The Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, founded in 1828, is the oldest and only public medical school in Georgia. With one of the largest entering MD classes in the Southeast (approximately 240 students), MCG trains a diverse cohort of physicians for practice across Georgia, with a strong emphasis on primary care, rural medicine, and service to underserved populations. The school is part of Augusta University Health, providing students with access to a major Level I trauma center, children's hospital, and cancer center.
What makes it different
MCG is the oldest medical school in the Deep South, founded in 1828. As Georgia's only public medical school, it has an explicit statewide mission to improve health across all 159 Georgia counties, with a particular emphasis on rural and underserved communities. MCG has the largest medical school class in Georgia and operates clinical partnerships spanning the state. The school is embedded within Augusta University Health, a full-service academic medical center.
Course & teaching
Integrated curriculum. 4-year MD. The MCG curriculum integrates early clinical exposure with core basic science training. Year 3–4 clinical rotations are distributed across Augusta University Medical Center and regional campuses statewide, including the Athens, Rome, and Savannah regional campuses. Students may also participate in a rural medicine track with rotations in underserved Georgia communities.
Research strengths
Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University (MD) has notable research strength in Hypertension and cardiovascular disease, Cancer, Neuroscience, Pediatric health, Rural health disparities.
Interview
Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University (MD) interviews via Traditional one-on-one and panel interviews with faculty and students. MCG Augusta uses a traditional interview format held on the Augusta campus. Applicants typically participate in two individual or panel interviews of 30–45 minutes each, with faculty members and sometimes a current medical student. Interviewers have reviewed the application in advance and probe motivation for medicine, Georgia community commitment, healthcare access challenges, and personal narrative. The day includes a campus tour of the Medical College of Georgia Hospital and Children's Hospital of Georgia, financial aid overview, and informal lunch with students. As Georgia's only public medical school, in-state applicants make up the overwhelming majority of interviewees.
Intake
Approximately 240 students per year (one of the largest MD classes in the US).
At a glance
Founded in 1828, based in Augusta, GA. Programmes offered: Primary Care, Rural Medicine, Internal Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics.