GA school applicants

[DadofDr2B]

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\Thanks! Well, Athens isn't on the list at all! Seems strange to me, but several other cities aren't either.

You would think large suburb cities like Athens, Marietta, Covington, Newnan, Douglasville, etc. that have money would at least have a level 3 center. It must be expensive to be certified. With traffic the way it is in the Metro Atlanta area you will have many die on the way to hospitals. The ambulances struggle to get around the city and it is getting worse. If Athens is going to house a medical school they need to get busy certifi

Identifying problems that I do not have solutions is not always helpful but if any of you end up in a position to influence decisions about this problem please help.

 

[Madhoshi]

I had an interview at Mercer in January 10th and am in the process of waiting for their "call." If I remember correctly, some of us will hear back tomorrow. It's crazy.... I am getting really anxious....

I'm waiting desperately ...I interviewed on JAN 10th at mercer too. The wait is killing me...........I am dying inside.........Do you know what time the ADCOM meet today?

 

[godchaser1016]

I think they meet at night around 7 or so. Yes, I am getting nervous. But, I will leave everything up to God.

IT was a long road.....

 

[dd128]

good luck guys.

Are you waiting on any other schools besides mercer?

I was also kind of wondering are the interviews open or closed file? My interview is next week...

 

[Madhoshi]

good luck guys.

Are you waiting on any other schools besides mercer?

I was also kind of wondering are the interviews open or closed file? My interview is next week...

Interview is open file...you have a total of two interviews. One with an adcom member another with a faculty member that is not part of adcom. The faculty member writes a letter to the adcom of his/her impresson of you. So don't take it lightly. Interview is very relaxed. Mine was a conversation...I didn't feel like anyone was trying to corner me in. I've been accepted to PCOM...have not heard anything from MCG yet..and keeping my fingers cross for Mercer. Good Luck to you..don't forget to enjoy yourself.

 

[bodonid]

You get two interviews, both of which are almost equal in importance. You get a score of 1 to 5, based on criteria that include: academics (mcat & gpa),
personality and motivation, and mission. 5 means "let this person in immediately". People with disparate scores (exempli gratia, a 2 and a 5) are asked for a third interview at a later date. The reason I say almost equal is that @ many schools your wild card interviewer doesn't interview on a regular basis and they never actually see your application, they just write a letter, which rarely impacts the decision. In contrast the Mercer non AdCom interviewers are experienced and their opinions are highly valued in the decisions. So don't slouch.

Funny side note, my non AdCom PhD interviewer spent a good deal of time looking at my file and during the interview said he compared me to House (the character) while reviewing it the night before. He then asked me whether, as an interviewer, he should let someone like House into medical school. After I answered I spent a few seconds bashing House (the show) for being overdramatic and blatantly inaccurate sometimes. He then said it was his fav show.

 

[dd128]

Funny side note, my non AdCom PhD interviewer spent a good deal of time looking at my file and during the interview said he compared me to House (the character) while reviewing it the night before. He then asked me whether, as an interviewer, he should let someone like House into medical school. After I answered I spent a few seconds bashing House (the show) for being overdramatic and blatantly inaccurate sometimes. He then said it was his fav show.

😆 I like house as much as the next guy, but I wouldn't think he would be something to aspire to as a physician. He must not have taken it too badly if you got in, or maybe you're right and nobody cared about his opinion because he wasn't on the committee. Morale of the story seems to be to stay moderate when asked any questions at interviews 🙂

 

[Whatayear]

Hi new here, wish I had found this earlier. My stats are 28O VR8, PS9, BS11 GPA 3.95 BCPM 3.97 EC's medically fragile foster home, shadowing for 2 years, and student ministry at a nursing home. Also interned at Emory Dept. of Human Genetics this past summer. I interviewed at Mercer 1/15/08 and just got called at 6:11pm per Mary Putnam! I got in!!!!!

Just wanted to let you know they are making phone calls.

Oh and never heard from Emory or Mcg but no rejections.

 

[godchaser1016]

For Mercer applicants who had interview in January, does no call mean waitlist or rejection?

