Inside Emory Admission

What’s new @ Emory: Chemistry Building Expansion

February 25, 2015 Author: admission
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LOVE & OTHER DRUGS
During the 1980s, the first AIDS lab at Emory was established in Atwood, the main chemistry building on campus, which later led to the development of Emtriva, a breakthrough antiviral drug which is now used by more than 90% of HIV/AIDS patients in the United States, and by thousands more around the world. The proceeds from the sale of the drug to a pharmaceutical company are now funding the large expansion and renovation to the cement-clad “bunker” chemistry building. This is great news for the over 200 undergraduate chemistry majors, 120 graduate chemistry students, and faculty members alike. (Fast fact: Emory has nearly twice as many chemistry majors as our other, larger, peer institutions. We must be doing something right!)

SHOW ME THE CHEMISTRY
Expected to open by August 2015, the Atwood expansion will include a five-story, glass-fronted atrium, an open-area library, interactive classrooms that include round tables and large video screens, research labs, and faculty and research offices. Fume hoods throughout the building will also be outfitted with cameras, so that everyone can see demonstrations clearly, like on a cooking show. Pretty snazzy!

GREEN IS THE NEW BLACK
As with all new construction and renovations at Emory, building designers have worked closely with construction directors to plan the project, which has been designed for certification by LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environment Design). This ensures that the construction of the building has been done with recycling and re-use as top priorities and that the day-to-day functioning of the building utilizes green materials and energy-efficient practices. LEED gurus will certify the building once construction is complete with a ranking of silver, gold, or platinum. (Learn more about Emory’s hard-core commitment to being earth-friendly on our Sustainability site.)

LET’S TALK ABOUT IT
The new Atwood design is focused on creating a science hub for the university. Chemistry department heads see where cross-discipline conversations and work as the future of their field, and that’s exactly what the design has in mind. The building will bring organic and biochemists, physicians and biologists, faculty and students, together in collaboration on ground-breaking research, teaching forums, and current projects.
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Information and picture source: http://www.esciencecommons.blogspot.com/2013/03/emory-chemistry-making-new-space-for.html
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What’s New at Oxford

February 18, 2015 Author: admission
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There’s never a dull moment on either of Emory University’s two campuses – Oxford College and Emory College. Over the next few weeks we will highlight unique places and people who make our campus community what it is – a vibrant, diverse, and FUN place to be!

Today, meet Oxford College’s Daniel Parson, a celebrated organic farmer who joined the Oxford staff just a year ago. While campus leadership had long held a vision for a campus farm, it wasn’t until 2011 that it became an option when the college inherited 11 acres near campus. Enter Daniel, who came with a desire to model sustainable farming techniques, support the local food community, and provide farm and sustainability education to students.

Sustainability is a big deal on both campuses, ranging from things like ground-breaking recycling efforts, a concerted effort to serve locally-sourced food in the dining halls, and building LEED certified buildings.

The grand opening for the Oxford Farm was this past fall, and Daniel and his team have not stopped since!

1. Since the “grand opening” this past fall, how have things been on the farm?

The ‘grand opening’, as it turns out, was perfectly timed for the moment when we had many things in place on the new farm. Attendees enjoyed the new barn, toured the planted fields, and saw the hoop house (which allows hardier crops to grow all winter) under construction. What folks may not have noticed was the well, irrigation system, and active marketing of produce. Except for a cold spell before Thanksgiving, we enjoyed nice growing weather until the first full week in January when weather in the low teens killed many crops (but not before offering a one-time veggie box to the public and harvesting for Lil’s – Oxford College’s dining hall).

2. The farm was certified just a few weeks ago as “organic” by the … What exactly does that mean for you and the farm?

Organic certification was taken over by the USDA National Organic Program (NOP) in the early 2000’s, and the agency accredits private firms who actually do the certification. We applied for certification back in the summer by submitting our Organic System Plan, which includes any materials we are using and our plans for crop planting, insect control, weed management, and every other aspect of production and marketing. They reviewed the plan for compliance with NOP standards and asked us for additional information. Once they were satisfied that we complied ‘on paper’, they sent an inspector out to look at all aspects of the farm and make sure it matched up with our written plan.

Within a couple weeks of the inspection, we were notified that we had passed and can now sell our vegetables with the organic label! Certification is required if your organic sales are above $5000/year, or if you want to use the USDA seal on your products. Georgia Organics, a statewide non-profit supporting farmers, is campaigning to get 100 farms certified organic in Georgia, and we are one of the first to since they launched the campaign in December.

3. What are you gearing up to plant this spring?

We are planning the full season right now, so in a way we are gearing up for planting everything. For spring the focus is on direct-seeded crops like carrots, beets, turnips, and arugula; and transplant crops like collards, kale, broccoli, and cabbage. The transplants get seeded around the first of February and field planting gets underway in March.

