Anonymous
02/24/2026 19:35
Subject: Wake
Emory vs. Wake? They're equally mediocre, but I'd take Wake for the sports and the funner vibe.
Anonymous
02/24/2026 17:22
Subject: Re:Wake
Anonymous wrote:I visited with my older kid during Covid when they weren't giving real tours, so we sort of snuck onto campus through Reynolda Village. I remember it being pretty enclosed and gated. Do kids live there all 4 years? Where do they live off campus if not? Is off campus walkable to campus? Are the evenings spent on campus largely? Parties on campus? [/quote
Freshmen and sophomores live on campus. Nearly everyone goes abroad junior fall and then split between in and off campus, most seniors off campus. Lots of off campus housing on soccer field side of campus (where unofficial Greek houses are), and more within a mile radius. There is a Wake shuttle. Currently most parties are at close by off campus houses, but kids also go to bars throughout the area (some downtown—about 10 minute drive, others closer). In 2027, the Grounds development will open, bringing more walkable off campus housing, bars and restaurants.
Winston-Salem is a city of 250,000 with a symphony and several smaller colleges in addition to Wake. There are plenty of restaurants, bars, and shopping.
Anonymous
02/24/2026 17:17
Subject: Wake
The kids who love Wake and the kids who hate it all describe it the same way: "It's a country club!"
Anonymous
02/24/2026 17:15
Subject: Re:Wake
I visited with my older kid during Covid when they weren't giving real tours, so we sort of snuck onto campus through Reynolda Village. I remember it being pretty enclosed and gated. Do kids live there all 4 years? Where do they live off campus if not? Is off campus walkable to campus? Are the evenings spent on campus largely? Parties on campus?
Anonymous
02/24/2026 17:10
Subject: Wake
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Wake is for those who want the “south,” but can’t cut it at Vandy, Emory, Duke, UNC, and UVA. It is like Lehigh. Meh.
Why would anybody pick Emory over Wake? Yuck.
Because Wake yikes while Emory is a semi top college.
If emory is a semi top college, so is CMU, Washu, Rice , ND, Gtown, Umich, UCLa and Vandy right??
Of course. But the point is Wake isn’t in this league. It’s not even T50.
Wake is just below most of those, and there is no shame in that. I'm guessing that for most of those schools, a majority would choose the other ones over Wake, but there would be a critical mass who would choose Wake for a variety of reasons. I could make a compelling argument for choosing Wake over most of them, but they are very specific to certain kids (i.e. Wake would be a happier college experience than CMU, plus CMU is pretty specialized in its areas of excellence so if that's not your think, they are actually pretty close).
Just below is subjective. If By just below you mean if im paying full price for the Emory tier schools, ill only pay 40% for Wake tier schools then yes, its just below.
Emory and wake are the same tier. Wake actually wins cross admits.
24 vs 51 is not the same tier. Most students arent applying to both schools. In fact Wake doesn't get that many applications to begin with.
My kids are at top private in our city, far more kids apply to and attend Wake than Emory. And kids going to Emory are not in top 20 percent of class.
Anonymous
02/24/2026 17:08
Subject: Wake
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Wake is for those who want the “south,” but can’t cut it at Vandy, Emory, Duke, UNC, and UVA. It is like Lehigh. Meh.
Why would anybody pick Emory over Wake? Yuck.
Because Wake yikes while Emory is a semi top college.
If emory is a semi top college, so is CMU, Washu, Rice , ND, Gtown, Umich, UCLa and Vandy right??
Of course. But the point is Wake isn’t in this league. It’s not even T50.
Wake is just below most of those, and there is no shame in that. I'm guessing that for most of those schools, a majority would choose the other ones over Wake, but there would be a critical mass who would choose Wake for a variety of reasons. I could make a compelling argument for choosing Wake over most of them, but they are very specific to certain kids (i.e. Wake would be a happier college experience than CMU, plus CMU is pretty specialized in its areas of excellence so if that's not your think, they are actually pretty close).
Just below is subjective. If By just below you mean if im paying full price for the Emory tier schools, ill only pay 40% for Wake tier schools then yes, its just below.
Emory and wake are the same tier. Wake actually wins cross admits.
24 vs 51 is not the same tier. Most students arent applying to both schools. In fact Wake doesn't get that many applications to begin with.
No one cares about the dei rankings. Emory does well by DEI measures because they take a ton of questbridge kids.
Anonymous
02/24/2026 16:51
Subject: Wake
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Wake is for those who want the “south,” but can’t cut it at Vandy, Emory, Duke, UNC, and UVA. It is like Lehigh. Meh.
Why would anybody pick Emory over Wake? Yuck.
Because Wake yikes while Emory is a semi top college.
If emory is a semi top college, so is CMU, Washu, Rice , ND, Gtown, Umich, UCLa and Vandy right??
Of course. But the point is Wake isn’t in this league. It’s not even T50.
Wake is just below most of those, and there is no shame in that. I'm guessing that for most of those schools, a majority would choose the other ones over Wake, but there would be a critical mass who would choose Wake for a variety of reasons. I could make a compelling argument for choosing Wake over most of them, but they are very specific to certain kids (i.e. Wake would be a happier college experience than CMU, plus CMU is pretty specialized in its areas of excellence so if that's not your think, they are actually pretty close).
Just below is subjective. If By just below you mean if im paying full price for the Emory tier schools, ill only pay 40% for Wake tier schools then yes, its just below.
Emory and wake are the same tier. Wake actually wins cross admits.
24 vs 51 is not the same tier. Most students arent applying to both schools. In fact Wake doesn't get that many applications to begin with.
I'd rather my child went to Wake. As for not that many applicants, with a 22% acceptance rate, I don't think there's an issue here.
