Frequently Asked Questions

Students may wish to take a gap year or defer enrolling for a wide variety of reasons. Emory University views deferred enrollment as an opportunity for the student to pursue non-academic enrichment, personal fulfillment, service, social enterprise, growth, exploration, and self-discovery. The core purpose of our deferred enrollment policy does not include seeking full-time enrollment elsewhere.   

• Typically, gap years are approved for one year, and enrollment is expected in fall 2027. Occasionally two-year gap years are approved for military or religious commitments. 
• Oxford Launch: London students admitted at Oxford College are not permitted to defer their enrollment. If an Oxford Launch: London student wishes to be considered for an on-campus start, they can choose to cancel their enrollment and reapply.
• All gap year requests must be reviewed and approved by our office. 

If you are considering a gap year, review the policy below and then submit the deferral request form on the Admitted Student Website. Requests are reviewed by office leadership, and students can expect a response in seven to 10 business days.

Deferred Admission Policy: 

• Before a student can request a gap year, they need to pay the $845 enrollment deposit by the deposit deadline for their admission plan. 
• Deferred students must submit a final high school transcript and/or other appropriate academic transcripts. We recommend that your high school submit your final transcript in June 2026 rather than waiting until June 2027 to track this down.
• Should a deferred student change their mind about enrollment while on a gap year, they agree to withdraw from Emory University before they apply to any other schools or institutions, out of respect for other students who want to attend Emory.
• Emory is unable to hold a first-year spot for a student if they are no longer committed to enrolling here. Students are, however, eligible to reapply if they would like to consider other institutions along with Emory University.
• Deferred students may not enroll in another college or university as degree seeking. A deferred student who enrolls in another institution as degree seeking during the deferral period will forfeit their admission to Emory University along with their enrollment deposit. 
• Deferred students may transfer credit for no more than two single semester courses taken during the gap year. Typically, one college course is three credit hours at Emory University, so a student can expect to transfer up to 6 credit hours. There is a process, the summer before enrolling, where the deferred student requests to have their college credit evaluated. We are unable to evaluate credit hours before this time. Learn more about transfer credit.

Financial Aid and Scholarships: 

• Deferred students will receive their academic scholarship if awarded in their original admission offer.
• Oxford College Woodruff Scholars can choose to defer their enrollment; however, they must forfeit their Woodruff Scholarship as a result.
• Deferred students will not be considered for any new merit awards or any invitations to the Emory Scholar programs during their gap year. 
• Domestic applicants interested in need-based financial aid must submit new FAFSA and CSS Financial Aid Profile forms by the applicable deadlines. Additional information and deadlines can be found at www.studentaid.emory.edu/.
• Students living in Georgia and eligible for the HOPE/Zell Miller award are encouraged to talk to the Office of Financial Aid about how taking degree-seeking courses at another institution during a gap year may impact their HOPE/Zell Miller award for Emory University.

Once your application is downloaded and processed, an email will be sent to you with details on setting up your application portal. First, check your application status to view the receipt of application materials. Please note that it can take up to two weeks for submitted items to be received, processed, and checked off on your applicant checklist. If you’re still missing application materials after this time, please check the missing items page for additional guidance.

Yes. All Early Decision II and Regular Decision applicants are required to have their high school counselor submit a midyear report and updated senior year transcript as soon as it becomes available. We do not accept midyear reports or transcripts directly submitted by the applicant. 

Emory University does not require midyear reports and transcripts for Early Decision I applicants. If it is listed on your checklist, it is because we need it for another decision plan.

We understand these materials are usually not available until late December/early January. It will continue to appear as “awaiting” on your checklist until received. If an applicant’s school is unable to submit the midyear report by the stated deadline, we will accept and process late reports. 

In the meantime, application files for all decision plans, including Scholars, will be reviewed without midyear reports and transcripts. Read more about application requirements.

Yes, although this is not necessary or required by our office. You may upload materials through your applicant portal, selecting whatever category is most appropriate.

These materials could include a resume, digital portfolio, or link to a YouTube page. Any document that can be saved as a PDF can be uploaded through the applicant portal. All materials uploaded in the applicant portal are added to your application for review by the Admission Committee.

