GA school applicants

[dd128]

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Just a FYI about Mercer... since I go there. The PBL at Mercer, although it takes a little getting used to when coming from a lecture based college, is truly a blessing in disguise. As opposed to many of the lecture based schools whose exams rely heavily on powerpoint lectures and the professor telling you (to an extent) what will or won't be on the exam, this program puts the dictation of what is important and not on YOU, the student. We have a study guide with objectives (a typical study guide is about 50 pages long for a 6 week "phase) but all of the information comes from reading and learning from our textbooks. That is why Mercer kids do so well on the boards... they are exposed to all of the material upfront without being only given a selected amount in a powerpoint. The competition (although always there) is less since the first two years are pass/fail. When it comes to the stats of Mercer, they CHOOSE to be less numerically competitive than some of the other GA schools. I was very much above their average stats and was originally waitlisted... they choose people that fit their specific criteria and truly base a large part of the interview on personally and your ability to function in PBL and as a member of a learning "team." Simply assuming that you will get in because your stats are "above" is not correct with Mercer... it seriously is somewhat of a crapshoot as to who they liked that day and who they didn't. Just my 2 cents.

🙂

Is there a certain criteria from which they determine how well you'll do with their pbl's or how you'll fit in?

 

[wanaBadoc]

Mercer looks for people that will fulfill their mission: people who will work in underserved communities in Georgia. In my class, the majority of the students are from South Georgia towns and went to UGA for their undergrad. There are only a few (less than 10) who came from non- small towns (ie, Atlanta, Alpharetta, Decatur, etc.). It makes sense to me that Mercer chooses these students because it believes that these students will practice medicine in a small town since they know what they are all about to begin with. I am from Atlanta, and I feel like that was part of the obstacle for me... proving that I will fit into that part of their mission since I am not from an underserved small town... Yes, underserved can mean working at Grady in Atlanta... but from what I see in my class, they seem to like students from the outside Atlanta a little better... If you are from Atlanta.. you just have to let them know in the interview that know what it is like to live in small town and all that. Also, we can community medicine throughout the four years, and we go 2 weeks during 1st year, 2 weeks during 2nd, and 4 weeks during our senior year to an underserved community and work/learn from a doctor there. Some kids (10 or less I would say) go to Atlanta area underserved communities) but the rest (50+) go to underserved South Ga towns. They may be a little more open to all kinds of students this year tho since they are opening up the Savannah campus...

 

[CmpE]

Hi guys and gals.

I got an interview invite for MCG a few days ago for Jan 23. Anyone else interviewing that day?

 

[bodonid]

Just a FYI about Mercer... since I go there. The PBL at Mercer, although it takes a little getting used to when coming from a lecture based college, is truly a blessing in disguise. As opposed to many of the lecture based schools whose exams rely heavily on powerpoint lectures and the professor telling you (to an extent) what will or won't be on the exam, this program puts the dictation of what is important and not on YOU, the student. We have a study guide with objectives (a typical study guide is about 50 pages long for a 6 week "phase) but all of the information comes from reading and learning from our textbooks. That is why Mercer kids do so well on the boards... they are exposed to all of the material upfront without being only given a selected amount in a powerpoint. The competition (although always there) is less since the first two years are pass/fail. When it comes to the stats of Mercer, they CHOOSE to be less numerically competitive than some of the other GA schools. I was very much above their average stats and was originally waitlisted... they choose people that fit their specific criteria and truly base a large part of the interview on personally and your ability to function in PBL and as a member of a learning "team." Simply assuming that you will get in because your stats are "above" is not correct with Mercer... it seriously is somewhat of a crapshoot as to who they liked that day and who they didn't. Just my 2 cents.

🙂

HAHAHAHA! Ridiculous! They may look at stats slightly less than emory or mcg, but no school chooses to have an MCAT average of 27. You are just drinking the metaphorical kool-aid, man!
And this is coming from someone who is all pro Mercer, & prob going there next year. Oh, and no offense, just have to disagree with you on that one.
But to anyone interviewing at Mercer, keep an open mind- it really looks like a great learning environment, and teh students look alots happier than the ones in Augusta.

Anyway, My question: on my acceptance letter it said: I [my name here] accept the position... ... ...and acknowledge my agreement to practice in Georgia in a medically underserved area in one of the specialties approved by the Board of Governors. Can anyone clarify? I mean, I am 90% sure I want to go into primary care, but do I have to sign away my right to specialize just to get in?

 

[dd128]

HAHAHAHA! Ridiculous! They may look at stats slightly less than emory or mcg, but no school chooses to have an MCAT average of 27. You are just drinking the metaphorical kool-aid, man!
And this is coming from someone who is all pro Mercer, & prob going there next year. Oh, and no offense, just have to disagree with you on that one.
But to anyone interviewing at Mercer, keep an open mind- it really looks like a great learning environment, and teh students look alots happier than the ones in Augusta.

