How to Get Into Meharry Medical College: Admissions Requirements, Acceptance Rate, Secondaries and Interview Strategies (2026)
Learn about Meharry Medical College’s acceptance rate, MCAT scores, GPA, admissions requirements, and strategies for tackling Meharry Medical College secondary application essays
Meharry Medical College is one of four Tennessee medical schools
What You'll Learn
HBCU Mission & Healthcare Equity
How Meharry Medical College’s historical mission as an HBCU drives its focus on serving medically underserved populations, eliminating health disparities, and diversifying medicine.
Academic Standards & Profile Benchmarks
General metrics expectations regarding candidate academic preparation, competitive GPA and MCAT ranges, and overall holistic admissions trends.
Prerequisite Coursework & Standards
Mandatory foundational science courses, lab requirements, citizenship guidelines, and score validity windows for the MCAT.
Application Timeline & Key Milestones
Critical deadlines covering primary AMCAS submission, secondary application completion windows, interview scheduling, and decision release timing.
Secondary Essay Strategies
Tactical guidance for crafting compelling secondary responses that showcase your commitment to community service, resilience, and alignment with Meharry's core mission.
Clinical Training & Degree Options
Overview of Meharry's medical curriculum, clinical partner affiliations, community-focused rotations, and available joint degree pathways.
Interview Format & Evaluation Criteria
Key details on Meharry's interview process, what evaluators emphasize during discussions, and how to demonstrate authentic fit with the institution.
Meharry Medical College School of Medicine overview and mission: why Meharry?
Meharry Medical College quick facts
Meharry Medical College campus: Nashville, TN
Meharry Medical College Dual Degree Programs (BS/MD, MD/PhD, MS Health Sciences)
Meharry Medical College tuition and financial aid
Meharry Medical College School of Medicine acceptance rate, average MCAT score and GPA (updated for 2026)
Meharry Medical College’s requirements and exams: MCAT and Casper
Meharry Medical College School of Medicine secondary application essays (examples included)
Meharry Medical College School of Medicine interview
Frequently asked questions about Meharry Medical College School of Medicine
----
Meharry Medical College School of Medicine overview and mission: why Meharry?
Meharry Medical College, one of four historically Black medical schools in the United States, is located in Nashville, Tennessee and affiliated with the United States Methodist Church. Founded in 1876, it has a long-standing history of fostering a community of healthcare professionals and trainees that is focused on eliminating healthcare disparities plaguing disadvantaged patient populations. Specifically, the institution pledges to offer clinical education to a diverse student body and places an emphasis on training the next generation of African American physician leaders.
For MD applicants, this mission is not background context — it is the lens through which every part of your application will be evaluated. Admissions committees are looking for candidates whose personal histories, clinical experiences, and career goals align authentically with Meharry's commitment to serving communities that have historically lacked access to quality care. That commitment extends well beyond the classroom. The institution supports the Nashville community with free, compassionate medical care offering services ranging from prenatal care to chronic disease management. One of the most distinctive community programs available to students is the HBCU Wellness Project, a statewide intervention headquartered at Meharry. The project is designed to leverage the human and social capital at Tennessee HBCUs and partnering institutions to promote health and modify risks for chronic diseases among individuals living in surrounding communities, with the primary goal of positively impacting the health and well-being of Tennessee residents. Student Health Ambassadors work as health promotion and disease prevention advocates, providing education across five health priority areas — breast cancer, infant mortality, obesity, prostate cancer, and sexually transmitted infections — all of which disproportionately impact minority populations in Tennessee. For students who arrive at Meharry wanting to do more than study medicine, these programs provide immediate, structured, and meaningful ways to live the institution's mission from day one
As a Meharry medical student, you will benefit from treating patients in Nashville, a cultural epicenter. You’ll have the opportunity to rotate at a variety of clinical sites, which include the state-of-the-art Metropolitan Nashville General Hospital, the Elam Mental Health Center, and the Vanderbilt Medical Center. Additionally, there will be an abundance of research opportunities that examine various factors that contribute to poor health outcomes in underserved patient populations.
Given the school’s very specific mission, your job as an applicant is to convince the admissions committee that you are the right fit for their program. Read on to learn more about Meharry’s requirements and admissions statistics, plus secondary essay strategies that you can use to help your application stand out.
