Emory University School of Medicine Secondary Application Essay Tips and Timeline [2025–2026], Class Profile
The Emory University School of Medicine, located in Atlanta, Georgia, has a vision focused on “reimagining medicine.” With a desire to train innovative leaders, this school acknowledges AI as complementary to patient care, believes cross-cultural education is paramount to helping to eliminate health disparities, and sees research as benefiting humankind.
Emory’s curriculum is pass/fail, and students begin 12 months of clinical rotations midway through their second year. Students have the opportunity to train at a myriad of facilities in and around Atlanta, including Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory Healthcare, and Grady Memorial Hospital.
If you are a student interested in working in the local community with an underserved population, Emory provides opportunities at such locations as the and the Clarkston Community Health Center. And if you are seeking to incorporate “game changing discoveries” in research into your medical education, Emory could be the place for you!
Emory School of Medicine Secondary Essay Tips
Essay #1
List your entire curriculum plan for the 2025-2026 academic year. If you are not in school, please briefly describe your plans for the coming year. (200 words)
If you will be in school for the coming year, list the courses you plan to take. If you have graduated from college, provide a brief summary of your plans for the coming year. This should include work, shadowing, community service, research, and other hobbies or activities. Your response should provide a complete picture of how you plan to spend your time.
Essay #2
Briefly describe your health-related experiences. Be sure to include important experiences that are in your AMCAS application, as well as any recent experiences. (200 words)
Identify one or several of your most meaningful health-related experiences. Did you work in a hospital, shadow a physician, or volunteer at a clinic? Discuss your experiences and what you learned from them. How did your insights and observations influence your decision to apply to medical school? How will this knowledge better prepare you to be a medical student and future physician? Your response should demonstrate your clinical experience and understanding of the healthcare system.
Essay #3
Briefly describe your interest in Emory and the Emory degree program you have selected. (200 words)
Begin your answer to this essay by clearly stating your interest in either the traditional MD program or one of the dual degrees offered. The Emory School of Medicine website provides an overview of the school’s four-part mission including emphasis on patient care, leadership development, research, and public service. Consider the school’s mission, curriculum, and opportunities. What has motivated you to apply to Emory? How will the opportunities offered help you to achieve your goals in a future medical career? Include any specific activities or research fields that you wish to contribute to. What are the specific goals and interests that you will pursue at Emory? If you have a personal connection to Emory’s patient population, surrounding community, or medical students, you may also wish to describe this. Your response should convey both your interest in Emory and why you are a good fit for the program.
Essay #4
Emory School of Medicine is committed to recruiting and educating medical students who will help deliver quality health care and will promote the health of our patients. In our community, this includes learning about and addressing the health care needs of our most under-served populations. Please describe any of your activities that have been in service to under-served communities. (200 words)
Consider your experience working with underserved communities; this may be personal experience as well as through employment or community service. Describe your most meaningful experience(s). What healthcare needs did you observe? How did you help to address these needs? Reflect on what you learned and why this was a meaningful experience. Emory emphasizes the importance of learning about and addressing healthcare for underserved patient populations. How will your past experiences help you to contribute to this mission as a medical student? You may also comment on why it is personally important for you to continue addressing healthcare needs for underserved populations.
Essay #5
If you have any updates or new information to report since you have submitted your AMCAS primary application, please briefly describe below. (200 words)
Answer this prompt only if you have new updates or information since submitting your primary AMCAS application. Was one of your manuscripts recently published? Did you receive an award, scholarship, or degree? Have you started any new activities or projects? Have any of your plans changed for the next year? Briefly describe these updates or accomplishments. If you do not have updates since submitting your AMCAS, it is okay to leave this blank.
Emory School of Medicine Application Timeline
| Date and Time | Details |
| October 15 by 11:59 p.m. EST | Deadline to submit the AMCAS application |
| December 1 by 11:59 p.m. EST | Deadline to submit the Emory supplemental application (including photo and application fee)Deadline to submit all letters of recommendation online via the AMCAS Letter Service |
| March 1 | Recommended deadline to submit FAFSA and CSS Profile financial aid applications |
| April 30 | Final decision deadline for students accepted to both the MD and the MD/PhD program (Incoming students may hold only one acceptance to a medical school after this date.) |
| June 1 | Deadline to select “Plan-to-Enroll” at Emory School of Medicine via the AMCAS Choose Your Medical School tool, indicating that all acceptances to other medical schools have been withdrawn (Accepted students may continue to hold waitlist spots at other medical schools until July 1.) |
| July 1 | Deadline to select “Commit to Enroll” at Emory School of Medicine on the AMCAS Choose Your Medical School tool, indicating that a final decision has been made about where to attend medical school and that all other acceptances and waitlist spots have been withdrawn |
Source: Emory School of Medicine website
***Disclaimer: Information is subject to change. Please check with Emory School of Medicine directly to verify its essay questions, instructions, and deadlines.***
Emory School of Medicine Class Profile
Here is a look at the Emory School of Medicine class profile for the M1 fall 2025 class (data taken from the Emory School of Medicine website):
Applications received: 12,662
Applications completed: 9,396
Applicants interviewed: 615
Applicants offered admission: 242
Students in the first-year class: 138
Female: 93
Male: 45
MD/PhD: 9
MD/MPH: 7
Average age at matriculation: 24
Age range: 21-31
Different undergraduate institutions: 66
Traditional students (8%): 11
Nontraditional students (92%): 127
Mean cumulative MCAT score: 514.9
Average undergraduate GPA: 3.81
As the former assistant dean of student affairs at the William Beaumont School of Medicine and former director of pre-health advisement and the Postbaccalaureate Certificate Program at Sacred Heart University, Dr. Valerie Wherley brings more than 20 years of success working with pre-health candidates in medicine, dental, vet, PA, PT, OT, exercise science, and nursing. Her clients appreciate her expertise in the holistic admissions process and her patient, thoughtful, strategic, and data-driven working style. Work with Valerie! Schedule a free consultation today!
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