Emerson: The Big Picture
Emerson is awesome because we are right downtown Boston which is THE college town. Not only are we in the middle of the city, but we get to be hands on within our majors right away. Because Emerson is basically a liberal arts school, you need to know what you want to do when you come here. It's not a school for someone who may want to try science or math on top of something more arts based. Emerson has let me get my hands dirty which is the best way to learn. Emerson doesn't really have a campus so we typically flow out into the Boston Common during nice weather or spend time in the various editing suites/doing extracurricular activities. Emerson is very small and artsy so if you're looking for that big college experience, this is not the place. Overall it's been a wonderful experience and a wouldn't go anywhere else.
Emerson Academic Life
Emerson is very geared toward each students industry. Depending on your major, you may spend most of your time taking out cameras, lighting equipment, etc. Other majors do a lot of projects or for the writers, it's all about writing different genres. We tend to procrastinnate work that doesn't involve our major but class participation in all classes is common. Professors that teach outside of your major are willing to let you experiment with your presentation so you can incorporate your major. As a broadcast journalism major, I know many of my professors by name and they know mine. They are around after class to help answer questions or just chat. The hardest thing for me is that they can only teach you so much. Half of Emerson's education is extracurricular activities and internships. If you don't get involved, you're wasting your time here, at least as a journalism major.
Emerson Student Activities + Social Life
There is a lot to do at Emerson from the school newspaper to the college radio stations to the theater groups and comedy troupes. Emerson is all about getting involved. If your a journalism major, join WEBN or one of the shows on the Emerson Channel right awaY. Get experience at WERS 88.9FM or start writing for one of the school's magazines. The plays Emerson puts on are great and definitely worth going to. Athletics are gaining in popularity now that Emerson has its own basketball court. Emerson also hosts a lot of interesting guest speakers and film showings. Because there is so much to do in Boston, exploring is your best option. From the indie theater houses to the Lowes movie theater to the various restaurants and fun shops, you can find plenty to do. Partying doesn't happen as much on campus because there are very few dorms and the walls are paper thin. Frats and sororities are more for people looking for a more normal college experience. Get involved and explore because Emerson and Boston have a lot to offer.
Emerson Naked Truth
Don't come to Emerson if your mind isn't already set on what you want to do because the margin for error is very slim (we don't offer that many majors). If you don't get involved you're missing out and won't learn as much as you should or good. The industries we will be joining after graduation are tough and competitive and you need to know your stuff. Know that Emerson faculty can be a mixed bag because there is a lot of turnover, but overall they tend to be pretty good. Emerson is not a normal college, it is small, artsy, a little gay (in a fabulous way) and there is no rea; campus. Be open minded, think outside of the box, and explore the city because it's an awesome experience.
