emory university essay prompts 2024

Emory’s Short Answer Questions 2023-24

• July 27, 2023

We are pleased to announce Emory University’s short answer questions for the 2023-2024 first-year application.

In addition to your Personal Statement, please answer two additional short answer questions, one about your academic interests and one to help us get to know you better. We encourage you to be thoughtful in your responses and not stress about what the “right answer” might be, as there really isn’t one.

Academic Interests

This question is required. (150 Words Recommended Length)

• What academic areas are you interested in exploring at Emory University and why?

Getting to Know You

In addition, answer one of the following questions. (150 Words)

• Which book, character, song, monologue, or piece of work (fiction or non-fiction) seems made for you? Why?
• Reflect on a personal experience where you intentionally expanded your cultural awareness.
• Emory University aspires for all students to flourish on campus. Reflect on what flourishing at Emory means to you.
• Emory University’s unique mission calls for service to humanity. Share how you might personally contribute to this mission of service to humanity.
• Emory University has a strong commitment to building community. Tell us about a community that you have been part of where your participation helped to change or shape the community for the better.
• Reflection is a central tenet of Emory University’s values. Craft a personal email providing advice to yourself in your first year of high school.

Want advice and examples of other great Emory University application essays and Personal Statements? We’ve got you covered! Check our Strong Personal Statements blog series . We share real essays from previous years’ applicants who were admitted and enrolled at Emory University. Each applicant’s personal statement includes thoughts from the staff who reviewed it and why they felt it was a strong example for you.

We look forward to getting to know you better through your application writing.

Be sure to connect with us by posting a comment to this blog,  following us @emoryadmission , or  emailing us at [email protected] .

Don’t miss out on information about applying to Emory by  joining our mailing list .

Related Posts

Regular Decision notifications will be posted Wednesday, March 27, after 6:00 pm ET. The Emory University…

This year we had more than 11,000 students apply to the Emory University Scholar Programs,…

Early Decision II notifications will be posted on Wednesday, February 7, after 6:00 pm ET. The…

This Post Has 4 Comments

I’ve always wanted to go to this University. I heard it’s a great campus with the best marketing class and teacher.

I love this school!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I’ve wanted to go here since I was a little lad. I want to get into business I here Mrs.bodkins is the best business teacher in the state!

Am interested in applying the scholarship, please guide me how to do so?

Information about the Emory Scholars Program can be found here: https://apply.emory.edu/financial-aid/types-of-aid/scholar-program.html

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

• previous post: 2023 Waitlist Update #3
• next post: FAQs Over Winter Break 2023-24

The Ivy Coach Daily

• College Admissions
• College Essays
• Early Decision / Early Action
• Extracurricular Activities
• Standardized Testing
• The Rankings

September 10, 2023

2023-2024 Emory University Supplemental Essay Prompts

Emory University has released its supplemental essay prompts for the 2023-2024 admissions cycle . In addition to The Common Application ’s Personal Statement, applicants to Emory’s Class of 2028 are asked to respond to two 150-word short-answer essay prompts. So, what are this year’s prompts? Let’s dive in!

2023-2024 Emory University Essay Topics and Questions

Academic interests essay.

It’s recommended that students write about 150 words to respond to the first prompt, which is required:

What academic areas are you interested in exploring at Emory University and why?

This prompt is a hybrid question: Why Major and Why College . For the first part of the essay prompt, it would behoove applicants to articulate to Emory’s admissions committee why they wish to study what they wish to study by sharing the origin story of their interest in this discipline. The origin story should always take place during a candidate’s high school years. Too often, students focus on stories that stem from their childhood.

For the second part of the essay prompt, it’s all about capturing specifics about why Emory is the place to pursue this course of study. Too many applicants choose to name-drop professors and list classes in Why College essay prompts when they should instead capture the enduring specifics of a course of study at a school — the research, the programs and institutes, the design of the curriculum, and more. If a sentence in this second half of the essay can apply to another school, it should be deleted.

Getting to Know You Essay Prompts

Applicants must also write a response to one of the following six essay prompts in a recommended length of 150 words.

1. Which book, character, song, monologue, or piece of work (fiction or non-fiction) seems made for you? Why?

We would always prefer students showcase their intellectual curiosity in a short answer like this one. As such, choosing to write about a book (one that ideally is not required reading in classrooms around the world) is always preferred to choosing a song, film, or television series. Wouldn’t it be nice to showcase to Emory’s admissions committee that an applicant reads for pleasure?

2. Reflect on a personal experience where you intentionally expanded your cultural awareness.

Emory’s admissions committee wants to see that applicants have convictions but are also malleable to changing those convictions when presented with differing viewpoints. That’s the beauty of attending a school with a liberal arts curriculum and a diverse student body like Emory. The anecdote an applicant shares in this response should thus showcase the student’s intellectual curiosity as well as open mind.

3. Emory University aspires for all students to flourish on campus. Reflect on what flourishing at Emory means to you.

For this short answer, students can write about virtually anything, though — again — it would behoove them to tell a story highlighting their intellectual curiosity. It could be flourishing through an activity. It could be flourishing through reading an entire shelf of literature on a hot summer afternoon. 

4. Emory University’s unique mission calls for service to humanity. Share how you might personally contribute to this mission of service to humanity.

Too many college applicants feature activities in their Common Application activities section that make it seem like they’re trying to impress admissions officers with what good citizens they are. Too many college applicants think that by volunteering for a lot of hours, it’ll showcase their humanity. But that’s simply  not  how elite college admissions works. Admissions officers want to see a depth of involvement related to a student’s hook. If a student is interested in political science, let’s see how they serve their community by addressing unlevel sidewalks on the streets of their town.

In short, in this answer, it would behoove applicants to tell a small story here — ideally backed up with an activity in their activities section — that shows how they’re acting locally, even if they are thinking globally. 

5. Emory University has a strong commitment to building community. Tell us about a community that you have been part of where your participation helped to change or shape the community for the better.

Here’s Emory’s community essay. In the wake of the United States Supreme Court ruling outlawing Affirmative Action , many universities included community or background questions on this year’s application — to capitalize on the loophole Chief Justice John Roberts penned in the majority opinion.

In that opinion, Chief Justice Roberts wrote, “Nothing in this opinion should be construed as prohibiting universities from considering an applicant’s discussion of how race affected his or her life, be it through discrimination, inspiration, or otherwise.”

Students need not be underrepresented minorities to answer this essay prompt. They can instead focus on their faith, hometown, fellow mathematicians, or just about anything so long as they showcase small moves they made to make these groups they consider community stronger.

6. Reflection is a central tenet of Emory University’s values. Craft a personal email providing advice to yourself in your first year of high school.

This essay offers applicants an opportunity to showcase how they hope to contribute to Emory during their first year. While it’s not a Why Emory essay, it’s a chance to pepper in some specifics that applicants didn’t get to include in the first essay, which focused more on academics at Emory. For this essay, as an example, applicants could instead concentrate on extracurriculars or school traditions. 

Ideally, applicants will highlight how they’re contributing the singular hook they’ve hopefully expressed on their application — rather than well-roundedness — to clarify to Emory’s admissions committee how they’ll make Emory stronger.

Ivy Coach’s Assistance with Emory Essays

If you’re interested in optimizing your case for admission to Emory, complete Ivy Coach ’s free consultation form , and we’ll be in touch to outline our college counseling services for applicants to the Class of 2028.

You are permitted to use www.ivycoach.com (including the content of the Blog) for your personal, non-commercial use only. You must not copy, download, print, or otherwise distribute the content on our site without the prior written consent of Ivy Coach, Inc.

Related Articles

Using A.I. to Write College Admission Essays

October 13, 2023

Word and Character Limits in College Essays

September 27, 2023

What English Teachers Get Wrong About Writing College Essays

Bragging in College Essays: Is It Ever Okay?

September 26, 2023

What Not to Write: 3 College Essay Topics to Avoid

September 24, 2023

2023-2024 Caltech Supplemental Essay Prompts

September 14, 2023

TOWARD THE CONQUEST OF ADMISSION

If you’re interested in Ivy Coach’s college counseling,
fill out our complimentary consultation form and we’ll be in touch.

Fill out our short form for a 20-minute consultation to learn about Ivy Coach’s services.

Emory Supplemental Essays 2023-24 Prompts and Tips

September 12, 2023

Emory’s 16% acceptance rate for the Class of 2027 came after they received approximately 33,000 applicants for admission, numbers that have held steady over the past several years. Whether applying to Emory College, Oxford College, or both, applicants to this prestigious Atlanta-based research university face an epically challenging admissions process ahead. Emory is a rare school where a 1500ish SAT and 3.9 GPA are often necessary, but not sufficient for admission. In addition, application components like the Emory supplemental essays need to be exceptionally well done.

(Want to learn more about How to Get Into Emory? Visit our blog entitled:  How to Get Into Emory University: Admissions Data and Strategies  for all of the most recent admissions data as well as tips for gaining acceptance.)

The good news is that this school does ultimately admit over 5,000 students each year. If you have the academic chops, then getting into Emory is an achievable goal. However, you’ll need to make sure that you use the two supplemental essays to showcase your writing ability by generating powerful and detail-rich essays that will stand out to an admissions officer.

Emory Supplemental Essays Prompt 1 – Academic Interests

What academic areas are you interested in exploring at Emory University and why ? (200 words)

We all have a story of what drives us to pursue a certain academic pathway and career. How did your interest initially develop? What was the spark? How have you nurtured this passion and how has it evolved over time? If you desire to go into engineering, for example, use this as a chance to talk about everything from your childhood fascination with how things work to your participation in an award-winning robotics program at your high school. Share a compelling narrative about how your love of your future area of study has blossomed to its present levels.

In addition to the above, Emory also wants to know why you desire to pursue your studies at their institution. Tie your passions into specific  academic opportunities  at Emory including courses, professors,  hands-on research programs , or any other aspects of your desired major that appeal most to you. The more specific, the better.

Emory Supplemental Essays Prompt 2 – Getting to Know You

In addition, answer one of the following questions.  Your response should be no more than 150 words.

In the university’s own words, “We encourage you to be thoughtful in your responses and not stress about what the ‘right answer’ might be, as there really isn’t one.”

a) Which book, character, song, monologue, or piece of work (fiction or non-fiction) seems made for you? Why?

What is your favorite (or most thought-provoking) book, character, monologue, or piece of short fiction or nonfiction? Why do you identify with it? Is it the protagonist’s tenacity, empathy, sense of justice, big heart, humor, resilience, uncompromising integrity, loyalty, self-awareness, or courage? Is it the overall theme, topic, or life lesson? Use the 150 available words to explain the powerful connection you feel to your answer. If you go the song route, explain why you connect so deeply with the music and lyrics.

b) Reflect on a personal experience where you intentionally expanded your cultural awareness.

Some students may have more direct experiences related to cultural awareness than others. But—no matter your background—this is an opportunity to demonstrate that you care about justice and fairness in your local community as well as the global community. If applicable, speak about a time when you spoke up for a peer in a moment of need. Alternatively, you could describe an instance when you became involved in a larger cause or movement. This could be in the realm of politics, activism, or volunteer work.

If you don’t happen to have a deeply personal story to tell in this realm, you’ll probably want to select a different prompt. While there’s nothing wrong with simply articulating your basic beliefs in the values of inclusion, equity, tolerance, and diversity, it doesn’t necessarily make for the most compelling essay, particularly when the school is asking for a specific “experience.”

Emory Supplemental Essays (Continued)

c) Emory University aspires for all students to flourish on campus. Reflect on what flourishing at Emory means to you.

There’s a lot to unpack in this prompt before you even enter the brainstorming phase of the essay-writing process. First, they want to know a bit about what “flourishing” means to you. This could be:

• Degree-oriented
• Career-focused
• A combination of two or all three of the previous options.

Does “flourishing” mean that you have the opportunity to engage in undergraduate research? Or does it mean taking advantage of internship opportunities? Does it mean continuing your advocacy work with a specific population? Does it mean exposing yourself to new perspectives and viewpoints?

Next, you’ll want to take note of the fact that the prompt wants to know how you hope to flourish at Emory specifically (not just at college in general). As such, you should consider discussing Emory-specific offerings that reinforce your ideas and are distinct from those mentioned in the earlier “Academic Interests” prompt.  Such school-specific detail can take an essay from good to great.

d) Emory University’s core mission calls for service to humanity. Share how you might personally contribute to this mission.

To truly understand where Emory is coming from with this question, one needs to look no further than the school’s own mission statement: “Emory University’s mission is to create, preserve, teach, and apply knowledge in the service of humanity.”

If you have been involved in some type of charitable/community service endeavor throughout your high school years, this is a great opportunity to speak about that venture in more detail. Looking forward, how might you continue the work you’ve been doing? You can also connect your aspirations in this realm to specific service opportunities that are available at Emory.

e) Emory University has a strong commitment to building community. Tell us about a community you have been part of where participation helped to change or shape the community for the better.

“Community” can be defined in myriad ways: it could be large-scale, like an ethnic, religious, or neighborhood community, or small-scale, like a group of individuals who gather for a club, sport, or service project.

Most applicants to Emory are involved in at least one “community.” You may be the captain of a team, the editor-in-chief of your school paper, a member of your town’s trail clean-up team… but don’t just rest on those laurels—instead, bring your involvement to life. Use your writing ability to  show  what type of community member you are rather than merely  telling . What is your role within your chosen community? Within that role, how do you lead, guide, or interact with others? What have you learned and how have you grown? How have you positively impacted your chosen community? Strive for personal detail here rather than re-hashing your resume.

f) Reflection is a central tenet of Emory University’s values. Craft a personal email giving advice to yourself in your first year of high school.

You know the old saying “Hindsight is 20/20”? Think about the transition to your freshman year of high school: What were you nervous or anxious about? What did you spend too much time thinking about? What didn’t you spend enough time thinking about? Is there anything you wish you had done or approached differently? Did you face any significant personal or academic obstacles? If any of those questions resonate, this could be a great prompt for you. Think about how you’ve grown and changed over the past four years, and what you’d tell fourteen-year-old you as a result. The goal here isn’t to lament your decisions or be hard on yourself, but instead to show the admissions committee that you’re thoughtful, self-compassionate, and capable of growth.

