Quillen COM Interview Prep Guide (2025-2026)

East Tennessee State University’s James H. Quillen College of Medicine (Quillen COM) is a community-focused medical school known for its mission to train physicians for rural and underserved areas. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of what to expect and prepare for when interviewing at Quillen COM. It covers the format and style of the interviews, highlights the school’s mission, values, and unique program features, and discusses relevant healthcare topics and selection criteria that often come up during the admissions process. Additionally, it summarizes key timelines and deadlines for the 2025-2026 application cycle. By understanding these elements – from Quillen’s interview structure to the themes of past questions – applicants can better appreciate what the school is looking for and reflect on how their own goals align with Quillen’s ethos.

Quillen’s interview process is traditionally structured and applicant-friendly. Interview days at Quillen typically involve two separate one-on-one interviews with members of the Admissions Committee, each lasting up to about 50–60 minutes etsu.edu. The interviews are generally open-file, meaning the interviewers have access to the applicant’s application file during the conversation forums.studentdoctor.net. Students who have interviewed consistently report that the tone is conversational and low-stress – interviewers often aim to get to know the candidate rather than put them on the spot forums.studentdoctor.net. Beyond the formal interviews, the day includes a welcome orientation, a tour of facilities, and lunch with medical students etsu.edu, giving candidates a chance to experience the campus and ask questions in an informal setting. Quillen notifies interviewed applicants of admissions decisions on a rolling basis shortly after committee meetings etsu.edu, and historically a significant portion of interviewees (around 40% or more) receive acceptance offers etsu.edu, reflecting the school’s careful pre-screening and selection of interview candidates.

Quillen College of Medicine’s mission is centered on serving communities in need. The primary mission explicitly emphasizes educating future physicians – especially those interested in primary care – to practice in underserved rural communities etsu.edu. In addition, Quillen is committed to excellence in biomedical research and improving health care in Northeast Tennessee and the broader Appalachian region etsu.edu. This means the school highly values service, community engagement, and addressing healthcare disparities. Quillen’s focus on primary care and rural health isn’t just rhetoric; it’s reflected in outcomes – for example, Quillen has been recognized as No. 2 in the nation for producing graduates who serve in medically underserved areas, and it ranks as a top-tier program for primary care training etsu.edu. These values permeate the culture of the school and are likely to be woven into interview conversations. Applicants should expect that their alignment with Quillen’s mission – such as a genuine interest in caring for rural or underserved populations – may be an important consideration during the interview (indeed, Quillen’s secondary application even directly asks how an applicant’s goals align with this mission medschoolinsiders.com). Demonstrating an understanding of and commitment to the school’s core values can help show that you’re a good fit for Quillen’s community-oriented ethos.

Quillen COM offers an intimate learning environment with a small class size and strong mentorship opportunities. Each entering class has historically consisted of about 72–78 students, and this number is expanding – the school announced plans to increase the class size to around 100 students for future classes news.etsu.edu. Even with growth, Quillen remains one of the smaller medical schools nationally, boasting approximately a 2:1 student-to-faculty ratio news.etsu.edu etsu.edu. This close-knit setting fosters personal attention, a supportive atmosphere, and ample access to faculty. Quillen’s location in Johnson City, TN provides a mix of community hospital and veterans’ hospital training experiences. The college is affiliated with a regional academic health network (ETSU Health), including the Johnson City Medical Center (a large teaching hospital) and the adjacent Veterans Affairs Medical Center, among other clinics. Interviewees tour facilities like the medical center and the VA, underscoring Quillen’s robust clinical training sites etsu.edu. Students have exposure to a wide range of specialties and patient populations despite the school’s relatively small size – the ETSU health system encompasses over 40 clinical specialties and multiple primary care clinics in the region studentdoctor.net. Importantly, Quillen has modern medical education resources: for example, a state-of-the-art surgical simulation lab ("SiM") allows students to develop hands-on skills in a realistic environment etsu.edu, and a new Interprofessional Education and Research Center facilitates team-based learning across healthcare disciplines. All of these features can translate into talking points during interviews, as they illustrate what the program offers its students.

The curriculum at Quillen is designed to produce well-rounded, community-focused physicians. In 2022 the college launched a new innovative curriculum called TRAILS (Team-based Rural Applied Integrated Learning System), which integrates basic sciences with clinical experience and emphasizes active, team-based learning and community engagement etsu.edu. Students begin clinical exposures early and participate in interprofessional training and service-learning projects as part of their medical education etsu.edu. Consistent with its mission, Quillen also offers a distinctive Rural Primary Care Track (RPCT). The RPCT is an elective program embedded within the four-year curriculum for a small cohort of students committed to practicing primary care in rural or underserved areas etsu.edu. RPCT students get additional rural clinical experiences, targeted learning in rural health topics (like Appalachian health issues and healthcare disparities), and extended field experiences in community settings etsu.edu etsu.edu. Importantly, participating in the RPCT does not replace the core curriculum – instead, it enriches it with one day per week of rural-focused activities and a longer community-based clerkship, while still covering all the standard medical training studentdoctor.net. This kind of program underscores Quillen’s commitment to producing physicians ready to serve in settings that need them most.