 

[Madhoshi]

I got into Mercer!!!!! I interviewed 10th Jan......Got a call from my interviewer around 6:30. It feels so surreal.............good luck to everyone

 

[Whatayear]

Godchaser1016 Ms. Putnam said to us at the interview I went on that if you didn't get a phone call not to think you were rejected. They only offer a certain number per interview session and like to keep openings for March acceptances so you shouldn't get discouraged yet.

Madhoshi - Congratulations!!! Surreal is the way to describe it. I can't believe it myself, just thankful.

 

[CmpE]

Any fellow SDNers interview at MCG today? 🙂

(Wednesday, January 23rd, 2008)

 

[bodonid]

Any fellow SDNers interview at MCG today? 🙂

(Wednesday, January 23rd, 2008)

No, but how did it go? You are the first MCG applicant I have seen that has interviewed in the new year. Good luck!

Does Emory have their own thread? I know most of our discussions center around Mercer and to a lesser extent MCG, but I don't remember a single mention of Emory. I never noticed before because I visited Emory as an undergrad and disliked it (plus I couldn't imagine living in ATL), so I never applied. But it seems like there would be more people total applying to Emory with all of the OOS. Anyone know?

 

[CmpE]

No, but how did it go? You are the first MCG applicant I have seen that has interviewed in the new year. Good luck!

Does Emory have their own thread? I know most of our discussions center around Mercer and to a lesser extent MCG, but I don't remember a single mention of Emory. I never noticed before because I visited Emory as an undergrad and disliked it (plus I couldn't imagine living in ATL), so I never applied. But it seems like there would be more people total applying to Emory with all of the OOS. Anyone know?

I think I did fairly well, but can't be overly confident haha.
I wonder how many open spots are still available.

 

[bodonid]

I think I did fairly well, but can't be overly confident haha.
I wonder how many open spots are still available.

I honestly don't know, but the general rule of thumb is:
~80-100 (!!!) get in via EDP. They all attend.
Upwards of 60 people get in Dec.-Jan., many of whom will go elsewhere.
Another big round (50?) goes out in mid March, most of whom will attend.
I think the mid March date corresponds to the completion of all interviews.
MCG doesn't overaccept their class, so there are a substantial number of April/May acceptances, but I doubt this would be over 15 or so.

 

[Vihsadas]

Anyone know if Emory is still sending out interview invites? Or are my chances basically gone there? (GA resident)

 

[jane904]

Anyone know if Emory is still sending out interview invites? Or are my chances basically gone there? (GA resident)

WOW. You got a 40 on the mcat? Emory has to at least give you an interview.

 

[dd128]

Anyone know if Emory is still sending out interview invites? Or are my chances basically gone there? (GA resident)

yeah, excellent mcat 👍 Did you not want to apply to any of the other georgia schools?

 

[bodonid]

yeah, excellent mcat 👍 Did you not want to apply to any of the other georgia schools?

if you read the rest of his MDApps you can kind-of see where he is coming from. Looks like he wants to go into academics.

Regrettably, I get the feeling that a 3.45 with none of that stuff looks better than a 3.3 genius. It is very unfortunate.
Good Luck!

 

[Vihsadas]

if you read the rest of his MDApps you can kind-of see where he is coming from. Looks like he wants to go into academics.

Regrettably, I get the feeling that a 3.45 with none of that stuff looks better than a 3.3 genius. It is very unfortunate.
Good Luck!

Yeah that's basically where I'm coming from. I don't want to do strictly academics, though I really do want to remain in a hospital attached to a university. Practice, Research, Teach. Those are the three avenues I'd like my medical career to synthesize.

If I don't get in this year (looking likely) I'm definitely applying to MCG and maybe Mercer. I'll also apply to many other more realistic out of state schools and a few extra canadian schools.

Btw, I am not a genius. Not saying I'm stupid, I think I'm a decently intelligent person. I was just 'smart enough' to learn how to beat the MCAT. It took a lot of work and a very unorthodox study methodology. A genius would be like the girl in my phys phys majors program that did 4 practice exams, studied for 1 month and got a 37. 😛 That's not me...hehe.

