Emory University School of Medicine created the Office of Multicultural Medical Student Affairs in 1986 to increase minority representation in medicine and biomedical research. The Office provides programs to support the development and matriculation of diverse learners, including medical students, healthcare professions students (Physical Therapy, Physician Assistant, Genetic Counseling, Anesthesiology Assistant, and Medical Imaging), and K-12 students in the medical profession.
Prospective Students
Diversity is a core value at Emory School of Medicine. The School of Medicine mission statement urges us to develop a “diverse group of students and innovative leaders in the biomedical science, public health, medical education, and clinical care.”
The Emory School of Medicine recruits applicants at Minority Serving Institutions across the United States. We encourage students to visit the campus and talk directly with members of the multicultural affairs office, members of the administration and faculty, healthcare professions students, and with Emory medical students.
We accept students based on academic achievement, fitness, and aptitude for the study of medicine, assessment of personal qualities, and documentation of community service.
Video Spotlight: Learn why residents and faculty decided to make Emory University School of Medicine their place to work or train.
For more information about the programs and services provided by Emory University, visit the Office of the Provost.
Emory Revisited
During the Emory Revisited weekend, underrepresented minority students who are accepted to the School of Medicine return to campus to meet and talk with faculty and students and learn more about the School and its opportunities and available resources.
Current Students & Student Organizations
Student National Medical Association (SNMA)
The Emory Chapter of the Student National Medical Association (SNMA) is committed to supporting current and future underrepresented minority medical students, addressing the needs of underserved communities, and increasing the number of clinically excellent, culturally competent and socially conscious physicians. SNMA is dedicated both to ensuring that medical education and services are culturally sensitive to the needs of diverse populations and to increasing the number of African American, Hispanic/Latino, and other students of color entering and completing medical school.
Emory Medical Alliance (EMA)
The Emory Medical Alliance aims to influence a positive and inclusive culture by providing education and exposure to topics of LGBT health and service opportunities to support the local LGBT community. This group strives to enhance the climate of inclusion within the School of Medicine and cultivates mentoring relationships with LGBT physicians within the Emory enterprise.
Alliance of Health Professionals (AHP)
Alliance of Health Professionals (AHP) is a student-led group that aims to establish and sustain an environment of inclusion and acceptance for all graduate and undergraduate health professional students, especially underrepresented students in medicine (URM), by building support and unity. The mission of the AHP is to provide a safe space for URM students to express their concerns and create programming to foster a network of community amongst graduate and undergraduate health professional students that may feel isolated in their program.
Pipeline Development (K-12, Undergraduate, and Graduate Programs)
The Pipeline Development Programs at the Emory School of Medicine expose K-12 students from socio-economically disadvantaged communities in and around Atlanta, to college and careers in medicine. These pipeline programs help fulfill the School of Medicine’s commitment to support the development of a diverse workforce of health workers, professionals, and innovative leaders.
Summer Science Academy
The Summer Science Academy is designed to heighten 9th and 10th grade students’ interest in science, introduce careers in healthcare and reinforce fundamental principles of science. Throughout the program, students are immersed in lectures, labs, and field experiences in the areas of human anatomy, neuroscience, embryology, environmental biology, and human diseases. Counselors and teachers for the Summer Science Academy are comprised of Emory University medical, graduate ,and undergraduate students, faculty, and Emory University School of Medicine Alumni.
Emory Pipeline Collaborative (EPiC)
The Emory Pipeline Collaborative (EPiC) is a program, funded by the federal government, to prepare high school students from disadvantaged backgrounds for entry into health professions. Combining existing Emory University programs (Pipeline and Summer Science Academy), EPiC provides a three-year continuum of learning, mentoring, college preparation, and exposure to health professions.
With the lack of minority and low socio-economic applicants applying to health sciences degree programs, EPiC supports our ongoing effort to address educational barriers and social support needs of high school students. Led by graduate and professional students in medicine, public health, and health sciences, participants learn how to improve their health and well-being and are inspired to believe in their own intellectual strength and to aspire to college and a health profession.
Health Professions Readiness Education Program (HealthPREP) at Emory
HealthPREP is an eight-week residential program facilitated by Emory School of Medicine and the James T. Laney School of Graduate Studies at Emory University. The overall purpose of the HealthPREP is to facilitate the entry of qualified students from disadvantaged backgrounds, into health-related graduate and professional schools.
Emory Premedical Readiness Engagement Program (EmPREP)
EmPREP is a series of learning resources, tips, and tools that provide insights to undergraduate students (and the faculty/staff members who support and advise these students), on the many stages of the medical school admissions process. These resources are designed to educate and cultivate the future generations of physicians historically underrepresented in medicine and increase the students’ competitiveness during the admissions cycle.
EMPACT Mentoring Program
The purpose of the EMPACT is to provide students who self-identify as an underrepresented in medicine (URM) and/or those who may come from disadvantaged backgrounds, with experiences that foster timely and successful matriculation through medical school. The mission of EMPACT is to Engage, Mentor, Prepare, Advocate for, Cultivate, and Teach URM medical students in a supportive and inclusive learning environment.