- Applicants already holding a master’s degree or higher are exempt from submitting test scores; however, a graduate degree transcript must be submitted as a part of the required application materials.
- International applicants should refer to the International Applicant section of the page for further instructions.
- Testing dates should be scheduled so that official scores can be received by MUSM prior to the application deadline.
- Details for submission of each type of exam are as follows:
- GRE: submit official test scores to MUSM through ETS using the institutional code 5409 and department code 0000. Also submit a copy of your Test Taker Score Report.
- MCAT: submit a pdf copy of a complete MCAT Score Report downloaded from the applicant’s testing service online account. The report should include a verification code.
- DAT: submit a pdf copy of a complete DAT Score Report downloaded from the applicant’s testing service online account.
- If you have previously applied to Mercer University School of Medicine’s MD program and would like to transfer your LOR to your BMS PhD application, please email musmadmissions@mercer.edu to make this request.
- LOR Tips: the program prefers academic letters of recommendation. A minimum of two letters is required for the application, but you may submit additional LOR if desired. Letters of recommendation should be written on official letterhead, if available, and signed by the author.
Minimum Admissions Requirements
Below are the minimum requirements for admission to the PhD BMS program. International applicants should refer to the International Applicant section of this page for additional requirements.
- A B.S. or B.A. degree is required from a regionally accredited college or university with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a four-point scale. The undergraduate degree and required coursework must be complete by August 15th, before fall enrollment in the PhD BMS Program.
- One year of coursework with the corresponding laboratories for the following subjects:
- General Biology
- General or Inorganic Chemistry
- Organic Chemistry
- Physics
A semester of Biochemistry with lab may be taken instead of a second semester of Organic Chemistry. AP credit may be used in place of one semester of the Physics requirement. If AP credit was received for one or more of the other courses listed above, one year of advanced courses with lab in the same discipline must be completed. All required courses must have the corresponding lab hours.
- Graduate Record Exam (GRE), Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT), Dental Admissions Test (DAT), or other professional program entrance exam scores from exams taken within the last two calendar years. Scores of at least the following values are preferred: GRE – 300 (with 148 or above on components), MCAT – 494, and DAT – 17 (Academic Average). Applicants with a Master’s degree or higher are exempt from submitting test scores, but these applicants must submit an official transcript for their graduate coursework.
Admissions Process
- The PhD BMS Program admits for fall enrollment annually.
- All required materials must be received for an application file to be considered complete and eligible for review by the admissions committee. Each applicant will be notified by email when the application file is complete. Only complete application files will be reviewed.
- During the application review, applicants may be contacted for an interview with the Admissions Committee.
- The PhD BMS Admissions Committee will evaluate each applicant holistically based on his/her academic record, test scores, personal qualities, and personal goals.
- Complete applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. The rolling review process may continue until the application cycle ends.
- Applicants will be notified of admissions decisions by email.
- Accepted applicants are required to submit a $50 non-refundable deposit to Mercer University School of Medicine to hold their spot in the program. The fee will be applied to tuition upon enrollment. If an applicant submits a deposit and decides not to enroll in the fall, the deposit will be forfeited. All deposits must be submitted according to the deadline stated in the applicant’s acceptance email.
International Applicants
- Applicants applying as an international student should contact Mercer University’s International Student Services.
- Applicants who completed all or part of their education abroad are required to have their foreign educational credentials evaluated by an independent evaluation service such as World Education Services or Educational Credential Evaluators. A Course-by-Course and Grade Point Average Equivalent Evaluation is required for admission.
- Official reports should be submitted electronically directly from the evaluation service to musmadmissions@mercer.edu or by mail to: MUSM Admissions, Mercer University School of Medicine, 1501 Mercer University Drive, Macon, GA 31207.
- TOEFL examination. The University’s minimum proficiency level is a score of 20 on each section of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The minimum composite TOEFL score is 80 (Internet-Based TOEFL), 213 (Computer-Based TOEFL) or 550 (Paper-Based TOEFL).
- An IELTS score of 6.5 English proficiency.
For more information about the PhD in Biomedical Sciences program at Mercer University School of Medicine, call 478-301-5423 or email musmadmissions@mercer.edu to speak with the Admissions department.
Mercer University COVID-19 Policy for Health Science Programs
In compliance with Mercer University’s immunization policy, all School of Medicine students must have a COVID-19 vaccine or an approved exemption upon enrollment.
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