Secondary Essay Prompts Database

East Tennessee State University – James H. Quillen College of Medicine (Johnson City, TN)

These are the secondary application essay prompts for East Tennessee State University James H. Quillen College of Medicine. To put your best foot forward and maximize your chance of an interview invitation, visit our secondary application editing page.
Program Overview

East Tennessee State University – James H. Quillen College of Medicine (Johnson City, TN)

Secondary Deadline
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
Secondary Fee
$50
FAP Waiver
Yes
Casper Required
Yes
Screens Applications
Yes
Accepts Application Updates
Mission

ETSU provides a student-centered community of learning, reflecting high standards and promoting a balance of liberal arts and professional preparation, and continuous improvement. The university conducts a wide array of educational and research programs and clinical services including a comprehensive Academic Health Sciences Center. Education is the university’s highest priority, and the institution is committed to increasing the level of educational attainment in the state and region based on core values where:

Vision

PEOPLE come first, are treated with dignity and respect, and are encouraged to achieve their full potential; RELATIONSHIPS are built on honesty, integrity, and trust; DIVERSITY of people and thought is respected; EXCELLENCE is achieved through teamwork, leadership, creativity, and a strong work ethic; EFFICIENCY is achieved through wise use of human and financial resources; and COMMITMENT to intellectual achievement is embraced.

ETSU endorses the value of liberal education and provides enriching experiences in honors education, student research and creative activity, study abroad, service learning, and community-based education.

ETSU honors and preserves the rich heritage of Southern Appalachia through distinctive education, research, and service programs and is actively engaged in regional stewardship.

ETSU affirms the contributions of diverse people, cultures, and thought to intellectual, social, and economic development.

ETSU offers students a total university experience that includes cultural and artistic programs, diverse student activities, a variety of residential opportunities, and outstanding recreational and intercollegiate athletic programs.

ETSU awards degrees in over one hundred baccalaureate, master, and doctoral programs, including distinctive interdisciplinary programs and distance education offerings that serve students from the region and beyond.

Values
Developing a world-class environment to enhance student success and improve the quality of life in the region and beyond.

Application Cycles
2026-2027
Application Cycle
All questions have a 250-word limit.

1. Why have you chosen to apply to Quillen College of Medicine? How do your personal and professional goals align with Quillen’s mission and values? (1500 characters)

2. Quillen College of Medicine’s curriculum is designed to foster excellence in clinical practice through active, in-person participation and peer co-learning. This approach requires individual preparation, engagement in participatory class sessions, and a commitment to mutual coaching among peers. We believe that meaningful learning extends beyond academics and can be found in all areas of life.

3. To help us understand how you will thrive in our community, please reflect on the significance of this learning model in your personal and professional development. In your response, consider the following:

  • Describe a time when you navigated a challenging group learning experience. What was your role, and how did you contribute to the group’s success?
  • Discuss the value you find in learning through teaching and coaching your peers. How does this approach enhance your understanding and application of material?
  • You are encouraged to draw from both academic and non-academic experiences to illustrate your points. (1500 characters)

4. Choose one of the following: (1500 characters)

  • As a physician, you will have the unique opportunity to foster positive change within your patients and community. Reflect on how your life experiences have shaped your values and attitudes towards others, especially those from different backgrounds or with differing values. How have these experiences prepared you to treat all patients with respect, care, compassion, and dignity, even when their beliefs differ from your own
  • Describe a specific initiative or project you have undertaken to improve your community. What motivated you to get involved, and what impact did your efforts have? In your response, please highlight any challenges you faced, how you overcame them, and what you learned from the experience
  • Use this space to tell the committee anything else about yourself that you have not had the opportunity to present elsewhere in your application.
2025-2026
Application Cycle
All questions have a 250-word limit.

1. Why have you chosen to apply to Quillen College of Medicine? How do your personal and professional goals align with Quillen’s mission and values? (1500 characters)

2. Quillen College of Medicine’s curriculum is designed to foster excellence in clinical practice through active, in-person participation and peer co-learning. This approach requires individual preparation, engagement in participatory class sessions, and a commitment to mutual coaching among peers. We believe that meaningful learning extends beyond academics and can be found in all areas of life.

3. To help us understand how you will thrive in our community, please reflect on the significance of this learning model in your personal and professional development. In your response, consider the following:

  • Describe a time when you navigated a challenging group learning experience. What was your role, and how did you contribute to the group’s success?
  • Discuss the value you find in learning through teaching and coaching your peers. How does this approach enhance your understanding and application of material?
  • You are encouraged to draw from both academic and non-academic experiences to illustrate your points. (1500 characters)

4. Choose one of the following: (1500 characters)

  • As a physician, you will have the unique opportunity to foster positive change within your patients and community. Reflect on how your life experiences have shaped your values and attitudes towards others, especially those from different backgrounds or with differing values. How have these experiences prepared you to treat all patients with respect, care, compassion, and dignity, even when their beliefs differ from your own
  • Describe a specific initiative or project you have undertaken to improve your community. What motivated you to get involved, and what impact did your efforts have? In your response, please highlight any challenges you faced, how you overcame them, and what you learned from the experience
  • Use this space to tell the committee anything else about yourself that you have not had the opportunity to present elsewhere in your application.
2024-2025
Application Cycle
All questions have a 250-word limit.

1. 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? (1500 characters)2. 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. Consider the following points to structure your response (1500 characters):

  • Describe an instance where you navigated a challenging group learning process. What was your role, and how did you contribute to the group’s success?
  • Discuss the value you find in learning through the teaching and coaching of your classmates. How does this approach enhance your understanding and application of the material?

Feel free to draw on experiences from both academic and non-academic contexts to illustrate your points.3. Choose one of following questions and indicate the letter (A, B, or C) you are responding to (1500 characters):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.

2023-2024
Application Cycle
All questions have a 250-word limit.
  1. All prompts have a 1500 character limit.1. What makes you interested in Quillen? Discuss your perceptions on how attending Quillen would align with your future goals and your hopes for how it will shape you into the physician you want to become.2. Social justice, systemic racism, and equity for all have been at the forefront of national conversations. Quillen College of Medicine recognizes that many barriers still exist for persons of color and 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 your reflections on how your life experiences have impacted the development of your values and attitudes toward others, particularly those with backgrounds or values different from your own.3. Applicant choice. Please select only one of the following questions to answer. Be sure to indicate your choice by starting with the number associated with the question:
      1. There is no doubt that the level of stress brought on by medical schools can impact a student’s mental health and emotional well-being. Discuss the ways you plan to manage your own health and well-being during medical school.
      2. Describe an experience you have had during your life that has given you a unique understanding of human suffering and what did you learn from this experience?
      3. Use this space to tell the committee anything else about yourself that you have not had the opportunity to present elsewhere in your application.

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