One piece of advice here: given the tight word count, don’t get too caught up in the “personal email” directive and spend too much valuable space on creative formatting.

How important are the Emory supplemental essays?

Emory views six factors as being “very important” to their applicant evaluation process. They are: the rigor of one’s coursework, the GPA earned, recommendations, character/personal qualities, extracurricular activities, and talent/ability. The essays are “important,” alongside standardized test scores and volunteer work.

Want personalized assistance with the Emory supplemental essays?

If you are interested in working with one of College Transitions’ experienced and knowledgeable essay coaches as you craft your Emory supplemental essays, we encourage you to  get a quote  today.

• College Essay

Dave Bergman

Dave has over a decade of professional experience that includes work as a teacher, high school administrator, college professor, and independent educational consultant. He is a co-author of the books The Enlightened College Applicant (Rowman & Littlefield, 2016) and Colleges Worth Your Money (Rowman & Littlefield, 2020).

• 2-Year Colleges
• Application Strategies
• Best Colleges by Major
• Best Colleges by State
• Big Picture
• Career & Personality Assessment
• College Search/Knowledge
• College Success
• Costs & Financial Aid
• Dental School Admissions
• Extracurricular Activities
• Graduate School Admissions
• High School Success
• High Schools
• Law School Admissions
• Medical School Admissions
• Navigating the Admissions Process
• Online Learning
• Private High School Spotlight
• Summer Program Spotlight
• Summer Programs
• Test Prep Provider Spotlight

“Innovative and invaluable…use this book as your college lifeline.”

— Lynn O'Shaughnessy

Nationally Recognized College Expert

College Planning in Your Inbox

Join our information-packed monthly newsletter.

I am a... Student Student Parent Counselor Educator Other First Name Last Name Email Address Zip Code Area of Interest Business Computer Science Engineering Fine/Performing Arts Humanities Mathematics STEM Pre-Med Psychology Social Studies/Sciences Submit

Emory University

• Cost & scholarships
• Essay prompt

Want to see your chances of admission at Emory University?

We take every aspect of your personal profile into consideration when calculating your admissions chances.

Emory University’s 2023-24 Essay Prompts

Why this major short response.

What academic areas are you interested in exploring at Emory University and why?

Select-A-Prompt Short Response

Please answer one of the following questions:

Which book, character, song, monologue, or other creative work (fiction or non-fiction) seems made for you? Why?

Reflect on a personal experience where you intentionally expanded your cultural awareness.

Emory University aspires for all students to flourish on campus. Reflect on what flourishing at Emory means to you.

Emory University‘s core mission calls for service to humanity. Share how you might personally contribute to this mission.

Emory University has a strong commitment to building community. Tell us about a community you have been part of where your participation helped to change or shape the community for the better.

Reflection is a central tenet of Emory University‘s values. Craft a personal email giving advice to yourself in your first year of high school.

Common App Personal Essay

The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected topic and helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice. What do you want the readers of your application to know about you apart from courses, grades, and test scores? Choose the option that best helps you answer that question and write an essay of no more than 650 words, using the prompt to inspire and structure your response. Remember: 650 words is your limit, not your goal. Use the full range if you need it, but don‘t feel obligated to do so.

Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?

Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you‘ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

What will first-time readers think of your college essay?

• Search All Scholarships
• Exclusive Scholarships
• Easy Scholarships to Apply For
• No Essay Scholarships
• Scholarships for HS Juniors
• Scholarships for HS Seniors
• Scholarships for College Students
• Scholarships for Grad Students
• Scholarships for Women
• Scholarships for Black Students
• Scholarships
• Student Loans
• College Admissions
• Financial Aid
• Scholarship Winners
• Scholarship Providers

Student-centric advice and objective recommendations

Higher education has never been more confusing or expensive. Our goal is to help you navigate the very big decisions related to higher ed with objective information and expert advice. Each piece of content on the site is original, based on extensive research, and reviewed by multiple editors, including a subject matter expert. This ensures that all of our content is up-to-date, useful, accurate, and thorough.

Our reviews and recommendations are based on extensive research, testing, and feedback. We may receive commission from links on our website, but that doesn’t affect our editors’ opinions. Our marketing partners don’t review, approve or endorse our editorial content. It’s accurate to the best of our knowledge when posted. You can find a complete list of our partners here .

How to Respond to the 2023/2024 Emory Supplemental Essay Prompts

Cait Williams is a Content Writer at Scholarships360. Cait recently graduated from Ohio University with a degree in Journalism and Strategic Communications. During her time at OU, was active in the outdoor recreation community.

Learn about our editorial policies

Bill Jack has over a decade of experience in college admissions and financial aid. Since 2008, he has worked at Colby College, Wesleyan University, University of Maine at Farmington, and Bates College.

Maria Geiger is Director of Content at Scholarships360. She is a former online educational technology instructor and adjunct writing instructor. In addition to education reform, Maria’s interests include viewpoint diversity, blended/flipped learning, digital communication, and integrating media/web tools into the curriculum to better facilitate student engagement. Maria earned both a B.A. and an M.A. in English Literature from Monmouth University, an M. Ed. in Education from Monmouth University, and a Virtual Online Teaching Certificate (VOLT) from the University of Pennsylvania.

Emory University is one of the country’s leading liberal arts research schools. If you are hoping to gain admission to Emory , it’s a good idea to focus on acing your Emory supplemental essays. Emory requires each student to write a 200-word essay on what academic areas interest them. For the second essay of 150 words, students can choose their topic from six prompts. We will help you stand out with your responses and identify the prompt best suited for your story. Let’s begin!  

What academic areas are you interested in exploring in college? (200 words)

This prompt is pretty common as far as supplemental essays go. Beyond indicating your intended major, schools want to know why you are drawn to that subject. A solid way to organize your response is to start by describing your academic interest. Think of when your curiosity with the topic first began. What story can you provide to invite readers in and make it personal? 

Next, discuss the ways you have pursued this interest since. Did you start a club in high school centered around this topic? Have you shadowed anyone who also does what you’re interested in? Does your high school coursework reflect this interest? 

Finally, connect this passion to Emory . What about this school will help you accomplish your goals in this academic field? Is it a class? A certain professor? Internship opportunities? In addition to connecting Emory to yourself, this section can help an admissions counselor know that you have done your research, that Emory is not just a random school you picked, but rather one that you have heavily invested in getting into. 

Also see: Top 15 college majors for the future

The “Getting to Know You” short answer section

For this section of the Emory application, you will be allowed to choose to respond to any one of the following prompts in 150 words. 

1. Which book, character, song, monologue, or piece of work (fiction or non-fiction) seems made for you? Why? (150 words)

Any piece of media is on the table here. Select something that is emblematic of a key piece of your identity. Your chosen work should be genuinely meaningful to you! Have fun with this question! You can use the questions below to get some ideas flowing! 

Questions to consider:  

• Is there a character from a book or movie that you can relate to? 
• If you had to write your biography, what famous quotes or writings would you draw on?
• Is there a book, song, or tv show that you routinely go to for comfort/entertainment/inspiration? 

2. Reflect on a personal experience where you intentionally expanded your cultural awareness (150 words)

When have you taken educating yourself and broadening your perspective into your own hands? The admissions team wants to hear about it! 

You could write about a current event that sparked your curiosity and pushed you to learn more, a time that you learned about another culture before traveling there, a historical event that you learned about and moved you to learn more, or anything you can think of really. The point of this question is to speak about intentionality. Good students don’t just let what they learn wash over them, they are intentional and colleges want to see that you have exemplified that. 

Questions to consider: 

• When did you realize your ignorance about a social issue and took steps to address it?
• Have you ever exposed yourself to people of a different cultural, socioeconomic, religious, etc. background? 
• What tough conversations have you had to initiate in order to gain greater awareness?  

3. Emory University aspires for all students to flourish on campus. Reflect on what flourishing at Emory means to you. (150 words)

This is a great question to answer because there are no right or wrong answers! Emory wants to know what flourishing looks like to you. This may mean partaking in clubs and activities during your first year, making stellar grades, or a mix of several things. Take some time to assess for yourself what flourishing means to you!

4. Emory University’s unique mission calls for service to humanity. Share how you might personally contribute to this mission of service to humanity. (150 words)

If you’ve spent any time in high school volunteering or giving back to your community in other ways, then this might be a great question for you to answer. If you know of a specific organization you’d like to volunteer with on campus, this might also be a good place to speak about that. Be careful with being too vague with this question. Your answer should be specific to show that this isn’t just something you’ve thought about in theory, but also something you’ve made actual steps toward working towards. 

5. Emory University has a strong commitment to building community. Tell us about a community that you have been part of where your participation helped to change or shape the community for the better. (150 words)

This is a question that you should only answer if you have a strong answer to it. That being said, the community you may have been impactful in does not need to be a big one. Maybe you were very influential in a club that you participated in at your high school, a sport either at your school or in your community. Take some time to think about the communities you are a part of, big or small, reflect on the impact that you have had on them and that they have had on you. 

6. Reflection is a central tenet of Emory University’s values. Craft a personal email providing advice to yourself in your first year of high school. (150 words)

This prompt is one that you can certainly have fun with! Take some time to reflect on this question. There is no right or wrong answer, but it certainly will be noticeable which students put thought into this question and which did not. Think about how you’ve grown and matured since the start of high school, as during college you will likely also experience a tremendous amount of growing and maturing.

Also see: How to write an essay about yourself

Summing up the Emory supplemental essays

Phew! We made it through all of the prompts for your Emory supplemental essays. Fortunately, you only have to select one of the last six. We recommend choosing a few questions that stick out to you and brainstorming ideas for each. Land on the prompt that you believe best conveys your core attributes. Also consider which prompt most lends itself to a unique response. 200 words and 150 words are tricky word limits. We recommend you get your thoughts down, no matter the length. You can cut them down later to share your powerful story succinctly!  

Key Takeaways

• Emory only has two required supplemental essay prompts
• For the second prompt, make sure you take time reading through all of your options before choosing one
• Be sure to use some additional resources from our website as well to help you write the best application possible
• For more help with your application, you can also check out some of our top ten tips for a successful application

Other supplemental essay guides

• Georgia Tech (Atlanta, GA)
• Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore, MD)
• Wake Forest University (Winston-Salem, NC)
• Vanderbilt University (Nashville, TN)
• Duke University (Durham, NC)

Scholarships360 Recommended

10 Tips for Successful College Applications

Coalition vs. Common App: What is the difference?

College Application Deadlines 2023-2024: What You Need to Know

Trending now.

How to Convert Your GPA to a 4.0 Scale

PSAT to SAT Score Conversion: Predict Your Score

What Are Public Ivy League Schools?

3 reasons to join scholarships360.

• Automatic entry to our $10,000 No-Essay Scholarship
• Personalized matching to thousands of vetted scholarships
• Quick apply for scholarships exclusive to our platform

By the way...Scholarships360 is 100% free!

Conquer Emory University's Supplementals: '23-'24 Admission Cycle

Hello future Emory Eagles! With the application season for Emory University in full swing, it's time to make sure you nail those supplemental essays. In this blog post, we'll provide specific advice to help you create compelling responses.

Emory requires two short answer questions (150 words each) and one longer essay (300 words) for all applicants.

Short Answer Questions

• What is your favorite fiction or non-fiction work (film, book, TV show, album, poem, or play)? Why?
• What motivates you to learn?

For the first question, avoid mainstream picks and strive for unique selections that reflect your interests. Your 'why' is essential - it should provide a window into your personality or values.

Example: "My favorite non-fiction work is 'Sapiens' by Yuval Noah Harari. The book challenged me to think about the grand narrative of human history and our role in shaping the future. It resonated with my desire to influence societal progress through technological innovation."

The second question seeks insight into your academic motivations. Highlight intellectual curiosity, passion for a particular subject, or the desire to solve a specific problem.

Example: "My motivation to learn stems from a fascination with the human mind. Understanding its complexities not only gives me insight into human behavior but also equips me to address mental health issues, which I plan to do as a psychologist."

Longer Essay

Students applying to Emory University must answer one of the three prompts:

• Reflect on a personal experience where you intentionally expanded your cultural awareness.
• When have you worked towards a goal and ultimately succeeded?
• Share an example of an important conversation you had with someone. What did you learn from that conversation?

All three prompts aim to understand your personal growth, resilience, and open-mindedness. Choose the one that resonates most with your experiences.

For example, if you select the first prompt, discuss an experience where you've actively engaged with a culture different from yours, whether through travel, community service, or a school project.

Example: "Last summer, I volunteered at a non-profit in Kenya, aiming to bridge the educational gap in rural areas. This experience broadened my cultural awareness as I worked with local teachers, learning about their methods and struggles. The experience emphasized the importance of context-specific solutions and sparked my interest in global education."

If you choose the second or third prompt, discuss not just the achievement or conversation, but the journey or thought process behind it.

Your essays should showcase your unique perspective, maturity, and alignment with Emory's values. Good luck, future Emory Eagles!

Related posts

Demystifying Georgetown University's Supplemental 2023-2024 Essays

Conquering Stanford University's 2023-2024 Supplemental Essays

Decoding Rice University's 2023-2024 Supplemental Essays

Add Project Key Words

How to Write the Emory Supplemental Essays 2023-2024

September 6, 2023

If you feel a strong pull towards Emory University, it's likely due to a multitude of reasons. Perhaps it's the appeal of smaller class sizes or the state-of-the-art lab facilities in Atlanta that have captured your attention. As a renowned research university, Emory looks for students who aren't afraid to take initiative in their communities and dedicate themselves to achieving their goals. By delving into your diverse interests and experiences, you have the ability to convince the admissions officers of your exceptional qualities and unwavering work ethic. In this blog post, I have provided a comprehensive discussion of the essay prompts and offered additional tips to help you successfully tackle the Emory supplemental essays for the 2023-2024 application cycle .

Emory Supplemental Essays 2023-2024

Academic interests (required), what academic areas are you interested in exploring at emory university and why (150-200 words recommended length).