Anyway, My question: on my acceptance letter it said: I [my name here] accept the position... ... ...and acknowledge my agreement to practice in Georgia in a medically underserved area in one of the specialties approved by the Board of Governors. Can anyone clarify? I mean, I am 90% sure I want to go into primary care, but do I have to sign away my right to specialize just to get in?

I'd asked about this before, though up til now I only thought it was a dirty rumor. Is this a legally binding contract that won't allow you apply to any specialties upon graduation? That seems kind of crazy.

 

[ecca58]

Have everyone received MCG's "secondary complete" email notification??? I've been done with my secondaries since July and I have yet to hear them tell me that my application has been completed. I've emailed them three times and called them twice (but I couldn't get through).

I'm scared. What if they lost my application?! 😕

 

[bodonid]

only the university of alabama says not to call. I would guess that about 90% of people call in to make sure they are complete. I called twice, the first time they hadn't made my file the second time I was complete. You should have no problems "getting through". I would call every number I could find on their website. Anyway, I think AMCAS guarantees that every school you list will have your info. And until you are granted an interview, I think everything is done electronically.

MCGSOM Admissions Office: (706) 721-3186

 

[wanaBadoc]

The "I promise to work in underserved med" thing is NON BINDING. There is no legal way they can force you to do primary care if you want to do, say plastics. If you look at the match list from this past year, people do whatever they want.. .there is no punishment for it. So no worries...

Also, when I said they CHOOSE to be less numerically competitive I do mean that. Larger schools with less group interaction (like MCG) focus primarily on the numbers and less on the individual (when I interviewed there they even told me that) where at Mercer they will overlook a 27 MCAT for a great future doc who loves rural GA and works great with others... As stated above, Mercer's students are "happier"... and this is true. Everyone is very down to earth and the comradery is awesome.

 

[bodonid]

As per the MCG comment

Okay I just looked at your MDApps and you obviously know that.
Good luck, it looks like you will be borderline, but if you applied to MCG and Mercer last year then I bet you get in one of them this go-round.

 

[wanaBadoc]

Oh, by the way... I'm biased. 😉... but as an aside, does anyone know anything about the new school that is supposed to be coming in Athens?

 

[bodonid]

no I had only heard about the one in savannah. Also, do you know anything about savannah campus? (Though there probably is no campus yet)

As per Athens, if you know Dr. Alan Langford, the premed advisor at Georgia, I have spoken to him on this issue and he told me that there had been meetings taking place every couple of months, but in recent months they hadn't made much progress. I don't know any specifics, and I don't know if this is even true anymore, other than it is several years in the future and it may center around MD/PhD since Athens is so big in research. (Though their medical research is more like tropical disease, I think)

 

[dd128]

Oh, by the way... I'm biased. 😉... but as an aside, does anyone know anything about the new school that is supposed to be coming in Athens?

They mentioned it once or twice while I was at mcg. It's suppose to be a satellite school of mcg from what I understand. One of my interviewers also mentioned it when I asked him about the supposed 30% increase in class size over the next few years. He said there were some bureaucratic issues concerning the school and he honestly had no idea when it would be started...though someone else had mentioned how they were going to be breaking ground sometime next year. I got all of this from so many different people I'm entirely sure what to believe.

 

[bodonid]

though I don't know why they wouldn't want the school in Athens, other than political stuff. Athens has two very nice hospitals, either of which or both could serve as teaching hospitals.

 

[gdk]

just wanted to say goodluck to those interviewing at mcg (and elsewhere) soon. i'm a 3rd year so feel free to pm me with any questions about augusta, mcg, books, classes, ecm, etc. i'm a second career guy with a wife and daughter and i live out in evans so i'm not a great resource on the social scene or places to live near campus...
i'll be on internal medicine in january so i'm not sure about my daily schedule, but i'd be glad to meet with anybody next year if they would rather talk in person during an interview visit.
also, forgive me if i forget to check my pm box for several days.
g

 

[MDpride]

Hi guys and gals.

I got an interview invite for MCG a few days ago for Jan 23. Anyone else interviewing that day?

can I know ur stats please?

it will help me when to expect my call

 

[DadofDr2B]

hi guys, i submitted my MCG app mid august, received interview invite in oct, and had my interview (after rescheduling to a later date) this week dec 12. my last interviewer, who was on the committee, said that the committee was probably not going to meet again until next year. so i'm going to be crossing my fingers and waiting anxiously over the holidays.. bummer.

my stats: recent georgia resident, gpa 3.52, mcat 34

good luck to everyone

What does "recent" Georgia Resident mean? Either you are or you are not a resident. This problem is being reviewed heavily for the Hope Scholarship program along with the claims of residency by college students. Some will be asked for back tuition and possible legal charges of fraud. Be careful.

