Advice needed! [Mercer SOM]

[khoaatl]

So,

As of now, my current GPA is 3.0. I am in my 3rd year-ish at a local engineering school in GA.

I am working nearly 80 hours/week (1 part-time and 1 full-time jobs) to pay for school. I used to be homeless for 3 days when I was 16, and have been on my own since then. That's also part of reasons why I am working crazy hours to provide for myself as I don't have any family/safety net, and I try not to owe anyone money (be it student loan or credit card debt.)

I have done all I could at this point to be self-sufficient, and be able to afford school. I joined the Army (with the intention of using GI Bill for college,) and got an honorably discharged a year later because of an incident. I also managed to get a CNA license which I utilize to help taking care of a poor elderly lady free of charge on the weekends. As part of extra curriculum activities, I had volunteered at a homeless shelter for 6 years, and recently started to do charity work on my own (like passing out food on some weekends a month near a homeless gathering point in downtown Atlanta.)

Having said that, I am not trying to 'sell' my childhood for a seat into medical school. I just wonder whether the admission committee will consider my background?

The ONLY school I am interested in applying is Mercer SOM. I want to become a psychiatrist to help the homeless and the poor in the inner city. I have worked many labor jobs, and I can say it with confidence that lower income earner/the homeless are among the most underserved population in regard to psychiatric care. The downsides to that is:

- I live in one of Atlanta's suburbs, and Mercer SOM admission committee only gives preference to those who live in rural part of town.
- Despite having 2 medical certifications (EMT/CNA) I have no clinical exp.
- I also have no shadowing experience. I maybe able to do that once I graduate, but it won't be an occurring thing.
- GPA will prob be lower as the classes are getting harder. I wonder if I get a decent MCAT will I have a chance with Mercer(!?)
- I am not qualified under SES, nor am I an URM (I'm Asian.)

I have about a year and a half before I graduate. If you were in my shoes, what would you do?

Thanks all in advance for any input!!!!!

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[soadhead]

As of now, my current GPA is 3.0....
- GPA will prob be lower as the classes are getting harder...

If this is the case, then you have no chance. Your GPA needs to go up if you want any type of shot. I know you don't want any debt, but if quitting at least one of your jobs and taking some student loans will help you raise your GPA, then that's what you need to do to get into med school.

 

[medic86]

1. You really need to get your GPA up. It seems your refusal to take student loans has contributed to this. You need straight-A's from this point on.

2. You haven't taken the MCAT yet - but you really need to kill this exam to overcome the low GPA.

3. How much GI bill benefit did you end up entitled to?

4. Why only Mercer? Why not MCG? Applying to a single MD program is suicide. You'll probably have to take a good look at DO schools if you really want to become a doctor.

5. While Mercer prefers students from rural areas of Georgia, their mission is to also serve the underserved - metro Atlanta happens to be underserved. You also have a good story.

6. Shadow some physicians, get some clinical experience - whether that's volunteering or using your CNA/EMT certs on a part-time basis.

To sum it up: I'd take student loans and taper back heavily on the jobs (hell, I'd quit if it was feasible). Get straight As, kill the MCAT, and volunteer/shadow.

 

[khoaatl]

If this is the case, then you have no chance. Your GPA needs to go up if you want any type of shot. I know you don't want any debt, but if quitting at least one of your jobs and taking some student loans will help you raise your GPA, then that's what you need to do to get into med school.

Thank you for the reply,

The part time job gives me about 3k for school but earns me only $400 monthly. I just can't survive on that if I quit the full time job. I can quit my part time job I still have to work 60 hours/week. I am considering that though.

I'm thinking of going to school part-time, but I am not sure if admission committee will look at that unfavorably.

1. You really need to get your GPA up. It seems your refusal to take student loans has contributed to this. You need straight-A's from this point on.

2. You haven't taken the MCAT yet - but you really need to kill this exam to overcome the low GPA.

3. How much GI bill benefit did you end up entitled to?

4. Why only Mercer? Why not MCG? Applying to a single MD program is suicide. You'll probably have to take a good look at DO schools if you really want to become a doctor.

