FAQ

The application cycle opens in October of each year.

• Once the application cycle opens, you can complete your primary application online by clicking the ‘How to Apply’ button on the PhD BMS Admissions Page.
• Review the application deadlines and details and click “Apply Now” when ready to create an account.
• Select the Biomedical Sciences PhD program and appropriate Entry Term. (You will not be able to choose the Entry Term until the application cycle opens.)
• You will visit this Application Portal throughout your application process to track your progress.

Applicants are notified by email when all application materials have been received (online application, application fee, transcripts, test scores, resume/cv and two letters of recommendation). All application materials must be received before an applicant’s file is complete and ready for review for admission. Application files must be complete by the application deadline for consideration for admission.

Applicants should contact the School of Medicine Admissions Office via email at  musmadmissionsgrad@mercer.edu  if they have not received an email and want to know which materials are missing from their file. 

Yes, if the coursework counted as part of your degree. You should send official transcripts for all colleges and universities attended, even for joint enrollment. You also must submit transcripts for post baccalaureate coursework taken to meet the requirements for admission and transcripts for all graduate or professional degree coursework that you have completed. Detailed application requirements and the Link to Apply are available on the PhD BMS Admissions Page.

All applicants are required to submit either GRE, MCAT or DAT scores taken within the previous two calendar years. Official scores must be submitted by the application deadline.

• We encourage all applicants to take one of these national exams to gain experience with their rigor and increase their chances for admission to the PhD BMS program. However, applicants already holding a master’s degree or higher are exempt from submitting test scores; a graduate degree transcript showing degree conferred must be submitted as a part of the required application materials.
• Applicants currently enrolled in a graduate program who would like to request a test score exemption should email musmadmissionsgrad@mercer.edu for additional instructions.

Detailed application requirements, directions for submitting your test scores and the Link to Apply are available on the PhD BMS Admissions Page.

• MCAT:494
• DAT:17 (academic average)
• GRE:300 (verbal and quantitative component scores of 148 or above)

All tests must be taken within the previous two calendar years.  Please contact MUSM Admissions at musmadmissionsgrad@mercer.edu with any questions.

For GRE score report transmission from ETS to Mercer university School of Medicine, use the Designated Institution (DI) code 5409 and department code 0000.

No. You will need to download your score report as a pdf from your online account (include a current verification code) and upload it to your application. If that is not an option, then you must scan the official paper report that you received from the testing service. Do not submit a screenshot of a partial score report.

Only Letters of Recommendation can be transferred from your M.D. application. After submitting your application, you must contact the School of Medicine Admissions Office at 478-301-5423 or musmadmissionsgrad@mercer.edu  to request that letters be transferred from your M.D. application to your PhD BMS application.

The minimum GPA for admission is 3.0. The Admissions Committee places more weight on academic performance during the junior/senior or graduate years. Use the application essay to explain academic difficulty or gaps in your academic transcript (such as leaves of absence).

Letters: Two letters are required. Make sure these letters are submitted on time and are written by people who have supervised your work and know you well. Letters from employment supervisors are acceptable. At least one letter from an academic professor is preferred.

Essay: Clearly explain your reasons for seeking admission, your career goals, and your experiences related to your career goals. Include reasons for any academic deficiencies on your transcript or for time away from academic studies. Please proofread your essay to correct typographical errors and to make sure that your statements are clear and logical. The essay is part of the online application.

Resume/CV: Your resume/cv allows the admissions committee to better understand the experiences you bring to the program.

Students in the Biomedical Sciences PhD program benefit from a scholarship that covers 100% of annual tuition for all five years of the program.

The PhD BMS program accepts international applicants. Please visit the Application Process page to view all Admissions Requirements.

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.