GA school applicants

[bodonid]

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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!

I would consider the interviews at MCG fairly important.

The interviews are a full hour. They pair you up with an AdCom, and your nonAdCom just writes a letter to your AdCom about what he/she thought. He/she doesn't weigh in on your application, LORs, etc., and I don't even think they would know your stats. Both interviews are closed file.

I don't think they use the interview to sell the school. If they do, they fail miserably. They know that the tuition sells itself. We got a tour from an apathetic M2 and a free lunch from the hospital cafeteria. That's about it.

 

[PanicAttack]

I had an interview with my ADCOM memeber, and an interview with a faculty member who was in research.

The actual interviews weren't about selling the school, but I had a much different impression from the tour and all that. I was very impressed by MCG, and felt really welcome. My tour guides were really enthusiastic we ate lunch with the Dean of Admissions. What a difference a day makes, right?

 

[bodonid]

I had an interview with my ADCOM memeber, and an interview with a faculty member who was in research.

The actual interviews weren't about selling the school, but I had a much different impression from the tour and all that. I was very impressed by MCG, and felt really welcome. My tour guides were really enthusiastic we ate lunch with the Dean of Admissions. What a difference a day makes, right?

Other people at my interview also had different impressions than I did, but I wasn't the only one who was disappointed with our date. But it was a Wednesday, so maybe everyone was just trying to get through it.

What's up with all the Jan. interviewees at mcg AND mercer meeting with the deans? when I was at mcg even the assistant dean was gone. Not like I really care, but honestly.

I think I would have been happier with MCG if they let us talk to a few regular students rather than just the two tour guides who give tours every other day. At Mercer they had four M2s (I think) come in and answer questions, then we ate lunch with a group of M4s at the hospital. Those were my favorite parts of the Mercer day. My frustration with MCG comes mainly from my need to make a decision on a school and them not giving me enough information to make that decision.

 

[Jacks Mannequin]

I had an interview with my ADCOM memeber, and an interview with a faculty member who was in research.

The actual interviews weren't about selling the school, but I had a much different impression from the tour and all that. I was very impressed by MCG, and felt really welcome. My tour guides were really enthusiastic we ate lunch with the Dean of Admissions. What a difference a day makes, right?

I got a completely different feel in my interview. After a while, my first interviewer invited in a current student and to help "recruit." It was kinda weird, especially because it was my first interview experience and I had no idea what to expect. Either way, I'm not accepted there, haha.

 

[DadofDr2B]

Other people at my interview also had different impressions than I did, but I wasn't the only one who was disappointed with our date. But it was a Wednesday, so maybe everyone was just trying to get through it.

What's up with all the Jan. interviewees at mcg AND mercer meeting with the deans? when I was at mcg even the assistant dean was gone. Not like I really care, but honestly.

I think I would have been happier with MCG if they let us talk to a few regular students rather than just the two tour guides who give tours every other day. At Mercer they had four M2s (I think) come in and answer questions, then we ate lunch with a group of M4s at the hospital. Those were my favorite parts of the Mercer day. My frustration with MCG comes mainly from my need to make a decision on a school and them not giving me enough information to make that decision.

This was at www.mcg.edu for Prospective Students

Sign Up for a Campus Visit
Augusta Map and Driving Directions
Campus Map
Virtual Campus Tour
City of Augusta, Georgia
Augusta Community Links

Maybe you should ask about these if you are interested in learning more. It looks like you can just click these.

 

[DadofDr2B]

In case any of you are looking at Emory you might like to keep up with finances of Grady.

Quote:
Originally Posted by DadofDr2B
http://www.ajc.com/search/content/me...grady0131.html

The Board of Directors just fired the CEO and hired the Chairman of the Board as CEO ($600,000/year salary). She is a member of the state legislature which negotiates fees with the hospital. She is a member of the board of directors which determines hiring and firing of the CEO. They want the state to help bail them out and this is what they do. Too many conflicts of interest to even think about. Very wrong move at this particular stage or any stage.

They do not believe a hospital can close. They need to look at what happened in LA.
========================================================================

The question is will JHACO let them go through several failure cycles before they close them like they did in LA? On the other hand the state legislature seems to be more than willing to take this out of the hands of the Grady board if they continue to be obstructionist.

David Carpenter, PA-C

 

[bodonid]

In case any of you are looking at Emory you might like to keep up with finances of Grady.

Quote:
Originally Posted by DadofDr2B
http://www.ajc.com/search/content/me...grady0131.html

You have to put up the whole link or else it comes up as broken

 

[dd128]

Other people at my interview also had different impressions than I did, but I wasn't the only one who was disappointed with our date. But it was a Wednesday, so maybe everyone was just trying to get through it.

What's up with all the Jan. interviewees at mcg AND mercer meeting with the deans? when I was at mcg even the assistant dean was gone. Not like I really care, but honestly.

I think I would have been happier with MCG if they let us talk to a few regular students rather than just the two tour guides who give tours every other day. At Mercer they had four M2s (I think) come in and answer questions, then we ate lunch with a group of M4s at the hospital. Those were my favorite parts of the Mercer day. My frustration with MCG comes mainly from my need to make a decision on a school and them not giving me enough information to make that decision.

Yeah our interview day at mcg wasn't on the whole great. Our tour guides just didn't seem too into it, and the dude seemed kind of cocky for a variety of reasons I don't want to get into. Mercer's pretty awesome by the way🙂

Oh yeah all the people waiting on mercer, next adcom meeting is supposedly the 6th. Hopefully some lucky people will get some phone calls that night, just out of curiosity around when do those calls usually go out?

 

[Whatayear]

I got my call at about 6:00 in the evening, Ms. Putnam said they meet at about five on the days that they meet. She said they rarely call on the day after the meeting, they try to do it that night.

 

[DadofDr2B]

You have to put up the whole link or else it comes up as broken

Try this


http://www.ajc.com/search/content/metro/stories/2008/01/30/grady0131.html

Or go to AJC.com and do a search for Grady Hospital.

 

[Skymastre]

DD128,

What did you think of Mercer's interviews, and how was your general impression compared to your impression of MCG?

Also, does anyone know if there is a rolling acceptance thread for GA schools? Would be nice to get into contact w/ other SDNers before orientation 🙂

 

[Skymastre]

In case any of you are looking at Emory you might like to keep up with finances of Grady.

I can't believe they would let Grady close. I studied there while earning my MPH...this would be a tragedy and a serious setback to a city that has come so far in the past two decades!

Grady exists to serve the underserved, and should really focus the SE's attention to this particular presidential election and healthcare reform. This accents the need for more schools like Morehouse and Mercer, and a greater emphasis on primary care...

I'm afraid for Atlanta.

 

[dd128]

DD128,

What did you think of Mercer's interviews, and how was your general impression compared to your impression of MCG?

Also, does anyone know if there is a rolling acceptance thread for GA schools? Would be nice to get into contact w/ other SDNers before orientation 🙂

Overall, mercer and mcg seemed pretty equal in the quality of people, mercer maybe coming out a little ahead in my opinion. Both schools do really have a nice atmosphere so in the end it would be a really tough decision if accepted to both. It would probably just come down to the finances of the shcools, and mcg comes out ahead in that regard.

Have you been to either school yet?

Also as far as I know this is the only GA thread here, there doesn't seem to be that many GA sdners 🙁

 

[Skymastre]

Mercers interviews,...there doesn't seem to be that many GA sdners 🙁

Glad to hear that it went well! I haven't heard from MCG yet, which means it is lookin pretty grim, but I really enjoyed my time at Mercer as well. To me, the small class size is really important. If it wasn't for the cost then I would strongly prefer Mercer...then again, I haven't had much experience with MCG.

My interviews were mixed. The first one was really tough, and the second really easy. Both interviewers said that they were rec. me for admissions, though.

I guess we both just have to wait until next week...and Feb! Ms. Putnam stressed several times that they were slowing down the # of people they were offering seats to per interview session.

Again, glad to hear it went well

 

[dd128]

Ms. Putnam stressed several times that they were slowing down the # of people they were offering seats to per interview session.

Same for us. Plus there's quite a bit of waitlist movement so hopefully something comes out of it. Goodluck!

 

[bodonid]

I got my call at about 6:00 in the evening, Ms. Putnam said they meet at about five on the days that they meet. She said they rarely call on the day after the meeting, they try to do it that night.

Ditto on 6:00 in the evening.

 

[bodonid]

Mercers interviews, at least mine were fairly laid back. According to everyone this is the general trend. My first one was actually an hour and a half, and was really one of the most thought provoking interviews I'd ever had, and probably the only interview conversation I actually enjoyed out of all the schools I've been to. My other was with a really cool 4th year who interviewed me for about twenty minutes and then sort of just walked me around the hospital while we talked which was a lot better than just sitting in an office for an interview.

Edit

It seems unlikely that we would have the same interviewers, but based on what you said I had to ask.

 

[Skymastre]

There are only 13 or so committee members, so really not that unlikely (re you and DD128 having same interviewers). I didn't have either of those two...it ain't conditional probability, but intuition says there is a remote possibility 🙂


Bodonid: When did you interview? (I see you were accepted 12/12, congrats)

 

[bodonid]

Edit

 

[Skymastre]

Good idea about the delete. It is interesting, though; I'm curious as well to know how the 90 min played out...as I was very close on time w/ all of my interviews as well.

 

[dd128]

Good idea about the delete. It is interesting, though; I'm curious as well to know how the 90 min played out...as I was very close on time w/ all of my interviews as well.

Yeah bodonid hit it on the TMI. 😛 I'd like to stay anonymous, you never know who's lurking....

You can pm for details

 

[bodonid]

its good to know that our experience was not the typical MCG day, though. It is difficult to get excited about a school when your only experience there was *blah*. I am actually going back on monday, and if I am even a little more excited I will withdraw from Mercer. Such a tough decision, though.

 

[Skymastre]

I wish I had an interview at MCG, so that I had a basis of comparison. Seems like you should take your time with this decision though. May be talk with more of the docs at both places?

What draws you to MCG over Mercer, and Mercer over MCG? You should make a list of the top three things that are important to you, and then the three things you liked best about each place?

Take your time, you earned it!

 

[bodonid]

That's a good idea.
Lets See:

MCG
Considerably Less $$$
Better Residency Prospects (?)
Stronger Basic Science

Mercer
Stronger Clinical Exposure
PBL
Less Stressful Environment
Not Augusta/Choice of campus
Smaller Class Size

Mercer list is longer but I think the most important for me are the first two MCG things. Anyone care to comment/submit their own list?

Also, I am just using this as a subject for discussion, I know most of you aren't making this particular choice, but many of you are choosing between MCG and somewhere else or Mercer and somewhere else.

 

[dd128]

That's a good idea.
Lets See:

MCG
Considerably Less $$$
Better Residency Prospects (?)
Stronger Basic Science

Mercer
Stronger Clinical Exposure
PBL
Less Stressful Environment
Not Augusta/Choice of campus
Smaller Class Size

Mercer list is longer but I think the most important for me are the first two MCG things. Anyone care to comment/submit their own list?

Also, I am just using this as a subject for discussion, I know most of you aren't making this particular choice, but many of you are choosing between MCG and somewhere else or Mercer and somewhere else.

I'd pretty much agree with your list. MCG's has better residency prospects to a certain degree, in proportion to the smaller class size I think mercer may be getting closer to equaling that of mcg. Just at our lunch there were a couple guys matching into opthalmology and neuro. I'd bet by the time we're matching there will be even less a diff. And honestly the money factor I'd probably be less concerned with than I thought I was going to originally be. Either way you're going to be in debt and one way or another you're going to be paying off loans so....like we said before it'd be a toughie 🙂

 

[Skymastre]

That's a good idea.
Lets See:

MCG
Considerably Less $$$
Better Residency Prospects (?)
Stronger Basic Science

Mercer
Stronger Clinical Exposure
PBL
Less Stressful Environment
Not Augusta/Choice of campus
Smaller Class Size

I agree with this as well. The money thing is really important for me, because at a certain point capitalized interest during residency tacks on an extra year or so of education.

I'm not sure that better residency programs are all too relative, unless you want surgery or plastics. Two years ago 3/3 EM students at mercer all matched to their first choice schools. It could be what we make of it 🙂

One thing to consider with Mercer. They select kids with 27 on their MCATS and get their board scores up to par with MCG...

MCG has better diversity, though, something I'm interested in.

 

[bodonid]

One thing to consider with Mercer. They select kids with 27 on their MCATS and get their board scores up to par with MCG...

I can't tell you how many people I've explained that to. That counts for alot in my book.

 

[dd128]

One thing to consider with Mercer. They select kids with 27 on their MCATS and get their board scores up to par with MCG...

MCG has better diversity, though, something I'm interested in.

lol, their mcat average was between 25 and 26 last year so they're taking kids with scores even lower, which makes it all that more impressive 🙂

The diversity thing I'm kind of curious about. They consistently have a very low urm matriculation rate (usually 4-2%). I wonder if this is on purpose or they just don't have a lot of urm's to chose from that apply?

 

[bodonid]

lol, their mcat average was between 25 and 26 last year so they're taking kids with scores even lower, which makes it all that more impressive 🙂

The diversity thing I'm kind of curious about. They consistently have a very low urm matriculation rate (usually 4-2%). I wonder if this is on purpose or they just don't have a lot of urm's to chose from that apply?

I have been told that they take the best students, regardless of race or gender. This means no affirmative action from Mercer.

But usually this is because URMs with low scores are generally accepted by MCG due to the low # of URMs applying from GA. Don't know why they didn't accept you, though. Looks like your scores are good enough to get into Mercer and maybe even MCG without URM status.

This also means that non-AA URMs have a better-than-average shot at Mercer. A lot of Indian and East Asians get accepted to Mercer but not MCG.

 

[dd128]

I have been told that they take the best students, regardless of race or gender. This means no affirmative action from Mercer.

But usually this is because URMs with low scores are generally accepted by MCG due to the low # of URMs applying from GA. Don't know why they didn't accept you, though. Looks like your scores are good enough to get into Mercer and maybe even MCG without URM status.

This also means that non-AA URMs have a better-than-average shot at Mercer. A lot of Indian and East Asians get accepted to Mercer but not MCG.

Yeah I guess there aren't an abundance of urm's applying to med school in GA now that you mention it. You know I got this weird third interview thing at mcg with their office of diversity of affairs. I hadn't really thought about it til now actually. But yeah with the stats I'm sure my mcat may be holding me down a bit with mcg, their matriculation average is about two points higher than what I got so 👎 I'm still pulling for them! Come on! lol, though I honestly don't care that much, if mercer takes me I'll be happy 🙂

 

[Whatayear]

lol, their mcat average was between 25 and 26 last year so they're taking kids with scores even lower, which makes it all that more impressive 🙂

I think they just changed their cut off point for the mcat though. They now only take applicants with MCAT scores over 24. I have a friend who applied had a great gpa (near 4.0), good ECs, but because he made a 24 on the mcat they would not look at his application.

 

[Polynikes]

I've made a pro / con list for Mercer and MCG and I'll tell you this:

Mercer's is much, much longer.

Keep in mind that Mercer is also pass / fail, and MCG isn't.

I have a cousin that is a second year at MCG, and I myself did a premed summer program at MCG. I know how the MCG administrative department works, and they are about as slack and lazy as anyone I've ever seen in my life.

So, at the end of the day, the difference in cost is about $50k total.

So what?

I was talking to an MS3 at Mercer and he made a 26 on the MCAT, then scored a 230+ on the boards. **Edit: 3 weeks of studying too by the way**

The guy that lives beneath me is a plastic surgeon, and he graduated from MCG. He scored a 32 on the MCAT, and a 210 on his first step. He said that there is so much wrong at MCG it's unbelievable, and the reason people go there is because it's cheap.

He said the surgery programs at MCG are screwed as well.