5. While Mercer prefers students from rural areas of Georgia, their mission is to also serve the underserved - metro Atlanta happens to be underserved. You also have a good story.

6. Shadow some physicians, get some clinical experience - whether that's volunteering or using your CNA/EMT certs on a part-time basis.

To sum it up: I'd take student loans and taper back heavily on the jobs (hell, I'd quit if it was feasible). Get straight As, kill the MCAT, and volunteer/shadow.

Hi medic86,

According to the people at the transition place, I am entitled to 9%. However, I have not contacted the VA regarding that because I do not believe I deserve it.

Well, I just feel like I am aligned with Mercer statement mission more so than MCG. Plus, MCG is like a research heavy school to which I have to chance to get into anyways as I have virtually no research experience. Emory is totally out of my 'league' as well.

Yes medic86, I am going to shadow once I graduate. I work 6 days/week, and I do church work/help a lady on Sunday; hence no time to squeeze in any more activity.

I am looking for another job which can fit into my class schedule; however, I haven't had much luck so far.

Do you think taking class part-time will be looked at unfavorably by the admission committee???

 

[soadhead]

I recommend you quit your full time job, take your 9% of the GI Bill, and take out student loans to make up the difference. If you want to go to medical school, then you will have to make some sacrifices. Because right now you are sacrificing your chances at medical school so that you won't have to be in debt.

 

[medic86]

Thank you for the reply,

The part time job gives me about 3k for school but earns me only $400 monthly. I just can't survive on that if I quit the full time job. I can quit my part time job I still have to work 60 hours/week. I am considering that though.

I'm thinking of going to school part-time, but I am not sure if admission committee will look at that unfavorably.


Hi medic86,

According to the people at the transition place, I am entitled to 9%. However, I have not contacted the VA regarding that because I do not believe I deserve it.

Well, I just feel like I am aligned with Mercer statement mission more so than MCG. Plus, MCG is like a research heavy school to which I have to chance to get into anyways as I have virtually no research experience. Emory is totally out of my 'league' as well.

Yes medic86, I am going to shadow once I graduate. I work 6 days/week, and I do church work/help a lady on Sunday; hence no time to squeeze in any more activity.

I am looking for another job which can fit into my class schedule; however, I haven't had much luck so far.

Do you think taking class part-time will be looked at unfavorably by the admission committee???

In response to the bold: admissions committees are going to care far more about your bad GPA than about you going to school part time.

1. Are you talking about a VA disability rating? Anyone that served on active duty is entitled to GI Bill benefits - how much depends on the length of service vs. the conditions of the discharge.

2. Take what you can get from the VA - they rated you, you take it. I regret not making a claim about my bum ****ing shoulder when I got out.

3. Don't be stuck on stupid about the mission. Sure, it's great you love Mercer's mission, but MCG is not a "research heavy" school. They do more than Mercer, but their primary focus is not research. This single school tunnel vision may make you one of those people who apply for years and years, and it's foolish.

 

[medic86]

Above is what I'm talking about.

If you were separated for a service-connected injury/disability, you'd be eligible for 100% of this benefit. If not, and you were honorably discharged for other issues after serving 12 months, you'd be eligible for 60% of the benefit (a not insignificant amount).

 

[ivorypearls]

Ace the MCAT and get straight A's from here on out. If you are set on only attending Mercer, apply to their E.D program. Word on the street is that they interview >80% of E.D. applicants and accept half of those into their class. I can't speak for the institution myself, but I know that Mercer places great emphasis on motivation for serving the undeserved and you have a great story/background. Make sure to stress that during your interview and I think you have a fighting chance.

 

[khoaatl]

I recommend you quit your full time job, take your 9% of the GI Bill, and take out student loans to make up the difference. If you want to go to medical school, then you will have to make some sacrifices. Because right now you are sacrificing your chances at medical school so that you won't have to be in debt.

Thank you for your great feedback.

I will definitely quit my full time job within the next 3 months. I am currently looking for another job and will jump at any chance. I don't have any relative/friends; that's why I can't call it quit right away without making plans and doing some calculation (I have rent/uti/car ins/gas/phone/txtbook/... bills just like anyone.)

In response to the bold: admissions committees are going to care far more about your bad GPA than about you going to school part time.

