Unfortunately, we do not have admissions counselors or advisors. All the information you need to know about applying to Emory School of Medicine is included on this website. If, after reviewing the information on this website, you still have questions, you may call the Office of Admissions at 404-727-5660. Here are some of the basics:
In order to meet Emory course requirements, you will need to complete at least four full years, with labs, in the basic sciences (one year in each of the following areas: biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics). We expect medical school students to have a sound knowledge in these areas, prior to attending medical school.
For the class that began medical school in 2023, the average MCAT score was 515 (the 90th percentile). The average GPA was 3.7. Emory received over 12,000 applications last year for its incoming class of 138 students, so you’ll need to be competitive in order to be invited for an interview.
Another important thing to keep in mind is that the application “season” begins 14 months prior to each year’s fall semester, so be sure to plan ahead. Applications are submitted online via the American Medical College Application System (AMCAS), beginning in May (for application to the fall of the following year).
You may also find it helpful to meet with your pre-medical advisor at your college or university for assistance applying to medical school.
In this time of uncertainty, our Admissions Committee assures you that unforeseen academic circumstances will be understood in the context of the current situation. We will accept pass/fail as well as online coursework, toward the following course requirements.
In order to meet Emory course requirements, you will need to complete at least four full years (eight semesters) with labs, in the basic sciences (one year in each of the following areas: biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics). We expect medical school students to have a sound knowledge in these areas, prior to attending medical school.
You will also need to complete six semester hours of English (a full year of college-level grammar and composition). If you feel that your coursework in other areas would fulfill this requirement, you will be given an opportunity in the Emory Supplemental Application to explain. This does not guarantee that an exception will granted. The final decision rests with the Admissions Committee. Exceptions are made for individuals with very high grades or for those who demonstrate grammar and composition aptitude in other areas (MCAT scores, thesis work, publication of research/articles, etc.).
Lastly, you will need to complete at least 18 hours of coursework (6 semester-long courses) in the Humanities and Social Sciences.
Examples of courses that meet this requirement include:
Course requirements are listed above in semester hours. If your school operates on academic quarters, the requirement for the sciences is equivalent to one year, or three quarters, in each of the sciences. For the humanities, we require nine quarter-long courses in humanities and/or social sciences.
You do not have to be a pre-med or biology major to apply to Emory. Every year, we admit many students with non-science majors. The most important consideration is that you meet the course requirements, including four full years in the sciences (see question above for complete list of course requirements).
Emory accepts students from state schools, as well as private schools. We do not consider students from any particular college or university to be more prepared for medical school than others, although we do recognize that some schools are more academically rigorous than others. What you do and accomplish during your undergraduate career speaks more highly of your preparation for medical school, than does a degree from a particular institution.
If your undergraduate degree is from a college or university in the United States or Canada, the college or university must be regionally accredited in order for you to qualify for admission to Emory. For a list of accredited schools, please visit the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Look for their “Regional Accrediting Organizations.”
Over 80% of last year’s class had taken a year or more “off” after college. Some took full-time jobs, some did overseas volunteer work, others pursued their interests outside of medicine. We do not consider this a disadvantage.
Some applicants feel that they need to take a few post-graduate science courses to strengthen/refresh their knowledge in the sciences. This is not required, but consider that you will need to submit strong, recent MCAT scores (taken within four years of matriculation) in order to be competitive.
Emory does not have a post-baccalaureate program designed to prepare students for medical school; however, you may qualify for admission through Emory University's Laney Graduate School as a Student in Special Standing (non-degree seeking student) if you would like to take one or more undergraduate science courses. Please click here for more information about registering for classes at the Laney Graduate School of Emory University.
Visit our programs section for more information about the following programs:
The application process begins about 14 months prior to each year’s fall semester.
Applications to most medical schools, including Emory, are submitted online with the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS). The application season begins in early May of each year (for admission to the fall semester of the following year). The deadline to apply through AMCAS is October 15. American Medical College Application Service.
Part of your AMCAS application will include the selection of all the medical schools to which you wish to apply. If you select Emory as one of your choices, AMCAS will send your verified information to us.