Potential Questions to Ask at the Interview

• “How does the TRAILS curriculum integrate early clinical experiences and community engagement into medical training?”
• “Could you tell me more about the Rural Primary Care Track and what opportunities it provides for students interested in rural health?”
• “What kinds of community service or outreach projects are Quillen students involved in throughout the MD program?”
• “What research opportunities are available for students, particularly in areas addressing Appalachian or rural health issues?”
• “How does Quillen’s small class size and faculty-to-student ratio enhance the learning experience?”

These questions are aligned with Quillen’s distinctive features and values, and asking them can demonstrate your genuine interest in the program. They also help you gather deeper insights into how the school operates and supports its students.

Medical school interviews often include discussion of current healthcare issues. Given Quillen’s focus and geographic setting, several policy and public health topics are particularly pertinent:

• Rural Health Disparities & Access: East Tennessee and the surrounding Appalachian region face significant health disparities. Many counties in this area are among the nation’s poorest and have outcomes comparable to developing countries due to poverty tnmagazine.org tnmagazine.org. Access to care is a major concern – Tennessee has had numerous rural hospital closures (16 closures since 2010, the second-highest in the U.S.) tnmagazine.org, which exacerbates the difficulty for rural residents seeking timely healthcare. Interview discussions might explore how these challenges could be addressed, reflecting Quillen’s mission to serve such communities.
• Opioid Epidemic and Public Health Crisis: Appalachia has been at the epicenter of the opioid overdose crisis. Overdose mortality rates have climbed to their highest levels ever, both nationally and in Tennessee tnmagazine.org. The region’s struggles with opioid addiction and related health issues (such as neonatal abstinence syndrome or hepatitis C spread) are highly relevant topics. Quillen’s curriculum and community initiatives may involve tackling substance abuse and mental health, so demonstrating awareness of this crisis could be valuable in interviews.
• Primary Care Physician Shortage: There is a well-documented nationwide shortage of physicians, particularly in primary care and in rural areas. The AAMC projects the United States could be short by as many as 124,000 physicians by 2034, including a deficit of up to 48,000 primary care doctors hcinnovationgroup.com. This shortage underpins Quillen’s emphasis on primary care and rural medicine. In an interview, you might be asked about factors contributing to the healthcare workforce shortage or ideas to encourage doctors to practice in underserved areas. Quillen’s work – for instance, its efforts to recruit students from rural backgrounds and its high proportion of graduates entering primary care – is directly aimed at alleviating this issue.

Other broad policy topics that could come up include healthcare access and insurance (Tennessee’s approach to Medicaid and care for the uninsured), preventive care and public health initiatives, and the impact of socio-economic factors on health. It’s wise for applicants to be conversant with major healthcare challenges both in the local region and nationally, as this awareness demonstrates the kind of community-oriented perspective that aligns with Quillen’s values.

Quillen takes a holistic approach in evaluating applicants, meaning that beyond grades and MCAT scores, the admissions committee places heavy weight on personal qualities and experiences. According to the official admissions materials, the committee looks at each applicant’s extracurricular and life experiences, accomplishments, and motivation for medicine in addition to academics etsu.edu. Below are some key non-academic factors Quillen considers:

• Clinical Exposure & Service: Significant medically-related experiences are important. The committee expects to see evidence of hands-on clinical exposure, such as patient care experiences or shadowing, and volunteer or service work that demonstrates a commitment to helping others etsu.edu. Experiences in rural or underserved settings can be especially pertinent given Quillen’s mission.
• Research and Work Experience: Participation in research projects (especially in biomedical or public health fields) and other meaningful work or leadership roles adds depth to an application. Quillen values “pertinent extracurricular research and work experience” and other non-scholastic accomplishments that show an applicant’s initiative, curiosity, and ability to contribute beyond the classroom etsu.edu.
• Personal Qualities: The admissions committee places emphasis on traits like integrity, responsibility, maturity, and motivation etsu.edu. They are looking for evidence through interviews and letters of recommendation that an applicant is resilient, has strong interpersonal skills, and is genuinely driven by the desire to serve patients. An ability to reflect on personal growth or ethical situations can highlight these characteristics.