----
| Meharry Medical College Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate | |
| Applicants | |
| Interviews | |
| Matriculants | |
| Avg. GPA | |
| Avg. MCAT | |
| Tuition (2026–2027) | |
| First-Year Cost of Attendance |
----
Meharry Medical College campus: Nashville, TN
Meharry Medical College sits in the heart of Nashville, Tennessee — a city that has quietly become one of the most intriguing places in the country to train as a physician. For medical students, Nashville offers a rich clinical and professional environment. The city is home to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, HCA Healthcare's global headquarters, and a dense network of hospital systems, community health organizations, and research institutions that together create exceptional opportunities for clinical training, research collaboration, and early career networking. Beyond healthcare, Nashville's quality of life is bolstered by a nationally recognized culinary scene, vibrant professional sports, and four distinct seasons — making it one of the most livable cities for graduate students in the Southeast. For Meharry students specifically, the location carries additional meaning: Nashville's diverse and historically underserved communities are not a backdrop to the curriculum but an active part of it, offering students daily opportunities to engage with the very populations Meharry was founded to serve. Whether you're drawn to the energy of a fast-growing city, the depth of its healthcare infrastructure, or the chance to train in communities where your work will matter most, Nashville is a genuinely compelling place to spend four years of medical school.
A number of our students get into Meharry Medical College each year. Want to learn how?
Get our free 102-page guide to help you with every step: Get Into Medical School: 6 Practical Lessons to Stand Out and Earn Your White Coat
----
Meharry Medical College Dual Degree Programs (BS/MD, MD/PhD, MS Health Sciences)
As a Meharry student there are a variety of programs available to you, all of which ultimately guide you to an MD degree. Most students will select the traditional four-year program that is separated into a two-year preclinical education, during which students will learn the principles of basic sciences, and a two-year clinical rotation curriculum through which students will see and learn from patients in various clinical settings.
In addition to this program, Meharry also offers a BS/MD program and an MD/PhD program, as well as a MS Health Science program.
BS/MD program: For students who know early that Meharry is their destination, the BS/MD Summer Enrichment Program offers a structured pathway to conditional medical school acceptance that begins in the first year of undergraduate study. Administered through Meharry's Center of Excellence — one of only four HBCU-designated COE programs under the Public Health Service Act — the program's goal is to develop students with strong academic credentials, competitive MCAT scores, and the personal, professional, leadership, and psychological attributes to be highly competitive for medical school admission. Students majoring in biological sciences or chemistry at partner HBCU institutions are invited to participate beginning in the second semester of their freshman year, progressing through a six-week summer enrichment program held on Meharry's campus across three sequential levels: one each summer through the junior year. The full program spans eight years: four years completing a Bachelor of Science degree at one of ten partner HBCUs, followed by four years in Meharry's MD program, contingent on meeting required academic benchmarks along the way. For motivated students at partner institutions who are committed to Meharry's mission from the outset of their undergraduate careers, this pathway offers both a structured academic pipeline and early clarity about their medical school future.
MD/PhD program: For students with a passion for research alongside clinical medicine, Meharry offers a Dual MD/PhD Program designed to produce the next generation of physician-scientists equipped to tackle the root causes of health disparities. The program is designed to prepare outstanding clinical and research professionals who are capable of identifying and addressing significant problems in health, with the PhD adding three to four years to the MD education — meaning students graduate with both degrees in approximately seven to eight years total. For applicants drawn to academic medicine, health disparities research, or careers at the intersection of science and clinical care, the MD/PhD pathway at Meharry offers a uniquely mission-aligned training environment that few institutions can match.
MS Health Science: Meharry Medical College also offers a Masters in Health Sciences degree. This can be seen as a stepping stone in your MD journey, as Meharry has institutional partnerships with Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, and The Norton College of Medicine at Upstate Medical University (SUNY Upstate) medical schools. The Meharry Medical College Masters in Health Sciences degree is a 30-credit-hour online-only program divided into two semesters; students must have a 3.0 GPA to graduate from the program in the Spring semester. This program offers students rigorous biomedical science training, individualized student development, research opportunities, and strategic partnerships to help transition them into careers in medicine. While this program is not offered in addition to the MD program, it could possibly help students bolster credentials before applying for an MD at Meharry. There are upsides and downsides to special master’s programs, so be sure to do your research before committing.
----
Meharry Medical College tuition and financial aid
For 2026–2027, tuition and fees at Meharry Medical College cost $69,032. Future Meharry med students should keep in mind that additional costs such as room and board, academic materials, and personal expenses will significantly increase the total cost of attendance. Given that Meharry is a private institution, in-state and out-of-state residents pay the same tuition.
