ETSU's Quillen College of Medicine offers an MD program in Johnson City focused on clinical training and service to rural and underserved communities. Applicants reaching the secondary stage must submit Casper scores. Quillen reviews academic preparation, MCAT results, experience and personal qualities, with a preference for Tennessee residents.
- Program
- Doctor of Medicine (M.D.)
- Credential
- MD
- Location
- Johnson City, Tennessee, United States
- Casper
- Required
- Next deadline
- November 1, 2026 (Regular AMCAS application and materials deadline)
- Interview
- Interview
- Length
- four-year
Casper Requirement for East Tennessee State University Medicine
East Tennessee State University Medicine requires Casper for the 2026-2027 cycle.
- Languages
- English
- Applicant ID to enter
- AAMC Number or AMCAS ID
Check available Casper test dates in your Acuity Insights account at takecasper.com.
Applicants reaching the secondary stage must submit Casper scores. Quillen does not accept scores from tests taken after December 3, 2026; allow for a four-week score-reporting turnaround. Acuity Insights fees are waived for eligible AAMC Fee Assistance Program recipients.
Casper format
Casper is an online, open-response situational judgment test run by Acuity Insights. The current format has 11 scenarios (4 video-response and 7 typed-response) with 2 questions each and takes about 65 to 85 minutes, including optional breaks. Typed-response scenarios allow 3.5 minutes to answer both questions.
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East Tennessee State University Medicine Application Deadlines 2026-2027
- Apply through
- AMCAS
- Applications open
- June 1, 2026
- Application fee
- $50 supplementary application fee; waived for AAMC Fee Assistance Program recipients, active-duty military personnel and honorably separated veterans.
| What | When |
|---|---|
| Early Decision application deadline | August 1, 2026passed |
| Regular AMCAS application and materials deadline | November 1, 2026upcoming |
| Supplemental information, letters and fee | Within 14 days of request |
Fee assistance is available via the AAMC Fee Assistance Program (FAP).
East Tennessee State University Medicine Admissions Statistics
Period: Entering class statistics as of April 27, 2026
- Applicants: 2,929
- Interviewed: 440
- Average GPA: 3.82
- Average test score: MCAT 512
- Acceptances offered: 143
- Current accepted students: 96
Eligibility Requirements for East Tennessee State University Medicine
- Degree / credits
Complete a minimum of 90 semester hours from a regionally accredited U.S. community college, college, or university.
- Residency
Tennessee residents receive preference; eligible out-of-state applicants, including those with a strong commitment to serving Quillen's region, are encouraged to apply. Qualifying border-county applicants may be treated as Tennessee residents.
- Citizenship
Applicants must be U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents.
Verify eligibility by reviewing official transcripts against these criteria on the school's admissions page.
Other requirements
- Criminal background investigation: Accepted applicants must undergo the AMCAS criminal background investigation; acceptance depends on a favorable evaluation.
Selection Factors East Tennessee State University Considers
GPA
- How it is calculated
Submit all transcripts via AMCAS for committee evaluation.
Quillen evaluates GPA and the strength of an applicant's coursework; its published figures do not establish a competitive GPA cutoff.
Admissions tests
- MCAT (required): Scores must be no more than three years old and received by the application deadline. Scores below 497 are not deemed competitive for further consideration.
Experience and volunteer hours
Recommended.
Quillen considers extracurricular research and work, community service, leadership and clinical experience demonstrating motivation for medicine. It publishes no required number of experience or volunteer hours.
Supplementary application
Selected applicants receive a link to submit additional information and a $50 fee or applicable waiver within 14 days of request. A preprofessional committee evaluation is recommended, not required; without one, provide at least three evaluations from people familiar with you. Letters are submitted through AMCAS.
How applicants are ranked
Quillen screens verified AMCAS applications, requests secondary materials from selected applicants, then screens for virtual interviews. After interviews, the committee may accept, terminate or hold an application; its ranking guides consideration of the hold list.
Interview Format at East Tennessee State University
Format: Interview
All interviews are virtual. Well-qualified applicants may be invited to interview with Admissions Committee members; an invitation does not guarantee admission.
- Who is invited
- Well-qualified applicants selected by the Admissions Committee
- When
- September through March, or as needed.
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Start Practicing FreeCurriculum at East Tennessee State University Medicine
- Program length
- four-year
- Structure
The four-year MD program begins with a preclerkship phase integrating foundational science and early clinical skills, followed by clinical clerkships and senior-year training.
- Campuses
- Johnson City
The TRAILS curriculum integrates basic and clinical sciences, early patient experiences, interprofessional learning, simulation and service to rural and underserved communities.
Tuition and Funding at East Tennessee State University
- 2026-2027 estimated annual in-state tuition and fees: $38,900
- 2026-2027 estimated annual out-of-state tuition and fees: $49,844
Estimated annual MD tuition and fees; subject to change by the ETSU Board of Trustees.
East Tennessee State University's Mission and Values
The program focuses on producing physicians equipped for residency training through a structured four-year M.D. curriculum, with emphasis on community-oriented medicine and serving rural and underserved populations in Appalachia.
Quillen College of Medicine has a robust curriculum that is designed to prepare students to graduate as professional, capable, and compassionate physicians.
What Applicants Are Saying
Students report a learning environment that prioritizes clinical integration from early phases, fostering skills in patient-centered care. Matriculated students describe the culture as supportive for those committed to serving rural and underserved populations in Appalachia. Students report that aligning interview responses with Quillen's mission—serving Appalachian communities—advances selection to matriculation.
Shared by applicants and students on forums and communities. It is anecdotal, not official program information.
How to Prepare Your East Tennessee State University Medicine Application
- Review Quillen's admission requirements, regional mission and residency preferences.
- Complete the required U.S. coursework and plan an eligible MCAT before the application deadline.
- Describe clinical, service and other experiences that demonstrate your motivation for medicine.
- If invited to submit secondary materials, arrange evaluations and complete the request within 14 days.
- Book Casper early enough for scores to reach Quillen before interview consideration.
- Prepare for a virtual interview with Admissions Committee members.
Frequently Asked Questions About East Tennessee State University Medicine
Is Casper required for ETSU Quillen College of Medicine admissions?
Yes. Applicants progressing to the secondary stage must submit Casper scores before interview consideration.
What is the average GPA for Quillen's entering class?
The published entering-class total GPA average was 3.82.
Does Quillen require Tennessee residency?
No. Tennessee residents receive preference, but eligible out-of-state applicants may apply.
What is Quillen's acceptance rate?
Quillen publishes applications, interviews and offers, but does not state an acceptance rate.
What are Casper test dates for ETSU Quillen?
Check Acuity Insights for available sittings and Quillen's latest accepted test date. Allow time for score reporting.
How should I prepare for Quillen interviews?
Prepare for a virtual interview with Admissions Committee members by reviewing your experiences and Quillen's mission.
What are the MD eligibility requirements?
Complete at least 90 semester hours at a regionally accredited U.S. institution; submit an eligible MCAT score and meet citizenship requirements.
Does Quillen accept international applicants?
Applicants must be U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents.
Sources
- Quillen Application Information
- Quillen Admission Requirements
- Quillen Selection Factors
- Quillen Entering Class Statistics
- Quillen MD Program
- Quillen MD Curriculum
- Quillen College of Medicine Budget
- Acuity Insights Dates and Fees
Last updated: September 26, 2026