2009-2010 East Tennessee University (Quillen) Application Thread

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That and being the analytical crowd that we are, How can we help but NOT count numbers?!

On a side note, has anyone heard anything from QCOM lately? Seems we had a early bump of Accepted/Waitlisted/Rejected in october, and it has gone dead since. No one here still waiting to hear back about an interview or otherwise?
 
I was just notified that I've been accepted!! It was kind of funny; I got a call not knowing who he was, and he asked for someone else, and I said "I think you've got the wrong number." A couple of hours later, I got a call from the same number, and I answered saying, "I think you've got the wrong number again," but it was my notification of acceptance!

I'm really excited, as I loved this school. Good luck to everyone else; hope you hear some positive news!
 
I was wondering the same thing...i'm on the active holding list and still waiting it out. Anybody know when the next committee meeting is?
 
The next committee meeting is on Jan 25th. Me and about 4 other people received interviews on the 6th (Wednesday) and supposedly they were about halfway through the interview process right now. Hope that helps guys.
 
The next committee meeting is on Jan 25th. Me and about 4 other people received interviews on the 6th (Wednesday) and supposedly they were about halfway through the interview process right now. Hope that helps guys.

Dude, Congrats on the interview! Aces man, thanks for the update
 
Has anyone heard anything from the meeting that was on Monday?
 
Still waiting here too....I interviewed back in October. When is the next committee meeting?
 
Just got a certified letter with acceptance. I interviewed in October--been on hold since early November. Good luck everyone!
 
I believe the committee met this past Monday. I noticed yesterday that the numbers were updated on the incoming class statistics page at the school's website.
 
Does anyone here know for sure that they want to go here coming Fall?
 
Hey guys! I was accepted about two weeks ago! I forgot to get on here though. I received a call on Tuesday night the 26th (The adcom met Monday) from Doug telling me I was IN! The certified letter got to me about 2 days later 🙂

To those still waiting on an interview- Not gonna lie, mine was TOUGH here. I was grilled for around 45 minutes with ethical scenarios... everything from end of life to alcoholic co-workers. In case you get my same interviewer, be ready! The main thing I thought though was that he wanted to see if you could take the heat. Be confident in your answers and don't shrivel up, even though he may make you feel about 2 ft tall.

GOOD LUCK! Love this school...may see you guys in the fall 🙂
 
To those still waiting on an interview- Not gonna lie, mine was TOUGH here. I was grilled for around 45 minutes with ethical scenarios... everything from end of life to alcoholic co-workers. In case you get my same interviewer, be ready! The main thing I thought though was that he wanted to see if you could take the heat. Be confident in your answers and don't shrivel up, even though he may make you feel about 2 ft tall.

That sounds awfully familiar - I would bet we had the same (very experienced) interviewer. I had to go to the restroom and pull myself together afterward, it was so stressful! I was convinced my chances were done, especially since I'm OOS.. but a couple weeks later I was accepted. What's really funny is that the med student tour guides told me before my interview that he's a big softy. :laugh:

Congrats on the acceptance and on surviving that one unscathed!
 
Hey guys, does anyone know when to expect serious movement from the waitlist?? All this waiting is making me anxious and forcing me to create an alternative plan just in case I get the bad news. In the past, has there been a certain time (e.g. March or April) when they started to clean up the waitlist? Thanks in advance.
 
cgull2288, you and me both. I've been looking over the updated numbers that Quillen posts trying to make sense of where we (the holders) fit in. As of right now, the class is full but as people forgo their acceptances late in the cycle we'll see some movement. Decisions have to be made soon, so expect some heavy movement in early March.

Last year Quillen had a 37% interview rate and a 61% acceptance rate of those interviewed for the in-state applicants. Applying those numbers to the total applicant pool this year tells us that 211 people will be interviewed and of those 211, 129 will be accepted. The 129 projected accepted number, minus the current accepted, 76, shows that there are 53 spots still available for the 94 applications in process and the 60 of us on hold. At first glance it looks bleak from an odds standpoint with a 34% chance acceptance for each of the remaining applications in limbo but we need to apply the percentage of that 94 in process applications that will receive interviews.

Out of those 94 remaining in process, only 34 will receive interviews. Of those 34 interviewed in the remaining application cycle, 21 will receive acceptances. The 21 remaining acceptances plus the growing hold list, estimate of 10, means 21+10+60 applicants are vying for 53 spots. Divide the 53 spots among the 91 limboing for Quillen and we (the holders) have a 58% chance of acceptance; a higher chance if you use my assumptions of lower interview rates and acceptance rates for the second half of the interview season in the post made awhile back. Adjusting for the assumptions I calculate around a 70% chance of acceptance for those on hold with 77 people in competition for the remaining 53 spots.

