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Emerson Requirements for Admission

Choose your test.

What are Emerson's admission requirements? While there are a lot of pieces that go into a college application, you should focus on only a few critical things:

• GPA requirements
• Testing requirements, including SAT and ACT requirements
• Application requirements

In this guide we'll cover what you need to get into Emerson and build a strong application.

School location: Boston, MA

This school is also known as: Emerson College

Admissions Rate: 35.6%

If you want to get in, the first thing to look at is the acceptance rate. This tells you how competitive the school is and how serious their requirements are.

The acceptance rate at Emerson is 35.6% . For every 100 applicants, 36 are admitted.

This means the school is very selective . If you meet Emerson's requirements for GPA, SAT/ACT scores, and other components of the application, you have a great shot at getting in. But if you fall short on GPA or your SAT/ACT scores, you'll have a very low chance of being admitted, even if you meet the other admissions requirements.

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Emerson GPA Requirements

Many schools specify a minimum GPA requirement, but this is often just the bare minimum to submit an application without immediately getting rejected.

The GPA requirement that really matters is the GPA you need for a real chance of getting in. For this, we look at the school's average GPA for its current students.

Average GPA: 3.73

The average GPA at Emerson is 3.73 .

(Most schools use a weighted GPA out of 4.0, though some report an unweighted GPA.

With a GPA of 3.73, Emerson requires you to be above average in your high school class. You'll need at least a mix of A's and B's, with more A's than B's. You can compensate for a lower GPA with harder classes, like AP or IB classes. This will show that you're able to handle more difficult academics than the average high school student.

If you're currently a junior or senior, your GPA is hard to change in time for college applications. If your GPA is at or below the school average of 3.73, you'll need a higher SAT or ACT score to compensate . This will help you compete effectively against other applicants who have higher GPAs than you.

SAT and ACT Requirements

Each school has different requirements for standardized testing. Only a few schools require the SAT or ACT, but many consider your scores if you choose to submit them.

Emerson hasn't explicitly named a policy on SAT/ACT requirements, but because it's published average SAT or ACT scores (we'll cover this next), it's likely test flexible. Typically, these schools say, "if you feel your SAT or ACT score represents you well as a student, submit them. Otherwise, don't."

Despite this policy, the truth is that most students still take the SAT or ACT, and most applicants to Emerson will submit their scores. If you don't submit scores, you'll have one fewer dimension to show that you're worthy of being admitted, compared to other students. We therefore recommend that you consider taking the SAT or ACT, and doing well.

Emerson SAT Requirements

Many schools say they have no SAT score cutoff, but the truth is that there is a hidden SAT requirement. This is based on the school's average score.

Average SAT: 1300

The average SAT score composite at Emerson is a 1300 on the 1600 SAT scale.

This score makes Emerson Moderately Competitive for SAT test scores.

Emerson SAT Score Analysis (New 1600 SAT)

The 25th percentile SAT score is 1200, and the 75th percentile SAT score is 1390. In other words, a 1200 on the SAT places you below average, while a 1390 will move you up to above average .

Here's the breakdown of SAT scores by section:

SAT Score Choice Policy

The Score Choice policy at your school is an important part of your testing strategy.

Emerson has the Score Choice policy of "Highest Section."

This is also known as "superscoring." This means that you can choose which SAT tests you want to send to the school. Of all the scores they receive, your application readers will consider your highest section scores across all SAT test dates you submit .

Click below to learn more about how superscoring critically affects your test strategy.

For example, say you submit the following 3 test scores:

Even though the highest total you scored on any one test date was 1000, Emerson will take your highest section score from all your test dates, then combine them to form your Superscore. You can raise your composite score from 1000 to 1400 in this example.

This is important for your testing strategy. Because you can choose which tests to send in, and Emerson forms your Superscore, you can take the SAT as many times as you want, then submit only the tests that give you the highest Superscore. Your application readers will only see that one score.

Therefore, if your SAT superscore is currently below a 1390, we strongly recommend that you consider prepping for the SAT and retaking it . You have a very good chance of raising your score, which will significantly boost your chances of getting in.

Even better, because of the Superscore, you can focus all your energy on a single section at a time. If your Reading score is lower than your other sections, prep only for the Reading section, then take the SAT. Then focus on Math for the next test, and so on. This will give you the highest Superscore possible.

Download our free guide on the top 5 strategies you must be using to improve your score. This guide was written by Harvard graduates and SAT perfect scorers. If you apply the strategies in this guide, you'll study smarter and make huge score improvements.

Emerson ACT Requirements

Just like for the SAT, Emerson likely doesn't have a hard ACT cutoff, but if you score too low, your application will get tossed in the trash.

Average ACT: 29

The average ACT score at Emerson is 29. This score makes Emerson Moderately Competitive for ACT scores.

The 25th percentile ACT score is 27, and the 75th percentile ACT score is 31.

Even though Emerson likely says they have no minimum ACT requirement, if you apply with a 27 or below, you'll have a very hard time getting in, unless you have something else very impressive in your application. There are so many applicants scoring 29 and above that a 27 will look academically weak.

ACT Score Sending Policy

If you're taking the ACT as opposed to the SAT, you have a huge advantage in how you send scores, and this dramatically affects your testing strategy.

Here it is: when you send ACT scores to colleges, you have absolute control over which tests you send. You could take 10 tests, and only send your highest one. This is unlike the SAT, where many schools require you to send all your tests ever taken.

This means that you have more chances than you think to improve your ACT score. To try to aim for the school's ACT requirement of 31 and above, you should try to take the ACT as many times as you can. When you have the final score that you're happy with, you can then send only that score to all your schools.

ACT Superscore Policy

By and large, most colleges do not superscore the ACT. (Superscore means that the school takes your best section scores from all the test dates you submit, and then combines them into the best possible composite score). Thus, most schools will just take your highest ACT score from a single sitting.

We weren't able to find the school's exact ACT policy, which most likely means that it does not Superscore. Regardless, you can choose your single best ACT score to send in to Emerson, so you should prep until you reach our recommended target ACT score of 31.

Download our free guide on the top 5 strategies you must be using to improve your score. This guide was written by Harvard graduates and ACT perfect scorers. If you apply the strategies in this guide, you'll study smarter and make huge score improvements.

SAT/ACT Writing Section Requirements

Currently, only the ACT has an optional essay section that all students can take. The SAT used to also have an optional Essay section, but since June 2021, this has been discontinued unless you are taking the test as part of school-day testing in a few states. Because of this, no school requires the SAT Essay or ACT Writing section, but some schools do recommend certain students submit their results if they have them.

Emerson considers the SAT Essay/ACT Writing section optional and may not include it as part of their admissions consideration. You don't need to worry too much about Writing for this school, but other schools you're applying to may require it.

Final Admissions Verdict

Because this school is very selective, strong academic scores are critical to improving your chances of admission . If you're able to score a 1390 SAT or a 31 ACT or above, you'll have a very strong chance at getting in.

For a school as selective as Emerson, rounding out the rest of your application will also help. We'll cover those details next.

But if you apply with a score below a 1390 SAT or a 31 ACT, you unfortunately have a low chance of getting in. There are just too many other applicants with high SAT/ACT scores and strong applications, and you need to compete against them.

