Emory LEADs Experience
Who LEADs Is For
Any high school senior who would benefit from college application guidance is welcome to participate. The program is especially designed to support talented, high-achieving students who:
- Will be the first in their families to attend college
- Come from rural or lower-income backgrounds
- May not otherwise have the opportunity to visit Emory’s campus
You do not have to apply to Emory University to participate.
Participation in LEADs has no effect on admission or scholarship decisions. Emory does not track demonstrated interest.
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Leadership
Recognize your ability to influence, guide, and motivate others—even without a formal leadership title. Develop skills such as empathy, communication, active listening, and prioritization while learning how to communicate your leadership experiences in a college application.
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Enrichment
Expand your goals and explore the opportunities available to you. Honest conversations about college admission will help you build confidence, understand your options, and identify institutions that fit your potential.
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Advocacy
Learn to speak up for yourself, ask questions, express concerns, and make informed choices. You will navigate the application process alongside a supportive community of students, admission professionals, and current college students.
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Discovery
Explore new academic interests, learn about the Emory community, and connect with students and staff who can help you develop a clearer sense of direction—during the college search and beyond.
How the Experience Works
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| May 26, 2026 | LEADs application opens |
| May 28, 2026, afternoon | Virtual overview for CBO counselors and educators |
| May 28, 2026, evening | Virtual overview for students and families |
| July 31, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET | Application deadline for Leadership Retreat consideration |
| August 3–14, 2026 | Application review |
| August 25, 2026 | First virtual LEADs session |
| By September 11, 2026 | Leadership Retreat decisions released |
| October 1–3, 2026 | On-campus Leadership Retreat |
| September–December 2026 | Ongoing virtual programming |
| August–December 2026 | Monthly newsletters |
Registration is now closed.
Registration for the Emory LEADs Experience is no longer available because the deadline has passed. Explore the College Admission Guidebooks and FAQs below for additional resources and information.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the emory leads experience?
The Emory Leadership, Enrichment, Advocacy, and Discovery (LEADs) Experience is designed to support the recruitment of talented, high-achieving high school seniors who are either first-generation college students and/or from a rural or lower socioeconomic background, and/or students who do not have the means to visit campus. More information can be found here: https://apply.emory.edu/leads/index.html.
What is the format of the Emory LEADs experience?
The Emory LEADs Experience encompasses an in-person, three-day, Leadership Retreat that will be held on Thursday, October 1st – Saturday, October 3rd, 2026, for about 100 students. In addition, all LEADs applicants –regardless of whether they attend the in-person Leadership Retreat –will have access to monthly virtual webinars August through December, to engage with current students and staff. All students will also receive a monthly curated newsletter beginning in August.
Is there an application to participate in the LEADs experience?
Yes, The LEADs Application is due Friday, July 31st at 11:59pm Eastern to be considered for the in-person Leadership Retreat.
What if i miss the July 31st deadline to apply?
Students who miss the July 31st deadline to apply are encouraged to utilize the four (4) LEADs Admission Guidebooks, available by late summer, as a resource throughout their college application process. In addition, students can connect with current Emory students through Welcome to College and can sign up for Emory’s virtual and in-person Information Sessions here.
Please note: We do not track demonstrated interested; Whether a student participates– or does not participate - in LEADs has no impact on a student's admission decision or scholarship opportunities at Emory University.
What is the in-person Leadership Retreat?
The Leadership Retreat is scheduled for Thursday, October 1st through Saturday, October 3rd, 2026, and participation is by invitation-only. Students will have the opportunity to explore our vibrant campus, engage in leadership development programming, as well as meet and interact with committed and diverse professors, campus life staff, and current students.
Please note: Invited students are required to attend the entire on-campus program and cannot arrive late or depart early.
Will all applicants be invited to the in-person Leadership Retreat?
No. All students who submit an Emory LEADs Experience Application by Friday, July 31st at 11:59pm ET will be considered for admission to the Leadership Retreat. However, due to budgetary constraints and hosting limitations, our goal is to bring roughly 100 LEADs students to campus for the Leadership Retreat.
When will students be notified of their leadership retreat admission decision?
Students will be notified no later than Friday, September 11th by the end of the business day. Students who are admitted to the Leadership Retreat will receive separate communications with details about the experience.
Will I be at a disadvantage if I’m not selected for the in-person leadership retreat?
Not at all! As a reminder, acceptance to the Emory LEADs Experience Leadership Retreat is not a reflection of your admission to Emory.
The Leadership Retreat is just one aspect of our Emory LEADs Experience. There will be other ways to connect with LEADs, including attending our virtual sessions, utilizing our Admission Guidebooks (available late summer), and communicating with current students via Welcome to College.
Who is the LEADs experience for?
The Emory Leadership, Enrichment, Advocacy, and Discovery (LEADs) Experience is designed for the recruitment of talented, high-achieving high school seniors who are either first-generation college students and/or from a rural or lower socioeconomic background, and/or students who do not have the means to visit campus. That being said, any high school senior is welcome to participate if they feel the content would be meaningful and helpful for their college application process.
How will i receive information about the LEADs experience?
Upon submitting their Emory LEADs Experience Application, students will receive an email confirmation as well as subsequent emails about programming throughout the fall semester.
My parents/guardians/advocates have questions about college admission, too. Can they participate in the LEADs Experience?
Parents/guardians/advocates with questions about the college application process are encouraged to download our LEADs College Admission Guidebooks (available late summer) and review the table of contents in each to learn more about the specific topics discussed. The Guidebooks are featured in both English and Spanish.
Parents can also reach out to us directly at admission@emory.edu any time with their questions.
Please note: The in-person Leadership Retreat is for high school seniors only.
What if I don’t apply to Emory University? Can I still participate in the LEADs experience?
Yes! We hope students consider participating in LEADs for support in navigating the college application process, especially for first-generation students and those from rural or low-income backgrounds. As such, all high school seniors can participate in the program no matter if they intend to apply or not.
Is the Leadership Retreat free?
All Leadership Retreat participants are provided with free on-campus housing, meals, and shuttle transportation between the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and Emory University.
Invited students who live outside a 275-mile radius of Atlanta, Georgia, will also have all their travel expenses covered by the Office of Undergraduate Admission.
Invited students within a 275-mile radius are expected to drive to campus.