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Release date: July 27, 2004
Emory Leads in Study Abroad, Student Health, Teacher Prep
Contact:
Deb Hammacher: 404-727-0644, dhammac@emory.edu
Elaine Justice: 404-727-0643, ejustic@emory.edu Whether it's a nationally recognized student mental health program being replicated at other schools, expanding study abroad opportunities for science and pre-med majors, or helping undergraduates develop a passion for discovery, Emory University is leading the way: 1. Emory Out Front in Study Abroad Options for Science Majors
2. Mental Health Services a Click Away for Many College Students
3. Interest in Studying Arabic Remains Strong
4. Professors' Comments Can Cause Pre-test Anxiety in Students
5. Emory at Head of the Class in Preparing Professors for Teaching
6. Advice on Student Loan Consolidation
7. Competition, Reputation Drive Record College & International Applications
8. Showcasing Science Discoveries Ignites Interest Among First-year Students
9. Equity Cap Helps Middle Income Families Seeking Financial Aid
10. Emory Freshmen Take a Hike (Or Raft, or Horse) Into College Life
11. Emory Psychologist Offers Advice to College Parents
12.Saying Goodbye on the First Day of School; Emory Psychologist Offers Parents Advice *** 1. EMORY OUT FRONT IN STUDY ABROAD OPTIONS FOR SCIENCE MAJORS
In an increasingly global marketplace, Emory's science and pre-med students have a leg up on most of their peers across the country, thanks in part to an innovative faculty and student exchange in neuroscience and behavioral biology (NBB) with Emory's sister institution, the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. St. Andrews' neuroscience program has received the highest government ranking in the United Kingdom. Talks are underway to offer a joint degree program in NBB/neuroscience with St. Andrews. Additional initiatives include a chemistry program in Italy and a 30-year-old psychology program in the U.K., one of the oldest such programs at a U.S. university. For more, click here. *** 2. MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES A CLICK AWAY FOR MANY COLLEGE STUDENTS
Finding ways to prevent suicide, and treat related mental health issues, is the focus of an innovative program at Emory that gives students an anonymous online safety net. For the past three years, every Emory undergraduate has received an e-mail asking, "Are You Depressed?" For many, the answer has been "yes," and the e-mail has provided an avenue into services they may not have otherwise received. The online screening program is part of a study funded by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. As the third leading cause of death for 18-to-24-year-olds, suicide is a serious issue for mental health providers on college campuses. The successful pilot program is expanding to other schools, including the University of North Carolina and New York University. For more, click here. *** 3. ARABIC LANGUAGE ENROLLMENT REMAINS STRONG AT EMORY AND NATIONALLY
Enrollment in Arabic courses soared in the semesters following 9/11, and Emory was no exception: Double the usual number of students enrolled in Arabic 101 following the attacks. While enrollment in Arabic at Emory has declined some since that peak, interest remains strong on campus and enrollment across the country continues to increase, according to Middle Eastern studies professor Kristen Brustad. She knows because she and colleague Mahmoud Al-Batal wrote the textbook now used for most beginning Arabic instruction in the United States. For more, click here. *** 4. PROFESSORS' CASUAL COMMENTS CAN CAUSE PRE-TEST ANXIETY AMONG STUDENTS
To all teachers who want their students to approach exams with confidence: skip pleasantries such as "good luck" while passing out exams. A study by psychologist Kenneth Carter of Oxford College of Emory University has found that what professors say--or don't say--just before a test can have an effect on their students' anxiety levels. For more, click here. *** 5. EMORY AT HEAD OF THE CLASS IN PREPARING PROFESSORS FOR TEACHING
Emory University's rigorous teacher training program, which is required for every Ph.D. candidate, has helped make doctoral students hot commodities on the academic job market while reinforcing the university's commitment to teaching within a research institution. The nationally recognized TATTO program--Teaching Assistant Training and Teaching Opportunity--serves as a model for other schools. The program, begun in 1991, provides a three-to-four-year multi-stage training regimen that emphasizes hands-on training and mentoring by experienced faculty. For more, click here. *** 6. ADVICE ON STUDENT LOAN CONSOLIDATION