Admissions Calculator

Here's our custom admissions calculator. Plug in your numbers to see what your chances of getting in are. Pick your test: SAT ACT

• 80-100%: Safety school: Strong chance of getting in
• 50-80%: More likely than not getting in
• 20-50%: Lower but still good chance of getting in
• 5-20%: Reach school: Unlikely to get in, but still have a shot
• 0-5%: Hard reach school: Very difficult to get in

How would your chances improve with a better score?

Take your current SAT score and add 160 points (or take your ACT score and add 4 points) to the calculator above. See how much your chances improve?

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Application Requirements

Every school requires an application with the bare essentials - high school transcript and GPA, application form, and other core information. Many schools, as explained above, also require SAT and ACT scores, as well as letters of recommendation, application essays, and interviews. We'll cover the exact requirements of Emerson here.

Application Requirements Overview

• Common Application Accepted, supplemental forms required
• Electronic Application Available
• Essay or Personal Statement Required for all freshmen
• Letters of Recommendation 1
• Interview Not required
• Application Fee $60
• Fee Waiver Available? Available
• Other Notes

Testing Requirements

• SAT or ACT Considered if submitted
• SAT Essay or ACT Writing Optional
• SAT Subject Tests
• Scores Due in Office January 5

Coursework Requirements

• Subject Required Years
• Foreign Language 3
• Social Studies 3

Deadlines and Early Admissions

• Offered? Deadline Notification
• Yes January 17 Rolling, notification begins April 1
• Yes November 1 December 15
• Yes November 1, December 1

Admissions Office Information

• Address: 120 Boston, MA 02116-4624
• Phone: (617) 824-8500
• Fax: (617) 824-8609
• Email: [email protected]

Other Schools For You

If you're interested in Emerson, you'll probably be interested in these schools as well. We've divided them into 3 categories depending on how hard they are to get into, relative to Emerson.

Reach Schools: Harder to Get Into

These schools are have higher average SAT scores than Emerson. If you improve your SAT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.

Same Level: Equally Hard to Get Into

If you're competitive for Emerson, these schools will offer you a similar chance of admission.

Safety Schools: Easier to Get Into

If you're currently competitive for Emerson, you should have no problem getting into these schools. If Emerson is currently out of your reach, you might already be competitive for these schools.

Data on this page is sourced from Peterson's Databases © 2023 (Peterson's LLC. All rights reserved.) as well as additional publicly available sources.

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Emerson College Application

• Undergraduate students wishing to submit an undergraduate Common Application  or EmersonApp  should not create an account here. Please submit your application first and then instructions will be sent to your email address. 
• Graduate students applying to our on-campus Master of Science in Communication Disorders program should not create an account here. Please submit your application via CSDCAS , and instructions will be sent to your email address.
• Graduate students applying to our online Speech@Emerson program will use this portal for financial aid purposes only. Please fill out an application via the Speech@Emerson website .
• Pre-College students  wishing to submit a Pre-College Application should not create an account here. Please submit your application first and then instructions will be sent to your email address.

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Emerson College Admissions

What is the acceptance rate for emerson, will you get in, will you get into emerson.

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• High School GPA Required
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Emerson College

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Emerson Admissions

Emerson College is very difficult to get into. The acceptance rate at Emerson College is 36%. Last year, 12,941 students applied to Emerson College and 4,612 were admitted.

If you are applying to Emerson College, the regular decision application deadline is January 17 and the fee for the application costs $60.

Emerson College Admissions Stats at a Glance

The following is an overiew of some of Emerson College's admissions stats.

Emerson College Application Deadlines

These are the application deadlines for Emerson College.

Applying Early to Emerson College?

Emerson College offers early decision and also offers early action. Early decision is binding, meaning you must attend if you are admitted, while early action allows you to apply early without committing.

Some students apply to college early to increase their chances of acceptance. When you apply early, your application is considered before all the regular decision applicants apply. Applying early may increase your chance of admission, since it shows your interest in a school.

➡️ Explore a list of some selective colleges that admit significantly more applicants during early decision or early action than during regular admission.

More on Emerson College Admissions

Transferring to emerson college.

Transfer student admissions is very difficult.

For Students Waitlisted to Emerson College

Emerson College has not reported data for waitlisted and admitted students.

What Does Emerson College Look For in an Applicant?

Colleges consider a range of factors when determining who to admit for their next incoming class. Each college determines which factors are they consider most important in the admissions process. When creating your list of schools to apply to, you may want to consider your strengths and any possible weaknesses in your application, and choose schools that put the most emphasis on the areas where you're strong.

Admissions Factors at Emerson College

What does Emerson College consider during the admissions process? Take a look at the list below to see which factors are most important during the admissions process.

Make sure to check with Emerson College for more information on admission factors.

Emerson College 2022-2023 Application Requirements

To apply to Emerson College, all applicants must submit the following items. Check in with Emerson College's admissions department to confirm all application materials and requirements.

GPA and Testing

What gpa do i need to get into emerson college.

Students admitted to Emerson College have an average unweighted GPA of 3.7.

Out of all students that were admitted, 29% submitted a class rank. At Emerson College 29% of students ranked in the top 10% of their graduating class in high school, 70% were in the top 25% and 94% were in the top 50%.

GPAs of Admitted Students

At Emerson College, student GPAs fall in the following ranges.

This chart depicts the percentage of all enrolled, degree-seeking, first-time, first year (freshmen) students who had high school grade point average within the given ranges.

Note: Some schools choose not release this information. If you have any questions regarding missing numbers, be sure to reach out to Emerson College directly.

Your high school grade point average (GPA) is a number that highlights your high school academic performance. A weighted GPA or an unweighted GPA are the two possible GPA scores considered by colleges.

An unweighted GPA is an average of your scores from each class on a four-point scale. Unweighted GPAs range from 4.0 to under 1.0. A weighted GPA considers your average grade and the difficulty of your classes. A weighted GPA boosts your average by adding extra points for honors or Advanced Placement courses.

Standardized Test Scores

Emerson College has a test optional admissions policy. Test optional schools allow students to choose if they want to submit ACT or SAT scores with their applications or not.

In 2021, 70% of Emerson College's first-year students submitted their SAT scores with their application. 41% of admitted applicants sent ACT scores.

On the SAT Math Section , 25% of Emerson College students scored 700 or higher and 75% of students scored 610 or higher. On the SAT Critical Reading section (formerly called the Verbal section), 25% of Emerson College students scored 690 or higher, and 75% scored a 610 or higher.

To be most competitive at Emerson College, you should strive to earn between 27 and 31 on the ACT.

An ACT score of 31 means you fall in the 75th percentile for Emerson College's admitted students. One out of every four students scored above a 31, and three out of four students scored lower than 31 on the ACT.

A 27 on the ACT is the 25th percentile for Emerson College students. Only one out of every four students scored below 27.

More Information on Transferring to Emerson College

For transfer students, it is very difficult to get admitted to Emerson College. Transfer applications are processed on a on a rolling basis as they are received.

Transfer students can enroll in Emerson College during the following terms:

• Fall Term

• Winter Term

• Spring Term

• Summer Term

Emerson College Admissions FAQs

Can I defer my acceptance to Emerson College?

✅ Yes, admitted students can defer their admission to Emerson College.

Does Emerson College accept transfer credits?