In short, Quillen looks for applicants who not only excel academically but also bring well-rounded experiences and character. During the interview, be prepared to discuss your journey and experiences – whether it’s a volunteer project, a patient interaction that affected you, a leadership role, or a challenge you navigated – to illustrate these qualities. The school’s “whole person” evaluation means that who you are and what you’ve done can be just as important as your test scores.

Quillen’s expectations for its students align with common frameworks of physician competencies, tailored to the school’s mission. In fact, Quillen articulates a set of developmental goals for its graduates known as the “Vision of the Quillen Physician,” which mirrors many of the AAMC’s core competencies. According to this framework, Quillen aims to graduate physicians who are:

• Skilled Clinicians – Doctors with excellent clinical and diagnostic skills who apply critical thinking and evidence-based practice in all aspects of patient care.
• Compassionate Physicians – Caregivers who use patient-centered principles and shared decision-making to guide patients through the healthcare system etsu.edu.
• Servant Leaders – Professionals who prioritize the well-being of others and advocate for patients, especially those disadvantaged by the healthcare system etsu.edu.
• Effective Collaborators – Team players prepared to work collaboratively in interprofessional healthcare teams, respecting the contributions of all members etsu.edu.
• Lifelong Learners – Individuals committed to continual learning and improvement, able to critically evaluate new information and adapt throughout their careers etsu.edu.

These five domains (which Quillen weaves into its curriculum and evaluation) encompass medical knowledge, patient care, interpersonal skills, professionalism, and self-improvement. For interview preparation, it’s useful to recognize that the school values these competencies. When sharing your experiences or answering questions, you may naturally touch on these areas – for example, describing a time you collaborated with a team, a leadership role you took on, or how you stay current and learn from new experiences. Being aware of Quillen’s competency framework underscores that the interview is not only about what you know, but also about who you are as a future physician.

Insights from past Quillen interviewees (for example, via Student Doctor Network feedback) reveal several common themes in the questions. While questions can vary widely, they often fall into the following categories:

• Mission Fit and Regional Commitment: Interviewers frequently ask about an applicant’s interest in Quillen’s mission and their connection to the region. Expect questions like “Why rural medicine? Why ETSU (Quillen)?” studentdoctor.net that probe your motivation for attending a school focused on rural healthcare. In some cases, interviewers even gauge how rooted you are to Tennessee or Appalachia – for instance, one interviewer asked an applicant about the origin of their hometown’s name and shared regional experiences, showing an interest in the candidate’s ties to the area studentdoctor.net.
• Knowledge of Healthcare Issues: It’s common to be asked about current challenges in healthcare, especially those relevant to underserved communities. Quillen interviewers have brought up questions such as “What do you think is the largest issue facing rural health?” and “What are some of the greatest problems we are facing in healthcare today?” studentdoctor.net studentdoctor.net. You might also get questions about specific healthcare topics like preventive medicine (e.g., “How do you feel about preventative medicine?” studentdoctor.net). These questions assess your awareness of the broader context in which you will practice medicine.
• Motivation and Career Goals: Naturally, Quillen will explore why you want to pursue medicine and what kind of physician you hope to become. Expect classic questions like “Why do you want to be a doctor?” or “Why medicine?” studentdoctor.net studentdoctor.net. Additionally, you might be asked about your future goals or specialty interests (for example, “What type of physician do you want to be?”). The interviewers want to understand your personal drive and whether you have a clear, authentic motivation for a career in medicine (and at Quillen specifically).
• Personal Experiences and Traits: Many questions invite you to share more about who you are beyond your application stats. Interviewers often ask about challenges you’ve overcome (“Tell me about a challenge you faced and how you overcame it” studentdoctor.net), your hobbies or interests (“What do you like to do for fun?” studentdoctor.net), or how you manage stress (“How do you handle the difficulty and stress of medical school or work?” studentdoctor.net). You might even get open-ended prompts like “Describe yourself in five words.” These kinds of questions allow you to highlight personal attributes like resilience, balance, communication skills, and time management – qualities important for a physician.
• Ethical and Scenario-Based Questions: Quillen’s interviews often include scenario questions to assess your ethical reasoning and problem-solving. For example, one reported question involved a scenario where a patient does not follow your medical advice (e.g. continues unhealthy behaviors despite your recommendations) – “What will you do if a patient ignores your treatment plan?” studentdoctor.net. Another scenario that came up asked what you would do if a colleague refuses to perform a necessary procedure because of payment concerns studentdoctor.net. These questions don’t necessarily have one “right” answer; instead, interviewers want to see your thought process, professionalism, empathy, and ethical framework in handling real-world dilemmas.

Overall, past interviewees describe Quillen’s interviews as friendly and conversational, so even when discussing these topics, the atmosphere is usually supportive rather than adversarial. The questions above give a sense of the breadth of discussion – covering your understanding of Quillen’s focus, your knowledge of healthcare, your personal journey, and ethical judgment. Preparing examples and reflections related to these themes will help you feel more confident and authentic in responding.