Our office is unable to process certain mailed materials that are large, laminated, or unable to be scanned. These include printed books, booklets, laminated papers, spiral-bound publications, CDs, and USB drives.

We encourage applicants to upload additional materials digitally, via the applicant portal, whenever possible. 

If paying the $75 application fee is a financial hardship, we are happy to waive the fee. All fee waiver requests are processed online through the Common Application.

To receive a fee waiver, simply answer “yes” to any question on the application referencing if you are eligible for a fee waiver with Emory University. No further documentation needs to be supplied to our office. 

If you have a paper fee waiver from NACAC or another such college-supporting body or organization, you may choose to upload this and share it with us via the applicant portal. This is not required, however, in order to receive a fee waiver.

We encourage you to submit all application materials online through the Common Application including required school documents. You may also upload many materials yourself through your applicant portal.

However, if application materials need to be mailed, please send them to:

Emory University
Office of Undergraduate Admission
3263-001-1AA (omit for UPS, FedEx, and couriers)
1390 Oxford Road NE, 3rd floor
Atlanta, Georgia 30322-1016

Please ensure application materials include the applicant’s full name, exactly as it appears on their application, date of birth, and application ID number.

We are unable to comment on student’s chances for admission. We encourage you to review our admission profile data for a sense of our competitiveness.

It is important to note the evaluation of applications by the Admission Committee is comprehensive and holistic. Although an outstanding academic record is important, we select students based on many attributes and are especially interested in those we believe will contribute to, as well as benefit from, our community. Students are selected on the basis of many attributes—academic record, extracurricular achievements, demonstrated leadership, community/family contribution, personal essays, and letters of recommendation. Admission decisions are comprehensive and there is no magic formula for selecting the perfect Emory University student.

"Demonstrated interest" is not a factor in our application review process. Things like visiting campus, attending a virtual session, or talking with or emailing your admission counselor have no impact on the evaluation of your application.

Further information about why we do not take demonstrated interest into account is in this blog post.

No. Both Emory College and Oxford College participate in Division III intercollegiate sports as part of the NCAA and NJCAA, respectively. As a Division III school, we are not permitted to offer athletic scholarships or allow athletic talent to influence financial aid in any way. As with all applicants, student-athletes are encouraged to apply for need-based financial aid if they need it and nominate themselves for merit scholarships.

Emory has a rich tradition of academic excellence and athletic achievement. Each year, our coaches are looking for high-caliber students to join their teams and continue to build on the legacy of the championship-winning Emory Eagles on both campuses. 

Coaches at both Emory College and Oxford College are familiar with admission policies and work closely with admission staff throughout the application process. Coaches can be an important resource for prospective athletes and their families. Coaches may offer advice and provide feedback to the admission office at any time. Coaches are allowed to make a commitment of support to a prospective student-athlete. However, only the Office of Undergraduate Admission can review an applicant, make an admission decision, and notify an applicant of that admission decision.

Click below to contact the coaches and assistant coaches for Emory University’s varsity teams:

Contact Emory College Coaches     Contact Oxford College Coaches
 

We value the legacy connections of applicants and encourage students to detail their university ties on their application. A legacy connection is considered as part of a student’s application but is in no way a guarantee of admission in our highly competitive pool of applicants.

In the admission process, legacy status includes grandparents, parents, and siblings of the applicant who have graduated from or are currently enrolled in any academic division of Emory University. Additional family connections (such as uncles, aunts, or cousins) will be tracked but do not constitute legacy status.

Emory does not offer evaluative interviews with admission staff or alumni. If you would like to speak informally with an Emory alu, please contact admission@emory.edu.

The Office of Undergraduate Admission works only with students pursuing their first degree. The Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing has a bachelor of science in nursing second-degree program. Please see the Other Applicants page for more information about students in special standing.

Emory offers participation in the US Air Force or US Army ROTC through a cross-enrollment agreement with Georgia Tech. While you can start your Emory career at Emory College or Oxford College, participants are strongly encouraged to begin on Emory's Atlanta campus where they will earn an undergraduate degree from Emory while completing military training at Georgia Tech. Students who choose to enroll at Oxford should understand that the Oxford campus is 32 miles away from Georgia Tech.