The above analysis is only for in-state applicants. You out-of-staters can crunch the numbers similarly. The same disclaimer applies; none of these statistics can take into account GPA, MCAT, extracurriculars and general interview prowess. For my next trick, I'll convince you that the Earth is flat using these same statistics. 🙂
 
Hey guys! Just so you know, I have a friend who was accepted a couple of days ago off the hold. So we know it's moving, slowly, but still moving. GL people. If I don't hear from them soon, I'm going to withdraw so I think you're chances will be higher. I know five or six people on hold that'll withdraw in the next couple of weeks if they don't get bumped too. Hope some of you can fill those spots!
 
Let's keep our fingers crossed :xf: next committee meeting is on Monday.
 
anyone else just absolutely torn between here and UT?! I am trying to decide to open up spots for others...but its just so hard!
 
Been in Memphis for the past 5 years, ready to move out. I got an interview at UT and declined it after I had already been accepted to Quillen. I think you'll see sicker pts on clinicals, probably more exposure to rarer stuff and certain subspecialities.. but... who knows what's going to happen to the MED. Anyways, also depends on what you wanna do but I think both schools are great. Guess this doesn't really help.
 
I've been put on the hold list. That was relatively quick since they just had a meeting on the 22.
 
Hey Everyone. Congratulations on the incoming acceptances! I don't know if I'm allowed to post here since I am not in the current application cycle, so apologies if I am trespassing.

I would absolutely love to go to ETSU or UT, but I have my preferences to ETSU. I am moving to Tennessee in 6 months. I'm doing a some post-bacc work to bulk up my GPA. (as of now cGPA 3.3, sGPA 3.1) I still have this quarter, and next quarter to go, so hopefully I can increase it even more with some extra classes next year.

Applying OOS, I know my chances will not be very good considering my GPA, but I have great EC and good LORs.

I was just wondering if you don't mind, those of you that are IS, what are your GPAs ? I'm just wondering since they accept a relatively small number, I was hoping to get a feel for what they are looking for? I know their lower range sGPA in the MSAR was something like 3.2... Just wondering if there is any hope. What kind of MCAT score is sort of the cut off for someone in my GPA range to get into here? something like 32+? I'll be taking it this summer.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.
 
Hey Everyone. Congratulations on the incoming acceptances! I don't know if I'm allowed to post here since I am not in the current application cycle, so apologies if I am trespassing.

I would absolutely love to go to ETSU or UT, but I have my preferences to ETSU. I am moving to Tennessee in 6 months. I'm doing a some post-bacc work to bulk up my GPA. (as of now cGPA 3.3, sGPA 3.1) I still have this quarter, and next quarter to go, so hopefully I can increase it even more with some extra classes next year.

Applying OOS, I know my chances will not be very good considering my GPA, but I have great EC and good LORs.

I was just wondering if you don't mind, those of you that are IS, what are your GPAs ? I'm just wondering since they accept a relatively small number, I was hoping to get a feel for what they are looking for? I know their lower range sGPA in the MSAR was something like 3.2... Just wondering if there is any hope. What kind of MCAT score is sort of the cut off for someone in my GPA range to get into here? something like 32+? I'll be taking it this summer.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.
From what I understand ETSU is weird when it comes to applicants. The people they offer acceptances are the people who A) show a real interest in helping people (some kind of volunteer work that stands out) B ) those who are at least interested in rural care although that is not a must and C) those who "fit" into their campus which is based on the ideas of the admissions staff.

I say all of that not to say that grades and MCAT scores are not important (because they do have cutoffs and such) but ETSU really wants a certain person to attend their medical school. UT is a little bit more numbers based but as with any medical school if you do not fit their criteria (through ECs, LORs and interviews) then you will not get an acceptance.
 
From what I understand ETSU is weird when it comes to applicants. The people they offer acceptances are the people who A) show a real interest in helping people (some kind of volunteer work that stands out) B ) those who are at least interested in rural care although that is not a must and C) those who "fit" into their campus which is based on the ideas of the admissions staff.

I say all of that not to say that grades and MCAT scores are not important (because they do have cutoffs and such) but ETSU really wants a certain person to attend their medical school. UT is a little bit more numbers based but as with any medical school if you do not fit their criteria (through ECs, LORs and interviews) then you will not get an acceptance.


I'm happy to hear that. I have a real commitment to rural work. I've been volunteering 4 years at an underserved clinic doing all sorts of activities, which I hope helps me stand out. I think that's part of what draws me to ETSU, the fact that they do see a bit more than numbers. Sure is tiring to be seen as just a number. 😳 Thanks for the info.
 
From what I remember, they only accpet out of state people from states that touch TN so you may want to call and ask them about your chances if you're not from around here. I wish you the best luck with raising your gpa and making a solid mcat score, however, a high mcat does NOT offset a low gpa and vice versa. Bulk up your app and if rural medicine is what you wish to do, sell them on it. Call and ask what you need to do to be a competetive applicant and I'm sure they'll give you some really good info. GL!
 
hey! i agree with ETSU looking for more than numbers, they are very holistic in approaching this whole process. One thing that I thought helped with this school was that I went for a tour (you can sign up online) in August. When I came for my interview in Jan, Doug and Stephanie knew me right off the bat and it made things more comfortable. It also shows that you must be really interested if you take time to go there. I also think the interview is a HUGE factor here...they want doctors that are going to develope good patient-physician relationships in the future and who are trustworthy.