The goal of this question is to assess whether you have done your research to determine if Emory is the right fit for you. InGenius Prep counselor Ken Johnson, who worked as an Admissions Officer at Emory, adds, “If you show you can write about some of Emory’s unique aspects that fit your particular academic interests or needs, then you will help admissions make a decision in your favor.”

If you have already decided on a major, visit the Academics section on Emory’s website, and thoroughly acquaint yourself with the offerings available. This will provide you with valuable insights into the courses, research programs, internships, and even professors that may be of interest to you. 

However, do not simply list what interests you. Ken adds, “The key point of the question is “why”.  Explain why the items you highlight interest you. It is better to focus on 2-3 things and explain in some detail why it is what you’re looking for and excited about. So rather than try to cover a lot of things superficially, scan and see what catches your eye. Then zero in on it and explain why.” Remember, the point is for admissions officers to gain insight into your interests and motivations, so don’t spend time reiterating information from the website.

If you are undecided and unsure about your major, don't worry! Emory has a liberal arts model of education, which means they encourage all students to explore various subjects and gain a breadth of knowledge and learning experiences. Emory's General Education Requirements are divided into four main areas, and two of these areas are particularly well-suited for showcasing why Emory is a great fit for you – even if you haven't decided on a major yet. 

First, there is “Exploration”, which encourages you to try courses from different disciplines. In this instance, Ken recommends that you mention 2 very different courses you’d like to check out. Second, there is “Experience and Application”, which presents an exceptional opportunity for students to gain practical experience and explore various career paths from the numerous organizations, research institutions, non-profits, and businesses that Emory is closely affiliated with. Ken also notes, "You might notice that the four areas of General Education requirements – exploration, communication, community/belonging, and practical experience – are related in part to the questions below."

Getting to Know You

In addition, please answer one of the following questions. (150 words)

Essay Option 1

Which book, character, song, monologue, or piece of work (fiction or non-fiction) seems made for you why.

For this prompt, you have the freedom to choose anything that resonates with you – whether it's from a movie, show, comedy routine, cartoon/anime, or even something outside of traditional literature like novels, short stories, or poems.

Ken adds, “The point is to explain how/why you relate to this piece of work. For example, with Japanese anime, such as the Evangelion series, I’ve seen students relate to it in completely different ways. One could relate to a character; another could relate to a philosophical theme, and another could relate to the artistic and production qualities. In explaining how you relate, you will reveal something about your own personality, interests, and even biases.” 

Essay Option 2

Reflect on a personal experience where you intentionally expanded your cultural awareness..

Oftentimes, the first thing that comes to mind when reflecting on expanding cultural awareness is the experience of traveling abroad. While this can be a transformative experience, you don't have to choose an exotic location to impress admissions officers. What matters most is how you gained insight into a culture that is different from your own – regardless of where you were.

In fact, even without leaving your home country, there are countless ways to expand your cultural awareness. Perhaps you visited an art or history museum in your town, which exposed you to different perspectives and artistic expressions. Alternatively, maybe you immersed yourself in a different genre of music, either by attending a concert or actively listening – which opened your ears to new sounds and rhythms. Or perhaps, you watched a foreign film recently that opened your mind to different storytelling techniques and another culture's cinematic traditions. 

But sometimes, it's the simplest of experiences that can have the biggest impact – like trying a new ethnic cuisine for the first time, opening your taste buds to the rich tapestry of culinary traditions and the cultural significance of food. Even without venturing far, the possibilities for expanding your cultural awareness are endless. Reflect on how these experiences broadened your understanding and appreciation of different cultures. Did it challenge any preconceived notions or biases you may have had? Did it spark a curiosity to learn more about the history, traditions, or customs of the culture you encountered? 

By delving into these aspects, you will demonstrate not only your willingness to embrace diversity but also your ability to engage with and learn from different cultures. Throughout your response, remember to incorporate anecdotes and describe how these experiences have shaped your perspective and understanding of the world. Ken also adds, "Consider concluding this essay with a brief statement about why “expanding” your cultural awareness proved valuable to you." 

Essay Option 3

Emory university aspires for all students to flourish on campus. reflect on what flourishing at emory means to you..

“Flourishing” at Emory means more than just academic success; it encompasses personal growth and development in all aspects of life. Imagine yourself as a seed, planted in the nurturing environment of the Emory campus. Just as a seed needs the right soil, temperature, humidity, water, and sunlight to flourish and bloom, you too need the right conditions to thrive.

To get a deeper understanding of the non-academic aspects of life at Emory, take a look at the Explore section on Emory’s website . Here, you will find a wealth of opportunities and activities that can enrich your life on campus. From joining student organizations and clubs to participating in community service projects, there are countless ways that you can enrich your experience at Emory.

When writing about how you can contribute to this vibrant campus life, consider your unique skills, interests, and passions. Are you a natural leader who can organize events and bring people together? Do you have a talent for public speaking or performing arts that can add excitement to campus events? Are you passionate about community service and eager to make a difference in the lives of others?

Remember, Emory values holistic development . Reflect on how you envision yourself actively engaging in campus life – therefore, creating a fulfilling and well-rounded college experience for yourself and your peers.

Essay Option 4

Emory university’s unique mission calls for service to humanity. share how you might personally contribute to this mission of service to humanity..

If you choose to answer this question, first read Emory’s own statements of its vision and mission . Emory University takes great pride in its affiliation with Jimmy Carter's Carter Center , a world-renowned organization dedicated to promoting peace, health, and human rights. In fact, in recognition of his contributions, Emory appointed President Carter as a Distinguished Professor at the university after his presidency. Human rights were a major theme of President Carter's time in office, and the Carter Center continues to engage in numerous service projects around the world.

Therefore, Emory particularly favors students who have a strong commitment to service and community involvement, which would be evident in your Activities List section of the application. For this prompt, Ken highly recommends that you mention your interest in Volunteer Emory , a student-run organization that offers a wide range of volunteer placement opportunities. 

Throughout your response, reflect on your commitment to making a positive impact in the world and provide examples, like Volunteer Emory, for how to plan to contribute to their mission. Remember, your goal is to show the admissions officers at Emory that you are a student actively engaged in service, plan on continuing your volunteering efforts, and seek to cultivate a community of individuals dedicated to service and social responsibility.

Essay Option 5

Emory university has a strong commitment to building community. tell us about a community that you have been part of where your participation helped to change or shape the community for the better..

Like the previous question, you should only consider answering this question if you have a strong service record on your Activities List and Honors/Awards sections of your Common Application. Additionally, keep in mind that the term "community" should be interpreted broadly. It can encompass physical communities, such as neighborhoods or schools, but it can also refer to social, academic, athletic, ethnic, gender, sexual orientation, or other communities. The focus for this prompt should be on how you personally contributed to improving or shaping the community. 

Ken adds, “You should refer (but not repeat the description) of a service activity, mainly focusing on the results and impact of your participation.” For instance, if you were part of a volunteer program that aimed to improve literacy rates in underserved communities, you could discuss how your dedication and efforts led to an increase in reading levels among the children you worked with. Highlight the specific strategies you employed, such as implementing interactive learning activities or creating a supportive and encouraging environment, and explain how these initiatives positively influenced the community. By expanding on your personal contributions and the tangible outcomes you achieved, you will effectively demonstrate your commitment to creating positive change in various communities.

Essay Option 6

Reflection is a central tenet of emory university’s values. craft a personal email providing advice to yourself in your first year of high school..

This is your chance to be creative! Use humor, or even be serious and lighthearted as you provide advice to your younger self.  Ken notes, "Think of things you had the most trouble with or things that you wish others would have told/warned you about. Your advice could focus on personal things – like getting to class on time, where to study, whether to join a club or team, your participation in class, procrastinating on assignments, etc.”

You could also reflect on things you wish others would have warned you about. Do you have any regrets or actions you wish you had done differently during your first challenging year of high school? As you write this email to your younger self, remember to share your personal experiences and insights to show the admissions officers a different side of you. 

Additional Tips for Writing the Emory Supplemental Essays 2023-2024

Now that you’ve taken a look at the prompts for the Emory supplemental essays , here are a few tips to help your brainstorming process: 

• Choose your prompt strategically. Pick a topic that you believe will bring the best out of you, and help paint an accurate picture of your personality and values. You want to choose the topic that brings forward the qualities that make you a unique and valuable applicant.
• Don’t repeat your personal statement or your activities list. The goal of the Emory supplemental essays is to provide further information on who you are and what you’re all about. Before you start writing, map out potential essays for different prompts. Compare your outlines and make sure that when side-by-side, they bring out different strengths. Most importantly, make sure that they do not repeat what’s in the rest of your application. Use every opportunity to tell the admissions office something new about you. Don’t repeat yourself!

The Emory supplemental essays 2023-2024 present an incredible opportunity to offer the admissions officers a deeper understanding of your character, passions, and ambitions – as well as how an Emory education can propel you toward success. Approach each prompt with the intention of showcasing your individuality and leaving a lasting impression as an exceptional candidate. The goal is to persuasively convey to Emory why you are a student they cannot afford to overlook!

If you are looking for a college admissions counselor to help maximize your chances of getting into your dream school, we can help! InGenius Prep has helped more than 6,000 students around the world gain admission into the most competitive schools including Harvard, Yale, MIT, Johns Hopkins, Cornell, NYU, and more. Sign up for a free strategy call today and join the 6,000+ students we've helped get accepted into their dream schools.

Tags : emory university , emory essays , emory supplemental essays , how to get into emory

Schedule a free consultation

to find out how we can help you get accepted.

WAITLISTED? Act now. Get expert guidance to write a standout Letter of Continued Interest!

Command Education Guide

How to write the emory university essays, updated for 2023-2024.

What academic areas are you interested in exploring at Emory University and why? (200 words or fewer)

Explanation:

As you tackle this prompt, it is important to remember that there is no particular academic area that the committee is looking for in your response. What is important is that you express both your authentic interests and why Emory specifically has the resources to help you explore your interests. Do your research. What professors, programs does Emory offer? What research do these professors conduct in your field of study? This essay should be specific enough that it could not possibly be written for a different college!

Many people assume that my passions—scientific research, mock trial, and acting— have little in common. However, this could not be further from the truth: all three offer lenses through which I seek to understand human behavior. Double majoring in Psychology and Theater Studies at Emory will allow me to continue this investigation from both scientific and artistic perspectives.

At Emory, I hope to research with psychology faculty mentor Patricia J. Bauer, whose research focuses on determinants of remembering and forgetting within memory. I hope to further understand how factors affecting memory influence human behavior through this work.

In addition, the holistic curriculum of Emory’s theater department would give me the chance to explore all my interests through theoretical lenses, finding the answers to questions such as ‘why would a character behave in this way?’ or ‘Which set design would be conducive to X or Y response?’ Aside from offering a fascinating interdisciplinary lens through which to explore my interests, I would also look forward to the opportunity to explore multiple sides of theater-making, most notably history and design.

I look forward to the opportunity to develop my understanding of human behavior, and apply my newfound knowledge to the artistic realm.

Please answer one of the following questions: (150 words or fewer)

For all of these questions, the admissions officers are looking for answers that highlight your unique attributes and values. What are your special interests? What makes your approach to the world unique to you? Be sure to use this opportunity to tell a story about yourself. Make sure you have a beginning, middle, and end. Ask yourself, which of these prompts allows you to add a new element to your application. Pick a prompt that allows you to be specific enough that admissions officers feel like they really know you.

1. Which book, character, song, monologue, or other creative work (fiction or nonfiction) seems made for you? Why?

Don’t spend too much time talking about the creative work you choose. In addition, focus less on choosing a creative work that is niche or uncommon and instead put your energy into ensuring that you are describing its significance for you in a unique and meaningful way. How did this creative work impact your life? How can you use this creative work to put an aspect of your personality or life experience into context?

“What matters isn’t if people are good or bad. What matters is, if they’re trying to be better today than they were yesterday. You asked me where my hope comes from? That’s my answer.”

Episode after episode, I watched as Michael helped Eleanor make sense of the world around her, and the repercussions of how she treated those in her community. In the midst of the show’s humor, the writers wove in profound lessons and theories from philosophers throughout history, teaching the audience through laughter.

As someone deeply interested in philosophy and psychology, I am endlessly amused both by the accidental truths that are woven into the show’s banter and by the way in which it demonstrates the absurdity of topics we deem serious. While the show itself is witty and entertaining, it inspires me as a person and student to maintain levity and embrace absurdity.

2. Reflect on a personal experience where you intentionally expanded your cultural awareness.

In answering this question, you should focus on demonstrating cultural growth. Was there a point in your life when something made you realize your cultural shortcomings and then take active steps to fix them? How does this experience impact who you are today? This is an opportunity to talk about how a specific experience inspired you to grow and develop into the person you are now. Consider stories that have a “before” and “after,” or a turning point that made a significant impact on you.

On National Hijab Day, my friend Saman encouraged members of her new club, the Muslim Student Association, to don hijab to see the world through her eyes. As the only Filipino person in our school, I could relate to how my friend must have felt as the only South Asian muslim student, and I wanted to support her as she worked to dispel misconceptions about her religion.

The experience opened up the space for conversations about others’ perceptions of our identities. Saman shared her feelings of isolation, while our friend Samuel, one of the only people of color attending our school, shared instances of microaggressions he had faced in and out of the classroom.

Although we had not previously spoken so openly about our experiences as minority students, I learned a great deal about my friends’ experiences. I look forward to opportunities to further expand my cultural understanding at Emory and beyond.

3. Emory University aspires for all students to flourish on campus. Reflect on what flourishing at Emory means to you.

While this prompt may seem similar to the prompt regarding academic areas of interest, the focus here is different. The first prompt asks applicants to demonstrate specific knowledge of the academic aspects of life at Emory, while this prompt requires you to show how you will thrive on Emory’s campus as a student. This is your opportunity to speak on one of your specific interests and show how you would use that interest to enrich Emory’s campus community. This does not need to be academic. You could use this essay to discuss what hobbies you have and why they bring you happiness. Mention clubs at the university that you would like to join. Is there a club you would like to start? Likewise, you can bring up the school’s traditions and why you connect with them.

