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Medical School Secondary Essay Prompts (Updated for 2022–2023 Cycle)
A complete list of med school secondary prompts to help you get ahead and stay organized during your admissions process.
(Note: We recommend using this resource alongside our free, 102-page comprehensive guide to medical school applications, Get Into Medical School: 6 Practical Lessons to Stand Out and Earn Your White Coat .)
(Note: This list is continually updated. If you notice that a certain school’s prompts need to be updated, please email [email protected] with details.)
Click on the state, territory, or country below to view the med schools there:
Connecticut
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* Denotes a school with a time-sensitive guideline for submission (e.g., requirement to submit within 2 weeks of receipt).
Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine
Describe how specific attributes of ACOM’s mission and core values align with your professional goals and personal attributes? (250 words)
The Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine promotes values and equity from various cultural, social, and economic backgrounds. Discuss the role that diversity played in your decision to become an osteopathic medical school applicant. (250 words)
What personal qualities do you possess that will make you a successful osteopathic physician? (500 words)
University of Alabama School of Medicine
Where do you see yourself in your medical career fifteen to twenty years from now? (750 characters)
Please share any information you want us to know about you that is not included in your AMCAS application or in this secondary application. (750 characters)
Learning from others is enhanced in educational settings that include individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences. Please describe your personal characteristics or experiences that would add to the educational environment for your classmates. (750 characters
Please describe if and how the Covid-19 pandemic has affected your preparation for applying to medical school. (750 characters)
Describe a patient interaction with the healthcare system. This could be a direct patient observation (in person or virtual) during a shadowing experience, a personal experience within the healthcare system, or a family member or friend who had a memorable interaction within the healthcare system. What did you learn from this experience? (750 characters)
Describe a fulfilling or challenging community service experience and how you grew personally from the experience. (750 characters)
University of South Alabama College of Medicine
Although interests may change, what areas of medicine are you primarily interested in at the current time? (200 characters)
Out-of-State Applicants: Although our primary obligation is to residents of the State of Alabama, we do consider competitive applicants from neighboring states and applicants with strong ties to the State of Alabama. Please write a brief essay explaining your ties to the State of Alabama. (2000 characters) (optional)
The learning community at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine benefits from the inclusion of students with broad life experiences, as well as students from diverse backgrounds. The Admissions Committee encourages you to share life experiences that you may have had and/or important factors in your background that illustrate your readiness for practicing medicine in a multicultural society. (3500 characters) (optional)
(Suggested reading: Medical Schools in Arizona: How to Get In )
A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine
ATSU-SOMA’s osteopathic medical education model includes training at one of our partner Community Health Center (CHC) sites. 1) Describe any previous CHC or free clinic experience that you have had. 2) Describe how learning at a CHC will enhance your osteopathic medical school experience. (500 words)
Describe any gaps that lasted longer than three months that may have occurred during or following undergraduate/posttgraduate educational programs. (500 words)
ATSU-SOMA emphasizes self-directed learning in small group sessions. What experiences have you had that will help you be successful in this educational model? (500 words)
Describe any hrs/week of employment that may have coincided/impacted your academic work during each semester. (500 words)
Which field of osteopathic medicine are you interested in pursuing? Explain why you chose this field. (500 words)
Describe what you have learned from your experiences with osteopathic physicians. If you do not have any of the above, please explain why you are applying to an osteopathic medical school. (500 words)
Describe your understanding of SOMA by answering ONE of the following questions: (500 words)
What unique feature of SOMA appeals to you? What specific feature of SOMA concerns you?
What would be your strongest attribute as a SOMA student? What would be your weakest?
How do you plan to be involved with medically underserved populations in your medical career? How have your past volunteer experiences influenced your plans?
Midwestern University Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine
Why do you believe AZCOM would provide you with the type of osteopathic medical education you are seeking? (1500 characters)
Why should AZCOM accept you into this year's class? (1500 characters)
University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix *
Time-sensitive considerations: " 30 days after invitation or December 1st"
What achievement are you most proud of in your life? What aspect(s) of this achievement will you bring to our medical school? (1000 characters)
The UA College of Medicine - Phoenix practices Inclusive Excellence, which celebrates the differences, talents, and unique qualities of all individuals. Please describe how you will pursue Inclusive Excellence in your studies while contributing to the collaborative environment at the College of Medicine - Phoenix. (1000 characters)
Servant Leadership is a Core Value and Attribute we deem essential for our students to possess. To us, it is service to others where one possesses personal humility along with a strong professional will. Describe a time where you have practiced this skill or have seen this in another. What traits were exemplified, and how will you apply these traits to your career in medicine? (1000 characters)
Throughout your application you have given us a sense of how you intend to contribute to the UA College of Medicine – Phoenix. We would now like to know about how you anticipate the UA College of Medicine – Phoenix will contribute to your goals and passion for medicine. What aspects of our program and community appeals most to you, and how do you plan to make use of specific resources and opportunities here? (1000 characters)
Were there any significant disruptions in your academic, volunteer, work, or personal life related to COVID-19 that you would like to bring to the attention of the Admissions Committee? (optional, 1000 characters)
Please reflect on your entire application, is there anything you would like to further share with the Admissions Committee? Items to consider: connection(s) to Phoenix and/or our medical community, your plan during this application season, gap(s) in your education, personal and/or academic challenges. Do not repeat any information already mentioned in the primary or secondary applications. (optional, 1000 characters)
I previously applied to any medical school (select yes if you submitted a primary or secondary application). (Yes/No)
If yes, please provide specific examples that illustrate how you are a stronger applicant this cycle. (optional, 1000 characters)
University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson *
Time-sensitive considerations: "Submit your secondary application and fee to UA COM-Tucson within 21 days from the date it was originally sent by 11:59pm AZ time, or December 16, 2022 - whichever day comes FIRST ."
Please share a meaningful experience you have had working or volunteering in the health professional field or a time in your past in which you were responsible for the care and well-being of someone else. What did you learn from this as it relates to becoming a physician? (350 words)
Discuss a time in your life in which you have failed at something other than an academic experience. How did you confront the failure and what did you learn from it? Please describe how you typically approach challenges that you face in your life. (350 words)
"The mission of the University of Arizona College of Medicine Office of Admissions is to select a diverse cohort of students who will become the future leaders in advancing health care to the distinct communities that comprise Arizona and the United States. Consistent with the mission of The University of Arizona College of Medicine, selection of individuals with a demonstrated commitment to serve as care providers, physician scientists, clinical leaders, medical educators and/or public health experts, including advocates for rural and urban underserved populations, is highly valued. Applicants seeking admission should exhibit qualities of altruism, academic excellence, leadership and dedication to becoming lifelong learners through research endeavors and academic development." Please describe the role(s) you can play in helping the College of Medicine to achieve its mission. (350 words)
Describe the effect that your experiences with engaging diversity have had on your own growth and development. Provide an example and describe how it will impact your career in the medical profession. (350 words)
Share any disruptions in your academic/volunteer/work/personal life related to COVID-19 that you would like the Admissions Committee to consider. (no limit)
Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine
List any significant volunteer, community service and/or mission experiences you have had that is not listed on your AACOMAS application. Provide the organization name, hours/week, duration of experience, as well as a brief description of your duties.
Please tell us about any healthcare experiences you have had that are not listed on your AACOMAS application. Provide organization name, hours/week, duration of experience, and a brief description of your duties.
How do you plan to fulfill the ARCOM Mission in your practice as a physician?
What challenges do you expect to personally face most in the next 10 years as a healthcare professional?
How do you expect to overcome these challenges?
Describe an experience where you interacted with a person or people from a different background than you (ability, religion, gender, race, age, socioeconomic status, citizenship/ nationality, sexual orientation).
How did that interaction impact your mindset of the role of a physician?
If you are in a difficult basic science class and feel you are not fully grasping the information given in lecture, how would you alter your study habits or techniques to better understand the material and complete the course successfully?
What is a recent book you read that impacted the way you think about today's world?
Please explain how this book impacted the way you think about today's world.
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Medicine
Non-Arkansas residents who have strong ties to Arkansas are given preference over non-residents without strong ties to the state. Therefore, if you have strong ties to Arkansas (you have lived in Arkansas, you have a parent or close relative who resides in Arkansas, you attend(ed) an Arkansas college, etc.), you must describe your ties to Arkansas in a letter to be uploaded using the Upload Documents section of this application.
(Suggested reading: Medical Schools in California: How to Get In )
California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine
CHSU-COM values a diverse student body that reflects our region and our world. Please explain how you personally would contribute to diversity at CHSU-COM. (250 words)
Describe some common healthcare disparities that may be found in a resource-limited area, such as the California Central Valley. How might the presence of CHSU-COM help to alleviate those disparities? (250 words)
California Northstate University College of Medicine
Why have you chosen to apply to CNUCOM? (250 words)
In the medical profession, you will be exposed to students, faculty, colleagues, and patients of various cultures and socioeconomic backgrounds. How has your involvement with diverse populations prepared you for potentially four years in Elk Grove, the greater Sacramento area, and the rest of the Central Valley? (250 words)
Did you have a Pre-Health Advisor at your undergraduate institution? If so, please tell us about your experience. How did it help you in your journey to to apply to medical school? If not, please let us know how you worked independently to find out more about applying to medical school and the path of your journey to apply? (1750 characters)
In which direction would you like to see healthcare progress over the next decade? (250 words)
If your education has not been continuous since high school, please explain why. Examples of discontinuities include time taken off while obtaining your undergraduate degree, in addition to gap years. (250 words)
If you have previously applied to medical school, what have you accomplished since that time that would warrant your admission now? (250 words)
Is there anything you would like the Admissions Committee to know that is not reflected elsewhere in your application? (250 words)
How do you feel about standardized tests? How did you prepare for the MCAT? What tools or preparatory courses/material did you use and how did you study? Do you feel like your score reflects how you will perform in medical school? From what you have learned, do you think it will help you in the way you will study or prepare for USMLE exams? (1000 characters)
California University of Science and Medicine School of Medicine
Describe a time when you were faced with problems or stresses that tested your coping skills. What did you do? (1500 characters)
Provide us with a specific example of something you did which helped build enthusiasm in others. (1500 characters)
How would you describe yourself in terms of your ability to work as a member of a team? (1500 characters)
Describe the last time you were criticized by a peer or supervisor. How did you handle it? (1500 characters)
What does it mean to be emotionally intelligent? How have you effectively used your skills in emotional intelligence in the past? (1500 characters)
Give an example of when you had to work with someone who was difficult to get along with. Why was this person difficult? How did you handle that person? (1500 characters)
What would be the best example that shows you are a person of integrity? (1500 characters)
If given the opportunity to attend medical school, where would you see yourself in ten years? (1500 characters)
Diversity comes in many forms. How do you think you might contribute to the diversity of the class? (1500 characters)
If you were enrolled in fewer than 12 units/credits for more than 1 semester/2 quarters during your undergraduate education, please provide a brief explanation below. (500 characters)
Drew/UCLA Joint Medical Program Drew University of Medicine and Science *
Time-sensitive considerations: " 30 days after the date of the supplemental application request letter, or November 18th, whichever is earlier."
Have you experienced an uneven performance in grades and academic achievement? If so, please explain. What did you do to improve? (800 characters)
If you are currently not a full-time student, please list and describe your current activities. (800 characters)
Describe the role you play in your immediate family. (800 characters)
Describe your community and socioeconomic environment. (800 characters)
Describe the most significant community, public service, and leadership activities you have been involved in over the last six years. (800 characters)
Describe how your experience, community, and family background impact your understanding of underserved communities. (800 characters)
Other than healthcare access, what are some of the most important healthcare issues confronting under-resourced communities? How would you address them? (800 characters)
Please describe how your experiences and personal attributes contribute to the mission of Charles R. Drew University. (800 characters)
Have you ever been convicted of a crime other than a minor traffic or parking violation? If the answer is yes, please explain. (800 characters)
Please share the degree to which COVID-19 has caused disruptions in any of the following areas of your life that you would like the Admissions Committee to consider: Academic, Research, Volunteer, Work, Personal Life, Financial Situation, Family. (1200 characters)
Please provide any additional information, which will give the Admissions Committee greater insight into you as an applicant. (800 characters)
How did you hear about our program?
Kaiser Permanente School of Medicine
(Suggested reading: How to Get Into Kaiser Permanente Medical School )
During your career as a physician, you will potentially encounter obstacles, and be required to overcome challenges. Please describe your experience with a situation that had an unfavorable outcome, including your reaction, how you might have responded differently, and what you learned about yourself. (250 words)
Kaiser Permanente is committed to advancing equity, inclusion, and diversity for all. How will you contribute to the diversity of the Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine? (250 words)
Lifelong learning is an essential process for continued professional development. This includes reflection and being open and responsive to constructive feedback. Please tell us about an area of intellectual exploration you’re passionate about, and your approach to exploring this area. (250 words)
Optional: Please describe how you have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. (unlimited)
Loma Linda University School of Medicine
What makes LLUSM particularly attractive to you? (275 words)
Our medical curriculum integrates a spiritual, ethical, and relational issues from a Christian perspective into the practice of medicine. Weekly chapel services and religion courses are part of this program. Please respond to the above as it relates to your personal educational and career goals. (275 words)
What personal attributes make you a desirable candidate for admission to LLUSM? (275 words)
Identify experiences in your life that illustrate your service to others. (275 words)
Discuss how your spiritual origins, development, and experiences have influenced and been integrated into your daily life. (275 words)
Please describe your current involvement (or reason for not being involved) with a church or religious group. (275 words)
Please enter the name and contact number for your Clergy/Pastor. (275 words)
If you have already graduated, describe your activities since graduation and your planned activities prior to matriculation into medical school. (275 words)
Explain any impact that COVID-19 or recent events in American society may have had on your educational, research, volunteering or employment plans. (275 words)
Stanford University School of Medicine
(Suggested reading: How to Get Into Stanford Medical School )
What do you see as the most likely practice scenario for your future medical career? Choose the single answer that best describes your career goals and clinical practice setting:
Academic Medicine (Clinical)
Academic Medicine (Physician Scientist)
Non-Academic Clinical Practice
Health Policy
Health Administration
Primary Care
Public Health/Community Health
Global Health
Why do you feel you are particularly suited for this practice scenario? What knowledge, skills and attitudes have you developed that have prepared you for this career path? (1000 characters)
How will you take advantage of the Stanford Medicine Discovery Curriculum and scholarly concentration requirement to achieve your personal career goals? (1000 characters)
Describe in a short paragraph your educational and family background. E.g., I grew up in New York City, as the 3rd child of a supermarket cashier and a high school principal. I attended Mann High School where my major interests were boxing and drama. (600 characters)
The Committee on Admissions regards the diversity (broadly defined) of an entering class as an important factor in serving the educational mission of the school. You are strongly encouraged to share unique attributes of your personal identity, and/ or personally important or challenging factors in your background. Such discussions may include the quality of your early education, gender identity, sexual orientation, any physical challenges, or any other life or work experiences. (2000 characters)
Please describe how you have uniquely contributed to a community with which you identify. (1000 characters)
Please describe an experience/ situation when you advocated for someone else. (1000 characters)
Please describe any lessons, hardships, challenges or opportunities that resulted from the global COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, describe how these insights have informed your motivations and preparation for medical school in areas of academics, research, employment, volunteer service and/or clinical experiences. (OPTIONAL) (1000 characters)
Please include anything else that will help us understand better how you may uniquely contribute to Stanford Medicine? (OPTIONAL) (1000 characters)
Touro University California College of Osteopathic Medicine
Are you a TUCOM re-applicant who has previously interviewed? If yes, what was the result of that interview and what changes, if any, have you made which should effect a different outcome? (2000 characters)
Have you attended any TUCOM information sessions on campus, at another location, or virtually? If yes, please list the event(s) in which you participated. (2000 characters)
Please describe your understanding of osteopathic medicine including osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT). Please include your personal exposure to osteopathic medicine (if any) and demonstrate your understanding of the osteopathic principles and history of the profession. (2000 characters)
Please describe your hobbies (or non-academic pursuits) and how they will influence your success as an Osteopathic medical student and/or Osteopathic physician in the future. (2000 characters)
Please discuss how your life experiences and personal characteristics will contribute to your future success as an outstanding osteopathic physician. (2000 characters)
When considering medical schools, what criteria are important to you and how does TUCOM align with those criteria? (2000 characters)
Have you graduated or do you plan to graduate from a High School or equivalent (e.g. GED, ATB, etc.) - OR - College whose primary method of instruction is English? (2000 characters)
Have you ever had a criminal conviction (this includes a judge or jury verdict, guilty plea, a plea of no contest or nolo contendere, and/or juvenile offenses), or any criminal conviction that you are currently appealing? (2000 characters)
University of California – Davis School of Medicine
Discuss any elements of your application that you feel might be concerning to the Admissions Committee. (This could include explanation of metric trends, institutional actions, legal violations, etc.) Please enter N/A if no concerns to report. (500 characters)
Do you have a connection to Northern or Central California? (Yes/No) Please explain. (500 characters)
Please list the activities you would like to be considered in your application to UC Davis. You may use your activities listed in your initial AMCAS application or select/add others that may be relevant to UC Davis. Please only list three. (500 characters per activity)
Scholarly Pathways questions:
Rural-PRIME:
Are you interested in applying to the Rural-PRIME program? [yes/no] Please describe how your experiences with rural communities make you a good fit for the Rural-PRIME program.
Describe your future plans to serve a rural underserved community.
TEACH-MS: Are you interested in applying to the TEACH-MS program? [yes/no] Please tell us what experiences have shaped your desire to be a primary care physician in urban underserved communities.
ACE-PC: Are you interested in applying to the ACE-PC? [yes/no] Please tell us what attributes or experiences would make you a good fit for an accelerated program in primary care.
REACH: Are you interested in applying to the REACH program? [yes/no] Please tell us about your ties to Central California and what you have done, or plan to do, to make a positive change in Central California.
Tribal Health PRIME: Are you interested in applying to the Tribal Health PRIME? [yes/no] What experiences have you had with rural and/or underserved communities/populations? More specifically, what involvement have you had with tribal communities/populations?
ARC-MD: Are you interested in applying to ARC-MD? [yes/no] Academic Research Careers for Medical Doctors (ARC-MD) is a five (5) year honors pathway that mentors students who envision a career as research faculty in a medical school or who want to use research and quality improvement methods to improve health in their community. These students are drawn from diverse backgrounds and committed to research as a foundational aspect of their career. That research may include basic-translational research, clinical-translational research, community engaged research, or policy and advocacy. Prior research experience or related activity as an undergraduate is preferred. Tell us about how you could see yourself as a faculty of the future and how biomedical research will play a role in your career as currently envisioned."
University of California – Irvine School of Medicine *
Time-sensitive considerations: "Applicants have one month from the date of the invitation email to complete the secondary application."
What personal accomplishment are you most proud of and why? (1500 characters)
Please describe to the Admissions Committee a challenge or disappointment you have overcome and what you learned about yourself from that experience. (1500 characters)
(Optional) Do you identify as being part of a marginalized group socioeconomically or in terms of access to quality education or healthcare? If so, please describe how this inequity has impacted you and your community. (1500 characters)
This essay is only for applicants that have already received their baccalaureate degree. Please clarify for the Admissions Committee your activities (school, work, and/or volunteer, travel, etc.) since receiving your undergraduate degree. You may list them in chronological order or you may incorporate them into an essay, stating why you chose particular activities. If you have just received or will receive your undergraduate degree this year, please discuss your plans for current year. (1500 characters)
University of California – Los Angeles David Geffen School of Medicine *
(Suggested reading: How to Get Into UCLA Medical School )
Time-sensitive considerations: " 2 weeks from the date and time of invitation"
At the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, students are provided with curriculum and experiences enabling them to become an "Outstanding Physician, AND...," dedicating themselves to important societal missions. What missions do you want to embrace? What have you done toward your missions? (800 characters)
Respond to the following and indicate how these areas of experience have impacted your progress toward your future career goals in relation to becoming an "Outstanding Physician, AND..." .