Approximately 90 percent of Meharry Medical College students qualify for financial assistance through either financial aid or institutional scholarships. The Office of Student Financial Aid has an integral role in helping students apply for and receive financial aid.
----
Meharry Medical College School of Medicine acceptance rate, average MCAT score and GPA (updated for 2026)
Meharry Medical College admissions statistics
In order to best understand how likely it is for you to receive an acceptance letter from Meharry Medical College, it’s important to look at the admissions data. While they do not currently publish acceptance figures, based on its high number of applicants, we can estimate the Meharry Medical College acceptance rate to be quite low, somewhere in the range of 3–4 percent. Here are some numbers for the class of 2029 from the AAMC:
Applications: 7,949
Matriculants: 115 (11.3% in-state)
While Meharry does not make available the GPA and MCAT scores of its most recent successful applicants, in recent years matriculants have had the following statistics:
Additionally, given that it is a historically Black medical school, the Meharry Medical College class profile is racially and ethnically diverse. The breakdown of race and ethnicity admissions statistics for the 2023-2024 cycle is as follows:
White: 29
Black or African American: 374
Asian: 36
Hispanic, Latino, or of Spanish origin: 6
Other: 10
Multiple race: 36
Unknown: 1
Non U.S. Citizen: 7
(Suggested reading: Average GPA and MCAT Score for Every Medical School)
----
Meharry Medical College’s requirements and exams: MCAT and Casper
The admissions selection committee at Meharry Medical College will evaluate candidates across a host of criteria including intelligence, preparedness, motivation, and aptitude. Of note is that students who have been dismissed from other medical schools will not be considered for admission. International applicants will be considered only if they have a permanent resident visa; however, Canadian applicants will receive special consideration.
To apply to Meharry, you must complete the below list of requirements and achieve an average GPA of at least 3.5 in these required courses in order to be considered a competitive applicant. This will demonstrate that you have a strong premedical foundation that will lead to your likely success as a medical student and future physician.
General biology or zoology: 8 semester hours or 12 quarter hours with lab
Inorganic chemistry with qualitative analysis: 8 semester hours or 12 quarter hours with lab
Organic chemistry: 8 semester hours or 12 quarter hours with lab
General physics: 8 semester hours or 12 quarter hours with lab
English composition: 6 semester hours or 9 quarter hours
Biochemistry : 3 semester hours or 5 quarter hours
Among matriculants in the 2025–2026 admissions cycle, the median MCAT score was 506 for Meharry applicants. Meharry has specific parameters around MCAT testing for applicants. MCAT scores must be no older than three years and taken no more recently than August 1st of the year prior to the year you plan to matriculate. In the 2026–2027 application cycle, the MCAT must be taken by September 12th, 2026. Scores below 500 represent a significant obstacle to admission, though Meharry's holistic review process means that a compelling application narrative, strong clinical experience, and demonstrated commitment to health equity can meaningfully support a borderline candidacy.
In addition to the MCAT, applicants to Meharry Medical College are required to complete the Casper test prior to their interview — a 90-minute situational judgment test administered electronically. Casper evaluates interpersonal and professional attributes that academic metrics alone cannot capture, including empathy, ethics, and communication skills. Given Meharry's emphasis on training physicians to serve underserved communities, the Casper is a meaningful component of the evaluation process — not just a formality — and applicants should prepare for it with the same seriousness as the MCAT.
Furthermore, applicants must have an average GPA of 3.5 or higher and an MCAT score of at least 503.
(Suggested reading: Medical School Requirements: The Definitive Guide)
Unwritten requirements: Making sure you stand out among many applicants
We’ve mentioned Meharry’s mission earlier in this guide but they state their mission as, “a global academic health sciences center advancing health equity through innovative research, transformative education, exceptional and compassionate health services and policy-influencing thought leadership. True to its legacy, Meharry empowers diverse populations to improve the well-being of humankind.”
Keywords like “health equity,” “innovative research,” and “policy-influencing thought leadership” all point to areas where you should attempt to stand out in your application through your extracurricular activities. These unwritten requirements are the kind of candidate Meharry is looking for.
Well-rounded applicants who demonstrate a genuine commitment to serving underserved populations and addressing healthcare disparities are likely to have a greater chance of an interview invitation. Below, we’ve listed some advice for achieving this type of well-roundedness that you may consider during your undergraduate years.