Since my stage debut at 6 years old, I have always been fascinated by theater. Despite typically being on stage, I have also nurtured a persistent curiosity about what went on behind the curtain. During any free time at practices, I would sneak up to the lighting grid to examine how it all worked or chat with the props team about the objects neatly laid out offstage. The intricate networks of people working together on stage and off to create a compelling show have become like family to me—the theater is where I flourish.

Becoming a producer with Ad Hoc Productions, the entirely student run musical theater group, would provide me with a new home on Emory’s campus. In a college setting, with student-group level funding, I would continue to learn and grow alongside other performers and theater-makers.

4. Emory University’s core mission calls for service to humanity. Share how you might personally contribute to this mission.

In this prompt as others, specificity is key. Be sure to share any service activities you’ve done and why you care about them. Do research about the service activities and outreach that you could get involved with at Emory and tie those into your personal service goals.

Service has always been an important part of my life. Throughout my childhood, my mom would take my brother and I to volunteer for local food shelters and perform at nursing homes. Seeing the smiles on the faces of the elderly as my brother and I performed instilled in me from a young age the importance of giving back. However, I often felt as though the short hour of volunteering didn’t allow enough time to truly get to know the people we interacted with.

This is why Emory’s Alternative Breaks program within Volunteer Emory would be a great opportunity for me to serve the community and to establish relationships with the people I’m working with. The recent trip combatting Homelessness and Gender Inequality is of particular interest to me, as the emphasis on support for their mental and physical needs is a crucial part of helping homeless women recover.

5. Emory University has a strong commitment to building community. Tell us about a community you have been part of where your participation helped to change or shape the community for the better.

Pick a community that showcases a part of you that you have yet to talk about in your application. Why was this community important to you? How did you identify things you wanted to change? What did it take to change them? How is your community better now than it was before? Did your community need changing? Did you give back in one big way or did you give back in small ways that always worked toward a goal?

500 Saturdays go by so fast.

Every Saturday since I was 6 years old, I sang with the Imagination Players, a performing group that fundraises and brings joy to children’s hospitals, nursing homes, and veterans’ groups.

Kids Runway for Research is one of my favorite annual events. Children with cancer get makeovers and get to be stars for a day. After the event, I dressed up as Moana to go visit the kids who were too sick to participate, some of them younger than I was when I first joined the Imagination Players.

Twelve years with this group taught me that changing and improving the community for the better doesn’t necessarily have to involve wide structural change. It can simply look like many small acts of kindness that improve the lives of community members who are most in need of support.

6. Reflection is a central tenet of Emory University’s values. Craft a personal email giving advice to yourself in your first year of high school.

Remember that the admissions officers don’t know who you were in your first year of high school. Think about an experience you had in high school that you would approach differently now. Break it down into three parts.

• How did you approach the situation then? What was flawed about it? What were the repercussions of approaching it that way? What blind spot did you have at the time that caused a negative outcome?
• What experiences have you had since then that showed you your blind spot? What made you realize that you were wrong?
• How would you approach the situation now? How do you think that might have changed the outcome?

Samantha, High school will be hard. Don’t allow yourself to write off discrimination as common misunderstandings.

For example, junior year, the whole team will vote to demote you (the only woman or person of color) from a lawyer to a witness so that another male teammate can take on two attorney roles. Your scores will be equal to the lawyer they are trying to replace you with.

They’ll explain that, “you seem to be better at emotional aspects of mock trial than the logical ones. We think you’re better as a witness.”

“How could my friends be sexist?” You’ll think to yourself. Well, they’re high school boys with a lot of learning to do. They see you as traditionally female: passive, emotional. They see themselves as “aggressive” men: leaders.

Don’t be afraid to stand your ground. By denying their discrimination against you, they take away your power. Don’t let them.

Chin up. -Samantha

• Privacy Overview
• Strictly Necessary Cookies

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognizing you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

What are your chances of acceptance?

Calculate for all schools, your chance of acceptance.

Your chancing factors

Extracurriculars.

4 Excellent Emory Essay Examples

What’s covered:, essay example #1 – book, character, or song, essay example #2 – cultural awareness, essay example #3 – historic event, william henry harrison, essay example #4 – historic event, nikola tesla, where to get your emory university essays edited.

Emory University is a private research university in Atlanta, Georgia. The school is commonly referred to as a “ Southern Ivy ” due to its academic prestige. In fact, Emory consistently ranks among the nation’s top 25 schools. The university also boasts a selective admissions process, so it’s important that you submit engaging essays that will make your application stand out.

In this post, we will walk through some essays that real students submitted to Emory. By noticing the strengths and weaknesses of these essays, you will be more prepared to write impressive essays to submit to the Emory admissions committee.

Please note: Looking at examples of real essays students have submitted to colleges can be very beneficial to get inspiration for your essays. You should never copy or plagiarize from these examples when writing your own essays. Colleges can tell when an essay isn’t genuine and will not view students favorably if they plagiarized. 

Read our Emory University essay breakdown to get a comprehensive overview of this year’s supplemental prompts. 

Prompt: Which book, character, song, or piece of work (fiction or nonfiction) represents you, and why? (150 words)

Never has a song resonated with me the way ‘My Shot’ did.

In the song, I saw a person who was motivated by nothing more than passion. Who had big dreams, and a stronger will to get it done. I saw someone who would stay up for nights on end to understand the inner workings of a seemingly-simple software to create a truly great website. Who would forgo meals because she had ideas in her head and a desire to write them down. Who would teach herself a subject her school refused to let her pursue. Who would take Machine Learning courses for fun. I saw someone with goals, with plans, and with the mettle required to reach them. I saw myself.

Applying to Emory is me thinking past tomorrow. It is me fanning my spark into a flame. Applying to Emory is me not throwing away my shot.

What the Essay Did Well

This essay is strong because it utilizes more sophisticated writing to express how this song represents the student. There is no generic sentence “ The song ‘My Shot’ represents me because of x, y, and z. ” Rather, there is a seamless transition from the subject of the song to the student: “ In the song, I saw a person who was motivated by nothing more than passion. Who had big dreams, and a stronger will to get it done. I saw someone who would stay up for nights on end to understand the inner workings of a seemingly-simple software to create a truly great website.”

The student tells us that her song focuses on a person with strong passions and a stronger will, and then she goes on to demonstrate how she is that person. She doesn’t tell us outright that she is passionate about anything, but she shows the reader through her descriptions of “ staying up for nights on end, ” “ forgoing meals because she has ideas in her head ,” and “ teaching herself a subject ” she couldn’t learn in school.

The conclusion is also well done because it brings the song back into the essay. Any Hamilton fan can hear themselves singing those last lines in their head, which is a great way to make your reader feel engaged! Returning back to the song emphasizes the student’s attention to the prompt and provides a satisfying sense of closure.

What Could Be Improved 

One way this student could bring more nuance to her essay is through rewriting the beginning.  The first sentence restates the prompt, wasting space that could be used to bring more action to her writing. To fix this, the student could integrate this introductory line with their first paragraph like this:

As I frantically danced around my room, I let the vibrant rhythms control me. I screamed out “ We’re gonna rise up. Time to take a shot!” The intensity of the song ‘My Shot’ reminded me of my passionate motivations. 

In the song, I see…

This hook brings the passion and intensity of the song to the reader.  By integrating information about the tone of the song or a lyric from the song, readers will feel more connected to the work you are describing and thus, your essay as a whole.

Prompt: Reflect on a personal experience where you intentionally expanded your cultural awareness. (150 words)

“Mama, there’s HOLES in the floor!” 

Utterly culture shocked, five year old me was horrified to learn that the sitting toilets of America were not a guarantee in China.

I can’t say I like squat toilets, but they’ve made me realize that many things I see as “ordinary” might be completely different in a different culture or country. 

Since my little fiasco, I have in fact spent time researching toilets: bidets, heated seats, ancient Roman sanitation systems (actually not very sanitary but A+ concept), the works. I find it fascinating to think about how the economic status and cultural standards of different countries affect their bathrooms. It’s shocking how something as universal as a toilet can have such deeper implications. Though I can’t say it’s something I think about every day, in my mind it’s a small testament to the diverse yet similar ways we live as a global community.

The introduction is a major strength of this essay. The image of a little kiddo, with the best intentions, saying “Mama, there’s HOLES in the floor!”  gets us hooked. Through the sweetness behind the word “Mama” and the use of capitalization to articulate the young person’s astonishment, this student’s intentional writing creates a picture that has us interested right off the bat. They show their cultural experience, instead of just telling us what happened.

As we continue reading, we get to learn about the student’s thoughts. They position themself as the kind of student who is drawn to deep thought and can see the importance of small details and differences. This capacity for critical thought—especially as it relates to cultural differences—is appealing to admissions officers. Additionally, as they describe their critical thinking, they continue to highlight their endearing personality through humor, with parenthetical jokes like “ ancient Roman sanitation systems (actually not very sanitary but A+ concept) .” This works great.

Finally, the student ties up their essay simply. This is important because they already did a bells-and-whistles introduction with dialogue. In a short essay like this, including an engaging introduction and a creative conclusion can make the essay feel overwhelming and forced in its attempt to engage readers. Sometimes the simple answer is best—and this student does simple so well!

The biggest improvements this essay could make are mostly related to grammar. For example they could tighten up some of their prose.  Words like “ many ,” “ might be ,” and “ in fact ” can be changed or eliminated to achieve concision and clarity.

Additionally, there are some small, but not insignificant, grammar issues that could have been caught with more thorough proofreading, including:

• “culture shocked” → “culture-shocked”
• “five year old me” → “five-year-old me”
• “such deeper implications” → “much deeper implications”
• “in my mind it’s” → “in my mind, it’s”

Prompt: If you could witness any event (past, present, or future) first-hand, what would it be, and why? (150 words)

Watching an old white man speak might not be the best way to spend my one chance to time travel, but something about William Henry Harrison’s inauguration has always piqued my curiosity. Not only did Harrison stubbornly refuse a coat, hat, and carriage on a disgustingly dreary day, but also gave the longest inaugural speech in US history—I imagine some were bored out of their minds. But it’s not the speech itself I’m interested in; it’s the desire to let the world hear all that you have to say, even if no one is listening. I often find myself bursting to share my thoughts on all kinds of issues: climate change, class, capitalism, but stop myself when I can’t find eager ears. Mr. Harrison died after (stupidly?) braving the elements to share his mind; I want to see that conviction with my own eyes.

This essay is bold, but it definitely pays off!

It can be risky to write your college essay in a casual style, but this student pulls it off. In the first sentence, they use the phrase “ old white man ” to describe William Henry Harrison which, while descriptive, has become a colloquial assemblage of descriptors. That being said, for this student, it works because it makes their essay feel authentic. When reading this essay, we get the opportunity to walk through this student’s thought process with them:

• I’m not crazy about old white men
• But William Henry Harrison is pretty cool
• I think William Henry Harrison is so cool because he spoke his mind fearlessly
• It’s important to me to speak my mind fearlessly

Through this progression, we learn so much about the student—which is the entire point! The essay is your main opportunity to humanize yourself to admissions officers and this student really shows who they are as a human aside from test scores and extracurriculars.

This essay is fabulous—it’s clear and engaging, shows the student’s personality and values, and answers the prompt. 

The main change this essay could use is replacing the word “stupidly”. While some students can make a casual tone work, presenting yourself as disrespectful to authority through such a harsh word (even if you really believe he is stupid!) isn’t ideal for admissions. Instead, this comedic parenthetical could have read “ carelessly? ” or “ foolishly? ” These words would’ve gotten the student’s point across without being negative.

Prompt: If you could witness a historic event first-hand, what would it be, and why? (150 words)

I would love to join Nikola Tesla during one of his pigeon-feeding ventures. I’ve always had an affinity for scientist trivia, and this bird aficionado/innovator is undeniably my favorite. However, I’ve discovered that history accentuates so strongly on such scientists’ laboratory accomplishments that we perceive them as mythical beings rather than humans – to the point that we’re surprised whenever they participate in commonplace activities. We all know Tesla’s multitude of revolutionary inventions that are still ubiquitous in modern technology. Nevertheless, I aspire to go a step further; I believe there is a beauty and inspiration that can only be found by understanding scientists outside the lab, movie stars off-camera, and politicians away from microphones. Great minds aren’t necessarily defined by the moments that history records; many times, the most remarkable people are found lurking in the park with a handful of sunflower seeds.

This essay is ripe with potential because the student picked an interesting topic—important people doing unimportant things! And, to articulate this topic, the student chose a great example—Nikola Tesla feeding pigeons. 

Choosing a simple event that represents a larger curiosity of the student is a great way to bring an essay topic that can get very lofty and aspirational back down to Earth. The essay is more about the question of who celebrities are outside of the public eye, which demonstrates the depth of this student’s critical thought. They search for deeper significance, hidden truths, and non obvious answers. 

Admissions officers admire a student with these skills, but there’s no one way to convey it in your essays. That being said, a good place to start is to dig deeper and go beyond what the prompt explicitly asks for, as this student did.

While this student has the perfect set-up for an outstanding essay, their execution needs work for this essay to be truly effective. In its current state, the point gets muddled. Though readers ultimately understand what this student is getting at, it takes too much work to parse through all of the elevated prose, transitions, and sentences. To articulate the idea we don’t truly know our heroes more clearly, the student could have written something engaging like:

On the news, in my classes, and even at my family’s dinner table, I constantly hear Tesla referred to as “the innovator of the future,” “our generation’s Einstein,” “the most brilliant man on the planet.” While I don’t deny his extensive list of scientific and engineering accomplishments, I am inclined to wonder when he stopped being seen as human. Is the Tesla on our screens a man or a mythical being?

Finally, the student’s reflection should be more reflective! The first sentence of the reflection reads “ I believe there is a beauty and inspiration that can only be found by understanding scientists outside the lab, movie stars off-camera, and politicians away from microphones. ” This is a valuable point, but it goes entirely unexplained. Is the student saying that these well-known individuals gain their inspiration through their daily activities? Or is the student trying to say that the fact that these well-known individuals are just ordinary people inspires them as a student?

