How hard is it to get into medical school in Tennessee?
The four Tennessee schools reporting both numbers took 21,939 applications for 464 seats, about 47 applications for every place. University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine has the shortest odds of the group at 16 applications per seat.
| School | Applications | Class size | Applications per seat | Share who enrol | Median MCAT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine | 2,776 | 176 | 16 | 6.3% | 512 |
| East Tennessee State University James H. Quillen College of Medicine | 3,811 | 79 | 48 | 2.1% | 510 |
| Meharry Medical College School of Medicine | 8,084 | 114 | 71 | 1.4% | 505 |
| Vanderbilt University School of Medicine | 7,268 | 95 | 77 | 1.3% | 521 |
Share who enrol is the class divided by the applications, so it sits below a school's acceptance rate, because schools admit more people than take up a place. It is the closest figure the published numbers support.
These are the odds across everyone who applied, so a score at or above a school's median shortens them considerably. The schools that admit at the lowest medians nationally and your own chances of getting in both go further into it.
Medical schools in Tennessee at a glance
All five medical schools in Tennessee are below, with median MCAT and GPA, tuition in and out of state, class size and the share of applicants who reach interview. Each figure is the most recent one the school has published.
2026–27 cycle data. Last updated 30 August 2026.
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
| School | Degree | Apply through | Founded | Median MCAT | Median GPA | In-state tuition | Out-of-state tuition | Class size | Secondary essays | Interview rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vanderbilt University School of Medicine | MD | AMCAS | 1875 | 521 | 3.94 | $103,529 | $103,529 | 95 | 4 | n/a |
| University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine | MD | AMCAS | 1911 | 512 | 3.88 | $67,896 | $85,180 | 176 | 2 | na |
| East Tennessee State University James H. Quillen College of Medicine | MD | AMCAS | 1974 | 510 | 3.79 | $66,768 | $77,712 | 79 | 3 | 12% |
| Meharry Medical College School of Medicine | MD | AMCAS | 1876 | 505 | 3.48 | $97,439 | $97,439 | 114 | n/a | n/a |
| Lincoln Memorial University DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine (LMU-DCOM) | DO | AACOMAS | 2007 | 501 | 3.4 | $52,650 | $55,300 | n/a | 2 | n/a |
One to one with a 515+ scorer
What it takes to reach a 510 in Tennessee
Every one of our MCAT tutors scored 515+ themselves, and you work with the one who fixed the section you are stuck on.
What medical schools in Tennessee look for
Median MCAT across Tennessee runs from 501 at Lincoln Memorial University DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine (LMU-DCOM) to 521 at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. Where your score sits in that spread shapes which of them to apply to, so application, so check it before you build a list. What counts as a good MCAT score sets out the national picture, and the percentile tables show what each scaled score means.
Between 3.40 and 3.94 is where median GPA sits. A GPA below that band is still in the conversation with a strong MCAT, and a single cycle is long enough to raise an MCAT score. If you have already tested, the retake calculator prices what another attempt would take, and the score calculator converts an AAMC practice test into a scaled score.
For residents, tuition starts at $52,650 at Lincoln Memorial University DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine (LMU-DCOM) and reaches $103,529 at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. Medical school tuition across the US and Canada puts those numbers in context.
They do not all use the same application. It is AMCAS for four, AACOMAS for one. Applying across services means duplicating work, so check which one each school on your list takes before you start.
Secondaries are the next hurdle after the primary. The four schools here we hold prompts for ask 11 essays between them, from 2 up to 4 at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. Our secondary prompt database carries the wording of every one for the 2026-27 cycle, so you can draft before they arrive.
One of the five awards a DO alongside the MD programs. Both lead to licensure and residency, and DO programs generally admit at lower median scores, which is why they belong on most lists. The medical schools that admit at the lowest medians covers that ground nationally.