4. How are students involved in the farm this semester?

Students are directly involved in the farm through work-study, classes that require volunteer time, class meetings at the farm, and research projects. I get to bring the farm to Atlanta by participating in the Emory Farmers’ Market and classes at the Emory College campus. All students are indirectly involved as consumers of our produce at Lil’s and the DUC (Emory College’s dining hall).

5. What happens to the farm over the summer? Are students still around to help out?

Summer is a great time to produce delicious high-value crops like tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, and peppers. We couldn’t sit out such an excellent season, so we have summer internship opportunities for selected students to help.

6. What are the farm plans for fall 2015 and beyond?

With farming, each year I try to do more of what works well and less of what doesn’t. As the farm gets established, I see more community involvement opportunities. This involves creating opportunities for community members to come to the farm and for our students to get involved with the local food community.

7. As an educator, can you share about a highlight for you from this year?

What excites me the most about education on the farm is the diversity of disciplines that can take advantage of the farm setting. The fact that economics, chemistry, biology, sociology, and philosophy can all engage in meaningful ways confirms, for me, the importance of creating an organic farm within the liberal arts intensive educational program at Oxford College.

Want to learn more? Check out the Oxford farm and Daniel Parsons.
Early Decision II Notification Day

February 12, 2015 Author: admission
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Every year there are specific dates that are circled on our admission calendar. Decision notification days are not only circled, they are starred and highlighted, too, because they are so important. Last year on December 15, we began the formation of the Emory and Oxford Classes of 2019 with the release of Early Decision I notifications. Just a couple of weeks ago we continued to add new future freshmen when we released our Emory University Scholars Program news.

Today the path to the Emory University Class of 2019 continues with the release of Early Decision II admission notifications. If you are an EDII applicant, we know this is a day you have been eagerly awaiting, and we hope the content of this blog assists you as you wait for the decision release or reflect on the news (depending on when you read this).

Since we often receive phone calls and emails about how the process of notification release works, let’s cover that topic first. Early Decision II notifications will be posted online at 6:00 p.m. ET tonight (Thursday, February 12) through the applicant’s OPUS account. For the full details and answers to frequently asked questions, make sure you read the full Early Decision II Notifications Update blog post.

If you have been a fly on the wall of the Admission Office over the last couple of weeks, and especially the last few days, you would have witnessed a busy staff immersed in meticulous work to reach the EDII finish line. Even today there will be finishing touches placed on decisions, finalizing the work of thousands of applications reviews and countless hours of committee discussions. We are detail-oriented, perhaps excessively so, because we understand the time and energy our applicants have put into their applications. A sense of pride always spreads throughout the office on notification days because it becomes clear that the many hours, sleepless nights, and long workdays have been worth it.

As today unfolds, the Admission staff will finalize decisions, double-check our lists, prepare for the OPUS release, and stuff admit packets. It is a busy and equally exciting day. And when done, the staff moves right on to the Regular Decision review process as the end of March, which is quickly approaching!

Some advice to the EDII applicants: After you receive your admission decision tonight, our strong suggestion is that you walk away from your computer or put down your phone or tablet. Go spend time with your family and friends. No matter what decision you receive, get out of the cyber world. This is a major milestone in your life to share first with those closest to you, those who have been there since the earliest moments of your life and who will be there forever. Your family is not Facebook or Twitter or Instagram. Your family is not this blog. Share this experience, your thoughts, and your emotions, in the real world first. The virtual world will be there later for you to provide a social media spin on your news.

Know that the entire Admission staff appreciates all of our applicants. Thank you for allowing us to get to know you through the application process. We know it’s not always easy, and we hope that you found it worthwhile on a personal level, regardless of the admission outcome. As we’ve holistically reviewed each and every applicant, we’ve been encouraged by who you are and who you strive to be!

Finally, some thoughts for after decisions have been posted.

First, to those of you admitted, sincere congratulations from all of us at Emory and Oxford! This continues to be a record year for us, and you should feel great pride in this accomplishment. We hope you are excited and will celebrate with friends and family over the coming days. August may still be seven months away, but it will be here sooner than you can imagine. It’s time to put the Emory or Oxford bumper stick on your car, and celebrate your accomplishments. We look forward to connecting with you through the Class of 2019 Facebook group.

To those of you who received a wait list decision, the main takeaway is that this decision was not a “no.” We encourage you to log-in to the Wait List Response site linked in your decision letter and spend time reviewing the answers to the frequently asked questions posted there. We know you probably have many questions, and that site will provide you with detailed answers.

Finally, to the group most disappointed, those not offered admission. Please know that we here in the Admission Office understand how difficult receiving such news can be. None of us take pleasure in not offering admission to students, especially to those for whom Emory College/Oxford College is their first choice. Please do not receive this news as a judgment of your value or your abilities, but rather understand the competitive nature of applying to a highly-selective institution. We are confident that there is a college uniquely enriched by your presence on their campus next fall, and you will have an amazing undergraduate experience.