1. Are you talking about a VA disability rating? Anyone that served on active duty is entitled to GI Bill benefits - how much depends on the length of service vs. the conditions of the discharge.

2. Take what you can get from the VA - they rated you, you take it. I regret not making a claim about my bum ****ing shoulder when I got out.

3. Don't be stuck on stupid about the mission. Sure, it's great you love Mercer's mission, but MCG is not a "research heavy" school. They do more than Mercer, but their primary focus is not research. This single school tunnel vision may make you one of those people who apply for years and years, and it's foolish.

I am not even sure what that 9% means. I was hurled to different places within a week following the discharge from the hospital. I did not really understand what I was entitled to during that week, nor did I try to do so because I felt somewhat shameful of the sudden end of my enlistment (I appealed the discharge up to brigade commander to no avail.)

To clarify, I was with the National Guard, and the incident happened during a routine training. However, the first thing I am going to do on monday is to call the VA and to figure out how much I can get from them.

Initially I only looked into out of state schools with mission statement like Mercer's, and Mercer being by best bet. I think you make a good point. I will definitely apply to a broader range of med schools.

Ace the MCAT and get straight A's from here on out. If you are set on only attending Mercer, apply to their E.D program. Word on the street is that they interview >80% of E.D. applicants and accept half of those into their class. I can't speak for the institution myself, but I know that Mercer places great emphasis on motivation for serving the undeserved and you have a great story/background. Make sure to stress that during your interview and I think you have a fighting chance.

Can you tell me a bit more about the "ED program?" A quick search on Bing doesn't give me anything helpful.

Do I have to relocate to Macon? Does Mercer have that program at their Atlanta campus?

Thank you!!

 

[medic86]

Thank you for your great feedback.

I will definitely quit my full time job within the next 3 months. I am currently looking for another job and will jump at any chance. I don't have any relative/friends; that's why I can't call it quit right away without making plans and doing some calculation (I have rent/uti/car ins/gas/phone/txtbook/... bills just like anyone.)



I am not even sure what that 9% means. I was hurled to different places within a week following the discharge from the hospital. I did not really understand what I was entitled to during that week, nor did I try to do so because I felt somewhat shameful of the sudden end of my enlistment (I appealed the discharge up to brigade commander to no avail.)

To clarify, I was with the National Guard, and the incident happened during a routine training. However, the first thing I am going to do on monday is to call the VA and to figure out how much I can get from them.

Initially I only looked into out of state schools with mission statement like Mercer's, and Mercer being by best bet. I think you make a good point. I will definitely apply to a broader range of med schools.



Can you tell me a bit more about the "ED program?" A quick search on Bing doesn't give me anything helpful.

Do I have to relocate to Macon? Does Mercer have that program at their Atlanta campus?

Thank you!!

Definitely call and find out what you're entitled to. It's different for National Guard, but if you were medically discharged (I assume?) from something that occurred during weekend drill, I would assume you qualify for full GI bill benefits. Find out, as this is a potentially huge financial benefit.

ED = early decision program. It's a good option for an applicant such as yourself.

Mercer has two campuses for their medial school: Macon and Savannah. They don't have a program in Atlanta.

Good luck!

 

[ivorypearls]

^ I second that. I've only heard of two medical campuses for Mercer - Macon and Savannah. From what I've heard from a friend matriculating via their E.D program, you get to choose which campus you would like to attend after you are accepted. E.D. applicants interview in July/August and receive their decisions mid-late September. Half of Mercer's incoming class come from this program

 

[khoaatl]

Definitely call and find out what you're entitled to. It's different for National Guard, but if you were medically discharged (I assume?) from something that occurred during weekend drill, I would assume you qualify for full GI bill benefits. Find out, as this is a potentially huge financial benefit.

ED = early decision program. It's a good option for an applicant such as yourself.

Mercer has two campuses for their medial school: Macon and Savannah. They don't have a program in Atlanta.

Good luck!

Thank you medic86!! I truly appreciate your help!