✅ Emerson College accepts eligible transfer credits from accredited institutions. Emerson College accepts:

• CLEP subject tests • DSST/DANTES

Does Emerson College accept Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) credits?

✅ Emerson College accepts International Baccalaureate credits (IB) credits.

Do I have to submit test scores to Emerson College?

❌ No, Emerson College is test optional, so you can make the call whether to send your test scores. If your scores are higher than the school's average, you should strongly consider submitting them. If you scored lower than a school's average, you may want not want to include them in your application.

What is Emerson College's acceptance rate?

✅ Emerson College has an acceptance rate of 36%.

What is the early decision acceptance rate at Emerson College?

✅ Emerson College offers early decision but the school has not provided an acceptance rate.

Want To Learn More About Emerson College?

Choose one of the options below to find out more about about Emerson College:

Visit the College Confidential forums to join the conversation about Emerson College

Explore other colleges in Massachusetts or use the college admissions predictor to calculate your chances of getting into some of the top colleges and universities in the U.S.

Emerson Admissions Requirements

Admission Difficulty

Very Selective

How hard is it to get into Emerson? Emerson is a very selective institution. The Emerson acceptance rate is 36%. This means that the institution accepts 35 out of every 100 applicants.

Emerson Application Deadline

First-Year Applications are Due

Transfer Applications are Due

Continuous processing

The deadline for Fall first-year applications to Emerson is Jan 17.

The deadline for Fall transfer applications to Emerson is Continuous processing.

Check the school website for more information about deadlines for specific programs or special admissions programs

Emerson SAT Scores

Composite SAT Range

Not available

Math SAT Range

Reading SAT Range

Emerson GPA

Avg. High School GPA (non-weighted)

GPA Needed to Get Accepted

At Emerson, the average unweighted high-school GPA for admitted students is 3.73. This is the average, which means that some applicants submit GPAs lower than this and some applicants submit GPAs above this level. If your GPA falls below the average, strong test scores or other qualifications may help you make you a more competitive applicant.

Data Source: IPEDs and Peterson's Databases © 2022 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved

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Emerson College: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics

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Emerson College is a private college with an acceptance rate of 33%. Founded in 1880, Emerson is located in the heart of Boston, Massachusetts. Emerson College prides itself on its exclusive dedication to communication and the arts. The college has strong programs in theater, journalism, creative writing, and marketing. Emerson's professional programs are all grounded in the liberal arts, and the school has an impressive 14-to-1  student/faculty ratio . Campus facilities include two state-of-the-art radio stations, three theaters including the 1,200-seat Cutler Majestic Theatre, and numerous state-of-the-art labs and studios.

Considering applying to Emerson College? Here are the admissions statistics you should know, including average SAT/ACT scores and GPAs of admitted students.

Acceptance Rate

During the 2018-19 admissions cycle, Emerson College had an acceptance rate of 33%. This means that for every 100 students who applied, 33 students were admitted, making Emerson's admissions process competitive.

SAT Scores and Requirements

Emerson College has a test-optional standardized testing policy. Applicants may choose to submit SAT or ACT scores, or they may opt to submit an additional essay or portfolio related to their intended major. During the 2018-19 admissions cycle, 64% of admitted students submitted SAT scores.

This admissions data tells us that of those who submitted SAT scores, most of Emerson's admitted students fall within the top 20% nationally on the SAT. For the evidence-based reading and writing section, 50% of students admitted to Emerson scored between 620 and 700, while 25% scored below 620 and 25% scored above 700. On the math section, 50% of admitted students scored between 590 and 710, while 25% scored below 590 and 25% scored above 710. While the SAT is not required, this data tells us that a composite SAT score of 1410 or higher is competitive for Emerson.

Requirements

Note that Emerson does not require SAT scores for admission. For students who choose to submit scores, Emerson does not require the optional SAT essay section. Note that Emerson participates in the scorechoice program, which means that the admissions office will consider your highest score from each individual section across all SAT test dates.

ACT Scores and Requirements

Emerson College has a test-optional standardized testing policy. Applicants may choose to submit SAT or ACT scores, or they may opt to submit an additional essay or portfolio related to their intended major. During the 2018-19 admissions cycle, 35% of admitted students submitted ACT scores.

This admissions data tells us that of those who submitted ACT scores, most of Emerson's admitted students fall within the top 15% nationally on the ACT. The middle 50% of students admitted to Emerson received a composite ACT score between 27 and 31, while 25% scored above 31 and 25% scored below 27.

Emerson does not require ACT scores for admission. For students who choose to submit scores, note that Emerson does not require the optional ACT writing section. Unlike many universities, Emerson superscores ACT results; your highest subscores from multiple ACT sittings will be considered.

In 2018, the mean, unweighted high school GPA of Emerson College's incoming freshmen class was 3.72. This information suggests that most successful applicants to Emerson have primarily A grades.

Self-Reported GPA/SAT/ACT Graph

The admissions data in the graph is self-reported by applicants to Emerson College. GPAs are unweighted. Find out how you compare to accepted students, see the real-time graph, and calculate your chances of getting in with a free Cappex account.

Admissions Chances

Emerson College, which accepts a third of applicants, has a competitive admissions pool. However, Emerson also has a  holistic admissions  process and is test-optional, and admissions decisions are based on much more than numbers. Strong  application essays and  glowing letters of recommendation  can strengthen your application, as can participation in meaningful  extracurricular activities  and a  rigorous course schedule . The college is looking for students who will contribute to the campus community in meaningful ways, not just students who show promise in the classroom. Note that some programs at Emerson will have audition, interview, or portfolio requirements. Students with particularly compelling stories or achievements can still receive serious consideration even if their grades are outside of Emerson's average range.

In the scattergram above, the blue and green dots represent accepted students, and you can see that most students who got into Emerson had high school averages of A- or better, SAT scores (ERW+M) above 1200, and ACT composite scores above 25. Good grades and test scores, however, aren't all that is needed to get admitted to Emerson. If you look at the red (rejected students) and yellow (waitlisted students) on the graph, you'll see that some students with high grades and test scores were rejected.

If You Like Emerson College, You May Also Like These Schools

• Syracuse University
• New York University
• Boston College
• University of Southern California
• Vassar College
• Carnegie Mellon University
• Fordham University
• Northwestern University

All admissions data has been sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics and Emerson College Undergraduate Admissions Office .

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Speech@Emerson / Admissions / Application Requirements

Communication Sciences and Disorders Foundational Coursework

To apply to Speech@Emerson,  you must hold a bachelor’s degree  in any discipline, from a regionally accredited university or college. If you did not study speech-language pathology (also known as communication sciences and disorders) during your undergraduate program, the Speech@Emerson program offers foundational courses online to help you prepare for applied graduate-level study.

If you have already taken foundational coursework, also known as prerequisite courses, at another institution, these courses and your grades will be reviewed when you apply to the program. All students are required to take and pass foundational courses (with a grade of “B” or better) before enrolling in applied graduate courses.

