How To Get Into Meharry Medical College - Requirements + Tips

Follow this guide to learn how to get into Meharry Medical College (MMC), complete with expert insights, admissions tips, and more.

If you’re just here for the requirements, click here.

Meharry Medical College Acceptance Rate: 1.47%

The acceptance rate at Meharry Medical College is 1.47%. According to the Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR) database, an official AAMC resource that reports GPA, MCAT medians, and admissions data, there were 7,678 verified applications in the 2024-2025 admissions cycle. Of these applicants, only 113 students matriculated.

Here’s how Meharry Medical College’s acceptance rate has fluctuated over the past four admissions cycles, according to the AAMC.

Over the past four admissions cycles, Meharry Medical College has maintained an exceptionally competitive applicant pool, with an average acceptance rate of 1.41%. On average, 8,220 applicants compete each year for roughly 115 available seats, meaning that for every matriculant, about 71 other candidates are vying for the same spot. 

The data also show notable fluctuations in applicant volume, from a high of 9,597 in the 2021–2022 cycle to a low of 7,520 in 2023–2024. Despite these changes in volume, the number of matriculated students has remained steady, underscoring the school’s consistently selective admissions process. 

This level of competition places MMC among the most selective medical schools in the USA, making it critical for applicants to demonstrate strong academic performance and a mission-driven commitment that aligns with the institution’s values.

How Hard Is It to Get Into Meharry Medical College?

It’s extremely difficult to get into Meharry Medical College. Last year, MMC had an acceptance rate of 1.47%, which means 98.53% of students were rejected. The low acceptance rate signifies that your odds of matriculating to Meharry Medical College are fewer than 2 in 100. The school could fill its incoming class profile nearly 68 times over with qualified applicants.

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We created the Meharry Medical College Admissions Difficulty Scale by comparing acceptance rates and overall selectivity across all accredited US medical schools.

How to Improve Your Chances of Getting Into Meharry Medical College

Follow our expert tips to help you improve your chances of getting into Meharry Medical College.

1. Demonstrate Your Commitment to Servicing Underserved Communities In Your Secondary Essays

In a public service announcement, Dr. James E.K. Hildreth, President of Meharry Medical College, affirms that the school is passionate about the students it trains. He said: 

“Meharry is intentional about training individuals who are going to have a specific focus and a passion for serving underserved communities

This statement highlights that Meharry Medical College actively seeks applicants who already demonstrate a deep, mission-driven commitment to addressing health disparities. 

Hildreth’s use of the word “intentional” makes it clear that service orientation is not optional but central to the admissions process, while the phrase “specific focus” suggests that broad or sporadic volunteer work is less impactful than sustained, targeted engagement in underserved populations. 

Also, the importance of passion shows that motivation matters as much as activity, signifying that admissions officers look for candidates whose dedication is authentic, personal, and integrated into their long-term goals. 

For applicants, this means success depends on showing not just participation in service but also the depth, continuity, and personal meaning behind those experiences, as Meharry Medical College prioritizes mission-fit as heavily as GPA or MCAT performance.

2. Tailor Your Secondary Essays to Meharry Medical College’s Mission

Meharry Medical College’s admissions process places extraordinary weight on whether applicants embody its historic mission of “serving the underserved” and its legacy of educating African American physicians and health professionals. Your secondary essays are one of the most powerful opportunities to demonstrate that you are aligned with this mission and that your commitment to equity is more than surface-level.

To stand out, avoid generic narratives about “wanting to help people.” Instead, frame your essays around long-term service, leadership, and cultural humility. Admissions officers want to see that you’ve engaged in sustained, meaningful work over several years, that your responsibilities and impact have grown over time, and that you’ve approached communities as partners rather than as passive recipients of service. 

Reflect on what you learned from the populations you worked with, how you adapted based on their input, and how those experiences shaped your view of medicine.

For example, rather than simply stating that you volunteered at a health fair, describe how conversations with attendees revealed barriers such as transportation or insurance coverage, and how you worked with others to design a follow-up resource that addressed those needs. 

Whenever possible, quantify your contributions (e.g., hours volunteered, patients reached, workshops created) and, if relevant, secure a recommendation from a community supervisor who can validate your sustained impact.

Tie your service experiences directly to Meharry’s community initiatives, which emphasize addressing health disparities and providing free, high-quality care to Nashville’s underserved. Applicants with community service experience in free clinics, public health programs, HBCU organizations, or initiatives targeting health inequities should highlight how those opportunities have prepared them to thrive in Meharry’s mission-driven curriculum.

AAMC data show that fewer than 20% of Meharry matriculants had no community service, and less than 30% had no volunteer work. In other words, most successful applicants already demonstrate long-term engagement. 

Those who can show continuity, role growth, and measurable outcomes in their service prove that they are not only aligned with Meharry’s mission but are already living it/

3. Understand the Importance of the CASPer Test and Score High

Meharry Medical College requires all applicants to complete the CASPer situational judgment test prior to interview consideration. The CASPer is a scored competency that admissions officers take seriously because it evaluates qualities central to Meharry’s mission: ethical reasoning, empathy, fairness, and professionalism.