 

[dd128]

Yeah that's basically where I'm coming from. I don't want to do strictly academics, though I really do want to remain in a hospital attached to a university. Practice, Research, Teach. Those are the three avenues I'd like my medical career to synthesize.

If I don't get in this year (looking likely) I'm definitely applying to MCG and maybe Mercer. I'll also apply to many other more realistic out of state schools and a few extra canadian schools.

Btw, I am not a genius. Not saying I'm stupid, I think I'm a decently intelligent person. I was just 'smart enough' to learn how to beat the MCAT. It took a lot of work and a very unorthodox study methodology. A genius would be like the girl in my phys phys majors program that did 4 practice exams, studied for 1 month and got a 37. 😛 That's not me...hehe.

So what exactly was this unorthodox methodology you took?

 

[bodonid]

If I don't get in this year (looking likely) I'm definitely applying to MCG and maybe Mercer.

Btw, I am not a genius. Not saying I'm stupid, I think I'm a decently intelligent person. I was just 'smart enough' to learn how to beat the MCAT. It took a lot of work and a very unorthodox study methodology. A genius would be like the girl in my phys phys majors program that did 4 practice exams, studied for 1 month and got a 37. 😛 That's not me...hehe.

Don't worry, I'm not accusing you of any particular genius based on your MCAT score. We have somewhat similar [total] scores and I think I am an idiot. In fact, I am not accusing you of any particular genius at all. I was just stating my opinion that all the ECs, all the research, all the indicators of success, indeed everything we could hope to include in a stellar application, only makes up for at most 0.2 GPA points, or so it seems.

Honestly, I was more impressed with your research related stuff than your MCAT. That is what I was actually talking about. If you can get your file opened, you will get in. But most of these schools that you applied to have GPA cut-offs. (We'd like to think they don't, but come on- 10,000 applications. For serious.)
Btw, how did you pull off a 15 in PS? Unheard of.

Edit- if you apply to Mercer, don't say something stupid like: "I would like to go into some kind of academia." If they don't ask you to leave immediately, they will most certainly reject you within a few days.

 

[Vihsadas]

Don't worry, I'm not accusing you of any particular genius based on your MCAT score. We have somewhat similar [total] scores and I think I am an idiot. In fact, I am not accusing you of any particular genius at all. I was just stating my opinion that all the ECs, all the research, all the indicators of success, indeed everything we could hope to include in a stellar application, only makes up for at most 0.2 GPA points, or so it seems.

Honestly, I was more impressed with your research related stuff than your MCAT. That is what I was actually talking about. If you can get your file opened, you will get in. But most of these schools that you applied to have GPA cut-offs. (We'd like to think they don't, but come on- 10,000 applications. For serious.)
Btw, how did you pull off a 15 in PS? Unheard of.

Edit- if you apply to Mercer, don't say something stupid like: "I would like to go into some kind of academia." If they don't ask you to leave immediately, they will most certainly reject you within a few days.

Cool. Thanks for the advice! I definitely do need to find out which schools are more primary practice heavy for next year. In reality, while it would be NICE to go to a school with many more options, going to any medical school will be awesome. I can still get some research/experience in the summers or, if I get into a school that is not research heavy but is in the city (like drexel) I can just go to another university to get a research position...

 

[Vihsadas]

So what exactly was this unorthodox methodology you took?

I am seriously considering writing a PDF on it, and collaborating with some other 'high MCATers' to come up with a tailored study plan for those that are:

Good visual learners and good at doing work in their heads
Reasonably intelligent but not necessarily a super duper student.
Are really determined to do whatever it takes
Are fast readers to begin with

You can find my verbal strategy on the MCAT forum somewhere. And yes, I know I only got an 11 on verbal, but in reality I underperformed on verbal during my real exam. I was usually in 13/14 on my practice exams.

 

[dd128]

Hey guys, so I've been considering sending a letter of intent to mcg, and was wondering if anyone had any great insights into the adcom there and the effectiveness of this. Think it's a good idea, bad, or that anyone will even give a crap? 😛

 

[fahimaz7]

I'll be headed to MCG and Mercer in the next few weeks to do interviews at both schools. I was complete around Christmas so I'm excited to have gotten an interview already.