But, he said you can get good residencies from MCG, but you can also do what you want at Mercer. He said you can do what you want pretty much anywhere that is accredited.


Furthermore, we have a friend that did 2 years at St. George's, switched to Mercer for years 3 and 4, and just got a plastic surgery residency at Tulane.

He's still finishing up his gen surgery at Mercer, and then the plastics start at Tulane like next year or something. He said the same thing about Mercer vs MCG, and all things being equal, Augusta isn't even in the same league as Savannah.

So, no matter what happens at my MCG interview, I'll probably stay with Mercer.

Why would I compete with other students because of class ranking when I can go to Mercer and get arguably a higher board score, and get pass / fail grades?

 

[dd128]

I think they just changed their cut off point for the mcat though. They now only take applicants with MCAT scores over 24. I have a friend who applied had a great gpa (near 4.0), good ECs, but because he made a 24 on the mcat they would not look at his application.

I hadn't heard this. That seems like a pretty big change because I'd heard them taking people with mcat scores as low as 21.

So, no matter what happens at my MCG interview, I'll probably stay with Mercer.

Why would I compete with other students because of class ranking when I can go to Mercer and get arguably a higher board score, and get pass / fail grades?

True that man 👍 Maybe I'll see you there next year 🙂

 

[Whatayear]

I hadn't heard this. That seems like a pretty big change because I'd heard them taking people with mcat scores as low as 21.

Yeah I was surprised too, he actually did his undergrad at Mercer so he was able to talk directly to the school of medicine. I think they may have changed it this year. I know at one time it was 21 as the minimum, but I really think they don't look at the score as long as you make the cut off. I think they value experience and personality more.

 

[dd128]

Yeah I was surprised too, he actually did his undergrad at Mercer so he was able to talk directly to the school of medicine. I think they may have changed it this year. I know at one time it was 21 as the minimum, but I really think they don't look at the score as long as you make the cut off. I think they value experience and personality more.

I really got that impression too.

 

[Polynikes]

A quick little point about the Savannah campus:

The Dean is an ortho surgeon with a sports medicine fellowship.

So, that has to have implications into the "primary care" emphasis that Mercer pushes.

Also, my faculty interviewer said that the primary care emphasis is unrealistic as well. He said that they pushed for primary care and surgery for so long that people were showing in towns with a surgery practice, but there weren't any anesthesiologists around...

So, now it's evolving into just getting doctors into Georgia period, and keeping them there. They want you to work in Georgia and not leave for North Carolina or California or wherever.

He also said it's unrealistic to ask people to work primarily in rural areas because of the previously mentioned situation with the anesthesiology, and the fact that some people just can't make enough money to survive as a physician in some of those really small communities.

 

[DadofDr2B]

That's a good idea.
Lets See:

MCG
Considerably Less $$$
Better Residency Prospects (?)
Stronger Basic Science

Mercer
Stronger Clinical Exposure
PBL
Less Stressful Environment
Not Augusta/Choice of campus
Smaller Class Size

Mercer list is longer but I think the most important for me are the first two MCG things. Anyone care to comment/submit their own list?

Also, I am just using this as a subject for discussion, I know most of you aren't making this particular choice, but many of you are choosing between MCG and somewhere else or Mercer and somewhere else.

This is a thread from a program director who actually does the ranking of recently graduated MD's for giving them their internship. It is a fasicinating list of information about how the program director's mind works.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=404764&highlight=aprogdirector

 

[ferris08]

I am a long time reader but this is my first time posting. I am also a GA resident who applied to both MCG (I: early december) and Mercer (I: late january).

I haven't heard from either school yet, but hopefully (fingers crossed), I will hear back from Mercer this Wednesday!

Following what other people have said, I was thoroughly impressed by my visit to Mercer. The students seemed actually happy and everyone I meet (faculty, staff, students) was so helpful!

Has anyone toured the Savannah campus - i haven't been there yet - how does it look??

 

[Determination]

I know this is the GA school thread and I haven't heard anything about Morehouse. I know that their avg MCAT is around 27 and their students score very well on the boards; they had a 100% pass the last 2 years and their students land some very prestigious residences. So I was wondering if anyone had any input on Morehouse.