The topic of “important people doing unimportant things” is perfect for reflection, but this student misses the opportunity. The essay needs to relate back to the applicant—Where do they get inspiration? Why is inspiration important? At the end of this essay, we still don’t know why Nikola Tesla’s pigeon-feeding matters to the student. We need more.

Do you want feedback on your Emory University  essays? After rereading your essays countless times, it can be difficult to evaluate your writing objectively. That’s why we created our free Peer Essay Review tool , where you can get a free review of your essay from another student. You can also improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays. 

If you want a college admissions expert to review your essay, advisors on CollegeVine have helped students refine their writing and submit successful applications to top schools. Find the right advisor for you to improve your chances of getting into your dream school!

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

• College Application

Emory Supplemental Essay Examples for

These Emory supplemental essay examples will give you some good insights into what Emory is looking for in their essays. Oftentimes, just reading up on college essay tips can be useful, but this can be augmented by taking a look at existing essays to see how they are put together.

So, while you’re perusing Common App essay examples , you might want to consider some that are more pointedly directed at your school of choice – in this case, Emory – to know how to specifically approach Emory’s supplemental essays.

In this article, we will cover the different prompts through Emory supplemental essay examples, and also provide you with expert tips on how to write a college essay .

>> Want us to help you get accepted? Schedule a free strategy call here . <<

Article Contents 9 min read

Introduction.

Emory requires a personal statement submitted through the Common App as well as two supplemental short essays. Here, we provide examples of all three essays, based on the prompts for 2024.

Emory Personal Statement

Required for all applicants

Length: 500–650 words (approximately)

I’ve never enjoyed baseball, or sports of any kind, but my dad does. I was looking forward to the “big game” far less than he was. My high school team had done very well, and we were entering a cycle of semi-finals and finals, and I got weary just thinking about it.

When I was little, I loved playing catch with Dad. My father has always been important to me. When I was a boy, I liked playing games with my friends, because I’m very social. I loved playing with people, but sports never really appealed, and the minute they became formal and competitive, I checked out.

In the week leading up to the game, I finally told my dad that I didn’t want to play anymore because I just didn’t care about the games. He was upset, which made me upset, too, and I went to bed that night feeling like he didn’t understand me and wasn’t really listening to me.

In short, I had a typical teenaged angry reaction.

Length: 200 words, max.

“What academic areas are you interested in exploring in college?”

On my desk, while I write this, is the broken shard of a smashed vase. I love this and keep it because it is a piece of history, found on an archaeological dig in Peru. I saved up a lot of money to buy it.

Anthropology gives us valuable insight into the future. Most people think of it as the past, but I know that studying who we – as human beings – were will lead us into understanding who we are and who we want to be. I believe this study is essential to humanity’s forward progress. A lack of understanding will lead to regression.

Like most anthropologists and archaeologists, working in the field is what excites me the most, and Emory’s field schools, like the Huari-Ancash Bio-Archaeological Research Project, interest me greatly. My dream is to find my way to Peru and learn about the people who made my broken vase.

The Bachelor of Science in Anthropology with a specialization in Biological Anthropology and Cultural Anthropology is what most interests me , because searching for answers right in the physiology of our ancestors can reveal how we lived, which is as close to a first-hand account as an archaeologist can hope for!

Looking for more tips? Check out the infographic below:

Third Essay: Answer any one of the prompts (below).

Length: 150 words, max.

A. “Reflect on a personal experience where you intentionally expanded your cultural awareness.”

My family took a trip down to Mexico when I was a boy. My sister and I were having a wonderful time, but on the third day, I saw a Mexican boy, about my age, who said something to me; I didn’t speak Spanish.

A few years later, I started paying attention to the news, drawn into stories of border crossings and immigration reform. I saw somebody on the news, trying to cross into the US, who looked exactly like that boy.

I started Spanish classes the next year and joined a humanitarian society to do some volunteering in Mexico. I spent my time there working and speaking with locals.

If we’re going to learn to share the world, we must learn about each other, and I want to do my part to bridge the gaps and reach across the barriers and borders we put up.

When writing your essays, there are two ways to prepare: first, by understanding essay writing in general, and second, by knowing Emory’s specific parameters and expectations. We will cover a bit of both below.

Emory describes on their website the qualities they are looking for in their personal statements. Two blog articles discuss changing perspectives or opinions, so you will want to take that to heart and highlight your own personal growth in your essays. They also value curiosity, which is often a catalyst for change and growth, so notice a trend here.

Both of Emory’s supplemental essays are pretty short, 200 words or less, so you don’t have time to work your way through the careful machinations of a standard essay.

That doesn’t mean that you should abandon the standard essay format, however; it just means that, while writing for Emory specifically, you should keep your writing quick and lean. Note that this doesn’t apply to the personal statement for Emory, which is allowed to be longer.

Check out this video for some additional college essay tips:

For your introduction, look into how to start a college essay . You’re going to need a “hook” sentence that reels in readers. Think about how to make anybody want to read your work, even if they weren’t part of the admissions committee.

It might be useful to look up some college essay introduction examples to see how other people start their essays.

Normally, one or two paragraphs would be devoted to opening an essay, but with Emory’s truncated format, go for a brief paragraph of one or two sentences.

The opening of an essay sets up the body – the middle section wherein you unpack the details of what you want to say, present any arguments you are making, and fulfill the bulk of what the essay is about. Normally this would be at least two paragraphs dealing with the main ideas of the essay, but again, given Emory’s essays’ short length, you’ll want to keep to shorter statements and focus on just one idea.

Finally, wrap up your essay with the right touch: your conclusion should connect to the opener’s presentation and show how your ideas in the body all come together. It can be tricky to do this in a short paragraph of one or two sentences, but by focusing on exactly what you need to say, you should be able to whittle it down.

It can also be helpful, as a general tip, to recruit a college essay review service , either to help you get off the ground with your own essay, or to help as you refine it.

Thus armed with these Emory supplemental essay examples and the knowledge about how to write an essay and how to write for Emory, in particular, you should be well equipped to craft your own.

Remember to keep your writing tight – to respect the close word limits – and to bring yourself into the foreground of each answer; the admissions committee is looking to see why you are uniquely, specifically, the best candidate and fit for their school.

Beating writer’s block – a terribly common problem – might not be easy if you don’t know what to do. The best way to proceed is to take a blank page of paper and give yourself no more, and no less, than two minutes to just free-associate by writing whatever pops into your head. Remember to keep to the topic on which you are writing. If your prompt is “why this school?” for instance, you should free-associate about Emory – or whichever school you happen to be writing about.

Whenever you are given a limit – a character count, word count, page count, etc. – for any essay, make sure that you closely adhere to that limit. Note that character counts often include spaces, so be sure to measure your writing accurately. If you are using a word processing software, you can find this information in the document properties.

When essays don’t include direct limits, first, make sure you are consulting the correct requirements and, if in doubt, reach out to the admissions office. If there is no limit, it still doesn’t mean you should tear off a novella for the admissions committee to peruse. Respect their time, and the fact that they have a stack of papers to get through. Be economical with your words: if you can say something in ten words, don’t use twenty. Brevity is the soul of wit, as the saying goes, and you should default to “less is more.”

You can also judge an essay’s length based on similar essays. A short answer essay, including most supplemental essay prompts, will have a limit of around 200–250 words. Of course, there are exceptions – like Emory’s much shorter 150-word essays – so always double-check that you’re respecting given limits.

Everything counts. Admissions are competitive in post-secondary institutions, so you need to remember that while building your own application package. While a typo or two are unlikely to cost you a spot, you should still aim for flawless writing: several errors, mounting up over your application, will be an indication of a lack of precision, attention to detail, and general skill, and will make your essays frustrating to read. Whether you use a spell-checking and grammar-checking program, or employ a proofreader, make sure you deliver polished work that is error-free. With so many available options, there is not much room for excuses.

Give yourself two to three weeks to produce all the brainstorming, drafts, writing, revision, and editing that you’ll need to build an effective essay or two. You don’t have to make it a full-time job but try to spend at least some time on it each day.

No. You need to write three essays in total: a personal statement, the short essay on academic interests, and a response to one of the remaining prompts, which is your choice.

What you’re trying to do with your personal statement is show the committee something about yourself that they cannot get from anything else in your application: a good look at the personal you.

Of course, this doesn’t just mean listing likes and dislikes, or talking about your favorite book. You can talk about your favorite book, but it must relate to your personality, your goals, your values, times of change, or times that were important to you and had an impact in your life. Say something deeper about yourself than a transcript or a favorite ice cream flavor will reveal.

The goal, of course, is to show them why you fit with the school’s values, and why you’re the perfect candidate.

Aim to get close to the final word count as a rule of thumb, but if you’re a few words short, that’s okay. Emory’s short answer essays are small enough that you shouldn’t have trouble filling them out; however, if you’re wrapping up your personal statement at 200 words, you will want to dig deeper.

Common Application, or Common App, is a centralized application system for colleges and universities around the world. It allows students to create one application that they can submit to a variety of schools, saving them time in the process.

Want more free tips? Subscribe to our channels for more free and useful content!

Apple Podcasts

Like our blog? Write for us ! >>

Have a question ask our admissions experts below and we'll answer your questions, get started now.

Talk to one of our admissions experts

Our site uses cookies. By using our website, you agree with our cookie policy .

FREE Training Webinar:

How to make your college applications stand out, (and avoid the top 5 mistakes that get most rejected).

Time Sensitive. Limited Spots Available:

We guarantee you'll get into your dream college or university or you don't pay.

Swipe up to see a great offer!

Emory Essays 2023-24

Emory Essays 

Emory University , nestled in Atlanta, Georgia, is known for its commitment to intellectual rigor and interdisciplinary exploration. The Emory essays offer students a great chance to stand out in the competitive admissions process. So, as you prepare to apply, you should ensure you understand the Emory essay requirements. 

As one of the nation’s top private research universities and the top university in Georgia , Emory attracts a diverse array of bright minds each year. The allure of Emory’s vibrant campus resides in its robust academic offerings and its rich extracurricular landscape. Wondering how to get into Emory? Well, given the competitive nature of admissions, the Emory essays hold considerable weight within the Emory application process. 

Strong Emory essays form a critical part of any successful application. In this guide, we’ll walk you through each of the Emory University essays. 

We’ll also discuss:

• Each of the Emory essay prompts
• Tips for writing the Emory supplemental essays
• Where to find successful Emory essay examples
• Other Emory requirements

We hope this guide provides useful insight into how to get into Emory University!

Emory Supplemental Essays: Quick Facts

Emory university essays quick facts.

• Emory University Ranking Overall: Ranked #22 among National Universities.
• Emory University Acceptance Rate: The acceptance rate is 13% . U.S. News considers Emory University highly selective.

Essay Requirements:

• Common Application Essay/Personal Statement
• 1 Short Answer Focused on Academic Interests (Why Major Essay)  (150 words) 
• 1 Short Answer Focused on Getting to Know Applicant (Get to Know You Essay)  (150 words) 

Admissions Application options:

• Emory University uses the Common Application . Students will use the Common App to upload all materials, including the Emory supplemental essays. 

Emory University Application Types & Deadlines :

• Early Decision I: November 1st
• Early Decision II: January 1st 
• Regular Decision: January 1st

Emory University Supplemental Essays Tip:

• Emory University publishes strong Emory supplemental essays from previous candidates . In these Emory supplemental essays, note how the writers use engaging rhetoric, highlight their intellectual curiosity, and offer genuine responses.

Please note that essay requirements are subject to change each admissions cycle, and portions of this article may have been written before the final publication of the most recent guidelines. For the most up-to-date information on essay requirements, check the Emory admissions website.

Does Emory have supplemental essays?

Yes. Alongside the Common Application personal statement, all Emory University applicants must complete two Emory supplemental essays. 

The Emory supplemental essays include two short answer questions focusing on your academic and personal interests. Additionally, the Emory supplemental essays are shorter than those you might encounter at other schools—less than 150 words each. Therefore, applicants should make the most of every word in their Emory University essays.

How many essays does Emory require?

In total, students will complete three Emory essays, including the Common App personal statement. 

On the Emory application, students will complete two additional Emory essays. These two additional Emory essays are less than 150 words apiece and ask students to share their academic and personal interests. 

In the next section, we will review the prompts for each of the Emory supplemental essays. We’ll also highlight where students can find successful Emory essay examples.

What are the Emory essay prompts?

As stated, Emory requires the Common Application personal statement and two Emory supplemental essays. While the Common Application personal statement aligns with the standard Common Application prompts for 2023-2024, the Emory supplemental essays have two specific prompts. 

The first of the two Emory supplemental essay prompts focuses on academics. This Emory essay prompt is considered a ‘Why Major Essay” prompt. 

The first Emory University essay prompt states: 

What academic areas are you interested in exploring at Emory University and why?

The second Emory supplemental essays prompt focuses on getting to know the applicant. With six different Emory essay prompts to choose from, these “Getting to Know You” Emory essays allow students to share a bit about themselves. 

For the second of the Emory supplemental essays, students can choose from the following six prompts: 

Emory University Supplemental Essay Prompts

1. which book, character, song, monologue, or piece of work (fiction or non-fiction) seems made for you why, 2. reflect on a personal experience where you intentionally expanded your cultural awareness., 3. emory university aspires for all students to flourish on campus. reflect on what flourishing at emory means to you., 4. emory university’s unique mission calls for service to humanity. share how you might personally contribute to this mission of service to humanity., 5. emory university has a strong commitment to building community. tell us about a community that you have been part of where your participation helped to change or shape the community for the better., 6. reflection is a central tenet of emory university’s values. craft a personal email providing advice to yourself in your first year of high school..

Each of these Emory University essays allows you to share something a bit different about yourself and what you’d bring to campus. So, choose your topic carefully for the second of the Emory University essays. 

Emory Common App Essays

The Common App essay plays an important role in the Emory admissions process. So, use it as a chance to introduce yourself in a unique way. You can write about your background, a major moment in your life, or your future goals. Through your Emory University essay for the Common Application, you can show Emory who you are and why you’re a perfect fit.  

Remember that Emory requires two additional supplemental essays. So, when crafting your Emory essay for the Common Application, try to avoid topics you’ll cover in later Emory supplemental essays (or those for other schools).

