College Student Opportunities
Eligibility
College students up to 2.5 years prior to their anticipated medical school start date who want to become primary care physicians, have spent formative years in a rural or underserved area and have a desire to return to those areas to practice medicine. The student should be from a rural area in one of the designated counties of Tennessee, Virginia, or North Carolina. Interested students must meet the minimum criteria found on the application webpage. Space is limited to a maximum of 12 students at each year level.
Requirements
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Should meet these criteria and supply proof when asked:
- Must be accepted to EQUIP prior to the second semester of their sophomore year of college.
- From a rural or underserved community in one of the qualifying counties of Tennessee, Virginia, or North Carolina. See attached list of qualifying counties.
- Overall high school GPA of 3.6 or higher on a scale of 4.0 or if beyond 1st year of college, 3.4.
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Must have acquired at least 40 points from the activities listed below:
- Participation in the summer Rural High School Medical Camp at the Quillen College of Medicine. (20 points)
- Participation in a Remote Area Medical (RAM) event or other health fair. (20 points)
- Shadowing a physician for 20 or more hours. (20 points)
- Volunteer work in a patient care area such as a hospital, long term care facility, EMS, and Physical Therapy for 20 hours or more. (20 points)
- Participation in the Fall Outreach Event for college students. (20 points)
- Participation in high school or college sponsored activities such as athletics, band, and cheerleading. (10 points)
- Hold/Held leadership position in a high school or college sponsored organization. (10 points)
- Worked full-time in a rural community in a leadership position, educational field, health-related field, economic development, or other community service field. (up to 30 points)
- Students may submit additional activities for consideration.
Opportunities
Students must be accepted through the primary application process. The minimum GPA to be considered for EQUIP is 3.4.- Students will receive a certificate of participation, access to the EQUIP handbook, email alerts to area events, the EQUIP newsletter, and opportunities to participate in EQUIP events for college students.
- Students will receive personal mentoring from a Quillen College of Medicine Rural Primary Care Track medical student.
Appalachian Preceptorship
This four-week experience is for EQUIP college students during the summer between the Sophomore and Junior year. EQUIP students are expected to participate in the Appalachian Preceptorship. While on campus students will stay in dormitories at no cost and attend an AMCAS prep course, have shadowing opportunities and do a focused community needs assessment. Students will spend 3-weeks in a rural community working alongside a physician.
Shadowing Opportunities
EQUIP will work with the student to identify physician shadowing opportunities in their home community. We ask the student to take an active role in finding their own shadowing opportunity.
Guaranteed Interview
Students obtaining the following will be granted an interview at the Quillen College of Medicine upon completion and submission of all AMCAS and supplemental application materials.
- Successfully completed all components and expectations of EQUIP
- Successfully completed the Appalachian Preceptorship
- Obtained a minimum of 100 hours of physician shadowing or similar activity
- Maintained a minimum science and overall GPA of 3.4
- Demonstrated community and leadership involvement
- Scored 503 or higher on the MCAT
- Have a positive recommendation from the Associate Dean or Director of Rural and Community Programs
- Applied to Quillen through AMCAS, preferably in Early Decision.
Students meeting all of the above criteria will be given a certificate of completion of EQUIP and a letter of recommendation from the Associate Dean or Director of Rural and Community Programs.
Guaranteed Acceptances
Students obtaining the following will be granted acceptance at the Quillen College of Medicine:
- Successfully complete all components of EQUIP including, but not limited to, the Appalachian Preceptorship, shadowing, leadership, volunteering, and community involvement
- Completed a favorable interview during the Appalachian Preceptorship
- Maintain professional standards expected by the Quillen College of Medicine
- Meet Quillen’s Technical Standards for admission
- Have a minimum 3.6 GPA and 508 MCAT at the time of application and have a favorable recommendation by the Associate Dean for Rural and Community Programs or designee.
In addition, to receive the guarantee, the participant will be required to file an AMCAS Early Decision Application at the appropriate time. Any program participants not applying early decision, but meeting the previously approved requirements would forfeit the guarantee, but still be eligible for the guaranteed interview upon receipt of an AMCAS application.
We will begin reviewing applications and interviewing for EQUIP September 1st - December 15th. All applications submitted prior will be put on hold until September 1st. Submission of application does not guarantee an interview.
