School overview
- Degrees
- MD
- Ownership
- Private Non-Profit
- Program length
- 4 years
- Enrollment per class
- 97
- Founding year
- 1982
- Accreditation year
- 1982
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SDN Insights
Cost of Attendance: $341,358
Estimate repayment
Estimated loan burden for MUSM using 4 years of in-state tuition, $1,500 annual fees, $3,000 monthly living expenses, government-derived local cost-of-living adjustment, $1,000 loan fees, and an 8.5% interest assumption.
Cost of Living: Below national average cost of living
Macon, GA is about 0.89x the national average for cost of living. In the debt estimate, the government-derived local cost adjustment lowers the living allowance from $3,000 to about $2,670 per month. Local rent and commuting choices can still move your actual budget meaningfully.
Environment: Urban
The neighborhood around MUSM is relatively quiet and spread out, with limited walking or biking options. Most errands and outings will require a car, making this setting better suited for students with access to personal transportation.
Interview feedback
Overall, applicants ranked the school in the top 22% of interviews, indicating it is highly regarded. They found the interview very impressive with a low stress level and felt they did well.
Secondary essays for MUSM
1. Geographic Connection and Commitment
What is your understanding of the practice of rural medicine?
2. Community, Diversity, and Equity
Do you consider yourself to have been raised or to be residing in an area that is medically underserved?
3. Motivation and Fit
Summarize your work and learning experiences that reflect congruence with Mercer’s mission to serve medically underserved and rural areas.
4. Personal Attributes and Characteristics
If you wish, please briefly explain experiences, attributes, or qualifications unique to you that will strengthen the educational environment at MUSM.
5. Motivation and Fit
Please explain factors that would help the Admissions Committee better understand your unique circumstances.
About the school
Established in 1982, Mercer University School of Medicine (MUSM) is a private institution dedicated to training physicians and healthcare professionals to serve rural and medically underserved communities in Georgia. The school operates three campuses located in Macon, Savannah, and Columbus, each offering a full four-year M.D. program. MUSM’s mission is to improve access to healthcare in Georgia, with over 60% of its graduates practicing within the state, and more than 80% of those serving in rural or underserved areas. The school admits only Georgia residents into its M.D. program, emphasizing its commitment to addressing the state’s healthcare needs.
Curriculum
MUSM employs a Patient-Based Learning (PBL) curriculum that emphasizes small-group, case-driven learning. During the first two years, students engage in four 16- to 17-week blocks covering biomedical sciences, clinical skills, ethics, and population health. The third year consists of core clinical clerkships in Internal Medicine, Surgery, Psychiatry, Pediatrics, Family Medicine, and Obstetrics and Gynecology. The fourth year includes a sub-internship, community medicine, selectives in areas like Critical Care or Emergency Medicine, and electives tailored to students’ interests. Additionally, MUSM offers accelerated tracks in primary care and psychiatry for students committed to serving rural Georgia.
Facilities
MUSM’s campuses are equipped with state-of-the-art facilities to support medical education and research. The Columbus campus, established as a full four-year program in 2021, features a medical library, gross anatomy lab, simulation center, research labs, and a vivarium. Core research facilities across campuses include advanced microscopy, flow cytometry, and molecular biology equipment. Each campus provides access to clinical training through affiliated hospitals, such as Atrium Health Navicent in Macon, Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah, and Piedmont Columbus Regional Hospital and St. Francis Hospital in Columbus.
Demographics
MUSM maintains a selective admissions process, focusing on applicants who are Georgia residents. The Class of 2028 reported an average MCAT score of 503, a BCPM GPA of 3.62, and an overall GPA of 3.72. The student body reflects the school’s values of integrity, respect, excellence, diversity, and collaboration.