For the 2024-25 Application Cycle, Emory will prescreen for minimum MCAT scores. Emory will prescreen for a minimum MCAT score of 502 with at least a 124 in each of the four subtests. Applicants with an MCAT total score of less than 502, or a subtest score of less than 124 on any of the four MCAT subtests will not receive an invitation to complete an Emory Supplemental Application. If an applicant has more than one MCAT score, the latest score will be used to determine eligibility. In order to receive the Emory Supplemental Application, an applicant must have taken the MCAT no more than 3 times. An applicant who has taken the MCAT 4 or more times will not receive an Emory Supplemental Application.
Emory does not prescreen for a minimum GPA.
Once your verified application is received at Emory (and your application meets our MCAT prescreening criteria), you will receive an email from the Office of Admissions providing access to Emory’s online Supplemental Application.
Applicants will be required to submit a headshot photo and application fee (or fee waiver) with their online Emory Supplemental Application. The deadline to submit the Supplemental Application is December 1.
You may also find help with the medical school application process by contacting your Pre-Health or Pre-Medical Advisor at your school’s academic advising office.
We no longer mail out or accept paper applications. All applications are submitted online (see question above for more details about the application process).
Applicants are required to submit either:
We strongly suggest you submit two letters from professors who taught you in the hard sciences (Biology, Chemistry and Physics) in your undergraduate or post-baccalaureate education or from someone familiar with your research and knowledge in the sciences.
If you are unable to submit letters from two science professors, you may substitute letters from other educators, advisors, or employers, but keep in mind that Emory is an extremely competitive school. The Admissions Committee will look for applicants who demonstrate a sound knowledge in the hard sciences, prior to attending medical school, and are able to provide recommendation letters to attest to that knowledge.
You may submit additional letters of recommendation, but keep in mind that the Admissions Committee may not be able to read an excessive amount of letters. Please limit additional letters to just a few.
If you do not have a Pre-Health or Pre-Medical Committee at your undergraduate institution, you may submit letters of recommendation from three individual letter writers. Two of these letter writers should be your professors in the sciences (biology, chemistry or physics) or individuals who are very familiar with your knowledge, interest, and abilities in the sciences.
If your letters are submitted by three individual letter writers rather than your school’s Pre-Health or Pre-Medical Committee, you will be asked, on the Emory Supplemental Application for the reason that you are not submitting a Pre-Health Committee Letter.
You may request an application fee waiver through AMCAS when you submit your AMCAS application. If your request is granted, you will automatically be granted a fee waiver for the Emory Supplemental Application as well.
If you were denied a fee waiver by AMCAS, you may have your financial aid officer or other financial or banking officer send us a letter (to medadmiss@emory.edu), requesting a waiver of your application fee. The letter should include a summary of your financial need, as well as the conditions that have changed since your request was denied by AMCAS.
Submitting a request for a fee waiver does not guarantee that your request will be granted. The final decision to grant a fee waiver will be decided once your documentation is received and reviewed by the Admissions Committee.
Emory will prescreen all applicants for a minimum MCAT score of 502 with at least a 124 in each of the four subtests. Applicants with an MCAT total score of less than 502, or a subtest score of less than 124 on any of the four MCAT subtests will not receive an invitation to complete an Emory Supplemental Application.
If an applicant has more than one MCAT score, the latest score will be used to determine eligibility.
In order to receive the Emory Supplemental Application, an applicant must have taken the MCAT no more than 3 times. An applicant who has taken the MCAT 4 or more times, will not receive an Emory Supplemental Application
The average cumulative GPA for the current First Year class is 3.7. The average MCAT score is 514 (approx. the 90th percentile) with an average of between 128 and 129 in each of the science subtests.
Emory does not provide a prep course for the MCATs.
No. Each set of scores will be assessed separately.
In order to receive the Emory Supplemental Application, an applicant must have taken the MCAT no more than 3 times. An applicant who has taken the MCAT 4 or more times, will not receive an Emory Supplemental Application.
We will accept MCAT scores as far back as 4 years prior to matriculation. For example, to apply for the Fall 2025 class, you will need to submit MCAT scores from no earlier than 2021.