With interest rates so low, the rush is on to consolidate student loans, says Maria Carthon, assistant director of financial aid at Emory. "Consolidation is such an attractive thing right now; everyone's trying to take advantage of it." She advises those wanting to consolidate to keep in mind a few basic strategies in dealing with loans and lenders, including waiting until the end of the grace period before consolidating a loan. For more, click here. *** 7. COMPETITION, REPUTATION DRIVE RECORD COLLEGE AND INTERNATIONAL APPLICATIONS
Emory College, the undergraduate division of Emory University, received a record number of applications for the second year in a row. There were 11,216 applicants for the 1,240-member class of 2008--a 14 percent increase in the last two years, says Dean of Admission Daniel Walls. He says recruiting is a factor, but this is a national trend due to the large pool of high school seniors. International applications and enrollment are up also. The work of The Carter Center, which is part of the university, has had a definite impact on Emory's awareness and reputation in the world, particularly the Americas, according to Scott Allen, who oversees international recruiting. He says the number of Atlanta companies doing business in the Americas also has helped raise the university's profile in the region. For more, click here. *** 8. SHOWCASING SCIENCE DISCOVERIES IGNITES INTEREST AMONG EMORY FRESHMEN
As a scientist, Emory biochemist David Lynn is used to designing experiments, never knowing quite where they will lead, or what the results will be. One ongoing experiment he developed is a series of freshman seminars that give graduate students the opportunity to share their research and passion for science with undergraduates, while also teaching broad scientific concepts. The seminars, called "Origins of ORDER," which stands for "On Recent Discoveries by Emory Researchers," are crucial to Lynn's goal of establishing a new training program for undergraduates since being named one of 20 inaugural Howard Hughes Medical Institute professors. For more, click here. *** 9. EQUITY CAP HELPS MIDDLE INCOME FAMILIES SEEKING FINANCIAL AID
Students from middle-income families who fear that rising college costs could prevent them from attending their dream college should know there is help for them, says Julia Perreault, director of financial aid at Emory. The 28 schools that are part of the 568 Presidents' Working Group are "need-blind" in admissions and cap home equity in calculating financial aid qualification. The income caps are especially helpful to middle income families who purchased a home years ago, built up lots of equity, but don't have adequate income to allow them to tap into all the equity in the home for help in financing college, says Perreault. For more, click here. *** 10. EMORY FRESHMEN TAKE A HIKE (OR RAFT, OR HORSE) INTO COLLEGE LIFE
While many of their future classmates pack for dorm living, more than 200 incoming Emory College freshmen will be throwing on backpacks and hiking into college life through Outdoor Emory Adventure Orientation. The popular program gives first-year students an opportunity to bond with future classmates while they camp out under the stars, raft down a river, go rock-climbing, explore caves or go horseback riding along scenic trails. The students choose from 15 different three-day trips starting Aug. 18 just before the start of regular orientation. For more, click here. *** 11. EMORY PSYCHOLOGIST OFFERS ADVICE TO COLLEGE PARENTS
Every August a ritual is played out on college campuses across the country as parents reluctantly say goodbye to their children, many of whom may be leaving home for the first time. And every August at Emory University, psychology professor Marshall Duke offers advice for standing-room-only crowds of parents during orientation week. He helps parents anticipate what to expect during their child's college years, and how to adapt to changes at home. For more, click here. *** 12. SAYING GOODBYE ON THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL; EMORY PSYCHOLOGIST OFFERS PARENTS ADVICE
With the start of school just weeks away, many parents are already busy shopping for school supplies, new clothes and other essential items. Just as important as getting children equipped for the new school year is acknowledging the conflicting feelings some children may have about school, says Ann Hazzard, PhD, associate professor of pediatrics at the Emory University School of Medicine and clinical psychologist at Hughes Spalding Children's Hospital of the Grady Health System. For more, click here. ###
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