Best wishes to all.
Early Decision II Notifications Update

February 9, 2015 Author: admission
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Early Decision II notifications will be released at 6:00 p.m. ET on Thursday, February 12. The Emory College and Oxford College Admission Committees has worked hard since the beginning of the New Year to review another record-breaking applicant pool. (If you are curious on the size of this year’s applicant pool, read this recent Emory Report story.) Over the next few days, we will continue to work diligently, finalizing decisions and preparing for notification release.

How will decisions be released?
Decision notifications will be posted online through your OPUS account. At 6:00 p.m. ET on Thursday, February 12, log-in to OPUS to receive your admission decision. Once logged in, scroll to the bottom of the Student Center main page and locate the Admission section on the left side. When available, you will find a link to “View Online Decision.” If you applied ED II to both Emory College and Oxford, both of your admission notifications will display.

What is OPUS?
OPUS (Online Pathway to University Students) is the online portal where students track the status of their application materials and receive their admission decisions. Our OPUS Explained blog entry provides an overview of navigating this system. If you have not yet registered for an OPUS user name and password, you will need to do so in order to check your notification online. If you have any difficulty, please contact Emory’s IT Service Desk at OPUSHELP@listserv.cc.emory.edu directly for help.

Can I receive my admission decision notification in another format?
Decision notifications are only released through an applicant’s OPUS account. We do not send admission decisions via email, and we are unable to release decisions over the phone.

Why are decisions posted at 6:00 p.m.?
We believe that such important news should be experienced in the context of family. We also do not want students to receive admission news in the middle of the school day. We understand that this time does not work for all of our applicants, including many international applicants, but 6:00 p.m. ET is a time when the majority of our applicants are available and with loved ones.

Anything else I need to know?
If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to post a comment to this blog entry or email us at admission@emory.edu.
The Southern Sense – February

February 8, 2015 Author: admission
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“Three chords and the truth” has long been an affectionate moniker for a genre of music many either love or hate: country music. I get the negative sentiment. I grew up hating country music, or rather, hating all I could see in it – which in my mind was three chords and unending variations of “he’s sad, she’s sad, everybody’s so very sad.” Dismissed as a tribute to a redneck South where men lament trucks breaking down, dogs dying, and women running off, country music had grown out of favor with many who thought the South had simply grown beyond it.

Boy, were we wrong. I freely admit to having fallen in love with country music in the last couple of years. I look back now and see that I underestimated its breadth and depth of musicality, and I missed much of the meaning in its lyrics. Country music is the celebration of a life lived simply, where the universal sentiments in all of us – love, nostalgia, anger, sadness, loyalty, and the desire to be happy in the moment – are on raw display. Now that I’m old enough to miss my childhood home, to remember how simple things were when I was young, and to have experienced real loss, the sentiments in country music resonate with me in a way they never could have before. Country music’s bare and basic nature, which often makes it appear dismissible for lack of complexity, is actually what makes it an intrinsic reflection of the human experience.

To hear the truth in the music, I really had to listen. And what made me listen was the amazing music in the TV show Nashville. Say what you will about its fraught, dramatic representation of the country music industry, but you can’t knock the music. With the help of a music legend, T Bone Burnett, and a lot of previously little-known songwriters and singers, Nashville’s soundtracks have reinvigorated country music’s mainstream presence, especially for young adults. Still skeptical? No worries. I’m about to share some great country music with you.

“Chicken Fried” by Zac Brown Band . (Starts at 0:47). This song is a great example of country music that celebrates a life lived simply. Lead singer, guitarist and band founder, Zac Brown, a born-and-raised Georgian, started his music career as a teenager by traveling with his dog to play small local venues throughout his home state. Now he travels with seven bandmates, playing sold-out concerts around the world, and he has a track record of three GRAMMY awards, and three platinum-selling albums.

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“Platinum” by Miranda Lambert. Revered by many as the current Country Music Queen, Miranda Lambert proves that women still have a powerful voice and perspective in a genre increasingly dominated by male artists. She has set and broken records with her collection of Country Music Awards and GRAMMY Awards, and this most recent title song acknowledges and decimates Southern and female caricatures with humor and style.

“Copperline” by James Taylor. Is he a country, blues, pop, or folk artist? You decide, but I vote country. (This “country” artist I can claim to have loved all my life!) This song never fails to evoke that sense of nostalgia as Taylor looks back over his childhood growing up in North Carolina. It is difficult to summarize Taylor’s prolific musical career, but suffice to say, he is one of those rare musicians that has successfully transcended multiple generations, just as vocally talented today, at the age of 66, as he was when he wrote his first song at the age of 14, and when he became the first non-British artist to be signed to The Beatles’ label, Apple Records, at 19.

