The University of Georgia School of Medicine has extended admission offers to 64 prospective students for its inaugural class. Students were offered admission to the historic first class with personal phone calls from Dean Shelley Nuss, who congratulated them on their acceptance.
“The inaugural class of the University of Georgia School of Medicine has been built with intention, and the caliber of students has been exceptional,” said Brian Steele, associate dean for admissions at the School of Medicine. “Each student brings strong academic preparation, a clear commitment to service, an understanding of medicine and a deep connection to the communities we aim to serve in Georgia.”
The School of Medicine received preliminary accreditation from the Liaison Committee on Medical Education on Feb. 13, and applications opened on Feb. 16. The school received more than 2,000 applications in a condensed two-week admissions cycle and interviewed 235 prospective students.
The inaugural class at the School of Medicine will mark a historic milestone as it becomes the second public medical school in the state. With Georgia ranking 39th nationally in active patient care physicians per capita and 41st in public medical students per capita, expanding in-state medical education is a critical step toward improving health outcomes and assuring medically underserved communities have access to health care.