^ I second that. I've only heard of two medical campuses for Mercer - Macon and Savannah. From what I've heard from a friend matriculating via their E.D program, you get to choose which campus you would like to attend after you are accepted. E.D. applicants interview in July/August and receive their decisions mid-late September. Half of Mercer's incoming class come from this program

I will definitely apply in the early decision program. Thanks for bringing that up!!

 

[ivorypearls]

I will definitely apply in the early decision program. Thanks for bringing that up!!

No problem and best of luck!!

 

[GrapesofRath]

So,

As of now, my current GPA is 3.0. I am in my 3rd year-ish at a local engineering school in GA.

I am working nearly 80 hours/week (1 part-time and 1 full-time jobs) to pay for school. I used to be homeless for 3 days when I was 16, and have been on my own since then. That's also part of reasons why I am working crazy hours to provide for myself as I don't have any family/safety net, and I try not to owe anyone money (be it student loan or credit card debt.)

I have done all I could at this point to be self-sufficient, and be able to afford school. I joined the Army (with the intention of using GI Bill for college,) and got an honorably discharged a year later because of an incident. I also managed to get a CNA license which I utilize to help taking care of a poor elderly lady free of charge on the weekends. As part of extra curriculum activities, I had volunteered at a homeless shelter for 6 years, and recently started to do charity work on my own (like passing out food on some weekends a month near a homeless gathering point in downtown Atlanta.)

Having said that, I am not trying to 'sell' my childhood for a seat into medical school. I just wonder whether the admission committee will consider my background?

The ONLY school I am interested in applying is Mercer SOM. I want to become a psychiatrist to help the homeless and the poor in the inner city. I have worked many labor jobs, and I can say it with confidence that lower income earner/the homeless are among the most underserved population in regard to psychiatric care. The downsides to that is:

- I live in one of Atlanta's suburbs, and Mercer SOM admission committee only gives preference to those who live in rural part of town.
- Despite having 2 medical certifications (EMT/CNA) I have no clinical exp.
- I also have no shadowing experience. I maybe able to do that once I graduate, but it won't be an occurring thing.
- GPA will prob be lower as the classes are getting harder. I wonder if I get a decent MCAT will I have a chance with Mercer(!?)
- I am not qualified under SES, nor am I an URM (I'm Asian.)

I have about a year and a half before I graduate. If you were in my shoes, what would you do?

Thanks all in advance for any input!!!!!

So you have alot of things on your app that make you a desirable candidate to medical school. Army service will be looked upon very favorably. You have lots of work with the less privileged. And yes, ADCOMs will account for your background and how much you had to work to support yourself. But the question to all this is, will your background be able to make up for a 3.0 as a non-URM? Even with the Army service, there's a decent chance the answer is no.

The 3.0 makes things difficult. So there are a couple possibilities/considerations here.
a) Anybody with any understanding of context and how much family income and SES status can affect someone's life will see the need to work to support yourself and others. But like I said at the same time, what you are doing right now just isn't working for your GPA which might be the most important component of a medical school application. So the first obvious possibility is simply work less so you have more time to boost your GPA. The trade off for simply med school purposes is to your benefit. Now obviously, this is much much easier said than done, and I don't know alot about loans and the system of how they work so I'll stay out of that conversation. But if this is a possibility for you, its something you should strongly consider.
b) Take a leave of absence for a year or two to build up money to support yourself and so when you go back to school you can dedicate much more time to school. Obviously, this isn't ideal. Nobody wants to delay their life like this. But like I said, the 3.0 just needs to go up. The biggest obstacle with your path to improving this is working 80 hours a week. This route seems to a) be feasible, financially as it gives you a chance to save up money b) allows you time to do well in school when you do go back.
c) Another consideration is going to an engineering school and presumably being an engineer isn't helping your GPA at all. It's probably too late for you to change majors, but if this is a possibility for you or if there is a way to ease the number of engineering classes you take, that is something to strongly consider.
d) And here is something that is basically mandatory; change your perspective. This idea of getting attached to one school, particularly one with a median GPA around 3.7, needs to end. Consider other schools. Most importantly, consider DO schools. If you can start doing better in school to some extent and also importantly re-take some C's or lower, all of a sudden your GPA can skyrocket for DO purposes and your path to becoming a doctor becomes far far easier. For DO purposes, re-taking low grades will do wonders to your GPA and make you a viable candidate fast.

