Emory University

About Emory University

Emory University has established itself as one of the South's premier research institutions, combining the intellectual resources of a major research university with the intimate learning environment and personal attention that define the best liberal arts colleges. Located in the leafy Druid Hills neighborhood of Atlanta, just miles from the bustling downtown, Emory occupies a stunning 630-acre campus that blends Italian Renaissance architecture with modern research facilities amidst carefully tended gardens and mature hardwood forests. The university traces its origins to 1836 in Oxford, Georgia, making it one of the oldest institutions of higher learning in the Southeast, though the move to Atlanta in 1915 positioned Emory for its emergence as a nationally prominent university. Approximately 7,000 undergraduates join a community distinguished by intellectual curiosity, commitment to service, and genuine warmth that reflects both Southern hospitality and progressive values. The 11% acceptance rate signals the selectivity that has made Emory a destination for talented students from across the nation and around the world who seek rigorous academics alongside meaningful community. Faculty members, including members of the National Academies and recipients of major awards across disciplines, maintain active research programs while remaining genuinely accessible to undergraduates who seek mentorship and collaboration.

Admission to Emory University has grown increasingly selective, with acceptance rates around 11% reflecting the quality of students attracted by the university's combination of research excellence, undergraduate focus, and distinctive Southern character. The admissions committee evaluates applications holistically, seeking students who demonstrate intellectual curiosity, academic excellence, and the capacity to contribute to Emory's collaborative community. Strong performance in rigorous coursework—honors, Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, or equivalent programs—signals preparation for Emory's challenging curriculum. Standardized testing policies have evolved, and applicants should consult current requirements. Essays play a crucial role in evaluation, with prompts designed to reveal personality, values, and ways of thinking beyond what grades and test scores capture. Supplemental questions specific to Emory invite applicants to explain their interest in the university and how they would contribute to campus life. Letters of recommendation illuminate character and classroom engagement. Demonstrated interest through campus visits, information sessions, and interviews can strengthen applications by showing genuine engagement with what makes Emory distinctive. Early Decision options are available for students certain that Emory represents their first choice.

Emory's academic enterprise spans undergraduate colleges and graduate schools that together provide comprehensive educational opportunities unified by a commitment to inquiry, discovery, and the integration of knowledge with ethical responsibility. Emory College of Arts and Sciences serves as the heart of the undergraduate experience, offering over seventy majors in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences that encourage students to explore broadly before developing expertise. The Goizueta Business School has achieved national recognition for undergraduate business education that emphasizes analytical rigor, ethical leadership, and global perspective, with programs that place graduates at leading corporations and consulting firms. The Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing prepares compassionate healthcare professionals who will serve communities throughout their careers. Emory's particular strengths include public health, where the Rollins School of Public Health has achieved top-five national ranking, and the biological sciences and neuroscience, which benefit from proximity to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and extensive biomedical research infrastructure. Undergraduate research opportunities abound, with programs that fund student projects and connect undergraduates with faculty mentors across disciplines. The Oxford College two-year liberal arts program provides an alternative entry point with small classes and residential community before students transition to the Atlanta campus.

Key Highlights

• Private non-profit institution with strong academic tradition
• Located in a major metropolitan area with excellent opportunities
• Research-intensive with extensive graduate programs
• Diverse academic programs across multiple disciplines

Student Life & Environment

Student life at Emory unfolds on a campus that combines the beauty of a botanical garden with the energy of a community engaged in learning, service, and celebration. The residential campus creates genuine community, with most undergraduates living on campus in housing that ranges from traditional residence halls to apartment-style options for upperclassmen. Greek life plays a significant role, with approximately one-third of students participating in fraternities and sororities that provide social outlets, leadership opportunities, and philanthropic engagement. Dooley, the unofficial mascot spirit represented by a skeleton who appears unexpectedly to grant class dismissals and preside over Dooley's Week festivities, exemplifies the playful traditions that make Emory distinctive. The Wonderful Wednesday programming brings the community together midweek with activities and entertainment. Division III athletics provide opportunities for student-athletes to compete while maintaining academic priorities, with particular strength in swimming and diving. Over 400 student organizations address interests from cultural celebration to political advocacy to artistic expression. The campus's location in Atlanta provides easy access to professional sports, world-class cultural institutions including the High Museum of Art and Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, and diverse dining and entertainment options.

Location & Surroundings

Atlanta provides Emory students with access to one of America's most dynamic and diverse metropolitan areas, offering professional opportunities, cultural richness, and urban energy while the Druid Hills campus maintains a serene, parklike atmosphere removed from the bustle. The campus itself ranks among the most beautiful in the nation, with Italian marble buildings surrounding manicured quadrangles, sculptures and gardens providing spaces for study and reflection, and the Lullwater Preserve offering trails through forests and wetlands just steps from academic buildings. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, headquartered adjacent to campus, provides unique opportunities for students interested in public health and epidemiology. Downtown Atlanta lies just six miles away, accessible by public transportation, offering professional sports venues, the Georgia Aquarium, the World of Coca-Cola, and the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park that memorializes the civil rights leader who grew up in Atlanta. The city's position as a hub for film and television production, international business, and technology creates internship and employment opportunities across industries. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the world's busiest, connects students easily to destinations worldwide. The moderate climate allows outdoor activity throughout the year.

Costs & Career Outcomes

Emory University represents a significant investment in education that yields exceptional returns through career outcomes, graduate school placement, and the formation of graduates prepared for lives of meaning and contribution. As a private nonprofit institution committed to accessibility, Emory provides substantial need-based financial aid, meeting 100% of demonstrated need for admitted students. The university's $8 billion endowment enables generous aid packages that make attendance possible for talented students regardless of family economic circumstances. Emory Advantage ensures that students from families below certain income thresholds graduate without student loan debt. The career center provides comprehensive services from freshman exploration through job placement, including career counseling, resume development, interview preparation, and connections with employers. Consulting firms, including McKinsey, BCG, and Bain, recruit actively at Emory, as do major corporations across industries. The healthcare sector offers particular strength given Emory's medical and public health programs, with Emory Healthcare providing employment and experience opportunities. Graduate school placement is excellent, with Emory graduates gaining admission to top programs in medicine, law, business, and doctoral studies. The alumni network, concentrated in Atlanta but extending worldwide, provides mentorship and opportunity for current students and recent graduates.