How to Apply to Computer Science at Emory University: Central Admission, Declaring the CS BS, BS with AI Concentration or BA from the Second Semester, and Requirements and Timeline for Chinese, Canadian High School and Transfer Students

At Emory University, computer science is offered by the Department of Computer Science in Emory College of Arts and Sciences, as a Bachelor of Science (BS), a BS with an AI Concentration or a Bachelor of Arts (BA). First-year students start either at Emory College on the Atlanta campus or at Oxford College in Oxford, Georgia. Here is what you need to know for fall 2027 entry, based on Emory’s official information, for students at high schools in China, students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver), and transfer students.

1. Two entry points: Emory College and Oxford College

• One Common App lets you apply to Emory College, Oxford College or both; you can apply Early Decision to one and Regular Decision to the other.
• Both lead to the same Emory degree; Oxford students move to the Atlanta campus by junior year.
• Oxford applicants can indicate interest in Oxford Launch: London, which starts the first year in London.
• Oxford College does not accept transfer applicants.

2. The computer science major

• No admission by major: the department says it does not admit undergraduates directly. All students apply centrally and choose a major later; admission questions go to the admission office, not the department.
• When to declare: the two sources differ. The department FAQ says you can declare during or after the second semester of your first year; the college catalog says first-year students cannot declare until after their first semester and must declare by the end of their fourth regular semester, with Oxford graduates declaring by the end of their first semester in Emory College and transfer students by the end of their second semester.
• Requirements to declare: the department says there are no special requirements. You declare in OPUS, the department reviews requests about twice a month, and juniors and seniors who declare are checked to make sure they can finish on time. You may declare at most one major or minor from the department, and you can switch between the three CS degrees at any time.
• Courses common to all three degrees: Calculus I and II (MATH 111, 112), Linear Algebra (MATH 221), Introduction to Computer Science I and II (CS 170, 171), Foundations of Computer Science (CS 224), Data Structures and Algorithms (CS 253), Computer Architecture and Machine Level Programming (CS 255), Analysis of Algorithms (CS 326) and Systems Programming (CS 350).
• BS: a practicum (CS 370 or CS 371W), one of Artificial Intelligence, Computational Linguistics, Machine Learning or Database Systems, three 300-level and three 400-level CS courses (one listed math course may replace a 300-level course). The degree description mentions physical science requirements, but the requirements table lists no such courses; check with the major advisor.
• BS, AI Concentration: Artificial Intelligence, Computational Linguistics and Machine Learning are all required, with Research Practicum in AI (CS 371W); then two of Computer Vision, Neural Networks, Deep Learning and Data Mining, plus one 300-level and one 400-level CS course.
• BA: the same practicum and one-of-four course as the BS, then two 300- or 400-level CS courses, with more freedom of choice.
• Grades: courses must be taken for a letter grade and a major GPA of at least 2.0 is needed to graduate; prerequisites must be completed before enrolling, with no exceptions.
• Other options: joint majors in Mathematics and Computer Science (BS) and Economics and Computer Science (BA); minors in Computer Science, Computer Informatics and Artificial Intelligence; an Honors Program; and a 4+1 program for a CS MS in one extra year.
• AP and IB: AP, IB, A-Level and similar exams can earn up to 12 credit hours; AP scores below 4 and IB HL scores below 5 are not accepted, and where a field has two exams, such as computer science, credit is given for only one. Which course AP Computer Science replaces is not published; ask the department’s major advisor.
• Outcomes: the department says over 97% of recent graduates surveyed were in full-time work or graduate school.

3. Application plans and timeline

• Early Decision I (binding): due November 1, financial aid December 2, decisions by December 15.
• Early Decision II (binding): due January 1, financial aid January 6, decisions by February 15.
• Regular Decision: due January 1, financial aid February 10, decisions by April 1.
• Emory University Scholar Programs (partial to full merit scholarships): due November 15, decisions by March 1.
• Materials: the Common App personal essay and Emory’s short answers, two core-subject teacher recommendations, the school report and midyear and final transcripts; the application fee is $75, with waivers available.