Direction to the Emory Atlanta Campus 

Emory University is located on the Atlanta campus in the Druid Hills neighborhood, about 15 minutes from downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead. From Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the drive takes 30–45 minutes depending on traffic. MARTA, Atlanta’s mass transit system, offers train and bus service, but you’ll need a ride service or MARTA bus to reach campus from the nearest train station.

Parking and Arrival

Parking is in the Oxford Road Building Parking Deck connected to our building. We share the building with Starbucks and the Emory University Barnes & Noble bookstore, where you can buy Emory t-shirts and gifts.   

There is a charge for parking on weekdays, and we are not able to validate guest parking. Parking is free on weekends. For additional parking options, visit the Transportation page.

Oxford Building

The Office of Admission—where tours and information sessions begin—is located on the third floor of the Oxford Road Building, which also includes the Barnes & Noble campus bookstore (1st–3rd floors) and a Starbucks on the 1st floor.

Phone: 404.727.6036
Toll Free: 800.727.6036
Fax: 404.727.4303
Email: admission@emory.edu

Mailing Address:
Emory University
Office of Undergraduate Admission
3263-001-1AA (omit for UPS, FedEx, and couriers)
1390 Oxford Road NE, 3rd Floor
Atlanta, GA 30322 

Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. ET

Directions to Oxford College

Oxford is about a 45-minute drive from Emory’s Atlanta campus and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Renting a car is recommended for flexibility.

Emory–Oxford Campus Shuttle

A free shuttle runs between Emory’s Atlanta and Oxford campuses multiple times daily. Visitors can tour Emory College in the morning and Oxford College in the afternoon. While having a car is recommended, guests may take the shuttle to Oxford if space is available. Please view the shuttle schedule in advance to determine whether it will work for your visit.

Driving Directions

Oxford College is off I-20 at Exit 90 (Covington/Oxford). Merge onto Hwy 278 East and continue to the third traffic light. Turn left onto Hwy 81 North (Emory Street), go about a mile, then turn left onto Pierce Street. The Visitor Parking Lot will be on your first left.

Parking and Arrival

Visitor parking is free. The main lot is off Pierce Street, and an additional lot is accessible via Moore Street near the soccer field.   

For more details on driving directions and parking, visit the Directions and Map page to Oxford College on the Oxford College website.

Oxford College Office of Enrollment Services

Planning to apply to Oxford College? Connect with our admission team for application guidance and next steps.

Phone: 770.784.8328
Toll Free: 800.723.8328
Fax: 770.784.8359
Email: oxadmission@emory.edu

Mailing Address:
Oxford College
Office of Enrollment Services
Hopkins Hall
801 Emory Street
Oxford, GA 30054 

Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. ET

Campus Tour Accessibility

Our 60–75 minute walking tours are fast-paced and mostly on flat terrain. They’re designed to be wheelchair accessible, though some hills may be unavoidable due to campus layout. If anyone in your party needs an accessibility-related accommodation, please check the “Accommodation” box when registering and include details in the text box. Allow up to 7 business days for a response.

Accessibility Parking

For information on accessible parking, visitor parking locations, and alternative transportation, please contact our Transportation and Parking Services.

Wheelchairs

Our campus tour is wheelchair and ADA accessible. Requests can be submitted while completing event registration forms. Please submit requests at least 10 days in advance.

If we are unable to accommodate your request, below is a list of vendors who can assist with wheelchair rental:

Typically, staff will be unable to assist those who need wheelchairs, so visitors must be able to operate the wheelchair on their own or have someone who can assist them.

Interpreters

Requests can be submitted while completing event registration forms. Please submit requests at least 10 days in advance.

Service Animals

Emory University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in allowing use of service animals for students, staff, and visitors.

If you have additional questions, feel free to reach out to us at admission@emory.edu.

Campus Tour Accessibility

Oxford College campus tours are 45 minutes to one hour and are walking tours that take place mostly on flat terrain. While tours are designed to be accessible, some hills or uneven terrain may be unavoidable due to the historic layout of campus.

If anyone in your party needs an accessibility-related accommodation, please indicate this on the event registration form by checking the “Accommodation” box and including any details that will help us best support your visit. If we have any questions about your request, a member of our staff will be in touch.