So there you have it. But keep in mind two things a) You still need to find time to prep for the MCAT. That is at least as important as your GPA. b) Mimelim responded a while back to somebody in a similar situation to you, low GPA, working insane amounts of hours to support yourself etc. His biggest concern and question was actually about this: if you are working this much in college, why are things suddenly going to change in med school? A 3.0 effort in med school is just asking for significant problems. ADCOMs aren't going to want to give a seat to you if you are going to have to work significant hours in med school; it's just not a good use of a spot. So that is something for you to consider as well seriously.

All in all, your hardly dead in the water. You have things going for you for sure. But you also have a lot to consider and address. And btw, Early Decision programs are often for people with stats well above a school's median. For Mercer, think 3.8+ GPA. While being a fit a school is very important for ED and you certainly have parts of your app that can make you seem like a good fit for Mercer, when your stats are this below the median of a school, it might be rather difficult to be a viable ED candidate.

 

[medic86]

So you have alot of things on your app that make you a desirable candidate to medical school. Army service will be looked upon very favorably(not sure how the honorable discharge for an incident might change perception, only an ADCOM can answer if it does do anything at all but still army service is a very good thing). You have lots of work with the less privileged. And yes, ADCOMs will account for your background and how much you had to work to support yourself. But the question to all this is, will your background be able to make up for a 3.0 as a non-URM? Even with the Army service, there's a decent chance the answer is no.

The 3.0 makes things difficult. So there are a couple possibilities/considerations here.
a) Anybody with any understanding of context and how much family income and SES status can affect someone's life will see the need to work to support yourself and others. But like I said at the same time, what you are doing right now just isn't working for your GPA which might be the most important component of a medical school application. So the first obvious possibility is simply work less so you have more time to boost your GPA. The trade off for simply med school purposes is to your benefit. Now obviously, this is much much easier said than done, and I don't know alot about loans and the system of how they work so I'll stay out of that conversation. But if this is a possibility for you, its something you should strongly consider.
b) Take a leave of absence for a year or two to build up money to support yourself and so when you go back to school you can dedicate much more time to school. Obviously, this isn't ideal. Nobody wants to delay their life like this. But like I said, the 3.0 just needs to go up. The biggest obstacle with your path to improving this is working 80 hours a week. This route seems to a) be feasible, financially as it gives you a chance to save up money b) allows you time to do well in school when you do go back.
c) Another consideration is going to an engineering school and presumably being an engineer isn't helping your GPA at all. It's probably too late for you to change majors, but if this is a possibility for you or if there is a way to ease the number of engineering classes you take, that is something to strongly consider.
d) And here is something that is basically mandatory; change your perspective. This idea of getting attached to one school, particularly one with a median GPA around 3.7, needs to end. Consider other schools. Most importantly, consider DO schools. If you can start doing better in school to some extent and also importantly re-take some C's or lower, all of a sudden your GPA can skyrocket for DO purposes and your path to becoming a doctor becomes far far easier. For DO purposes, re-taking low grades will do wonders to your GPA and make you a viable candidate fast.

So there you have it. But keep in mind two things a) You still need to find time to prep for the MCAT. That is at least as important as your GPA. b) Mimelim responded a while back to somebody in a similar situation to you, low GPA, working insane amounts of hours to support yourself etc. His biggest concern and question was actually about this: if you are working this much in college, why are things suddenly going to change in med school? A 3.0 effort in med school is just asking for significant problems. ADCOMs aren't going to want to give a seat to you if you are going to have to work significant hours in med school; it's just not a good use of a spot. So that is something for you to consider as well seriously.

All in all, your hardly dead in the water. You have things going for you for sure. But you also have a lot to consider and address. And btw, Early Decision programs are often for people with stats well above a school's median. For Mercer, think 3.8+ GPA. While being a fit a school is very important for ED and you certainly have parts of your app that can make you seem like a good fit for Mercer, when your stats are this below the median of a school, it might be rather difficult to be a viable ED candidate.

An honorable discharge is an honorable discharge. He's fine in this regard.

