Key differences on Getting in
- 1
Harvard's yield is 46 pts higher than Emory's
Yield rate - 2
Harvard is 2.5× more selective than Emory
Acceptance rate
Admissions
Getting in, fall 2024
Acceptance and yield, test score ranges, test policy, and what each college weighs.
The funnel
Quad's selectivity
- HarvardUltra selective
- EmoryHighly selective
Men and women
Acceptance rate for men and women who applied, where a college reports admissions by sex.
Test scores
SAT total,
Axis runs 1300–1600. The dark tick marks the national median midpoint.
ACT composite,
Axis runs 29–36. The dark tick marks the national median midpoint.
Test policy
- HarvardTest scores required
- EmoryTest-optional
How they read a record
Harvard
, GPA, and tests are all considered. This college reports (average 4.22), which pile most students into the top band; the bands can't show how crowded unweighted GPAs are.
Emory
, GPA, and tests are all very important; class rank is considered. 77% of first-years who sent test scores had a 3.75 or higher, so and rarely sets an applicant apart; the courses behind it carry more of the weight.
What they look at
| Factor | Harvard | Emory |
|---|---|---|
| High school GPA | Considered | Very important |
| High school record | Required | Required |
| Class rank | Not considered | Considered |
| College-prep program | Considered | Considered |
| Recommendations | Considered | Important |
| Essay | Considered | Important |
| Legacy status | Considered | Considered |
| Work experience | Considered | Considered |
| Demonstration of competencies | Considered | Considered |
| English proficiency test | Considered | Considered |
| Other tests | Considered | Not considered |
Sources:Harvard University (Fall 2025), Fall 2025;IPEDS Admissions survey, Fall 2024;Harvard University Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2025;Harvard University Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2027 applicants;Harvard University Common Data Set 2025–26, Entered fall 2024;College Scorecard, most recent release;Emory University (Fall 2025), Fall 2025;Emory University Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2027 applicants;Emory University Common Data Set 2025–26, Entered fall 2024About the data(retrieved 2026-10-12)
Figures are the newest each college has published; years can differ between colleges. Each value's ⓘ shows its source and year. Why