Reviewed by:
Former Admissions Committee Member, Hofstra-Northwell School of Medicine
Reviewed: 2/23/24
Considering attending medical school in Georgia? Read on for everything you need to know about applying!
Georgia, known as “The Peach State,” is a unique region to attend medical school due to its many rural communities. The state needs exemplary physicians to provide affordable healthcare to diverse and underserved populations. Every medical school seeks candidates committed to serving local underrepresented areas.
We’ll review what you need to know about Georgia medical schools, including background information, admissions guidelines, application procedures, and more. Finally, we’ll discuss our top tips for getting accepted into medical schools in the state.
Georgia is home to five medical schools, four allopathic and one osteopathic. Georgia is experiencing a shortage of doctors, especially within rural communities. The state plans to increase the number of medical school seats available to educate more physicians that can adequately serve its population.
Georgia is a demographically diverse state; there are ample opportunities to serve uninsured, underinsured, and underrepresented individuals from all backgrounds.
We’ll review everything you need to know about Georgia medical schools, including mission statements, acceptance rates, and more. Before we jump into specifics, here’s an overview of what you need to know about each school:
Sources: U.S. News, MSAR, Mercer University, AAMC, PCOM Georgia, Emory University
The Emory University School of Medicine (EUSOM) is Atlanta’s first med school and was established about a decade before the Civil War. It was one of the first private institutions in the Southeast. Rich in culture and history, many EUSOM faculty members at the time served in WWI and WWII.
Today, EUSOM’s teaching hospitals see millions of patients annually; one-quarter of all practicing Georgia physicians are EUSOM alumni.
EUSOM’s mission statement reads:
“The Emory University School of Medicine is a leading institution with the highest standards in education, biomedical research, and patient care.
We are committed to recruiting and developing a diverse group of students and innovative leaders in biomedical science, public health, medical education, and clinical care.
We foster a culture that integrates leading-edge basic, translational, and clinical research to further the ability to deliver quality health care, to predict illness and treat the sick, and to promote health of our patients and community.”
The Emory University School of Medicine’s acceptance rate is low, at 2.9%. Other admissions statistics include the following:
EUSOM offers the following degree programs:
You can also apply to the following MD dual degree programs:
To apply, you must submit your primary and secondary applications and supporting materials through the AMCAS. EUSOM is highly competitive, so carefully review the school’s complete application guidelines.
Emory notes the importance of your:
You should tailor your application materials to showcase your strengths in these areas. These are important dates you should know:
Source: Emory University School of Medicin
The Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University (MCG) was founded in 1828 and is one of the nation’s oldest medical schools. MCG is the state’s leading provider of physicians of all medical colleges in Georgia.
MCG’s mission statement reads:
“Our mission is to provide leadership and excellence in teaching, discovery, clinical care, and service as a student-centered comprehensive research university and academic health center with a wide range of programs from learning assistance through postdoctoral studies.”
These are some key Medical College of Georgia admissions statistics:
The 11.1% acceptance rate at the Medical College of Georgia is much higher than Emory’s but still reflects the school’s selectivity.
MCG offers the traditional MD program and the dual MD/PhD program. The MD/Ph.D. program prepares students for careers in biomedical research or academic medicine.
Additionally, there’s the MCG 3+ program, which allows students to complete the core MD curriculum in three years. After completing the core curriculum, students have three pathways to choose from:
MCG participates in the AMCAS, and you should aim to submit your application materials early in the cycle. The MCAT and CASPer test are required. Ensure you familiarize yourself with MCG’s complete application procedures.
Important MCG dates and deadlines include the following:
Source: Medical College of Georgia
The Mercer University School of Medicine (MUSM) was established in 1982 to meet the healthcare needs of Georgia’s underserved rural communities. Nearly 80% of MUSM’s alumni practice in the state’s rural areas.
MUSM’s mission statement reads:
“To educate physicians and health professionals to meet the primary care and healthcare needs of rural and medically underserved areas in Georgia.”