Accessibility Parking

Accessible parking is available on campus. Visitors are encouraged to review our campus parking map to identify the most convenient parking options.

Once you are viewing the parking map, select “Layers” and check “Visitor Parking” to access the interactive features of the map: https://oxford.hostexp.com

A downloadable printable campus map is also available here:
https://oxford.emory.edu/_includes/documents/sections/visiting/Oxford_printable_map_09.20.19.pdf

Wheelchairs

Oxford College campus tours are wheelchair and ADA accessible. If notified in advance, we are able to provide a wheelchair for your visit. Requests should be made through the event registration form so arrangements can be confirmed ahead of time.

Please note that staff are typically unable to assist visitors who require wheelchairs, so visitors must be able to operate the wheelchair independently or attend with someone who can assist them.

Interpreters

Interpreter requests can be submitted through the event registration form. Please submit requests at least 10 days in advance and indicate the type of accommodation needed so appropriate arrangements can be made.

Service Animals

Emory University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in allowing use of service animals for students, staff, and visitors.

If you have additional questions, feel free to reach out to us at oxadmission@emory.edu.

No, students may not apply Early Decision I (EDI) to more than one institution at the same time. However, students may apply sequentially, using Early Decision I (EDI) and then Early Decision II (EDII) if they are not admitted through EDI in mid-December.

The exception is for students applying to both Emory College of Arts and Sciences and Oxford College under an Early Decision plan, as both are part of Emory University. You may still apply to other institutions under Regular Decision or rolling admission plans.

If admitted under an Early Decision plan, students must immediately withdraw applications to other institutions. We strongly advise applying Early Decision only if you are fully committed to the decision and intend to honor the Early Decision contract without exception.

Binding means you are entering into a contractual agreement stating that Emory University is your first choice school, and that, if admitted with adequate financial aid, you will enroll here and withdraw all other college applications.

Emory’s Early Decision agreement is binding, so you cannot apply to any other school under a binding Early Decision plan or a binding early action plan. You can still apply to other schools under a nonbinding Early Action plan, rolling admission, or Regular Decision plan.

Yes. If you have filed the required financial aid application materials by our financial aid deadline, you will receive a financial aid evaluation before the enrollment deadline. Generally, financial aid packages are supplied within two business days of being admitted.

Full details about financial aid requirements and deadlines can be found on the Office of Financial Aid website.

Absolutely. You can opt in to be considered for scholars on your Early Decision application. Remember that the Early Decision I application deadline is November 1. (But the deadline for EDII and RD is November 15 if you also want to be considered for scholar programs.)

Scholar awards are not finalized until early April. If your decision to attend Emory University is dependent upon receiving a merit-based scholarship, you are advised to apply under Regular Decision.

Yes. You may change your decision plan through your application portal. The deadlines for changing your plan are posted there.

Yes. As an international applicant, you are required to declare your finances. However, if you apply for financial aid, you do not have to show you can fully cover all of your expenses for your first year at Emory.

Complete the Documentation of Finances, via your Applicant Portal, as accurately as possible with funds ranging from $0 per year up to the cost of attendance.

No. If you do choose to submit the Common Application in addition to your QuestBridge application, please be sure to include your QuestBridge application ID number with your other application.

We automatically waive the application fee for all students who apply with QuestBridge.

Yes. If you match with Emory University, you accept a binding offer of admission and are required to withdraw any applications submitted to other colleges and universities.

Note that all students awarded the match will have the option to select which campus to enroll in—the Atlanta campus (Emory College of Arts and Sciences) or the Oxford campus (Oxford College). This choice process normally occurs in December each year, after you receive news of your match award.

Emory meets 100 percent of demonstrated need for all admitted domestic students. Through programs such as Emory Advantage, our financial aid is designed to make Emory affordable for low-income and middle-income families.

Students applying Early Decision I can apply for the scholar programs but need to meet the November 1 deadline. If your ability to enroll depends on receiving a specific amount of merit scholarships or need-based financial aid, we strongly encourage you to apply Regular Decision.

Scholar program awards are not finalized until early April, after the deposit deadlines for Early Decision I and Early Decision II.

Yes, all application materials must be submitted by November 15.