Community Service: Seek opportunities that involve direct engagement with underserved communities. This could include volunteering at free clinics, homeless shelters, or health outreach programs that provide services to marginalized populations.
Leadership Roles: Take on leadership positions in healthcare-related clubs or organizations. This demonstrates initiative, responsibility, and teamwork—all important qualities for a physician. Furthermore, you could join a student organization focused on influencing social policy in your community or city. This will show your awareness of the issues and inclination toward “policy-influencing thought leadership.”
Shadowing and Clinical Experience: Shadow physicians in settings that focus on underserved communities. This exposes you to the realities of healthcare disparities and strengthens your application.
Research: Participate in research projects that address health issues prevalent in underserved or minority populations. This shows your commitment to improving “health equity” and healthcare access. Engaging in any research can be beneficial to your application, but participating in a project that aligns with Meharry’s mission can make you a stand-out candidate.
Meharry Medical School application timeline
You will apply to Meharry Medical School using the AMCAS application. To do so, you can plan your application around the following timeline:
May 5, 2026: AMCAS application opens
May 28, 2026: AMCAS application can be submitted
August 3, 2026: AMCAS application deadline for Early Decision
June 26, 2026: Application transmission to medical schools begins
September 2026–April 2027: Interviews conducted
April 30, 2026: Deadline to commit to only one school
While Meharry doesn’t list deadlines specific to their secondary application, anecdotal evidence suggests that secondary applications are sent to eligible applicants relatively quickly, beginning in late June. Plan to submit both your primary AMCAS application and your secondary application on the early side so you can be among the candidates reviewed by the admissions committee in August.
(Suggested reading: The Ideal Medical School Application Timeline)
Over 90% of our students get into med school—the first time.
Get our free 102-page guide to help you with every step: Get Into Medical School: 6 Practical Lessons to Stand Out and Earn Your White Coat
----
Meharry Medical College School of Medicine secondary application essays (examples included)
The Meharry Medical College secondary application contains just two questions, each with unlimited space for your response. Take care in writing these essays as they provide the best opportunity (along with your personal statement) to differentiate yourself from the applicant pool and provide evidence of strong fit between you and Meharry.
Below we’ve provided example essays and detailed why they are successful. For further guidance on crafting excellent responses to these questions, read through our guide to secondary essays, particularly the sections on the “Why us?” prompt and the adversity essay.
Question 1: Why do you wish to attend Meharry Medical College School of Medicine?
Example:
I recall accompanying my Popa, my paternal grandfather, to see a primary care doctor for the first time in several months despite his elderly age and chronic conditions. He suffered from diabetes and more recently, he was having trouble seeing clearly and suffering from a tingling discomfort in his toes despite taking his metformin regularly. Upon further investigation, we learned that his sugars were through the roof and his diabetes was uncontrolled, despite his compliance with his medication. His doctor explained to him that he would require insulin to control his sugars. My Popa did not have health insurance and our family had been able to afford his metformin because our doctor had told us about Walmart’s $4 list; we could purchase a 30-day supply of metformin for only four dollars. Now, we faced paying upwards of $1,200 for his monthly insulin supply. The cost discrepancy was outstanding.
As the first person to attend college in my family, I have always been motivated to succeed so that our future generations can benefit from my hard work. My family’s experience accessing healthcare services and facing the high costs of various treatments propelled me on a quest to deconstruct these disparities through research and clinical exposure. Specifically, as an undergraduate student in Philadelphia, I performed healthcare disparities research at the Penn Institute of Health Economics. My main study focused on addressing the racial-ethnic inequalities in young adults with obesity. Here, I recognized that Black young adults in particular are at a higher risk for becoming obese because of limited access to healthy foods, lack of information, and minimal support mechanisms. I worked with my team to create a free educational platform that highlighted healthier choices through direct comparisons; for example, we provided recommendations for alternatives for sugary drinks such as juice and soda. This experience taught me the importance of looking closely at the systemic factors that affect healthcare outcomes and then applying these insights to drive meaningful change in underserved communities.
