Emory is located in the suburbs of Atlanta, GA, a major southeastern city, and there is much in the way of culture and entertainment for students who wish to venture off campus. Emory is approximately 15 minutes from central Atlanta, in the quiet suburb of Decatur. Students have the opportunity to head out into the city for entertainment, such as Atlanta’s Seaquarium, the CNN Center or the Coca-Cola Museum. Or if they prefer to stay around Emory, students can visit one of Decatur’s beautiful parks, such as Lullwater Park. Many students also head out to the Virginia Highlands, one of the most popular neighborhoods near Emory. Just ten minutes from the school, the Virginia Highlands is ideal for shopping, dining, and nightlife. Emory students are seen out at the Highlands mostly on Tuesday and Sunday nights, because the bars offer two-for-one drink deals. Another off-campus hangout is Little Five Points, also about ten minutes away from campus. A mix of ‘Greenwich Village and the French Quarter,’ the area has many restaurants and shops to offer. The Vortex is a popular restaurant among Emory students, for the low prices, unique décor, and live bands on Friday and Saturday nights.

Upon entering Emory University through the Hopkins-Haygood Gate, one is greeted by a rush of goldenrod tulips. The main entrance, on North Decatur Road, leads to the administration, admissions and financial aid buildings. It is also near the quadrangle, the center of Emory’s campus. Students pass time by sitting on the quadrangle benches or in the grass, reading or hanging out with friends. Surrounding the quad are classic buildings, with arched glass windows. Cox Hall and Clock Tower is a landmark on campus. It is a three-story building that houses a food court, dining room, computers, and banquet/conference rooms. It’s a popular place for students as well as nearby Emory Hospital employees to gather in. Emory has five libraries, one of which, the Woodruff Library, is home to the collection of papers by poet Ted Hughes. It is also famous for its Irish collection, works by Heaney, Yeats, Lady Gregory, Maud Gonne, and several other contemporary writers. One of the university’s newer architectural additions is the Goizueta Business School and Courtyard. It is a large gray concrete structure for Emory’s famed business program.

There are a number of housing options at Emory. Freshmen and sophomores are required to live on campus. Incoming freshmen have the opportunity to choose whether they want to live in a single sex or coed building; there is also the option of a single sex floor within a coed building. A large number of freshmen live in The Complex, which is made up of Hopkins, Smith, and Thomas Halls. The Complex is next to Harris Hall and near the business school and performing arts center. It has two rooftop balconies, a courtyard with picnic tables, and fitness room in Thomas Hall. Emory’s most social dorm is Dobbs Hall. While rooms are extremely small, its location right in the center of campus makes up for the cramped quarters. Alabama Hall is also located in the center of campus but, unlike Dobbs, has larger and more accommodating rooms. This dorm is generally reserved for student athletes and Emory Scholars program students. Despite being an older dorm, it is one of the nicer facilities on campus. Both Alabama and Dobbs have a beautiful white marble exterior—the classic Emory architectural style. Second year students have the option of participating in the Second Year at Emory program, located in the main sophomore dorm called Woodruff. SYE is a program designed to meet the needs of sophomore students as they decide which major they want to pursue, what classes to take, and what activities they want to be involved in. Students say it is extremely helpful because there are counselors and advisors that live in the dorm. Woodruff also has a gym and a 24-hour cafeteria. Aside from on campus housing, Greek students can live in their chapter house. Most students that are involved in a fraternity or in a sorority decide to live in their fraternity house or sorority lodge because it gives them an opportunity to get to know the people in their house. Students can also opt to live in a theme house. Some of the most popular ones are the Black Student Alliance House, Spanish House, and the Spice Hall (Students’ Program for International Cultural Exchange).

The Emory Eagles compete in Division III of the NCAA and are members of the University Athletic Association, formed along with seven other urban research universities in the 1920’s. Emory’s golf team finished in the top ten in the nation from 2004-2006. In their 2007-2008 season two team members made it to the All-American Scholar Team. Emory men’s tennis placed in the top three in the nation from 2002-2008 and won the championship in 2003 and 2006. Women’s tennis has dominated, claiming the national championship six years in a row, from 2001-2006. Many students like to join club sports teams as well. Some popular club teams include lacrosse, soccer, football, and volleyball.