The Dean’s Letter to Prospective Students and Their Parents

I am delighted that you have accessed the Emory University website. You will find here a wealth of information on admission, financial aid, and academic programs. Please review the site carefully. This information will be an excellent supplement to the variety of printed material on the University.

During my many years of admission work, I am amazed each year at the volume of information on selecting a college. Walk in any bookstore and discover entire sections devoted to the topic. Pick up any periodical or newspaper and the latest “insider” information is in the headlines. The college selection process continues to be a daunting challenge for most students and parents alike—shrouded in mystery and myth.

My purpose is not to add to this glut of information. Prospective students and parents have many excellent resources on selecting the right college. Read as many guidebooks and articles as possible, discuss your dreams and aspirations with your guidance counselor and teachers, and visit with friends who have already gone through the process and are enrolled in college. Emory seeks an outstanding first year class in much the same way as other highly selective colleges and universities. The Admission Committee values objective information, such as curriculum, grades, and test scores. Academic information is critical in assessing a student’s potential for success in our demanding academic program. We also carefully evaluate subjective material, such as extracurricular activities, writing samples, and letters of recommendation. All of this valuable information paints a picture of who you are to the Admission Committee.

Here are some important aspects of our review at Emory:

Time Commitments Outside of Class
“What will this candidate add to the Emory community?” Our undergraduate student body of approximately 5,500 students is small in comparison to many other national universities. Despite our size, Emory has a campus life program comparable to much larger institutions. With more than 250 organizations, clubs, teams and performing arts groups, we seek students who will contribute to the life of the campus. You should make contact with an Emory athletic coach, debate coach, or music director if you have an interest in continuing your activity in college. You may use the Emory web page to locate these individuals, or by calling directly to the Office of Admission via our toll free number (800.727.6036).

Aid Blind Admission
It is important for you and your parents to know that Emory practices an aid blind admission program. Whether you apply for need-based aid or not has no bearing on admission decisions. Each fall approximately 60 percent of the incoming first year class receive some form of assistance to attend.

Early Decision
The last few years have seen a surge in Early Decision applications at the most selective colleges and universities in the nation. Emory has been no exception to this trend. We offer two rounds of Early Decision. I encourage you to carefully evaluate the terms and conditions of Early Decision before making a commitment. Approximately one third of our entering class enrolls via Early Decision. Choosing this option is serious business!

Demonstrated Interest in Emory
I encourage you to take advantage of as many aspects of our admission program as possible. This may range from meeting with an admission officer at your high school or at an Evening with Emory program, visiting the campus, viewing our Video Visit, or calling, writing or emailing us for additional information. A student who has clearly researched the University and has a strong interest is a higher priority in our review than the student interested only in collecting admission letters. (Listing our football team as a reason for applying won’t be viewed in a positive way since we don’t have one!)

Information From Significant Others
There are many individuals in your high school and community who know you well. They can assist the Admission Committee in adding to the mosaic that is your application. Teachers, coaches, employers, members of the clergy—all will have a unique point of view on your potential for college. Carefully select individuals who will add a perspective to your file that would be unavailable from others.

With so many outstanding colleges and universities to choose from, the obvious question may be “Why Emory?” This is a good question with a variety of answers. Our research indicates many recurring themes among prospective and enrolling students. These include our rigorous academic program, size, location, resources, facilities, diversity, and campus life programs. I believe that Emory can best be described as “a work in progress.” The University has emerged in the last two decades as one of the premier private universities in the nation. As we look to the new century, there continues to be a thirst for excellence in all that we do. For the past twenty years, I have assured prospective students that Emory will be a better place the day they graduate than the day they enroll. This is the defining quality of Emory University.

I encourage you to join this exceptional community.

Sincerely,

Jean Jordan
Dean of Admission