphis is huge. It’s physically bigger than NYC. We, of course, don’t have the infrastructure or good public transportation. So, you need a car. Luckily parking is free or cheap.
For hotels, look downtown or in East Memphis. If you want a historic experience, try the Peabody and take in the ducks.
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Central BBQ sucks. I like One and Only, but specifically the location on Kirby Parkway near my office. It is literally a hole in the wall, but awesome.
really - dang - it’s always packed. You burst my bubble. 
That’s where the locals always take me. On Poplar
I will ask about the One and Only.
DD will try to help.
We were also “scared” by everyone about Memphis. My friends and my husband thought that I am terrible mom sending my youngest to Memphis 12 hours from home. She is very happy there so far… We will see how it will be later…Keeping our fingers crossed…
Actually, an upper classmate who used to live in our area reached to DD over Instagram, met us in school library, and sat for an hour answering our questions. (No, she was not asked by the school to do it. She totally did it by herself, when she saw DD posting something about Rhodes on Instagram…) Her perspective had tipped the weights to commit…
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Looks like you are as we are from Maryland… DD applied only to LACS + UMD etc. There is a huge thread with her search story… (You can find it by clicking on my profile name).
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If I am not mistaken it goes to Orlando. I believe it was designed for Disney trips
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A little off topic, but I believe the auto train was designed for snowbirds…who wanted to take their cars to FL but didn’t want to drive.
Apparently, it has a big history. I had no clue.
I was aware of it mostly as an Amtrack option to FL (that is the latest development).
Anybody interested can look it up on Wikipedia :).
Daily departures DC to Orlando…
https://www.amtrak.com/auto-train
It sounds like you have a great list of schools, but given an interest in science and possible medical school, I would compare UAB and UAH. Huntsville is an up and coming area for sure and in a beautiful part of the state, but UAB would be the one I think of first for science and medicine. They have an EMSAP program to their medical school (it is not a BS/MD program though like Rhodes).
UAB programs continue to rise, according to US News rankings - News | UAB
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Good point. I missed the medical intention UAB is well known in the arena.
It’s likely too large though for OP and of safety a concern, not good either.
I was almost going to switch them out especially as it’s on way to Rhodes from Atlanta. But it is on big side. But maybe she’d consider a bit bigger. She was open to UDel if nothing else panned out so you never know.
Thank you for sharing that link.
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Yes, Rhodes is gorgeous. Emory at Oxford used to be a relatively easy way to get to main Emory campus (the first 2 years at Oxford are essentially liberal arts/humanities), but its admission rate is now only like 15% . And Oxford is right by Covington, which is where Vampire Diaries was filmed! They offer cute tours of “Mystic Falls”. But while it used to be relatively easy to get into, that seems to have changed. It is about 36 miles from main Emory campus, and they have shuttle busses between the campuses.
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Of course. I am a big Birmingham and UAB supporter so if it makes the list, happy to answer any questions.
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