Some key Mercer School of Medicine admissions stats you should know include the following:
Source: Medical College of Georgia
MUSM only accepts Georgia residents. The Mercer medical school acceptance rate is 9.97%.
MUSM offers the following degree programs:
Mercer eligibility criteria mandate students must have established residency in Georgia for at least twelve months before enrolling.
MUSM participates in the AMCAS, and applicants must take the MCAT and the AAMC PREview. Be sure to read the school’s specialized application requirements, which detail its eligibility criteria and screening process. These are MUSM’s application deadlines for early decision, early assurance, and regular decision:
Source: MUSM
The Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) was founded in 1975. It was recently recognized as one of the nation’s top med schools for its social mission to serve rural areas and inner cities.
MSM’s mission statement reads:
“We exist to:
With emphasis on people of color and the underserved urban and rural populations in Georgia, the nation, and the world.”
Key Morehouse admissions statistics include:
Source: MSAR
Morehouse Medical School’s acceptance rate is 1.58%.
Besides the traditional MD program, MSM offers the following dual degrees:
MSM is a member of the AMCAS. The admissions committee actively seeks candidates with demonstrated academic achievement and service to underrepresented communities. Be sure to read the full application and acceptance protocols and admissions requirements.
These are some key MSM deadlines you should know:
Source: MSM
The Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine—Georgia (PCOM) was founded in the 1890s in Philadelphia. Since then, it has expanded to numerous locations to provide education and training for those seeking to become Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine. PCOM is Georgia’s only osteopathic medical school.
PCOM’s mission statement reads:
“Educating health professionals to care for the whole person and advance the health of diverse communities.”
PCOM doesn’t release GPA information, but the average MCAT score of admitted students is 500, and their acceptance rate is 6.4%. PCOM’s tuition rates vary depending on the program.
PCOM actively seeks diverse students, including underrepresented minorities, non-traditional applicants, and veterans. The admissions committee wants to see candidates who have:
PCOM is an AACOMAS participant. Please review the school’s comprehensive application requirements for the DO program. The PCOM AACOMAS deadline is March 1st.
These are our top tips for getting accepted into Georgia’s medical schools.
Georgia needs leading physicians to practice in underserved rural communities where healthcare isn’t easily accessible. Because of the state’s shortage of doctors, Georgia’s medical schools are committed to educating and training graduates that serve local, diverse patient populations.
Ensure your application materials show your commitment to these communities (and your desire to practice in Georgia after graduation).
Being a well-rounded candidate maximizes your chances of acceptance, but a high GPA or MCAT score can help you become a frontrunner. Based on the above admissions data, an MCAT score of 515 and a GPA of 3.8 would make you a competitive candidate at any Georgia med school.
Participating in the right extracurriculars gives you a competitive edge over applicants who don’t have similar experiences. Specifically, community service and volunteering will go a long way to make you a strong candidate for medical school.
Remember, Georgia’s med schools want to admit students who will contribute to the state’s communities.
Still have questions about med schools in Georgia? Then check out these FAQs!
There are four medical schools in Georgia.
The best medical school is the one that aligns best with your interests and passions. However, Emory University School of Medicine is the top-ranked school in Georgia.
Acceptance rates at Georgia medical schools range from approximately 2.9% to 11%. While getting into a Georgia med school may be challenging, it’s possible with a strong application!
Yes, all medical schools in Georgia are “good” schools, depending on what you’re looking for. In particular, Emory is ranked among the nation’s top med schools.
The only public med school in Georgia is the Augusta University Medical College.
Whether you attend an allopathic or an osteopathic medical school is entirely up to you and your specific career goals.
Georgia is a great place to attend medical school, especially if you’re committed to providing accessible healthcare to underserved rural communities. Medical schools value this vision, so ensure you tailor your application to each school’s mission statement.
With the information in this guide, you’re on your way to your dream medical school. Good luck!
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