A. Describe your most unique leadership, entrepreneurial, or creative activity. (800 characters)
B. Describe your most important volunteer work and why it was meaningful. (800 characters)
C. Describe your most scholarly project (thesis, research or field of study in basic or clinical science or in the humanities) and provide the total number of hours, dates and advisor. (800 characters)
Describe how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted your pathway to medical school. Include any academic, personal, financial or professional barriers, as well as other relevant information. (800 characters)
Did you experience or are you anticipating time between graduating from college and matriculating into medical school? (Yes/No)
If yes, describe the activities in which you participated or are planning to participate. Examples include additional schooling, employment, or caring for a loved one.(800 characters)
Do you identify as being part of a group that has been marginalized (examples include, but are not limited to, LGBTQIA, disabilities, federally recognized tribe) in terms of access to education or healthcare? (Yes/No)
If you answered “Yes” to the above, answer the following prompt: Describe how this inequity has impacted you or your community and how educational disparity, health disparity and/or marginalization has impacted you and your community. (800 characters)
University of California – Riverside School of Medicine
The mission of the UCR School of Medicine is to improve the health of the people of California and, especially, to serve Inland Southern California by training a diverse workforce of physicians and by developing innovative research and health care delivery programs that will improve the health of the medically underserved in the region and become models to be emulated throughout the state and nation. What experiences, skills, and abilities will you bring to the class to fulfill this mission? (250 words)
The values of the UCR SOM are integrity, innovation, inclusion, excellence, accountability and respect. Please choose one of the values and tell us how you have personally experienced it or have seen it emulated in a clinical setting. (250 words)
In what type of healthcare setting do you see yourself practicing medicine? (250 words)
Tell us about a personal challenge you have faced in your life thus far and how you demonstrated resilience and grit to overcome it. [Please do not write about studying for or taking the MCAT.] (250 words)
(Optional) If there is anything you would like the committee to consider about your candidacy that is not explained elsewhere in your application, please use this space to tell us. (250 words)
If you answered Yes, please explain your connection to Inland Southern California and the mission of the UC Riverside School of Medicine (100 words)
University of California – San Diego School of Medicine
(Suggested reading: How to Get Into UCSD Medical School , which contains a sample secondary essay)
Autobiographical Sketch: This should be a true autobiographical statement. Topics to be included are family, childhood, primary and secondary school years, undergraduate years, and, if applicable, what you’ve done since completing your bachelor’s degree. You should also discuss the motivational factors which led you to a career in medicine, including any disadvantages or obstacles which might put your accomplishments into context. A repeat of your AMCAS statement will not be acceptable. Please note: if you are applying to the MD/PhD program, please include why you are specifically interested in seeking MD/PhD training at UCSD. (6000 characters)
Some medical school applicants are already focused on pursuing a particular career pathway in medicine. While many students will change from this pathway during medical school, knowing of your potential interests does help us to assign interviewers. Your choice below does not influence how the Admissions Committee selects students to interview. Please select from one of career pathways listed below. In addition to this selection, please provide a brief description of your future career goals: (400 characters)
Academic Medicine (Working as a faculty member at a School of Medicine either as a clinician, a clinician-educator, or a clinician investigator. This could be in any field of medicine)
Primary Care and/or work in underserved communities (Working as a general internist, a pediatrician, or a family medicine physician and/or spending the majority of your time working in a community currently underserved by the medical profession)
Public Health, administrative leadership in medicine (Pursuing an MPH and/or working for a public health department or organization; working in health care policy; working as a hospital administrator)
Specialist in private practice (Working in a private practice or managed care setting as a subspecialist. Examples include cardiologist, infectious disease specialist, obstetrician, orthopedic surgeon, general surgeon, anaesthesiologist, radiologist)
Other/undecided
If you are an out-of-state applicant, please let us know if there are specific reasons for your interest in the UCSD School of Medicine. (1000 characters)
For PRIME-HEq applicants: Please describe your interest in the PRIME-HEq program. Topics to include are longitudinal experiences that you’ve had with underserved communities, including the type of community that you’ve worked with and your level of involvement. Additionally, you should discuss the length of time that you’ve spent working in these communities. (4800 characters)
For GHAC applicants: Please describe your interest in Global Health. The term Global Health can have many meanings; for our purposes, we find the definition provided by Koplan et. al. in their 2009 Lancet publication useful: “the area of study, research and practice that places a priority on improving health and achieving equity in health for all people worldwide”. In your essay, be sure to describe any personal or professional experiences that have shaped your interests, and how Global Health issues have influenced your decision to pursue a career in medicine. (4800 chararacters)
For PRIME-TIDE applicants: Please describe your experiences with American Indian and Alaskan Native communities, including the type of community and your level of involvement. Please provide the length of time you spent working in or exposed to these communities. Be sure to detail any personal or professional experiences that have shaped your interests, and how American Indian and Alaskan Native issues have influenced your decision to pursue a career in medicine. Finally, please delineate how completion of the PRIME-TIDE program will help you obtain your medical education goals. (4800 characters)
University of California – San Francisco School of Medicine
(Suggested reading: How to Get Into UCSF Medical School )
If you wish to update or expand upon your activities, you may provide additional information below. (500 words)
If you are 2022 or earlier college graduate, please use the space below to tell us what you have done since completing your undergraduate degree. (350 words)
Do you identify as being part of a marginalized group socioeconomically or in terms of access to quality education or healthcare? Please describe how this inequity has impacted you and your community. (350 words)
University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine
The following questions allow the Admissions Committee to become acquainted with you as an individual. Please answer the questions in 3-5 sentences. Each answer must be 65 words or less.
What is the most fun you’ve had lately?
If you had to give yourself a nickname, what would it be?
What are three things you don't care about at all?
Describe a situation in which you didn’t get something you felt you deserved.
Are you a member of a group that is under-represented in medicine? (Yes/No)
If yes: Which Group? How does under-representation affect your community?
Have you previously applied to medical school (M.D., D.O., international)? (Yes/No)
If yes: Upon reflection, what do you think went wrong?
Essay questions:
What do you see as the physician’s role in Public Health? Please answer the question in 150 words or less.
Optional: Is there anything else you would like us to know? If yes, please answer the question in 200 words or less.
Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine
Questions are the same for the Pomona and Northwest campuses.
What experience observing a DO solidified your desire/ambition to become an osteopathic physician? (This could be a formal shadowing experience (one-on-one with a physician), scribing, observing your own physician, friend, or family member who is a DO). (500 words)
If you have not had the opportunity to shadow/observe a DO why is it important to you to become an osteopathic physician? (500 words)
If you have not had an opportunity shadow/observe a physician, please explain the extenuating circumstances that prevented you from doing so. (500 words)
Are you providing a letter of recommendation from a physician? (Yes/No)
If no, please explain the extenuating circumstances as to why you are not providing a letter of recommendation from a physician. (500 words)
What was your most memorable community service activity and how did your activity benefit the community? (500 words)
How does the COMP/COMP-Northwest Mission statement align with your values? (500 words)
Why do you want to attend COMP/COMP-Northwest? (500 words)
What does diversity, equity, and inclusion mean to you and why are they important? (500 words)
Have you participated in research? (Yes/No)
If yes, briefly describe your role and what skills you gained from participation in the research. (500 words)
Please provide us with the link to the publication or abstract if possible.
Did you contribute to the published work as an author/coauthor? (Yes/No)
Briefly discuss any extenuating circumstances which you feel are pertinent to your application (poor grades, course withdrawals, lapse in your education, etc.). (500 words)
Are you a transfer applicant? (Yes/No)
(Suggested reading: Medical Schools in Canada: How to Get In )
Dalhousie University Faculty of Medicine
250 words each:
Describe your personal experience in community service, volunteer work or service/help to another. What did you learn from this experience?
Describe your strongest quality and provide a specific example of this quality. How does this quality relate to the study and practice of medicine?
The Dalhousie Medicine curriculum uses case-based small group learning. Describe one or more examples of your experiences with small group learning or teams and what you have learned from it.
What does being a physician mean to you? How did you come to this understanding?
Health care professionals work with people from diverse and broad populations and experiences. Cultural competence and sensitivity are important skills to develop. How would you describe your own level of cultural competence/sensitivity? What steps could you take to further build cultural competence/sensitivity?
Out-of-province applicants: In 250 words or less, please describe your knowledge of any connections to and past experiences with the Maritime Provinces and how these have contributed to your selection of Dalhousie University as your preferred choice of medical schools.
Northern Ontario School of Medicine
Autobiographical Sketch questions:
Considering NOSM University’s self-directed, small group, distributed learning environment, select ONE (1) entry from your autobiographical sketch and describe how it has specifically prepared you for being a medical student at NOSM University.
Select ONE (1) entry from your autobiographical sketch that has had a significant impact on your personal growth and describe how this experience has influenced your development and prepared you to be a medical student at NOSM University.
Considering NOSM University’s social accountability mandate, select ONE (1) entry from your autobiographical sketch and describe how this experience has prepared you to learn and work in Northern Ontario and/or rural/remote settings.
Supplementary questions:
Describe how you have developed resilience and coping mechanisms. How will you utilize these skills to support yourself during your medical training in making informed and rational decisions when faced with difficult circumstances?
Describe an experience you have had interacting with individuals from backgrounds different from yours. How would this experience translate to working within a health care environment and/or with patients?
Provide a specific example of when your work or performance was criticized. Explain how your responded to the criticism and how this experience contributed to your personal development/growth.
NOSM University’s Social Accountability mandate is to improve the health of the people and the communities of Northern Ontario. Describe how you plan to embody this mandate as a medical student and future physician, and how this has factored into your decision to apply to NOSM University.
University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry
List and describe your top two personal achievements/experiences. (750 characters per)
Share a life experience where you encountered challenges and describe how you addressed the situation(s). You may include a different experience that you have not previously addressed in your application which will further serve the goal of learning more about you as an applicant. (2000 characters)
Please share an experience that you have had which was significant enough, potentially even life altering, that helped you become a better person. (1500 characters)
University of Toronto School of Medicine
Detailed Autobiographical Sketch: Write about an impactful experience from your Autobiographical Sketch that demonstrates your personal growth, character, and values. How did this experience prepare you for medical school? (500 words)
The COVID-19 pandemic imposed obligatory changes in all our lives. What have you learned and how has this changed you as a person? Are there ways that you adapted that you would keep going forward? (250 words)
What is the purpose of a mentoring relationship? What are the 3 most important elements of a mentoring relationship? Discuss a mentoring situation that you experienced in relation to these qualities. (250 words)
Western University Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry
Abbreviated Autobiographical Sketch
(Note: These questions allow you to expand on activities described in your OMSAS Autobiographical Sketch; however, you may include up to two activities that are not in your Autobiographical Sketch.)
Teamwork and Leadership: We are interested in extracurricular activities or experiences (employment, volunteering and/or other extracurricular activities) that demonstrate your teamwork and leadership skills. Please highlight a minimum of 1 activity and a maximum of 2 activities that highlight your teamwork and leadership skills.
Note: Leadership does not mean being the boss or having a formal title. Instead, it refers to someone who is engaged and takes the initiative to contribute in a collaborative way toward sustainable and positive change. Please ensure that in whatever activity you choose, you demonstrate a clear link to these skills. Maximum points are allocated if you can link to both skills of teamwork and leadership, as defined above.
Please provide a brief description of how this activity demonstrates your teamwork and leadership skills, outline concretely what you have learned (3 items) and how this will be helpful to your career in medicine. (Max. 2,400 characters/activity)
Respect for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Please list your top 1 to 2 activities (employment, volunteering, or other extracurricular activity) that demonstrate your respect for diversity, equity, and inclusion. As an example, this core value can be demonstrated through interactions and exposure to those who may have perspectives different from our own (e.g. different age, skill level, educational background, gender identity, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, religious beliefs, etc.).
These activities and experiences do not necessarily have to be international/global and the definition of diversity is broad. The activities can be local or regional, and do not necessarily have to be volunteer-related. In whatever activity you choose, you must clearly articulate the link between the activity and diversity.
Please provide a brief description of how this activity demonstrates your respect for diversity, equity, and inclusion. Please also outline concretely what you have learned (3 items) and how this will be helpful to your career in medicine. (Max. 2,400 characters.)
Self-directed Learning, Problem-solving, and Critical Inquiry: Please list your top 1 to 2 activities (employment, volunteering, research or other extracurricular activity) that demonstrate your capacity for self-directed learning, problem-solving, and critical inquiry.
Note: You may choose any activity as above, so long as you can articulate well where you demonstrated these higher learning skills in that activity If you have done research in any capacity (undergraduate, Master’s and/or PhD), one of your activities must be related to your research experience. If your research led to any notable awards and/or publications, please provide enough information so that it may be corroborated. The verifier you choose must be able to confirm any publications and/or awards.
If you do not have any research experience, that is acceptable so long as you can clearly link your activity to how you problem-solved, demonstrated intellectual curiosity and how you worked towards improving your performance in that activity.
Please provide a description and examples of how this activity concretely demonstrates your problem-solving, critical inquiry, and self-directed learning skills and how they will be helpful to your career in medicine. (Max. 2,400 characters.)
Social Accountability and Responsibility: Please list your top 1 to 2 activities (employment, volunteering, other extracurricular activity) that highlight your commitment to serving other individuals or your community and that speak to your ability to advocate for others.
Please note: No preference will be given for formal volunteering compared to other activities, so long as the activity demonstrates a commitment to your community and advocacy of others. For example, this could include helping a neighbor as long as you can. Clearly articulate the connection between the activity and the commitment to helping and advocating for others and have someone who can verify this activity.
Please provide a brief description of how this activity concretely demonstrates your commitment to helping others, advocating for others and serving your community's needs. Please comment on what you have learned (3 items) and how this will be helpful to your career in medicine (Max. 2,400 characters.)
Optional questions
Please tell us about a unique (non-academic/non-research) personal life experience(s) and/or challenges that are relevant to your application to medical school. Please also outline how you overcame those challenges, if applicable. If none, please state “none”. (Max 2,400 characters.)
Please outline whether there are any gaps and/or unusual circumstances to your file/application. If none, please state “none”. (Max. 2,400 characters)
(Suggested reading: Medical Schools in Colorado )
Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine
What unique characteristics, abilities, or skills will you bring to help advance the mission and vision of RVUCOM? (No limit)
University of Colorado School of Medicine
Please do not repeat content from your AMCAS personal statement in these essays. To the extent that there is overlap in the personal statement to what you want to write here, please choose a different approach to discussing the issue(s), such as influence on your values and beliefs, changes you made in your life, reflections that are from a different perspective. The committee utilizes this important information in the selection process. The pillars of our curriculum are Leadership, Curiosity, and Commitment. Tell us about how you have embodied one or more of these attributes in your path to medicine thus far. In which of these areas do you see the most opportunity for personal growth and why? Limit this response to 500 words.
Reapplicants to Colorado: Please explain how you and your application has changed since your previous submission. Limit this response to 1500 Characters.
Fort Collins Track: Please tell us why you are interested in being a part of the 4-year CUSOM at CSU (Fort Collins Branch campus)? With the background that FCB’s smaller class sizes and unique structure lead to a highly interactive curriculum, please tell us how this campus matches your learning style and personal philosophy. Limit your statement to 1500 characters, including spaces (approximately 300 words).
Rural Track: Describe your personal and professional goals in becoming a rural physician. In particular, describe your interest and ability to spend your clinical year in a rural community. You may also include how past experiences living and/or working in a rural area and your ties to or interest in rural Colorado communities aligns with your goals. Limit your statement to 1500 characters, including spaces (approximately 300 words).
(Suggested reading: Medical Schools in Connecticut: How to Get In )
Quinnipiac University Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine
If you will not be enrolled as a full-time student, how will you be spending/intend to spend your time during your application year? (150 words)
What quality or attribute do you think is most important in being a physician? Please explain. (150 words)
Please provide an experience when you have encountered and addressed a conflict. How did you work through the conflict? How would you apply what you learned from this experience as a medical student and future physician? (400 words)
Netter SOM is a diverse and inclusive student body. What do you feel that you will bring to enrich the incoming SOM class and community? (200 words)
In your experience through the COVID-19 Pandemic, how do you see your role as a frontline provider in future public health emergencies? (250 words)
Please address any withdrawals, repeated courses, leaves of absence or breaks in your undergraduate education that are not explained in your application. (Optional) (250 words)
University of Connecticut School of Medicine *
(Suggested reading: How to Get into UConn Medical School )
Time-sensitive considerations: "Regardless of when the secondary is received, applicants should aim to complete their secondary applications within two weeks ."
Highlight your experiences in the healthcare field. What insights have you gained about potential problems you will face as a physician? (1800 characters)
How will the University of Connecticut School of Medicine best serve your needs of becoming a physician or physician scientist? (1800 characters)
Please take a moment to explain how the COVID-19 pandemic directly and personally affected you as it pertains to preparing for medical school. (e.g. MCAT test date delay, financial impact, research/clinical experiences, self-quarantine, etc.). (1800 characters)
Yale School of Medicine
(Suggested reading: How to Get Into the Yale School of Medicine )
Yale School of Medicine values diversity in all its forms. How will your background and experiences contribute to this important focus of our institution and inform your future role as a physician? (500 words limit)
Please select one of the following questions. MD applicants: Please answer either one of the following questions. MD/PhD applicants: Please answer question 2 as it pertains to your proposed PhD research.
While there is great emphasis on the physician-patient relationship, Yale School of Medicine also emphasizes the importance of training future physicians to care for communities and populations. Describe how your experiences would contribute to this aspect of the mission of the Yale School of Medicine. (500 words)
Research is essential to patient care, and all students at Yale School of Medicine complete a research thesis. Tell us how your research interests, skills and experiences would contribute to scholarship at Yale School of Medicine. (500 words)
Optional Section: This section is optional. It should be used to bring to the attention of the Admissions Committee any important information (personal, academic, or professional) not discussed in other sections of your Yale Secondary Application. If you are a recent graduate, please also list your post-graduation plans/activities in the “Additional Information” section and submit any relevant updates for finalized plans/activities as the application year progresses. Please limit your response to 500 words.
(Suggested reading: Medical Schools in Washington, D.C.: How to Get In )
George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences
Character limits do not include spaces.