Coursework in Statistics and Basic Sciences

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) certification standards for speech-language pathology require that all applicants for ASHA certification demonstrate undergraduate-level knowledge of statistics and the basic sciences. Applicants must show evidence of completion of courses in statistics and the basic sciences in order to begin their Clinical Fellowship and obtain professional certification. The program does not offer courses in statistics or the basic sciences. We strongly suggest that students complete these courses within their first year in the program. Please note the following required features of this coursework:

• These courses can be taken at any accredited institution within the United States and must appear on a transcript. Classes taken at the high school level are not eligible to meet this requirement, with the exception of advanced placement (AP) courses that appear for credit on your college/university transcript. Coursework from massive open online courses (MOOCs) is not accepted.
• These courses may be taken online and a lab component is not required.
• These courses must be worth a minimum of 3 credit hours each.
• You must earn a passing grade (C- or better) for these courses.

Possible content areas include:

• Statistics.  One stand-alone statistics course. Research methodology courses in a CSD program may not fulfill this requirement.
• Biology.  One biological science course, which could include the following content areas: general, cellular, molecular, neurobiology, cybernetics biology, bioscience, ecology, cytology, embryology, evolutionism, genetics, microbiology, morphology, physiology, radiobiology, or sociobiology.
• Physical Science. (Physical science must be met through chemistry or physics).  Must be met through chemistry or physics only. Possible content areas for physics include: basic principles of physics for non-majors, basic principles of mechanics, sound, thermodynamics and statistical mechanics, electricity and magnetism, and energy. Content areas for chemistry include functional groups and important biological molecules, chemical principles in human or animal physiology (i.e., organic chemistry), atomic structure, chemical bonding, radioactivity, behavior of gases and solutions, behavior of acid and bases, and hydrocarbons.
• Social or behavioral sciences.  Possible content areas include: anthropology, ethnic and cultural studies, archaeology, economics, gender and sexuality studies, geography, political science, psychology, psychobiology, criminology, and cognitive science.

Applicants from the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Oregon will need to demonstrate that all basic science courses and foundational courses are complete in order to meet the 75 total credit hour requirement to satisfy the educational requirements for state licensure.

Find out more about which states the program operates in here.

In addition to the online application, you must submit the following to apply:

Official Transcripts

Official transcripts are required from any institution where you earned a bachelor’s degree, took general education courses, or took foundational courses. All non-US transcripts must be sent to an evaluation agency and should include a course-by-course evaluation, GPA, and degree equivalency.

All official transcripts should be submitted electronically through [email protected] or by mail to the following address:

Emerson College Application Processing Center Speech@Emerson PO Box 30096 005-001 College Station, TX 77842

Please note: To be considered an official transcript, the transcript must be sent directly from your institution(s) or through an electronic transcript vendor retained by that institution. Unofficial transcripts may be accepted to receive an admissions decision. If admitted, students must submit official transcripts for all US degree-bearing schools where a bachelor’s degree was earned and schools with prerequisite courses.

You must submit a current résumé that includes relevant professional and volunteer experience.

Letters of Recommendation

You must submit three letters of recommendation from people best able to assess your educational and professional qualifications for academic study and clinical work as a speech-language pathologist, including your motivations, goals, and clinical potential. We recommend that you reach out to your former professors, mentors, and supervisors to obtain letters that can speak directly to your potential for success in a rigorous academic program.

Emerson College’s graduate programs form a vibrant and engaged community of creative artists, professionals, scholars, and clinicians who all believe in the power of language and communication to transform society. Your careful responses to the following prompts will help us determine if the program you are applying to is the right fit for you. Please answer each prompt as thoughtfully as possible.

• How does the focus and curriculum of the program to which you are applying align with your experience and goals? What particular aspects of your current and/or future work do you hope to develop while in graduate school? 250-500 words max.
• Drawing on your personal, professional, creative and/or academic experience please share an example of a time that you overcame an individual or collective challenge and the approach you took to address that challenge. 250-500 words max.
• The mission of Emerson College is the betterment of society through communication and the arts. With this in mind, what impact do you want your work to have? 250-500 words max.

The essay prompts must be included in the header of your essay before saving and uploading the file to your application.

An interview, which will be scheduled following the submission of your online application, is required for admission and will be scheduled by your admissions counselor. The interview will be conducted over video, recorded, and included in your completed application.

English Proficiency

Applicants whose native language is not English must provide evidence of English proficiency by submitting official TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, or Pearson test results.

Application Fee

The application fee for the program is $75, and it is nonrefundable.

Deferral Process

Admitted students may elect, once the non-refundable enrollment deposit is paid, to defer a start date for up to one calendar year from the term for which they were originally admitted. Please connect with the Admissions team with any further questions.

Re-apply Process

If an applicant is not admitted into the Speech@Emerson program, they must wait at least one year after the term that their original application was reviewed. For example, if a prospective student’s previous application was reviewed for September 2019, the earliest term they can reapply for is September 2020. This time period gives applicants the opportunity to strengthen their application before re-applying. Please reach out to the Admissions team with any questions.

Upcoming Deadlines

Speech@Emerson offers three cohorts throughout the year in January, May, and September. Admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis. Applications are now being accepted for the May 2024 cohort:

September 2024 Cohort

Priority Deadline: May 10, 2024

Final Deadline: June 14, 2024

Classes Start: September 2024

Take the Next Step

Apply now to take the next step toward becoming a speech-language pathologist with a Master of Sciences in Communication Disorders (M.S.).

Have questions? Request information and an admissions counselor will reach out to answer them.

Request Information

This college guide uses the most recent data available provided by the U.S. Department of Education. This information was last updated on October 10th, 2023.

Emerson College Admission Requirements Guide

Whether you’re just starting to consider as an option or are well into the application process, this guide will provide a comprehensive overview of the undergraduate admission requirements. After reading this guide, you will understand what needs to be done to maximize your chances of being admitted to this institution’s undergraduate program.

Emerson College Acceptance Rate

The admission rate was for the most recent class. While it can still be challenging to stand out among the pool of applicants, students who put in the effort to craft a strong application and demonstrate their passion and potential have a decent chance of being admitted to these schools. Ultimately, you should strive to find the right fit for your goals and interests, regardless of acceptance rates. This admission requirement rundown should help improve your chances of being accepted into .

GPA Requirements

Every high school has its own method of constructing students’ grade point averages (GPA). Some secondary schools use a weighted GPA system, where they take into account the rigor of honors courses and weigh them more heavily, and others use an unweighted GPA system, in which letter grades all carry the same weight regardless of the course’s difficulty.

To level the playing field, schools often compare applicants through their unweighted GPA and consider the number of honors and advanced courses separately. This is how typically conducts its college application review process. 

Average GPA

When looking at undergraduate students who were most recently admitted, the average GPA is . Although there are no GPA requirements for admission, it is strongly recommended that prospective students aim for at least a to give themselves an adequate chance of being accepted into .

SAT Score Requirements

The SAT is a standardized test that measures college readiness and educational foundation. The SAT has been used for nearly 100 years to test prospective students in mathematics, reading, writing, and language. Here are the SAT metrics to take into account when applying to .

Average SAT Scores

When looking at the undergraduate students who were in the most recently admitted class, the average SAT Score was .

Here is the range of SAT scores segmented by the three sections of the test: Critical Reading, Math, and Writing.

's SAT Score Choice Policy

does accept the SAT ‘Superscore’ policy. This means that applicants who have taken the SAT several times may submit their best scores for each section, rather than submitting every full report. For example, if you received a higher score on your Reading section during your first test, but received a higher score on the Mathematics section on your second test, you may combine these scores for a comprehensive ‘Superscore’.