Applicants are notified by March 1 if they have been selected as a finalist in one of the programs (Emory Woodruff Scholars or Oxford Woodruff Scholars). Students not selected as finalists will continue to be considered for admission under the decision plan they selected as well as for smaller merit-based scholarships.

Please know that not being selected as a scholar program finalist has no bearing on your overall admissibility to the university. Every year, many great students who are not finalists are admitted to the university and become active in the student community.

Yes. There are a limited number of smaller merit-based scholarships beyond the scholar programs. You do not need to submit any additional materials to be considered.

Yes. A student may be selected as a finalist for the Emory Scholars program and also be admitted to Oxford College or vice versa.

Yes. Please register before visiting. After you register, you’ll receive an email with parking information, where to begin, and details for your self-guided tour.

Register for an Atlanta Tour
Register for an Oxford Tour

Yes. Self-guided tours are available for Emory’s Atlanta campus and Oxford College in Oxford, Georgia. You can visit either campus or explore both.

Use Emory’s interactive self-guided tour to explore stops highlighting academics, campus life, and community. You can use the web version or download the app for turn-by-turn directions and augmented reality. Printed maps are also available at the Office of Undergraduate Admission.

Access the web version at visitour.io/emory-university or text VisitEmory to 58052. 

Download the Android Tour App

Explore Emory’s outdoor spaces and see how residence halls, classrooms, student centers, and other key areas connect across campus. You can also visit select dining locations, coffee shops, the student center, and campus bookstore.

Yes. Printed maps are available at the Office of Undergraduate Admission. If you visit on a weekday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., you can also stop by the Admission front desk to pick up a map and ask questions.

You can still register online. Complete the appropriate registration form, and you’ll receive an email with the information you need to begin your tour.

Residence hall rooms are not available during self-guided tours, but you can explore the areas around the residence halls and see how they connect to academic buildings, dining, recreation, and other campus spaces. You can also explore a typical residence hall virtually.

Take a Virtual Tour of the Atlanta Campus
Take a Virtual Tour of the Oxford Campus

Emory University does not require standardized tests for first-year or transfer students who plan to enroll in fall 2027. This policy applies to both entry points of Emory University, Emory College of Arts and Sciences and Oxford College, all decision plans (both Early Decision rounds and Regular Decision), and transfer students. It also applies to students under consideration for merit scholarships, including membership in any of Emory’s Scholar programs. Review additional information about this year’s test policy.

When you apply, you will be asked “Do you want test scores (SAT or ACT) to be considered in the review of your application for Emory University?” Students can simply answer “no” on that question if they so choose.

In answering “no,” the admission committee will not take any test scores into consideration, even if test scores come to us as self-reported scores on the application or as official scores on the high school transcript. We encourage students to know how they plan to answer that question when they apply.

If you change your mind after you’ve applied, applicants may update their “test optional” answer in the Emory applicant portal up to a certain point in time. The deadlines for those changes are based on decision plan and provided to the applicant via email and in their applicant portal.  

Emory continues to accept self-reported test scores. We will continue to superscore the SAT and the ACT.

We expect that standardized test scores will continue to demonstrate academic preparation. For students who choose to have us look at their scores, the admission committee will view the scores within the context of your application.

Students will not have to share their reasons for not submitting test results. Additionally, students will not be disadvantaged in the review process if they do not submit scores.

In the absence of test scores, the admission committee will lean even more heavily on other application materials, including an applicant’s personal statements, short answer questions, letters of recommendation, transcript, and, where available, feedback from the Alumni Interview program.

We will continue to look for students who have:

• Taken challenging classes in the context of their school and done well in them.
• Pursued outside-of-class educational, volunteer, or work opportunities, whether in person or virtually.
• Authentically shared of themselves through their application personal statements and short answer questions.

Fall 2026 transfer applicants are not required to submit test scores.

Before or during the application process, our staff is not able to advise on what classes we will or will not accept. There are no specific courses required to apply as a transfer student.

After you have been accepted, we will review your official transcripts with the required accompanying descriptions of courses from your institution’s course catalog. If the class description is similar to what we offer, that course will count toward Emory graduation credit. We will award a maximum of 62 credit hours. Transfer credit is evaluated on a tentative basis and may not be finalized until the end of your first semester at Emory.