If you have taken post-baccalaureate courses, this course work will be calculated with your undergraduate grades and appear in your cumulative GPA with your AMCAS data. However, if you have taken courses in a Graduate degree program, your GPA in that program will be separated from your undergraduate and post-baccalaureate cumulative GPA.
The Admissions Committee will look at the improvement a student makes over the course of their college career. An ascending GPA will look better than a descending GPA. However, the strength of all courses taken, both in the early and later years will be considered.
We will accept some Advancement Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate credit, as long as it appears on your undergraduate transcript. However, a solid background in the sciences is essential to do well on the MCAT science subtests and to be accepted to a rigorous medical school program, such as Emory's.
It is highly recommended that you complete at least four full years, with labs, in the basic sciences (one year in each of the following areas: biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics). We expect medical school students to have a sound knowledge in these areas, prior to attending medical school. If you have AP and/or IB credit in any of these general science areas, you may find it helpful to take additional science courses to keep your knowledge in the sciences strong, but it is not required.
If you do not meet the minimum course requirements, you will be given an opportunity in the Emory Supplemental Application to explain why. Exceptions are made. They are rare, but they are made for individuals with very high grades or for those who demonstrate an exceptional aptitude in the sciences and in other areas (strong MCAT scores, published research, etc.).
Another important factor to consider is scoring well on the MCAT science subtests. Our admitted students score an average of 514 on the MCAT. If you are able to score well in the MCAT science subtests, this will certainly be a significant indicator of your knowledge in the sciences.
It is highly recommended that you complete most, if not all, of your science requirements prior to applying. Some required labs and humanities coursework may be completed after applying. All required coursework must be completed before matriculating at Emory.
No. All of your coursework will be verified by AMCAS, so please do not send your transcripts to our office.
If you are offered admission, you will then be asked to submit official, final transcripts from all schools attended to the Office of Admissions prior to matriculation.
“Accredited” means a regionally accredited institution in the United States or Canada. If your undergraduate degree is from a college or university in the United States or Canada, the college or university must be regionally accredited in order for you to qualify for admission to Emory. For a list of accredited schools, please visit the web site for the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Look for their “Regional Accrediting Organizations.”
If your degree is from a college in the U.S. or Canada that is not accredited, you are not eligible to apply to Emory School of Medicine until you complete at least 90 semester-hours of coursework, including all course requirements, at a regionally accredited institution.
If your degree is from an institution outside the United States or Canada, you will need to complete one full year of coursework, including 2 semesters of biology (with lab), two semesters of General or Inorganic Chemistry (with lab), two semesters of Organic Chemistry (with lab) and two semesters of Physical Science (with lab) at a regionally accredited college or university in the U.S. or Canada before applying to Emory.
Yes. International (including Canadian) and DACA students are welcome to apply.
The admissions process is the same for domestic and international students. All applicants will receive a full review of their file, regardless of citizenship, international or immigration status.
All applicants must plan to complete a four-year undergraduate college degree program. If your undergraduate degree is from a college or university in the United States or Canada, the college or university must be regionally accredited in order for you to qualify for admission to Emory. If your undergraduate degree is from a college outside the United States, you must complete all science course requirements, including 2 semesters of biology with lab, 2 semesters of chemistry with lab, 2 semesters of organic chemistry with lab and 2 semesters of physical science with lab (and English, if English language skills are not strong) at an accredited U.S. or Canadian college.
Please note that citizens of foreign countries are ineligible to receive U.S. federal financial aid, but may be eligible to receive merit-based scholarships.
Permanent residents with I-151, I-551, or I-551C VISAS are eligible for federal financial aid, as well as merit-based scholarships.
All international students are required by Emory University to show proof of ability to pay all four years of tuition prior to becoming admitted—eligibility for scholarship assistance cannot be determined until the student is admitted.
Emory University School of Medicine MD Program provides need-based financial aid for students who are not US citizens if they meet the definition set forth in in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) policy.
In order to be reviewed for financial need, accepted students with DACA status must complete the CSS Profile and submit the IDOC packet (parent and student tax returns). Since DACA students are not eligible for federal loans, students may also need to apply for private loans.
TOEFL scores are not required; however, all applicants must take the MCAT. Strong performance on the MCAT will demonstrate the required aptitude in English.
