Medical Schools in Atlanta, Georgia: A Local Guide for Future Physicians

Atlanta is one of the Southeast’s major medical and educational hubs, making it a popular place to start a medical career. Whether you live in Atlanta, are planning to move here, or are just trying to understand your options, the city offers several strong paths to an M.D. or D.O. degree, along with pipeline and post‑baccalaureate programs.

This guide walks through medical schools in Atlanta, Georgia, what makes each one unique, and how they fit into the city’s broader healthcare and education landscape.

The Major Medical Schools in Atlanta

Atlanta has three primary medical schools within or immediately connected to the city:

• Emory University School of Medicine (M.D.)
• Morehouse School of Medicine (M.D.)
• Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine – Georgia Campus (PCOM Georgia) – serving metro Atlanta (D.O.)

Below is a quick overview:

Each of these schools interacts closely with Atlanta’s hospitals and clinics, giving students access to a wide variety of patient populations and practice settings.

Emory University School of Medicine (Atlanta)

Location:
Emory University School of Medicine
1648 Pierce Dr NE
Atlanta, GA 30307
Main phone: (404) 727‑5640

What Emory Offers

Emory is a major research-intensive M.D. program located in the Druid Hills area, just east of Midtown and downtown Atlanta. It’s well‑known for:

• Strong clinical training at:
  • Emory University Hospital (Atlanta)
  • Emory University Hospital Midtown
  • Grady Memorial Hospital (Fulton County’s safety‑net hospital)
  • Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (multiple campuses)
• Extensive research opportunities, especially in areas like infectious disease, cardiology, oncology, neurology, and public health.
• Close ties to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which is headquartered in Atlanta. Many students are attracted to Emory for opportunities in epidemiology, global health, and public health collaboration.

Who Emory May Be a Good Fit For

Emory often appeals to applicants who:

• Want to train in a large academic health system.
• Are interested in research, academic medicine, or subspecialty training.
• Want exposure to complex cases at major referral centers.
• Are drawn to the combination of medicine and public health, especially given the nearby Rollins School of Public Health.

Local Life Considerations

Living and studying near Emory:

• The Emory/Druid Hills area is residential and campus‑oriented, with convenient access to:
  • Intown Atlanta neighborhoods (Virginia‑Highland, Decatur, Inman Park)
  • MARTA bus routes and Emory shuttles
• Many students live in nearby areas such as Decatur, Midtown, or Virginia‑Highland and commute to campus and affiliated hospitals.

Morehouse School of Medicine (Atlanta)

Location:
Morehouse School of Medicine
720 Westview Dr SW
Atlanta, GA 30310
Main phone: (404) 752‑1500

What Morehouse Offers

Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) is an M.D.-granting institution located in Southwest Atlanta, near the Atlanta University Center. It’s nationally recognized for its emphasis on:

• Health equity and reducing health disparities, especially for Black and other underserved communities.
• Primary care and community-based medicine, with strong emphasis on family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, and OB/GYN.
• Service and engagement with Atlanta’s urban and underserved neighborhoods.

Students typically train at:

• Grady Memorial Hospital (downtown Atlanta)
• Atlanta VA Medical Center (Decatur)
• Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
• Other partner community hospitals and clinics in and around the city

Who Morehouse May Be a Good Fit For

Morehouse may be especially appealing if you:

• Feel called to serve underserved communities in Atlanta and beyond.
• Are interested in primary care, preventive medicine, and community health.
• Value a mission-driven environment focused on social justice in healthcare.

Local Life Considerations

• The school is near the West End and Atlanta University Center (Clark Atlanta University, Spelman College, Morehouse College).
• Students often live in West End, Downtown, Midtown, or nearby neighborhoods and commute via car or MARTA.
• The location offers day-to-day exposure to Atlanta’s core urban communities, which often shapes students’ clinical interests and future practice plans.

PCOM Georgia (Metro Atlanta – Suwanee)

Location:
PCOM Georgia
625 Old Peachtree Rd NW
Suwanee, GA 30024
Main phone: (678) 225‑7500

Although not within the City of Atlanta limits, PCOM Georgia is part of the Atlanta metropolitan area and is a practical option for many Atlanta‑area residents seeking medical training.