4. Testing and English

• Test optional: SAT and ACT are not required for fall 2027 first-year applicants; submitted scores are reviewed as evidence of preparation, and Emory superscores both. Self-reporting AP scores of 3 or higher is encouraged.
• English: applicants whose primary language is not English can show proficiency through any one of:
  • SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing of 700+;
  • ACT English of 30+;
  • the most recent four years at a school where all academic subjects are taught in English.
  Otherwise, one of TOEFL, IELTS or the Duolingo English Test is required. Emory does not use strict cutoffs; recommended scores are:
• TOEFL iBT 100 on the old scale or 5.5 or higher on the new scale from January 21, 2026; IELTS 7.5; the most competitive Duolingo applicants typically score above 130; TOEFL ITP Plus (Mainland China only) typically 63–68 in each section, aligned with CEFR C1.

5. Students at high schools in China

• Interview: Emory strongly recommends an InitialView interview for applicants from Mainland China and treats it as the preferred option, though it is not required and does not replace TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo.
• Curricula: Emory regards IB, AP and British A-Levels as competitive in any country and lists recognized national curricula; it publishes nothing specific about the Gaokao.
• If your school does not teach every academic subject in English, plan on an English test, or on SAT Reading and Writing of 700+ or ACT English of 30+.

6. Students at Canadian high schools

• Requirements are the same as for other applicants; Emory publishes no Canada- or BC-specific grade requirements.
• If your most recent four years were at English-medium schools, you do not need an English test.
• Canadian citizens are neither US citizens nor permanent residents, so the international aid policy applies (below).

7. Costs and financial aid

• 2026-27 cost (same for Emory College, Oxford College and Goizueta Business School):
  • tuition $70,300, fees $1,148;
  • housing $13,222, food $9,184, travel $1,100, personal $1,620, books $1,286;
  • total about $97,948, excluding student health insurance (about $5,592 in 2026-27 unless waived). 2027-28 costs have not been published.
• Need-based aid for international students: offered to a select group each year. The financial aid office says international students seeking need-based aid should apply Regular Decision, answer “yes” to the aid question and submit the CSS Profile and tax documents (IDOC) before February 5. Only students who apply for and receive aid in their first year are eligible later. Aid applicants still submit financial documentation, though it need not cover the full first-year cost.
• Merit scholarships: international students can apply through the Emory University Scholar Programs; funding is limited and selection highly competitive.

8. Transfer students

• Fall entry only; Oxford College takes no transfers. Emory enrolls about 100 to 120 transfer students a year.
• Eligibility:
  • a high school graduate who has completed one full-time year (or is in the second semester of it) at a two- or four-year college;
  • at least 28 credit hours completed or in progress, not counting AP, IB or dual-enrollment credit;
  • a cumulative college GPA of at least 3.0 out of 4.0; most admitted students have 3.5 or better;
  • able to complete two years (four semesters) at Emory.
• Timeline: due March 15, financial aid March 17, decisions by early May.
• Materials: the Common App, official transcripts from every college, the College Official Report, your high school transcript, one faculty recommendation and the $75 fee; testing is optional, and TOEFL or IELTS is recommended if English is not your first language.
• Credit: up to 62 credit hours transfer, evaluated after admission; no specific prerequisite courses are required to apply.
• Aid: merit aid is not available to transfers, and need-based aid is not available to international transfer students.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Decide on Emory College, Oxford College or both; ED I November 1, ED II and Regular Decision January 1
• Aim for TOEFL 100 (5.5 new scale) or IELTS 7.5, or SAT Reading and Writing 700+; consider an InitialView interview
• For need-based aid, apply Regular Decision and submit the CSS Profile by February 5; for merit aid, apply to the Scholar Programs by November 15

Students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver):

• Testing optional; no English test needed after four years at English-medium schools
• Apply for aid under the international policy

Transfer students:

• Apply by March 15 for fall entry with at least 28 credit hours and a 3.0+ GPA
• Up to 62 credit hours transfer; declare computer science by the end of your second semester

Sources: Emory University, Plans and deadlines; How to apply; Requirements; Standardized exam and English policies; International applicants; Transfer applicants; Aid for international students; 2026-27 cost of attendance worksheet (PDF); Computer Science undergraduate overview; Computer Science BS; Computer Science BS, AI Concentration; Computer Science BA; FAQs for CS students; Degree requirements and declaring a major; AP, IB and exam credit. Information is for fall 2027 entry. Check Emory for the latest details.