As a future physician, I aim to inform my medical decision making with an understanding of how socioeconomic and racial-ethnic disparities affect health outcomes of individuals. For this reason, I believe that Meharry Medical College School of Medicine is the best fit for me. The mission statement of Meharry empowers its students to focus on disparities and think systematically about how these factors influence the well being of others. At Meharry, I would look forward to continuing my exploration of these topics through research at the Health Disparities Research Center for Excellence and through reading articles published by the Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved. Additionally, I would love the opportunity to volunteer at the Saltwagon Clinic to connect patients with necessary primary care services. The wealth of clinical, research, and community resources at Meharry would allow me to emerge as a well rounded, informed physician who can embark on a path to treating patients with an understanding of their community similar to how my grandfather’s physician did for him.
Why does it work?
This essay comprehensively and succinctly tells the admissions committee several reasons why she would thrive in the Meharry Medical College School of Medicine environment. Her story about her grandfather’s lack of access to affordable medications is an example of how healthcare disparities have affected and motivated her on a personal level.
Moreover, she demonstrates a clear curiosity for learning more about these issues through her former research experience. She connects her clinical and research interests to the mission and offerings of Meharry to demonstrate why she would be an excellent fit at the medical school.
Importantly, she also highlights specific opportunities at Meharry such as the Health Disparities Research Center for Excellence and the Saltwagon Clinic to demonstrate she has done research and identified experiences that she would participate in while a medical student.
Question 2: Please describe a personal situation of failure, significant challenge or a major obstacle that you have overcome. Include a description of your coping skills and lessons you learned about yourself from that situation.
----
Meharry Medical College School of Medicine interview
If you are invited for an interview at Meharry, you will have two one-on-one traditional interviews that are typically thirty minutes in length.
In addition to preparing answers for common questions such as “Why medicine?,” “What are you doing to better yourself?,” and “What is something that stands out about you?,” you should also have answers to Meharry-specific questions. For example, you should be able to respond to why you specifically want to attend Meharry, what attracts you to the city of Nashville, and how the School of Medicine’s mission statement resonates with you.
Our research has shown that many of the following questions have been asked in Meharry interviews recently:
Can you teach kindness?
What area of medicine could you see yourself in and why?
Why Meharry Medical College?
What do you want out of your career in medicine?
What would you have the professor do so you could perform better in that class?
What was your favorite class at your undergraduate institution?
Describe yourself in one word.
Do you know Meharry's mission? How can you relate to it?
While coming up with answers to questions like “Why Meharry Medical College?” and “Do you know Meharry’s mission?” can be pretty straightforward, you might struggle to quickly formulate a response to “Describe yourself in one word” on the spot. Practicing answers to common questions as well as edge cases can do wonders for your nerves and performance on interview day.
(Suggested reading: How to Ace Your Medical School Interviews)
----
Frequently asked questions about Meharry Medical College School of Medicine
Where is Meharry Medical College School of Medicine located?
Meharry is located in Nashville, TN and is affiliated with the U.S. Methodist Church.
What score do I need on the MCAT to get into Meharry Medical College School of Medicine? What about GPA?
To be considered for admission into Meharry Medical College, you’ll need to score at least a 503 on the MCAT and have on average a 3.46 GPA (3.5 science GPA).
How much does it cost to attend Meharry Medical College School of Medicine?
Tuition and fees for the 2026-2027 school year at Meharry Medical College is $69,032. Because it is a private institution, in-state and out-of-state residents pay the same amount.
What is the deadline for taking the MCAT to apply to Meharry Medical College School of Medicine?
For the 2026-2027 application cycle, applicants must have taken the MCAT by August 1st 2026.
How hard is it to get into Meharry Medical College School of Medicine?
Although Meharry does not publish data on this, we estimate the acceptance rate to hover between 3-4%, making it quite competitive.
Final thoughts
Nestled in the heart of Nashville, the Meharry Medical College offers students the opportunity to train in a multitude of clinical settings in addition to the chance to explore topics in healthcare disparities. By communicating how your experiences align with the school’s mission through secondary essays and your interview, you can maximize your odds of admission to Meharry Medical College.
About the Author
Dr. Shirag Shemmassian is the Founder of Shemmassian Academic Consulting and one of the world's foremost experts on medical school admissions. For over 20 years, he and his team have helped thousands of students get into medical school using his exclusive approach.
THERE'S NO REASON TO STRUGGLE THROUGH THE MED SCHOOL ADMISSIONS PROCESS ALONE, ESPECIALLY WITH SO MUCH ON THE LINE. CLICK BELOW TO SCHEDULE YOUR COMPLIMENTARY CONSULTATION TO ENSURE YOU LEAVE NOTHING TO CHANCE.
