I sat at my computer, watching as the final 30 minutes ticked away before the college decision deadline on May 1, 2023. I felt a confusing mix of nerves and a calm resolve as I submitted my enrollment deposit to attend Emory University. I was not struck by a sudden epiphany — instead, I had a gut feeling. All of the schools I was considering exuded similar prestige and maintained strong academics, but Emory felt like the best place to experience the unexpected, subtly life-changing experiences I wanted out of college. I was particularly drawn by Emory’s diverse student body, Atlanta’s cultural significance and the geniality of the people I met while touring campus.
To me, this serendipity was not an isolated event — it was the culmination of decisions I made to land at the right place at the right time. Looking back on my college search, I realize I was searching for that serendipity, hoping that the university I chose to attend would push me to unpredictable places with disparate people.
The first time I stepped onto Emory’s campus, it was not for a tour or as a new student — I was attending a high school debate tournament. My first impression of Emory on that cold Friday afternoon in January was of a tired campus with few students milling around in what seemed like cliques. I remember telling my parents I did not want to apply to Emory after that weekend. Fast forward two years later: A lively tour guide and a second, much more successful debate tournament convinced me to give Emory another chance.
When making my decision, I assumed debate would be a cornerstone of my college experience. I quit within the first two weeks at Emory, however, realizing that I wanted to discover new passions with new people. That choice opened the door to a more genuine and spontaneous experience, freeing me to explore the pulse of campus without preordained expectations. Those initial weeks of college were a whirlwind of new faces and opportunities — I made my closest friends almost instantly. Out of my orientation group emerged a hodgepodge of guys I initially befriended out of circumstance. I spent my first Friday night on campus at Turman Hall, where my orientation friends joined a group playing ping-pong. That unplanned gathering was the first time my friend group hung out together.
My favorite memories at Emory have been just as spontaneous. In choosing Emory, I could have never predicted the late-night Cook Out runs, pani puri at Patel Plaza or costly poker sessions in Eagle Hall. However, none of this spontaneity would have been possible without my proximity to Atlanta or Emory’s diverse population enabling me to make friends from all over the world. As a result, I regard my serendipity as a sort of continuum — an ongoing process of trusting my instincts in each seemingly inconsequential moment.
As I contemplate my future, I am faced with a plethora of life-changing choices. I have no idea what I want to do in the future, whether I want to attend law school or even whether I will still be an international studies major next semester — and that is OK. I am happy with my last-minute decision to attend Emory. I am relieved that I rejected the comfort of continuing my high school extracurriculars and forced myself into new experiences. I know I may never have an epiphanic moment that convinces me to pursue a specific career path or major — instead, I will keep following my gut and manufacturing my own serendipity, whatever that means for my future.
Contact Ethan Jacobs at ethan.jacobs@emory.edu