Between them these programs read about 21,939 applications a year for roughly 464 seats, near enough 47 applications per place. Those totals double-count anyone applying to more than one school, so treat the ratio as a measure of how much reading each committee does rather than as your odds. It is the reason a screening score matters before anyone reads a word of your essays.
Free checklist
Tennessee's medical schools sit between a 501 and a 521 median MCAT. The checklist covers everything else your application is graded on.
Every phase of the application cycle, what is due when, and what to have ready before you open AMCAS.
On its way.
Check your inbox in the next minute.
Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
Competitiveness: 9.3/10
Founded in 1875, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine is a private institution in Nashville known for its innovative approach to medical education and groundbreaking research. With a focus on collaboration and cutting-edge programs, it’s where future medical leaders shape the future of healthcare.
Median GPA
3.94
Median MCAT
521
Location
Nashville
Degree
MD
In-State Tuition
$103,529
Out-of-State Tuition
$103,529
Class Size
95
US News Ranking (Research)
Tier 1
US News Ranking (Primary Care)
Tier 3
Total Applicants
7,268
Secondaries Required
Interview Rate
NA
Interview Format
open file(45 min) closed file interview(20 min)
Address
2209 Garland Avenue, 37240
University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine
Competitiveness: 4.9/10
Founded in 1911, the University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine is a public institution in Memphis, blending hands-on learning with innovative research. Focused on community health, UTHSC equips students to make a real impact on the future of medicine.
Median GPA
3.88
Median MCAT
513
Location
Memphis
Degree
MD
In-State Tuition
$67,896
Out-of-State Tuition
$85,180
Class Size
176
US News Ranking (Research)
Tier 2
US News Ranking (Primary Care)
Tier 2
Total Applicants
2,776
Secondaries Required
Interview Rate
na
Interview Format
Two individual interviews 45 min
Address
910 Madison Avenue Suite 1031, 38163
East Tennessee State University James H. Quillen College of Medicine
Competitiveness: 2.4/10
Founded in 1974, East Tennessee State University’s James H. Quillen College of Medicine is a public school dedicated to training compassionate physicians. With a focus on community health and innovative research, Quillen prepares students to make a real impact in rural and underserved areas.
Median GPA
3.79
Median MCAT
509
Location
Johnson City
Degree
MD
In-State Tuition
$66,768
Out-of-State Tuition
$77,712
Class Size
79
US News Ranking (Research)
Tier 3
US News Ranking (Primary Care)
Tier 2
Total Applicants
3,811
Secondaries Required
Interview Rate
12%
Interview Format
one-on-one interview
Address
178 Maple Avenue Mountain Home, 37684
Meharry Medical College School of Medicine
Competitiveness: 0.5/10
Founded in 1876, Meharry Medical College School of Medicine is a private institution in Nashville, focused on training diverse healthcare leaders. With a strong commitment to underserved communities, Meharry combines research and impact to shape the future of healthcare.
Median GPA
3.48
Median MCAT
505
Location
Nashville
Degree
MD
In-State Tuition
$97,439
Out-of-State Tuition
$97,439
Class Size
114
US News Ranking (Research)
unranked
US News Ranking (Primary Care)
unranked
Total Applicants
8,084
Secondaries Required
Interview Rate
NA
Interview Format
traditional interviews
Address
1005 Dr DB Todd Jr Blvd, 37208
Lincoln Memorial University DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine (LMU-DCOM)
Competitiveness: 0.2/10
Founded in 2007, Lincoln Memorial University DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine (LMU-DCOM) is a private school in Appalachia focused on osteopathic medicine and community health. With innovative training and a hands-on approach, LMU-DCOM prepares students to make a lasting impact in underserved areas.
Median GPA
3.4
Median MCAT
501
Location
Harrogate
Degree
DO
In-State Tuition
$52,650
Out-of-State Tuition
$55,300
Class Size
US News Ranking (Research)
Tier 3
US News Ranking (Primary Care)
unranked
Total Applicants
Unknown
Secondaries Required
Interview Rate
NA
Interview Format
open file
Address
11200 SW 8th Street, 33199
Common questions about medical schools in Tennessee
How many medical schools are in Tennessee?
