How does city life at Emory compare to Boston University for undergraduates?

Boston University feels much more integrated into city life day to day, while Emory gives you more of a traditional campus bubble with Atlanta access nearby. BU sits right along Commonwealth Avenue in Boston, with the MBTA Green Line running through campus, so undergrads are constantly moving between classrooms, neighborhoods, internships, restaurants, and city events. Emory’s main campus in Atlanta is in Druid Hills near Decatur, so it feels greener, quieter, and more self-contained, even though you can still reach city neighborhoods and internship hubs fairly easily.

At BU, the city is part of your routine. You are walking on an urban campus with city streets, apartment buildings, shops, and public transit woven into everyday life. That makes spontaneous outings, part-time jobs, and semester-time internships easier.

Emory is urban in the broader sense of being in metro Atlanta, but not in the same fully embedded way. Undergrads usually experience more of a residential campus atmosphere, with quads, clearer campus boundaries, and less of that constant city motion. For going out, students often head to Decatur, Midtown, Virginia-Highland, or other Atlanta neighborhoods, but it usually takes more planning and often a shuttle, car, or rideshare rather than just stepping off campus into the middle of city activity.

For internships, both schools have strong access, but the logistics differ. BU makes in-semester internships especially convenient because public transit is such a central part of student life.

In terms of vibe, BU tends to appeal to students who want energy, independence, and a city-first college experience. Emory tends to fit students who want serious academics and city opportunities without giving up a more classic campus feel.