Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia is considered to be a “Southern Ivy” – an elite southern school that rivals the course offerings, research impact, renowned faculty, and economic earning potential of titans like Harvard, Yale, and Brown.
Emory has topped national and global rankings lists for years; most recently, the school was ranked 21st among U.S. universities by the U.S. News & World Report.
Their prestigious nursing degree program is ranked 4th overall, while their business school sits at #14 on the list of the best undergraduate business programs.
Students who transfer to Emory will be thrilled to attend one of the world’s best research universities, and even more pleased at the less intimidating cost, compared to its competitors.
Have we mentioned yet that Atlanta is a booming economic and cultural epicenter leading the way in technological and political innovation? To say there are career-related opportunities for college students is a major understatement.
Read on to learn more about what makes Emory an appealing school to attend as a transfer.
We’ll share the historical Emory transfer acceptance rate, minimum GPA requirements, essential application materials, important deadlines and decision dates, and more about the exciting city of Atlanta, Georgia.
Emory Transfer Acceptance Rate
Historically, Emory has admitted 20-25% of transfer applicants, which accounts for approximately 120 new transfer students joining the Emory campus community each year.
Some of the most competitive of Emory’s schools – such as the Business School – only accept up to 20 transfer students each year.
In fact, Emory prefers that transfer students complete the majority of their business-related coursework at Emory.
This means that if a potential Emory transfer has already completed several business classes at their current university, the Emory Office of Admissions will not consider them to be an ideal transfer candidate.
How does Emory University define a transfer student? Applicants must have graduated from secondary school and completed one year as a full-time college student – it is acceptable if transfers apply to Emory while currently enrolled in the second semester at their respective colleges).
In the case that a transfer applicant was expelled, forced to withdraw, or placed on academic probation at their current university, they are not eligible to apply for transfer admission to Emory.
Application Requirements & GPA
The middle 50% of Emory’s undergraduate class of 2025 maintained an average unweighted GPA between 3.8 and 4.0.
Transfer hopefuls can expect a similar competitive minimum GPA for admission to Emory and are advised to have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
Eligible candidates must submit nine sets of materials to the Emory Office of Admissions – the first two items are the Common Application and the $75 application fee or fee waiver.
Third, applicants will need to contact all the institutions where they previously completed coursework and request that they send their transcripts to Emory (the same goes for a student’s high school transcript).
Standardized test scores make up the fifth set of application materials, though Emory currently maintains a test-optional policy. This policy stipulates that transfer applicants are not required to submit their SAT or ACT scores for consideration.
Still, many applicants do submit their standardized test scores because they believe their competitive scores will enhance the appeal of their application.
The undergraduate class of 2025, for example, averaged between 33 and 35 on the ACT composite scores, 710 and 770 on the SAT evidence-based reading and writing scores, and 740 and 780 on the SAT mathematics scores.
The sixth required item is a single faculty recommendation letter or academic evaluation, and the seventh item is the College Official Report. The eighth and ninth items may or may not be applicable, as they relate to financial aid and TOEFL scores, respectively.
For a transfer to receive qualified financial assistance, they must apply for financial aid. Transfer students are only eligible for need-based aid, and all international transfer students must complete the International Student Certification of Finance.
TOEFL scores are one way to prove English language proficiency. All international applicants must either self-report or submit official copies of their TOEFL scores.
There are several exceptions to this requirement. If an international student has scored over 700 on the SAT evidence-based reading section, 30 or higher on the ACT English section, or 7.5 or higher on the IELTS, they do not need to take the TOEFL.
Also, if they have completed four straight years of a full curriculum taught completely in English, they are exempt from the TOEFL requirement.
Several of Emory’s schools have special requirements or exemptions, as well. For example, those hoping to transfer to the Goizueta Business School or Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing should review additional stipulations. Oxford College does not accept any transfer applicants.
Unlike many schools, Emory doesn’t require transfer admits attending Emory to take any specific classes. Emory encourages students to enroll in a broad curriculum, and the Office of Admissions only evaluates a student’s credits after they have been admitted as a transfer.
