It takes me roughly 15 minutes to arrive to campus of Emory University from downtown Atlanta during morning rush hour. On my way to I drive through neighborhoods that have manicured lawns that help to set the tone for walking onto this campus. Emory University is a well-organized walking campus that offers a relaxing environment for learning.

When I did my Foursquare check-in for Emory University I received a tip that this campus is the Harvard of the South. It has a southern charm that is the South’s answer to ivy covered walls in New England. What I also discovered is that Emory University has nationally acclaimed professors who are experts in their field (Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama, CNN chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Hank Klibanoff, Former U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Jeffrey Koplan, Booker Prize-winning novelist Sir Salman Rushdie, Symphony conductor Robert Spano and Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Natasha Trethewey, U.S. Poet Laureate for 2012-13 are current members of the faculty).

Emory University is a private institution that was founded in 1836. Asa Candler, one of Coca-Cola founders donated $1 million and 75 acres of Atlanta property to start the school. It currently has an enrolment of a little more than 7,000 students. All first and second year students must live on campus. I believe this helps to give a great since of community for the students.

“Emory has a great network of professionals,” says DC Public Schools School Counselor Meredith Makar. “Everyone is academically minded. Once they enroll on campus they are thinking about the next level.”

This next level thinking is fostered in intimate classroom sizes. The average class size is around 19 students. Freshmen students should expect to have larger enrollments in mandatory required classes. “During my time on campus I had very small classes,” says Makar who is a member of the class of 2001. “This allowed the professors and classmates to know me.”

Emory University has one of the largest endowments in the nation. I think this is one of the reason they have a variety of financial aid options for students.  Please do not let the $55,992 price tag fool you.  During my visit I am told that Emory University is committed to meeting 100 percent of demonstrated financial need for all accepted students.  Now keep in mind that what a university thinks you can pay and your family’s financial situation may be totally different.  Makar shared that she graduated with around $20,000 worth of student loans. If you are interested in Emory University please do not let money be the reason you don’t apply. This Academic Tourist had a great experience on this campus and would recommend you taking a deeper look at this southern school.

News & Notes:

I downloaded the University of Virginia “Good Old App” today to take it for a spin as a prospective student.  I found it a great place to keep abreast of all things UVA admissions.  I like the timeline that they share regarding their admissions process.  You can plan your visit by downloading a PDF of the daily schedule on campus tours.  You can also make arrangements to visit a class or get connected to the Monroe Society in order to have an overnight visit. 

You can also keep up with CavDog and get connected to twitter sensation Dean J.   This app is free and will comfortably fit into your iPhone.

I am traveling to RFK in Washington, DC for the AT&T Nation’s Football Classic.  Morehouse College battles Howard University for the 2nd time in 15 years.  Howard University won the battle last year 30 – 27.  This event is more than a football game.  It is one part Homecoming Game and Battle of the band.   It should be an enjoyable Saturday event.

Welcome to the 2012 - 2013 academic year. I hope you had a refreshing summer. I am tan, rested and ready for this new year of blogging. My goal is to share something with you most Wednesdays. I am hoping that the #academic tourist will be able to share educational destinations along the way.

The 2012-13 Common App Online went live the evening of July 31.  Within 24 hours, nearly 48,000 individuals had registered an account and 194 applications had been submitted. We are officially in the college application season. May all your applications be a good fit for you or a loved one. Most importantly may they be on time. See you next week.