ACT Score Requirements

The ACT was founded in 1969 and serves as another college readiness measurement tool. The four subject areas are: English, mathematics, reading, and science. Here are the details regarding ‘s ACT Requirements.

Average ACT Scores

When examining the most recently accepted undergraduate class, the median ACT Score for is .

Here is an updated range of ACT scores segmented by the three sections of the exam: English, Math, and Writing.

's ACT Score Choice Policy

allows individuals to submit their ACT ‘Superscore’. This means that they are able to select and combine their best subject scores across multiple tests. 

Application Requirements

is a great undergraduate school to attend. ‘s admission office is able to extend offers to many students while still being selective. To stand out in the admissions process, it is critical to abide by the school’s application requirements.

Does Use the Common App?

Like most major U.S. schools, does use the Common Application for their admissions process. The Common App is a unified application that prospective students use to apply to undergraduate colleges and universities. It allows applicants to use a single application that can be sent to as many colleges as they apply to, instead of repeatedly inputting the same demographic and academic information per school. may request additional materials, such as supplemental essays and questions, but the primary application structure remains the same.

Does Require Letters of Recommendation?

requires 1 letter of recommendation from a teacher. This letter of rec, or ‘teacher evaluation’, is used to assess what type of student you are and your strengths in the classroom. We recommend approaching a teacher that you have a strong relationship with to write this letter of recommendation, as they can attest to your academic and interpersonal skills. If you can’t think of anyone to ask, then try considering who your biggest mentor has been throughout your academic experience in high school. Try to find a teacher who is familiar with your character, rather than just your academic profile.

A recommendation letter from a school counselor or guidance counselor is required to apply to . High school counselors are constantly writing letters of recommendation for students, so asking them to create one for you is a fairly straightforward process. Ensure that they are at least somewhat familiar with your character and goals, as the purpose of this letter is to show that you are a comprehensively complete applicant.

Application Checklist

See our application checklist for below to ensure you complete and submit the proper materials.

Required Application Materials:

• Completed Common App
• Standardized Test Scores, such as the SAT or ACT
• 1 Letter of Recommendation from a Teacher
• 1 Letter of Recommendation from a School Counselor
• Personal Statement (College Essay)
• Application Fee or Fee Waiver
• Academic Transcripts (at the time of submission and when senior year first semester grades are released)

Optional Application Materials:

• Additional Recommendation Letters (Teacher Evaluations)

Facts & Frequently Asked Questions

Is public or private.

is a private, non-profit university. Private universities’ primary sources of funding are through tuition, donations, and endowments. Although tuition may be higher at these nonprofit institutions, generous financial aid packages are more common than public schools. Tuition rates do not differ between in-state and out-of-state students.

How Many Students Does Have?

‘s student body is made up of undergraduate degree-seeking students, according to our latest data. offers the benefits of both large and small schools. The class sizes and student to faculty ratios are much lower than what a large school would have, and yet the college still offers a variety of options to network and get to know your professors.

How do I apply to ?

Make sure you have all of the required application materials we covered on hand. You can learn more about the application process for this particular institution at ‘s Website.

is located in , . To visualize where ‘s campus is based in relation to ‘s downtown area and landmarks, take a look at the interactive map below.

Final Thoughts on Applying to

Hopefully this guide helped you to learn more about the admissions requirements for . When applying to colleges, remember to keep in mind that not every school will be a good fit. Take the time to evaluate what’s most important to you, such as the school’s academic opportunities, financial aid benefits, and location. All of the application components we covered are important – take your time to put your best foot forward. The College Grid team wishes you the best of luck on your college applications!

Sydney Janssen

As a valedictorian in high school, I developed a strong passion for learning and pushing myself to achieve academic success. Now, as a first-generation college graduate, I'm excited to share my experiences and insights with others who may be navigating similar paths through College Grid.

How to Write Your College Essay: The Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide

Getting ready to start your college essay? Your essay is very important to your application — especially if you’re applying to selective colleges.

Become a stronger writer by reviewing your peers’ essays and get your essay reviewed as well for free.

We have regular livestreams during which we walk you through how to write your college essay and review essays live.

College Essay Basics

Just getting started on college essays? This section will guide you through how you should think about your college essays before you start.

• Why do essays matter in the college application process?
• What is a college application theme and how do you come up with one?
• How to format and structure your college essay

Before you move to the next section, make sure you understand:

How a college essay fits into your application

What a strong essay does for your chances

How to create an application theme

Learn the Types of College Essays

Next, let’s make sure you understand the different types of college essays. You’ll most likely be writing a Common App or Coalition App essay, and you can also be asked to write supplemental essays for each school. Each essay has a prompt asking a specific question. Each of these prompts falls into one of a few different types. Understanding the types will help you better answer the prompt and structure your essay.

• How to Write a Personal Statement That Wows Colleges
• Personal Statement Essay Examples
• How to Write a Stellar Extracurricular Activity Essay
• Extracurricular Essay Examples
• Tips for Writing a Diversity College Essay
• Diversity Essay Examples
• Tips for Writing a Standout Community Service Essay
• How to Write the “Why This Major” Essay
• How to Write a “Why This Major” Essay if You’re Undecided
• How to write the “Why This College” Essay
• How to Research a College to Write the “Why This College” Essay
• Why This College Essay Examples
• How to Write The Overcoming Challenges Essay
• Overcoming Challenges Essay Examples

Identify how each prompt fits into an essay type

What each type of essay is really asking of you

How to write each essay effectively

The Common App essay

Almost every student will write a Common App essay, which is why it’s important you get this right.

• How to Write the Common App Essay
• Successful Common App Essay Examples
• 5 Awesome College Essay Topics + Sample Essays
• 11 Cliché College Essay Topics + How to Fix Them

How to choose which Common App prompts to answer

How to write a successful Common App essay

What to avoid to stand out to admissions officers

Supplemental Essay Guides

Many schools, especially competitive ones, will ask you to write one or more supplemental essays. This allows a school to learn more about you and how you might fit into their culture.

These essays are extremely important in standing out. We’ve written guides for all the top schools. Follow the link below to find your school and read last year’s essay guides to give you a sense of the essay prompts. We’ll update these in August when schools release their prompts.

See last year’s supplemental essay guides to get a sense of the prompts for your schools.

Essay brainstorming and composition

Now that you’re starting to write your essay, let’s dive into the writing process. Below you’ll find our top articles on the craft of writing an amazing college essay.

• Where to Begin? 3 Personal Essay Brainstorming Exercises
• Creating the First Draft of Your College Application Essay
• How to Get the Perfect Hook for Your College Essay
• What If I Don’t Have Anything Interesting To Write About In My College Essay?
• 8 Do’s and Don’t for Crafting Your College Essay
• Stuck on Your College Essay? 8 Tips for Overcoming Writer’s Block

Understand how to write a great hook for your essay

Complete the first drafts of your essay

Editing and polishing your essay

Have a first draft ready? See our top editing tips below. Also, you may want to submit your essay to our free Essay Peer Review to get quick feedback and join a community of other students working on their essays.

