Mercer University in Macon, Georgia was founded 1833 by Baptists to be a place where a strong academic foundation and ethical underpinnings to understandings went hand in hand. While the school is no longer affiliated with a religious denomination, these principles continue on in the education of their students today.
A middle sized school, (about 4,000 undergrads, 4,000 graduates), Mercer is ranked as one of the 25 best value schools nationally by US News and World Report. With the scope of a university, and the intimacy of a liberal arts college, Mercer has the best of both worlds for students interested in the variety of majors available at a research university, but who still want small classes where they know their professors. Because of this they are able to fulfill their mission to encourage students to discover and develop fully their unique combination of gifts and talents to become leaders who make a positive difference in the world.
One thing that is rather unique about Mercer is that they have several campuses. While the college campus is in Macon, the graduate campuses are in a variety of locations. The College of Pharmacy is in Atlanta, most of the School of Medicine is in Savannah, with the teaching hospital in Columbus, The Tift School of Education is in several places depending on what you’d like to study. But as undergraduates, the main campus in Macon would be your home and is also home to the School of Music and the School of Engineering.
Academically, Mercer offers plenty to major in as well as a large number of pre-professional programming. You can leave with a BA or a BS like any liberal arts college, but you can also be more than just pre-law and pre-med. You can be pre-vet, pre-PT, pre-anesthesia, pre-nursing, pre-pharmacy, or pre-optometry. Plus you can minor in just about anything you can imagine. Then there are the other schools such as engineering, music, business, or education. And then there is Penfield College, the leadership college. You can attend this program as well and graduate with a BS in Criminal Justice Leadership, Informatics, or Homeland Security and Emergency Management.
What is there to do for fun here? Well there’s DI sports!! Lacrosse (men’s and women’s), baseball, football, soccer (men’s and women’s), volleyball, cross country (men’s and women’s), track, softball, are all popular. Plus, don’t overlook the club sports or the intramural options. A bit over 25% of the students are Greek and that’s a big source of social life for folks. Students volunteer their time a good bit here as well. The Good NeighBEARS help out locally serving in their communities. And of course there are hundreds of groups to join from academic to odd, faith-based to government and leadership, silly to serious.
Like most southern universities, Mercer has its traditions. A pilgrimage from Mercer to Penfield College, the original site of the university and a visit to the grave of founder Jesse Mercer is accompanied with a picnic, fireworks, and student presentations. Jesse Mercer’s cast brass bald pate is rubbed religiously by processing freshmen and recessing seniors. First years climb the towers and sign their names like famous alum Ferrol Sams (author of The Whisper of the River). And of course, what kind of southern bastion of higher education would Mercer be without a Homecoming, a fight song, or a Founder’s Day?
Students are required to live on campus until they are 3rd years, but the options for where to live are pretty fantastic and 79% stay in housing all four years. Greek housing counts as student housing and the Greek village is pretty nice. There are apartment choices as well as lofts which come with open spaces and barbeque grills. Some of it is nicer than houses I’ve lived in. A lot of houses I’ve lived in.
Is Mercer for you? It’s got a lot of everything. This is the kind of school that gives out a lot of money. They have a big endowment and they are generous (best value!). They also aren’t super well known in our area so that makes you a desirable candidate. And our school is hyper rigorous which makes you an even better candidate. If you’re a traditional sports, Greek Life, pre-med type person, this is a great option for you. But if you’re looking for something more quirky you’re not going to find it here.
Pros:
Cons:
A middle sized school, (about 4,000 undergrads, 4,000 graduates), Mercer is ranked as one of the 25 best value schools nationally by US News and World Report. With the scope of a university, and the intimacy of a liberal arts college, Mercer has the best of both worlds for students interested in the variety of majors available at a research university, but who still want small classes where they know their professors. Because of this they are able to fulfill their mission to encourage students to discover and develop fully their unique combination of gifts and talents to become leaders who make a positive difference in the world.
One thing that is rather unique about Mercer is that they have several campuses. While the college campus is in Macon, the graduate campuses are in a variety of locations. The College of Pharmacy is in Atlanta, most of the School of Medicine is in Savannah, with the teaching hospital in Columbus, The Tift School of Education is in several places depending on what you’d like to study. But as undergraduates, the main campus in Macon would be your home and is also home to the School of Music and the School of Engineering.
Academically, Mercer offers plenty to major in as well as a large number of pre-professional programming. You can leave with a BA or a BS like any liberal arts college, but you can also be more than just pre-law and pre-med. You can be pre-vet, pre-PT, pre-anesthesia, pre-nursing, pre-pharmacy, or pre-optometry. Plus you can minor in just about anything you can imagine. Then there are the other schools such as engineering, music, business, or education. And then there is Penfield College, the leadership college. You can attend this program as well and graduate with a BS in Criminal Justice Leadership, Informatics, or Homeland Security and Emergency Management.
What is there to do for fun here? Well there’s DI sports!! Lacrosse (men’s and women’s), baseball, football, soccer (men’s and women’s), volleyball, cross country (men’s and women’s), track, softball, are all popular. Plus, don’t overlook the club sports or the intramural options. A bit over 25% of the students are Greek and that’s a big source of social life for folks. Students volunteer their time a good bit here as well. The Good NeighBEARS help out locally serving in their communities. And of course there are hundreds of groups to join from academic to odd, faith-based to government and leadership, silly to serious.
Like most southern universities, Mercer has its traditions. A pilgrimage from Mercer to Penfield College, the original site of the university and a visit to the grave of founder Jesse Mercer is accompanied with a picnic, fireworks, and student presentations. Jesse Mercer’s cast brass bald pate is rubbed religiously by processing freshmen and recessing seniors. First years climb the towers and sign their names like famous alum Ferrol Sams (author of The Whisper of the River). And of course, what kind of southern bastion of higher education would Mercer be without a Homecoming, a fight song, or a Founder’s Day?
Students are required to live on campus until they are 3rd years, but the options for where to live are pretty fantastic and 79% stay in housing all four years. Greek housing counts as student housing and the Greek village is pretty nice. There are apartment choices as well as lofts which come with open spaces and barbeque grills. Some of it is nicer than houses I’ve lived in. A lot of houses I’ve lived in.
Is Mercer for you? It’s got a lot of everything. This is the kind of school that gives out a lot of money. They have a big endowment and they are generous (best value!). They also aren’t super well known in our area so that makes you a desirable candidate. And our school is hyper rigorous which makes you an even better candidate. If you’re a traditional sports, Greek Life, pre-med type person, this is a great option for you. But if you’re looking for something more quirky you’re not going to find it here.
Pros:
- Big/Small school best of both worlds
- Tons of options for pre-professional
- Great traditional feel
- Greek Life/DI sports
Cons:
- Traditional feeling school
- Sports and Greek Life are dominant here
- It’s conservative
- Private school