Emory Essays – Why Major Essay

The first of the required Emory University supplemental essays asks you to describe your interest in your intended major. This Emory essay prompt—asking applicants to explore their academic interests at Emory University—challenges students to convey their passion and commitment within a 150-word count. In this section, we’ll guide you through strategies for these Emory University supplemental essays.

Here’s the first Emory essay prompt:

Prompt: What academic areas are you interested in exploring at Emory University and why?

In order to tackle this Emory essay prompt, start by pinpointing the academic areas that genuinely resonate with you. Be specific—mention departments, courses, or research opportunities that captivate your interest. Think about both your general academic interests and the specific offerings of Emory University. 

Share why these areas excite you—whether it’s a unique curriculum, esteemed faculty, or research initiatives. Highlight how Emory’s programs align with your academic aspirations and why you believe Emory is the ideal place to foster your intellectual growth. 

With only 150 words, you should maximize every sentence to convey your enthusiasm. Overall, strong Emory University supplemental essays will use specific details about what Emory offers. Avoid general statements and focus on specifics that showcase your deep interest and preparedness for your chosen academic areas. 

This Emory essay is your opportunity to show that you’ve researched the university’s offerings and envision how they will support your academic journey. However, remember that this essay should still be about you. So, don’t just repeat information about Emory—instead, focus on how Emory’s offerings meet your individual needs. 

Emory Supplemental Essays – Getting to Know You

While the first of the Emory essays focuses on your academic interests, Emory University’s “Getting to Know You” essay lets applicants showcase their personality, experiences, and aspirations. A key difference within this Emory essay is that you are given a choice of six prompts. While the topics are different, the word count is the same. You guessed it—you only have 150 words. 

With a choice of six Emory essay prompts, each essay prompt offers applicants distinct avenues for self-expression. Ultimately, the second of the Emory essays allows you to highlight an important facet of your character. To help you choose the strongest Emory essay prompt, let’s take a closer look at the options.

Be mindful that you only have 150 words to stand out, so choose your prompt carefully. Furthermore, this Emory essay should not only showcase your unique perspective; it should also complement your other application materials.

You should choose this Emory essay prompt if you deeply connect to a creative work that has shaped your perspective. Your chosen work should reflect your unique identity, values, or experiences. Strong Emory essays won’t just discuss a piece of creative work that the applicant likes—instead, they will use this work to say something deeper about the applicant’s identity. 

Once you select your work, be sure to thoughtfully explain your selection and connect it to other facets of your identity. The best Emory essays, moreover, will teach the admissions team something they don’t already know about the applicant. However, this doesn’t mean that your chosen work can’t connect to other interests in your application—just make sure that the second of your Emory essays adds a new dimension to your profile. 

Make sure the work you select is authentic to you, so avoid picking something just to impress the admissions committee. Most importantly, be cautious of what you pick. Avoid divisive or graphic content that might distract from your intended message and the positive impression you aim to create.

You should choose this Emory essay prompt if you’ve engaged in meaningful cross-cultural experiences. Notice the word “intentionally”—have you engaged in activities where you actively sought to learn more about the world around you? You could write about a meaningful trip abroad, a volunteer experience in a different community, or a variety of other experiences. Remember, no two Emory essays will be the same. 

Additionally, make sure the second of your Emory essays highlights your personal growth through this experience. Again, don’t just tell your readers what you think they want to hear. Instead, use the Emory essays to thoughtfully demonstrate your commitment to cultural understanding and your desire to contribute to a diverse community. Make sure to connect your intentional expansion of cultural awareness to your desire to enrich Emory’s campus.  

You should choose this Emory essay if you’re excited about embracing opportunities and growth at Emory. Think about what “flourishing” means to you—intellectual stimulation? Community? Giving back? Then, use the second of the Emory essays to specifically explain how Emory will allow you to flourish. Strong Emory essays will discuss specific academic programs, extracurricular activities, or campus resources that align with a student’s goals and aspirations. 

Highlight how the university’s environment aligns with your values and ambitions. Avoid generalities and clichés; instead, focus on unique experiences or qualities that make Emory a special place for you to flourish.

If you’re dedicated to positively impacting society, this Emory essay prompt suits you. Strong Emory essays will show a student’s genuine commitment to serving their communities. Additionally, the best Emory essays will look both backward and forward—that is, they’ll share how a student’s past interests and experiences will allow them to create change in college. 

Outline specific ways you have engaged in service or contributed to the well-being of others in your community. Discuss your values, experiences, and skills that align with Emory’s mission of service. Avoid generic statements about helping others; instead, use concrete examples of how you’ve translated your commitment into action. Then, highlight how you’ll continue to serve your community at Emory. 

5. Emory University is strongly committed to building community. Tell us about a community that you have been part of where your participation helped to change or shape the community for the better.

The fifth prompt for the Emory essays slightly resembles the previous prompt. However, it expands from the concept of “service” and, instead, speaks more generally about building community. If this resonates with you, you might consider this Emory essay prompt. 

The best Emory essays will recount a specific experience in which the applicant actively contributed to enhancing a community. You’ll need to provide some context about the community you were part of, whether it was a school club, volunteer organization, or any other group. However, make sure you quickly move into a discussion of what this community meant to you. Detail how you created positive change within that community through leadership, collaboration, or innovation. Additionally, highlight the outcomes of your efforts and how they positively impacted the community. 

Choose this Emory essay prompt if you enjoy self-reflection and have valuable insights to share. For this Emory essays prompt, address your younger self genuinely and empathetically, offering advice based on your personal growth and experiences since then. 

Reflect on the challenges you’ve overcome, the lessons you’ve learned, and the insights you’ve gained. Strong Emory essays will share practical advice that reflects Emory’s emphasis on personal growth and self-discovery. Additionally, in your response, avoid clichéd or superficial advice. Instead, provide thoughtful, meaningful guidance that showcases your maturity and depth of understanding.

To recap, Emory University’s “Getting to Know You” supplemental essay invites you to share your unique perspective and experiences in just 150 words. By selecting the right prompt and responding concisely, you can effectively convey your character and aspirations.

How to write Emory supplemental essays

Outstanding Emory University supplemental essays can make your application stand out to the admissions team. The best Emory essays will show who you are, share your experiences, and explain how you’d fit in at Emory University. 

Here are some quick tips to help your Emory supplemental essays shine:

Learn About Emory

First, before writing your Emory University supplemental essays, learn about the school’s values and programs. Use what you’ve learned to show you’re genuinely interested in Emory. Furthermore, take advantage of Emory’s resources, such as their admissions blog , to help you craft your Emory essays and create a strong application for Emory University.

Be Yourself

Next, write your Emory University supplemental essays in a way that shows your true self. Share personal stories that have influenced you. Stay away from generic answers and talk about what makes you special.

Tell a Good Story

Also, make your Emory supplemental essays interesting by telling a story. Use descriptive words to keep the reader interested.

Check and Improve

Before sending your Emory University supplemental essays, proofread them and fix any mistakes. Check for good grammar, punctuation, and clear writing. Since you have a limit on how many words you can use, pick your words carefully and avoid saying the same things too much.

By following these tips for your Emory University supplemental essays, you can create an application that shows your unique qualities and explains why you’d fit well at Emory University.

Emory essays examples and more

We hope this guide has helped you better understand how to get into Emory with strong Emory University essays. Next, let’s look at some more resources—including Emory essay examples—that can help you tackle the admissions process. By reading successful Emory essay examples, you can learn more about what the admissions team looks for in applicants. 

Emory University Essay Resources

• Emory University Essays That Worked : This article provides a collection of successful Emory essays. In it, we showcase how students approached the Emory supplemental essays in past admissions cycles. While some prompts may change from year to year, the same strategies remain effective. 
• Client Success Stories: Cequiyia & Kelsey York : Check out this spotlight on Cequyia York—a CollegeAdvisor student who got into Emory’s class of 2027. In it, Cequyia shares her experience with the admissions process and discusses how one-on-one college advising helped her succeed. 
• How to Win a HOPE Scholarship : This article provides insights into the HOPE Scholarship, a merit-based scholarship program in Georgia. It also offers guidance on how to strengthen your merit scholarship applications. 
• Strong Personal Statements: Poetry & Prose Can Elevate Your Essay : This article from Emory University highlights exemplary personal statements from previous applicants. It demonstrates the diverse range of topics that can effectively showcase a student’s character, curiosity, and voice. By featuring these statements, the article underscores the significance of a well-crafted personal statement.

Emory Supplemental Essays: Final Takeaways

We hope this article has helped you learn more about the Emory requirements and prepare to write strong Emory supplemental essays. To craft standout Emory essays, you need more than just strong writing skills—you need a strategic approach that aligns with the university’s values and aspirations. 

Let’s recap the five key takeaways to help you master the Emory supplemental essays:

1. Keep your Emory supplemental essays authentic.

Authenticity is the cornerstone of success in your Emory supplemental essays. The admissions team knows how to recognize genuine experiences and insights. Instead of molding your responses to fit a preconceived notion of what’s expected, focus on sharing your unique stories, experiences, and thoughts. When it comes to your Emory University essays, authenticity will always resonate the most.

2. Weave Emory’s values into your narrative.

Emory University isn’t just a backdrop for your academic journey; it’s a community with a mission and core values. As you approach your Emory supplemental essays, take the time to understand Emory’s values. Weave these values into your Emory University essays, illustrating your genuine interest in and alignment with the university’s distinctive character.

3. Reflect and connect.

Emory supplemental essays offer you a space to showcase your past, present, and future. Reflect on your journey and the experiences that have shaped you. Then, connect these reflections to Emory’s opportunities—whether through its innovative academic programs, dynamic campus culture, or commitment to community engagement.

4. Make sure your Emory supplemental essays dig deep.

Emory values diversity in all its forms, and your Emory supplemental essays are the perfect place to display your identity. Embrace the chance to showcase how your unique background, perspectives, and experiences can contribute to Emory’s community. Use these Emory University essays to demonstrate not only your individuality but also your potential to enrich the university’s diverse environment.

5. Embrace your Emory supplemental essays as a chance to reflect.

The journey of crafting Emory supplemental essays is both a reflective process and an opportunity to align your aspirations with Emory’s mission. You can create strong Emory essays that connect with the admissions committee by using your responses to weave in Emory’s values, reflect on your experiences, and showcase your diversity. Therefore, let your passion for Emory University and your personal growth shine through in your Emory University essays.

If you feel you need more insight into Emory admissions and how to approach your Emory essays, check out this virtual information session from Emory University admissions officers:

We hope this guide and the other resources we have suggested have helped you better understand the Emory requirements and prepare for the Emory application process. If you want more guidance on the Emory supplemental essays as you prepare to apply , we’re always here to help.

This article was written by senior college advisor Ashley Hollins . Are you looking for more admissions support? Click here to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. In your meeting, our team will discuss your profile and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how CollegeAdvisor.com can support you in the college application process.

Personalized and effective college advising for high school students.

• Advisor Application
• Popular Colleges
• Privacy Policy and Cookie Notice
• Student Login
• California Privacy Notice
• Terms and Conditions
• Your Privacy Choices

By using the College Advisor site and/or working with College Advisor, you agree to our updated Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy , including an arbitration clause that covers any disputes relating to our policies and your use of our products and services.

Choose Your Test

Sat / act prep online guides and tips, 4 tips to write stellar emory essays.

College Essays

Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Emory University is a prestigious private university ranked within the top 25 universities nationwide . To apply here, you'll have to submit your transcripts, SAT or ACT scores, and a few essays. But what do you actually have to write for your Emory essays?

Below, we present to you this year's Emory University essay prompts and offer you tips for figuring out which prompts you should choose for your application. We will also look at admissions officers' feedback for real Emory essays that worked.

Let's get started!

Feature Image: Nrbelex /Wikimedia Commons

What Are the Emory Essays?

All first-year applicants to Emory must submit one longer essay in response to either the Common Application or Coalition Application essay prompts and two short answers as part of the Emory supplement . For the first Emory essay, you must respond to the single prompt provided, and for the second essay, you can choose any one of the five prompts listed.

Here are the Emory University essay prompts for the 2022-23 application cycle:

Academics Essay (200 words max)

What academic areas are you interested in exploring in college?

Reflections Essay: Respond to one of the following (150 words max)

Reflect on a personal experience where you intentionally expanded your cultural awareness.

When was the last time you questioned something that you had thought to be true?

If you could witness a historic event (past, present, or future) first-hand, what would it be, and why?

Share a time when you were awestruck.

Which book, character, song, monologue, or piece of work (fiction or non-fiction) seems made for you? Why?

Fortunately, Emory offers a little advice on how you should answer these essay prompts: "We encourage you to be thoughtful and not stress about what the right answer might be. We simply want to get to know you better."

Now, let's take a closer look at each of the Emory University essay prompts.

How to Write the Emory Academics Essay

This is standard college essay prompt, asking you to elaborate on your academic plans. Emory is asking this because they want to get a better understanding of what you plan on studying in college and why you're excited about it. Students who have a solid plan for college and are genuinely passionate about their academics are more likely to do well in college and after graduation, and they're more likely to be involved on campus and give back as an alum.

As a reminder, this prompt is required for all applicants, and you can write up to 200 words.

So, what should you write about? Start with describing the academic area(s) you plan on focusing on in college. Then, dive into it more. If you want to major in biology, what areas of biology are you most interested in? What about these topics excites you? What career are you hoping to pursue with a biology degree? Are there internships/research opportunities you hope to do? You don't need to include all those parts, but be sure to give an in-depth answer that makes it clear what your academic interests and plans are.

But what if you don't know what you want to study? That's OK; this isn't a binding document that requires you to follow up on what you write about. Choose an area or areas that you're thinking about, and go with that. Don't write that you have no idea what you're going to study because that can cause Emory to worry that you won't be interested in your studies/won't be able to commit to anything.

How to Write the "Reflections" Emory Essay

For this essay, you'll have to select one prompt to answer (out of five possible prompts). These prompts are pretty varied, but they all ask you to reflect on something meaningful to you and that has helped you become the person you are today , whether that's an experience you had, an insight you gained, or a field you're passionate about.