• 11 Tips for Proofreading and Editing Your College Essay
• Getting Help with Your College Essay
• 5 DIY Tips for Editing Your College Essay
• How Long Should Your College Essay Be?
• Essential Grammar Rules for Your College Apps
• College Essay Checklist: Are You Ready to Submit?

Proofread and edited your essay.

Had someone else look through your essay — we recommend submitting it for a peer review.

Make sure your essay meets all requirements — consider signing up for a free account to view our per-prompt checklists to help you understand when you’re really ready to submit.

Advanced College Essay Techniques

Let’s take it one step further and see how we can make your college essay really stand out! We recommend reading through these posts when you have a draft to work with.

• 10 Guidelines for Highly Readable College Essays
• How to Use Literary Devices to Enhance Your Essay
• How to Develop a Personalized Metaphor for Your College Applications

Emerson College 2023-24 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

Early Action/Decision: Nov 1

Regular Decision Deadline: Jan 16

You Have: 

Emerson College 2023-24 Application Essay Question Explanations

The Requirements: 2 essays of 100-200 words each; 1 honors program essay of 400-600 words

Supplemental Essay Type(s): Why , Community , Oddball

Emerson may have produced the most perfectly balanced supplement of the application season. These two (or three if you’re applying to the Honors College) brief essays zip together to form a complete picture of who you are: serious and silly, restrained and creative. You probably never thought you’d find a zen moment while writing your college essays, and yet here it is. So take a deep breath, center yourself, and dive in.

As you know, the academic programs at Emerson College are focused on communication and the arts. Please tell us what influenced you to select your major. If you’re undecided about your major, what attracted you to Emerson’s programs? Please be brief (100-200 words).

This is a pretty standard why essay focused on academics, so stay the course. You could have a million other reasons for applying to Emerson that have nothing to do with your intended major, but for now, all admissions wants to know is what you intend to study and why. So save their time (and yours) by cutting to the chase. Of course, brevity isn’t the same as generality. As with any other why essay, take some time to do your research. Scour your program’s website for information about classes, professors, unique opportunities, and notable alumni. What catches your eye? What inspires you? How does it connect to an interest you have? How does Emerson’s unique curriculum satisfy your needs in a way no other school could? Take a page out of alum Bobbi Brown’s book ! Her lifelong love of makeup led her to wonder, can you major in this stuff? Instead of going cosmetology school, Brown took advantage of Emerson’s combined emphasis on communication and the arts. She refined her skills as a makeup artist and gained the business acumen to build a renowned makeup brand. What’s your story?

Please respond, briefly in 100-200 words, to one of the following:

Much of the work that students do at emerson college is a form of storytelling. if you were to write the story of your life until now, what would you title it and why please be brief (100-200 words)..

It doesn’t get more Emerson than this. Combine communication and the arts and what do you get? A book titling challenge! This is your chance to show (not tell) your creative side and prove to admissions that you’ve got the goods to fit in at Emerson. For an oddball prompt like this, the best strategy is just to have fun. If this kind of prompt gives you agita, fear not! You can choose to pen a response to the other prompt below.

If you do find yourself imagining your life on pages, lean into your creative instincts. Puns and all manner of wordplay are welcome and encouraged. Can you boil your life down to one recurrent theme? Have your calloused feet carried you through endless hours at the ballet barre? Has your practice of cutting your own hair defined your personal brand since the age of six? Through what lens do you view your life? This is a prime opportunity to give admissions a catchphrase or simple epithet to remember you by. How do you want to be known?

At its best, how does community benefit the individual, the whole, or both?

If titling your life story doesn’t unleash a thousand ideas in your brain, this second prompt option is for you. It is a classic Community Essay through and through. Your response should include both your take on how communities benefit the individual, the whole, or both, as well as a story or anecdote to back up your argument. Maybe the LGBT community in your city supported you through your coming out process, and now you get to be a part of other members’ journeys as well, encouraging them to live as their most authentic selves. Would you say that community benefits each and every member by providing a safe, collective space in which to connect and share? Does that kind of intimacy benefit the whole community? Admissions is looking for reflection and perspective from you, so don’t be afraid to think big!

Honors Program (Optional, First-year Applicants for September Admission Only):

We often use metaphors to help us understand our world and persuade others. write about a metaphor that you think is powerful, and explore its potential to be helpful and/or harmful in your thinking..

Love is a rose! All the world’s a stage! So many great metaphors to choose from, and admissions wants to know which one has affected you and opened your eyes to see the world in a new light. This essay should include a bit of literary analysis–show them that you can break down a metaphor and explore why the comparison is effective or moving in some way. Things might get a little poetic, but that’s the idea; poetry reflects life as not only a mirror, but also a window to something new (OMG we just came up with that one… are… are we poets?). Don’t forget the last part of this prompt: metaphors can also be harmful. Maybe think of harsh stereotypes or bad faith generalizations: People are sheep. Men are dogs. Cash is king. Metaphors are powerful rhetorical devices that get a message across in a unique way–be it positive or negative. Let admissions know you’re listening to the world around you, but thinking for yourself.

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Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, emerson college gpa requirements.

Hi there! I'm looking into Emerson College as a potential college choice. Can anyone tell me if they have specific GPA requirements for admission?

Emerson College does not have an explicit minimum GPA requirement for admission. However, considering the competitiveness of the admission process, it's always better to have a strong academic record. The average high school GPA of admitted students at Emerson is around 3.7 on a 4.0 scale, which indicates that many successful applicants are in the A- or B+ range. Nonetheless, Emerson College takes a holistic approach to admissions, which means they will evaluate your entire application, not just your GPA.

In addition to GPA, the college considers other factors, such as course rigor, extracurricular involvement, and personal talents. So, even if your GPA is slightly below their average, you still have a chance to be admitted as long as you can demonstrate other strengths in your application. Be sure to highlight your passion for, relevant experiences within, and commitment to your chosen field, as these elements will also play a significant role in the admission process. Good luck!

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.

How Long Should a College Essay Be

Writing a college essay is a big deal for students, giving them a chance to share their unique stories and ambitions with admissions officers. But here's the thing: figuring out how long it should be can be tricky. 

In this article, we're going to tackle the question of a perfect essay length head-on. We'll break down what influences the ideal length for your essay and give you some tips on finding that sweet spot between saying enough and not saying too much.

Why Following a College Essay Word Limit Is Important

Sticking to the college essay length matters for a few important reasons. Firstly, it shows that you can follow instructions, which is a skill you'll need in college and beyond. Admissions officers have lots of essays to read, so keeping within the limit respects their time and attention. 

Plus, it helps level the playing field for all applicants, giving everyone a fair chance to make their case without overwhelming reviewers with too much information. And on your end, it forces you to be concise and clear, focusing on what really matters in your story. If the word limit of your essay is too large, simply say, ‘ do my essay for me ,’ and our experts will help you fit into any word limit.

Why Essay Length Varies in Different Assignments

The issue of how long is an essay can change depending on the assignment for a few reasons. First off, it's about who's reading it and why. A formal academic essay might need more detail and research, so it could end up longer. But it might be shorter and more casual if you're just sharing your thoughts with a friend. 

Then there's the topic itself – some things need more explanation. Plus, your teacher's guidelines, like how many words or pages to aim for, can also affect how long your essay turns out. It's about fitting the essay to the task at hand and making sure you cover everything you need to without going overboard.

