Admission Procedure/Process: 
All interested students must submit their completed application to the Office of Academic Admissions at the Medical College of Georgia by the due date. If any part of an application is not complete, the applicant may be contacted for the missing information. Each application is reviewed by the faculty members of the DMS Admissions Committee and the top qualifying candidates are invited for an interview with the full DMS Admissions committee. Following the invitation, the applicants will complete the HOBET and select an interview date from the open dates in April.    (top)

Final admission decisions are made based upon grade point averages (both overall and the math/science GPA), letters of recommendation, other language test scores as appropriate, job shadowing, HOBET scores, and an assessment of the motivation and personal qualities of the applicant that are deemed most conducive to the successful completion of the program. Preference is given to residents of Georgia. The Office of Academic Admissions will notify the applicant, via mail, the final decision of the DMS Admissions Committee.    (top)

What is the application deadline?
It is a good idea to apply early so time is allowed for advisement regarding prerequisites. It is suggested that the application process begin in the fall or winter for the following academic year. The deadline for the DMS program is March 1. The completed application and all required materials for a completed application are due on this date. Job shadowing must be completed before the interview but it is recommended the job shadowing is completed before the application deadline.    (top)

What "counts" in admission?
The admissions committee uses a weighted formula that is based on the success of prior applicants. The formula weighs cumulative grade point average and math/science grade point average. Priority is also included for Georgia residents, quality of references, autobiographical section content, and writing ability (See application form). References who have the ability to rate work skills, characteristics for a successful career in sonography, or prior academic performance are recommended.  Exposure to a variety of sonographic specialties (abdominal, vascular, cardiac, and obstetrical/gynecological sonography) and settings is recommended during the job shadowing to enhance the applicant’s ability to speak about the profession.  Also, the admissions committee is interested in the reasons for entering the diagnostic medical sonography profession and in the applicant's ability to express the motivation behind their decision. The committee requires personal interviews for acceptance and a visit to the campus during a Closer Look tour is encouraged prior to the application deadline.   (top)

Will I be able to work while attending your program?
Our program is very demanding. Classes generally meet all day Monday through Friday with homework assignments that fill evening and weekend hours. We cannot prohibit you from working while in school, but most students find it extremely difficult. The Student Financial Aid Office is very helpful in finding alternative resources.   (top)

Why are interviews late in April if the application is due March 1?

The DMS Admissions Committee does not usually receive all the processed applications until late March.  Each application must first be thoroughly screened by the Office of Academic Admissions.  This time also allows applicants to complete the HOBET and schedule time off or make travel arrangements once invited for an interview.    (top)

Is the job shadowing required before the interview?

Yes. It is important for the applicants to be able to speak about their experiences during the interview.    (top)

How will I be contacted if selected for an interview?

Invitations and instructions for how to complete the HOBET and how to schedule the interview will be sent to the e-mail address supplied in your application. These invitations will be sent in late March and early April.  If there is no response to the e-mail attempts will be made to contact the applicant using the phone numbers provided.  If any contact information changes after the submission of the application, please contact both the Office of Academic Admissions and the DMS Program with the new information.    (top)

What kind of grade point average (GPA) do I need to have?
The cumulative GPA of all college work must be a minimum of a 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale). However, due to competition, the previous classes have an average GPA well above the minimum. A math & science grade point average of at least 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale) on previous college work is recommended but not required.    (top)

 I didn't know what I wanted to do when I went to school ten years ago and got poor grades. After working for five years, I now know that I want to be in diagnostic medical sonography.  I've gotten good grades since returning to school. Can you "forgive" my old grades?
You can request consideration as a nontraditional student if you were out of school for more than two years. If the committee agrees, we can compute your grade point average based on all prerequisite courses taken the first time you were in school and all courses taken since you returned to school. We can also give special consideration for an applicant who had a "bad" quarter/semester due to circumstances beyond his/her control. For example, an applicant may be an honor student, but received "F"s for one quarter/semester since he/she withdrew after the deadline due to hospitalization following an accident.   (top)

 It's been more than ten years since I took some of my science courses.  Will I have to retake them?
Yes, the required sciences courses should have been taken in the past few years so that you have current science course information. Applying early will allow us to evaluate your courses in time for you to take any additional courses needed to meet prerequisites.   (top)

Would it be to my advantage to take more science courses than the minimum required?
Yes, additional chemistry, physics, and laboratory sciences are recommended if the prerequisites are completed. Experience shows that a strong science background is needed to successfully complete the diagnostic medical sonography curriculum.    (top)

 Do I have to complete all my prerequisites before I can apply?
No. We can consider your application before you have completed all of the prerequisites. There is a page in the application where you must indicate where and when you took or plan to take each prerequisite. Be sure to check that the courses you need will be offered in the quarter/semester you plan to take them. Applicants who have not completed all prerequisites may be offered "provisional acceptance pending satisfactory completion of prerequisites" prior to registration.  It is strongly encouraged that applicants complete anatomy and physiology courses by the term prior to the admissions deadline.  A large number of prerequisite courses to complete in the term immediately prior to the class start may affect the Admissions Committee decision.  An updated transcript must be submitted immediately following any coursework completed after the application submission.  At the time of the interview, it is recommended that an unofficial letter from the professor showing the current grade in any perquisite course(s) the student is enrolled but has not completed by furnished.    (top)