High school students across the country received the good news on March 27 that they were accepted as members of Emory's Class of 2018. As expected, they sent up flares of excitement on Emory's social media hub (#Emory2018 and #Oxford2018).

Profile of Admitted Class Is Strong

"The interest that high school students demonstrated in Emory University this year was very strong and we've been able to shape classes with strong academic credentials who have a diversity of academic interests for both Emory and Oxford colleges for 2018," says John Latting, assistant vice provost and dean of undergraduate admission at Emory.

As of March 28, there were 17,797 applications to Emory College for the Class of 2018, compared to last year's 17,681, an increase of .7%, and there were 7,409 applications to Oxford College compared to last year's 6,881, an increase of 7.7%. Reflecting the unique appeal of having two undergraduate options, many students chose to apply to both Emory and Oxford.

Latting notes that for Emory College, there were increases in offers of admission to under-represented minority students and that Emory classes continue to become ever more national -- global, in fact -- as students from the Southeast comprise a smaller share of the class and students from abroad comprise a larger share.

"In addition to the increase in student interest in Oxford with a 7.7% increase in the number of applications, we saw a significant increase in the academic strength of the students whom we admitted," says Jennie Taylor, dean for enrollment services at Oxford. Taylor notes there were also increases in offers of admission to under-represented minority students and fewer admitted students from the Southeast.

This year, the percentage of admitted students from the Southeast is 29% in Emory College and 39% in Oxford; California is now one of the top five homes of admitted students in both colleges. And the percentage of admitted students from abroad stands at 14% for Emory College and 12% for Oxford.

Locations of high schools attended by admitted students

Emory College

• Southeast 29%
• Mid-Atlantic 22%
• West 12%
• New England 7%
• Midwest 10%
• Southwest 7%
• Top Five Countries of Citizenship: China, India, Republic of Korea, Canada, Mexico

Oxford College

• Southeast 39%
• Mid-Atlantic 17%
• West 10%
• New England 6%
• Midwest 8%
• Southwest 8%
• Top Five Countries of Citizenship: China, India, Republic of Korea, Canada, Turkey

April Visits Bring May Deposits

Deposits from admitted students are due May 1, which is why the university is pouring on the Southern hospitality, hopeful that anyone still undecided will let a visit -- and all the impressive facets about Emory that it reveals -- seal the deal.

What Accepted Students Already Know

An "Emory education" has become synonymous with academic rigor, unparalleled choice and opportunity, a student experience seamlessly uniting the curricular and co-curricular, an unrivaled alumni network, and access to Atlanta -- America's most enviable college "town." Emory offers two distinct undergraduate colleges, at two separate campuses. Spend your first two years at either Emory College -- with a focus on research and academic independence -- or Oxford College -- for a traditional liberal arts experience.

Liberal arts all the way. At many institutions, a basis in the liberal arts is an undergraduate phenomenon. Given the profound and enduring value of the liberal arts, they form the strong center of Emory’s academic enterprise. As Provost Claire Sterk notes, "The relationship between the liberal arts and graduate and professional programs is not distinct -- but rather interdependent, mutually enhancing, and expansive for the entire educational endeavor."

Access granted. For undergraduates at Emory, it goes well beyond simply being taught by leading researchers. Many are elbow to elbow with them, carrying out research projects together. Four in five undergraduates report having an opportunity to work with faculty on a research project (2013 Emory College Senior Survey).

A, B, or C. Another key differentiator at Emory is student choice. At Emory College, students choose from 71 majors and 57 minors. Those interested in business or nursing can apply to Goizueta Business School or the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing to earn a BBA or BSN after their sophomore year. And those with twin passions have come to the right place: 48 percent of Emory students double-major.

Willing, able teachers. Emory faculty are deeply and happily engaged in both research and undergraduate education. Arts and Sciences Distinguished Professor Victor Corces knows why: "Teaching undergraduates helps faculty members step out of our small and specific research areas to look at the big picture. Often this leads us to contemplate a research problem from a different angle not previously considered."

Breathing "life" into Campus Life. Emory students care deeply about ethical engagement, polyculturalism, and social justice. Senior Vice President for Campus Life Ajay Nair asks how to preserve generosity, create spaces that affirm the identities of our community members, and encourage dialogue that utilizes our community's rich diversity. He looks for answers from Emory students.

Power on. Four years hence, the Class of 2018 will benefit from an alumni network that is 125,000-strong and uncommonly dedicated to one another's welfare.

Sweet spot. Emory students benefit from having the city of Atlanta at their doorstep. When they are looking for internships, research opportunities, entertainment, or just the perfect sweet tea, they have Atlanta's diverse cultural offerings and thriving industries to tap into and explore. For some, the city becomes a permanent home; 30% of students are employed here after graduation.

Pleasing Signs from Early Decision

For a number of years now, early decision (ED) applications have increased. Students' willingness to commit early to Emory is a key indicator of the university's rising appeal.

This year, 2,111, or 11.9%, of applications to Emory College were ED and 789, or 10.6%, of applications to Oxford Collegewere ED. Latting estimates that the share of enrolling students applying ED will be about 50% while Taylor estimates that number will be 35% for Oxford. Emory College seeks to enroll a first-year class of 1,350; the magic number at Oxford is 460.

"With the growth in ED admits and overall applications, this year's admit rate has decreased slightly to 25.9% for Emory College," says Latting. Last year, the admit rate was 26.5%.

In the case of applicants who have the academic preparation to contribute to university life, ED is a useful tool -- though not without its detractors. With ED attracting students from families who may not need the more competitive financial aid packages that Regular Decision produces, classes can be less diverse as a result. For that reason, says Latting, "we really keep a close eye on the overall composition of the entire class to maintain diversity across a number of key dimensions. This is of paramount importance to Emory."

"The growth in students applying through early decision plans to Oxford in the last several years has had a profound impact on our ability to shape the entering class across two key dimensions -- the quality of the academic preparation of students and the diversity of their academic interests," says Taylor.