I am interested in applying to Mercer this upcoming year but I thought I would chime in a question anyways. For EDP do you need to have stats that are above average? I would be applying with a subpar GPA but with 3 stellar semesters of 4.0 coming up to application (cumulative about 3.45) with a science GPA around 3.7. Can't predict MCAT yet bc havent taken it. Anyways, I like the rural family practice focus of Mercer or atleast what I have seen from their website. Any students know anything about what clinicals are like? Are they really rural medicine? Is there an open house? Thanks.
Actually, your BEST bet at Mercer is to apply EDP. They generally take between 1/3 to 1/2 of their class from the EDP pool. Now, that's something the admission office will not tell you, but if you hang around long enough you'll find out. I got in with a 3.56 and 27P MCAT. There are people in my class a lot lower than that. Plus, if you don't get in through EDP, they automatically put your name in the regular applicant pool. That also frees you up to apply to other schools.
Mercer's focus has shifted. They are still dedicated to primary care, but what they are most concerned with is recruiting students who will ultimately practice in Georgia. Now don't be confused; they expect and ENCOURAGE students to do residencies outside Georgia. Just this past year, they had someone match at Harvard. But, they ultimately hope you'll come back to Georgia to practice.
Mercer is definately more about primary care than the other schools in GA, except, perhaps Morehouse. However, the understanding is that Morehouse focuses on the urban underserved and Mercer focuses on the rural underserved.
Finally, let me see if I understand your question about "clinicals". Do you mean the third year clerkships? If so, they are pretty standard at all medical schools. They are not "rural" per se. They are all based at either the Medical Center of Central Georgia in Macon, or at Memorial Health Center in Savannah. Usually 1/3 of the class goes to Savannah (however, with the new med school opening up there, that may be changing in the next few years). You can look on line to get a list of the actual clerkships because they're pretty standard from school to school.
Now, Mercer does have a program which you will do your first two years that will expose you to all the rural medicine you could want. It is called Community Medicine. During your first year you'll be assigned a preceptor doctor located somewhere in rural Georgia. All the students enter a lottery to see who they get. There are a few general surgeons, but most are family practice. But, during your first year you'll spend two weeks in their office playing doctor. You'll do it again after your second year and again after your third year.
And, if you get a kick out of dressing up in your white coat, draping your Littman Cardio III around your neck, and making all the undergrads. feel jealous than Mercer truly may be the place for you. That's because of their very unique Clinical Skills program which you will participate in about two times per Phase. In this program, they will actually teach you over the course of two years to do a complete physical. You learn on standardized patients who are basically trained actors. It's a lot of fun and a great break from the books.
If you have any more questions let me know.
. So early good? Who knows.