 

[maybedeadcat]

I'm not really sure I understand why you're ONLY interested in Mercer. Yes, MCG is a little more research-focused, but you definitely don't need research experience to get in.

Mercer's big focus is on rural healthcare. It doesn't sound like you're interested in that, since you mentioned wanting to work in Atlanta (despite it being an underserved population).

I definitely recommend applying for mercer's early decision program if you truly are that set on this school. HOWEVER, if you really are committed to becoming a doctor, you need to accept the reasonable probability that you will have to apply to additional schools, including DO schools. Your story is impressive, but your GPA is probably not going to cut it for MD, even coming from tech. I'm not trying to be harsh, it's just the reality of the situation. Good luck!

Edit: being from a suburb won't put you at a disadvantage for Mercer. I know because I am too.

 

[familyaerospace]

T


Can you tell me a bit more about the "ED program?" A quick search on Bing doesn't give me anything helpful.

Do I have to relocate to Macon? Does Mercer have that program at their Atlanta campus?

Thank you!!

The Atlanta campus does not have the MD program. You are either going to go to Macon or Savannah. Your stats are not competitive enough for the early decision program so work on your grades and MCAT. Mercer wants shadowing, ideally primary care. Go shadow family or internal medicine down at Grady since it is pretty clear what school you are most likely attending and that hospital is not far. And the Mercer focus really is the rural part of the state, not inner city. Despite the fact psychiatry is considered primary care in some places, don't tell them you want to study that because unless Dr M is your interviewer (he was my first interviewer Mercer round 2), no one else will support that as being legitimate. Also yes, they will accept part time classes. I interviewed there three times and know people who graduated from there recently.

And yes they really do fill half the class from ED.

 

[ivorypearls]

The Atlanta campus does not have the MD program. You are either going to go to Macon or Savannah. Your stats are not competitive enough for the early decision program so work on your grades and MCAT. Mercer wants shadowing, ideally primary care. Go shadow family or internal medicine down at Grady since it is pretty clear what school you are most likely attending and that hospital is not far. And the Mercer focus really is the rural part of the state, not inner city. Despite the fact psychiatry is considered primary care in some places, don't tell them you want to study that because unless Dr M is your interviewer (he was my first interviewer Mercer round 2), no one else will support that as being legitimate. Also yes, they will accept part time classes. I interviewed there three times and know people who graduated from there recently.

And yes they really do fill half the class from ED.

I agree with most of this, however do you really think that OP doesn't stand a chance for E.D with her current grades and assuming she has a competitive MCAT score? The 10th percentile of accepted students at Mercer is a 3.2, which means there are definitely a handful of students matriculating with a low GPA. My assumption was that most E.D. applicants could apply with less stellar statistics than regular applicants and still get in (since the more competitive applicants also choose to apply to higher tier schools in GA). You probably know more about this being a student there, but I'm just regurgitating what I've heard from a friend matriculating in their E.D. program.

 

[medic86]

The Atlanta campus does not have the MD program. You are either going to go to Macon or Savannah. Your stats are not competitive enough for the early decision program so work on your grades and MCAT. Mercer wants shadowing, ideally primary care. Go shadow family or internal medicine down at Grady since it is pretty clear what school you are most likely attending and that hospital is not far. And the Mercer focus really is the rural part of the state, not inner city.Despite the fact psychiatry is considered primary care in some places, don't tell them you want to study that because unless Dr M is your interviewer (he was my first interviewer Mercer round 2), no one else will support that as being legitimate. Also yes, they will accept part time classes. I interviewed there three times and know people who graduated from there recently.

And yes they really do fill half the class from ED.

I disagree. This is Mercer's mission (and I would expect you should know it by now):

To educate physicians and health professionals to meet the primary care and health care needs of rural and medically underserved areas of Georgia.

While they prefer applicants from rural backgrounds, they're not going to ding you for wanting to go back and serve the severely underserved areas of Atlanta.

As @ivorypearls points out, Mercer's stats are really low, which indicates they select for mission/fit over metrics. Mercer also does not have a minimum cut-off for GPA and MCAT for their early decision program (unlike MCG, which the OP would not qualify for).