“I Will Always Love You” by Dolly Parton. Whitney may have made it famous, but Dolly gave this song life when she wrote it, and she gave it soul when she recorded it. An amazing businesswoman and, ahem, iconic figure in the industry, Dolly is an artist you need to hear singing what is arguably one of the greatest love songs ever written. As with Taylor, summarizing Parton’s career is a challenge to brevity so instead, I offer you a lesser-known story behind this famous song. When Parton first recorded “I Will Always Love You,” Elvis Presley offered to help make Parton famous by covering it.Part of the deal, however, was that he wanted the rights to it as well. Parton told him he was welcome to sing it but that no, he could not have the rights. (“No,” a word that Elvis probably did not hear often in his career, especially from a woman). Millions of dollars and a long career later, Dolly Parton is known for being the genius behind her businesses and music and for leaving an indelible legacy to the country music genre (and for telling Elvis, no!).

If this playlist has made you even a little bit more open to country music, then I encourage you to check out Garden & Gun’s new Back Porch Sessions, where both popular and up-and-coming Southern music artists are reviewed (music clips included!). You can also hear music from Nashville by checking episode song clips on the ABC Music Lounge (I recommend starting with “Wrong Song,” performed by Connie Britton and Hayden Panettiere – who knew they could sing?!). While I hope you can get more familiar with Southern culture by listening to country music from wherever you are, I also hope you’ll get the chance to come and experience it in person here in Atlanta.

Whether or not country music is your “thing” (you should definitely give it a try!), Atlanta has so much to offer on the spectrum of culture, the arts, and history. You may not know it, but Atlanta is one of only two cities in the world that is home to two Nobel Peace Prizes. Also interesting-the recipients of these prizes were both born and raised in Georgia. If you’re visiting us, we recommend you also visit the city’s Nobel Peace Prizes.

First, in 1964, Martin Luther King, Jr. received the Nobel Peace Prize, making him the youngest recipient of the prestigious award at the age of 35. The award can be viewed at The King Center, along with many other exhibits dedicated to memorializing the pivotal role that Martin Luther King, Jr. and the city of Atlanta played in the Civil Rights Movement. The King Center is actually a part of the Martin Luther King National Historic Site, which preserves many locations that were important to Martin Luther King’s life, including his childhood home, the church where he preached, and the gravesites for both him and his wife. If you’re looking to see a lot in a short amount of time, I recommend using the recently published article, “9 Key Stops on a Civil Rights Tour of Atlanta,” as a guide.

Second, in 2002, former President Jimmy Carter received the Nobel Peace Prize which is now housed in the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum. This center includes many exhibits dedicated to Carter’s work as President of the United States, as well as his role as a global activist and philanthropist. It borders scenic gardens overlooking the downtown skyline and plays host to a constant cycle of “free and open to the public” readings and books signings by a variety of influential authors. (It’s also a very nice spot for an outdoor picnic if the day should be warm, as we are lucky enough here in Atlanta to periodically experience even during February.)

Located less than two miles away from each other, The King Center and the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library, and their namesakes, have immortalized Atlanta’s role in the history of this country and of the world. No matter your age, background, or beliefs, there is a lot to learn in the history of this city, and I hope you get to know it. After all, it’s just three chords and the truth.

‘Til next month,

Farish Jerman 11C*
Senior Admission Counselor
Emory University
Office of Undergraduate Admission

* Emory uses these abbreviations to designate graduation year. For example, Farish graduated from Emory College of Emory University in 2011.

Photo Credit:

http://www.georgiamusicfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/ViolinBanner2.jpg

http://store.zacbrownband.com/round-zac-brown-band-sticker.html

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http://cp91279.biography.com/1000509261001/1000509261001_1103021494001_Bio-Women-Who-Rock-Dolly-Parton-SF.jpg

http://static.parade.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/miranda-lambert-ftr.jpg
Emory University Scholars Program Notification Release Update

January 26, 2015 Author: admission
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Notifications for the Emory University Scholars Program will be released at 6:00 p.m. ET on Thursday, January 29 through your OPUS Student Center. The Emory College and Oxford College Admission Committees along with the Scholars Selection Committees have attentively reviewed a record Scholars applicant pool. Last year, there were 3,500 applicants for the three distinct Scholars programs. This year, the pool was over 6,700 applicants. We appreciate each of you taking the time to apply for the Scholars Program this year and allowing us to get to know you better through your application.

CHECKING YOUR NOTIFICATION ONLINE
It is important to understand that the notifications being released on Thursday will inform applicants who nominated themselves for the Emory University Scholars Program, and met the November deadline, whether they have been selected as a finalist or not (non-finalist). Notifications will not be sent via postal mail or email and cannot be released over the phone.