 

[DadofDr2B]

though I don't know why they wouldn't want the school in Athens, other than political stuff. Athens has two very nice hospitals, either of which or both could serve as teaching hospitals.

Augusta has 5 hospitals (one is a level 1 trauma center) and is the second largest metro area by population in the State of Georgia. Secondly, all funds raised in research area or any other area belong to MCG and are not subject to be mixed with general funds of UGA.

The main rumor of this came up when Uga was securing released land that was owned by the Navy. A base was closed in Athens. By showing a public need for the land UGa had an advantage in getting the land.

Lastly, the President of UGA, Michael Adams wants all of the contributions that might be derived from alumni that are doctors. He was president at Vandy at one time. He wants to improve the image of UGA.

These are the real reasons.

 

[deleted103730]

My adcom interviewer at MCG told me that they were recently advised not to use the Navy school as a med school site, that it was quite worth it or beneficial, so he doesn't know what's going to happen next.

 

[dd128]

Anyone happen to know for sure if mcg will be sending out any acceptances before the new year? My emails appear to be falling on deaf ears, well not that you can hear emails, but you get the point 😉

 

[deleted103730]

no, the adcom won't be meeting again until shortly after the new year

 

[Polynikes]

Good God man...

Why haven't I heard ANYTHING from MCG?

I just interviewed at Mercer in Macon, and I live in Savannah. Well, I went and visited the Savannah campus yesterday as well.

Savannah campus is going to be awesome.

I can't wait.

The Dean of the Savannah campus is an orthopaedic surgeon, so I'm sure that will have an effect on people picking specialties that they want. I mean, 30 students with an open door policy to everyone on the faculty couldn't hurt.

In fact, I know the Dean from his private practice. He's a sports medicine guy.

 

[GAdoc]

Oh, by the way... I'm biased. 😉... but as an aside, does anyone know anything about the new school that is supposed to be coming in Athens?

Let me throw in a comment here (though I don't want to "beat a dead horse"). I'll just go ahead and admit to being biased since I too attend Mercer (MS1). There is no question in my mind that Mercer considers more than numbers. Obviously, your GPA and MCAT have to be part of the equation, but I guarentee they consider these factors less than most schools. I have a guy in my class who was accepted with a 21 MCAT. Not off the waitlist, we're talking straight up accepted with a 21. And he's doing great. One of my 3rd year buddies just blew Step 1 of the boards away and he was accepted with a 24. If you troll SDN you'll see random stories like this all over...but not so many from one school. I also doubt you'll hear about too many 34 MCAT applicants getting outright rejected because "they were too ambitious".

Mercer is an awesome school. But if you don't really believe in the mission I'd hold out for MCG. It is true that you are under no obligation to enter primary care. You don't even have to stay in Georgia. However, those are the things Mercer are geared towards, so don't attend and then be one of the few that gripes and complains all the time because Mercer isn't like MCG, Emory, or any other medical school. If you want to find some research you can, but don't expect there to be ample opportunities. Don't expect there to be unlimited funds, and don't expect to be given extra time. Mercer is not a research institution BY CHOICE! The professors are all extremely competent and many of them are MD/PhDs who could probably work at any major research institution. They CHOOSE not to. What you will get instead are professors with an open door policy. You will get professors who lead small group discussions at 11:00pm on a Saturday night to clear up a point. You will get class mates who are largely willing to work together for a common goal. It's a great place to be but it is different.

 

[dd128]

Good God man...

Why haven't I heard ANYTHING from MCG?

I just interviewed at Mercer in Macon, and I live in Savannah. Well, I went and visited the Savannah campus yesterday as well.

Savannah campus is going to be awesome.

I can't wait.

The Dean of the Savannah campus is an orthopaedic surgeon, so I'm sure that will have an effect on people picking specialties that they want. I mean, 30 students with an open door policy to everyone on the faculty couldn't hurt.

In fact, I know the Dean from his private practice. He's a sports medicine guy.

How'd the interview go? Stressful or laidback?

 

[bodonid]

Augusta has 5 hospitals (one is a level 1 trauma center) and is the second largest metro area by population in the State of Georgia. Secondly, all funds raised in research area or any other area belong to MCG and are not subject to be mixed with general funds of UGA.

Not to quibble, but I said Athens has 2 Nice hospitals. Not just any hospital can serve as a teaching hospital, and in my opinion only ARMC or St. Mary's could be candidates for MCG. Yes, I am aware of at least two others in Athens.

 

[Polynikes]

How'd the interview go? Stressful or laidback?

Very easy second interview, but first interview was a little hard.


First guy asked me a bunch of weird stuff like, "Why is right now the best time for you to apply to medical school?"

I wanted to say, "Because I just graduated from college and I'm already 27 years old."