 

[familyaerospace]

I agree with most of this, however do you really think that OP doesn't stand a chance for E.D with her current grades and assuming she has a competitive MCAT score? The 10th percentile of accepted students at Mercer is a 3.2, which means there are definitely a handful of students matriculating with a low GPA. My assumption was that most E.D. applicants could apply with less stellar statistics than regular applicants and still get in (since the more competitive applicants also choose to apply to higher tier schools in GA). You probably know more about this being a student there, but I'm just regurgitating what I've heard from a friend matriculating in their E.D. program.

Actually the average for ED with Mercer is partially biased due to the post-bacc linkage program with Agnes Scott. You cannot consider those stats as being normal unless you go into the program which it doesn't sound like the OP is considering. Once you remove some of those stats, you are going to see a slightly elevated GPA. The ED decision program tends to have a window of what they are considering and it had to be decent. I know several schools, I cannot remember if Mercer is one of them, where the ED program average ran higher than the regular decision average, of course that is not considering the linkage. Of course if your MCAT was too high, Mercer wouldn't accept you for an interview.

I did not go to Mercer, I attend MCG. I just interviewed at Mercer three times, applied to the linkage, was intending to apply ED, spoke to Dean House because I was given a lot of false information from SDN, and have many friends over there current and former. Luckily, it was good that I didn't go there because MCG was the better fit.

 

[familyaerospace]

I disagree. This is Mercer's mission (and I would expect you should know it by now):

To educate physicians and health professionals to meet the primary care and health care needs of rural and medically underserved areas of Georgia.

While they prefer applicants from rural backgrounds, they're not going to ding you for wanting to go back and serve the severely underserved areas of Atlanta.

At my interviews there, they really hated my discussion of doing work in the intercity which is where I wanted to work and hated my discussion of Grady. My first and third rounds were all about inner city and my second was all about me living in the middle of nowhere in a town of 100 people. The second time I was waitlisted and the others I was not. I would have considered discussing rural again for round three but at the point I could not care less and wanted to be honest. They drill rural into you at the interview.

 

[Affiche]

I was homeless for the better part of 3 years and will be matriculating to an MD school on a full-tuition scholarship in the Fall of 2016.

My background was the inspiration for my personal statement and all of my secondaries, and I ended up with more interviews than I knew what to do with (ended up withdrawing from over half of them). My interviewers were incredibly receptive to hearing about my background and I believe it strengthened my candidacy. But (and this is a huge but), I applied very broadly and did not have a low gpa. I get that you need to work to support yourself, but you aren't doing yourself any favors with a 3.0 gpa. You need to drop hours until you can bring your gpa up and utilize loans to get you through, which is what they're there for.

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

 

[medic86]

At my interviews there, they really hated my discussion of doing work in the intercity which is where I wanted to work and hated my discussion of Grady. My first and third rounds were all about inner city and my second was all about me living in the middle of nowhere in a town of 100 people. The second time I was waitlisted and the others I was not. I would have considered discussing rural again for round three but at the point I could not care less and wanted to be honest. They drill rural into you at the interview.

I understand - it's a shame that they **** on you for meeting their mission (I mean, it explicitly says "underserved" areas in their mission statement).

I'm really glad you ended up at MCG (a couple friends of mine from undergrad are in your class)!

Based on what you've told me about Mercer, they weren't good enough for you.

 

[ugagrad1116]

You NEED shadowing. I went to a seminar for Mercer recently where they discussed what they look for in applicants, and, if they don't require shadowing, they strongly recommend it before extending an interview invite. And really they hope you have shadowed more than one physician.

Yes, they accept around half the class ED. Last year, they got ~90 ED applications, interviewed about 80, and accepted about 45 (the class size was 100). By the time you apply, you may have a slightly greater chance because they intend to add more seats to the class (I think around 20) so that the Savannah campus and Macon campus have the same number of students.

If you apply ED, know that you can only apply to that school, and, if you are not accepted, you will be at a disadvantage applying to other schools that cycle because you will be applying late.