Applicants to the Scholars Program should log-in to OPUS after 6:00 p.m. ET on January 29. Once you have logged-in, locate the Communications section on the right side menu of your Student Center. When your notification is available, you will find a red link for Unread Communications, which contains your notification letter. If you have not yet registered for OPUS, you will need to do so. You can set up your OPUS account here. If you have any difficulty, please contact Emory’s IT Service Desk at OPUSHELP@listserv.cc.emory.edu for information on how to proceed.

THE SELECTION PROCESS
Scholars’ Selection Committees review each student comprehensively and holistically. The committees search for depth, intentionality, and meaning in each student’s authentic intellectual self. This year’s pool was particularly competitive. Please be assured that each applicant’s credentials were carefully considered throughout the review process. To better understand the Scholars selection process, please read A Letter to Our Scholar Applicants, written by Giselle Martin, one of the members of our selection committee.

UNDERSTANDING YOUR SCHOLARS NOTIFICATION – FINALISTS
Applicants selected as a Scholars finalist will be notified as such in the letter posted to OPUS. Early Decision II and Regular Decision applicants selected as Scholars finalists will also receive an early notification of admission to Emory College and/or Oxford College, depending on your original admission application. A link will be provided to the Scholars Finalist Registration Page, where students will learn whether they have been selected as a finalist for the Emory College, Oxford College, or Goizueta Business School Scholars Program. As a finalist, students are only selected for one of the three Scholars programs, based on interests shared in their original application. Each Scholars program requires that finalists attend a Scholar’s Campus Visit Program:
- March 18 – 21: Goizueta Business School Scholars’ Campus Visit Program
- March 20 – 21: Oxford College Scholars’ Campus Visit Program
- March 30 – April 2: Emory College Scholars’ Campus Visit Program
Registration for the Campus Visit Programs and details about any required essay for finalists will also be on the Scholars Finalist Registration Page. Finalists must attend the appropriate Scholars’ Campus Visit Program in order to be considered for the highest level merit award.

UNDERSTANDING YOUR SCHOLARS NOTIFICATION – NON-FINALISTS
Those applicants not selected as Scholars finalists will be informed of this in the letter posted to OPUS. Non-finalists will receive their admission notification according to the admission plan they chose — Early Decision II by February 15 and Regular Decision by April 1. Please note that the Scholars decision does not influence the final admission decision in any way. Each year many non-finalists are admitted and become some of our most successful, engaged students.

A select group of non-finalists will be notified of their early admission to Emory College and/or Oxford College and that they have been awarded a Liberal Arts Scholarship (Emory College) or Emory Merit Achievement Award (Oxford College). Though these students will not move forward as finalists in the Scholars Program, the Selection Committees felt strongly about their accomplishments and chose to announce the good news of admission and scholarship awards early.

CLOSING THOUGHTS
Congratulations to those selected as finalists or receiving early news of admission on Thursday! To the non-finalists, we understand the disappointment you will feel. Please remember that many non-finalists are admitted each year and make excellent additions to the Emory and Oxford communities.

If you have any questions about the Scholars Program release process, please post a comment to this blog, and we will respond back quickly.
The Southern Sense: January

January 12, 2015 Author: admission
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Let’s talk food, y’all. After all, we can’t go on much longer discussing Southern culture and customs without eventually running into two of their most iconic aspects: cooking and eating. There is wide belief that Southern food refers to particular types of food, like grits, collards, and fried chicken. Admittedly, there’s some truth to that. Such foods are indelibly tied to our region and our kitchens, and you’d be hard-pressed to find them better-prepared and better-tasting anywhere else in the world. That being said, there’s more that goes into “Southern food” than stereotypical dishes.

Like many food-focused cultures, Southerners don’t just eat with a human instinct towards survival. We eat with an intrinsic desire to share time, stories, and a connection with others. And as enjoyable as it is to eat Southern food, you’re not having a real Southern meal unless there was some ritual and conviviality to get there. I was reminded of this during the recent holidays spent with family, where the family recipes used, secret ingredients imparted, and best-way-to-do-that practices demonstrated by multiple generations wielding utensils were all just as important to our experience as the food prepared and the fun of eating it.

Make no mistake. Cooking in the South is more an experience than it is an art. Family recipes passed around rarely produce exactly the same results because everyone’s “dash” of this and “pinch” of that is different. And outside of the family, there is always the “secret ingredient” variable to keep in mind. Finding out the secret ingredient in a treasured dish (and then getting threatened with a grisly end should you ever reveal it outside the family) is a true coming-of-age moment in the kitchen. I’ve seen good friends happily trade their family’s recipes. But you would never find the secret ingredient on that card. And it makes sense in a way, because our food is linked with our history and our stories.

