Some help needed

[Yelnoc]

One thing you really need to keep in mind is climate.  You absolutely do not want to be miserable the entire time.  Remember, the United States has extremely diverse climates, encompassing most biomes.

I can tell you that anywhere in the southeast will be hot as hell in the summer, and humid to match.  And I'm not joking; in Atlanta this past summer we routinely had a heat index above 100 F (38 C) with humidity hovering around 99%.  It can get hotter in the southwest, though it's a "dry heat" so you don't feel like you are drowning and the shade does offer some relief.

Moving father west, California has varied weather.  Obviously, the desert is the desert.  Speaking from experience, the southern and central coastal areas are perfect weather wise.  Progressing north, one enters the temperate rainforest of the Pacific Northwest, which stretches up through British Columbia.

I cannot speak from experience about the north, but from what I understand, it's cold

[Yelnoc]

I think I'm hesistating between Emory and Richmond. Who could tell me more about these ?

Well, there is the thing with Georgia weather which I mentioned earlier.  It is probably a net positive.  As TJ said, the campus is very nice.  It is located "in" Atlanta; it might not be within the city limits but feels a lot like the city down there.  The nice part of the city.  Directly across from Emory is the CDC headquarters, complete with every vaccine imaginable (and every virus too! ).  The university itself is certainly prestigious.  The campus houses a top-noch medical facility and is renown for it's medical school.  Little known is Emory's excellent business school, ranked either second and third in the nation by...well, whoever ranks these things.  

I can't say I know much about Richmond, though I hear they have an excellent business school also.  As far as whether goes, do not be fooled by the latitude!  The D.C metro area down into Richmond can get nearly as hot as Atlanta, but the weather swings are as bizarre as Denver!  Also, Richmond is kind of a depressing looking city.  In a faded glory sort of way.  

Atlanta has more variety on that front.  Buckhead and northwest Fulton into the neighboring counties is very upscale and trendy.  Believe it or not, that area hosts the largest Gay African-American community in America.  The business district below it is nice; lots of skyscrapers and that sort of thing.  Moving southwards it does get a little sad. The poor neighborhoods are poor.  Five of the twenty five most dangerous zip codes are in the Atlanta area.

That's everything I can think of off the top of my head.  If you have anymore Atlanta questions, just ask!