As a reminder, your essay must be no longer than 150 words.

Now then, let's go through the "Reflection" Emory University essay prompts one at a time and give you tips on how to answer each of them effectively.

"Reflections" Emory Essay Prompt 1: Cultural Sensitivity

Emory is a competitive school and admits students from all over the world. In order to be a good member of the Emory community, you'll need to understand and thrive in a diverse environment. To that end, this essay gives you the opportunity to showcase your cultural sensitivity.

But what is cultural awareness? The National Center for Cultural Competence defines cultural awareness as "being cognizant, observant, and conscious of similarities and differences among and between cultural groups." So to answer this prompt, you'll have to share an experience where your understanding of cultural awareness grew.

A good place to start is to think about your experiences with people from different cultures. When have you been in this situation before? And what did you learn?

On the other hand, you may be a member of a cultural minority in the United States. If you are, this would be a great prompt to talk about how that has impacted you, and how that has shaped your own unique understanding of how cultural awareness works in American society.

Regardless of which strategy you choose, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to learn from others and your capacity to be thoughtful about your own actions. The kiss of death for this prompt? Bragging. No one is perfectly culturally aware: developing our cultural sensitivity is a lifetime process. Acting like you've got it all figured out isn't going to impress anyone, especially admissions counselors.

Should You Choose This Prompt?

Do you have a good understanding of diversity and what it means to be "culturally sensitive"? This goes beyond just knowing the definitions of these terms. Have you had experiences where diversity played a key role? You'll need real, first-hand experience if you want to tackle this prompt well. If you haven't had that, then this might not be the best prompt for you.

Tips for Answering This Prompt

• Be honest and specific about your experience. Do not make something up to try and answer this prompt! Additionally, make sure you're being honest about the experience in general. Don't try and make yourself into the "hero" of the situation. Instead, admissions counselors want to see that you can be thoughtful about cultural differences, and that you've learned something about being part of a diverse community.
• Explain how this will make you a better Emory student. Like we mentioned earlier, Emory is a diverse campus. How will you bring what you've learned about cultural awareness to Emory? Explain how what you've learned has prepared you for your Emory experience, and touch on how your experience will help you be a better member of the Emory community.

"Reflections" Emory Essay Prompt 2: Questioning Beliefs

Emory uses this question to get to know more about your opinions and how you have learned to think more objectively .

In other words, the admissions committee wants to see how you have become more open-minded and that you are ready and willing to explore outside your safe comfort zone. Are you intellectually curious? Are you willing to admit when you're wrong?

This is the type of student Emory is looking for—someone who can be honest and open with themselves , who is introspective and always willing to learn.

If you can easily think of a time when you questioned any major beliefs you used to hold—whether it was something religious, political, or otherwise highly personal—this would be a great prompt to choose for your first Emory essay.

For example, maybe you used to eat meat but became a vegetarian after visiting a slaughterhouse as part of a school trip.

Or maybe you used to think that libraries were completely useless and should simply go away. But after getting help from a kind librarian one day, you realized that libraries are necessary to have in society, especially considering that people of lower-income backgrounds typically do not have easy access to computers, books, and other repositories of knowledge.

• Follow a clear structure. Present what you used to believe, explain what or who caused you to question this belief, and finally clarify how this process has (positively) impacted you.
• Focus on a unique moment from your life. Don't just talk about how you used to believe in Santa Claus and eventually grew out of it—most, if not all, of us have had similar experiences. Try to find something unique to you and that will set you apart from other applicants.
• Think beyond religion and spirituality. It's not inherently bad to write an essay about how you used to practice a certain religion and now practice another one or none at all, but don't feel limited to only topics regarding faith or religion just because this prompt is asking about your beliefs!

"Tell Us About You" Emory Essay Prompt 3: Historic Event

This next Emory essay prompt is a fun and interesting way for admissions officers to get a clearer sense of what your interests, passions, and values are .

There are no limits to what you can put down here—you could focus on a big event from as recent as the late 20th century, such as the fall of the Berlin Wall, or something that happened thousands of years ago, such as the building of the great Egyptian pyramids.

Your goal should be to choose something that highlights a critical aspect of your personality and/or interests.

For instance, perhaps you want to minor in architectural studies, which is why you're so fascinated with how the pyramids were constructed. Or maybe your mother was present when the Berlin Wall fell and you'd love to have seen her expression of joy at having helped reunite her country.

Is there a specific moment from the past that you have always wished to see because it genuinely interests, excites, or fascinates you? Is there a certain event from history that means something special to you and/or your family, and that you wish you could have actually been there for?

If you answered yes to one of these questions, then this would be a great prompt to choose for your second Emory essay.

• Describe the event in detail. Before you jump into the "why" part of your essay, take care to set up the details of the scene by using literary devices such as images and metaphors. Doing this will show admissions officers that you're passionate about both this event and the details of how it happened.
• Clearly and cogently explain why this event is so important to you on a personal level. Once you've set up your essay with some details of the event, it's time to dive into the "why" with full force. A historic event could be special to you for a number of reasons: for example, maybe you've got a burning desire to study physics at Emory after learning about the Wright brothers' first successful flight.
• Try to find a more positive or empowering event. While it's not off the table to write about horrible (but important to know) things that have happened, such as the assassination of JFK or the Holocaust, make sure you manage to tie this back to yourself in a meaningful, positive way. For example, maybe you've always felt that witnessing the Holocaust with your own eyes could help you better relate to your great-grandparents who suffered through it.

"Reflections" Emory Essay Prompt 4: Awe

The purpose of this essay prompt is for the admissions committee to understand what really moves you.

To answer this prompt, think back to the times when you were overcome with a sense of wonder or awe. Did it happen when you reached the summit of a long hike and stared at the vista surrounding you? Or when you heard a particular piece of music for the first time? Or when you traveled to a new city that's nothing like your hometown?

As you think about what to write about here, remember that the most powerful answers will involve telling a story of some kind. Let's say you were awestruck the first time you got a clear view of the Milky Way Galaxy. You were ten years old, on a camping trip with your dad, and, since you'd grown up in the city, you'd never seen so many stars before. The sight of all of them made you appreciate the vastness of the universe, and ever since you've had a passion for outer space. Including those details will make your essay more memorable and unique to you.

As you tell the story, always remember to connect it to the most important part of your essay: your discussion of who you are as a person and what about you makes you a good fit for Emory.  In this example, you could say that you use that memory to remind yourself you're just a single person in a vast place, and it helps you stay humble and put your challenges into perspective.

This prompt is great for people who've experienced awe that caused some sort of change in their lives . If you're a thoughtful person who can reflect on that experience in positive ways, then this prompt is a good fit for you!

• Pick one experience and focus on that. Even if you regularly feel awe when you fly in an airplane, pick one specific example and focus on that for this essay. Discussing a single experience will make it easier for you to tell a story as well as keep within the wordcount for this essay. 
• Think about the long-term impact it had on you. In the moment you felt awe, but what were the lasting impacts of the experience? How did feeling awestruck convince you to change yourself/your plans/your view of the world? Emory wants to see the bigger picture in all of this, so make sure you include that in your essay. 

"Reflections" Emory Essay Prompt 5: Artistic Representation

The point of this prompt is for Emory to get a clearer, more holistic sense of not just who you are, but also how you see yourself. What qualities do you feel represent your personality? Your goals? Your best traits? Your challenges?

Remember that you should aim to tell the admissions committee something new and unique about yourself that they haven't yet gleaned from your application or other essays.

When thinking of how a piece of art represents you, don't think literally—try to go beyond generic and superficial traits and think about the deeper meaning and symbolism that speaks to you.

For example, maybe you've always felt a strong connection to the character of Forrest Gump—not because you literally fought in a war, started a restaurant, and met the president, but because you were always supported by your family, especially your mom, and believed that your optimism and positive outlook is what ultimately helped you attain some of your biggest goals in life so far.

My recommendation is to choose this prompt only if you can immediately come up with a specific piece of art or character you've always felt a strong personal attachment to. Remember that it's not just about something you like but something that truly gets across the essence of who you are .

If nothing comes to mind right away, it's probably best to go with another prompt. You don't want to write this essay and have it feel heavily forced or contrived!

• Choose a topic that emphasizes your most prominent and best qualities. Obviously, you don't want to compare yourself to something or someone that's notoriously corrupt, bigoted, immoral, mean, or unlikable. The point here is to show the Emory admissions committee key positive traits you have, such as your selflessness or ability to see the best in everyone.
• Avoid exaggeration. No matter how strong of a connection you might feel to Batman, your life is most certainly not a carbon copy of his. Don't hyperbolize any traits you (think you) share with your character or art piece by making ridiculous claims, such as how you're a real-life superhero or secret genius.
• Don't just choose something because it's famous or "impressive." If you've never actually read Great Expectations or have but never had any real connection to it, Emory admissions officers will be able to tell. So don't worry—it's OK to pick something that's less well-known or not very intellectual or scholarly, just as long as you can cogently explain how this piece of art or character encapsulates you .

Admissions Feedback for Emory Essays That Worked

One thing that can really help you while applying to Emory is seeing examples of real Emory essays that worked and secured students admission. Fortunately, the official Emory website has an entire series dedicated to going over their applicants' best personal essays .

The downside is that these are all for the Common App/Coalition App essay prompts, so they are a lot longer and do not respond directly to any of the short-answer supplemental questions above.

Still, you can use these essay examples and their feedback from admissions officers to get a better sense of what to write about, how you can effectively structure your thoughts, and what Emory is ultimately hoping to learn about you through your writing .

We've consolidated the most important ideas from admissions officers' feedback for you. Here's a basic overview of what Emory is looking for in your essays:

• "Expressive language," "interesting vocabulary," and showing instead of telling
• A sense of maturity
• Clear connections between your interests, experiences, and/or goals
• Authenticity
• The ability to reflect on your experiences (and learn from them)
• Either a unique topic or a unique approach to a more common topic

Make sure your Emory essays have most (ideally all!) of these essential qualities.

How to Write the Emory Essays: 4 Essential Tips

Here are four tips to keep in mind as you write your Emory University supplemental essays.

#1: Write Concisely

You have just 200 and 150 words for the supplemental Emory essays, so don't waste space— include only the most essential facts and information you want to present to the admissions committee .

Use these essays as an opportunity to practice writing more succinctly. Take your time to try to cut out any irrelevant or ineffective words or phrases that don't answer the prompt or reveal anything important or unique about you.

#2: Be Highly Specific

Don't make the mistake many students make by not being specific enough in your college essays—especially considering how little space you have for the Emory essays!

The trick here is to not dawdle in your writing : get straight to the point and overarching topic of your essay, and then dive right in so that you're fully answering the question.

To truly make your writing come alive, you must home in on the most essential info about yourself. Use examples, anecdotes, and plenty of details to paint an accurate picture of who you are and how you see yourself.

#3: Avoid Repeating Yourself

You have to write two short essays for the Emory supplement and one longer essay in response to one of the Common App or Coalition App prompts. Because some of these Emory University essay prompts are similar to the Common App/Coalition App ones, you'll want to check that you're not repeating anything you already wrote .

The point of all these essays is to give you the chance to introduce a range of different, but equally important, sides of yourself. Repeating yourself shows a lack of creative thinking and will most certainly not leave a good impression on the Emory admissions committee.

#4: Don't Forget to Proofread

Last, but certainly not least, remember to edit and proofread your Emory essays several times before you submit them with your application.

Once you've got a rough draft finished, put it away and don't look at it. After a few days, take it out and reread it, looking for areas that feel out of place, irrelevant, or unclear, and tweak as needed.

Lastly, give your draft to someone you trust , such as a teacher or parent, and have them read it over and give you some feedback. Ask them to also correct it for any technical or stylistic errors.

Do all this and you should have one unforgettable Emory essay ready to go!

What's Next?

Curious about what it takes to get into Emory as a freshman? Check out our Emory admission requirements page to learn the average GPA and SAT/ACT scores of admitted applicants.

Interested in applying to colleges in the South? Our expert guide walks you through all the very best schools in the South, including Emory .

Did you know that Emory University is one of a select number of schools that offers full-ride scholarships? To see even more colleges that do this, take a look at our complete list .

Hannah received her MA in Japanese Studies from the University of Michigan and holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Southern California. From 2013 to 2015, she taught English in Japan via the JET Program. She is passionate about education, writing, and travel.

Student and Parent Forum

Our new student and parent forum, at ExpertHub.PrepScholar.com , allow you to interact with your peers and the PrepScholar staff. See how other students and parents are navigating high school, college, and the college admissions process. Ask questions; get answers.

Ask a Question Below

Have any questions about this article or other topics? Ask below and we'll reply!

Improve With Our Famous Guides

• For All Students

The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 160+ SAT Points

How to Get a Perfect 1600, by a Perfect Scorer

Series: How to Get 800 on Each SAT Section:

Score 800 on SAT Math

Score 800 on SAT Reading

Score 800 on SAT Writing

Series: How to Get to 600 on Each SAT Section:

Score 600 on SAT Math

Score 600 on SAT Reading

Score 600 on SAT Writing

Free Complete Official SAT Practice Tests

What SAT Target Score Should You Be Aiming For?

15 Strategies to Improve Your SAT Essay

The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 4+ ACT Points

How to Get a Perfect 36 ACT, by a Perfect Scorer

Series: How to Get 36 on Each ACT Section:

36 on ACT English

36 on ACT Math

36 on ACT Reading

36 on ACT Science

Series: How to Get to 24 on Each ACT Section:

24 on ACT English

24 on ACT Math

24 on ACT Reading

24 on ACT Science

What ACT target score should you be aiming for?

ACT Vocabulary You Must Know

ACT Writing: 15 Tips to Raise Your Essay Score

How to Get Into Harvard and the Ivy League

How to Get a Perfect 4.0 GPA

How to Write an Amazing College Essay

What Exactly Are Colleges Looking For?

Is the ACT easier than the SAT? A Comprehensive Guide

Should you retake your SAT or ACT?

When should you take the SAT or ACT?

Stay Informed

Get the latest articles and test prep tips!

Looking for Graduate School Test Prep?