 

[dd128]

I am a long time reader but this is my first time posting. I am also a GA resident who applied to both MCG (I: early december) and Mercer (I: late january).

I haven't heard from either school yet, but hopefully (fingers crossed), I will hear back from Mercer this Wednesday!

Following what other people have said, I was thoroughly impressed by my visit to Mercer. The students seemed actually happy and everyone I meet (faculty, staff, students) was so helpful!

Has anyone toured the Savannah campus - i haven't been there yet - how does it look??

How late in jan? I'm eagerly waiting for Wednesday as well, though trying not to get my hopes too high as they were talking about scaling back the acceptances for a while 🙂

 

[Skymastre]

How late in jan? I'm eagerly waiting for Wednesday as well, though trying not to get my hopes too high as they were talking about scaling back the acceptances for a while 🙂

Same here...

when was your interview! It will be a long wait if we don't hear Wednesday, but I agree about scaling back acceptances. There were about 15 people who interviewed with me, so in this cycle may be 40-50 total? If they accept 5-7 (which would be a lot) thats around 15%. I guess that is in the range of Mercers acceptance rate?

 

[dd128]

Same here...

when was your interview! It will be a long wait if we don't hear Wednesday, but I agree about scaling back acceptances. There were about 15 people who interviewed with me, so in this cycle may be 40-50 total? If they accept 5-7 (which would be a lot) thats around 15%. I guess that is in the range of Mercers acceptance rate?

I'm surprised you had that many people interview with you. Mine had like 6 I think. My interviewer told me once interviewed your shots are about 1 in 3. It's a tad lower according to the stats of this site

http://www.medschoolready.com/app/schooldetails.asp?ID=134&DH=4

I'm not sure how the stats stuff is going to be though this year as they're adding 30 people to the class which is like a 50% percent increase

 

[Skymastre]

I'm surprised you had that many people interview with you. Mine had like 6 I think. My interviewer told me once interviewed your shots are about 1 in 3. It's a tad lower according to the stats of this site

http://www.medschoolready.com/app/schooldetails.asp?ID=134&DH=4

I'm not sure how the stats stuff is going to be though this year as they're adding 30 people to the class which is like a 50% percent increase

pmed you

 

[bioman2006]

I just got my interview invitation from MCG this morning! Quite the birthday present. It is set for Feb 27th, two weeks after my Mercer interview. I'm so excited!

 

[PSU04]

I just got my interview invitation from MCG this morning! Quite the birthday present. It is set for Feb 27th, two weeks after my Mercer interview. I'm so excited!

Bioman, happ birthday! Did you get an interview invite by email for MCG? Hopefully I can get in on this round too. Congrats on getting both interviews.

 

[ferris08]

my interview at mercer was jan 24 - there were 8 total interviewees that day...

i'm really hoping to hear some good news on Wednesday...but likewise, I don't want to get my hopes too high

 

[jane904]

Congrats on the interviews. They are really laid back. I feel like I did really well in them.... but I can't be too sure. Now I'll just be obsessively checking my email everyday until I hear something.

 

[bioman2006]

Bioman, happ birthday! Did you get an interview invite by email for MCG? Hopefully I can get in on this round too. Congrats on getting both interviews.

Thanks. MCG e-mailed me this morning with the news.

Has anyone tried the overnight host thing they offer with medical students?

 

[PanicAttack]

I stayed with a student and really enjoyed it.
I loved everything about MCG, as a matter of fact.

 

[sunnyskies]

I know I might get some criticism for this, but I've been accepted to both MCG and Emory, and wanted some help deciding what to do. I want to make a quick decision to free up a spot at either school for someone. I loved everything about emory and told myself I would go there definitely if I got in. Now that it comes down to it, all I can think about is the huge cost difference. I know money shouldn't be such an issue, but I have to finance myself completely. I was wondering if you think the benefits of Emory override the much greater cost than MCG. To be honest, I wasn't impressed with Augusta and I love Atlanta. I know this should be a no-brianer, but I'm still reluctant! Thanks for the advice guys!