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Emory University

Atlanta, Georgia4-yearPrivate

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Emory University’s 2023-24 Essay Prompts

Why This Major Short Response

Required
200 Words

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

Select-A-Prompt Short Response

Required
150 Words

Please answer one of the following questions:


Option 1

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


Option 2

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


Option 3

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


Option 4

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


Option 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.


Option 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.

Common App Personal Essay

Required
650 words

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.


Option 1

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.


Option 2

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?


Option 3

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


Option 4

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?


Option 5

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


Option 6

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?


Option 7

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.

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