Emory University Transfer Requirements: A Comprehensive Guide

Each year, Emory University welcomes a diverse group of transfer students into its community of creative thinkers, problem solvers, and leaders. If you're considering making Emory your academic home, understanding the transfer requirements is essential. This article provides a detailed overview of the application process, deadlines, required materials, and other important information to help you prepare a successful transfer application.

Who Can Apply as a Transfer Student?

Emory University considers you a transfer student if you meet the following criteria:

You have already graduated from high school.
You have completed at least one year as a full-time student (or are in the second semester of your first complete year as a full-time student) in a degree-seeking program at another two-year or four-year college or university.
You must be withdrawn voluntarily from your last college and must be eligible to return to that institution.

Credit Hour Requirements

A minimum of 28 credit hours must have been completed or in progress before applying.
The 28 hours of credit cannot include credit from AP, IB, or dual-enrollment classes.

Residency Requirement

A transfer student is required to complete two years (four semesters) of coursework at Emory University. To graduate from Emory, a transfer student is required to complete the last 4 semesters (sixty-four semester hours) of coursework at Emory.
For that reason, a transfer student may only transfer up to 62 semester hours of college credit.
Regardless of the number of credit hours you are awarded, you must spend at least four semesters in residence at Emory to earn a baccalaureate degree.

GPA Expectations

Applicants should have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in all college work.
Most students admitted have a GPA of 3.5 or better. To have a shot at transferring into Emory University, you should have a current GPA of at least 3.78 - ideally you’re GPA will be around 3.93.

Eligibility Restrictions

Students who were expelled, forced to withdraw, or are currently on academic probation at another college or university are not eligible for transfer admission.
Individuals already holding a bachelor’s degree are not eligible for admission to Emory College as a transfer or visiting student.

Application Deadlines

Understanding the deadlines is crucial to ensure your application is considered. Here are the important deadlines for Fall 2026 enrollment:

Application Deadline: March 15, 2026
Financial Aid Deadline: March 18, 2026
Notification: Early May, 2026
Deposit Deadline: June 1, 2026

Required Application Materials

To complete your application, you'll need to gather and submit the following materials:

Common Application: Complete the Common Application online. An essay is required on the Common Application.
$75 Application Fee: Submit a $75 application fee or request a fee waiver through the Common Application.
Official Transcripts:
- Official transcript(s) from all colleges and universities attended, including summer coursework.
- Official high school transcripts, including all four years and graduation date.
Test Scores (Test Optional): Note that Emory University is test optional for first-year or transfer applicants applying to start in Fall 2026. For applicants submitting test scores, you may submit self-reported or official test scores. Learn more about the test optional policy.
- If you choose to submit scores from the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or the American College Test (ACT), Emory's College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB)/SAT code number is 5187; the ACT code number is 0810.
- If you have not taken the SAT or ACT within the last five years, you may arrange to do so through the Educational Testing Service office in your area.
Recommendation Letter: One faculty recommendation letter (Academic Evaluation) from a faculty member at the student's present institution. A recommendation form is included in the application menu. You can submit an employer recommendation if you have been out of college for at least one full year.
College Official Report
Financial Aid Information (if applicable): To be considered for financial assistance, students must apply for financial aid upon applying for admission to Emory University.
TOEFL (if applicable for certain international applicants): If English is not your first language, submit TOEFL or IELTS scores. Have completed four consecutive years of a full academic curriculum in English immediately prior to enrolling. Received a score of 700 or higher on the SAT critical reading. Received a score of 30 or higher on the English subset of the ACT. Earned a 7.5 or higher on the IELTS if the TOEFL was not taken.
Document Tab: Note that the Documents tab within Program Materials of the Common Application is simply for supplemental materials. We require that your schools send us an official high school transcript and college transcript(s). You may choose to submit unofficial copies of these via the Common App Documents tab, but official copies from your school(s) are still required. No other materials listed in the Documents tab are needed or requested by us in order to apply.

Financial Aid

To be considered for financial assistance, students must apply for financial aid upon applying for admission to Emory University. The Office of Financial Aid administers federal, state and university need-based aid. Types of assistance include grants, scholarships, loans and employment.

Read also: Emory University Tuition

To apply for financial aid, you may complete the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. The Office of Admission requests a catalog from the applicant's previous and/or current college. In the event that these catalogs are not on file, the Office of Admission will notify the applicant.

