Nighthawk17

According to a college guide that I consulted last year, the following factors are considered by the Emory admissions committee:

Very important factors considered:
Application essay
Academic GPA
Recommendation(s)
Rigor of secondary school record
Standardized test scores
Extracurricular activities

Important factors considered:
Character/personal qualities
Level of applicant’s interest
Talent/ability

Other factors considered:
Class rank
Alumni/ae relation
First generation
Geographical residence
Racial/ethnic status
State residency
Volunteer work
Work experience

Emory academic profile of admitted students:
Academics - Admitted Students
Average GPA, middle 50% 3.71 - 3.98 / 4.0 unweighted scale
SAT verbal, middle 50% 640–730
SAT math, middle 50% 660–750
SAT total, middle 50% 1320–1460
ACT, middle 50% 29–33

While everyone worries about meeting the academic profile of a highly-selective elite college like Emory, keep in mind that logically, 25% of admitted students fall at least a bit below the middle 50% in the academic profile (and the other 25% had a perfect 4.0 or at least a 3.9 and fabulous SAT or ACT scores). Furthermore, there are other factors considered. Thus, if you have a GPA/SAT/ACT that falls below the middle 50%, you can still gain admittance along with a whopping 25% of the class. If you are well-below, you can make up ground by having outstanding essays, recommendations, extracurriculars, demonstrated interest and other factors.

Like all of the other posters, I'm no expert, as I do not work in the admissions office. However, the only way you can guarantee not being accepted is by not applying. And don't forget you can apply to Oxford as well.