It looks like Mercer is doing their interviews ~2 weeks from when they call you. So, there seems to be a lot more calls coming out

Best of luck!

 

[MDpride]

Yeah that's basically where I'm coming from. I don't want to do strictly academics, though I really do want to remain in a hospital attached to a university. Practice, Research, Teach. Those are the three avenues I'd like my medical career to synthesize.

If I don't get in this year (looking likely) I'm definitely applying to MCG and maybe Mercer. I'll also apply to many other more realistic out of state schools and a few extra canadian schools.

Btw, I am not a genius. Not saying I'm stupid, I think I'm a decently intelligent person. I was just 'smart enough' to learn how to beat the MCAT. It took a lot of work and a very unorthodox study methodology. A genius would be like the girl in my phys phys majors program that did 4 practice exams, studied for 1 month and got a 37. 😛 That's not me...hehe.

Medschools look at numbers not how u got that.
u work for one month or 10 month that's not their concern

 

[Madhoshi]

I made a facebook group: Mercer University School of Medicine Class of 2012. Please join if you are headed to Mercer....Can't wait to meet everyone!

 

[FutureMD12]

I tried finding the group on facebook and it didn't come up in the search results...?

 

[Whatayear]

Yeah, I can't find it either, I have tried searching the group title and everything, but I don't see it.

 

[bodonid]

What is this facebook you speak of?

I had never used facebook until I saw the above comments, and I joined just to see what it was about. I don't see what all the exitement is about. Looks like it is much more difficult to use than one of these forums.

When you use facebook, what do you typically do?

 

[MDpride]

What is this facebook you speak of?

I had never used facebook until I saw the above comments, and I joined just to see what it was about. I don't see what all the exitement is about. Looks like it is much more difficult to use than one of these forums.

When you use facebook, what do you typically do?

it is where friends meet friends and keep tab of each other after they have departed due to college or job.
Basically, to stay in touch.
If ur friends are using it, then its fun else its no fun.
Invite ur highschool as well as college friends to join or they may be already there just search for them.

I don't use it at all.

 

[dd128]

What is this facebook you speak of?

I had never used facebook until I saw the above comments, and I joined just to see what it was about. I don't see what all the exitement is about. Looks like it is much more difficult to use than one of these forums.

When you use facebook, what do you typically do?

It's great to keep up with your friends...not so great if being stalked

 

[Madhoshi]

I tried finding the group on facebook and it didn't come up in the search results...?

Sorry about that. You should be able to find it now. Just search for "Mercer university school of medicine class of 2012." I had to email facebook customer support....🙂

 

[bodonid]

it is where friends meet friends and keep tab of each other after they have departed due to college or job.
Basically, to stay in touch.
If ur friends are using it, then its fun else its no fun.
Invite ur highschool as well as college friends to join or they may be already there just search for them.

I don't use it at all.

Actually, you were right! Half of the people I knew in college are already on it. I knew a lot of people were, but I didn't figure my friends would be. Thanks.

 

[patrickd223]

graduating from college and not knowing what facebook is... is that possible?

 

[jane904]

I can't believe you have never heard of facebook. Do you go to a small college or something?

 

[bodonid]

I can't believe you have never heard of facebook. Do you go to a small college or something?

I had heard mention of it, but I didn't even know it was an internet thing. And no, I went to UGA.

Is facebook another name for myspace? Because I had heard of that one.

 

[jane904]

I go to UGA too. And no myspace is another site like facebook. The difference is that facebook draws from the college-aged crowd and myspace draws from people in high school.

 

[mahfa08]

Has anyone heard of any other people being accepted to MCG this past week or so? I'm wondering when I can expect mine since my interview date was back in Dec. 19 ..Thnks!

 

[bodonid]

Has anyone heard of any other people being accepted to MCG this past week or so? I'm wondering when I can expect mine since my interview date was back in Dec. 19 ..Thnks!

