I'm considering Emory University, but one thing I can't stand is a super crowded campus. Can anyone who’s visited or is attending give me an idea of what their campus size feels like? Is it more spread out or compact? Would love to hear your impressions and any reasons why you think the campus size is a good or bad thing.
Emory University is situated on a 631-acre campus in Druid Hills, a suburb of Atlanta. The natural environment contributes to a feeling of spaciousness and charm. The campus itself strikes a good balance: it isn't sprawling to the point of feeling impersonal, but it also isn't so compact that it's overly crowded. The school structures are fairly well spread out among the greenery and wooded areas, which is quite picturesque.
Broadly classified, the campus layout is divided into separate areas for the undergraduate part (Emory College of Arts and Sciences) and the professional schools (like the business and law schools). This division does help to ease the feeling of overcrowding.
The relatively medium-sized campus allows for a close-knit community vibe. Academic buildings, libraries, dining options, sports facilities, and student housing are all within walking distance. This isn't to say you won't get your exercise- some students find the walk between the farthest buildings to be time-consuming. But overall, most find the campus layout to be manageable.
Where the size can be an advantage is, for instance, you potentially get to know a good number of your peers over your years of study due to the smaller, more intimate feel of the campus. You're not constantly surrounded by thousands of students as you might be at a larger university. It's also easier to become familiar with your surroundings since you don't have to navigate a massive or complex campus layout.
In any case, I would recommend considering what kind of environment suits your personal preferences and lifestyle. The best way to get a feel for a place is always to visit if possible. That way, you can personally assess whether the campus size seems like a good fit for you.
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