Sarah is a current senior at Emerson College. She is majoring in media production, and specializes in creative writing tutoring, AP US Government tutoring, and a number of other subjects. Below, she shares her experience at Emerson College:
Describe the campus setting and transportation options.
Sarah: Emerson College is located in the heart of Boston, across from the Boston Common. There’s no real “campus;” the city is our campus! In such an urban setting, it’s a little more important to be aware of your surroundings, but I’ve always found it very safe. There’s also an amazing public transportation network available to students, with three subway stops very nearby and plenty of public buses.
How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants?
Sarah: Professors are guaranteed to have office hours, and most are incredibly willing to meet with students outside of class. Advisers also have open office hours, and you can schedule meetings with them ahead of time as well. They’re a great resource. I’ve personally found my adviser and professors incredibly available.
How would you describe the dorm life – rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students?
Sarah: Emerson has four different dorms, each with their own unique offerings. Most are fairly new, and have cozy suite-style living spaces. Freshmen and sophomores are guaranteed housing on campus, while juniors and seniors usually live in off-campus apartments. There are a variety of different dining options on campus. The food is standard college fare, meaning that it’s nothing fancy or incredibly delicious, but there is something for everyone.
Which majors/programs are best represented and supported?
Sarah: Emerson has a very small range of majors, as it’s a school dedicated exclusively to communications and the arts. The programs that they do have, though, are very strong. I am in the visual and media arts department, with a concentration in writing for film and television, and I think it’s a great program. The faculty are very talented and knowledgeable, with lots of impressive experience in the industry. There’s plenty of first-rate technology available to student filmmakers at the college.
How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life?
Sarah: I found that it was pretty easy to meet people at Emerson after I got involved on campus. Most people here are incredibly invested in their extracurriculars, so if you participate in organizations that involve things you’re passionate about, you’ll meet a lot of talented people with the same interests as you. Greek life is also pretty popular at Emerson, but not in the traditional sense; most fraternities and sororities are professional, not social, organizations. If you’re interested in Greek life, it’s still a great way to meet like-minded people and gain professional skills and connections.
How helpful are the Career Center and other student support services?
Sarah: The Emerson career center is super helpful. They’re a great connection to jobs and internships, both for students and alumni, and they’re always willing to meet with students to look over resumes or help with career planning. In addition, many top companies, both in Boston and on Emerson’s Los Angeles campus, look specifically to recruit Emerson students, especially at the multiple job and internship fairs that Emerson holds every year.
How are the various study areas such as libraries, the student union, and dorm lounges?
Sarah: There are definitely enough study areas at the school for every student to find a spot, with plenty of labs and student lounges. The campus library is small in size, however, and closes at 11:00 p.m. or earlier most nights. The Boston Public Library is also only a short walk away and is an amazing facility that lots of Emerson students take advantage of as a study spot.
Describe the surrounding town.
Sarah: Boston is a fun college city, and it’s where most Emerson students spend their free time. There are plenty of awesome places to shop and eat, and the local music scene is great as well. Another good thing about Boston is the number of other colleges nearby—there are always new college students to meet and new places to go.
How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes?
Sarah: My largest class so far only had about forty students, and most of my classes have had ten to twenty students. I’ve gotten to know many of my professors and classmates really well, and even though my department is the largest in the school, I still feel that it’s very close-knit.
Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one you regret the most.
Sarah: Emerson is a liberal arts school with a strong oratorical tradition. As a result, all students are required to take a class in Speech Communication. At first, I was not excited about taking this class at all. I didn’t feel it really pertained to my major, and I was pretty confident in my public speaking skills already. However, the class was so small and close-knit, that I ended up making many close friends, and I found that my speaking skills actually improved dramatically.
Check out Sarah’s tutoring profile.
The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.