For example, my grandparents’ fruit cake is not just the fruit cake we eat during the holidays. It is the fruitcake my grandfather’s mother made that was so wildly popular with friends that they would even order them during World War II to mail loved ones fighting overseas for a taste of home. She and my great-grandfather made and mailed over 100 fruitcakes every holiday season. And now whenever anyone in my generation complains about having to shell or shuck anything, we are smartly reminded that my great-grandfather hand-cracked enough black walnuts for all those fruitcakes every year and we have nothing to complain about. (The recipe, handed down over multiple generations, was a fiercely-guarded secret until my great-grandmother decided the work was too much for her. She then ceremoniously handed the yellowing, fragile recipe pages to my grandmother, who wasn’t afraid of a joke, even if it prostrated the elderly. “Oh, hooray!” my grandmother exclaimed. “I’ve been promising this to Southern Living for years. I think they’ll pay me for this one!”)

Eating traditional Southern food is quintessential to experiencing our culture, and luckily, many wonderful Southern cooks have made a career of taking our flavor, history, and traditions into restaurants. If you’re visiting Emory, we certainly hope you have time for at least one Southern meal with us here in Atlanta. You won’t be sorry! Having grown up here, I’ve definitely developed my favorite spots for Southern food, so here are my recommendations.

Mary Mac’s Tea Room

Founded in 1945, by the talented Southern cook and business woman Mary McKenzie, Mary Mac’s is the only remaining “tea room” left in Atlanta. Don’t let that label fool you though, because you can get a full Southern meal and experience here, from iced tea to meat and sides to dessert. Calling a restaurant a “Tea Room” was the loophole that savvy, business-minded women of the post-World War II era found to get around the precedent against women opening a restaurant. Fondly known as Atlanta’s Dining Room (yup, according to Resolution 477 by The Georgia House of Representatives), Mary Mac’s offers a true Southern experience, from table to ambiance. And don’t be surprised when you look under the “Four Vegetable Plate” menu option (my top recommendation) and see that the vegetables available for you to select include macaroni & cheese, sweet potato soufflé, fried green tomatoes, grits, and many more sides that straddle the line between vegetable and starch. Let me just say, I don’t ever want to live somewhere that doesn’t consider mac & cheese a vegetable.

The Flying Biscuit

This is my top recommendation for a Southern biscuit. Add the collard green and ham omelet and a side of the famous “creamy dreamy” grits, and you can understand why this restaurant is beloved by its patrons. There are multiple locations, but I am particularly partial to the one in my old stomping grounds of Virginia Highland because it’s open late (sometimes you just need breakfast for dinner) and has patio seating looking out into Midtown Atlanta. The atmosphere and décor have real character and of course, the food is excellent!

The Colonnade

Another historic marker in Atlanta’s culinary family tree, the Colonnade was founded in 1927, and to this day, still serves up some of the best Southern fare in the city. The Colonnade is so well known that it has become a bit of a tourist destination (most recently featured in the movie Identity Thief), and it’s rare you don’t see a charter bus in the parking lot dropping off a fleet of pro athletes in town for a game and wanting a substantial meal. I will admit that its traditional atmosphere and food are an interesting contrast against the backdrop of its location on Cheshire Bridge Road, which is another of Atlanta’s more eccentric neighborhoods. Just a heads up – you will be offered yeast rolls and corn muffins. Unless you’re just a big fan of cornbread, ask for “all yeast rolls”. Nothing against cornbread, but those yeast rolls are where it’s at.

Community BBQ

I’ll just level with you: there is much contention about what is truly the best BBQ place in Atlanta. I have chosen Community BBQ for a few reasons. Known for offering an excellent meat selection and a great variety of sauces, Community also has super-fast service. It’s a good thing, too, because the amazing smell of BBQ pervades the parking lot so much, that by the time you get to the ordering counter you’re pretty much ready to eat the table. I’ve got a soft spot for this place though because I found myself there this past New Year’s Day, searching for the traditional fare of collards, black-eyes peas, and pork to start off 2015 right. It’s said that eating these three items bring money, luck, and good health (respectively) in the new year. Admittedly, I was cutting it close at 7PM on a busy day, but Community came through for me with a great meal, so now we’ll just have to see what 2015 brings!

Happy New Year!

Farish Jerman 11C*
Senior Admission Counselor
Emory University
Office of Undergraduate Admission

*Emory uses these abbreviations to designate graduation year. For example, Farish graduated from Emory College of Emory University in 2011.
New Year Update

January 9, 2015 Author: admission
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A Happy New Year to all our faithful blog readers! We hope y’all had an enjoyable holiday season and productive first week of 2015. Here in the Office of Admission we dove into the processing and evaluation of applications and answering the bevy of emails we’ve received – just over 2,000 in the last two weeks sent to admission@emory.edu. While there is a lot of work for our office in the coming three months, it is nothing we haven’t anticipated, and sprits continue to be high as we shape the Class of 2019.

We know you are eager to ensure everything is correct with your application, and we need to request your patience. We have had a record number of applicants this year (great news!), but there is a lot that needs to be processed accurately to ensure continued progress.