Credit evaluations will be processed four to five weeks after admission.

To graduate from Emory, you must obtain 124 total academic credits, 62 hours of which must be completed at Emory. Students who transfer with the maximum of 62 credit hours will need to complete 128 total academic credits, 62 hours of which must be completed at Emory. Emory does not grant academic credit for any form of distance education courses.

Transfer applicants interested in Goizueta Business School (GBS) should consider the following when applying:

• GBS accepts a small cohort of external transfer students each year. Students are encouraged to apply to start fall of sophomore year, although Goizueta will allow a junior-year start for highly qualified candidates who were not previously studying business at their former institution.
• GBS prefers students complete the majority of their business coursework here at Emory, so students with a number of business classes from another institution are not good transfer candidates.
• When applying, you will have the option to select if you want to apply only to Goizueta Business School or also want to be considered by Emory College as your second choice.

Transfer applicants interested in the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing should review the prerequisites for applying for a bachelor of science in nursing. If you have completed these requirements by the time you’d like to start at Emory, you should apply directly to the School of Nursing. If you have not completed these prerequisites, you should apply to Emory College.

Housing for transfer students is not guaranteed, but we invite enrolling transfer students to apply for housing if they are interested in living on campus. If housing is available for incoming transfer students, the Office of Residence Life and Housing Operations will make assignments on a first-come, first-served basis.

Individuals already holding a bachelor’s degree are not eligible for admission to Emory College as a transfer or visiting student.

You can apply for nondegree admission if you have a bachelor’s degree and simply would like to take undergraduate courses as a non-degree-seeking student.

Due to the large number of applicants, Emory does not offer interviews for transfer applicants.

You can submit an employer recommendation if you have been out of college for at least one full year.

Transfer applicants who are admitted for a specific term must choose to enroll for that term or forfeit their admission. An admitted transfer student who chooses not to enroll must wait a full academic year and submit a new application via the Common Application to be considered again for admission.

Yes. A transfer applicant denied admission may reapply for the following fall semester.

You can, but we still require official documents, high school and college transcripts, from your schools. The Documents Tab is primarily for supplemental materials. 

At Emory University, your application materials are carefully read by a member of our admission committee. To us, in addition to your academic preparation, the voice, style, and unique perspective you bring are some of the most vital parts of your application. Your submission should always reflect your own ideas, creativity, and experiences. We value authentic self-expression, and we want to hear your story.

Guiding Principles: 

• Sharing Your Lived Experiences. While ideas are infinite and human experiences may be shared, your story is uniquely yours. The challenges you’ve faced, the interests that drive you, and the moments that have shaped you are what we are eager to discover. No generative AI tool can capture the authenticity of your personal journey, and that’s why it’s essential for your voice to come through in your writing. Whether recounting a perspective-changing event, a personal interest, or a significant challenge, these are the experiences that make your application truly distinct. At the heart of your essays should be you—your lived experiences and worldview.
• AI as a Writing Coach, Not a Creator. For years, students have sought feedback from family, teachers, school counselors, and mentors on their personal narratives. They remain the best coaches for you. While AI and similar tools can provide some assistance and feedback, it is essential that your thoughts, voice, and story remain at the core of your application. AI tools could polish or refine, but they should not replace or generate your personal input or creativity. If you choose to use AI for editing, treat it as a suggestive tool to enhance your writing, not to create it. For example, AI might help you clarify your thoughts in the Activities section of the Common Application or organize ideas in a personal statement. Emory values the originality and individuality that only you can offer and preserving your voice is of the utmost importance.
• Academic Integrity and the Emory University Honor Code. Should you enroll at Emory University, the academic standards will be high. We value originality and giving proper credit for ideas. At Emory, academic integrity is a core value, and any attempt to submit work that is not your own—whether in the form of examinations, papers, homework, or creative assignments—constitutes plagiarism and is a violation of the Honor Code. The use of AI in any academic work without explicit permission from the instructor may also constitute seeking unauthorized assistance. Any suspicion of academic misconduct will be reported to the Honor Council.

Here in the Emory University Office of Undergraduate Admission, we look forward to learning about the real you. Embrace this process and let your genuine voice shine through.