Emory University is one of the nation’s top-ranked schools, known for its academic excellence, research opportunities, and vibrant campus life in Atlanta.
With thousands of competitive applicants each year, strong supplemental essays are essential to stand out.
These essays give you a chance to show who you are beyond your grades and test scores.
We will walk you through the Emory supplemental essay for 2024–2025, explain what each one really means, and share expert tips to help you craft standout responses.
How Many Supplemental Essays does Emory Require?
As part of the 2024–2025 undergraduate application, Emory University requires applicants to complete two supplemental essays.
These essays are designed to go beyond your GPA and test scores, giving the admissions committee a fuller picture of your personality, values, and intellectual interests:
Number of Essays: 2 Required
Emory University requires you to write 2 short-answer essays. These are mandatory and allow you to showcase different sides of yourself.
You will choose one prompt from two separate sections: Academic Interest and Community & Character.
Each response should be focused, personal, and thoughtful.
Essay Categories
Emory divides the prompts into two distinct sections, and you must choose one prompt from each:
- Academic Interest Section
Choose 1 of 3 prompts focused on your intellectual pursuits, curiosity, or intended major.
Purpose: To understand how you think, what excites you academically, and how Emory fits into your goals. - Community & Character Section
Choose1 of 3 prompts that explore your identity, values, experiences, or role in a community.
Purpose: To learn about your empathy, leadership, cultural perspective, or persistence.
2024–2025 Emory Supplemental Essay Prompts
Emory University’s supplemental essays are a vital part of the 2024–2025 undergraduate application.
These short-answer prompts are not just formalities; they are intentionally designed to give you the opportunity to express your individuality, voice, and values in ways that grades and test scores cannot.
Emory wants to know how you think, what matters to you, and how you might contribute to its diverse and intellectually curious community.
For this application cycle, you are required to write two short essays, each approximately 150 words. You will choose one prompt from each of two distinct categories:
- Academic Interest Essay: This section invites you to reflect on your intellectual passions and explain why you are drawn to specific areas of study.
- Community & Character Essay: This section focuses on your identity, relationships, values, and experiences outside of academics.
Each category offers multiple prompts, allowing you to choose the ones that best reflect your experiences and strengths.
This flexibility encourages you to present the most authentic version of yourself while also demonstrating how you think critically and engage meaningfully with the world around you.
Academic vs. Community Essay
Before you start writing, it helps to clearly understand what each Emory supplemental essay is really asking for:
| Aspect | Academic Interest Essay | Community & Character Essay |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Show your intellectual curiosity and academic fit with Emory. | Highlight your values, empathy, and personal growth. |
| Focus | Why you love your chosen subject and how Emory supports it. | How a personal experience shaped your character or worldview. |
| Strategy | Mention specific Emory programs, faculty, or research. | Share a story showing resilience, awareness, or collaboration. |
| Personal Experience | Connect to a class, book, or moment that sparked your interest. | Reflect on a meaningful experience that changed or shaped you. |
| Approach | Tell one focused story that links the past to the future at Emory. | Be specific and honest, show who you are and what you will bring. |
| Word Limit | 150 words | 150 words |
General Writing Tips for Emory Essays
Here are some general tips that can help you in writing Emory Essays:
- Stick to the word limit: Each response should be around 150 words, so be concise and intentional with every sentence.
- Use a clear & natural voice: Aim for 7th–10th grade readability to keep your writing accessible, sincere, and easy to follow.
- Avoid overediting: Do not polish your essay to the point where it loses your authentic voice or emotional impact.
- Do not recycle your Common App essay: These prompts are meant to show different sides of you, so offer new stories, insights, or details that complement your main essay.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
While crafting your Emory essays, it is just as important to know what not to do. Here are a few common pitfalls that can weaken your application:
- Writing generic responses: Avoid vague answers that could apply to any college. Emory wants to see that you have done your homework and understand what makes their community unique.
- Choosing the safe prompt: Do not pick a prompt just because you think it is what admissions wants. Choose the one that genuinely reflects your voice and experience.
- Focusing only on achievements: This is not the place to rattle off awards.
Emory is looking for self-awareness, reflection, and emotional maturity, not just a highlight reel.
Conclusion
Emory’s supplemental essays are a golden opportunity to show who you are beyond your grades.
You can use these essays to showcase your academic passion or highlight a personal experience that shaped your values and perspective.
Your responses should be authentic, thoughtful, and specific to Emory.
Focus on telling focused stories that highlight your curiosity, values, and readiness to contribute to their community.
By connecting your experiences to Emory’s offerings and mission, you will not only stand out but also show that you are truly ready to thrive on their campus.