Here are some important things to help you understand your position:
- OPUS is everything. To track the status of your application materials, check your OPUS account regularly. Due to the volume of application records, we are unable to confirm the receipt of application materials through email or over the phone. If you have not set up your OPUS account yet, review our OPUS Explained blog post now.
- Processing is not automatic. Whether you or your school submitted application materials online through the Common Application, sent them through email to the Admission office, or you have tracked that the mailed documents have been received by our office, it takes time for all these documents to be processed. It can take up to three weeks for documents to be properly processed, accurately matched with your application, and the items to be removed from your OPUS to do list.
- There is a process for completing incomplete files. We will let you know if you are missing anything via email later this month, once our office has caught up on processing materials. Students will then have one week to submit (or resubmit) any missing items. We have an Application Missing Items webpage to assist in the proper submission of any application materials that remain listed as “initiated” in a student’s to do list.
The bottom line: we encourage you to
1. Check OPUS
2. Be patient
3. Know that we will be in touch later this month if you are missing anything.
If you have further questions, check out our End of the Year FAQs blog post or post a comment to this entry. Thanks for your patience!

**New Year photo credit to Emory University.
End of the Year FAQs

December 26, 2014 Author: admission
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For our final blog entry of 2014, we thought it best to focus on answers to the most frequently asked questions we receive this time of year. The audience for our blog right now typically falls into one of three categories: last minute applicants, applicants who have already clicked submit, and prospective students for a future admission cycle just curious about Emory and the admission process. We are currently receiving and responding to more than 100 emails from the first two groups through our admission@emory.edu. To assist with these questions, we present these FAQs.

When is the application deadline?
Prospective applicants who have yet to click submit have until 11:59 p.m. ET on January 1, 2015, to complete their Common Application. Both our Early Decision II and Regular Decision deadlines are January 1.

Are all application requirements due at the deadline?
To meet our application deadline, a student must submit their completed Common Application and request their official standardized exam scores be sent directly to Emory University by January 1. Supporting school requirements, including transcripts, reports, and recommendation letters, must be submitted within one week of the deadline date (by January 8, 2015) for a student’s application to be considered complete.

How do I submit standardized exam scores?
Students applying to Emory University need to have their standardized scores sent electronically by the testing agencies using the following codes:

Testing Codes
SAT: 5187
ACT: 0810
TOEFL: 5187

Scores sent via these testing codes are shared by the Admission teams at Emory College and Oxford College. In fact, all application materials a student submits are shared by both Emory College and Oxford College.

Though it is the preference of Emory University that test scores be sent directly from the testing agencies, the Admission Office will, in cases of financial hardship, also accept standardized test scores submitted by a high school guidance counselor in one of two formats:
- Test scores are displayed officially on a transcript and all scores are displayed.
- Test scores reports are attested by a student’s high school counselor and sent via postal mail or email attachment. Once again, all scores need to be submitted.
We do not accept unofficial test score reports or scores submitted directly by the applicant.

My counselor/recommendation providers are having difficulty submitting documents online through the Common Application. Should we mail the items instead?
Any school forms or recommendations not submitted online through the Common Application should be sent by your school official or recommendation provider via an attached PDF to admission@emory.edu. Make sure that any application materials submitted through email includes the applicant’s full name as it appears on the Common Application, date of birth, high school name, and Common Application ID#. School records and recommendations submitted directly by the applicant are considered unofficial and will not be processed.

After submitting my application, can I submit supplemental information, like a resume?
Applicants to Emory University may submit supplemental information if they feel that the Common Application does not adequately provide the opportunity to detail their accomplishments. There are no additional forms that need to be completed when submitting supplemental materials. The Admission Committee requires that any supplemental information be submitted as an attached PDF document sent via email to admission@emory.edu. Please make sure the document includes the student’s full name exactly as it is listed on their Common Application, birth date, and Common Application ID#.

How do I correct an error in my application after I have clicked submit?
Error corrections need to be saved as an attached PDF and sent via email to admission@emory.edu. In addition to the information to be corrected, please save in the PDF the following details: Full name as it appears on the application, birth date, and Common Application ID#. Any updates and error corrections should be submitted no later than January 31.

Does Emory University accept arts supplements? And if so, is there a recommended format for submission?
Emory University values that many of our applicants are artistically talented and want to showcase those talents for the Admission Committee. Applicants who wish to submit supplemental arts-related information may do so if they feel that the Common Application does not adequately provide the opportunity to detail these accomplishments. There are no additional forms that need to be completed, as Emory does not accept the Common Application Arts Supplement. The Admission Committee strongly prefers that any supplemental arts information be submitted via email to admission@emory.edu. Students are encouraged to provide a link to a website where their materials can be listened to or viewed. All materials, including any web links, need to be saved in PDF form and attached in the email. We are unable to review three-dimensional items including CDs, DVDs, models, sculptures, books, etc. Finally, we request that student’s include their full name exactly as it is listed on their Common Application, birth date, and Common Application ID# on any submitted supplement materials.

