Expanding Opportunities
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (March 9, 2022) – Officials from East Tennessee State University (ETSU) and Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) signed an articulation agreement today that expands admissions opportunities for ETSU students who are interested in a career in medicine.
The agreement creates a “Guaranteed Admissions Interview Program” for ETSU undergraduates who have applied to attend medical school at VCOM. Students
who meet the criteria for the program will interview on campus at VCOM with three
VCOM faculty/administrators and participate in the designated interview day activities.
VCOM receives more than 16,000 applications annually for about 625 seats across four
campuses. While ETSU students who qualify and interview through this program are not
guaranteed admission, VCOM considers the interview a highly important portion and
next step of the selection process.
“VCOM has had a strong history with strong ETSU graduates, and we are excited to expand
our relationship by offering a guaranteed admissions interview to qualified ETSU graduates,”
said William King, vice president for Recruitment and Application Services at VCOM.
“ETSU graduates are a perfect fit for VCOM because we align in our missions to serve
those most in need for medical care in the Appalachian region,” said John Rocovich,
VCOM founder and chairman of the Board. “ETSU graduates have done well at VCOM, and
we look forward to expanding opportunities and options for students to pursue their
medical education.”
The Guaranteed Admissions Interview Program will begin for students applying for admission
to VCOM for the 2023 academic year.
A destination for students interested in a career in the health sciences, ETSU prepares
undergraduate and graduate students for a variety of careers in health care.
“For decades East Tennessee State University has been a destination for students who
aspire to become physicians. We are an institution deeply invested in student success.
Our rigorous pre-medicine curriculum provides our students with a solid foundation
in the sciences. In addition, we have a dedicated team of counselors who work closely
with our students from day one through graduation, and we also have numerous opportunities
for our students to be mentored, learn study skills, and engage in other programs
that will help them be successful in medical school,” said Dr. Kimberly D. McCorkle,
provost and senior vice president for academics at ETSU.
In addition to five health sciences colleges, ETSU also offers the Medical Professions Advisement (MPA) Program, which is available to all ETSU students and prepares students who want to distinguish
themselves as professional school candidates.
MPA counselors advise freshmen and sophomores on identifying requirements, preparing
plans and exploring opportunities for professional schools. During their junior and
senior years, MPA advisors help them focus on completing final coursework and requirements,
establishing entrance exam timing, working through the application process, choosing
schools for potential application, requesting letters of recommendation, and consideration
for postbaccalaureate and/or gap year opportunities.
To learn more about the Guaranteed Admissions Interview Program at VCOM, visit etsu.edu/cas/case/mpa/next_steps/admittance_programs/vcom_articulation.php.
Learn more about VCOM at vcom.edu.