My advice to you is to shadow physicians, make sure to express how much you love mercer and THEIR MISSION in your secondary, and become more open-minded about what you want to do after you graduate medical school. I know from experience that they don't like people who say they only want to do one thing. I told them that last year with a 3.8 GPA and 28 MCAT and was told that I didn't get in because I told them I wanted to do only one thing with my life. Open your eyes. Shadow physicians because it may surprise you. I've shadowed more physicians since then and can truly say I no longer have a closed mind about it. And I think I'm better off for it because while having a one-track mind, I may have passed up on something I fall in love with in my rotations. Medicine is a field with so many specialties, and each is interesting in its own way. Shadowing may help you understand that, and that's why all medical schools nearly require that you have shadowed physicians. They want you to see that the field is huge, and they want you to see what you're getting into.

Also research the teaching style at Mercer because it is different from most other schools. They intend to change it soon, but I don't think they will stray too far from PBL since that's one of the huge things they advertise. I think they're mostly trying to change how frequently they have exams. So research the school and see if you will learn efficiently at Mercer from problem based learning.

*So sorry for this huge post.

 

[Donald Juan]

You need a better GPA, good mcat, and shadowing experience. Basically the same stuff everyone does. Your story is interesting, which will help you out, but not so interesting to make up that much of your GPA.

If you are working to prevent getting loans, how do you plan on paying for med school? Is it worth saving yourself 10-15k in loans now to potentially not get accepted (which is where I think you will stand with a 3.0 that you plan on only getting worse) when you are going to take out 250-300k to go to Mercer?

 

[GrapesofRath]

I agree with most of this, however do you really think that OP doesn't stand a chance for E.D with her current grades and assuming she has a competitive MCAT score? The 10th percentile of accepted students at Mercer is a 3.2, which means there are definitely a handful of students matriculating with a low GPA. My assumption was that most E.D. applicants could apply with less stellar statistics than regular applicants and still get in (since the more competitive applicants also choose to apply to higher tier schools in GA). You probably know more about this being a student there, but I'm just regurgitating what I've heard from a friend matriculating in their E.D. program.

The bold is false. This isn't high school where you can use ED to apply to a UG school where you want to significantly boost your odds because you don't think you have much shot regular decision. The general norm and standard is that you need stats that are definitely above a schools median to be competitive for ED. Think 3.8+ for Mercer. Now, there are some people who are a really good fit for a school's mission(which is a requirement for ED) who can get away with stats around the school's median which is around 3.7. But 3.0? That's likely to be very low.

The thing nobody has brought up is the boost you'll see ADCOMs like Goro and gyngyn talk about being in the military having on your app. That will help a ton. But again, OP right now you are a risk candidate for any medical school with a 3.0. Furthermore, you still haven't taken the MCAT. While it's definitely possible you could do well on the MCAT, realize how 7/10 applicants who even apply to MD schools with a 3.0-3.2 don't hit 30 on the MCAT(and there are many many more people with 3.0's who don't do well on the MCAT and never apply MD who I'm excluding here). In other words, you have alot of work to do and alot to overcome. The bottom line here though with all this talk and focus on Mercer is you absolutely have to expand your perspective and hopes beyond Mercer. It's one school, and one where your GPA is 0.7 below the median. Do well these next 1.5 years and get a decent MCAT score and yes it might perhaps be possible to get into an MD school. But you know who will be far more receptive to stats like yours? DO schools. If you want to be a physician, that's what you have to strongly consider.

 

[familyaerospace]

I understand - it's a shame that they **** on you for meeting their mission (I mean, it explicitly says "underserved" areas in their mission statement).

I'm really glad you ended up at MCG (a couple friends of mine from undergrad are in your class)!

Based on what you've told me about Mercer, they weren't good enough for you.

I think they have to put in underserved just to get their funding. I've given up understanding Mercer. I still don't understand why they asked some of the interview questions they did. Mercer is for a set group of people for sure. I thought the idea of their curriculum was awesome though. But the overall fit never did work. Apparently I need a city bigger than Augusta as well.

If you know people in my class means we probably have mutual friends who can tell you what all happened to me this semester (everyone knows who I am). I love MCG in general although I do not like Augusta. I live in a questionable neighbourhood and lots of bad things happened so far to the point no one wants to talk to me because of my luck. I am probably going to be on a medical LOA and come back next fall after a vacation and finding a new place to live!