Also asked me stuff like:

"Why don't you want to be a doctor?"
"Why not a nurse or P.A.?"

I don't know; I might just be paranoid or something.

I am EXTREMELY impressed with Mercer. Seriously, that is a bad ass school.

 

[bodonid]

has anyone who interviewed in december or late november been accepted to mcg, and when did you interview?

Thanks

 

[dd128]

I actually haven't heard of anyone receiving acceptances since like mid november. But that's just me...

 

[milkylite]

has anyone who interviewed in december or late november been accepted to mcg, and when did you interview?

Thanks

I interviewed in mid November and I havn't heard anything. I also havnt heard of anyone hearing much from them since then so my hopes are still high.

 

[MDpride]

whats the tuition at mercer per semester or per year?

 

[dd128]

So it's officially the new year. Come on, I need some mcg love! 😛

 

[deleted103730]

yeah hopefully we'll hear something soon from mcg. and don't they have the adcom meetings on thursdays? maybe they met two days ago and made some decisions...

 

[PanicAttack]

I'm getting really worried about MCG. I interviewed on 10/22 so I know they've tabled me at least once or twice. Any anecdotes about how long acceptences/rejections have taken this year?

 

[deleted103730]

a friend of mine interviewed last year at the beginning of february and didnt get his acceptance letter until like the week before they sent out the waitlist letters..i think that was the end of april or so?

 

[dd128]

I'm getting really worried about MCG. I interviewed on 10/22 so I know they've tabled me at least once or twice. Any anecdotes about how long acceptences/rejections have taken this year?

Other than early decision people I've only heard of one round going out around mid november. But there doesn't seem to be a large amount of Georgians on sdn. Are you out of state?

 

[PanicAttack]

Other than early decision people I've only heard of one round going out around mid november. But there doesn't seem to be a large amount of Georgians on sdn. Are you out of state?

No I am a Georgia resident since June 2006. I'm in Teach for America there.

 

[Rabid Manitee]

I wouldn't worry about MCG, I don't think they've done any "mass" acceptances, I interviewed in early november and haven't heard anything and neither have a bunch of my friends at UGA ( a few with 37+ MCAT scores) so we're in in waiting limbo...

 

[PanicAttack]

That is great news to me. Good luck everybody!

 

[ihatescience]

Still waiting on Emory 😍.

 

[MDpride]

MCG interview.Got today
only interview so far.

 

[PanicAttack]

Congratulations!

 

[dd128]

MCG interview for feb 1 . Got today
only interview so far.

any one on feb 1?

Congrats, so I guess the committe has met this year...let the mailman stalking begin! 🙂

 

[MDpride]

is MCG rolling or non-rolling?

 

[sunnyskies]

they are rolling for regular decision

 

[FutureMD12]

I was accepted to Mercer and am planning on going to the Savannah campus. I interviewed Dec. 6th and found out Dec. 12th. I asked Ms. Putnam if Savannah had filled up and she told me I should be fine for getting a spot. I was wondering of the people going to Mercer, are you going to Macon or Savannah?

Also, a lot of people on facebook have joined class groups and such, has anyone started a Mercer 2012 group??

 

[PSU04]

I was accepted to Mercer and am planning on going to the Savannah campus. I interviewed Dec. 6th and found out Dec. 12th. I asked Ms. Putnam if Savannah had filled up and she told me I should be fine for getting a spot. I was wondering of the people going to Mercer, are you going to Macon or Savannah?

Also, a lot of people on facebook have joined class groups and such, has anyone started a Mercer 2012 group??

I haven't seen any on facebook yet for the medical school. Maybe you should start one up. Congrats on getting accepted! I interviewed back on November 6th and I still haven't heard back 🙁

 

[FutureMD12]

It was my understanding that people that interviewed in November were decided on Nov. 28th. Those interviewing on Dec 4th, 6th, and 11th were decided on Dec 12th. Anyone after Dec 12th were to be decided on in January?

If they didn't contact you by phone, you should probably contact them to find out if you were waitlisted. The way it was described to me by one of my interviewers, is that there is a lot of shuffling later on when people are deciding to go elsewhere.

 

[Polynikes]

Accepted to Mercer today!

Will be attending the Savannah campus too, so I may get to know you soon enough FutureMD.

I'm from here (Savannah), so I can't wait.

 

[Zendoc]

Hey y'all, I hope you watched the sugar bowl and the huge spanking GA delivered to Hawaii...That was good stuff right there 🙂

Sorry for the randomness of this post but I thought I would just give a shout out to the Bulldogs!!!! Woof!!!

 

[FutureMD12]

Congrats on the acceptance!

A classmate/coworker of mine here at UGA is also going to Savannah.

Where did you go for undergrad?

 

[Polynikes]

I went to Armstrong here in Savannah.

Yeah, I saw the SEC prove, yet again, that we are numero uno.