For the 2025-2026 application cycle (applicants matriculating to Quillen in Fall 2026), keeping track of deadlines is crucial. Quillen follows the typical AMCAS application timeline with some specific dates:

• Primary Application: The AMCAS application opens in late May 2025. Quillen accepts primary applications from June 1 through November 15, 2025 etsu.edu (this is the latest date by which your AMCAS and all required materials must be submitted). Applying earlier in the cycle is generally recommended due to rolling admissions.
• Secondary Application: Quillen screens applicants before sending secondary invitations. On average, about 500 applicants are invited to complete the secondary out of over 3,000+ who apply etsu.edu. If you receive a secondary, it’s best to submit it promptly (usually within 2–3 weeks of invitation). The secondary application will typically include essay prompts (in recent cycles, Quillen’s secondary has asked about things like how your goals align with their mission and discussions of social issues or challenges you’ve overcome). Ensure all secondary materials are in by the deadline indicated in the invitation (often in December if invited in the fall).
• CASPer Test: Quillen requires applicants to take the CASPer (Computer-Based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics) exam as a part of its admissions process studentdoctor.net. CASPer is a situational judgment test evaluating personal and professional characteristics. For 2025-2026 applicants, you should check available CASPer test dates in 2025 and take it by the last date that Quillen will accept (usually by early fall) so that your score is delivered in time for interview consideration. Plan ahead, as CASPer scores can take a few weeks to be transmitted to the school.
• Early Decision Program (EDP): If Quillen is your first-choice school, you may apply via Early Decision. The EDP primary application deadline is August 1, 2025, and all required materials (including MCAT scores and secondaries) must be submitted on an accelerated timeline. Early Decision applicants interview early and will receive a decision by October 1, 2025 etsu.edu. Note that EDP is binding – you can only apply to Quillen initially, and if accepted, you commit to attend. EDP is generally recommended for well-qualified in-state applicants who strongly fit Quillen’s mission.
• Interview Invitations: Quillen issues interview invitations on a rolling basis, typically starting in late summer (around August or September) and continuing through early 2026 (often into January or February). Approximately 400 applicants are interviewed each year etsu.edu. Invitations may be sent via email and can sometimes come on short notice, so it’s important to monitor your email (including spam folder) and have some flexibility in your schedule during interview season. The interviews themselves are conducted from roughly September to March, either in-person or virtually (as per the current policies; Quillen had been using virtual interviews in recent years, but be sure to verify the format for this cycle).
• Admissions Decisions: Quillen uses rolling admissions, meaning the Admissions Committee makes decisions throughout the interview season. After you interview, your application will be reviewed at the next committee meeting. The committee may decide to offer an acceptance, place you in a hold/waitlist category, or reject the application. Quillen has noted that applicants are usually notified of the committee’s decision within about a week after the meeting at which they are discussed etsu.edu. Accepted students will receive an official offer (and, if applicable, a financial aid packet in the spring). Those placed on hold remain under consideration and could be admitted later in the cycle (often as late as spring or early summer if spots open). By around March 2026, Quillen will have sent out the majority of its acceptance offers to fill the class. If you are waitlisted, you may receive a final admission offer as late as May or June, depending on movement. It’s important to keep Quillen updated with any contact info changes (via AMCAS) and significant application updates, but avoid excessive communication. Trust that the process will move according to the timeline.

Make sure to double-check Quillen’s official admissions website or the AMCAS portal for any updates to these dates. Additionally, remember to take note of other requirements and their timings – for instance, Quillen’s latest acceptable MCAT for this cycle is from September 2025 (scores from tests after that, such as December 2025, will not be considered) etsu.edu etsu.edu. Staying organized with a calendar of all these deadlines will help ensure you don’t miss any critical steps in the application process.

Interviewing at Quillen College of Medicine is an opportunity to showcase not only your academic achievements but also your fit with a program defined by service and community. In this guide, we reviewed Quillen’s interview format – two relaxed, conversational interviews that delve into who you are – and highlighted how the school’s mission and values (like a dedication to primary care in rural Appalachia) might manifest in interview topics. We explored Quillen’s program features, from its small class size and unique rural track to aspects of the curriculum that you might want to ask about. We also covered important healthcare issues relevant to Quillen’s context, the non-academic traits the school looks for, and common themes from past interview questions, as well as key dates for your application timeline. With this knowledge in hand, you should have a clearer picture of what Quillen is all about and how to prepare for an interview day that reflects their motto of “training doctors where they’re needed most.” Good luck as you take the next steps toward a potential acceptance at Quillen College of Medicine!