East Tennessee State University Quillen

Johnson City, TennesseeMDETSU Official website

MCAT513AverageSources and context for MCAT
GPA3.85AverageSources and context for GPA
Class size782025-2026Source for Class size
In-state tuition$38,810One year, tuition and feesSource for In-state tuition

Mission

The primary mission of the Quillen College of Medicine is to educate and train future physicians, particularly those interested in primary care, to serve in underserved rural communities. The College is also dedicated to advancing biomedical research and improving healthcare in Northeast Tennessee and the broader Appalachian region. As a leading healthcare provider in East Tennessee, Quillen strives to meet community and regional health needs by identifying, creating, and implementing programs that leverage its resources. In alignment with this responsibility, the College emphasizes primary care as the core focus of its medical practice and training programs. The selection process prioritizes candidates with a demonstrated interest in rural and primary care, ensuring that the college’s mission remains at the forefront. Quillen fosters its mission by engaging with schools across the state through ongoing campus visits and outreach programs. The College offers programs like the Extending Quillen to the Underserved through an Integrated Program (EQUIP) for high school and college students, as well as the Tri-Trails Program, which accelerates training for those interested in family medicine, internal medicine, or pediatrics. The College boasts an experienced and dedicated faculty in the biological, behavioral, and clinical sciences, complemented by practicing physicians who serve as part-time and volunteer faculty members. In addition to rigorous academic training, Quillen provides learning communities and extensive counseling services to support student well-being and development. These communities foster smaller group environments that promote health, wellness, and engagement in community service projects. Quillen students also actively participate in local health fairs and outreach activities, particularly in rural areas, further enhancing their commitment to serving underserved populations. As a result of these initiatives, over 50% of Quillen graduates pursue primary care residencies, with many choosing to practice in rural and underserved areas. The majority of Quillen graduates remain in Tennessee to practice, with many returning to the communities they were trained to serve, continuing the College’s mission of improving healthcare across the region.
As the school states it

Admissions office

Assistant Dean for Admissions and RecordsJohnson City, TN 37614 USA
(423) 439-2033
[email protected]

Tuition and cost

Tuition and fees
In state$38,810
Out of state$49,754
One year, as reported. A missing figure means the school did not report it, never that it costs nothing.
Cost of attendance
In state$74,449
Out of state$85,393
Tuition plus the living costs the school budgets for. This is what a loan is sized against.
What you leave with
Average graduating debt
$231,104
Students receiving aid
89%
Health insurance
In state
$4,048
Out of state
$4,048
After graduation
Monthly loan payment
$2,218
Earnings, 1 year out
$60,144
Earnings, 5 years out
$196,850

Loan payment is on federal graduate loans only. Earnings are medians for everyone who finished this program, and a year out most of them are in residency.

Who can apply

Out-of-state ApplicantsYesYes, https://www.etsu.edu/com/admissions/requirements/selection- factors.php
Canadian ApplicantsConditionsNo, https://www.etsu.edu/com/admissions/requirements/selection- factors.php
International ApplicantsConditionsNo, https://www.etsu.edu/com/admissions/requirements/selection- factors.php
DACA Status ApplicantsNoNo
Transfer applicantsNoNot accepted
Community college prerequisitesYesAccepted
AP creditYesAccepted
Online courseworkYesAccepted
Pass/fail courseworkConditionsAccepted with conditions

Completion of a minimum of 90 semester hours of coursework from regionally accredited U.S. institution(s) is required for admission. This includes work completed at community colleges.

Applying

How competitive is admission here?

51.4applications per seat2025-2026
4,009applications received2025-2026
15.5%from in state2025-2026
  1. MCAT scores this school will read
    Oldest accepted
    January 2023
    Latest accepted
    September 12, 2026
  2. AAMC PREview
    Policy
    Exploring PREview for Future use – will not be used in this cycle’s admissions decisions
  3. Secondary application
    Required
    Yes
    Fee
    $50
    Sent to
    Following an initial review, selected applicants may be requested to submit a secondary application. Notification will be sent by email.
    Fee waiver
    Available
  4. Secondary deadline
    Due
    Application/fee must be submitted within seven days. Recommendations and Casper scores to be submitted asap. All evaluations and scores must be in by January 15, 2027 latest to be considered.
  5. Letters of recommendation
    Committee letter
    Accepted
    Letter packet
    Accepted
    Individual letters
    Accepted
  6. Interview
    Format
    One-on-one
    Invitations
    Earliest invitations sent mid-late August.
  7. Deposit on an offer
    Required
    No

Prerequisite coursework

  • BiochemistryLabRecommended
  • BiologyLabRecommended
  • ChemistryOrganic & InorganicLabRecommended
  • Composition & RhetoricCollege EnglishRecommended
  • GeneticsLabRecommended
  • MathematicsCollege Mathematics; CalculusRecommended
  • PhysicsLabRecommended
  • PsychologyRecommended
  • SociologyLabRecommended
  • ZoologyLabRecommended

Interview

One-on-one
Video interview

All interviews for the 2026-2027 application year will be virtual

Regional interviews

Regional interviews are not available

How the school describes it

Two one-on-one, semi- structured interviews with admissions committee members.

Invitations

Earliest invitations sent mid-late August.

A typical interview day

For the 2026-2027 application year, all interviews and informational sessions will be conducted virtually. Information and instructions regarding interviews will be provided to selected applicants. Applicants will first attend a virtual information session with admissions and financial services staff on a afternoon prior to the interview day. The interview day consists of two semi-structured interviews with members of the admissions committee.

If you are waitlisted

Waitlist positions
Varies from cycle to cycle

Applicants not immediately accepted or rejected will be placed on active hold/waitlist until further action is taken. Prompt notification is provided of any changes.

Sources

Figures here were last reviewed on 2026-08-04.

PreMD publishes no ranking of medical schools and republishes nobody else's. Reported averages and medians describe entering classes; they do not predict an applicant's result.

PreMD is an independent planning tool for applicants. It is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by this school, and this is not the school's official website. Marks are shown for identification.