As a first-year student at Emory, you’ll step into a highly collaborative environment where students, faculty, and staff work together to tackle big questions and create meaningful change. We’re looking for students who bring bold ideas, global perspectives, and a desire to grow through community. With students from over 100 countries, Emory is a place where different voices come together to drive progress.
At Emory, we take a holistic approach to admission. We look at your academic choices, your voice in essays, insights from teachers, and how you spend your time outside the classroom to understand your potential and what you’ll bring to our community.
The classes you take and the grades you earn matter. We value students who challenge themselves and succeed, adjusting our review based on each high school’s standards. While test scores are optional, strong grades in advanced courses can offset lower scores—high scores alone can’t make up for poor grades. Learn more about our test optional policy.
Teachers know you best in the classroom, and we want to know what they think about you. Consider asking for recommendations not only from teachers in courses where you excelled but also from those where you faced and overcame challenges. They can provide us with unique insights into your resilience and character.
This is your place to show us who you are. We’re looking for students who have a voice, who are intellectually curious, and who have demonstrated an engagement with the world around them. Take time to pick the topic that suits you best and be sure to proofread your work before submitting it.
We value students who will contribute to life beyond school—on campus, in Atlanta, and in the world. What will you gain from our community, and what will you give? Whether through clubs, sports, work, family, research, or service, we want to know how you make an impact.
In this video, Emory’s Director of Admission, Mark Butt, shares what we look for in applicants and explains the admission process and decision-making.
Whether you’re applying Early Decision or Regular Decision, getting started is easy. Submit the Common Application to Emory College, Oxford College, or both. We review each application holistically—so be genuine, share your story, and show how you’ll make an impact at Emory.
Discover how to apply and what to submit for Emory College, Oxford College, or both.
First-year applicants can apply Early Decision I, Early Decision II, or Regular Decision.
Explore college credit, testing options, and tips for essays and recommendations.