Admissions Requirements

The following materials are required in order to complete an application for the PhD in Biomedical Sciences (PhD BMS) program at Mercer University School of Medicine (MUSM)

• Application: once the Application Cycle opens, you will complete and submit your primary application online through the electronic application system. Create an account and select the Mercer University PhD BMS program and appropriate Entry Term. You will visit this Application Portal throughout your application process to track your progress. Google Chrome is the recommended browser for completing the application.
• Application Fee: A non-refundable application fee of $50.00 for domestic applicants and $150.00 for international applicants is due when your application is submitted.
• Personal Essay:As part of the application, you will upload an essay of approximately 750 words discussing your educational goals related to the PhD BMS program, career goals utilizing the degree, and a summary of experience related to career goals (e.g. laboratory experience, shadowing health professionals, employment in a healthcare setting, volunteering related to the profession). You should also mention whether you held a job or other extracurricular responsibilities during your undergraduate career. You may also address any circumstances that contributed to poor academic performance or to multiple withdrawals on your transcript.
• Resume/CV: As part of your application, you will upload a resume/cv.
• Official Transcripts: Please list all schools attended in your application. Submit an official transcript from each college and university attended (including joint enrollment). Official transcripts should show all previous undergraduate and graduate work with grades and degrees.
• 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 must be conferred and required coursework must be completed prior to fall enrollment.
• Official transcripts should be submitted electronically directly from the institution to musmadmissions@mercer.edu or by mail to: MUSM Admissions, Mercer University, School of Medicine, 1501 Mercer University Drive, Macon, GA 31207.
• Former and current Mercer University students do not need to request a Mercer University transcript but will need to submit all other transcripts.
• International applicants should refer to the International Applicant section of the page for further instructions.
• Official Test Scores: enter all tests to be submitted on your application. If you have scheduled but not yet taken your exam, please enter your scheduled test date. Submit one or more professional school or graduate school entrance exams taken within the previous two calendar years.
  • 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.
• Letters of Recommendation: At least two letters of reference from college professors or other individuals who have taught or have supervised the work of the applicant. The program prefers academic letters of recommendation. A minimum of two letters is required for the application, but you may submit additional letters if desired. These letters should be submitted by the letter writers through the application system or by email to musmadmissions@mercer.edu.
  • 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.

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.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.

• 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.

• 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.
• International students must also submit scores from one of the following:
  • 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.
• Applicants must meet all other specific eligibility requirements and expectations as defined by the program and department.

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.

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.