<p>So I'm a prospective Emory student. I live in NY, which would make me a good demographic for the school. I have a 4.0 weighted GPA, (3.8 unweighted), I'm in the top of my class but my test scores are nothing too great - I sent my 28 on the ACT (I know, not that great). My mother went to Emory for some time, so she knows a few people there as well.</p>
<p>I take pretty much all APs (5 APs total, plus one college course through Syracuse University). I get straight As except for the occasional B. </p>
<p>Anyway, I started this threat to try and gage not only my chances but whether or not I can get financial aid - or rather, whether Emory gives substantial financial aid to demographics and legacies.</p>
<p>THE MAIN QUESTION HERE IS: Does Emory give $ to demographics? Do they give money to legacies? Do they give money to students with high GPAs but relatively low test scores? ARE THEY GENEROUS, GENERALLY?</p>
<p>You will get no merit aid (because you must apply to scholars to get that). If you qualify for financial aid, which most do, you will receive support. It’s fairly generous. </p>
<p>The 28 will hurt you, but the GPA and the APs will help. Legacy will help as well. Maybe you will get in RD, but I would imagine that there is a significant chance you may be waitlisted, and some chance you may receive a denial. Also, I don’t know if being from NY helps. That’s a pretty common “market”, being a “good demographic” usually means being a URM, FGCS, or from a state or region not as common at the school/in high demand (like west, midwest, New England). </p>
<p>If you were applying EDII, you would have a much better chance, but the competition will be really tough in RD (you’ll be competing against a bunch of New Yorkers with similar GPAs and higher test scores). I don’t know…</p>
<p>I don’t think New York is a “good demographic” as you say because a lot of people from New York apply to Emory. As Bernie said, you are not going to get any merit aid because you had to apply to the scholars program to do that. And to be honest, I don’t think you would have gotten that because you would have been competing with people with better test scores who have done absolutely AMAZING things. Emory only gives need based financial aid, so if you qualify for financial aid, you will get money, but if you don’t qualify for financial aid, you will not get any money. As for chances of getting into Emory, it’s hard to say. I doubt you’ll get in if you apply RD because the competition is tough. If you apply ED II, I think you’ll have a slightly better chance but I’m still not sure if you’ll get in. That test score on the ACT is holding you back.</p>
<p>Bernie & Flyeagle - Thank you, this was some really helpful feedback! I applied RD because I can’t do ED II (it’s legally binding, and if I don’t get enough need-based aid I literally cannot go and I don’t want to break that contract with a school I’m a legacy at). I know my test score hurts me, but I actually have a pretty great resume of extracurricular and such and my grades are great. I also come from a really competitive high school!</p>
<p>Unfortunately, I did not apply to the scholars program. I probably should have done that, but I was focusing on my EA schools. </p>
<p>I know my ACT score is poor, but not much can be done now What’s fortunate is my essays are really great and I’ve won quite a few awards throughout high school so that might help. </p>
<p>Anyway, I think I will qualify for some need-based aid (based on my financial situation and the fact that my twin sister is applying to schools at the same time) but it has to be enough to really cut it (I come from a family of 6). But we will see. Anyway, thank you both.</p>
<p>Also is it definitely too late to apply for the Emory Scholars program? I honestly don’t know much about it, but I do know a girl in my school who recently got into Emory and I wonder if she applied to the Scholars program. I was looking at it earlier in the year but lost interest because I wasn’t applying ED and I assumed my test scores weren’t high enough.</p>
<p>Also good to hear that they are generous when it comes to financial aid and like legacies!</p>
<p>Nope, Scholars was due in mid November. As for your ECs, if they are as good as you say, they’ll save you. There is always a bottom quartile for test scores and GPA, and your score will just be in this category (the GPA will be near the median I think). Your GPA and rigor of course work is likely a better indicator of whether or not you can handle Emory or not. That on top of good ECs can make you desirable.</p>
<p>I just recieved my financial aid estimate, provided to all EDI acceptees. It was definitely sufficient, and very closely paralleled what the “Net Price Calculator” suggest I would get. Emory, overall, appears relatively generous given financial need.</p>
<p>I’m unsure how variables such as test scores actually impact the award- it is supposedly need-based only- but I’m certain the school was not blown away by mine- a 2080 SAT and 31 ACT. I would highly recommend that you try the “Net Price Calculator,” as this should give you a good indication of what to expect.</p>
What’s fortunate is my essays are really great and I’ve won quite a few awards throughout high school so that might help. </p>