All completed applications will be screened for an interview. If you are invited for an interview, you will be notified by email or telephone, so please be sure to keep AMCAS and the Office of Admissions informed of any changes in your contact information.
Approximately 750 applicants will be invited for an interview between September and February.
We expect to receive over 13,000 applications this year, so fewer than 10% of all applicants will be interviewed. Those who are not invited for an interview will receive notification via email in early March. Applicants must be interviewed in order to be considered for admission.
Each month between October and early March, the Admissions Committee will select interviewed applicants to be accepted. Letters of acceptance are mailed after each Committee meeting.
We operate on a rolling admissions cycle, so if you are interviewed, but not selected for admission at the Committee meeting following your interview, you will still be eligible for selection for admission at all subsequent meetings.
When the last Committee meeting takes place in early March, and the final round of acceptance letters are mailed, the Committee will determine which interviewed applicants will be offered Alternate Status. Notification of Alternate Status will be communicated via email. Alternates are accepted throughout the summer until the class is filled.
The Emory School of Medicine conducts interviews from September through February, and we begin extending interview invitations in August. Invitations to interview are extended right up until the end of the season in late February. The order in which applicants are interviewed is largely (although not entirely) based upon how early the application is completed, so it is always a good idea to complete your application as soon as possible.
Interview invitations are extended by email and telephone, so be sure to keep AMCAS updated with any contact information changes.
All the materials and information in an applicant’s file are considered. Although MCAT scores and GPA are the strongest indicators, exceptional letters of recommendation, college and community involvement, and significant experience in the clinical setting are also very important.
This number varies from year to year and depends upon the decisions of the initially accepted applicants. As we receive withdrawals from accepted students, we look to our alternates to fill the class. Some years we accept only a few alternates. Other years we have accepted as many as 30 from the alternate group.
No. And please do not call the Office of Admission to "check on the status of your application".
Once your application is complete, there is no change in the status of your application unless you are invited for an interview. Once your application has been completed it will remain in review throughout the interview season. No one who has completed a Supplemental Application is rejected during the interview season.
Please be sure to keep AMCAS updated with any changes to your contact information.
Updates to your Supplemental Application are accepted in text format only. To update your application, please log in to your Supplemental Application and select the “Application Update” tab, then enter your update in the textbox provided. Please note that only text updates will be accepted. The application does not have functionality for uploaded attachments of any kind.
The "Update My Application" textbox has a 1000-word limit. The textbox is yours to add to as you wish.
If you’re submitting a subsequent update, do not delete any prior updates, unless you no longer want the information available to the Admissions Committee. If you have more than one update, you may want to consider dating your entries, but please keep in mind that the 1000-word limit will apply regardless of how many updates you submit. There is no guarantee that an update will be reviewed by a particular date.
With an applicant pool of over 12,000, it is impossible to meet with all who would like to discuss their application. If you would like to address a particular issue with your application you should submit a request in writing to the Office of Admissions via email (medadmiss@emory.edu).
We cannot tell you in advance whether or not you qualify. Need-based loans and scholarships are awarded based on the results of completed financial applications (see question below), and only after an applicant is accepted.
Interviewed candidates who will need consideration for financial aid or documentation for loans must complete the PROFILE and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). We highly recommended that all interviewed candidates complete these forms. Upon acceptance to Emory, financial consideration can be provided in a timely manner only if the required documentation is already on file with the Emory University Financial Aid Office.
The PROFILE can be completed online, using code 0140.
The FAFSA can be completed on-line, using code 001564.
Yes. Once you are accepted, you may speak to a counselor in the Emory Office of Financial Aid.
Students currently enrolled in an AAMC member medical school or an international medical school may apply online for up to two 4-week clinical rotations at Emory. Refer to Visiting Medical Students for more information
Potential applicants for transfer from other accredited US or Canadian allopathic medical schools will only be considered at the request of the Dean or the Education Dean of the medical school in which the student is currently enrolled. This communication from the Dean of the potential applicant’s medical school must be submitted in writing to the Dean of Admissions at Emory School of Medicine, and must include a detailed description of the reason for transfer. The Dean of Admissions will consider such requests on a case by case basis; student requests for transfer will not be considered.