Five medical schools. Four award an MD and one awards a DO. Every one is listed in the table above with its median MCAT, median GPA and tuition.
What MCAT score do you need for medical school in Tennessee?
Median MCAT runs from 501 to 521, so a score at or above 510 puts you in range at about half of them. A median is the midpoint rather than a cut-off, and roughly half of each admitted class scored below it. What counts as a good MCAT score goes through how to read those numbers, and our guide to raising a score covers how to raise one.
What GPA do you need for medical school in Tennessee?
Medians land between 3.40 and 3.94. A GPA under that band is workable when the MCAT is strong, which is the part of the application still open to change once your transcript is fixed.
How much does medical school cost in Tennessee?
In-state tuition runs from $52,650 a year at Lincoln Memorial University DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine (LMU-DCOM) to $103,529 at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, before living costs. Tuition across the US and Canada sets those against the national range.
Which Tennessee medical school is easiest to get into?
By median MCAT, Lincoln Memorial University DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine (LMU-DCOM) admits at the lowest score of the group at 501. That makes it the most forgiving on numbers, though secondaries, interviews and mission fit still decide the outcome. Our secondary prompt database carries the essays each school asks for.
What is the acceptance rate at medical schools in Tennessee?
Schools here report roughly 21,939 applications against about 464 seats, which works out near one place for every 47 applications. That is not a per-applicant acceptance rate, because most people apply to fifteen or twenty schools and get counted at each one. Read it as a measure of how crowded each committee's desk is, and as the reason a screening MCAT and GPA come first. Individual schools publish their own rates, and the in-state and out-of-state figures usually differ sharply.
Which application service do Tennessee medical schools use?
Amcas for four, aacomas for one. The table above lists it per school, so you can group your list by service before you start writing.
What secondary essays do Tennessee medical schools ask for?
Across the four we hold prompts for, 11 in total, ranging from 2 to 4 at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. Secondaries arrive within days of a verified application and the turnaround runs to about two weeks, so prewriting is the difference between a considered essay and a rushed one. Our secondary prompt database carries the wording of every one for the 2026-27 cycle.
Are there DO schools in Tennessee?
Yes. Lincoln Memorial University DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine (LMU-DCOM) awards a DO rather than an MD. Osteopathic programs lead to the same licensure and compete for the same residencies, and they generally admit at lower median MCAT and GPA, so leaving them off a list narrows your options for no good reason. The table above shows their numbers beside the MD programs.
Can you get into a medical school in Tennessee with a low GPA?
It happens, and the MCAT is usually what carries it. With medians between 3.40 and 3.94, a GPA a few tenths under still gets read when the test score sits at or above the median and the rest of the application is strong. An upward trend across your transcript reads better than a flat average, and a post-bacc or a master's is the standard route when the gap is wider than that. Raising an MCAT score is the faster of the two levers.
When should you apply to medical school in Tennessee?
AMCAS opens in May and submitting in the first weeks of June is the strongest position, because most schools review on a rolling basis. Work back from that to pick a test date on the AAMC calendar, leaving room for a retake if the first score comes in short.
Medical schools in other states
Every state in the South with a medical school, on the same figures: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia.
The medical school hub carries all 59, including Northeast, the Midwest, the West, Canada.
Where to go next
- Studying for the MCAT now? The live MCAT course runs one cohort at a time with 515+ scorers teaching it.
- Want one-on-one help? MCAT tutors in Tennessee are matched on the section costing you points, and our tutoring packages list what each one includes.
- Building an application rather than a score? Medical school admissions coaching covers the list, the essays and the interviews.
- Deciding whether to sit it again? The retake calculator gives you a verdict and a date.
- Just browsing? The free MCAT resources are a good place to start, and our reviews and student score stories show what the jumps look like.
- Looking beyond the medical schools in Tennessee? The medical school hub lists every state and province with a program.