What PCOM Georgia Offers

PCOM Georgia grants the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree. Osteopathic medicine includes full physician training with additional emphasis on:

• Whole-person, holistic care
• Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT)
• Primary care and community-based practice

Students train with:

• Partner hospitals and health systems across Gwinnett County and metro Atlanta
• Outpatient clinics in both suburban and urban settings

Who PCOM Georgia May Be a Good Fit For

It can be a strong choice if you:

• Want a D.O. pathway with osteopathic principles integrated into clinical care.
• Prefer a suburban campus environment while still being near Atlanta.
• Are interested in primary care, community practice, or rural/underserved medicine but want to live near a major city.

Local Life Considerations

• Suwanee is northeast of Atlanta, accessible via I‑85.
• Many students choose to live in Gwinnett County, Norcross, Duluth, or northern DeKalb/Fulton suburbs, commuting by car.
• You still have reasonable access to Atlanta’s cultural amenities, airports, and broader medical community.

How Medical Training in Atlanta is Structured

Regardless of the school you choose, medical education in Atlanta generally contains the following elements:

1. Pre-Clinical Years (Classroom and Lab)

Typically the first 1–2 years:

• Foundational sciences (anatomy, physiology, biochemistry)
• Systems-based courses integrating basic science with clinical concepts
• Early exposure to patients through:
  • Volunteer programs at Atlanta clinics
  • Shadowing local physicians
  • Structured clinical skills sessions

2. Clinical Rotations (Clerkships)

In Atlanta, this often means rotations at:

• Grady Memorial Hospital (80 Jesse Hill Jr Dr SE, Atlanta, GA 30303) – a major public safety-net hospital
• Emory University Hospital Midtown and Emory University Hospital
• Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta locations (Egleston, Scottish Rite, Hughes Spalding)
• Atlanta VA Medical Center (1670 Clairmont Rd, Decatur, GA 30033)
• Community hospitals and clinics in the metro area (e.g., Gwinnett, DeKalb, Cobb, Fulton counties)

Students gain experience with:

• High‑acuity emergencies
• Complex specialist care
• Primary care outpatient clinics
• Diverse patient populations, including uninsured, underinsured, and insured patients

3. Residency and Beyond

Atlanta is also home to many residency programs affiliated with:

• Emory Healthcare
• Grady Health System
• Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
• The VA and other hospital partners

Many medical students stay in Atlanta for residency or return later to practice due to the city’s:

• Strong job market for physicians
• Variety of practice settings (academic, community, private, public health)
• Robust network of specialists and subspecialists

Choosing Between Atlanta’s Medical Schools

If you’re trying to decide which Atlanta-area medical school fits you, consider:

Your Career Goals

• Interested in research and subspecialty training?
  You might lean toward Emory, with its large academic centers and research infrastructure.

• Committed to serving underserved communities or focusing on health equity?
  Morehouse School of Medicine places this front and center.

• Prefer an osteopathic (D.O.) pathway with holistic training?
  PCOM Georgia may be the strongest match.

Learning Environment and Campus Feel

Think about:

• Class size and culture
• Whether you prefer an urban campus (Emory main campus is somewhat tucked away but near urban centers; Morehouse is in the city core) versus a suburban campus (PCOM Georgia).
• Access to support services, mentoring, and student organizations that align with your background and interests.

Location and Daily Life in Atlanta

Where you live and how you commute will shape your experience:

• Intown neighborhoods (e.g., Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, Inman Park, West End, Decatur) are popular for Emory and Morehouse students.
• Suburban areas (e.g., Gwinnett, North Fulton, DeKalb suburbs) are common for PCOM Georgia students.
• Consider:
  • Traffic and commute times on I‑20, I‑75/85, I‑285, and I‑85.
  • Access to MARTA (rail and bus) for city-based schools and hospitals.
  • Proximity to your clinical rotation sites, not just your main campus.