Struggling to Fit into the Word Count?

Let an expert writer help you add more meaningful content to your essay.

Wondering about the ideal length for your college essay? You're not alone. Figuring out how much to write can be a head-scratcher for many students. But fear not! In this guide, we'll show you how to strike the right balance between text length and informational richness.

High School Essay

The length of a high school essay can vary depending on the assignment and teacher's instructions. Generally, essays in high school classes range from around 500 to 1000 words, though some assignments may require shorter or longer compositions. The length often reflects the depth of analysis and detail expected by the teacher, as well as the complexity of the topic. 

Shorter essays might focus on summarizing information or making a concise argument, while longer essays allow for more in-depth exploration and analysis. Regardless of length, students should prioritize clarity, coherence, and relevance to effectively convey their ideas and meet the requirements of the assignment.

College Admission Essay

College admission essay length typically ranges from 250 to 650 words, with many colleges setting specific word limits. Admissions officers receive thousands of applications, so brevity is key. A well-crafted essay should be concise yet impactful, showcasing the applicant's personality, experiences, and aspirations within the given word count. 

Adhering to the word limit demonstrates the applicant's ability to follow instructions and communicate effectively, while exceeding it may signal a lack of respect for guidelines or an inability to convey ideas succinctly. 

Undergraduate College Essay

Undergraduate college essay length typically ranges from 400 to 650 words, although some institutions may specify shorter or longer limits. The essay aims to provide admissions officers with insight into the applicant's character, values, and potential contributions to the campus community. 

While brevity is important, the essay should be substantive enough to convey meaningful information about the applicant's experiences and aspirations.

Graduate School Admission Essay

Graduate school admission essay length varies, typically ranging from 500 to 1000 words, although specific requirements may differ by program. These essays allow applicants to articulate their academic and professional goals, research interests, and reasons for pursuing graduate studies. 

Admissions committees seek concise yet comprehensive essays demonstrating the applicant's readiness for advanced academic work and alignment with the program's values and objectives. 

Graduate School Essay

Graduate school essay length typically ranges from 500 to 1000 words, although requirements can vary between programs. These essays serve as a crucial component of the application process, allowing applicants to convey their academic background, research interests, career goals, and suitability for the program. 

Admissions committees value conciseness and coherence, so applicants should prioritize quality over quantity when crafting their essays. Ultimately, the essay should offer a compelling narrative that highlights the applicant's strengths, experiences, and motivations for pursuing graduate studies.

Recommended Length of Each Part of the Essay

While the recommended college essay length of each its part can vary depending on the specific requirements of the assignment or application, here's a general guideline:

• Introduction

The introduction typically comprises 10-15% of the total essay length. It should provide background information on the topic, establish the context, and present the thesis statement or main argument.

• Body Paragraphs

Each body paragraph should be roughly the same length and account for approximately 60-70% of the total essay length. Aim for around 150-200 words per paragraph. Each paragraph should focus on a single main idea or point and provide supporting evidence or examples to strengthen the argument.

The conclusion should be similar in length to the introduction, comprising around 10-15% of the total essay length. It should summarize the main points discussed in the essay, restate the thesis or main argument, and provide a sense of closure or resolution.

Remember that these are general recommendations, and the actual length of each part may vary based on the specific requirements of your assignment or application. 

It's essential to review any guidelines provided and adjust your essay accordingly to meet the expectations of your audience. Use a specialized college essay writing help from experts who always hit the mark when it comes to the length of assignments.

How Long Should an Introduction Be

An introduction should typically span between 50 to 100 words, offering enough context to engage the reader while succinctly presenting the main argument or thesis. It serves as a roadmap for the essay, providing an overview of what to expect without delving into excessive detail.

How Long Is a Body Paragraph

A body paragraph is typically around 100 to 200 words in length, although this can vary depending on the complexity of the topic and the depth of analysis required. Each paragraph should focus on a single main idea or point, supported by evidence or examples, and contribute to the overall argument or thesis of the essay.

How Long Should a Conclusion Paragraph Be

Knowing how long should a college essay be – from 400 to 600 words – a conclusion paragraph should mirror the length of the introduction, comprising between 50 to 100 words of the total essay length. It should summarize the main points discussed in the essay, restate the thesis or main argument, and provide a sense of closure or resolution to the reader.

How to Check Word Count

To check the word count of an essay, you can use various methods depending on the software or platform you're using:

How to Make an Essay Longer

To make an essay longer, consider these strategies:

• Expand Ideas: Add more detail and examples to elaborate on your points.
• Provide Supporting Details: Include additional evidence or references to strengthen your arguments.
• Address Counterarguments: Discuss opposing viewpoints and explain why they're invalid.
• Use More Sources: Incorporate more research to support your claims.
• Use Transitions: Improve the flow between paragraphs with transitional phrases.
• Rephrase and Expand: Clarify and expand on your ideas by revising your sentences.
• Consider Different Angles: Explore the topic from various perspectives.
• Revise Carefully: Edit your essay to ensure added content enhances its quality.

How to Shorten an Essay

To shorten an essay length while maintaining its essence, follow these strategies:

• Remove Redundancy: Cut out repetitive phrases or sentences.
• Combine Similar Ideas: Condense related points to streamline your message.
• Simplify Language: Use clear, concise language to convey your ideas.
• Delete Unnecessary Details: Eliminate irrelevant examples or explanations.
• Focus on Essentials: Keep only the most relevant information.
• Check for Wordiness: Remove filler words and phrases.

When working on your compositions, remember about the impact of remote learning on students and your productiveness.

How to Format a College Essay Based on the Required Length

Let’s explore strategies to tailor your essay's structure and content to fit within specified word limits. By understanding how to adjust your writing style and organization, you'll be better equipped to craft a compelling essay that adheres to length requirements without sacrificing quality or clarity.

Spacing is crucial for how long is an essay looking, its readability and adherence to length requirements. Opting for double-spacing ensures adequate room for markers to review your content and allows for easy reading. Additionally, double-spacing aids in maintaining a clean, organized appearance, enhancing the overall presentation of your essay.

• If the instruction is to double-space the paper, consider using a spacing of 2.1 or 2.2 instead. 
• You can extend the margin size by a quarter, such as increasing the right and bottom margins from 1 inch to 1.25 inches, to make subtle adjustments in length without significantly impacting the overall appearance.
• Another strategy is to increase the spacing between characters, although it should be done cautiously to avoid excessive alterations. 
• Aim to keep the spacing between 1.2 and 1.5 to maintain readability and visual consistency throughout the document.

Font and Size

Font selection and size can be key to adjusting the college essay length. Opt for a standard, easily readable font such as Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri to ensure clarity and consistency. Aim for a font size of 12 points, which is the standard for most academic writing and provides optimal legibility without sacrificing space or readability.

• If your instructor hasn't specified a font, consider using larger options such as Arial, Bangla Sangam MN, Cambria, or Quicksand. 
• Exercise caution and try not to exceed an increase of 0.1-0.5 points to avoid noticeable alterations. 
• Another technique is to increase the size of punctuation marks, such as periods and commas, by a couple of points compared to the main text size, or italicizing them, which can subtly add to the overall length of your essay.

