East Tennessee State University Quillen College of Medicine: MCAT & Admissions

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Admissions statistics

Median MCAT: 511
MCAT range (25–75): 507–515
Median GPA: 3.87
GPA range (25–75): 3.80–3.92
Science GPA: 3.70
Acceptance rate: 4.8%
Interview rate: 11.7%

Median MCAT by section (estimated)

Chem / Phys: 128
CARS: 127
Bio / Biochem: 128
Psych / Soc: 129

Section medians are projected from the total using the publicly published national section distribution (CARS runs lowest, Psych/Soc highest). Schools rarely publish their own per-section medians, so this is an estimate; real values are shown when we've sourced them.

Acceptance rate by residency Premier estimate

In-state applicants: ~20.2%
Out-of-state applicants: ~2.0%
Overall (reported): 4.8%

We split this school's overall acceptance rate into residency estimates using Premier's model of in-state vs. out-of-state selectivity and applicant mix, smoothed across schools. It reflects typical residency preference, not a guaranteed outcome — and it's an estimate, not an officially published in/out-of-state rate.

vs US MD matriculants: MCAT -0.8 (nat. 511.8), GPA +0.06 (nat. 3.81). MCAT 10/25/75/90 percentiles, median, and acceptance/interview rates are publicly sourced.

MCAT range by residency Premier estimate

My MCAT score see where you fall

Matriculants	10th	25th	75th	90th
Combined	501.9	504.9	515	518.1
In-state	505.3	506.9	515.9	519.2
Out-of-state	502.9	506.9	516.7	519.3

The box spans the 25th–75th percentile; the whiskers reach the 10th and 90th. We use this school's published 25–75 range as-is and model the hidden tails and the residency split, using its out-of-state share — calibrated across every US MD program and validated to within ~1.5 points of reported figures. Estimates are shown to one decimal. How this works.

Class profile

Entering class size: 58
Public / Private: Public
Setting: Not reported
% Out-of-state: 17%
Orientation: Service-oriented

Research vs. service orientation

Service / primary careBalancedResearch

Service-oriented (18/100) — Explicit rural/underserved primary-care mission; U.S. News Tier 1 Primary Care vs Tier 3 Research, #2 nationally for grads in underserved areas; no MSTP.

In-state vs. out-of-state class makeup

In-state

83%

Out-of-state

17%

Course exams

Core clerkship exams are NBME-standardized “shelf” subject exams — standardized nationally, so they're consistent across MD schools. Whether the preclinical years lean on in-house, NBME-based, or a mix of exams isn't something schools publish in one place — so we don't guess per school; confirm specifics with the school.

Cost & aid

In-state tuition

$38,858

Out-of-state tuition

$49,802

Cost of attendance: $75,905
Avg. graduate debt: $231,104
Secondary fee: $50
% receiving aid: 89%

Tuition & cost of attendance verified against the school's official site (official source, 2026-2027). Schools report "tuition" vs. "tuition & fees" differently and some (e.g. NYU Grossman, Kaiser early cohorts) award universal scholarships — always confirm on the official page. Debt & % receiving aid are compiled from publicly available figures.

Prerequisites & requirements

Typical for US MD programs — confirm this school's exact list.

Biology: 1 year with lab
General Chemistry: 1 year with lab
Organic Chemistry: 1 year with lab
Biochemistry: 1 semester (recommended/required)
Physics: 1 year with lab
English / writing: 1 year
Math / statistics: 1 semester–1 year (varies)
Psychology & Sociology: Recommended for the MCAT

Required tests

MCAT — required
CASPer: required
AAMC PREview: varies — verify

Letters of recommendation

A committee letter, or 3–5 individual letters
Typically 2 science faculty + 1 non-science
A letter from research/clinical mentors strengthens the file

Application timeline (AMCAS)

AMCAS opens

Early May

Submit primary (rolling — submit early)

Late May – June

Secondary applications

June – August

Interviews

August – March

Acceptances begin (rolling)

Oct 15 onward

Most US programs admit on a rolling basis — applying early materially helps.

What this school weighs

GPA & MCAT (academic readiness)
Clinical experience & shadowing
Research experience
Community service & volunteering
Letters of recommendation
Personal statement & secondary essays
Interview performance & mission fit
State residency (especially at public schools)

Secondary essay prompts (2024-2025)

⚠ Crowdsourced & anecdotal — secondary prompts change every cycle and may be incomplete. Always confirm on the school's own secondary application.

The Quillen College of Medicine has a very specific mission. What are your personal and professional goals as a future provider of healthcare? How do your goals align with the Quillen mission?
Quillen College of Medicine's curriculum is uniquely designed to foster excellence in clinical practice through active in-person participation and peer co-learning. This approach demands individual preparation and engagement in participatory class sessions. We believe in the importance of mutual coaching among peers to facilitate deep learning and we recognize that valuable learning experiences extend beyond academic contexts and can be found in all areas of life. We want to know that you can thrive in our community. Please reflect on the significance of this learning model in your personal and professional development.
Choose one (A, B, or C). A. Quillen College of Medicine recognizes that many barriers exist for those from historically underrepresented communities. As a physician you will have opportunities to foster an environment of change for your patients and community. Please share with us reflections on how your life experiences impacted the development of your values and attitudes towards others, particularly those with backgrounds or values different from your own. B. The stress of medical school can impact a student's mental health and emotional well-being. Discuss ways you plan to manage your health and well-being during medical school. C. Use this space to tell the committee anything else about yourself that you have not had the opportunity to present elsewhere in your application.

Interview

⚠ Anecdotal — based on applicant-reported experiences (e.g. SDN). Format and questions vary year to year; treat as a guide, not a script.

Format: Hybrid

Reported as virtual, two one-on-one interviews (mostly closed-file), averaging ~51 minutes total. Applicants describe them as low-stress, conversational, and focused on getting to know the candidate as a person.

Questions applicants report

What do you think of HIPAA?
If you could go back in time and change any one event, what would it be?
Tell me about yourself.
Why medicine?
How do your experiences align with the Quillen mission?

Key facts

Degree: MD
Type: Public
Location: Tennessee
Region: South
Interview format: Hybrid
Preclinical grading: Not reported
Licensing exam: USMLE
Oldest MCAT accepted: January 2023
International applicants: Not considered
DACA applicants: Not considered
Early Decision: Offered
Deferral: Allowed

Stats from the school's published class profile and publicly available national data. Tuition, debt, secondary fee, oldest-MCAT, PREview, interview format, and mission are compiled from publicly available figures. Prerequisite, timeline, and letter guidance is typical for US MD programs and may differ at this school. Some figures are being verified. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the AAMC.

Frequently Asked Questions

What MCAT score do I need for ETSU Quillen?

East Tennessee State University Quillen College of Medicine has a median MCAT of 511 (typical accepted range about 507–515). At or above the median is most competitive; below the 25th percentile (507) is a reach without other strengths.

What GPA does ETSU Quillen require?

The median accepted GPA is about 3.87 (roughly 3.80–3.92). There's no hard cutoff, but below the median you'll want to be strong elsewhere.

What are the prerequisites for ETSU Quillen?

Like most US MD programs, expect a year each of biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics (all with labs), biochemistry, and English, plus math/statistics. Psychology and sociology are recommended for the MCAT. Always confirm the school's exact list.

Is ETSU Quillen hard to get into?

Its acceptance rate is approximately 4.8% — moderately competitive for US MD programs.

Aiming for ETSU Quillen?

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