How to get into Emory University as an International Student
International Student Perspective
Yvonne Lo is an undergraduate at Emory University. In this blog post, she shares her journey as an international student from You can read more on our website here.
From Taipei American School to Emory: My Journey (by Yvonne)
Looking back on my journey to college, I realize how much of it was shaped by resilience, growth, and the willingness to step outside of my comfort zone. Born in San Jose, California, but raised in Taipei, Taiwan, I had a unique upbringing that influenced the way I approached challenges. My earliest school years were spent in a local Taiwanese elementary school, where everything, from lessons to daily interactions, was conducted in Mandarin. English was a distant second language for me, something I barely used outside of cartoons and occasional conversations at home.
Then, in fifth grade, I transferred to Taipei American School (TAS), an international school that operated under an American educational system. Those first few months were a blur of confusion and frustration. Sitting in class, I’d know the answer but couldn’t find the English words to describe it. As an English as an Additional Language (EAL) student, I spent countless hours working with patient teachers who helped me bridge the gap. Those years were tough; there were times when I felt behind and I second-guessed whether I’d ever be able to fully integrate with my peers. It took two and a half years, but the day I tested out of EAL felt like breaking through a wall I’d been pushing against for so long. That moment was a turning point—it proved to me that perseverance pays off, a lesson that would stay with me through high school and beyond.
High School: Discovering My Passions
High school brought its own whirlwind of challenges and discoveries. Between academics, extracurricular activities, and friendships, my days were packed. My biggest passion was dance, which became a defining part of my high school experience. As a member of the TAS Varsity Dance team, I participated in the IASAS (Interscholastic Association of Southeast Asian Schools) Dance Exchange, where we collaborated to create original choreography and performed at showcases both in Taipei and abroad. Dance taught me discipline, creativity, and teamwork: skills that have helped me in so many areas of my life.
Performing at the International School of Manila with my IASAS dance teammates
Outside of dance, I threw myself into other pursuits that piqued my curiosity. My internship at KPMG wasn’t just about crunching numbers— it was about finding my voice in professional settings and learning to hold my own in meetings where I was often the youngest person in the room. It gave me the opportunity to explore the professional world and understand how business functions in real life. Extracurricularly, I also co-founded the Photography Club, where I worked with a team to organize exhibitions and introduce students to visual storytelling. Leadership roles, such as serving as the President of the TAS Chinese Performing Arts Club, gave me the chance to direct performances and coordinate cultural events, something I found incredibly fulfilling. Teaching and mentoring also became a big part of my life, particularly my experience as a Teaching Assistant at an English summer camp for students in rural Taiwan. That experience showed me firsthand the power of education and how small efforts can make a big difference.
The SAT Struggle
The SAT… now that’s a chapter I won’t forget. I had always known it was a major factor in the admissions process, especially after watching my older brother spend months preparing for it, so I braced myself for what I knew would be a long process. I started studying for the SAT during my sophomore year. That summer, I was enrolled in a three-week SAT boot camp where we took full-length practice tests every morning and reviewed our mistakes in the afternoons. It was exhausting, but it helped me build the stamina needed for the real test. After the intensive, I continued preparing with a college counselor, fine-tuning my strategies and identifying areas for improvement. Junior year was a delicate balancing act, I was juggling SAT prep, academics, extracurriculars, and my growing list of leadership responsibilities. By the time I officially sat for the test, I was as ready as I could be.
The College Application Process
Senior year was one of the most intense and emotionally draining periods of my life. The combination of classes, dance rehearsals, and college applications made every day feel like a race against time. I was constantly writing, revising, and second-guessing my essays, all while trying to maintain my grades and commitments. There were nights when I felt completely overwhelmed, unsure of whether I was doing enough or if all my efforts would be worth it in the end. Then came December 13, 2023. The day my Early Decision (ED) results from Emory were set to be released. The moment I saw “Congratulations!” flash across the screen a wave of relief and disbelief washed over me. Everything from the years of late-night studying, and the long dance rehearsals, to the countless applications had all led to this moment.
Lessons & Looking Ahead
Now that I’m here, I realize how much my journey at TAS shaped me. It wasn’t just about grades or test scores: it was about resilience, about pushing past language barriers, about finding and pursuing what truly excites me. To any international student going through the college admissions process: embrace your story, even the messy parts. Your struggles aren’t just obstacles to overcome— they’re the chapters that make your story uniquely yours.
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