Following the specified length for your college essay is super important because it shows that you can stick to the rules and pay attention to instructions, which is a skill colleges value. Plus, sticking to the word count helps you be concise and get your point across clearly without rambling or overwhelming the reader.

If you’re struggling to fit into the required word limit, buy a college essay that will be written by a seasoned professional who knows exactly how to meet academic standards.

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How Many Pages Are in an Essay

How long is an essay paragraph.

Daniel Parker

is a seasoned educational writer focusing on scholarship guidance, research papers, and various forms of academic essays including reflective and narrative essays. His expertise also extends to detailed case studies. A scholar with a background in English Literature and Education, Daniel’s work on EssayPro blog aims to support students in achieving academic excellence and securing scholarships. His hobbies include reading classic literature and participating in academic forums.

is an expert in nursing and healthcare, with a strong background in history, law, and literature. Holding advanced degrees in nursing and public health, his analytical approach and comprehensive knowledge help students navigate complex topics. On EssayPro blog, Adam provides insightful articles on everything from historical analysis to the intricacies of healthcare policies. In his downtime, he enjoys historical documentaries and volunteering at local clinics.

• How long should my essay be? – BigFuture | College Board . (n.d.). https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/help-center/how-long-should-my-essay-be  
• 12 Strategies to Writing the Perfect College Essay - Harvard Summer School . (2022, August 9). Harvard Summer School. https://summer.harvard.edu/blog/12-strategies-to-writing-the-perfect-college-essay/
• How Long Should a College Essay Be? | Honor Society - Official Honor Society® Website . (n.d.). https://www.honorsociety.org/articles/how-long-should-college-essay-be

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Schmitter-Emerson: Dartmouth Should Reevaluate Distributive Requirements

Dartmouth’s attempt to fulfill its liberal arts mission would benefit from modification..

This article is featured in the 2024 Green Key special issue.

My decision to attend Dartmouth was strongly influenced by the College’s acclaimed curricular diversity. I was surprised, therefore, to encounter pernicious cultural stigma against the ‘underwater basket-weaving’ courses. The colloquial ‘underwater basket-weaving’ trope refers to classes — predominantly offered in niche subsections of the arts and humanities — on topics people perceive as ‘less useful.’ Perhaps a vestige of the economic crisis of 2008, this attitude has given rise to the prestige-based primacy of the business or computer science degree. 

To remediate bias toward STEM subjects and encourage more experimentation, Dartmouth looks to ‘distributive,’ or general education, requirements. Distributives ensure that students take classes in a wide variety of disciplines outside of their majors, ranging from philosophy to Earth sciences. They engage students in broader academic pursuits and help fill class rosters in undersubscribed departments. However, this ‘fix’ remains a divisive one. I myself question the viability of distributives in helping students fulfill Dartmouth’s intellectual mission. Ultimately, while the requirements should be maintained, I think they warrant greater flexibility. It should be easier to petition them — or at least find alternative means to obtain distributive credit, such as research — when they become an obstacle to the broader learning experience.

For proponents of distributives, the requirements alleviate pressure to strictly adhere to the subjects with the highest post-graduation income. At a school as densely-populated with overachievers as Dartmouth, distributives create a healthy justification for students to take classes on the basis of passion, rather than utility. This is also true in situations where the student faces familial pressure to exclusively pursue the most lucrative subjects — for example, economics and computer science. For members of this camp, distributive requirements serve as institutional justification to take coursework unrelated to one’s future career path. 

Opponents of general education requirements, meanwhile, often argue that these courses are intellectually counterproductive. This argument is predicated on the assumption that, when presented with a challenge, students will clamor for the lowest-hanging fruit. In this scenario, humanities majors comb through Layup List — Dartmouth’s course review website — for the easiest STEM classes, and vice versa, irrespective of whether they are truly interested in the subject. Easier classes may disincentivize student engagement on the premise that a good grade will be guaranteed regardless. This defeats the purpose of distributives in the first place — to expand students’ intellectual passions. 

Admittedly, I’m no moralist when it comes to this issue. As a self-proclaimed humanities student, my first criteria for choosing classes to fulfill my quantitative and science requirements is the anticipated impact on my GPA. When the course election period rolls around, you’ll find me surfing the Layup List archives, gambling on whether a class’s A median will endure the test of the upcoming term. More often than I’d like to admit, I’ve chosen a STEM class on the basis that it has a final project rather than an exam, and I strongly doubt I’m alone in that. 

Yet the classes I’ve selected through this process have surprised me on more than one occasion. I took ASTR 001, “Solar Systems and Exoplanets,” because I caught wind of a rumor that it was one of the easiest STEM classes offered at Dartmouth. Surprisingly, I was more engaged in the course’s lectures than I have been in plenty of the humanities classes that I’ve chosen out of genuine interest. While the experience wasn’t epiphanic enough to change my major, taking an interesting STEM class in which I felt successful reaffirmed my confidence in my capabilities. I wrote myself off as a STEM student years ago, simply because I felt less accomplished within its disciplines, but the distributive requirements forced me to revisit and challenge that assumption. 

It’s hard to weigh the value of this realization against the humanities courses I have missed out on for the sake of fulfilling distributives, though. Out of genuine investment in maximizing my intellectual experience, I have mapped out each course I can take for the rest of my Dartmouth career. This process revealed to me that distributive requirements obstruct me from minoring in all the subjects I want to. Additionally, as someone who has a strong drive to go abroad and see the world as an independent exchange student, I have found it more difficult to receive transfer credit for distributive courses. This is partly due to the grading structure of exchange programs. Less conventional grading methods used at other institutions—namely, pass/fail—don’t qualify for distributive credit. It is also more difficult to create a rationale for transfer credit without a coherent intellectual narrative, and disparate classes fulfilling random distributives don’t lend themselves to coherence. This has been an inhibiting factor in where I can study, thus limiting the potential for my intellectual experiences outside of Hanover.

My proposed solution is granting students a little more autonomy when it comes to their requirements. I am in favor of maintaining distributives — but, in the event that distributives serve as an obstacle for pursuing existing passions, they should be a lot more flexible or petitionable. Dartmouth should offer waivers for each existing distributive, so that students can communicate with the registrar when the requirements preclude them from taking classes of real interest. These waivers would be located on the registrar’s website or on DartHub for easy access, and would provide a section for the student to explain the academic rationale for not fulfilling a requirement. It should also become easier to receive distributive credits through alternative means, such as conducting research or studying abroad. That way, students can devote more of their studies to what they are most passionate about, while still exposing themselves to new disciplines. 

For example, if a Biology major is interested in Comparative Literature but doesn’t want more courses conflicting with their pre-med track, it would spare them a lot of stress if they were able to research under a COLT professor for distributive credit — rather than take a class on the subject. Perhaps they would explore more novel subject areas if they didn’t feel so overburdened by layers upon layers of pre-med and distributive requirements.

Furthermore, more classes should qualify for multiple simultaneous distributive requirement credits. While it can be argued that this would narrow the breadth of classes that students explore through their distributives, it would prevent a logistical nightmare when it comes to laying out one’s D-Plan.

The idea behind distributives is a good one, but I think modifications should be made to its execution. It is critical that the Dartmouth administration stay aware of the practical impacts of its curriculum, rather than just the theoretical benefits. 

Opinion articles represent the views of their author(s), which are not necessarily those of The Dartmouth.

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