Check out our top-rated graduate blogs here:

GRE Online Prep Blog

GMAT Online Prep Blog

TOEFL Online Prep Blog

Holly R. "I am absolutely overjoyed and cannot thank you enough for helping me!”

How to Apply

To apply, please submit:.

• Emory's 2023-24 short answer questions
• $75 application fee or application fee waiver
• Official high school transcripts and official college transcripts, if applicable
• If English is your second language, TOEFL or IELTS results are also recommended
• Secondary school report/counselor’s recommendation
• Two teacher letters of recommendation from core-area academic teachers
• For those applying EDII or RD: Midyear report and transcript

Helpful Information

• All Emory   application deadlines   are for online submission or postmark.
• If you are applying to both Emory College and Oxford College, you only need to submit one application and one set of supporting documents.
• The Admission Committee is unable to return any part of your application.
• We recommend  homeschooled applicants  submit test scores from the SAT, ACT, AP, or SAT II Subject Tests and at least one letter of recommendation from someone other than a family member in addition to the items listed above.

Emory University 2020-21 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

Regular Decision: 

Emory University 2020-2021 Application Essay Question Explanations

The Requirements: Answer two of the four prompts. 150 words each. Supplemental Essay Type: Oddball , Community

In addition to your Personal Statement, please answer two (2) of the prompts below. Choose one prompt from the “Reflections” category and one prompt from the “Tell us about you” category.

We encourage you to be thoughtful and not stress about what the right answer might be. we simply want to get to know you better. each response should be no more than 150 words., “reflections” category: respond to one of the following., share about a time when you questioned something that you believed to be true..

This prompt is A LOT like the Common Application’s prompt #3 . It requires a student to speak about beliefs and ideology, which are often onerous subjects that can be difficult to mold into compact stories. A response to this prompt can be incisive and deeply personal, as it was for a student who questioned her lifelong diet after she visited an animal sanctuary for the first time. As you consider this prompt, think back on those impassioned, “Aha!” moments that forced you to drastically reexamine a long-held belief. As you tell your story, include sensory details to make your experience defending the need for gender neutral bathrooms at your school or challenging Prince Harry’s suggested ban on Fortnite come to life. Applicants who can articulate their thoughts and feelings while showcasing malleability and willingness to thoughtfully consider the ideas of others will likely stand out as valuable additions to Emory University. If this prompt jumps out at you because you have a very specific story to tell or opinion to voice, run with it!

If you could go back in time, what advice would you offer yourself at the beginning of secondary/high school?

Admissions wants to picture you as a sage wizard, stroking your long white beard as you impart wisdom onto your younger self. So, have at it! Although this can totally be an opportunity to get a little silly, it’s also a moment for you to offer some perspective and think about what you’d like your younger self to know. What are some of the toughest challenges you have faced? And what have you learned from dealing with these struggles alongside your triumphs? As with service essays, if you are going to address a potentially common subject like bullying or body image, make sure to approach it from a truly unique and highly personal perspective. In the end, the essay should not be about the high school student experience in general, but rather about an aspect of teenage-hood you’ve chosen to highlight because of the way it affects or represents YOU.

Reflect on a personal experience where you intentionally expanded your cultural awareness.

Emory wants to accept applicants that are curious, open-minded, and socially aware. Admissions wants to bring students to campus who will not be afraid to question their own beliefs or biases, or to strive to consider different perspectives and points of view. So, how have you intentionally expanded your cultural awareness? Maybe you saw Juneteenth trending on Twitter this summer and had never heard of it before. Did you read articles to educate yourself? Reach out to friends or family members who were celebrating? What did you learn? Perhaps one of your friends put the kibosh on a joke you told during a Zoom party, so you took it upon yourself to better understand the subject matter and why your joke may have been insensitive or offensive. All of us are constantly learning and growing, so there’s no shame in being wrong about something as long as you seek to listen, retain information, and expand your horizons.

“Tell us about you” Category: Respond to one of the following.

Which book, character, song, or piece of work (fiction or non-fiction) represents you, and why.

In this prompt, Emory University is looking for more than just a summary of your favorite book. Admissions wants to know why a certain work of art is meaningful to you, and how it connects to your identity, history, or values. As with all supplemental essays, your goal should be to use this prompt as an opportunity to tell admissions something new about yourself through your relationship to a particular piece of art. Does “ Still I Rise ” by Maya Angelou resonate with you as a young woman of color overcoming obstacles with courage and determination? Have you always felt that you and Allison from The Breakfast Club were cut from the same cloth? How come? Be careful to avoid self-aggrandizing or pandering choices rather than writing about works that truly speak to you. Don’t write about Charlotte Brontë unless you genuinely feel connected to her life and work. When you give admissions insight into the art that you feel is representative of your personality, experiences, or background, you will be revealing a fascinating, newfound piece of the complex puzzle that is you.

If you could witness a historic event first-hand, what would it be, and why?

Emory is really not messing around with these questions! Your choice of topic, and what it communicates about you, is everything. Maybe you want to witness the “ Shot Heard ‘Round the World ” a.k.a. the game-winning home run by Bobby Thomson in 1951 because you are a HUGE sports fan (and aspiring Human Health major with a Health Innovation concentration). Perhaps you want to witness Neil Armstrong’s first moon landing to experience one of the most exciting moments in the United States’ 20th century history (and you’re also a total outer space nerd). Be sure to dig into the empirical details to bring your particular event to life (let the reader hear Hodges’ frenzied cry of “The Giants win the pennant!” as the ball soars past the outfielders) and don’t ignore the critical “why” part of the question, which is asking you to connect your chosen historical scene to your own interests, passions, or experiences. Whatever you do, try to avoid subjects other students will likely flock to. MLK’s “I Had A Dream” speech is incredible, but it might not make for the best topic here — unless, of course, you have a highly personal story that connects to that moment. (There are always exceptions to the rules!)

Introduce yourself to your first-year Emory University roommate.

With this prompt, admissions is hoping to better understand how you represent yourself and  communicate with your peers. You can start by jotting down some ideas — whatever comes to mind! Would you want your roommate to know that you’re a night owl? A huge Tupac fan (though you don’t mind listening through your airpods if they prefer)? Maybe you’d want them to know that you’re an incredible poker player (with the card tricks to prove it),or that you’ll bring your oil diffuser to turn your dorm room into a lavender and rose paradise. Once you have a few ideas, start weaving them together to piece together a short story for admissions. Some things you might want to consider: What is it like to live with you? How do you like to represent yourself? What do you want people to know about you? And don’t forget that although you are meant to be writing this for a fellow freshman, an admissions officer will be the one reading it. TL;DR: Make sure a trusted relative or teacher approves of your response before hitting submit!

About CEA HQ

View all posts by CEA HQ »

Check out our Common App Essay Prompt Guide!

Contact us for information on rates and more!

• I am a * Student Parent Potential Partner School Counselor Private College Counselor
• Name * First Last
• Phone Type Mobile Landline
• Street Address
• Address City State / Province / Region Afghanistan Albania Algeria American Samoa Andorra Angola Anguilla Antarctica Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Aruba Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bermuda Bhutan Bolivia Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Bouvet Island Brazil British Indian Ocean Territory Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cabo Verde Cambodia Cameroon Canada Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad Chile China Christmas Island Cocos Islands Colombia Comoros Congo Congo, Democratic Republic of the Cook Islands Costa Rica Croatia Cuba Curaçao Cyprus Czechia Côte d'Ivoire Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Eswatini Ethiopia Falkland Islands Faroe Islands Fiji Finland France French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Gibraltar Greece Greenland Grenada Guadeloupe Guam Guatemala Guernsey Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana Haiti Heard Island and McDonald Islands Holy See Honduras Hong Kong Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Isle of Man Israel Italy Jamaica Japan Jersey Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Republic of Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Lao People's Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macao Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania Mauritius Mayotte Mexico Micronesia Moldova Monaco Mongolia Montenegro Montserrat Morocco Mozambique Myanmar Namibia Nauru Nepal Netherlands New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria Niue Norfolk Island North Macedonia Northern Mariana Islands Norway Oman Pakistan Palau Palestine, State of Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Pitcairn Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Romania Russian Federation Rwanda Réunion Saint Barthélemy Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Martin Saint Pierre and Miquelon Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa San Marino Sao Tome and Principe Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Sint Maarten Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands South Sudan Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Svalbard and Jan Mayen Sweden Switzerland Syria Arab Republic Taiwan Tajikistan Tanzania, the United Republic of Thailand Timor-Leste Togo Tokelau Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Türkiye US Minor Outlying Islands Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States Uruguay Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela Viet Nam Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, U.S. Wallis and Futuna Western Sahara Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe Åland Islands Country
• Which best describes you (or your child)? High school senior High school junior College student College grad Other
• How did you find CEA? Internet Search New York Times Guidance counselor/school Social Media YouTube Friend Special Event Delehey College Consulting Other
• Common App and Coalition Essays
• Supplemental Essays
• University of California Essays
• University of Texas Essays
• Resume Review
• Post-Grad Essays
• Specialized Services
• Waitlist Letters
• Private School Essays
• General College Counseling
• School list with priorities noted:
• Anything else we should know?
• Comments This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

School Stats:

• Agnes Scott College
• Alvernia University
• American University
• Amherst College
• Babson College
• Bard College
• Barnard College
• Baylor University
• Bennington College
• Bentley University
• Berry College
• Bethany College
• Bishop’s University
• Boston College
• Boston University (BU)
• Bowdoin College
• Brandeis University
• Brown University
• Bryn Mawr College
• Bucknell University
• Butler University
• California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
• California Lutheran University
• Capitol Technology University
• Carleton College
• Carnegie Mellon University
• Catawba College
• Centre College
• Chapman University
• Claremont McKenna College
• Clark University
• College of Mount Saint Vincent
• College of William and Mary
• College of Wooster
• Colorado College
• Colorado School of Mines
• Columbia University
• Cornell University
• Culver-Stockton College
• D'Youville University
• Dartmouth College
• Davidson College
• Drexel University
• Duke University
• Earlham College
• Elon University
• Emerson College
• Emory University
• Flagler College
• Fordham University
• George Mason University
• Georgetown University
• Georgia State University
• Georgia Tech
• Gonzaga University
• Harvard University
• Harvey Mudd College
• Haverford College
• Hillsdale College
• Hofstra University
• Illinois Institute of Technology
• Illinois Wesleyan University
• Indiana University Bloomington
• Ithaca College
• Johns Hopkins University
• Kalamazoo College
• Lafayette College
• Lehigh University
• Lewis and Clark College
• Linfield University
• Loyola Marymount University (LMU)
• Lynn University
• Macalester College
• Malone University
• Manchester University
• Marist College
• Mary Baldwin University
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
• Meredith College
• Monmouth College
• Moravian University
• Morehouse College
• Mount Holyoke College
• New York University (NYU)
• North Park University
• Northwestern University
• Occidental College
• Oklahoma City University
• Olin College of Engineering
• Pepperdine University
• Pitzer College
• Pomona College
• Princeton University
• Providence College
• Purdue University
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
• Rice University
• Saint Elizabeth University
• Santa Clara University
• Sarah Lawrence College
• Scripps College
• Seattle Pacific University
• Smith College
• Soka University of America
• Southern Methodist University
• St. John’s College
• Stanford University
• Stonehill College
• Swarthmore College
• Syracuse University
• Texas A&M University
• Texas Christian University
• The College of Idaho
• The George Washington University
• The New School
• Trinity College
• Tufts University
• Tulane University
• University of California
• University of Central Florida (UCF)
• University of Chicago
• University of Cincinnati
• University of Colorado Boulder
• University of Florida
• University of Georgia
• University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
• University of Maryland
• University of Massachusetts Amherst
• University of Miami
• University of Michigan
• University of Minnesota
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC)
• University of North Carolina at Charlotte
• University of North Carolina at Greensboro
• University of Notre Dame
• University of Oklahoma
• University of Oregon
• University of Pennsylvania
• University of Pittsburgh
• University of Richmond
• University of San Diego
• University of San Francisco
• University of Southern California (USC)
• University of Texas at Austin
• University of Tulsa
• University of Vermont
• University of Virginia (UVA)
• University of Washington
• University of Wisconsin-Madison
• Vanderbilt University
• Vassar College
• Villanova University
• Virginia Tech
• Wake Forest University
• Washington and Lee University
• Washington University in St. Louis
• Wellesley College
• Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI)
• Yale University

Want free stuff?

We thought so. Sign up for free instructional videos, guides, worksheets and more!

One-On-One Advising

Common App Essay Prompt Guide

Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

• YouTube Tutorials
• Our Approach & Team
• Undergraduate Testimonials
• Postgraduate Testimonials
• Where Our Students Get In
• CEA Gives Back
• Undergraduate Admissions
• Graduate Admissions
• Private School Admissions
• International Student Admissions
• Common App Essay Guide
• Supplemental Essay Guides
• Coalition App Guide
• The CEA Podcast
• Admissions Stats
• Notification Trackers
• Deadline Databases
• College Essay Examples
• Academy and Worksheets
• Waitlist Guides
• Get Started

Bank Failures and Economic Activity: Evidence from the Progressive Era

During the Progressive Era (1900-29), economic growth was rapid but volatile. Boom and busts witnessed the formation and failure of tens of thousands of firms and thousands of banks. This essay uses new data and methods to identify causal links between failures of banks and bankruptcies of firms. Our analysis indicates that bank failures triggered bankruptcies of firms that depended upon banks for ongoing access to commercial credit. Firms that did not depend upon banks for credit did not fail in appreciably larger numbers after banks failed or during financial panics.

The authors thank participants in seminars at Stanford, UC Davis, Berkeley, and in the Monetary and Financial History Conference jointly hosted by the Atlanta Fed and Emory University. The authors received financial support from NSF Grant SES- 2214557 while completing this research. The views expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Bureau of Economic Research.

MARC RIS BibTeΧ

Download Citation Data

More from NBER

In addition to working papers , the NBER disseminates affiliates’ latest findings through a range of free periodicals — the NBER Reporter , the NBER Digest , the Bulletin on Retirement and Disability , the Bulletin on Health , and the Bulletin on Entrepreneurship  — as well as online conference reports , video lectures , and interviews .