Comprehensive Guide to the Emory University School of Medicine MD Program and Admissions

Emory University sits in Atlanta, Georgia, and is broken up into nine academic divisions, one of which is the School of Medicine. Emory Healthcare is the largest healthcare system in Georgia, and it includes Emory University Hospital along with six other facilities. With an abundance of healthcare facilities surrounding the school, Emory premed students are at a distinct advantage, especially when it comes to engaging in extracurricular activities such as research and physician shadowing. Physicians play an important role in shaping the healthcare of their communities, and for the greater Atlanta area, Emory University is well-positioned to prepare its premed students for a career in medicine.

MD Curriculum and Clinical Experience

Focusing on small-group learning and increased interaction with faculty, you are immersed in clinical experience from the very beginning. A multitude of clinical sites provide students with extensive training in patient care, including an outpatient experience that begins early in the first year. A five-month Discovery period allows time for clinical or bench research, or other academic inquiry. The Emory University School of Medicine MD curriculum prepares you to:

• Cultivate professional attitudes and behaviors under the guidance of skilled clinicians
• Integrate basic and clinical science
• Begin clinical clerkships in the middle of the M2 Year
• Complete all core rotations before applying to residency programs
• Gain valuable hands-on exposure to specialty and subspecialty fields
• Graduate with the experience of completing their own research project; writing an academic paper; and acquiring presentation skills
• Benefit from a diverse and committed faculty
• Develop close, one-on-one relationships and mentorships with multiple faculty members

Characteristics of Emory School of Medicine Graduates

The MD curriculum was designed by the faculty and student leadership in keeping with the following desired characteristics of Emory School of Medicine graduates:

• Superb clinicians who demonstrate the highest degree of professionalism, outstanding clinical competency and problem-solving skills, and the ability to understand and utilize basic science in the clinical setting
• Curious and creative thinkers with the ability to utilize available resources to answer clinical and research questions and to assess information critically
• Lifelong adult learners with the ability to take ownership of their own present and future educational needs
• Physicians who continue to be passionate about medicine and about making a difference, who are involved in and appreciate efforts to improve the health of local and global communities
• Future leaders eager and able to play leadership roles in their chosen field of medicine or biomedical science, and in their community

Admissions Requirements and Class Profile

In order to meet Emory course requirements, you will need to complete at least four full years, with labs, in the basic sciences (one year in each of the following areas: biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics). We expect medical school students to have a sound knowledge in these areas, prior to attending medical school. You will also need to complete six semester hours of English (a full year of college-level grammar and composition). Applications are submitted online via the American Medical College Application System (AMCAS), beginning in May.

We expect to receive more than 13,000 applications for our entering class of only 138 students—that means your application must be as competitive as possible. For the class that began medical school in 2024, the average MCAT score was 515 (the 90th percentile), and the average GPA was 3.7. Applicants are assessed on their qualifications without discrimination in regard to age, race, religion, disability, gender, gender identity or expression, or sexual orientation.

The Emory Pre-Med Institute

Begin your medical journey here by learning from Emory physicians and fellows to jumpstart your career in medicine. This intensive three-week summer program fully immerses high school students in the foundational sciences and the essential realities of clinical concepts and patient care. You won't just study—you'll transition from theoretical knowledge to the practice of medicine through trauma scenarios and diagnostic cases, gaining insight into what success truly demands. Our specialized "From Science to Medicine" curriculum teaches you to think like an Emory Pre-Med Scholar.

• Engage with Physicians, Residents, and Fellows during site visits to Emory Clinics and Grady Hospital
• Challenge scholars through college-level coursework taught by distinguished Emory faculty
• Develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration skills through labs and case studies
• Participate in an official White Coat Ceremony symbolizing the beginning of your journey