Emory Transfer Deadline
Emory fall semester transfer hopefuls have until March 15 to submit their application materials and March 16 to share financial aid documentation (this includes the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and CSS Profile, student/parent/business tax returns, and non-custodial parent tax return, if applicable).
If a student applies for financial aid, they will receive notice of their package within 48 hours of receiving their admission decision (as long as they have submitted all necessary documentation).
Because so many students apply to transfer to Emory, the Office of Admissions does not grant individual interviews; therefore, the application must represent the candidate in the best light.
Transfer applicants are either accepted, deferred, or denied. Students who are not accepted may attempt to apply again for the following fall semester.
If admitted, transfers are not permitted to defer their enrollment – if they do, they forfeit their admission status.
What Is the Decision Date for Emory?
Transfer applicants will receive an admit/defer/deny decision in early May. Those who choose to enroll must submit their initial deposit by May 31.
The next step for Emory University is to review the admitted transfer students’ official college transcripts, along with the course descriptions for any credits a transfer student has obtained at the collegiate level (these must be derived from the university’s program or studies or course catalog).
If the course descriptions bear a striking enough resemblance to Emory’s offerings, the Office of Admissions will count each course toward Emory degree credit.
Transfer students may carry over up to 62 credit hours, which is half the amount required to graduate from Emory. Additionally, at least 62 credit hours must be obtained at Emory.
Often, students can transfer credit from high scores on AP, IB, or dual-enrollment exams.
It is important to note that credit obtained through these means will not apply toward Emory’s required minimum of 28 credit hours completed/in progress before a transfer can apply.
Admitted students should also consider that Emory does not award credit for any mode of online or distance education.
Deciding Whether You Should Transfer to Emory
Emory is located in the Druid Hills neighborhood of Atlanta.
Here, students enjoy fixtures like the Georgia Aquarium and the Jim Cherry Memorial Planetarium.
Nature enthusiasts seek refuge in the Olmsted Linear Park, while many college students are sure to be seen having a blast at The Painted Pin – a bowling alley with a sophisticated bar situated inside an expansive warehouse.
One rite of passage includes taking a ride on the SkyView Atlanta, a colossal Ferris wheel whose climate-controlled gondolas offer exhilarating panoramic views of the city.
Because Emory is a more insulated campus, there are naturally plenty of house parties going on over the weekends and weeknights – a student seeking to transfer to a more bustling, exciting college environment should consider Emory University in Atlanta.
That being said, Emory has a smaller population of around 5,500 undergraduates. Oftentimes, a student who moves away to college might not like the feeling of being a small fish in a big pond.
Emory’s “pond” is considerably smaller, allowing for more intimate connections.
Looking for a lucrative internship opportunity? Atlanta is the place to be, as home to 700 Fortune 1000 companies.
From summer jobs and field experiences to jobs secured immediately after graduation, many industries are thriving in Atlanta and are open to hiring Emory students.
RECAP: How to Apply As a Transfer Student to Emory
Maintaining a competitive GPA of 3.5 or above? Those are grounds to begin applying to Emory as a transfer student.
Remember that there are nine items to submit to the Office of Admissions, with the required ones being the Common Application, collegiate transcript(s), high school transcript(s), faculty letter of recommendation, and College Report.
Four items are only applicable to some students, with the first being the $75 application fee. Transfer students whose families may experience financial hardship as a result of incurring the $75 fee may request a waiver.
Standardized test scores are also optional, and should only be shared if they will raise the competitive edge of a transfer hopeful’s application.
International transfer applicants should submit their TOEFL scores, while any candidate in need of financial aid should also submit the required documentation (i.e., the FAFSA and CSS Profile).
It is important to continue earning grades at the highest possible level since Emory will seek a report of all final grades for admitted transfer students.
Failure to live up to the minimum GPA standards may raise an alarm at the Office of Admissions, potentially altering a transfer student’s admission status.
