Hardy
Ehlers, a 4.0-plus student, National Merit Scholar, and top-ranked
tennis player from San Diego, was still debating which college
to attend weeks after many of his classmates had made their
choices. The day before the acceptance deadline, he called Emory
tennis coach John Browning to let him know he would be coming
to Emory.
It
came down to Emory or Brown University, and it just made more
sense to come to Emory, Ehlers says.
Ehlers
was playing in a national tennis tournament in the summer of
2003 when Browning spotted him and began talking to him about
Emory. At Brownings suggestion, Ehlers applied for and
received a Woodruff scholarship. That was a huge factor,
Ehlers says. I thought it was just too good an opportunity
to pass up.
Although
Ehlers could have played tennis for an NCAA Division I school
such as Brown, he says hes confident he made the right
decision to come to Emory, one of the best Division III institutions
in the country.
That
was one of the choices I had to make, he says. But
Emory has a really good team. When I was imagining myself at
college, I knew Emory would be the better choice for me. It
just felt right.
The
choice also felt right for incoming freshman Ryan Powell (left),
who applied only to Emory. His mother, Doris Powell, is a senior
research specialist in the School of Medicine, and his sister
Kimberly is a rising senior in the College. His grandfather
and an uncle also attended Emory.
But
Powell plans to find his own niche here, most likely in the
music department. His tuba playing earned him a music scholarship
to Emory, which he passed up because his moms employment
makes him eligible for a courtesy scholarship that covers tuition.
After visiting a number of colleges all over the East Coast,
Powell applied to Emory and was admitted early decision, meaning
the University was his first and, in his case, only choice.
One
of the biggest changes in admissions during my tenure here has
been Emorys move from a college choice among many
to more of a first or top choice school, says
Daniel Walls, dean of admission. I think this is reflected
in our early decision numbers. Over the past few years our early
decision percentage in the freshman class has been approximately
33 percent.
As
a student at Collins Hill High School near Lawrenceville, Ga.,
Powell excelled in his studies and earned Governors Honors
in advanced placement classes. He also led the tuba section
in the school band and participated in the Emory-based Atlanta
Youth Wind Ensemble, where he got to know Emorys Scott
Stewart, lecturer and director of instrumental studies in the
music department. Stewart was instrumental in his decision to
come to Emory.
Ryan
is a skilled and artistic player, as well as a mature young
man, Stewart says. He is bright and ambitious, and
someone who I feel will be a natural leader in the music program.
Fine tubists are always assets. They are a rare breed, and vital
to the success of instrumental ensembles.
Although
Powell isnt sure just what he wants to do after college,
he plans to stay involved with music, and also is considering
business school.
Mostly
Im just looking forward to getting involved in all sorts
of different things and getting to experience stuff Ive
never had a chance to be around, he says. Emory
offers so much more than anything at my high school.
By
all statistical measures this entering class is among the strongest
in history, says Walls. Beyond that, I have been
very impressed with the vast array of time commitments outside
the classroom that the class of 2008 represents. We will again
enroll students with an array of skills and abilities, including
leadership, performing arts, debate, athletics, and volunteer
service. I also see tremendous diversity in this class, in terms
of ethnicity, geography, economic background and academic interests.P.P.P.