Emerson College (April 9, 2024)

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Emerson College

4.9.24 Campus Visit Report

Spencer Barr - Santa Barbara High


Emerson College Website: https://emerson.edu/


Admissions

  • Common App required

  • 2 letters of recommendation, essay, and 2 supplements required

  • Optional test scores

  • Additional criteria for certain majors (e.g., digital portfolios, usually optional)

  • Honors Program requires an additional essay

  • 47% acceptance rate

  • Early Decision (ED 1 and ED 2) options available

  • Average GPA: 3.7 unweighted

  • Talk with SBCC about articulation agreement

  • Amy Mitchell is the local admissions representative

Academics

  • 4,100 undergraduates, 15-18 class sizes

  • Professors are industry professionals, many are adjunct

  • Schools: School of Communication and School of the Arts

  • Programs:

    • Health and Social Change (social justice and healthcare intersection)

    • Media Psych (psychology + media consumption)

    • Media Arts Production (hands-on major)

    • Performing Arts (8 majors, eclectic training for actors)

    • Communication Studies (leads to HR, event planning, etc.)

    • Marketing/Advertising (work with real clients)

    • Comedy Arts (major and minor options)

    • Communications Disorders/Speech Therapy

  • Strong interdisciplinary options (e.g., create-your-own major)

  • 40% liberal arts courses, 60% major/minor courses

  • AP credits accepted for 4s and 5s (up to 32 credits)

  • Minors can be declared first year (4-5 courses)

  • Honors Program available

  • Global education opportunities:

    • Campus in the Netherlands (Well Castle) for summer or semester programs

    • LA campus offers internship-based co-op learning for upperclassmen

  • Internship focus: Average 2-3 internships before graduation

  • Career Center, Emerson Emerge, and Handshake support career growth

Social

  • NCAA D3 sports: 7 men’s and women’s teams

  • Active Greek life (mostly coed and service/academic-focused)

  • 12 comedy troupes, 60-80 performances each semester

  • Evies: Largest student-run award show in the U.S., judged by professors/industry pros

  • Students receive discounted or free tickets to Boston shows

  • Overcommitment and difficulty saying no can be challenges for some students

  • Campus publications: student newspaper, broadcast journalism, in-print press (4 student books published annually)

  • Clubs and extracurriculars are highly active

Campus

  • Urban vertical campus located near Boston Commons

  • No quad, Boston Commons serves as a gathering space

  • Housing guaranteed for up to 3 years:

    • First-years live in Little Building (common rooms, kitchens, quiet spaces)

    • Suite-style housing for second year and beyond

    • Seniors encouraged to live off-campus to transition to life after college

  • Safety:

    • ID required to enter buildings, 11 PM building lockout

    • Emerson police staff (part of Mass Police Dept.), blue-light poles with 90-second response time

  • Facilities:

    • Production studios, theaters, and green theater space

    • Multiple dining halls, convenience store, adjustable meal plans

    • Library spans the entire 3rd floor

    • Underground gym

  • Accessibility: No cars on campus

Financial

  • Merit scholarships automatically considered for all students

  • Honors Scholarship requires an additional essay

  • Emerson grants available for internships, though rare

  • FAFSA and CSS Profile required for financial aid consideration

  • Trustee Scholarship: $30k/year



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