UTHSC College of Medicine (MD) Medical School - 2027 Entry Requirements & Interview Format
The University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine, founded in 1851, is one of the oldest medical schools in the South and the flagship public medical school of Tennessee. Located in downtown Memphis with regional campuses across the state, UTHSC trains physicians for a broad array of practice settings with particular emphasis on primary care, rural medicine, and community health. The school benefits from affiliation with Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare, Regional One Health, and the Memphis VA Medical Center, providing rich clinical diversity throughout training.
Entry Requirements
What you need to apply to UTHSC College of Medicine (MD).
Admission overview
Bachelor's degree and MCAT required. Applications via AMCAS. UTHSC gives strong preference to Tennessee residents; out-of-state applicants represent a small proportion of each class. Secondary application required. Demonstrated commitment to serving Tennessee communities and clinical experience are highly valued.
MCAT median
512 (range 507–518)
GPA median
3.83 overall / 3.78 science (BCPM)
Acceptance rate
4.5%
Class size
175
In-state preference
Strong — primarily in-state
In-state matriculants
92%
CASPer
Not required
Holistic review emphasis
Tennessee residency, primary care and rural medicine mission fit, community service, clinical experience.
Notes
Estimates from public AAMC FACTS / class-profile; verify current cycle.
Specialities offered
Primary Care, Rural Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, Community Health
Interview Format
How UTHSC College of Medicine (MD) interviews applicants.
Format
Traditional panel interviews with faculty and students
Interview window
October–February
Decision date
March 30 (AAMC standard)
Post-interview chances
Estimated post-interview acceptance rate approximately 25–35%. The interview pool is strongly filtered for Tennessee residency and mission alignment; holistic review favours applicants with documented service and clinical depth in Tennessee communities.
What to expect at a UTHSC College of Medicine (MD) interview
UTHSC Memphis hosts interview days at its downtown Memphis campus, typically involving two 20–30 minute interviews — one with a faculty physician and one with a current medical student or resident. Interviewers have reviewed the full AMCAS application in advance and probe motivation for medicine in Tennessee, community service experience, and clinical preparation. The day includes a campus and hospital tour of the affiliated Regional One Health and other Memphis medical center facilities, plus an informal lunch with current students. Applicants with interest in primary care, rural medicine, or serving Tennessee's medically underserved populations stand out in this review.
What makes UTHSC College of Medicine (MD) different
UTHSC College of Medicine operates across multiple Tennessee campuses (Memphis, Knoxville, Chattanooga, and Nashville), giving students access to diverse clinical environments and patient populations. The school has a strong public health mission focused on rural and underserved Tennessee communities. Regional One Health (Memphis) provides Level I trauma and high-acuity exposure from the clinical years.
Tutor insight
Tennessee residents with primary care interest and solid in-state community ties should rank UTHSC highly — it offers strong clinical diversity through its multi-campus system at public school cost. In your interview, be ready to explain where in Tennessee you hope to practise and which underserved populations you want to serve; generic answers will not distinguish you. Out-of-state applicants face very low acceptance odds and should apply broadly. Research UTHSC's regional campuses and consider identifying your preferred track early in the secondary application.
PrometheusQuestion Bank
595 medicine questions inside
Interview questions matched to UTHSC College of Medicine (MD)
Two questions our tutors flagged as a strong fit for UTHSC College of Medicine (MD)’s interview style. Try answering them out loud, then open Prometheus for the model answers and follow-up tips.
Easy·PanelQ1
Holistic Review: First-Generation College Student
You are the first person in your family to attend college. Your parents did not navigate higher education and could not advise you on applying to medical school. Describe how your first-generation background has shaped your understanding of access and opportunity, and what it means to you to be a physician from that perspective.
Likely follow-up · What barriers did you encounter in your pre-medical journey that you believe your peers from more resourced backgrounds did not face, and how did you navigate them?
3 expert tips in Prometheus
Easy·PanelQ2
AAMC Core Competency: Capacity for Improvement — Learning from a Failed Grade
You received a C in Organic Chemistry II during your sophomore year. You retook the course the following year and received a B+. An interviewer asks you directly: 'Walk me through what happened the first time and what changed the second time.' How do you respond?
Likely follow-up · How do you distinguish between explaining your grade and making excuses for it?
UTHSC College of Medicine (MD) - Frequently asked questions
Bachelor's degree and MCAT required. Applications via AMCAS. UTHSC gives strong preference to Tennessee residents; out-of-state applicants represent a small proportion of each class. Secondary application required. Demonstrated commitment to serving Tennessee communities and clinical experience are highly valued.
Traditional panel interviews with faculty and students. UTHSC Memphis hosts interview days at its downtown Memphis campus, typically involving two 20–30 minute interviews — one with a faculty physician and one with a current medical student or resident. Interviewers have reviewed the full AMCAS application in advance and probe motivation for medicine in Tennessee, community service experience, and clinical preparation. The day includes a campus and hospital tour of the affiliated Regional One Health and other Memphis medical center facilities, plus an informal lunch with current students. Applicants with interest in primary care, rural medicine, or serving Tennessee's medically underserved populations stand out in this review.
UTHSC College of Medicine (MD) typically interviews in October–February.
Decisions are released March 30 (AAMC standard).
UTHSC College of Medicine operates across multiple Tennessee campuses (Memphis, Knoxville, Chattanooga, and Nashville), giving students access to diverse clinical environments and patient populations. The school has a strong public health mission focused on rural and underserved Tennessee communities. Regional One Health (Memphis) provides Level I trauma and high-acuity exposure from the clinical years.