There were a whole bunch at once in mid January. You have most likely been tabled once and only once. I would not expect anything for at least two more weeks. (But I don't know any more than the next guy, just based on what I remember from last year & what people have said this year.)

 

[Skymastre]

I had my interview at Mercer in Jan. and I have to say, I was very impressed. My scores a low (GPA 3.1, MCAT 27, MPH), and I'm thankful that they took a look at me. I had one tough interviewer.

Ms. Putnam said that the next time the admin committee is going to meet was the 24th and then in Feb, and that they were starting to 'slow down' the number of people they were offering acceptances but not to despair.

Both of my interviews went really well, my question is how much do they count for? I anticipate 4s and 5s based on what I was told, but will this help offset my lower GPA and MCAT scores?

Thanks

 

[Vihsadas]

If anyone has an interview at Emory soon, can you ask an adcom if they are still giving out interview invites, and if so, how many, and then report back? 😛

 

[dd128]

I had my interview at Mercer in Jan. and I have to say, I was very impressed. My scores a low (GPA 3.1, MCAT 27, MPH), and I'm thankful that they took a look at me. I had one tough interviewer.

Ms. Putnam said that the next time the admin committee is going to meet was the 24th and then in Feb, and that they were starting to 'slow down' the number of people they were offering acceptances but not to despair.

Both of my interviews went really well, my question is how much do they count for? I anticipate 4s and 5s based on what I was told, but will this help offset my lower GPA and MCAT scores?

Thanks

I think mercer has a reputation for looking past scores into the actual person, so if you performed well I'm sure you have a shot. On paper your mcat is a bit higher than their average for last year so that's good, though your gpa is lower, but it's definitely possible. I'm actually in macon now, and am interviewing at mercer tomorrow 🙂

 

[Skymastre]

Congrats on the interview. I had a tough interviewer and an easy one; depending on who you get, be ready for question's that are considered 'out of bounds' (especially if you get a surgeon).

Also, if you have two interviews down by the medical facility, I suggest only parking your car once and moving it. ie. after you have your morning chat w/ the dean, if you have to drive downtown and park in the garage for x2 interviews just leave your car there. I did that and was able to walk between my interviews.

Finally, they don't give you much time before interviews. I brought a cell and had to call Ms. Putnam and ask for directions to one of mine, as the directions I had were not obvious.

I'm sure you'll do fine, best of luck to you!

 

[Polynikes]

Finally contacted by MCG for an interview.

Damn man, it's about time.

So far I have an acceptance to Mercer and PCOM, and my MCG interview is set for February 22.

 

[bodonid]

I think mercer has a reputation for looking past scores into the actual person, so if you performed well I'm sure you have a shot. On paper your mcat is a bit higher than their average for last year so that's good, though your gpa is lower, but it's definitely possible. I'm actually in macon now, and am interviewing at mercer tomorrow 🙂

Good Luck!! I'm sure you will do well. And I hope you are reading this on Thursday, not Wed night!

Let us know how it went

 

[bodonid]

Finally contacted by MCG for an interview.

Damn man, it's about time.

So far I have an acceptance to Mercer and PCOM, and my MCG interview is set for February 22.

Wow. Really?? I remember you stressing about not hearing anything from MCG 3 or 4 MONTHS ago!! I can't imagine the frustration/relief you must be feeling. You must have been complete for a decade.

 

[jane904]

Congrats Polynikes! I'm interviewing Feb. 1st... is anyone else on here interviewing then?

 

[ktntrdm]

I wondered if anyone could elaborate on the two MCG interviews...and maybe what kind of questions to expect. From reading this thread, the opinions vary about the difficulty. Would you say that the interview is a really important part of the application here, or that it's more of an opportunity for them to sell the school? I ask because I just interviewed at a private school out of state and it was almost fun! There they really wanted to make you part of the community (like you'd made it through the most difficult part of the application process already) with catered lunch, all transportation provided, dinner that evening...

Are each of the MCG interviews a half or a full hour? I understand that one interview will be with an admissions member and then another one will be with a faculty (MD or PhD, either?) member?

Thanks in advance for your response!