Founded in 1836 as Emory College in Oxford, Georgia, by the Methodist Episcopal Church and relocated to Atlanta in 1915 following a major land donation by Coca-Cola leader Asa Candler, Emory University is a world-renowned private research university. Spanning 631 wooded acres in the Druid Hills neighborhood just northeast of downtown Atlanta, Emory balances rigorous liberal arts instruction with elite healthcare delivery, biomedical research, and global public policy initiatives. You can explore its historic development and Methodist origins through the Emory University Wikipedia historical entry.
When you join the academic community at Emory, you enter an institution famous for its close integration with major federal and global health organizations. Living in Atlanta gives you direct access to research partnerships with the adjacent United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, creating rich internship and observational research pathways in public health and clinical medicine.
Premier Academic Programs
Emory organizes its instruction across nine distinguished undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools holding international reputations:
- Goizueta Business School: World-renowned for principled business leadership, private equity analytics, health administration, and corporate marketing strategy. Explore degree programs on the Goizueta Business School official website.
- Rollins School of Public Health: Consistently ranked among America's top public health schools, leading global research in epidemiology, biostatistics, and environmental health.
- Emory University School of Medicine: Premier biomedical research institution driving clinical innovations in oncology, neurology, and infectious disease control.
- Emory University School of Law: Offers comprehensive legal training in corporate governance, intellectual property, health law, and international human rights.
- Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing: Prepares compassionate healthcare leaders through direct clinical partnerships across major hospital networks.
"Cor prudentis possidebit scientiam, translated from Latin as The wise heart seeks knowledge, serves as Emory's official motto, inspiring ethical inquiry."
Campus Culture and Mascot
Your daily undergraduate student experience centers on the Italian marble-faced buildings surrounding the Quadrangle and the lush pathways of Lullwater Preserve. School spirit revolves around Swoop the Eagle, the official mascot who leads student cheers during NCAA Division III athletic contests in the University Athletic Association. You can read about the mascot history and spirit traditions on the official Emory Treasured Traditions page. Participating in the midweek Wonderful Wednesday celebrations on Asbury Circle and joining over 450 student organizations creates an engaging residential community.
Research Infrastructure and Global Health Partnerships
Emory operates an extraordinary multi-billion-dollar research enterprise deeply partnered with global health networks:
- Winship Cancer Institute: National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center pioneering novel immunotherapies and clinical oncology trials.
- Emory National Primate Research Center: Specialized biomedical research facility conducting foundational studies in vaccine development and neurological disorders. Learn more via Emory Research Operations.
- Emory Healthcare Network: Largest healthcare system in Georgia, comprising major teaching hospitals and specialized isolation research units.
Notable Alumni Legacy
You walk in the footsteps of Nobel laureates, vice presidents, civil rights leaders, and literary figures, including:
- Jimmy Carter: The 39th President of the United States and Nobel Peace Prize recipient who served as University Professor at Emory.
- Bobby Jones: Legendary golf icon who won the Grand Slam and co-founded the Masters Tournament after earning his law degree at Emory.
- Bernice King: Minister, attorney, and civil rights advocate who earned her Master of Divinity and Juris Doctor degrees at Emory.
- Alben Barkley: The 35th Vice President of the United States who graduated from Emory College.
Emory University meets 100 percent of demonstrated financial need for all admitted domestic undergraduate students through grant-based packages without student loans. Review complete admission standards and application steps on the official Emory Undergraduate Admissions portal.