Anonymous
02/24/2026 16:37
Subject: Wake
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Wake is for those who want the “south,” but can’t cut it at Vandy, Emory, Duke, UNC, and UVA. It is like Lehigh. Meh.
Why would anybody pick Emory over Wake? Yuck.
Because Wake yikes while Emory is a semi top college.
If emory is a semi top college, so is CMU, Washu, Rice , ND, Gtown, Umich, UCLa and Vandy right??
Of course. But the point is Wake isn’t in this league. It’s not even T50.
Wake is just below most of those, and there is no shame in that. I'm guessing that for most of those schools, a majority would choose the other ones over Wake, but there would be a critical mass who would choose Wake for a variety of reasons. I could make a compelling argument for choosing Wake over most of them, but they are very specific to certain kids (i.e. Wake would be a happier college experience than CMU, plus CMU is pretty specialized in its areas of excellence so if that's not your think, they are actually pretty close).
Just below is subjective. If By just below you mean if im paying full price for the Emory tier schools, ill only pay 40% for Wake tier schools then yes, its just below.
Emory and wake are the same tier. Wake actually wins cross admits.
24 vs 51 is not the same tier. Most students arent applying to both schools. In fact Wake doesn't get that many applications to begin with.
Anonymous
02/24/2026 15:19
Subject: Wake
Anonymous wrote:Emory no sports, not interested.
High schools kids consider Emory where fun goes to die. Not popular at all at our private.
Anonymous
02/24/2026 15:17
Subject: Wake
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Wake is for those who want the “south,” but can’t cut it at Vandy, Emory, Duke, UNC, and UVA. It is like Lehigh. Meh.
Why would anybody pick Emory over Wake? Yuck.
Because Wake yikes while Emory is a semi top college.
If emory is a semi top college, so is CMU, Washu, Rice , ND, Gtown, Umich, UCLa and Vandy right??
Of course. But the point is Wake isn’t in this league. It’s not even T50.
Wake is just below most of those, and there is no shame in that. I'm guessing that for most of those schools, a majority would choose the other ones over Wake, but there would be a critical mass who would choose Wake for a variety of reasons. I could make a compelling argument for choosing Wake over most of them, but they are very specific to certain kids (i.e. Wake would be a happier college experience than CMU, plus CMU is pretty specialized in its areas of excellence so if that's not your think, they are actually pretty close).
Just below is subjective. If By just below you mean if im paying full price for the Emory tier schools, ill only pay 40% for Wake tier schools then yes, its just below.
Emory and wake are the same tier. Wake actually wins cross admits.
Anonymous
02/24/2026 14:36
Subject: Re:Wake
Anonymous wrote:A few years ago my child was selected for the scholarship weekend for their full-ride. It was a nice surprise as selection is made from initial application and not additional essays. The learned a lot about the school over the weekend and we were very impressed.
The pros, very small classes across the board, engaged professors, spirited campus, and their focus on character development. They created and are very proud of their Program for Leadership and Character. You can read up on it if anyone wishes, but it’s served as a model for other schools.
I think it’s a fantastic idea quality of life school for the right student and I have no doubt someone could be a very hands-on education with a lot of personal care more than many others that may be higher ranked.
Do you remember when they were notified about the scholarship weekend?
Anonymous
02/24/2026 13:36
Subject: Wake
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Wake is an attractive school for kids seeking southern weather, Greek, decent sports, midsize, work hard/play hard. Reputation is very regional.
It’s similar to Tulane and SMU Cox in many respects, including student stats. Definitely worth considering if theses schools are high on your list.
Nope. No one is mistaking Wake for Duke and it is not at the top of the core recruiting list for Wall Street. But it has a very national brand and there are plenty of people doing very well on Wall Street, Big Law, etc. who went to Wake.
That being said, there definitely is a sense of "oh gee, couldn't get into Duke" when talking to Wake alums. No shame in that - Duke is a TT school and the vast majority of schools are below that, including a number of incredible schools. But they are a bit cursed by their proximity and similarities to Duke.
Unless you are up to a couple of select schools, which excludes even Duke, the "oh you couldn't get into X" thought will probably still apply.
Totally agree. But the direct comp to Duke is much more relevant than for a lot of other schools. It's like the old "JMU means 'Just Missed UVA." Or some of the other Big 10 schools are that way with Michigan.
Anonymous
02/24/2026 13:23
Subject: Wake
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Wake is an attractive school for kids seeking southern weather, Greek, decent sports, midsize, work hard/play hard. Reputation is very regional.
It’s similar to Tulane and SMU Cox in many respects, including student stats. Definitely worth considering if theses schools are high on your list.
Nope. No one is mistaking Wake for Duke and it is not at the top of the core recruiting list for Wall Street. But it has a very national brand and there are plenty of people doing very well on Wall Street, Big Law, etc. who went to Wake.
That being said, there definitely is a sense of "oh gee, couldn't get into Duke" when talking to Wake alums. No shame in that - Duke is a TT school and the vast majority of schools are below that, including a number of incredible schools. But they are a bit cursed by their proximity and similarities to Duke.
Unless you are up to a couple of select schools, which excludes even Duke, the "oh you couldn't get into X" thought will probably still apply.
Anonymous
02/24/2026 11:10
Subject: Wake
Emory no sports, not interested.
Anonymous
02/24/2026 11:10
Subject: Re:Wake
If affordable it’s an excellent education with engaged professors and small class sizes. Students can develop very close relationships like a SLAC, but with a bit more size and all that comes along with it. I don’t believe there is any point in saying it is not as good as xyz or better than abc. We can all read rankings and value them as we see fit. In the band of schools it is in, it’s a great option for a strong education and a fun four years.