Pathways to Medical School in Atlanta

If you’re still in high school or college in the Atlanta area, these practical pathways may help:

Local Undergraduate Institutions

Many Atlanta‑area pre‑med students come from:

• Emory University (Atlanta)
• Georgia State University (downtown Atlanta)
• Georgia Tech (Midtown Atlanta)
• Spelman College, Morehouse College, Clark Atlanta University (Atlanta University Center)
• Nearby institutions like Kennesaw State University, University of Georgia (Athens), and others

Most of these schools have pre‑health or pre‑med advising offices that can help with:

• Course planning
• MCAT preparation strategies
• Clinical volunteer opportunities in Atlanta

Clinical and Volunteer Experience in Atlanta

Common places where aspiring medical students gain exposure:

• Grady Memorial Hospital – volunteering, patient transport, or support roles
• Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta – child life, family support, and auxiliary services
• Community health centers around Fulton, DeKalb, and Gwinnett
• Free or low‑cost clinics that serve uninsured residents
• Public health programs run by Fulton County Board of Health or DeKalb County Board of Health

These experiences help you understand Atlanta’s healthcare needs and build a realistic view of day‑to‑day medical practice in the city.

Post‑Baccalaureate and Special Programs

Some Atlanta-area institutions and national programs offer:

• Post‑baccalaureate pre‑med programs for career changers or those strengthening academic records.
• Pipeline and enrichment programs through:
  • Morehouse School of Medicine
  • Emory University School of Medicine
  • Local colleges and community organizations

Check each school’s admissions office for the most current program offerings and eligibility details.

Admissions Basics for Atlanta Medical Schools

While requirements vary by school, you’ll generally need:

• A bachelor’s degree (or near completion) with pre‑med coursework (biology, chemistry, physics, math).
• MCAT scores within each school’s requested timeframe.
• Clinical exposure, volunteering, and evidence of commitment to medicine.
• Strong letters of recommendation and a personal statement.

Atlanta schools, like others, aim to build diverse classes:

• Backgrounds in science and non‑science fields
• Applicants from Georgia, other states, and international settings (where permitted)
• Students with lived experience connected to urban, suburban, and rural communities

Because Atlanta is a major healthcare hub, admissions committees often value applicants who:

• Understand the challenges and opportunities of serving a diverse city.
• Have experience or interest in working with varied socioeconomic groups and cultures.
• Can articulate why training in Atlanta specifically supports their goals.

Practical Tips for Prospective Students in Atlanta

Here are some concrete steps if you’re exploring medical schools in or around Atlanta:

1. Visit Campuses (If Possible)

   • Schedule in‑person or virtual tours with Emory, Morehouse, and PCOM Georgia.
   • Explore nearby neighborhoods to get a sense of commuting, housing, and daily life.

2. Reach Out to Admissions Offices
   Call or email for:

   • Current admissions requirements
   • Class profiles
   • Information sessions or open houses

3. Use Local Opportunities to Build Experience

   • Volunteer at Atlanta hospitals and clinics.
   • Shadow physicians working in Grady, Emory, CHOA, VA, or community health settings.
   • Engage in research or community health projects through local universities or nonprofits.

4. Plan Logistically for Life in Atlanta

   • Budget for housing, transportation, and parking based on your likely campus and rotation sites.
   • Factor in traffic patterns and whether you’ll need a car or can rely on MARTA and shuttles.

Key Takeaways for Medical Schools in Atlanta, Georgia

• Emory University School of Medicine (Atlanta) – M.D., research‑intensive, major academic health systems, strong links to public health.
• Morehouse School of Medicine (Atlanta) – M.D., mission‑driven, focused on health equity, primary care, and underserved communities.
• PCOM Georgia (Suwanee, metro Atlanta) – D.O., osteopathic, holistic care focus, suburban setting with access to the city.

Each offers a distinct path, but all are embedded in Atlanta’s diverse, dynamic medical ecosystem, with broad opportunities for clinical training, research, and community service. If you’re considering medical school in Atlanta, these institutions form the core options to explore and compare carefully based on your goals, learning style, and preferred environment.