To prepare, rehearse structured ethical frameworks like autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice so your answers show clear reasoning rather than vague moral instincts. Practice writing concise yet thoughtful responses under strict time limits, as CASPer allots only a few minutes per scenario. 

Most importantly, align your decisions with Meharry’s emphasis on equity and service to underserved populations. For example, if faced with a scenario about allocating limited resources, consider not only fairness but also how to prioritize the most vulnerable patients.

4. Align Your Academics With Preparation for Service

Strong academic preparation is necessary at any medical school, but at Meharry, it’s not enough to show that you can excel in science coursework. Competitive applicants demonstrate that their academic achievements directly support their readiness to deliver patient-centered care in resource-limited settings.

In your application, highlight both rigorous coursework (upper-level biology, chemistry, or public health classes). Then go a step further: illustrate how your academic strengths have translated into real-world applications with your clinical experience.

For instance, you might connect your background in physiology to experiences as a scribe, EMT, or volunteer in a quality-improvement project, showing how you applied theoretical knowledge to practical patient encounters.

By framing your academics this way, you signal that you’re a student preparing for service-oriented medicine, which is precisely the type of physician Meharry trains.

5. Work With an Admissions Expert

At Inspira Advantage, our team includes former admissions officers and physicians who know how committees evaluate applicants. We can help you strengthen every stage of your application by increasing your MCAT score and GPA, refining your personal statement, tailoring secondary essays to Meharry’s mission, and preparing for the traditional interview format.

Our experienced admissions advisors will help you gain insight into what Meharry’s admissions committee is really looking for and avoid the pitfalls that held 98.53% of applicants back last year.

Meharry Medical College MD Programs Offered

Here are the three MD programs offered at Meharry Medical College.

Meharry Medical College Tuition and Scholarships

The total tuition for first-year students at Meharry Medical College School of Medicine is $55,821, with no difference between in-state and out-of-state students since Meharry is a private institution. 

When factoring in additional costs such as health insurance, student association fees, instruments, and transportation, the estimated cost of attendance rises to about $63,688 for the first year.

Here is a breakdown of the estimated fees at Meharry Medical College.

How Much Does Meharry Medical College Cost for 4 Years?

The estimated total cost of attendance across four years of the MD program at Meharry Medical College is about $246,390 (not including the optional post-graduate year or board review costs). The comprehensive cost rises closer to $288,572 when factoring in these additional expenses.

The most recent tuition and fees data show that first-year students (M1) pay $63,688 in tuition and mandatory fees. In the second year (M2), the cost is approximately $63,162, while third-year students (M3) pay around $61,453. The final year (M4) is slightly less expensive at $58,087. 

Students may also incur additional post-graduate year 4 expenses of about $31,524 and dedicated board review fees of $10,658, depending on their progression and exam requirements.

Unlike many public medical schools, Meharry Medical College charges the same tuition for all students, regardless of residency status. This means there is no cost differential between in-state and out-of-state applicants.

Scholarships

Meharry Medical College provides several financial aid opportunities to help students reduce debt and manage educational expenses. The Honors Incentive Scholarship is one of the school’s most prestigious awards, covering up to 100% of tuition and fees during the first year and renewable in subsequent years for students who maintain strong academic performance. 

Another major scholarship option is the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Scholarship Program, which covers full tuition, required fees, and additional educational costs such as books, instruments, and travel for clinical rotations, while also providing a monthly living stipend.

Here is the list of scholarships offered at Meharry Medical College.

Meharry Medical College Application Timeline

Here is the 2025-2026 application timeline for Meharry Medical College.

FAQs

1. Does Meharry Medical College Require the CASPer or Other Situational Judgment Tests?

Yes, Meharry Medical College requires the CASPer. All applicants must take the CASPer assessment to ensure they align with Meharry’s mission of training compassionate physicians committed to underserved populations.

2. Does Meharry Medical College Prefer Applicants From Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)?

No, Meharry Medical College does not prefer applicants from historically black colleges and universities. According to Meharry’s School of Medicine Center of Excellence, “the student body reflects the diversity of the nation,” which suggests that all applicants are welcome to apply and no preference is given.

3. Does Meharry Medical College Accept International Students?

Yes, Meharry Medical College accepts international applicants, but they must complete at least 90 semester hours at a U.S. or Canadian institution. They may also face additional requirements, such as proof of financial resources for visa purposes.

4. Is Research Experience Required to Get Into Meharry Medical College?

No, research experience is not required to get into Meharry Medical College. However, it is highly encouraged because MMC emphasizes training physicians who will serve underserved communities. According to the AAMC, an average of 77.5% of matriculants in the last four admissions cycles had research experience, so it’s highly recommended to stand out.

Get Accepted to Meharry Medical College 

Gaining admission to Meharry Medical College is an exceptionally competitive process, with an acceptance rate of 1.47% and thousands of applicants vying for just over 100 seats yearly. But while strong academic metrics are essential, the final admissions decision extends far beyond GPA and MCAT scores. 

Meharry Medical College seeks students who embody its mission, those committed to serving underserved communities, advancing health equity, and carrying forward the legacy of an institution that has shaped generations of Black physicians and leaders in medicine. Work with an experienced admissions advisor at Inspira Advantage to get accepted to Meharry Medical College this admissions cycle.