Please provide the Admissions Committee with a brief summary of your activities, academics, employment or other occupations to account for full-time activity (approx. 30-40 hours/week) from the point of application through matriculation in 2023. (750 characters)
The MD Program includes substantial content in Clinical Public Health (population health, health systems science, health policy, and community health) to prepare GW graduates for an expanded scope of practice required to be successful 21st century physicians. What are your specific interests and experiences related to that aspect of the MD Program? (350 characters)
What is your most meaningful clinical experience to date, involving direct patient contact? (350 characters)
Describe how current issues regarding advocacy and social justice have impacted your motivation for medical school? (500 characters)
What makes you a unique individual? What challenges have you faced? How will these factors help you contribute to the diversity of the student body at GW? (750 characters)
What is your specific interest in the MD Program at GW? What opportunities would you take advantage of as a student here? Why? (1750 characters)
Georgetown University School of Medicine
(Suggested reading: How to Get Into Georgetown Medical School )
The Georgetown University School of Medicine (GUSOM) strives to ensure that its students become respectful physicians, with cultural humility, who embrace all dimensions of caring for the whole person. With our Jesuit values of Cura Personalis, People for Others, and Community in Diversity, we are steadfast in our commitment to racial justice and to addressing the health inequities exacerbated by the recent pandemic. Please describe how your values, life experiences, and your identity will contribute to these GUSOM priorities. (no limit stated; “Short Answer” section)
Is there any further information that you would like the Committee on Admissions to be aware of when reviewing your file that you were not able to notate in another section of this or the AMCAS Application? (no limit stated; “Short Answer” section)
Why have you chosen to apply to the Georgetown University School of Medicine and how do you think your education at Georgetown will prepare you to become a physician for the future? (3000 characters)
Howard University College of Medicine
Have you lived in communities which are medically underserved, or where the majority of the population is economically and/or educationally disadvantaged? (Please indicate, Yes or No and then explain/describe briefly in 250 words or less)
Have you worked (volunteer or paid employment) with medically underserved, economically disadvantaged and/or educationally disadvantaged populations? (Please indicate, Yes or No and then explain/describe briefly in 250 words or less)
After residency, do you plan to practice medicine in an underserved or disadvantaged community? (Please indicate, Yes or No and then explain/describe briefly in 250 words or less)
(Suggested reading: Medical Schools in Florida: How to Get In )
Florida Atlantic University Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine
Whether or not you will be a full-time student, please provide details of your activities/employment for the application year. (1200 characters)
Tell us why you would like to be admitted to the Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine at FAU. What makes you a good fit for our College of Medicine? (1600 characters)
Tell us about your most meaningful community service experience that is unrelated to direct patient care. How did you grow? What did you learn? What did you enjoy about serving others? (1600 characters)
You may have worked during or after college. Having to maintain paid employment can be challenging, yet it can also develop a number of qualities that can help you succeed in medical school, as well as beyond. Tell us about your most meaningful paid employment. What was it about the experience that made it meaningful? What qualities and skills did the job help you develop and strengthen? What traits do you feel you learned while with that employer and/or the work experience? Experience does not need to be related to patient care. If none, please write not applicable. (1600 characters)
Tell us about your leadership experience(s) and/or key leadership skills. (Organized a fundraiser, had club/organization officer role, etc.) How do you motivate or influence people? If none, please write not applicable. (1600 characters)
Briefly describe a situation where you had to overcome adversity; include lessons learned and how you think it will affect your career as a future physician. If none, please write not applicable. (1600 characters)
The Florida Atlantic University Schmidt College of Medicine has made a commitment to foster an inclusive environment in which every person in our medical school community has the ability to achieve their full potential. We are proud to have a medical school rich in cultural, ethnic, and socioeconomic diversity. What values, skills, talents, and life experiences would you contribute to our community? (1600 characters)
Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine
Are you a re-applicant to medical school? If yes, please explain how your application has improved since the last time you applied and/or what you have learned from the experience. (1000 characters)
Whether or not you will be a full-time student, please explain what you will be doing prior to your planned matriculation into medical school. (600 characters)
If you have taken a gap year(s), please explain what you have been, or will be doing since graduating from your undergraduate institution. (600 characters)
Use this area to explain any exception to the prerequisites at your institution. (1000 characters)
Is there any additional information about your academic record that you would like the Admissions Committee to know? Please include any academic difficulties or course withdrawals. (1000 characters)
Miami is a vibrant and multicultural, multilingual city. You will be exposed to cultures and languages different than your own while living and studying in this city. Please explain in detail an experience in which you collaborated, worked, or were exposed to diverse backgrounds. Please describe the impact the experience had on you. (1200 characters)
Why did you choose to apply to FIU Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine? (1200 characters)
Please describe a significant personal challenge you have faced, one which you feel has helped to shape you as a person. Focus on what you learned about yourself and how it will help you during the challenges you might face in medical school. Describe any support system you had at your disposal and how you utilized these resources. (1200 characters)
If you are accepted into medical school, how do you envision your lifestyle will change, and what challenges may await? Similarly, what do you think will be the most rewarding and difficult part of practicing medicine in the future? (1200 characters)
Please share any disruptions and/or challenges you have experienced this application year as a direct result of COVID-19 that you would like the Admissions Committee to consider in conjunction with your application. The following are some examples of topics for consideration, but are not limited to: academic preparations; extracurricular activities and/or experiences; personal and/or professional opportunities; or lessons and insights gained as a result of COVID-19. (1000 characters)
If you are NOT a Florida resident, please describe any connection to FIU, FIU HWCOM, or South Florida. (600 characters)
Florida State University College of Medicine
Please limit your answers to 500 words per question.
Please provide a description of your family. (Optional)
Please provide a description of where you grew up (i.e. rural area, large city, etc.) (Optional)
Indicate what you do for fun and diversion (hobbies, special interests, etc.). (Optional)
What is a unique trait, experience, or interest that we would not normally learn about you? (Optional)
If there is an important aspect of your personal background or identity, not addressed elsewhere in the application, that you are comfortable voluntarily sharing with the Committee, we invite you to do so here. Many applicants will not need to answer this question. Examples might include significant challenges in access to education, unusual socioeconomic factors, identification with a minority culture, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender identity. Briefly explain how such factors have influenced your motivation for a career in medicine. (Optional)
Why are you choosing to apply to the FSU College of Medicine? Please be specific describing what is particularly attractive about FSU COM.
What do you feel are your personal and scholastic qualifications for the study of medicine? (Optional)
How do you feel you will contribute to the success of the FSU College of Medicine and our unique mission? (Optional)
If you have previously interviewed or applied to the College of Medicine, what steps have you taken to improve your application? (Optional)
In what field/specialty of medicine do you envision yourself working ten years from now? Please list no more than three (3) specialties.
Write a short statement describing how you envision using the specialty/ies you listed above to advance our mission.
The Admissions Committee understands that the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted applicants in various ways. If you wish to inform the committee as to how these events have affected you and have not already done so elsewhere in your application, please use this space to do so. (Optional)
The Florida State University College of Medicine accepts very few out-of-state applicants. Except under rare circumstances, out of state applicants are considered for admission only if their county of residence is geographically contiguous with the State of Florida, or if they can demonstrate significant ties to the State of Florida.
Is Florida currently your legal State of residence? (Yes/No)
Has it ever been your legal state of residence? (Yes/No)
If “yes,” please briefly explain: (Optional) (200 characters)
If you have never been a Florida resident or are not currently residing in Florida (answered “no” to both questions above), please briefly describe any significant ties that you have to the State of Florida (Examples of significant ties include- but are not limited to- attending college within Florida; having strong family ties to Florida, owning property in Florida, etc.) (Optional) (200 characters)
Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine
Please provide an example that indicates your ability to function effectively as a productive member of a team working toward a common objective. Elaborate on leadership roles you held in this capacity and how you solved problems that arose. Indicate highlights learned from this experience. (4000 characters)
Please share some personal examples of problem solving in a team environment and/or leadership experience that would lead to your success in a Problem Based Learning environment. (4000 characters)
At NSU M.D., we value the unique perspective that each applicant brings. Identify any traits, life experiences, or interests that a professor or advisor would not normally know about you. (4000 characters)
How has your academic work beyond the “traditional” pre-medical school requirements (i.e., introductory biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, and introductory physics) prepared you for medical school and for a career in medicine? Please highlight any service learning activities that align with humanism in medicine. (4000 characters)
Is there a time gap between earning your last degree (baccalaureate or other) and the expected time of your medical school matriculation? If yes, please explain. (4000 characters)
Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine
How did you learn about osteopathic medicine? (1000 characters)
List and briefly describe your significant healthcare-related volunteer activities since graduation from high school. (2000 characters)
If you were employed during the regular school year (excluding summers) while in undergraduate or graduate school, please list dates of employment beginning with your current position along with title or job description, level of responsibility, and the number of hours per week. (2000 characters)
If you have ever matriculated into an M.D. or a D.O. program, please explain the reason(s) for leaving. Please use the following format: date, institution, status. If nonapplicable, please type "none".
University of Central Florida College of Medicine
Please list each course you have taken, or are projected to take, in an online environment. (500 characters)
If you are NOT a Florida resident, please describe any connection to UCF COM, UCF, or Florida. (500 characters)
If you do not expect to spend the academic year enrolled in an academic program, please explain how you will use this time. (500 characters)
In this space, provide brief details regarding academic difficulties, grades below "B minus," or course withdrawals. (500 characters)
What breakthrough in clinical or research medicine would you like to see occur within the span of your career in medicine? Why? (750 characters)
The complexity of healthcare delivery increasingly requires interdisciplinary teamwork. What lessons have you learned from sports, music, business or other experiences have prepared you to succeed in this environment? (750 characters)
We often hear that students want to pursue medicine to help people. Why did you choose medicine and not some other field where you can help others, such as nursing, physical therapy, pharmacology, psychology, education, or social work? (750 characters)
Please share with the Admissions Committee why you are specifically interested in UCF COM. (750 characters)
Please provide a short essay to help us understand who you are. This essay should be different from your AMCAS Personal Statement. UCF COM places great value on the broad diversity of our students within the classroom. We believe the diverse characteristics of each individual in the class are important factors in serving the educational missions of this school and of our community. Please discuss any unique, personally important and/or challenging experiences in your background that have influenced your goals and preparation for a career in medicine and service to others. These may include experiences such as the quality of your early educational environment, socioeconomic status, cultural background, or other significant events or circumstances that you feel have shaped your character and defined you as an individual. We are also interested on your thoughts about what you can contribute to your class and the medical profession in general. (4000 characters)
University of Florida College of Medicine
If you are not a full-time student during this application cycle, in particular at any time between September 2022 and May 2023, please detail your current and planned activities below. (250-500 words)
The medical profession is frequently described as being both a science and an art. One could summarize this by saying that patients must “be well cared for” (science) but they must also “feel well cared for” (art). We work to teach our students not only the scientific principles of medicine, but also the core values of medicine, often called “professionalism”. Toward this end we keep patients at the center of our education and often reflect on their stories with our students.
The exciting advances in our understanding of the biological basis for disease have led to the emergence of a host of targeted therapies and amazing technologies improving the duration and quality of our patients’ lives. The better a physician knows his/her patient, the better decisions they will make together as they approach important healthcare related questions. This so-called shared decision-making model is one key feature of patient centered care. Practicing the art of medicine in this way yields a physician patient relationship (PPR) that is both therapeutic and mutually enriching. However, many of these same technologies have the unintended consequence of separating us from our patients, both literally and figuratively. In addition, the industrialization of medicine and use of electronic health records have led to a decrease in the time physicians spend with their patients further eroding the strength of the PPR.
At the UFCOM, we have many strategies to equip our students to preserve their own humanity and that of their patients. One of the most important is the ability to make connections with and get to know their patients. Frequently such connections become the student’s first taste of the joy of medical practice. In fact, the UFCOM version of the Hippocratic Oath includes the following affirmation. “I will remember with gratitude and humility those whose illness or injury provided examples from which I learned, and, in their honor, I will continue the pursuit of knowledge.”
In our polarized society, the importance of such virtues as humility and gratitude have perhaps never been greater. Over the last two decades, the Greater Good Science Center at the University of California Berkeley has offered strong scientific support for the importance of such virtues as gratitude and humility in human well-being. But it should also be remembered that philosophers and theologians have cherished these virtues for centuries. For example, when mounting a legal defense for a friend, Cicero observed, “while I wish to be adorned with every virtue, yet there is nothing which I can esteem more highly than the being and appearing grateful. For this one virtue is not only the greatest, but is also the parent of all the other virtues.” Offering a similar endorsement for the virtue of humility, Augustine of Hippo observed, “Humility is the foundation of all the other virtues hence, in the soul in which this virtue does not exist there cannot be any other virtue except in mere appearance.”
Students at UFCOM regularly write about and discuss encounters with patients that shape their professional identity in important ways. In so doing, we all learn to become better physicians and human beings. Here are two such reflections, by our students, one a poem and the other an essay. Read and reflect on both and then choose one and describe how the writer grew from the experience. Consider the affirmation from the Hippocratic Oath in your response. (500 words)
The profession of medicine has always had an explicit contract with society about our expertise and competence but it also includes an important affirmation. Namely, that we will subordinate self-interest to patient interest when the needs of our patients require us to do so. This does not mean we do not take care of ourselves and one another, but it does mean we willingly take on risks to ourselves that many others would not. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought this commitment to light as many medical professionals labored on the front lines caring for the sick despite the potential dangers.
When we consider medical practice and hence, medical education, one could ask what sorts of virtues or character traits equip young medical professionals for such a noble calling. Many come to mind including courage, compassion, intellectual honesty and integrity. But recently attention has been given to the ability to stay with a task or course even when one is tired, discouraged and the work is daunting and laborious. Terms such as “resilience”, “endurance”, “perseverance”, “determination” or “grit” describe this character trait. Dr. Angela Duckworth has explored this in detail in her book “Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance” ( Angela Duckworth ). Cultivating this virtue, in ourselves and one another, offers a tangible means to lean against the depersonalizing and emotionally exhausting forces at work in healthcare.
As physicians, we have the privilege of caring for people who are in the most difficult places of their lives. Being present during these times can be both a source of joy as we help our patients, but can also challenge our own emotional health and resilience. Struggling to make sense of suffering induced by disease, social forces and human agency has brought an occasion for growth among many of us who work in healthcare.
As you grow into your new identity as a physician, you will come face to face with the suffering of other human beings. In fact, we will all have to face our own losses as we go through medical training and practice. Put simply, none of us is exempt from suffering. As the Nigerian novelist Chinua Achebe (1930-2013) once observed, “When suffering knocks at your door and you say there is no seat for him, he tells you not to worry because he has brought his own stool.”
Holocaust survivor and renowned psychiatrist Viktor Frankl, (1905-1997) wrote an account of his time in the concentration camp called, “Man’s Search for Meaning”. It has sold more than 10 million copies in 24 languages and offers profound insights into how finding meaning in suffering sustains us during our darkest times.
Below are several quotes from Dr. Frankl that deal with finding purpose and meaning in suffering. After reading and thinking about his insights, choose one or two and tell us about experiences where you have seen these principles at work either in your own life, or in the lives of others. (500 words)
“Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.”
“If there is a meaning in life at all, then there must be a meaning in suffering. Suffering is an ineradicable part of life, even as fate and death. Without suffering and death, human life cannot be complete.”
“A man who becomes conscious of the responsibility he bears toward a human being who affectionately waits for him, or to an unfinished work, will never be able to throw away his life. He knows the 'why' for his existence, and will be able to bear almost any 'how.'”
“Being human always points, and is directed, to something or someone, other than oneself - be it a meaning to fulfill or another human being to encounter. “
(Optional) If you think there is any additional information that would help the admissions committee in its review of your application, including any disruptions in your academic/volunteer/work/personal life related to COVID-19, please use the space below. (750 word limit)
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine *
Time-sensitive considerations: "We ask that you submit your secondary within two weeks after you are invited to complete the application."
500 words each:
What have you done during the recent COVID-19 pandemic that will better prepare you to be a medical student and future physician?
Why have you selected the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine for your medical education? Please be as specific as possible.
Please provide a chronological list with dates AND a brief description of your clinical experiences/shadowing.
Please provide a chronological list with dates of your community service/volunteering.
Please discuss a situation where you had to use your leadership skills.
Please briefly discuss your research experience.
Please provide a chronological list with dates of your employment.
What have you done to help identify, address and correct an issue of systemic discrimination?
[OPTIONAL] Provide a description of any activities involving the FINE ARTS (dance, drama, music, art, photography, etc. OR [OPTIONAL] Provide a description of any activities involving SPORTS (organized team sports, recreational activities that you play, watch or follow)
[OPTIONAL] Describe your most meaningful involvement in STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS.
[OPTIONAL] Provide a description of your most memorable TRAVEL experience.
[OPTIONAL] Provide a description of your HOBBIES and what you do for fun and relaxation.
For reapplicants (if applicable): If you applied previously, describe how you have strengthened your candidacy since your last application?
University of South Florida Health Morsani College of Medicine
Do you believe the competitiveness (i.e. course requirements, experiences, academic performance, etc.) of your application for medical school has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic? (1500 character max)
What do you see as the most likely practice scenario for your future medical career (Private Practice, Academic Medicine, Public Health, Health Care Administration, Health Policy, or Other)? Describe the knowledge, skills, and attributes you have developed in preparation for the career path you have chosen in the previous question. (1500 character max)
Optional: The USF Morsani College of Medicine’s Scholarly Concentrations program aims to support the educational development of medical students by providing opportunities for academic endeavors in areas of special interest. This program facilitates self-directed learning, enhances interactions between students and fosters relationships between students and faculty. Scholarly concentrations provide a forum where diversity of ideas and perspectives are valued. Each concentration includes elements of course work, practical application and scholarly presentation. Please review our Scholarly Concentrations website to determine which concentration would be of interest to you and answer the following question: ( Scholarly Concentrations Program | USF Health ) a. How would the USF Morsani College of Medicine’s Scholarly Concentrations Program help your personal career goals? (1500 characters)
The USF Morsani College of Medicine strives to educate a very diverse set of students who bring a variety of strengths and interests to the field of medicine. The definition of diversity is broad and includes (but is not limited to) lifestyle, race/ethnicity, geography, socioeconomic status and distance traveled through life. The definition of strength is also broad and includes (but is not limited to) humanism, scholarship, intellectual curiosity, research, and leadership. How do you feel your particular experiences, interests, and passions will add to the strength and diversity of the USF class and ultimately to the field of medicine? (2000 characters)
If you have experienced academic difficulties, please explain the situation and how it was resolved. (Please explain all grades less than a "B", including B-, or any "withdrawal" on your transcripts). (2000 characters)
If you have chosen the SELECT program or BOTH, please explain how your experiences and career goals match with the mission of the SELECT program. ( MD SELECT Program | USF Health ) (1500 characters)
(Suggested reading: Medical Schools in Georgia: How to Get In )
Emory University School of Medicine
(Suggested reading: How to Get Into Emory Medical School )
List your entire curriculum plan for the current academic year. If you are not currently in school, please briefly describe your plans for the coming year. (200 words)
Briefly describe your health-related experiences. Be sure to include important experiences that are in your AMCAS application, as well as any recent experiences. (200 words)
Briefly describe your interest in Emory and the Emory degree program you have selected. (200 words)
What do you consider to be the role of the physician in the community? (200 words)
If you have any updates or new information to report since you have submitted your AMCAS primary application, please briefly describe below. (200 words)
Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University *
Time-sensitive considerations: "You should submit your Secondary Application within two weeks of receiving it from the Admissions Office."
Please discuss your primary interest in attending the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University. (300 words)
Please describe your motivation for becoming a physician. What contributions do you feel that you could make to the medical profession in the future? (300 words)
Please list any additional clinical experiences that are not included on your AMCAS application. Please include the physician’s name OR type of experience (i.e., Nursing, PA, EMT, E.R. Scribe, etc.) in the description column below along with the location, dates and total number of hours. If no additional experiences have occurred, please select "N/A."
The Admissions Committee regards the diversity of an entering class as an important factor in serving the educational mission of MCG and meeting the healthcare needs of a diverse patient population. Please describe how your own personal attributes, background, or life experiences, would contribute to the diversity of the class. (300 words)
The art of medicine requires resilience on the part of its practitioners. There can be perceived failure even when the medical team has done everything right. Please describe a time when you part of something that failed. What did you learn from this experience? (300 words)
Please describe the geographical area in which you would most likely practice medicine and why. Please include the country, region, state, city and/or town in your response. (300 words)
Please explain any inconsistencies in your academic record. This may include below average course performance, grade trends, MCAT scores, etc. (300 words or N/A)
If applicable, indicate any special experiences, unusual factors, or other information you have not already addressed in your application. (300 words or N/A)
Please discuss any disruptions to your medical school application as a result of COVID-19. This may include but is not limited to academic performance, clinical, volunteer, research and extracurricular activities. (300 words or N/A)
Mercer University School of Medicine
If you wish to discuss your perceptions of your academic readiness for the rigors of a medical school curriculum or explain poor grades in college coursework or MCAT scores to the Admissions Committee, please do so below. (230 words)
What is your understanding of the practice of rural medicine? (230 words)
Do you consider yourself to have been raised or to be residing in an area that is medically underserved or in a county that consists of medically underserved populations? By medically underserved we mean populations vulnerable to poor health due to difficulties accessing adequate health care services. This may be due to factors including but not limited to: education level; poverty; being uninsured or underinsured; lack of a usual source of care other than the emergency department; belonging to a socially marginalized group with poorer health outcomes; cultural or language barriers to receiving quality medical care; distance or lack of transportation to needed medical care. Please explain. (230 words)
The mission of Mercer University School of Medicine (MUSM) is to educate physicians and health professionals to meet the health care needs of medically underserved and rural areas of Georgia. Summarize your work and learning experiences that you believe reflect congruence with this mission. Based on your understanding of our mission, where and what do you envision yourself doing after completion of medical school and residency? (230 words)
If you wish to, please briefly explain below to the Admissions Committee experiences, attributes or qualifications you believe are unique to you that can add to the diversity of the educational environment at MUSM. (230 words)
Please explain to the Admissions Committee factors that you could not highlight above that would help the Admissions Committee better understand your unique circumstances. If you would like to briefly highlight any substantial updates with regard to your application (example, volunteer experiences) that have occurred after you submitted the Primary AMCAS Application, please summarize them below. (230 words)
Morehouse School of Medicine
(Suggested reading: How to Get Into Morehouse School of Medicine )
What percent of your professional time do you anticipate devoting to: 1. Administration 2. Teaching 3. Patient Care 4. Research (999 characters)
Briefly explain the reasons for your selections in the Perceptions of Your Medical Career Section. (999 characters)
This prompt is based on your answer to this question: Identify the one type of medical career listed below to which you may wish to devote the majority of your professional efforts: Primary Care, Other Specialty Care, Research/Teaching, Undecided
Type a brief statement setting forth the key motivational factors in your decision to apply to Morehouse School of Medicine and any information about yourself you feel would be of interest to the Committee of Admissions in the consideration of your application. (9999 characters)
University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine
Describe a personal experience that has demonstrated your resilience. What did you learn from that experience that may help you manage similar situations in the future? (600 words)
Please select ONE of the three questions below: (600 words)
Discuss a time you tried to right a perceived wrong, felt moved to speak up for someone, or took a stand against a situation you felt was unjust.
Describe a situation that demonstrates that you are a person of integrity.
Describe a challenging situation in which you did not agree with a directive/rule and how you handled this.
Describe any personal connection to JABSOM and/or Hawaii and the Pacific that you may have. If you do not have a personal connection to JABSOM and/or Hawaii, please describe your interest in attending JABSOM. (600 word limit)
If you are a re-applicant to JABSOM, please complete the following additional essay. Describe what efforts you have made to further improve your application to the MD Program. (600 word limit)
Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine
What characteristics of ICOM will help you become a successful osteopathic physician? (Unlimited characters)
If this is not your first time applying to medical school, how have you improved your application? (Please type N/A if not applicable) (Unlimited characters)
What does Osteopathic Principles and Practices mean to you and how will you integrate these into your future practice? (Unlimited characters)
(Suggested reading: Medical Schools in Illinois: How to Get In )
Carle Illinois College of Medicine
Please upload one, 1-page artifact (as a PDF; formatted no larger than 8.5x11") per value (Compassion, Curiosity, Creativity). While images, certificates, text or other visual options are allowed, hyperlinks and embedded videos are prohibited. You are encouraged to include multiple examples (i.e. a collage) to demonstrate your qualifications and achievements, and you may repeat experiences listed on your AMCAS application or include new ones.
Compassion: We believe in creating physicians who, in addition to solving healthcare's most complex problems, are also tender, kind, and warm. From day one, you will be working with patients.
Show Us: How have you changed the lives of others? What have you experienced that has fostered a deep sense of compassion? For example, have you had a moving volunteer experience? Worked in a difficult environment? Taken care of others? Have you learned through adversity and shared those lessons with others in need? Help us see how you will be the type of physician we would entrust with our most beloved community members.
Tell Us: In 100 words or less, explain how this artifact reflects Carle Illinois College of Medicine’s value of Compassion. For your time commitment in hours please tell us the time spent on the activities presented in the artifact, not the time to create the artifact itself. For your level of commitment were you a group participant, a project leader, an idea initiator, doing this activity independently?
Curiosity: Carle Illinois College of Medicine values lifelong learners. We want to see your passion for learning and growing!
Show Us - Curiosity is a strong desire to know or learn something. Have you explored new interests, cultures, or people? Or has your curiosity grown in a particular area? Did your curiosity lead to a research project? or a hobby? or a change at work? Let us see where your curiosity has taken you.
Tell Us: In 100 words or less, explain how this artifact reflects Carle Illinois College of Medicine’s value of Curiosity. For your time commitment in hours please tell us the time spent on the activities presented in the artifact, not the time to create the artifact itself. For your level of commitment were you a group participant, a project leader, an idea initiator, doing this activity independently?
Creativity: Have you approached complex problems with dynamic thinking and creative solutions? Or do you show your creativity through hobbies, or artistic interests? or something else entirely? Help us see your creativity!
Show Us: Creativity is the use of the imagination or original ideas. What are you really proud of? Have you used technology in novel or distinct ways? What innovative solutions have you employed in your work, healthcare, hobbies, life. Describe how you live and lead a creative life.
Tell Us: In 100 words or less, explain how your artifact reflects Carle Illinois College of Medicine’s value of Creativity. For your time commitment in hours please tell us the time spent on the activities presented in the artifact, not the time to create the artifact itself. For your level of commitment were you a group participant, a project leader, an idea initiator, doing this activity independently?
There is also a video essay: After our faculty reviewers have thoroughly examined all of your other application materials (portfolio, letters of recommendation, AMCAS application) they will turn to your video essay. Answering questions through a video platform may be new to you. Don’t worry. While we take your responses very seriously, this is a small portion of the evaluation process. The purpose of the video essay is to pose questions to you that allow you to share more about yourself, including how you think "on your feet", and to give us an opportunity to learn more about your style, thought process, and personality.
You will have just one opportunity to record your answers. When the recording starts, the questions will remain on the screen and you will have five minutes (300 seconds) to provide responses for each realm. In order to pace your response, you will see a countdown clock (in seconds) running in the bottom right corner of the video capture. You will respond to all questions in one recording, so please state the question number before each answer. If you finish early, you may click "Stop Recording," or the recording will stop at five minutes. Your video will automatically attach to your secondary application.
In summary, you will have:
One question in each of three separate realms
Five minutes of preparation time
Five minutes to record one video for all questions
Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
Please specifically discuss how, if admitted to our program, your admission would contribute to the diversity of the Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science community. (150 words)
What creative/innovative ways have you found to continue to build upon the competencies for entering medical students during the pandemic? (150 words)
Briefly share your plans for the upcoming academic year? Do you plan to work, conduct research, volunteer in a health care setting, participate in community service, attend school, travel, participate in leisure activities or other activities. (150 words)
Has persistence ever paid off for you? Describe the situation. (150 words)
Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine *
Time-sensitive considerations: "Since the school uses a rolling admissions process, however, those who submit their AMCAS application and all supporting materials in the summer and early fall will enhance their potential for being offered interviews."
500-word maximum for all questions.
Explain how you know that you want to spend your life studying and practicing medicine. Describe how the Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine (SSOM) can help you develop into the kind of person and physician you hope to become. (100 words minimum)
Social justice in the Jesuit tradition, justice due each person by virtue of their own inherent human dignity, is an essential dimension of education at SSOM. Describe what you have learned about yourself from your concrete social justice experiences. Explain how you plan to sustain your efforts to advocate for current social justice issues as a medical student and as a physician. (100 words minimum)
Serving underserved and under-resourced communities is an expression of social justice. Describe an impactful experience in working with and for under-resourced communities. Explain what you have learned about yourself through this service OR what has hindered your efforts to serve others in these environments. (100 words minimum)
Describe your leadership style. Provide a specific example of how you have applied your leadership style. (100 words minimum)
Describe a non-academic personal/professional challenge or conflict that you have experienced. Explain what skills, resources and/or strategies you employed to resolve the problem. (100 words minimum)
Have you or any of your relatives attended or been employed by Loyola University Chicago or the Loyola Stritch School of Medicine? If so, please list the affiliation and their years of attendance. Complete the following questions if applicable:
Please indicate additional grades earned, amendments to your proposed coursework or graduation date, address changes, additions to your list of experiences, and anything else you feel we should know.
Please explain in more detail (in less than 1500 characters) anything that would help us understand any gaps or delays in your education, academic missteps, or personal challenges not listed elsewhere.
If you have not been enrolled in coursework for over two years, please let us know what you have been doing since your coursework ended.
Have you applied to SSOM prior to this application? If so, please list the years of your previous application submissions to SSOM and tell us how your application has improved since your previous submission.
Are you currently, or have you been, enrolled in any of the following programs? (Listed in app portal)
Have you ever been convicted of a crime other than a minor traffic or parking violation? If the answer is yes, please explain below.
If you did not submit an advisor or committee letter, please tell us why.
Midwestern University Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine
Why do you believe CCOM would provide you with the type of osteopathic medical education you are seeking? (1500 characters)
Why should CCOM accept you into this year's class? (1500 characters)
Northwestern University The Feinberg School of Medicine
MD application questions
PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS: Given the distinctive educational philosophy and integrated curriculum at FSM, describe how your personal characteristics and learning style would align with the institution. (200 words)
COPING SKILLS: Describe specific steps you take to manage your stress and maintain wellness while balancing personal, educational, and professional responsibilities. (200 words)
FUTURE CAREER PLANS: Feinberg’s mission is to train future leaders in medicine who will serve their patients, communities and society. Describe one specific goal within medicine and how FSM, located in Chicago which is one of the most culturally diverse cities in the country, will help you achieve this professional goal. (200 words)
COVID-19 IMPACT: Describe how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted your pathway to medical school. Include any academic, personal, financial or professional challenges, as well as any other relevant information. (200 words)
POST-UNDERGRADUATE EXPERIENCES (if applicable): If you have a year or more between college graduation and medical school matriculation, describe both your completed activities and future plans during the gap period. (200 words)
REAPPLICANT (if applicable): If you are a reapplicant this cycle, please address steps taken to improve your application for medical school. (200 words)
PERSONAL NARRATIVE: The Feinberg School of Medicine values diversity as a measure of excellence. We define diversity as the totality of the characteristics and experiences of our students. We believe that a diverse student body improves the educational environment and the ability of our graduates to serve an increasingly diverse patient population. Everyone has their own narrative. Please provide more detail about how your experiences would enrich the Northwestern community. (200 words)
MSTP application questions
Why did you choose your undergraduate major? How does the subject appeal to you? (200 words)
Name a scientific paper that you have read recently that had a strong impact on you and describe what impact it had. (200 words)
Discuss a current unanswered question in biomedical research that you find particularly interesting and what research you would like to see done to address it. (200 words)
If you have (or expect to have) a year or more between college graduation and medical school matriculation, describe your activities and/or plans. (200 words)
If you are a re-applicant this cycle, please address steps taken to improve your application. If not a reapplicant, please enter "N/A". (200 words)
What is the most gratifying research experience you have had to date and why? What was the greatest obstacle you had to overcome in research and how did you overcome it? (200 words)
Describe how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted your pathway to medical school. Include any academic, personal, financial or professional barriers, as well as any other relevant information. (200 words)
Personal Narrative: The Feinberg School of Medicine values diversity as a measure of excellence. We define diversity as the totality of the characteristics and experiences of our students. We believe that a diverse student body improves the educational environment and the ability of our graduates to serve an increasingly diverse patient population. Everyone has their own narrative. Please provide more detail about how your experiences would enrich the Northwestern community. (200 words)
Rush Medical College of Rush University
Rush Medical College is located on Chicago’s near west side and serves a diverse patient population. We seek to train physicians who can connect with diverse patient populations with whom they may not share a similar background. Tell us about a life experience that has broadened your own world view or enhanced your ability to understand those unlike yourself and what you learned from this experience. (1000 characters)
As an anchor institution, Rush is embedded in its strategies to improve the societal and structural determinants of health, which improve the economic vitality of Chicago’s west side neighborhoods and help residents achieve better health. Using your own experiences, describe how you have impacted and/or changed a person or community. (1000 characters)
Do you have direct patient care/contact experience beyond shadowing/observing? Answering "yes" demonstrates you have had active interactions with patients and/or clinical participation in their continuum of care. (If yes, 400 characters are given to describe each experience)
If applicable, describe how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted your application to and/or preparation for medical school. (1000 characters)
Use this space to provide additional information, which is non-COVID related, you would like the Committee on Admissions to be aware of when reviewing your application. (Optional) (1000 characters)
Southern Illinois University School of Medicine
SIU School of Medicine uses a holistic approach to identify and select a diverse student body best suited to fulfill its mission: to assist the people of central and southern Illinois in meeting their health care needs through education, patient care, research, and service to the community. In what ways do you believe you would contribute to this mission? (300 words)
To be successful as a student at SIU School of Medicine and as a practicing physician, you must be flexible and committed to cultivating and employing critical interactive and learning skills. Describe your experiences that demonstrate: contribution in a teamwork setting; engagement in self-directed and life-long learning (taking personal initiative to identify and address your learning goals and needs); and exposure to the small group tutorial process used in a problem-based learning environment. (500 words)
If you have previously applied to SIU School of Medicine, please describe how you feel you have strengthened your credentials since that application. Please limit your answer to 300 words or less.
University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine
Please write a short essay about why you are applying to the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine. We suggest that you limit your essay to about 550 words.
Share with us a difficult or challenging situation you have encountered and how you dealt with it. In your response, identify both the coping skills you called upon to resolve the dilemma, and the support person(s) from whom you sought advice. We suggest that you limit your essay to about 550 words.
Optional Additional Information: Please feel free to use this space to convey any additional information that you might wish the Committee to know. For example, if you are not currently completing a degree, please share your planned or current activities for this application cycle. You may also wish to include any impact that COVID-19 has had on your educational, research, or extracurricular plans. We suggest that you limit your text to about 300 words.
If your school has a premedical committee or premedical advisor who composes a letter for each applicant from your school and you chose not to avail yourself of this service, please provide an explanation in the text box below for your decision not to do so. We suggest that you limit your text to about 200 words.
University of Illinois College of Medicine
Describe a stressful situation that you have experienced. Please detail your reaction, how you managed the situation, and what you learned that will help you handle a similar circumstance in the future. (No word limit indicated)
In addition to training as a competent physician please select up to two additional areas of interest from the items below that you may want to pursue during your medical studies. Your responses will have no bearing on applications to joint degrees or special programs to which you might also apply.
Clinical Research
Basic Science Research
Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Healthcare disparities
Academic medicine
Community Health Urban
Community Health Rural
Innovation Medicine
Selecting any of the above results in a new box where you describe your interest in that area of interest. (No word limit indicated)
Have you applied for admission to medical school previously? (No word limit indicated)
Have you ever matriculated into and not completed a professional/graduate program? (No word limit indicated)
Please describe any abrupt changes that you experienced in your preparation for application for medical school due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (No word limit indicated)
Indiana University School of Medicine
There are no secondary essay prompts for the 2022–2023 cycle.
Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Please share any other relevant information that you would like the MU-COM Admissions Committee to know about you.
Indicate any changes or additions that have occurred since submitting your AACOMAS application. (Including, but not limited to, education, employment, extracurricular activities, research, military service, academic warnings, conduct violations, and/or convictions.)
Are you interested in practicing medicine in Indiana? If yes, please describe your interest and reasons why. If no, please explain why not.
Describe your motivation for attending MU-COM and osteopathic medicine. Please be specific.
Please explain any gaps in education or employment longer than holidays and semester breaks
In which area of medicine are you most interested in practicing and why? (choose up to 3)
Des Moines College of Osteopathic Medicine
Note: Questions are contained within the AACOMAS primary application.
If you have previously applied to medical school, how has your application improved? (250 characters)
Please describe your exposure to osteopathic medicine, including (but not limited to) experiences with physicians in primary care or rural practice within the U.S. How have these experiences impacted you and your pursuit of osteopathic medical education as it relates to the mission of Des Moines University? (2000 characters)
What activities are you currently or planning to pursue leading up to potential matriculation? (500 characters)
University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine *
Time-sensitive considerations: "Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit application materials by October 15 ."
We understand you may be applying to multiple medical schools. Please explain your reasons for applying to the Carver College of Medicine. (1500 characters)
Describe any unique personal characteristics or obstacles you may have overcome that will influence your contribution to a diverse healthcare system. (1500 characters)
Please list and briefly describe all medically related experiences (paid/volunteer) you have completed during the past 5 years. Do NOT forecast future hours. Please include experiences listed on your AMCAS and also provide any additional experiences NOT listed on your AMCAS. (Up to 15 entries and 175 characters per description)
If you are a reapplicant to the Carver College of Medicine, how have you strengthened your application? (1500 characters)
If you are not currently in a degree-seeking program, please indicate what you will be doing from the time you complete this secondary application to the start of medical school. (1500 characters)
Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine *
Time-sensitive considerations: "Secondary applications are due within 21 days of your invitation."
What are you currently doing to maintain your academic knowledge? (2500 characters)
Describe a time when you had a personal failure. How did you move on from that experience? (2500 characters)
We are often too busy to plan future activities. Describe a time when you were so busy you had to react to situations rather than plan for them. (2500 characters)
University of Kansas School of Medicine
Describe your health care experiences that involved direct exposure to physicians' clinical duties and how they have shaped your desire to apply to medical school. (1000 characters)
Describe examples of leadership experience in which you have significantly influenced others, helped resolve disputes, or contributed to group efforts over time. (1000 characters)
Beyond academics (grades and MCATs), describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to address this challenge. (1000 characters)
Give an example of what you have done to make your community a better place to live. (1000 characters)
Please tell us about your identity. How has your identity impacted the development of your values and attitudes toward others, particularly those with values different from your own? Please include how your values and attitudes will foster a positive learning environment during your training, and benefit your future patients through the practice of medicine. (1000 characters)
If you are not a Kansas resident, what is your specific interest in applying to the University of Kansas School of Medicine? (1000 characters)
Please use this space to elaborate on any positive or negative impact from the COVID-19 pandemic you want us to be aware of when reviewing your application. (1000 characters)
If there are discrepancies in your application that have not been explained in your personal statement, use this space to clarify. Examples may include unexplained gaps in time, multiple undergraduate institutions attended, multiple course withdrawals, inconsistent academic performance, inconsistency between academic performance and MCAT scores. (1000 characters)
If you are currently enrolled, or plan to be enrolled during the next academic year, in a graduate or professional degree program, please describe your status within the program and your intention to complete the program. You must also request a letter from your graduate program advisor or from the dean of your professional school. This letter must include acknowledgement of your application to medical school and a description of your status in the program. (1000 characters)
If you are no longer a full-time student, briefly describe your current employment, community, and/or educational activities. (1000 characters)
For Repeat Applicants Only: Since your last application, note any relevant academic, employment, and personal experiences that enhance your ability to be a better physician. (1000 characters)
University of Kentucky College of Medicine
Prompts for all applicants:
Please elaborate on why this is your preferred campus. (1000 characters)
What competencies and qualities do you feel a physician should possess? (1000 characters)
Describe a personal activity involving advocacy, social justice, and/or civic engagement that has impacted your personal values about delivering equitable patient care. (1500 characters)
Describe an experience or situation which made you feel grateful? (1000 characters)
In providing patient care, should physicians maintain emotional distance or empathize with patients' emotional state? (1000 characters)
It is impossible to have predicted the drastic impact caused by the novel coronavirus identified as COVID-19. Describe the impact you have witnessed of this pandemic on those around you. (1500 characters)
Please share unique, personally important, and/or challenging facts in your background, such as the quality of your early educational environment, socioeconomic status, culture, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, or life/work experiences. Please discuss how such factors have influenced your goals and preparation for a career in medicine. (1750 characters)
Additional prompts for out-of-state applicants:
Why have you chosen to apply to the University of Kentucky College of Medicine? (1000 characters)
Please elaborate on personal characteristics and any accomplishments and experiences that you feel help to demonstrate your potential to contribute to the college and to the profession of medicine. (1500 characters)
Please elaborate on any Kentucky ties: personal, familial, etc. (1000 characters)
University of Louisville School of Medicine
Why are you choosing to apply to the University of Louisville School of Medicine? (500 characters)
How well did your high school prepare you for college? (500 characters)
What determined your choice of college(s)? (500 characters)
How do you assess your college record? (500 characters)
Please describe any circumstances adversely affecting your academic performance while in college. (500 characters)
Describe your most significant personal accomplishments and/or experiences and how these may relate to your potential to contribute to the medical community. (500 characters)
What has been your most significant contribution to your community, through service or volunteerism? What was its impact on the community and on you? (500 characters)
How have your cultural experiences shaped the way you see yourself contributing to the medical field and strengthened your ability to provide equitable care for a diverse patient population? (500 characters)
List and describe any additional experiences, interests, hobbies, or skills not included in other areas of your application or that you have completed since submitting your AMCAS application. (500 characters)
How has the pandemic affected the way you view the healthcare system and/or see yourself contributing to the medical field? (1000 characters)
Discuss briefly why you have decided to pursue medicine and how your personal characteristics align with those you believe are most needed by physicians. (500 characters)
Practice after residency: How do you see yourself practicing medicine after residency training? (Please include choice of medical practice and location). (500 characters)
Optional: If you are a reapplicant, what has changed from your previous application or your approach to this year's admissions cycle? (250 characters)
If you are not a Kentucky resident, please explain any personal or familial ties to the Commonwealth of Kentucky. If you are a Kentucky resident type "Not Applicable" in the text box below. (500 characters)
University of Pikeville–Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine
Please describe your experience with osteopathic medicine, such as your care and treatment from a DO and your shadowing experience with a DO (including number of hours). Please describe how your experience has influenced your decision to apply to an osteopathic medical school. (500 words or less)
Louisiana State University – New Orleans School of Medicine
If you wish, you may attach an essay of reasonable length (500-600 words) using the prompt "your values". THIS IS AN OPTIONAL ESSAY.
Prompts for applicants to Primary Care Scholars program and Rural Scholars Track:
Please provide specific information about your immediate and extended family that live in rural or underserved communities in Louisiana. (i.e., relationship, community, occupation, etc.)
List all extracurricular activities during college, e.g., volunteer work, clubs, etc. Please indicate the duration and nature of your participation.
Describe your involvement in your home community prior to and since attending college, e.g., community groups, activities, or volunteer efforts, etc. Please indicate your length of time of involvement.
List your hobbies and interests.
Based on your own personal experience, observations and insights, describe the roles and responsibilities of a rural or primary care physician.
Why do you feel you are a suitable candidate for the Rural Scholar Track (RST), and/or the Patrick F. Taylor Primary Care Scholar Program (PFT)?
Primary Care Scholars program applicants:
What other career possibilities have you considered?
Describe your personal experiences and knowledge of rural and/or community life.
Do you have any commitments or obligations that will interfere with practicing medicine in Louisiana immediately following completion of a residency program (i.e., military, ROTC, religious, etc.?) If yes, please describe.
Rural Scholars Track applicants: What medical specialty possibilities have you considered?
Louisiana State University – Shreveport School of Medicine
Optional: If you are not a Louisiana Resident, please describe your connection, if any, to north Louisiana.
Optional: Briefly describe how you plan to contribute to LSU Health Shreveport and the Shreveport/Bossier community?
Optional: PLEASE ANSWER THIS QUESTION ONLY IF YOU ARE A RE-APPLICANT TO LSU HEALTH SHREVEPORT. Since your previous medical school application, what academic, employment, volunteer experiences or other progress have you made that make you a more competitive applicant?
Tulane University School of Medicine
(Suggested reading: How to Get Into Tulane Medical School )
Tulane University School of Medicine’s mission statement states: We improve human health and foster healthy communities through discovery and translation of the best science into clinical practice and education; to deliver the highest quality patient care and prepare the next generation of distinguished clinical and scientific leaders. Briefly describe the reasons for your interest in Tulane University School of Medicine. (150 words)
What disparities in health do you believe are pertinent to the New Orleans patient population? How would you attempt to address them as a medical student at Tulane? You may support your answer by using past involvement working in a similar patient population to compare and/or describe your interest in any student activities offered at Tulane or in New Orleans. (150 words)
Who knows you best and how would they describe you? (150 words)
What have you been pursuing since you graduated? (No word max)
Please list any leadership positions (clubs, organizations, paid work) you may have held. (100 words)
Please list your hobbies and major non-academic interest. (150 words)
Tulane University School of Medicine values the diversity of its patients, faculty, staff, and students. Do you identify with a particular group that you believe is underrepresented among medical professionals? These include groups oriented around, but nt limited to: ethnicity, race, sexuality, religion, disability, and economic background. (OPTIONAL) (60 words)
In what ways did the COVID-19 pandemic alter/interrupt your medical school application? (No word max)
University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
Have you previously applied to the University of New England (undergraduate, graduate, or professional)? (2000 characters)
Have you had any contact with UNE COM via alumni, faculty, staff or students? (2000 characters)
Are you related to any alumni of UNE COM? (2000 characters)
What is your interest in attending UNE COM? (2000 characters)
a) If you previously only applied to Allopathic medical schools, why are you now applying to Osteopathic Medical schools? Please be concise and specific. b) If this is more than your first round of application to medical schools, what have you done to enhance your preparedness? Please be concise and specific. (2000 characters)
UNE COM’s curriculum is built on a foundation of collaborative team-based education. Give an example of when you worked in an effective academic or professional group. Explain why a team-based approach is the right model for your medical education. (2000 characters)
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
(Suggested reading: How to Get Into Johns Hopkins Medical School )
Briefly describe your single, most rewarding experience. Feel free to refer to an experience previously described in your AMCAS application. (2500 characters)
Are there any areas of medicine that are of particular interest to you? If so, please comment. (2500 characters)
Briefly describe a situation where you had to overcome adversity; include lessons learned and how you think it will affect your career as a future physician. (2500 characters)
Briefly describe a situation where you were not in the majority. What did you learn from the experience? (2500 characters)
Wonder encapsulates a feeling of rapt attention … it draws the observer in. Tell us about a time in recent years that you experienced wonder in your everyday life. Although experiences related to your clinical or research work may be the first to come to mind, we encourage you to think of an experience that is unrelated to medicine or science. What did you learn from that experience? (2500 characters)
Optional: The Admissions Committee values hearing about each candidate for admission, including what qualities the candidate might bring to the School of Medicine if admitted. If you feel there is information not already addressed in the application that will enable the Committee to know more about you and this has influenced your desire to be a physician, feel free to write a brief statement in the space below. You may address any subject you wish, such as being a first generation college student, or being a part of a minority group (whether because of your sexual orientation, religion, economic status, gender identity, ethnicity) or being the child of undocumented immigrants or being undocumented yourself, etc. Please note that this question is optional and that you will not be penalized should you choose not to answer it. (2500 characters)
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences F. Edward Hebert School of Medicine *
Time-sensitive considerations: Within 21 days of the invite. (This information was confirmed with the school.)
Medicine and Officership are time-honored professions that unite at “America’s Medical School” in rewarding and challenging ways. What are your thoughts and impressions about serving as a uniformed medical corps officer, and why do you want to pursue this career path? (1500 characters)
The Uniformed Services University features a unique curriculum that prepares students to care for those in harm’s way. Please describe what in your research about our school and its values attracts you to our institution’s mission and approach. (1500 characters)
Our Admissions Committee assembles classes of students with a wide range of backgrounds, skills, experiences, and talents. Please describe how a special quality or experience of yours has informed your ability to participate well in a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment. (1500 characters)
Were there any significant disruptions in your academic/volunteer/work/personal life related to COVID-19 that you would like the Admissions Committee to consider in reviewing your application? (1500 characters)
University of Maryland School of Medicine
If you’ve experienced academic problems while in college and/or graduate or professional school please describe and explain below. Please be sure to include withdrawals, incompletes, poor grades, etc. (1000 characters)
If a specific medical school application activity was impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak, please describe the activity, the time period during which it was to take place, and any relevant contact information. (1000 characters)
Please explain what you will be doing during the 2022-2023 academic year. If you graduated/will graduate in 2022, what are your plans during this gap year? (1000 characters)
Please let us know if you have a specific reason you are interested in attending the University of Maryland School of Medicine, and/or if you have any special ties to our institution (optional). (1000 characters)
Briefly describe your most important exposure to clinical medicine. (1500 characters)
Briefly describe your most satisfying experience related to community service. (1500 characters)
Without limiting the discussion to your own identity, please describe how you envision contributing to the core values of diversity and inclusion at our School of Medicine, and in the medical profession. (1500 characters)
What does it mean to you to enter into a profession? (1500 characters)
(Suggested reading: Medical Schools in Massachusetts: How to Get In )
Boston University School of Medicine
Are you expecting to go on to medical school directly after completing your undergraduate degree? (Post-bacc work is NOT considered undergraduate. If attending a post-bacc program prior to entering medical school, the answer is NO and should be explained.) If you took gap year(s), please use this space to explain what you have been doing prior to applying to medical school. (1400 characters)
If you have spent more than 4 years as an undergraduate, please explain below. (You may skip this question if you have graduated within 4 years.) (1400 characters)
Please provide a narrative or timeline to describe any features of your educational history that you think may be of particular interest to us. For example, have you lived in another country or experienced a culture unlike your own, or worked in a field that contributed to your understanding of people unlike yourself? Or, have you experienced advanced training in any area, including the fields of art, music, or sports? This is an opportunity to describe learning experiences that may not be covered in other areas of this application or your AMCAS application. It is not necessary to write anything in this section. Also use this section to explain any impact that COVID-19 may have had on your educational/research/volunteering or employment plans. (2000 characters)
Why BUSM? Boston Medical Center is the largest safety net hospital in New England, serving primarily people who are publicly insured, people of color, immigrants, and low-income people in the Greater Boston Area. Why are you specifically interested in beginning your medical education in this environment, and how do you feel that your previous experiences will prepare you for this unique learning environment? (3000 characters)
Optional essay: Use the space below to provide additional information you feel will provide us with a comprehensive understanding of your strengths as a candidate for a career in medicine. This should include only information NOT already included in your AMCAS or other sections of the BUSM Supplemental Application. Most applicants leave this blank. Yes, it's really optional. (3000 characters)
Harvard Medical School
(Suggested reading: How to Get Into Harvard Medical School )
On average how many hours per week did you devote to employment during the academic year?
If you have already graduated, briefly summarize your activities since graduation. (4000 characters)
If there is an important aspect of your personal background or identity, not addressed elsewhere in the application, that you would like to share with the Committee, we invite you to do so here. Many applicants will not need to answer this question. Examples might include significant challenges in access to education, unusual socioeconomic factors, identification with a minority culture, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender identity. Briefly explain how such factors have influenced your motivation for a career in medicine. (4000 characters)
(Optional) The Committee on Admissions understands that the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted applicants in various ways. If you wish to inform the Committee as to how these events have affected you and have not already done so elsewhere in your application, please use this space to do so. ( This is an optional essay ; the Committee on Admissions will make no judgment based on your decision to provide a statement or not.)
The interview season for the 2022-2023 cycle will be held virtually and is anticipated to run from mid-September through January 2023 . Please indicate any significant (three or more weeks) restriction on your availability for interviews during this period. If none, please leave this section blank.
Tufts University School of Medicine
Do you wish to include any comments (in addition to those already provided in your AMCAS application) to the Admissions Committee at Tufts University School of Medicine? Please explain briefly. (1000 characters)
Please briefly describe your plans for the coming year. Include in this explanation if you will be a student, working, conducting research, volunteering, etc. (1000 characters)
How might you contribute to the diversity of the student body of Tufts University School of Medicine? Please explain briefly. (1000 characters)
Given how the COVID-19 pandemic has altered the world these past few years, please contextualize how your experiences have been affected which might include your personal, professional and educational journey. (1000 characters)
Do you have any withdrawals or repeated coursework listed on your transcript(s)? Please explain briefly. (1000 characters)
Did you take any leaves of absence or significant breaks from your undergraduate education? (Do not include time off after graduation.) Please explain briefly. (1000 characters)
We understand that many applicants encounter academic hardships along the way. Please comment on any academic difficulties that you have encountered since completing high school (grades and MCAT scores) and that you believe might adversely affect your likelihood of medical school acceptance. We believe that such difficulties offer an opportunity for growth and would appreciate learning how your experiences have affected your approach to academics. If you have not encountered any difficulties, you may answer 'No'. (1000 characters)
Have you ever been convicted of, or pleaded guilty or no contest to, a Misdemeanor crime, excluding 1) any offense for which you were adjudicated as a juvenile 2) any convictions which have been expunged or sealed by a court, or 3) any misdemeanor convictions for which any probation has been completed and the case dismissed by the court (in states where applicable)? (1000 characters)
University of Massachusetts Medical School
We would like to learn how you developed and demonstrated core professionalism competencies that are required of entering medical students. Please respond to the first prompt (#1; Diversity). Then select three of the other six prompts (#2-#7). Each response should be 150-200 words. Use the text box below for your answer. Separate each of your four responses by writing the competency above/before your response (example: Teamwork - All teams have their struggles, but they can be overcome...).
UMass Medical School strives to be a diverse academic community mindful of the fact that diversity makes our community stronger and benefits the patients we serve. Share your definition of diversity. Describe an example where you contributed to the diversity of a group, team or class. Connect this to how you will contribute to the diversity of the UMass Medical School community. (Diversity)
Describe a time when you have made a decision that was not popular and how you handled this. (Leadership competency)
Describe a time when you were on a team that was dysfunctional in some regard. How did you address the situation? (Teamwork)
Describe a meaningful interaction you have had with a person whom you have helped at work, school or another activity. (Empathy/Compassion)
Have you ever been in the middle of a situation where there was poor communication? What did you do to improve it? (Communication)
Describe a time when you have "thought outside the box" to solve a problem. (Inquiry)
Describe a time when you suffered a setback. How did you respond to this challenge? (Persistence/Grit)
Please discuss any part of your application that you feel requires further explanation. For example, discuss grades or MCAT scores that do not reflect your true ability, and/or a gap in time that is not explained elsewhere in your application. Discuss any impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on your academic, service, extracurricular or employment experiences.If you are reapplying to UMass SOM, highlight how you have strengthened your application. (250 words)
If you have participated in UMass SOM or UMass Memorial Health Care, or UMass Medical-Baystate sponsored programs (SEP, Summer Research Program, Worcester Pipeline Collaborative, AHEC, BaccMD, HSPP, Academic Internships, BSEP, Summer Scholars) please describe how these programs helped you decide to apply to UMass SOM. (200 words)
Why did you apply to UMass SOM? (200 words)
If you are currently taking a gap year, in what activities are you engaged? (200 words)
(Suggested reading: Medical Schools in Michigan: How to Get In )
Central Michigan University College of Medicine *
Time-sensitive considerations: 2 weeks from the time of invitation (This information was confirmed with the school.)
Describe your motivation for applying to the CMU College of Medicine and your future career in medicine. Finally, describe how your preparation and background will contribute to the mission of the CMU College of Medicine. (1000 words)
Reapplicants only: If you have applied to any medical school in previous cycles, what have you done since your last application to prepare yourself for a career in medicine? If you have not applied to medical school previously, write “N/A” in the box. (1000 words)
Michigan Residents: Please provide a brief summary of your affiliation with any County selected (listed above). (250 words)
Michigan State University College of Human Medicine
Imagine and reflect upon your life and medical career at the time of retirement. What do you envision being your proudest/most significant accomplishment? (500 words)
American society may be experiencing a watershed moment as it reckons with various systemic injustices. Use the space below to share your thoughts about this statement. (500 words)
Use the space below to reflect upon your COVID-19 public health crisis experiences, challenges, and/or insights. (500 words)
In the most general sense, create a list of ten (or more) words or phrases you might use to describe or characterize yourself to someone you just met. From this list of words or phrases, are any associated with your decision to pursue medicine as a career? If yes, select up to 3 and explain. If no, explain. (500 words)
If you could present yourself to the Admissions Committee, what would you want to make sure they knew about you? (500 words)
Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
What steps have you taken or what activities have you engaged in to learn about the DO profession? (300 words)
Tell us about a time when you received difficult feedback and how you responded. (300 words)
What have you done to work with others different from yourself? What have you learned from these experiences? (300 words)
You may provide additional information, not stated elsewhere, you feel may help the Admissions Committee gain a better understanding of your candidacy. This may include major life achievements or explanations of academic or non-academic discrepancies on your application. You may also include interests or work experiences. (500 words)
For reapplicants: What has changed since your last application? (500 words)
Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine *
How have your experiences serving others contributed to your personal growth, and how would your experiences contribute to diversity, equity, and inclusiveness in our community? (400 words)
Describe your motivation to attend OUWB. (250 words)
Optional: Is there anything you want the admissions committee to know about your qualifications for medical school that are not already represented in your application materials? For example, if you have already graduated, briefly summarize your activities since graduation. Note: This space is provided for new information only, not to promote qualifications already highlighted in your other materials. (400 words)
University of Michigan Medical School
Respond to either of the following, depending on which program you are applying to:
MD applicants: Comment on how you hope to impact medicine in the future. If examples are needed, feel free to refer to our seven Paths of Excellence . Do not exceed 1500 characters including spaces (about 250 words).
MSTP applicants: Briefly describe why you decided to apply to the University of Michigan MSTP. If you are interested in a specific department, program, or area of research for your Ph.D., please provide a brief explanation. We recognize that your interests may change. Do not exceed 1500 characters including spaces (about 250 words).
Please respond to ONLY one of the following two prompts. Do not exceed 2500 characters including spaces (about 400 words).
Describe your identity and how it has impacted the development of your values and attitudes toward individuals different from yourself and how this will impact your interactions with future colleagues and patients.
If you recognize and/or represent a voice that is missing, underrepresented, or undervalued in medicine, please describe the missing voice(s) and how increased representation in medicine could impact the medical community.
How was your journey to medical school affected by the COVID pandemic? Please feel free to describe any positive or negative aspects. Do not exceed 1500 characters including spaces (about 400 words).
Outside of medicine, and beyond what we can read in your application, please tell us what you’re curious about, or what you’re passionate about, or what brings you joy – and why. Some examples include listening to historical novels, exploring national parks, woodworking, baking cupcakes, podcasting, knitting, playing pickleball, filmmaking, making music, etc. Do not exceed 2500 characters including spaces (about 400 words).
Wayne State University School of Medicine *
What characteristics and qualities are necessary for successful leadership? Do you think all physicians should be leaders? Please discuss your reasons. (1250 characters)
How would you address discordance between medical information vs disinformation? Discuss any impact on patients and society. (1250 characters)
What healthcare issues are faced by marginalized communities? Include the impact of at least one social determinant of health. (1250 characters)
Which of your experiences or activities align with WSU SOM’s mission? Please discuss how. (1250 characters)
Please answer if you have had a gap (career change, re-applicant, additional education, etc.). A “gap” is defined as a period of time between the end of your undergraduate education and the start of medical school. What activities have you participated in or plan to participate in during this period? How does this relate to your future career in medicine? Please mark N/A if this does not apply to you. (1250 characters)
If you are NOT a U.S. or Canadian citizen, please list and upload a copy of your current U.S. visa(s), including a permanent residency card (green card). *Please note, that non-Canadian international applicants are only eligible for admission if they have completed a degree at Wayne State University. International applicants are NOT eligible for federal student financial aid and must provide proof of funding prior to matriculation. (1250 characters)
Western Michigan University School of Medicine
Describe why you wish to enroll at WMed. You should describe any connection you have to southwest Michigan. (2000 characters)
Describe what you bring to the practice of medicine - your values, skills, talents, life experiences - and how you add to the cultural, ethnic, and socioeconomic diversity of the medical profession. (2000 characters)
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the world in an unprecedented way. If COVID-19 impacted you, your academic plan, or your planned experiences, and you haven't noted elsewhere, please tell us about your unique circumstances. (2000 characters)
WMed Re-Applicants Only: Describe the changes to your application from previous cycles - include academics, experiences, and/or personal attributes. (2000 characters)
(Suggested reading: Medical Schools in Minnesota: How to Get In )
Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine
(Suggested reading: How to Get Into Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine )
Why are you specifically interested in pursuing your medical education at Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine? Please tell us in a few sentences why you are interested in the top choice track you indicated. (500 words)
We are all differentiated from or connected to one another by individual inflections that constitute our diversity. Explain how your relationship with your own diversity and to the diversities of others manifests in your personal and professional activities. (500 words)
Share with us your thoughts about the relevance – or not – of diverse learning environments in which you wish to learn medicine. (500 words)
University of Minnesota Medical School *
Time-sensitive considerations: "It is strongly recommended that applicants complete the supplemental application within two weeks of receiving the invitation."
Our physicians pride themselves on giving outstanding care to patients, while looking for better and more equitable ways to do so. As you think about being a future physician and advocate for patients, describe a time when you advocated for someone or something. What did you learn from this situation? (1500 characters)
Describe a time when you experienced an obstacle, challenge or failure. How did it affect you? What did you learn? (1500 characters)
Describe a time when you personally experienced, observed, or acted with explicit bias. What did you learn about yourself and the experience? (1500 characters)
Our families and communities tend to shape our individual worlds and perceptions. Think about the communities that you are an active part of, whether it be a cultural group, family, religious group, neighborhood, etc. Describe the world that you are most comfortable in and how it has shaped who you are. How will this impact your future as a physician and the patients you will serve? (1500 characters)
Why do you want to go to medical school in the state of MN? (Consider the state of Minnesota and its population.) (1500 characters)
The COVID-19 pandemic has created innumerable challenges, loss, and uncharted territory in public health. Describe your thoughts, feelings, and experiences with navigating COVID-19. Please tell us what impact, if any, this has had on your path to medical school. (1500 characters)
The University of Minnesota Medical School is committed to building an anti-racist community. Please share your reflections on, experiences with, and greatest lessons learned about systemic racism. (Consider this country's history, racism, racial injustice, anti-black racism, and the impact of the murder of Mr. George Floyd on the Minnesota/Twin Cities community). (1500 characters)
How will your unique attributes (religion, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, ideology, intellectual heritage, and/or experiences) add to the overall diversity of the University of Minnesota Medical School community? (1500 characters)
Optional: What other pertinent information would you like to bring to the attention of the Admissions Committee? This is an opportunity for you to discuss an aspect of your journey to medicine that you have not already presented in your application. You may also update us with any current experiences that were not included in your AMCAS application. (900 character maximum)
Select your pathway interest(s) below (you may select more than one). Once you make your selection there will be additional questions that you will be required to answer
Indigenous Health Pathway
Rural Health Pathway
Urban Communities Pathway
2SLGBTQIA+ Pathway
Immigrant | Refugee | Global Health Pathway
Indigenous Health Pathway: The University of Minnesota Medical School is dedicated to educating future physicians who have demonstrated an interest in serving Indigenous communities.
Describe your experience in and ties to Indigenous communities, including your familiarity with life in an Indigenous community or your Indigenous community. (1500 characters)
What do you view as the greatest healthcare needs in Indigenous communities? Describe your future practice and how you will help fill these needs as a future physician. (1500 characters)
List each city or town you've lived in, starting with your place of birth and indicating which is your hometown. We define hometown as the place you lived the longest between birth and age 18. You are limited to listing 15 residences. If you need to include more, please contact the Office of Admissions for assistance. Please use only numbers in the population field. (1500 characters)
Rural Health Pathway: The University of Minnesota Medical School is dedicated to educating future physicians who have demonstrated an interest in serving patients and families in rural Minnesota.
Tell us how you define the term "rural community" as it applies to Minnesota. (1500 characters)
Describe your experience in and ties to rural Minnesota areas, including your familiarity with life in a rural Minnesota setting. (1500 characters)
What do you view as the greatest healthcare practice needs in rural Minnesota communities? Describe your future practice and how you will help fill these needs as a future physician. (1500 characters)
List each city or town you've lived in, starting with your place of birth and indicating which is your hometown. We define hometown as the place you lived the longest between birth and age 18. You are limited to listing 15 residences. If you need to include more, please contact the Office ofAdmissions for assistance. Please use only numbers in the population field. (1500 characters)
Urban Communities Pathway: The University of Minnesota Medical School trains a culturally aware workforce qualified to meet the needs of the diverse populations we serve. Tell us why you are interested in engaging and/or working with urban underserved communities, and describe any experiences you have had serving underserved communities. (1500 characters)
2SLGBTQIA+ Pathway: The University of Minnesota Medical School is committed to dismantling the health disparities affecting Minnesota’s 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. Describe your experiences engaging and/or working with 2SLGBTQIA+ communities and explain why 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusive health care is important. (1500 characters)
Immigrant/Refugee/Global Health Pathway: The University of Minnesota Medical School strives to have our community better reflect the broad identities of our state. Describe your interest and/or experience engaging or working with refugee, immigrant, and global health communities. How do their experiences differ from the traditionally underserved and how will your experience prepare you to serve our refugee, immigrant, and global populations? (1500 characters)
University of Mississippi School of Medicine
Please discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic affected your academic preparation for medical school or extracurricular opportunities. Please also discuss any other impact of the pandemic that you would like the admissions committee to know. (2500 characters)
Please outline your motivation for pursuing the medical degree. (3000 characters)
William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine
The Mission of the William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine (WCUCOM) is to prepare men and women to become osteopathic physicians through an emphasis on primary care, lifelong learning, research and scholarly activities, and service, including osteopathic clinical service, and graduate medical education. Using a community-based training model, the COM will educate and train graduates who are committed to serving the healthcare needs of all individuals, with special attention directed to the medically underserved and diverse populations of the state, region, nation and across the globe. In the space below (not to exceed 500 words), please explain how your ambitions and career plans will help WCUCOM fulfill this mission.
(Suggested reading: Medical Schools in Missouri: How to Get In )
A.T. Still University Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine
What particular qualities do you feel you can bring to KCOM? (Please limit your response to 500 words or less. All information provided in this section must be the original work of the applicant and not from another author.)
What specific experience/exposure have you had with osteopathic medicine? How has this influenced your decision to become an osteopathic physician? (Please limit your response to 500 words or less. All information provided in this section must be the original work of the applicant and not from another author.)
Please list any changes or updates to your AACOMAS application. This section may be left blank if your AACOMAS application is complete and accurate.
Saint Louis University School of Medicine
Do you wish to include any comments to the Saint Louis University (SLU) School of Medicine Admissions Committee (e.g. why you chose to apply to SLU, other extenuating circumstances, etc.)? (1000 characters)
Describe briefly any experiences and/or skills that have made you more sensitive or appreciative of other cultures or the human condition. (1000 characters)
Additional question for MD/PhD applicants: Relate your current thinking about the type and scope of clinical career that you seek. Remember that most applicants cannot identify at this point the specific medical disciplines they might choose for residency programs. However, you may have preliminary ideas about your relative interest in direct patient care vs. consultative service, translational vs. basic research, academic medical center vs. corporate, etc. (3,000 characters)
University of Missouri – Columbia School of Medicine
Please describe any element within your candidacy not fully addressed on the AMCAS application that you want the Admissions Committee to consider. (1200 characters)
Please let us know information regarding how you heard about our school, and any factors (programs, people, mission, geography, etc.) that led you to apply. (1200 characters)
Please discuss (e.g. using specific personal traits, education, life experiences, etc.) how you will add to the overall diversity of the medical school and the practice of medicine AND how you will contribute to an inclusive learning environment at the medical school and the practice of medicine. (2000 characters)
Has COVID-19 significantly impacted your medical school application? (This question is optional, and if your application wasn't greatly impacted by the pandemic, then don't feel like you have to answer.) [yes/no]
If yes: Please think about how the following were impacted, but do not limit your response to these considerations: (2000 characters)
Volunteering experiences
Health care experiences (shadowing and direct patient care experiences)
Academics and MCAT (pass fail courses, online courses, etc.)
Have you previously applied to the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine? (yes/no)
If yes: In the space provided below, please provide the Admissions Committee with a brief application history (including when you first applied and the number of application attempts). Please describe in detail the ways in which this application is superior to your previous application(s). (3000 characters)
University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Medicine
Please describe how COVID-19 has impacted your pathway to becoming a Physician. The questions below will help you get started but do not limit your responses to these considerations:
If you are interested in rural healthcare or in practicing a specialty that meets the needs of underserved rural communities, please describe your interest in this aspect of healthcare.
"How will your diversity/diverse experiences (e.g., gender, gender identity, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, veteran status, from rural or underserved community, first generation student status) add to your career in medicine?"
Washington University School of Medicine *
(Suggested reading: How to Get Into Washington University School of Medicine )
Time-sensitive considerations: "We strongly recommend that you complete your Supplemental Application within two weeks of being invited to do so..."
Have you already completed your undergraduate education, have you had your college or graduate education interrupted, or do you plan not to be a full-time student during your application year? If yes, Describe in chronological order your activities during the time(s) when you were not enrolled as a full-time student. (2000 characters)
Describe a time or situation where you have been unsuccessful or failed. (3000 characters)
(OPTIONAL) Is there anything else you would like to share with the Committee on Admissions? Some applicants use this space to describe unique experiences and obstacles such as significant challenges in access to education, unusual socioeconomic factors, and/or identification with a particular culture, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or gender identity and/or possibly challenges related to COVID or other issues in preparation for medical school. (3000 characters)
Creighton University School of Medicine
Please state your reasons for applying to Creighton University School of Medicine. (2000 characters)
In Creighton's Jesuit, Catholic tradition, the mission of the School of Medicine is to improve the human condition with a diverse body of students, faculty and staff who provide excellence in educating students, physicians and the public, advancing knowledge and providing comprehensive patient care. Please describe the role(s) you can play in helping the School or Medicine achieve its mission. (2000 characters)
How has your experiences with diverse populations prepared you for being a future physician? (2000 characters)
Describe how you have dealt with a personal challenge or major obstacle that you have overcome. Focus on what you learned about yourself and how it will help you during the challenges you might face in medical school. (2000 characters)
Describe how the COVID pandemic prepared you for medical school? Include in your answer how it impacted your decision to apply to medical school and what you learned about yourself from the pandemic. (2000 characters)
Please describe your current activities/employment if you are not currently enrolled as a fulltime student. (2000 characters)
University of Nebraska College of Medicine
Are you the first person in your immediate family to pursue a career in healthcare? If not, what medical professions are your immediate family members a part of? (N/A if not applicable) (100 characters)
If you have been away from full-time academics for more than two years, please explain. (N/A if not applicable) (750 characters)
If you are a re-applicant to the UNMC College of Medicine, how is your application different this year? (N/A if not applicable) (750 characters)
If this is your first application to UNMC, but not your first application to medical school, what is your rationale for applying to UNMC this cycle? (N/A if not applicable) (750 characters)
What is your personal rationale for applying to the UNMC College of Medicine, especially if you are not from Nebraska? (1,000 characters)
What are you most proud of in your life? (1,500 characters)
Tell us about a time when you have had to overcome adversity. (1,500 characters)
What have been the positive impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on your personal and professional life? (1,000 characters)
Given the potential impact on shadowing opportunities since 2020, how do you know that you want to be a physician and what the career entails? (1,500 characters)
Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine
Why are you interested in pursuing this degree at Touro Nevada? (1500 characters)
What award(s) or recognition(s) have you received within the last five years? (1500 characters) (Optional)
What volunteer experience have you had during the last three years? (1500 characters) (Optional)
What research experience have you had during the last three years? (1500 characters) (Optional)
Please tell us about your extracurricular activities or hobbies. (1500 characters) (Optional)
University of Nevada Las Vegas School of Medicine
Describe how your background and future goals will contribute to the mission of the UNLV School of Medicine. (250 words)
Briefly discuss how you envision yourself contributing to the care of our growing and diverse population in the state of Nevada. (250 words)
Provide a BRIEF chronological summary of your time since graduating from high school up to the point of applying to medical school. (250 words)
Optional: You are welcome to share with the Admissions Committee any disruptions or impact to your application components, the application process, and/or your personal life due to COVID-19. This field is not required. (250 words)
Optional: If you have any other information you believe is important for the Admissions Committee to consider, please include it here. You are limited to 250 words. Do not restate information already in your primary AMCAS application. (250 words)
University of Nevada Reno School of Medicine
Describe your primary motivation for applying to UNR Med, discuss any important connections or motives for pursuing your medical education in Northern Nevada, and share how you anticipate contributing to UNR Med’s mission and our vision of a Healthy Nevada. (300 words)
Reflect on an experience when you contributed to the success of a team. Describe how the skills, attributes, and strengths exhibited during this experience have prepared you to contribute to an inclusive and collaborative learning environment at UNR Med. (300 words)
Describe a time when you encountered a challenge that required you to use your critical thinking and communication skills to develop a creative or innovative solution. Discuss the successes or failures of your response, and what you may or may not do in the future, in a similar situation. (300 words)
Nevada, like many states, faces healthcare challenges that include health disparities among our underserved and vulnerable populations. Describe a service or life experience where you directly interacted with individuals from these groups, discuss what you learned from the experience, and describe how the experience has prepared you to be a medical student. (300 words)
Describe a time when you faced a significant life crisis, a personal struggle, or an academic or professional failure. How did you respond, what did you learn, and how did the experience influence your future actions? (300 words)
You are invited to provide a brief statement regarding anything not previously addressed or disclosed in your application that you would like considered during the review of your application. (Optional) (500 words)
Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth
(Suggested reading: How to Get Into Dartmouth Medical School )
Please indicate your plans for the 2022-2023 academic year. If in school, please list your courses. If working, let us know something about the nature of your job. If your plans or courses change subsequently, please inform the Admissions Office by email at [email protected] . (no word limit)
Please reflect on your primary application and share something not addressed elsewhere that would be helpful to the Admissions Committee as we review your file. (no word limit)
Please tell us specifically why you are interested in Geisel. (no word limit)
Geisel School of Medicine values social justice and diversity in all its forms. Reflect on a situation where you were the “other.” (250 words)
(Suggested reading: Medical Schools in New Jersey: How to Get In )
Cooper Medical School of Rowan University
Please write a personal mission statement for yourself as a student at CMSRU. How will CMSRU help you fulfill your mission? (1500 characters)
Please describe your anticipated educational, employment, volunteer or other activities between completing your AMCAS application and matriculating to medical school. (1500 characters)
Tell us about something that makes you a unique applicant to CMSRU. (1500 characters)
Medical school involves hard work and can be stressful at times. Tell us about activities that you use to help maintain a work-life balance and respond to stress. (1500 characters)
For applicants with a serious interest in the PC3 track: please write a short statement that describes your desire to become either a primary care Internist or a primary care Pediatrician and the qualities that make you an excellent choice for the PC3 track and for residency at Cooper. (1000 characters)
Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine
Why are you interested in attending the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine? (500 words)
Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine values social justice and diversity in all its forms. Describe a circumstance where you sought to learn about a culture, group or idea different than your own and how that impacted you. (500 words)
Describe your experience with the field of medicine (or a related field) that has prepared you for advanced study in this area. Specifically, how have your life experiences prepared you to pursue a degree in medicine, including coursework, clinical work, experiences in overcoming adversity, work opportunity, volunteer activities, and/or research experiences? (500 words)
Have you ever been convicted of any crime or offense, whether State or Federal, including offenses categorized as misdemeanors, high misdemeanors, or felonies? You should include convictions under any circumstances such as, but not limited to, a plea of guilty, Non Vult, Nolo Contendere, No Contest, etc., or a finding by a judge or jury. You do not need to include convictions that were overturned on appeal. (500 words)
Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine
Please select the checkbox(es) that most adequately describes your campus and/or curriculum preferences below. Choose one of the following:
Please prepare an essay that explains why you want to participate in the Problem Based Learning Curriculum (PBLC) and why you are a good fit for this curriculum.
Please prepare an essay that explains why you want to participate in the Synergistic Guided Learning Curriculum and why you are a good fit for this curriculum.
How did you learn about osteopathic medicine and why is it a good fit for you?
Explain why you are interested in attending Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine.
Optional: Please describe any significant barriers or challenges you may have overcome in the pursuit of your personal/professional goals.
Rutgers New Jersey Medical School
We are committed to an environment which fosters collaboration, humanism, equity and social justice. With this in mind, how will you contribute to the NJMS community? (1500 character limit)
We seek students who are self-aware, resilient and adaptable. Discuss a personal or professional challenge you’ve experienced and how you resolved it. Please include insight on what you learned about yourself as a result. (1500 character limit)
If you will not be a full time student between June 2022 and August 2023, please describe in detail your planned activities, including projected time commitment for each activity. (1500 character limit)
If you chose to pursue one or more “growth” years prior to your planned matriculation , please share insight on your decision. (1500 character limit)
If you are a re-applicant, please share what you have done to enhance your candidacy and re-application? (1500 character limit)
Please elaborate on challenges not thoroughly addressed anywhere else in your application (Please feel free to address any or all of the following if applicable: impact of COVID, institutional actions, academics, MCAT, personal difficulties, etc.). (1500 character limit)
Please discuss any additional information you feel may help us in our review of your candidacy. (1500 character limit)
Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Please use this space if you would like to provide additional information to the admissions committee. You may choose to elaborate on or clarify details you have previously provided. (1250 characters)
Are you interested in participating in PACCE? (Yes/No)
If yes, please provide a short paragraph explaining how you know a primary care focused specialty is your preference. (1250 characters)
Please feel free to comment on any course grades, GPA trends, or MCAT scores and what you have learned about yourself. (1250 characters)
If you are applying with a state of legal residence that is not NJ, please indicate your connection to NJ (mark all that apply) and explain this connection. (1250 characters)
Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine
What draws you to the Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine? If admitted, what do you see yourself becoming involved in? (300 words)
If you could strengthen one area of your application, what would it be? What have you done, or what do you plan to do, to address it and improve going forward? (300 words)
University of New Mexico School of Medicine *
Time-sensitive considerations: "Applicants will be allowed two weeks to complete the Secondary Application from the time they are initially invited."
At the UNM School of Medicine we are committed to building a dynamic, productive and positive learning environment in addition to promoting cross cultural and cross racial understanding among students of diverse talents, experiences, opinions and backgrounds. Describe the effect that your experiences with engaging diversity have had on your own growth and development. Provide an example and describe how it will impact your career in the medical profession. (2000 characters)
There are multiple paths that lead to medical school and many obstacles along the way. Please describe the unique path that has led you to medicine as well as any obstacles or adversity that you had to overcome in achieving this goal. How will this experience affect your career as a physician? (2000 characters)
While providing healthcare as a physician is often a rewarding career, it is also a profession that entails addressing constant challenges. Imagine you are a physician at a local institution and you notice on 18 occasions in the past week, patients were not administered the correct dose of a medication. When looking into it further, you learned that 17/18 cases occurred right after a physician handoff (defined as the process of transferring role and responsibility for providing care from one physician to another). Given this scenario, what are the initial steps you and your institution might take to improve the situation? (2000 characters)
While providing healthcare as a physician is often a rewarding career, it is also a profession that entails addressing constant challenges. What do you see as the most significant issues the medical profession will face in the next 20 years, and what are some potential solutions for these problems? (2000 characters)
Teamwork is integral to training and the career of a physician. This kind of work setting entails addressing constant challenges in task execution, communication etc. What is an issue you have encountered working on a team and how did you address and resolve this issue? (2000 characters)
Please describe how COVID-19 has affected your preparation for applying to medical school. Describe any academic, personal, financial, or professional barriers/disruptions that COVID-19 may have triggered. (2000 characters)
Have you previously submitted an AMCAS application to the University of New Mexico School of Medicine? (Y/N) Please share some of the ways you have improved your application since you last applied. For example, improved MCAT Score, took additional upper level biology courses, increased clinical or volunteer experiences, etc. (200 word limit)
(Suggested reading: Medical Schools in New York: How to Get In )
Albany Medical College
Describe yourself. (1,000 characters)
Describe a significant challenge that has prepared you for the MD career path. (1,000 characters)
Please explain any inconsistencies in your university, graduate, or professional school academic performance and/or MCAT scores. (1,000 characters)
Has your college or university, graduate or professional school attendance been interrupted for any reason? If yes, please explain. Also, please explain any extended gaps in activity/employment in your post-graduate history. (1,000 characters)
Tell us one thing about yourself that would help the Admissions Committee determine if you should be admitted to our program. (1,000 characters)
If your school has a Premedical Advisory Committee but you are not using that service, please indicate why. (1,000 characters)
Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University
(Suggested reading: How to Get Into Albert Einstein College of Medicine )
This is a series of yes or no questions. If you answer any of the questions below as “yes,” please explain in up to 3,000 characters.
I have taken time off from school between high school and college.
I have taken time off from school during my undergraduate years.
I have taken at least a year off from school since college graduation, including this year that I am applying.
I have taken and received credit for online science core courses (e.g. chemistry, biology, organic chemistry, physics and mathematics) that were taken prior to the Covid Pandemic (earlier than Spring 2020)
I have applied previously to medical school.
I have submitted an AMCAS application to Einstein previously.
I am/was a graduate student in the Sue Golding Division of Albert Einstein College of Medicine.
I was accepted to medical school previously but did not attend.
I was previously enrolled in medical school.
I can attest that I have fulfilled the Albert Einstein College of Medicine COMPETENCIES ( http://www.einstein.yu.edu/educatio...pplication-procedure/course-requirements.aspx ) for admission. If you answered, "no" to the above question, please explain. For example, if you plan to take pre-medical course work in the coming summer, fall, or spring, please list the courses and tell us when and where you will be taking them. If your answer was, "yes," please write “NA” in the box below. (3000 characters)
I will have a Baccalaureate Degree by the time I matriculate into medical school.
I am presently holding a deferral from another medical / graduate / professional school.
I have received a grade of "F" during my college/graduate school years.
I have received a grade of "D" during my college/graduate school years.
I have received a grade of "W" during my college/graduate school years.
I have received a grade of "I" during my college/graduate school years.
As an undergraduate, I transferred from one college to another.
I have been the recipient of a warning notice for a non-academic issue that did NOT result in a disciplinary action.
I have been subject to a disciplinary action and/or administrative action, expunged or not, while an undergraduate or graduate student.
I currently have disciplinary charges pending.
I have been prohibited or suspended from practicing in a professional capacity because of alleged misconduct.
Please tell us the year Parent/Guardian received their highest academic degree, the name of that degree and the name of the school. If high school or less, please write "high school or less."
If you were employed during the academic year, other than during winter and summer breaks, please write the number of hours you worked per week, and tell us what you did and why you were employed.
Please provide your Race as you indicated it on your AMCAS application
Please provide your Ethnicity as you indicated it on your AMCAS application
If you indicated, above, that you will have, "Two individual letters (up to 5 are allowed)," please provide the names, titles and institution of your letter writers; please use a separate line for each. Please note that one letter must be from your major and your second letter from a science faculty member (two science letters from two different faculty members in the same department is acceptable). If this does not apply to you, please write “NA” in the box below.
If you are a Post-Baccalaureate student (not a Master’s Degree student), please indicate whether a letter or statement of “Good Standing” been included in your letter packet? If “yes,” please indicate the name, title and school from which the letter has been submitted. If “no,” please indicate when such a letter or statement will be uploaded to the AMCAS Letter Writer. If this does not apply to you, please write “NA.”
Did you take your last science course more than 5 years ago?
If you have an Undergraduate Pre-Professional Advisory Committee at your college or university, and have chosen NOT to request a letter from that Committee, please tell us why not.
Have you worked in basic or clinical research at Einstein/Montefiore?
Have you participated in an Einstein/Montefiore Pipeline Program during high school, college or after?
If you answered "yes" that you have worked with us here at Einstein/Montefiore, will a letter from an Einstein/Montefiore faculty member be included in your evaluations? Please tell us the name, title and department of the letter writer.
Do you have a family member who is a current employee (non-faculty) of an Einstein/Montefiore affiliated hospital?
Do you have a SIBLING who is currently enrolled as an Einstein medical or graduate student?
Do you have a family member who is currently a Faculty member at an Einstein/Montefiore affiliated hospital?
Do you have a family member who is an Einstein Alumnus (MD, MSTP or PhD degree only)?
Anything else you would like to share with us? (4000 characters)
Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons
(Suggested reading: How to Get Into Columbia Medical School )
Have you previously applied to Medical School? (200 characters)
If you took time off from your undergraduate studies, please briefly summarize your reasons for doing so. (250 words)
Did you work for compensation during college (either during the school year or summers)? If so, what did you do? How many hours a week did you work? (300 words)
If you have graduated from college, please briefly summarize what you have done in the interim. (300 words)
Please describe your most meaningful leadership positions. (300 words)
Columbia Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons values diversity in all its forms. How will your background and experiences contribute to this important focus of our institution and inform your future role as a physician? (300 words)
Is there anything else you would like us to know? (400 words)
Hofstra Northwell School of Medicine
Please indicate what you have been doing since the time of graduation until now. (1500 characters)
Please use this space to describe any challenge or obstacle you have faced prior to your application to medical school and how you addressed that challenge. (1500 characters)
Optional: Given the COVID-19 pandemic, we are aware that there may be certain challenges you have encountered during the application process. Please use this space to describe any of those challenges. (1500 characters)
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
(Suggested reading: How to Get Into the Icahn School of Medicine )
If you are currently not a full time student, please briefly describe the activities you are participating in this academic year. (100 words)
Were there any adverse circumstances in your premedical preparatory journey including but not limited to impact from COVID-19? If yes, please explain. (100 words)
If there is an important aspect of your personal background or identity or a commitment to a particular community, not addressed elsewhere in the application, that you would like to share with the Committee, we invite you to do so here. Aspects might include, but are not limited to significant challenges in or circumstances associated with access to education, living with a disability, socioeconomic factors, immigration status, or identification with a culture, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender identity. Briefly explain how such factors have influenced your motivation for a career in medicine. Completing this section is optional. (150 words)
What is the toughest feedback you ever received? How did you handle it and what did you learn from it? (250 words)
Describe a situation that you have thought to be unfair or unjust, whether towards yourself or towards others. How did you address the situation, if at all? (200 words)
New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine *
Time-sensitive considerations: "It is recommended that you complete our Supplemental Application within 10 days from receipt of our email."
Briefly describe the reasons for your campus/site choice and comment on one or two factors that are most important to you in choosing where you wish to pursue your medical education. (1000 characters)
NYITCOM values diversity, equity, and inclusion. How will your background and experiences add to our inclusive culture and how will this focus influence your future role as a physician? (1000 characters)
Describe a challenge you’ve faced and the steps you took to overcome it. (1000 characters)
Describe the community in which you see yourself practicing medicine. (1000 characters)
Have you previously applied to NYITCOM? If yes, what specific steps have you taken to strengthen your credentials for the current application year? (1000 characters)
How and where did you learn about NYITCOM? (250 characters)
New York Medical College
(Suggested Reading: How to Get Into New York Medical College )
If you do not have any family members with a connection to NYMC for any of the below categories you can skip this section.
In this activity please indicate if you have/had a family member (Grandparent, Parent or Sibling) that attended the NYMC School of Medicine. Applicable to alumni from School of Medicine only. Does not apply to alumni from NYMC-sponsored residency programs, NYMC Graduate School of Basic Medical Sciences (GSBMS) or NYMC School of Health Sciences & Practice (SHSP)
In this activity please indicate if you have a family member (Grandparent, Parent or Sibling) Applicable to full-time faculty at School of Medicine only
In this activity please indicate if you have a family member (Grandparent, Parent or Sibling) Applicable to full-time employees at School of Medline only.
Please review the NYMC Social Media Policy. If you select YES, we ask that you please briefly explain what has been posted. In keeping with New York Medical College’s (NYMC) and Touro College and University System’s policies on prospective student online conduct, College staff members do not “police” online social networks and the College is firmly committed to the principle of free speech. However, when the College receives a report of inappropriate online conduct, we are obligated to investigate; New York Medical College reserves the right to rescind admissions for misconduct or lack of professionalism wherever it occurs, including online. Is there anything in your social media presence (past, or present) that would bring discredit or dishonor on you, the institution, the program or profession (if applicable) or that could be considered derogatory, hateful, or threatening? (Yes/ No)
Please share any disruptions in your academic, volunteer, work, and/or personal life related to COVID-19 that you would like the Admissions Committee to consider (300 character limit)
New York University Grossman School of Medicine
(Suggested reading: How to Get Into NYU Medical School )
If applicable, please comment on significant fluctuations in your academic record which are not explained elsewhere on your application. (no limit)
If you have taken any time off from your studies, either during or after college, please describe what you have done during this time and your reasons for doing so. (no limit)
The Admissions Committee uses a holistic approach to evaluate a wide range of student qualities and life experiences that are complementary to demonstrated academic excellence, strong interpersonal skills and leadership potential. What unique qualities or experiences do you possess that would contribute specifically to the NYU Grossman School of Medicine community? (2500 characters)
The ultimate goal of our institution is to produce a population of physicians with a collective desire to improve health of all segments of our society through the outstanding patient care, research and education. In this context, where do you see your future medical career and why? If your plans require that you complete a dual degree program, please elaborate here. (2500 characters)
Please answer only one of the following three questions:
The most meaningful achievements are often non-academic in nature. Describe the personal accomplishment that makes you most proud. Why is this important to you?
Conflicts arise daily from differences in perspectives, priorities, worldviews and traditions. How do you define respect? Describe a situation in which you found it challenging to remain respectful while facing differences?
Describe a situation in which working with a colleague, family member or friend has been challenging. How did you resolve, if at all, the situation as a team and what did you gain from the experience that will benefit you as a future health care provider?
NYU Grossman School of Medicine strives to provide our students with the option of accelerating their medical educational training. In order to guide our curricular efforts to provide additional opportunities for early career exploration for our students, please select up to three residency specialties that are currently of interest to you. Please note that your selection in no way impacts your admissions decision (i.e., there are no right or wrong selections), that it is not binding in any way, and that you may select “Undecided” if you are unsure of your future career path.
New York University Long Island School of Medicine
NYU LISOM offers a direct link to residency into one of four ACGME-accredited residency programs at NYU Langone Hospital – Long Island in fields of medicine that address the primary care needs of the population and physician workforce shortages. Please select the residency track for which you wish to be considered and reason(s) for your choice – including those experiences (pre-medical, professional or personal) which have confirmed your interest in this area. Choose one: (250 words)
Internal Medicine
Obstetrics & Gynecology
General Surgery
NYU LISOM is committed to training physicians guided by the principles of primary care which encompass patient-centered care that is: comprehensive, continuous, coordinated, collaborative, culturally sensitive and community-based. Please tell us how these principles align with your professional goals as a future physician? (250 words)
Among the core competencies expected of entering medical students are the capacity for improvement as well as evidence of adaptability and resilience. Describe a situation or personal challenge that motivated you to evaluate your strengths and weaknesses, reassess or change your behavior, navigate an unexpected outcome and/or learn from your mistakes. (250 words)
Choose either Option A or Option B. (250 words)
Option A: Problem-based learning (PBL) is a core active learning methodology at NYU LISOM which involves students working together in small groups on clinical case-based problems utilizing:
Self-directed learning: Identifying information needed and thinking critically in applying this information to address the problem
Self-assessment: Identifying knowledge gaps or what is not understood about the problem
Teamwork: Assisting peers to integrate and apply knowledge to a given problem as well as being able to learn from peers
Using this framework, please share an example of a problem-solving experience you have encountered in a small-group setting or leadership role which you feel has prepared you to be successful in an active learning environment and why?
Option B: The NYU Long Island School of Medicine seeks to prepare future physician leaders who will be ‘change agents’ in health systems science in domains such as:
Healthcare Policy & Economics
Population and Public Health
Evidenced-based Medicine and Practice
Health System Improvement and Patient Safety
Clinical Informatics
Which of these domains interests you the most and why? If applicable, please include those aspects of your academic studies, pre-medical, or professional experiences that have informed your interest in the domain you selected.
Please provide the response that applies to you: - If you are still in school, please tell us your planned activities for the application cycle. - If you have graduated from college, please tell us what you have been doing since that time and your reasons for doing so. (250 words)
Optional: Please comment on any significant fluctuations in your academic record or inconsistencies in your MCAT score; if you took a leave of absence for any reason during college; or any application irregularities about which you wish the admissions committee to know more. (250 words)
Optional: We recognize applicants may have had to overcome significant obstacles or adversity in their lives. If you feel this applies to you, the admissions committee is interested to understand how these experiences may have impacted your personal, educational and/or professional path. (250 words)
SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University College of Medicine
(If applicable) Please describe your activities for the period of September 15 to July 1.
What will be your support system while in medical school? (150 words)
Describe what personal, urban experiences prepare you to live and study in New York City. (150 words)
Why do believe you are a good fit for SUNY Downstate?
What is your experience with diversity, health equity and social justice?
SUNY Upstate Medical University
If you earned your baccalaureate degree prior to this past June, please provide a brief statement indicating your plans for the upcoming academic year:
You might consider yourself disadvantaged if you grew up in an area that was medically or underserved or had insufficient access to educational opportunities. Do you consider yourself within this description? If you answer Yes please explain your particular circumstances regarding why you consider yourself a disadvantaged applicant.
If you are interested in Primary Care, are you interested in receiving more information about potential scholarship opportunities?
We understand that the COVID-19 crisis disrupted many aspects of our lives. Please share if you had any curricular impacts during this time, for example, change to pass/fail courses or to online coursework or if you anticipate any deficiencies in experiences as a result of COVID-19.
Please upload an essay, under 500 words, answering the following question: Upstate Medical University is strongly committed to providing a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment for the patients we serve and all who work at, study at, or visit our campus. As a potential partner in this effort, please describe your commitment to eliminating health inequities, discrimination, or other forms of social injustice. (500 words)
Stony Brook University Renaissance School of Medicine
Will your education be continuous between college and medical school matriculation? (500 words)
If NO, please explain what you have done or plan to do during the gap period and why.
If YES, please tell us about your proudest accomplishment to date.
Describe an obstacle you've overcome and how it defined you. (500 words)
Respond to one (500 words):
Please describe how you, as a future physician, plan to address the social determinants of health.
What, in your opinion, is the role of a physician in addressing systemic racism and societal injustices?
Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine
This Personal Statement is different than the essay that had been submitted with your AACOMAS application. Although there is no specified length to this essay, please limit the length of this Personal Statement to the space available on this page. Please discuss how your background, experience or academic program has prepared you for meeting Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine’s Mission, Goals, or Objectives. Consider addressing a few of the following areas:
a) Why Osteopathic Medicine?
b) Have you been exposed to a diverse environment and how did you contribute?
c) How have your academic background and personal experiences prepared you for medical school? or
d) How were you influenced by a shadowing experience?
University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine
In 500 words or fewer, please explain your reasons for applying to the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University of Buffalo. Please be specific.
In 500 words or fewer, please explain how you would respond to a fellow student who muttered a racist or homophobic statement under their breath in your presence and that of other peers.
University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry
(Optional) Please share any challenges and/or special circumstances that impacted your application. (200 words)
If you previously applied to medical school, briefly describe any experiences you have been part of since your previous application. (200 words)
Weill Cornell Medical College
(Suggested reading: How to Get Into Weill Cornell Medical School )
Please write a brief statement giving your reasons for applying to Weill Cornell Medical College. (1525 characters)
Please describe a challenge you faced and how you addressed it. (1525 characters)
If applicable, please tell us about any special circumstances related to COVID-19 that could help us understand you better. (1525 characters)
(Optional) If you are not attending college during the upcoming (2022-2023) academic year, what are your plans? (1525 characters)
(Suggested reading: Medical Schools in North Carolina: How to Get In )
Campbell University Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine
Briefly describe how your career goals align with the CUSOM Mission
What three qualities will you bring to CUSOM which will enhance the overall climate of our school? How do these qualities align with the CUSOM mission?
Osteopathic medicine parallels allopathic medicine but has distinct principles and practices. Which of these principles and practices are of greatest interest to you and why?
Duke University School of Medicine
Advocacy: Describe a situation in which you chose to advocate for someone who was different from you or for a cause or idea that was different from yours. Define your view of advocacy. What risks, if any, might be associated with your choice to be an advocate? (400 words)
Coping with Disappointment: Not achieving a goal or one’s desire can sometimes be disheartening. What have you learned/gained from your setbacks and disappointments and how does this translate to your current way of thinking? (400 words)
Value Systems: Describe a situation in which you had to utilize your values to interact with people from different backgrounds. How did those values impact the relationship? (400 words)
Leadership: Leadership, teamwork, and communication flow synergistically. What do you value most as a leader and as a contributor? What attributes do you possess as a leader and as a team member and how do you apply them on a daily basis? (400 words)
Critical Thinking: Critical thinking involves a number of characteristics. Research experience enhances critical analysis skills. Describe any research experience or another situation in which you utilized critical thinking. How will critical thinking be important in your future career? (400 words)
Understanding the Need for Health Care Changes: Potential sources of health inequities exist. Duke’s Moments to Movement (M2M) is a collective stand to address these issues. Describe your experience and reflection with race and its relationship to disparities in health, health care and society. Consider the values of justice, diversity, inclusion and equity (400 words)
COVID-19 Implications: How has the COVID-19 pandemic influenced your journey to medical school? Have these events changed your outlook on medicine’s role in society? (400 words)
Tell Us Who You Are: Tell us more about who you are. This is your opportunity to tell us how you wish to be addressed, recognized and treated. (500 words)
Optional: Race/Ethnicity/Geographic Origin/Socioeconomic Status/ Advantage/Disadvantage/ Religious Affiliation. Use the text box below to provide additional information on how these parameters have/will influence you. (200 words)
Optional: Please let us know of any additional information that you would like us to consider while reviewing your application. (No word count given)
For PCLT (Primary Care Leadership Track) applicants:
Community Engagement: PCLT values community engagement. What is your understanding of community engagement and its value? How does community-engagement impact either research or working in a community to improve health outcomes? (250 words)
Why PCLT: What distinguishes you from other applicants to the PCLT program? (250 words)
East Carolina University Brody School of Medicine
Why have you chosen to apply to the Brody School of Medicine and how do you think your education at the Brody School of Medicine will prepare you to become a future physician? (250-300 words).
The Covid-19 pandemic has had a dramatic impact on everyday life. From your perspective, reflect upon what you have learned or experienced during this time and how will this impact you going forward. (250-300 words). Items to consider incorporating in your response may include but are not limited to:
Academic: Did Covid-19 interrupt your studies? Were you able to interact with your professors and classmates? Did your school require students to move to pass/fail grading systems? Did your MCAT exam get cancelled or delayed?
Clinical Experiences and Community Service Activities: Did you hold a job? Were you able to gain clinical experiences, either in employment or volunteerism? Did you pursue volunteer opportunities in response to community needs during the pandemic?
Personal: How did the pandemic affect you or those close to you? Did you face any personal challenges because of Covid-19? Has Covid-19 changed or challenged your perception of pursuing a career in medicine?
East Carolina University’s motto is Servire- “To Serve.” Tell us about your most meaningful community service project or experience. (250-300 words)
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine *
Time-sensitive considerations: "We encourage your submission within 2 weeks of that invitation."
Tell us about a peer who is deserving of recognition but whose accomplishments may not be acknowledged adequately. Why do you think their accomplishments have gone relatively unacknowledged? (250 words)
Please share your thought and experiences with navigating the COVID-19 pandemic. This cold include the barrier you have faced in applying to medical school, creative way you have overcome those barrier, feelings of grief and loss, thoughts on the role of health care professional, challenges associated with racial health inequities, or other reflection on living through a global pandemic crisis. (250 words)
How will your values and attitude foster a positive educational environment and benefit your future patients? Tell us about the sources of those values and attitude (eg family, places you've lived in, things you have read, life experiences, etc) (250 words)
Tell us about a time when you observed or personally experienced biased behavior. What did you do to address this situation or what would you do in the future? Through either situation we are interested in what you learned. (250 words)
What motivates you to apply to the UNC SOM? (200 words)
Reapplicant Prompt: What has changed about you as a candidate since your last application to medical school? What has made you a stronger applicant? (200 words)
Wake Forest School of Medicine
(Suggested reading: How to Get Into the Wake Forest School of Medicine )
We seek to train physicians who can connect with diverse patient populations with whom they may not share a similar background. Tell us one experience that enhanced your ability to understand those unlike yourself and what you learned from it. (200 words)
Describe a non-academic challenge you have faced and explain how you overcame it. (200 words)
From your list of "most meaningful experiences" on the AMCAS application, choose one that has been the most formative in terms of your desire for a career in medicine. Why did that experience have such meaning for you in your decision-making process? (200 words)
Tell us about any specific reason(s) (personal, educational, etc.) why you see yourself here at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine. (200 words)
Please tell us an interesting fact about yourself that a casual acquaintance may find surprising or interesting. (50 words)
If you have received a C+ grade or lower in any coursework, please explain. (200 words)
If there is anything specific that you would like for us to know regarding how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected you and your application you may do so here. (200 words) (Please note that this is optional. Also, please do not repeat any information provided in your previous required responses.)