Transfer Credit Evaluation

Emory University does not evaluate credit prior to offering admission to an applicant. Credit evaluation occurs after a student has been admitted. After you have been accepted, we will review your official transcripts with the required accompanying descriptions of courses from your institution’s course catalog. If the class description is similar to what we offer, that course will count toward Emory graduation credit. We will award a maximum of 62 credit hours. Transfer credit is evaluated on a tentative basis and may not be finalized until the end of your first semester at Emory.

Credit evaluations will be processed four to five weeks after admission. To graduate from Emory, you must obtain 124 total academic credits, 62 hours of which must be completed at Emory. Students who transfer with the maximum of 62 credit hours will need to complete 128 total academic credits, 62 hours of which must be completed at Emory. Emory does not grant academic credit for any form of distance education courses.

Listed below are the criteria used to determine the amount of credit earned at a previous institution that may be transferred to Emory:

The course must be comparable to a course offered at Emory University.
The course must have been taught at the previous university, and
The course grade was a C or better.

One quarter hour is equal to two-thirds of a semester hour at Emory.

Read also: Finding a Job at Emory

Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) Credit

A score of 4 or 5 on the AP examination will typically transfer.
An examination score of 5, 6, or 7 on the IB will typically transfer.
Official score reports of the AP or IB are required.

Academic departments reserve the right to limit the amount of transfer credit that may be applied to their major programs.

Special Considerations for Specific Programs

Goizueta Business School (GBS): GBS accepts a small cohort of external transfer students each year. Students are encouraged to apply to start fall of sophomore year, although Goizueta will allow a junior year start for highly qualified candidates who were not previously studying business at their former institution. GBS prefers students complete the majority of their business coursework here at Emory, so students with a number of business classes from another institution are not good transfer candidates. When applying, you will have the option to select if you want to apply only to Goizueta Business School or also want to be considered by Emory College as your second choice.
Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing: Transfer applicants interested in the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing should review the prerequisites for applying for a bachelor of science in nursing. If you have completed these requirements by the time you’d like to start at Emory, you should apply directly to the School of Nursing.

Campus Visit Opportunities

Emory offers several opportunities to visit the campus and learn more about the university:

Tours: Campus tours are available Monday through Friday, and on selected Saturdays. A reservation is required. Please call the Office of Admission (800.727.6036) at least two weeks in advance to schedule an appointment.
Overnight Visits: High school seniors have the opportunity to spend one night in a first-year residence hall during portions of our academic year. This invitation is for one night, Sunday through Thursday. Please call the Office of Admission (800.727.6036) at least two weeks in advance to reserve the date you would like to spend the night, or go online to www.emory.edu/ADMISSIONS.

Housing

Housing for transfer students is not guaranteed, but we invite enrolling transfer students to apply for housing if they are interested in living on campus.

Read also: Emory's Chemistry Department

Additional Information

International Students: International students must submit appropriate forms and meet all regulations concerning student visas (F-1). They also need to register for courses if admitted and must have equal coverage prior to registration.
Non-Discrimination Policy: Emory University prohibits such discrimination by its students, faculty, and staff and also prohibits discrimination in its facilities. Emory University is committed to taking positive action to ensure that principle of equal opportunity is implemented in making this policy valid in fact.

Tips for a Successful Application

Solid Academic Foundation: To make your application stand out, it's important to display a strong academic foundation in both high school and college, with rigorous courses that show you're prepared for Emory's coursework.
Extracurricular Activities: Emphasize your contributions outside of the classroom, like college clubs, part-time jobs, or volunteering. Emory values well-rounded students who make a positive impact on their community.
Clear Articulation of Goals: Clearly explain your motivation for transferring to Emory in your application, especially in the supplemental essays. Convey your enthusiasm for Emory's community and highlight how their programs align with your career goals. Given your knowledge of Emory University, describe what unique resources, experiences, or opportunities you hope to take advantage of as a student here.
Personal Growth and Reflection: Use the application essays to showcase your personal growth while attending your current college and highlight any specific accomplishments or achievements you've made. Emory values students who can adapt to a new environment and thrive in spite of challenges.
Academic Fit: Research the specific program(s) at Emory that you're interested in and emphasize how they align with your future academic and career goals.
Application File Completion: Transfer admission to Emory College is rolling. Review completed applications begins April 1. Make sure your application file is complete.

Emory's Transfer Acceptance Rate

Emory University is considered one of the more transfer-friendly elite private institutions in the United States, accepting as many as 450 transfer applicants per year. Most schools with an acceptance rate around 17% for freshman applicants are not nearly so accommodating. For entry in the fall of 2023, 2,334 students applied for transfer admission and 392 were successful. This means that the Emory transfer acceptance rate is 16.7%.

tags: #emory #university #transfer #requirements