I was a lower range MCAT (sub-30) with 4.0... but as has been mentioned above, I don't necessarily think one thing off-sets the other. But I just wanna give hope to the lower-end MCATers...you can do it!! 🙂 haha
 
To the poster asking about the OOS chances, be sure you look at the statistics Quillen posts about their incoming classes. Last year, 5.0 percent of OOS applicants were interviewed and 1.4% were accepted. Don't let the numbers discourage you though. As other have said, Quillen takes into account a lot about an applicant when considering acceptance. During interview day the quote is, "QCOM is the BEST school...for some". They like to make their class diverse, taking people from a wide variety of backgrounds and situations. That quality gives their application cycle a seemingly fickle quality because people with higher stats are passed over for those with lower stats with an interesting story. The interesting story is supposed to allow their students to better relate to future patients and enhance the doctor-patient relationship.

Numbers ARE important to an extent because they will get you noticed but won't make you a sure thing. My numbers are below the average accepted to Quillen and I still managed an interview and hold list 🙂luck🙂. I am instate. I've heard of a few students with lower stats (low 20's) gaining acceptances and doing well in their current course work. I've heard one instance of a 40+ MCAT and 4.0 GPA being rejected after the interview. The tour thing is a good idea to get noticed.
 
Is it normal that the current stats (GPA and MCAT) are higher than last years? Or is this year more competitive than years past?
from what I have heard this year has been far more competitive than the last year
 
Is it normal that the current stats (GPA and MCAT) are higher than last years? Or is this year more competitive than years past?

Quillen's MCAT and GPA averages have been slowly creeping up in the last 5 years. This is the largest jump I've seen in the MCAT subsections though.
 
HeY to the person asking about your chances..... I'm OOS, have the exact same GPA and I did make a 32 on my MCAT, I got an interview in Nov. But Im still on hold, it doesn't really surprise me though because I don't want to go into primary care... And I didn't lie about when they asked me about that. In retrospect, maybe I should have! Haha
 
Hey yall, I was wondering if anyone was looking for apartments/roommates for next year.
 
I already am just cuz I'll be traveling for 2 1/2 months just before moving to JC. But it seems there're not many people looking yet cuz there aren't many posts on Craigslist now. I have to do it really soon. Is anybody else looking? Do you guys know of places to look other than Craigslist?
 
Hi everybody - I'm interviewing here next week (!), and I'm very nervous because this is my top choice school. Any advice for a successful interview?
 
Hi everybody - I'm interviewing here next week (!), and I'm very nervous because this is my top choice school. Any advice for a successful interview?

Be honest =) Good luck!
 
I have a few quick questions to the current students.
1. I'm thinking of renting a 1-br in Preston on Narrow Lane. Would you know anything about that place good or bad?
2. How is the verizon reception in JC?
3. Is 3G service strong in JC?

I'm deciding between staying with Verizon or switching to get an iphone. I would really appreciate any response from you guys. Thank you so much!
 
I have a few quick questions to the current students.
1. I'm thinking of renting a 1-br in Preston on Narrow Lane. Would you know anything about that place good or bad?
2. How is the verizon reception in JC?
3. Is 3G service strong in JC?

I'm deciding between staying with Verizon or switching to get an iphone. I would really appreciate any response from you guys. Thank you so much!

using numbers from "the joy of tech"
Assume $299 for phone
$36 activation fee
$130/month for the plan
At the end of the contract you've paid $3455
Four years of that and you're approaching $10k

assuming you're about my age and assuming 8% annual return if you invest all of that money in an IRA in lieu of the phone and plan... by retirement age you could have about $1,000,000 due to the abundant joys of compounding interest.

Alternatively, you could throw down a one time payment of $299 for the iPod Touch and enjoy the wireless network at the school and hospital that you are already paying for in your tuition and fees.
 
I have a few quick questions to the current students.
1. I'm thinking of renting a 1-br in Preston on Narrow Lane. Would you know anything about that place good or bad?
2. How is the verizon reception in JC?
3. Is 3G service strong in JC?

I'm deciding between staying with Verizon or switching to get an iphone. I would really appreciate any response from you guys. Thank you so much!


While not a current student (future one), the times I've been to JC Verizon seems to have done fine. Most recently, I went around practically all of the city (which is fairly sprawling) looking at potential apartments and I didn't have any issues. I'd certainly be interested to hear a student's experience with it, particularly in the facilities.
 
Lol, R0ckaction, you do have a point. I was considering a Touch also and am leaning more and more towards it now.

Thanks for replying also, jc14.
 
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