I submitted my application, but didn’t receive a confirmation that the Office of Admission received my application. I also have received no information about setting up an OPUS account. What do I do?
Application received emails with instructions on setting up one’s OPUS account are sent a few days after the submission of your application. The emails go to the email address you entered on your Common Application. You should check your SPAM folder because sometimes our messages get sent to SPAM; if that’s the case be sure to mark admission@emory.edu as a safe email address through your service provider.

Do note, the Office of Admission does not automatically download your application from the Common Application site once you click submit. If it has been more than a week since submitting your application, then send an email to admission@emory.edu to inquire about the receipt of your application. Make sure to include your full name as it appears on your application, date of birth, and Common Application ID# in your inquiry.

I received information about setting up my OPUS account, but it is not working. Who do I contact?
If you are experiencing trouble logging in or for other issues you should call the IT Service Desk at 404-727-7777 or email opushelp@emory.edu. If you attempt to submit a support request you will need to know your login information, so the phone is the best place for you to start.

Can the Admission Office check on the receipt of an individual application item?
Due to the volume of application materials received and processed by our office, we cannot the check application status or the receipt of individual application materials via email or over the phone. The point of the OPUS account is to provide the applicant the opportunity to monitor the status himself.

How long does it take for my OPUS account to update missing materials?
Please allow at least three (3) weeks from the time we receive a document for it to reflect in your OPUS account. This applies to documents received both through the mail and electronically. Does that seem like a long time? Maybe. But please keep in mind that we are receiving thousands of documents from thousands of applicants during this busy season. We do our very best to process each document quickly and accurately.

I have questions regarding FAFSA, CSS Profile, IDOC, and/or Tax Returns. Who do I contact?
The Admission Office is not involved in the processing of any sort of financial aid documentation. If you have questions regarding any of the materials listed above or for anything labeled Office of Financial Aid on your OPUS “To Do List,” please reach out to their office directly at 404-727-6039 or finaid@emory.edu.

Should I wait until the last minute to submit my application?
Absolutely not. Though to be considered an official applicant you have until 11:59 p.m. ET on January 1, 2015 to click submit, why test the system? You have a few more days to finish up your application, but one piece of advice we think you should strongly heed is submit in advance. Don’t procrastinate anymore. Put aside some time to finish up those last questions, do a final review, and then click submit, way in advance of the last moment.

Time for us to get back to responding to questions in the admission@emory.edu in-box. Make sure to check out the Frequently Asked Questions section of our website for even more answers. And as always, if you have any questions not answered here just post them in the comments section, and we will respond back.
Welcome Home, in 8 months!

December 23, 2014 Author: admission
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Greetings newly admitted Early Decision students. First, let us take a few seconds to say, “Congratulations, we are so proud of you!” Applying to college while also going to school full time, and doing tons of extracurricular activities is not an easy thing to do—and you got in. YOU GOT IN!

These next few months before college are going to fly by, so here are some things to remember:

1. Take lots of pictures—yes everyone says that but when you are in your college res-hall missing home and feeling nostalgic, you will be glad you did.

2. Complete your enrollment! To do that, you need to submit your enrollment deposit and complete the First-Year Student Acceptance Agreement. Full details can be found under the Decide header of the Admitted Student Website: <http://apply.emory.edu/admitted>.

3. Figure out what time management system works for you. It doesn’t have to be a planner—to be honest I’ve spent an embarrassingly large amount of money on planners that I’ve never used successfully. Just figure out what works for you – a list, a notebook, a phone calendar, etc.

4. Join the Class of 2019 Facebook group to get to know your future classmates, ask questions of current students, and maybe even find your future roommate!

5. Graduate! That may seem like a no-brainer, but you still have to cross the finish line to make it to college!

6. Remember to thank everyone who helped support you along the way. (I recommend a hand-written note—nothing can replace something you took the time to write with a pen and paper.)

What’s next? You will hear details about housing and orientation in March. Be sure to stay tuned for further details about admitted student visit events happening throughout April! We would love for you to share your stories of admission via Twitter, and images of your admit packets and celebrations on Instagram. Be sure to use the hashtags #Emory2019 and #Oxfor2019 in your posts.

As a 13C* alum, I am excited for you and what you will accomplish over the next four years of your life.

Congratulations again—all my best,

Brooke Thyng
Social Media Coordinator, 13C

*Emory University alumni use abbreviations to designate graduation years. For example, I graduated from Emory College in 2013 (13C). I have a friend who will graduate from Emory this year but went to Oxford first, so his abbreviation will be 13OX (for Oxford) and 15C. What will your alumni abbreviation be?