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 musmadmissionsgrad@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.
  • 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.
  • International applicants should refer to the International Applicant section of the page for further instructions.
• 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 musmadmissionsgrad@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 and proof of degree conferral provided 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 already holding 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 visit Mercer University’s Global Engagement website for information and resources.
• 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. Additionally, we will accept foreign credential evaluations certified by either the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES ) or the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (ACCRAO). A Course-by-Course and Grade Point Average Equivalent Evaluation is required.
  • Please contact musmadmissionsgrad@mercer.edu to verify that we accept your preferred evaluation service and receive submission directions.
  • We accept only official evaluation reports submitted directly to Mercer University School of Medicine by the evaluation company. MUSM cannot accept transcript evaluations emailed by the student.
• International applicants must submit scores from one of the following (the scores may not be more than two years old):
  • (TOEFL) Test of English as a Foreign Language – minimum English proficiency test score is 20 on each section of the TOEFL. The minimum composite score is 80 (Internet-Based TOEFL), 213 (Computer-Based TOEFL) or 550 (Paper-Based TOEFL).
    • Submit official test scores to MUSM through ETS using the institutional code 5409 and department code 0000 and email a copy of your unofficial score report to musmadmissionsgrad@mercer.edu.
  • (IELTS) International English Language Testing System – minimum English proficiency test score of 6.5.
    • Submit official scores to MUSM by choosing Mercer University – Main Campus and email a copy of your unofficial score report to musmadmissionsgrad@mercer.edu.
  • Duolingo – minimum English proficiency test score of 115.
    • Submit official scores to MUSM by choosing Mercer University – Graduate and email a copy of your unofficial score report to musmadmissionsgrad@mercer.edu
  • Foreign language proficiency requirements are not required for applicants who meet one or more of the following:
    • Applicants who are from the following countries: Australia, Bahamas, Belize, Canada (except Quebec), Dominica, Grenada, Cayman Islands, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Liberia, New Zealand, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, United Kingdom.
    • Applicants who meet both of the following criteria:  English must be an official language of the applicant’s home country and education evaluation reports must clearly state that the applicant’s education was completed in English).
    • Applicants who have completed a post-secondary degree (or higher) earned from an accredited English-medium U.S. college or university.
• If accepted, students will be connected to Global Engagement for all immigration needs.
  • January 15, 2026: visa in hand deadline for international applicants who were approved to defer term of entry to Fall 2026
  • June 1, 2026: visa in hand deadline for Fall 2026 international applicants
• Applicants must meet all other specific eligibility requirements and expectations as defined by the program and department.