Please list your CASPer testing date for the 2023 admissions cycle.
University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences
The School of Medicine & Health Sciences is a community-based medical school, and because of the unique circumstances of our regional location, we place special emphasis on the unique skills needed to provide care for patients and populations in rural and Native American communities across all competencies. The primary purpose of the UND School of Medicine & Health Sciences is to educate physicians and other health professionals for subsequent service in North Dakota and to enhance the quality of life of its people. Other purposes include the discovery of knowledge that benefits the people of this state and enhances the quality of their lives. Please explain the steps you have taken towards, and how you will fulfill different aspects of the school’s mission. (1200 characters)
Reflect on personal experiences of resilience and emotional intelligence throughout your life and how this has prepared you in your pursuit of a career in medicine. (1200 characters)
Describe your experiences with diverse populations. Examples include a summary of a volunteer experience, study abroad, employment, self-taught endeavor or a formal course on diversity that includes direct interaction with individuals or groups from socioeconomic disadvantaged, diverse cultures, rural, or other backgrounds. (1200 characters)
Describe your research activity. Examples include the outcome of a formal research experience, course-dependent undergraduate research, thesis, or capstone project. (600 characters)
Describe your creative activity. Examples include the on-going production of art forms, artistic performance, or other creative efforts, such as photography, painting, musical talents, needlework, cooking, wood-working, building cars, yoga instructor, dancing, theatre performance, writing, gaming etc. (600 characters)
Expand and reflect on medical and/or clinical experience as it relates to the mission of the School of Medicine & Health Sciences. This may include a summary of physician shadowing, clinical observation, community service, volunteer work, and/or employment. Examples include, but are not limited to, work in a clinic, hospital, as a first responder, clinical lab, public health, home health visits, assisted living, nursing home care, youth camps, or relevant military duty. (1200 characters)
Expand and reflect on leadership and team experience. This may include a summary of leadership roles or teamwork in employed positions, extracurricular activities, organizations, volunteer services, or any other leadership or team experiences. (1200 characters)
What are your career plans if you do not ever get admitted to medical school? (600 characters)
If needed, update the information in your AMCAS application (i.e., grades in recent courses, alterations in your proposed coursework or graduation, additions to extracurricular activities, unreported legal and institutional infractions, etc.). (600 characters)
Are you currently enrolled in a grant-funded and/or degree-granting postbaccalaureate program and/or advanced degree? If so, what is your timeline for completion? (600 characters)
UND SMHS REAPPLICANTS ONLY: When was your previous application, and, subsequently, what steps have you taken to strengthen your candidacy? Note any relevant academic, employment, clinical, and personal experience and/or development. (1200 characters)
(Suggested reading: Medical Schools in Ohio: How to Get In )
Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
The Admissions Committee is interested in gaining more insight into you as a person. Please describe a significant personal challenge you have faced, one which you feel has helped to shape you as a person. Examples may include a moral or ethical dilemma, a situation of personal adversity, or a hurdle in your life that you worked hard to overcome. Please include how you got through the experience, how you handled the uncertainty or stress, and what you learned about yourself as a result. Please limit your response to 1 page (about 3,500 characters), and leave a blank line between paragraphs. Optional:
One of the four pillars of the Western Reserve2 Curriculum is Research and Scholarship. Although research is not a prerequisite requirement for the University Program, if you have participated in research or another scholarly project, please tell us about it. Describe your experience, including the question you pursued and how you approached it, your results and interpretation of the results, and most importantly, any thoughts about what this experience meant to you. Remember that research can be broadly-defined and can include such projects as a senior capstone or a thesis and can include both medical and non-medically-related investigations. If you have not completed research, please indicate that in the text box below. Please limit your response to 1 page (about 3,500 characters), and leave a blank line between paragraphs.
Is there any further information that you wish to share with the Admissions Committee that may not be captured in the rest of your application? Please limit your response to 3,500 characters.
If you are taking time off between college graduation and medical school matriculation, please tell us what you are doing during this gap, and why. Please limit your response to no more than 1000 characters, and leave a blank line between paragraphs.
Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine
At Cleveland Clinic and CCLCM we are deeply committed to anti-racism and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in education, healthcare, and our communities. We invite you to share a specific life or work experience that aligns with and will allow you to uniquely contribute to the DEI initiatives at CCLCM. Please limit your response to 1000 characters and leave a blank line between paragraphs. (1000 characters)
We all have targeted areas for improvement (TAFIs) in our personal and professional lives. Please share a current TAFI you have identified that does not include the acquisition of medical/scientific knowledge. How did you recognize this TAFI, and what steps are you taking to address it? How are you measuring your progress and how will you know when you reached your goal? (1000 characters)
Please tell us about a time when you prioritized the needs of others (excluding family) before your own. In addition, tell us about a time when you put your own needs first. For each, please explain your decision making process and the outcome. (1000 characters)
What does your ideal career entail ten years after medical school graduation? (2000 characters)
Northeast Ohio Medical University
What do you hope to achieve from your experience as a NEOMED student? (5000 characters)
Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine
There are philosophical and tangible differences between osteopathic and allopathic medicine. Describe what being an osteopathic physician means to you, and what qualities make a good osteopathic physician. What have you done to gain knowledge and experience of osteopathic medicine? (No specific word count)
All applicants are required to answer one of the following three questions in the form of an essay: (No specific word count)
Describe the community in which you were nurtured or spent the majority of your early development with respect to its demographics. What core values did you receive and how will these translate into the contributions you hope to make to your community as a medical student and later as a physician?
There are multiple paths that lead to medical school and many obstacles along the way. Please describe the unique path that has led you to medicine as well as any obstacle or adversity that you had to overcome in achieving this goal. How will this experience affect your career as a physician?
Part of OU-HCOM's mission is to embrace diversity and public service and improve the health and wellbeing of underserved populations. Describe what that means to you and how you would contribute to that mission as a student and as a future physician.
Campus Statement, Cleveland: Tell us about an experience or experiences that has/have prepared you to enter medicine and how you feel you will impact your community in or around Cleveland, Akron or Northeast Ohio.
Campus Statement, Dublin: Tell us about an experience or experiences that has/have prepared you to enter medicine and how you feel you will impact your community in or around Dublin, Columbus, or Central Ohio.
The Ohio State University College of Medicine
Required essays for those applying to the regular M.D., M.D./PhD and primary care track:
The mission statement of The Ohio State University College of Medicine is to "improve people's lives" through innovation in research, medical education, and patient care. Please describe how your past experiences predict your potential to contribute in two of these three areas. (250 words)
The OSU COM Admissions vision statement states that the admissions committee will assemble a class that displays "diversity in background and thought." Why is "diversity in background and thought" a desirable characteristic for a medical school's student body? (250 words)
Please use the space below to communicate anything you would like to share with the admissions committee related to the pandemic. Possible topics might include, for example: your biggest lessons and insights from the pandemic; creative ways in which you were able to serve your community during the crisis; or hardships you may have faced as a result of the virus or quarantine. (250 words)
Additional required essays only for those applying to the primary care track:
How do you feel ready to choose a career in family medicine? Please provide any examples of exposure and/or experiences not already mentioned in your application. (250 words)
"Health is Primary" is a communications campaign to advocate for the values of family medicine, demonstrate the benefits of primary care, and engage patients in our healthcare system. The aim is to build a primary care system that reflects the values of family medicine, puts patients at the center of their care, and improves the health of all Americans. How do you plan to reflect the values of Family Medicine in your future career? (250 words)
The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences
One of the AAMC Core Competencies for entering medical students involves cultural competence. The competency involves several distinct domains, including:
a. Demonstrating knowledge of socio-cultural factors that affect interactions and behaviors; b. Showing an appreciation and respect for multiple dimensions of diversity; c. Recognizing and acting on the obligation to inform one's own judgment; d. Engaging diverse and competing perspectives as a resource for learning, citizenship, and work; e. Recognizing and appropriately addressing bias in selves and others; f. Interacting effectively with people from diverse backgrounds.
Discuss a specific experience from your life that you feel demonstrates your level of competence in one of the above domains . (Clearly indicate which of the six domains above that you are responding to.) As part of your discussion, explain how you feel this experience will impact your future contribution to the culture of diversity and inclusion at The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences and later in your career as a physician.
One of the AAMC Core Competencies for entering medical students involves resilience and adaptability . This competency involves the ability to tolerate stressful or changing environments or situations and adapt effectively to them. Additional characteristics of this competency are persistence and the ability to recover from setbacks. Discuss a specific experience from your life that you feel demonstrates your level of competence in resilience and adaptability as described above. As part of your discussion, explain how you feel this experience will help you meet new challenges you may face in medical school.
( Optional ) Please use the space below for anything you might wish to discuss related to the corona virus (COVID-19) public health crisis . Possible topics might include, for example: your biggest lessons and insights from the pandemic; creative ways in which you were able to serve your community during the crisis; hardships you may have faced as a result of the virus or quarantine. (You will have an opportunity to specifically discuss impacts to your coursework/grades in a separate item.)
University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
Please explain both of the following: 1) the specific reason(s) you have chosen to apply to the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and 2) how you will utilize the unique features of our curriculum, institution, city, and/or our mission to achieve your career goals. (2000 characters)
Please describe the reasons that you have chosen to specifically apply your skills to the career of a physician and what specific ways your personality, talents, attributes, etc. will contribute to the practice of clinical medicine. (2000 characters)
The University of Cincinnati is highly committed to selecting and cultivating students who can transform the field of medicine through the use of their distinct talents and attributes. Please tell us how you offer “diversity of thought” to our incoming class. Please also consider sharing unique, personally important, and/or challenging factors in your background that represent the diversity that you bring. (2000 characters)
(Optional) Please explain, if applicable, any ways in which the COVID-19 pandemic specifically and negatively impacted and/or caused significant hardship for your academic performance between the months of March 2020 and September, 2022. (2000 characters)
(Optional) We understand that all applicants have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Please use the space below to describe any personal (ie, non-academic) life-altering experiences or changes to your plans related to the pandemic between March 2020 and September 2022. (2000 characters)
Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine
If you earned a medically related certificate/license, how many hours have you worked in that role since earning your certificate/license? If not, please enter N/A. (100 characters)
If there has been a significant economic hardship, please explain the circumstances. If none, please enter N/A. (750 characters)
What is the primary reason that you have chosen to apply to the Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine? (750 characters)
Are there any specific patient populations that that you desire to serve as a physician? (750 characters)
If there has been or will be a gap in your education, please describe how you have/will use this time. If not, please enter N/A. (750 characters)
If you consider yourself a non-traditional candidate, please explain. If not, please enter N/A. (750 characters)
Briefly describe any extenuating circumstances which you believe are pertinent to your application (i.e. Poor grades, withdrawn courses, life events). If none, please enter N/A. (750 characters)
If you have attended any allopathic or osteopathic medical school, as a candidate for an M.D. or D.O., please list the name of the school and explain the reason for separation. Enter N/A if you have not attended any allopathic or osteopathic medical school as a candidate for an M.D. or D.O. (750 characters)
If you are not a current resident of the state of Ohio, please describe your connection to Ohio. If you have no connection to the state of Ohio, please enter N/A. (750 characters)
If you have a connection to Wright State University, please describe your that connection. If you have no connection to Wright State University, please enter N/A. (750 characters)
If you have a connection to the Boonshoft School of Medicine, please describe that connection. If you have no connection to the Boonshoft School of Medicine, please enter N/A. (750 characters)
Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
What has been your most humbling experience and how will that experience affect your interactions with your peers and patients? (300 words)
Optional: Is there any additional information you would like the college to know about you? (500 words)
University of Oklahoma College of Medicine
Applicants have two educational track options at the College of Medicine. One is located in Oklahoma City and the other is located in in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The Tulsa campus is called the School of Community Medicine (SCM). All applicants interested in the SCM must complete the four additional SCM questions:
Please submit an essay (450 words or less) that explains your interest and commitment to Community Medicine.
Please explain (in 250 words or less) how you expect the SCM track to enhance your medical education.
Please enter any additional community or volunteer experience not included on your AMCAS application. (No limit)
Please highlight any other relevant life experience that you feel might have an impact on your application to the SCM track. (No limit)
Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine
What experience have you had that has given you insight into the patients you hope to eventually serve? (1550 characters)
Tell us about a time you went into a situation completely unprepared. (1550 characters)
Discuss a time in your life that demonstrated your resilience. (1550 characters)
In 1990, Salovey and Mayer defined emotional intelligence (EI) as “the subset of social intelligence that involves the ability to monitor one’s own and others’ feelings and emotions, to discriminate among them and to use this information to guide one’s thinking and actions”. The components of EI include self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills. Briefly describe one example of a time you harnessed your EI to resolve a difficult situation, AND one example of a time your failure to use your EI compounded a difficult situation. What did you learn about yourself in each of these situations? (2050 characters)
Give an example of personal feedback in the last few years that was difficult to receive. How did you respond? (1550 characters)
Please discuss how your personal experience demonstrates the ability to overcome adversity and contributes to diversity in the provision of healthcare. Please include any insight into the diversity that you would bring to OHSU School of Medicine and the profession of medicine in the context of OHSU's definition of diversity: Diversity at OHSU requires creating and sustaining a community of inclusion. We honor, respect, embrace and value the unique contributions and perspectives of all employees, patients, students, volunteers and our local and global communities. Diversity may include age, color, culture, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status. We respect diversity of thought, ideas and more. Diversity maximizes our true potential for creativity, innovation, quality patient care, educational excellence and outstanding service. (1550 characters)
Are there any additional ties to the state of Oregon you wish to share? If so, use the space below. Please note that this does not factor toward your consideration as an Oregon resident or Oregon Heritage. (1550 characters)
We know that many of our applicants in the OHSU UME Program may have familial relationships with individuals who are OHSU faculty, residents, staff, or current students who serve as evaluators in our admissions process. We have added this question in hopes to prevent perceived or actual conflicts of interest that can occur when an applicant has a family member (or someone with a similar close personal relationship) they may encounter through the admissions process. If you have any such connections, please list those individuals’ names and departments below. (1550 characters)
Using the fields below, please provide a brief chronological account of your major activities and employment, including volunteer and summer activities, for the five years immediately preceding your proposed entry to medical school. This should include present and projected activities to the point of matriculation to medical school. Please do not include activities that ended prior to or during high school. Note: You are limited to 20 entries in this section. (1550 characters)
(Suggested reading: Medical Schools in Pennsylvania: How to Get In )
Drexel University College of Medicine
If you are a recent graduate, please tell us what you have been doing since graduation. If you have not yet graduated, please discuss your current activities and engagements. We understand that it may have been difficult to obtain clinical or volunteer service experiences during the pandemic; therefore, be sure to discuss any traditional and /or nontraditional clinical exposures and volunteering experiences that you have done during this time. (No word limit)
What else do you feel is important for us to know about you? Are there any challenges over the last year that impacted your medical or non-medical service experiences? You can use this space to highlight something not addressed in your application, including new experiences not in your AMCAS application. (1000 words)
Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine
Given Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine's unique mission and values, please tell us why you believe you are a good fit for our institution.
List the five most important attributes you believe a physician should possess. Please choose one that you believe you embody and describe a personal experience that demonstrates this trait.
Geisinger Commonwealth values diversity and is committed to maintaining an inclusive environment. How will you contribute to our commitment to diversity, social justice, equity, and inclusion?
If you have previously applied to Geisinger Commonwealth's Doctor of Medicine program, please describe your significant experiences between this year's application and your previous application. (If you are not a previous applicant, please type, "N/A" in the response area.)
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine
If not currently enrolled in a full-time academic program, please summate your activities from the time of graduation from your baccalaureate program through the time of this application, as well as your plans between now and your matriculation to medical school. (75 words)
Is there a unique aspect of your application that should be considered by the admissions committee? (75 words)
Explain why you decided to apply to the Penn State College of Medicine. (75 words)
Write a short paragraph describing a significant experience you have had working in a team setting. (250 words)
Write a short statement describing how you envision using your medical education to advance care for under-represented or marginalized populations. (250 words)
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
PCOM recognizes and affirms the dignity of all members of the PCOM community. Do you self-identify as part of the LGBTQIA community? (Yes/No)
If yes, please use this space to specify your identity within the LGBTQIA community, if you wish. (200 characters, optional)
Have you ever participated in a PCOM-sponsored program for undergraduate, high school or middle school students interested in medicine/health sciences? (Yes/No). If yes, the following questions are required:
Please briefly describe the program. (If possible, include program title, dates attended, grade, etc.) (500 characters)
How did this experience influence your journey toward a career in Osteopathic Medicine? (500 characters)
Have you previously applied to any of PCOM's academic programs at any of our locations? (Yes/No). If yes, the following questions are required:
If you attend or have previously attended any of PCOM's academic programs at any of our locations, please list below the campus, program and terms of enrollment. (500 characters)
Please tell us what you have done since the submission of your last application that improves your candidacy to our DO program(s). (1500 characters)
Use this space if you'd like to address any identified deficiencies in your application. (700 characters)
If you selected to be considered for the Philadelphia location of PCOM, please respond to the following question: What one aspect of the PCOM campus community resonates with your personality and values? (2000 characters)
If you selected to be considered for the South Georgia location of PCOM, please respond to the following question: What one aspect of the PCOM South Georgia campus community resonates with your personality and values? (2000 characters)
Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University
Describe how the pandemic has affected your educational, work, or research plans? What has your own experience informed you about the challenges of providing equitable and inclusive care to future patients? (2500 characters)
Do you have any additional information that hasn't been covered? (4000 characters)
Temple University Lewis Katz School of Medicine
What is the nature of your interest in the Lewis Katz School of Medicine? (2000 characters)
How do you plan on contributing to the Lewis Katz School of Medicine Community? LKSOM seeks an engaged student body with a wide variety of backgrounds, experiences, perspectives, and interests to enhance the medical school experience for everyone. Please use the space below to describe what makes you unique as an applicant, an obstacle that you had to overcome, or how you will contribute to the LKSOM community. (2000 characters)
Tell us about your special interest in the campus you selected. (2000 characters)
What are your plans for the current year - June 2022 until June 2023? (2000 characters)
The Coronavirus pandemic has affected all of us. Please use this space to describe to us how you were impacted academically, personally or professionally by COVID-19. (2000 characters)
University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine
(Suggested reading: How to Get Into Perelman School of Medicine )
Were there changes to your academic work and/or personal circumstances due to the COVID-19 pandemic that you would like to share with the committee? (Yes/No)
If Yes, please describe these changes during this time in 500 characters or less.
If you were offered an option to continue courses with a standard grading system or switch to Pass/Fail, and you chose Pass/Fail, please describe the reason(s) for your decision here. (500 characters)
Have you taken any online courses for credit (not due to the COVID-19 pandemic)? (Lets you list the courses)
Have you been nominated for or received an award from any state, regional or national organization? (Allows you to list them)
Have you taken or are you planning to take time off between college graduation and medical school matriculation? If so explain in 500 characters or less.
Have you participated in any global activities outside of the U.S. prior to submitting your AMCAS application? If so, explain in 1,000 characters or less.
The Perelman School of Medicine (PSOM) is deeply committed to recruiting a diverse class to enrich an inclusive team-based learning experience. How would you and your experiences contribute to the diversity of the student body and/or how would you contribute to an inclusive atmosphere at PSOM? Please explain and limit your response to 1,000 characters.
We are all navigating through challenging times, and physicians and physician-scientists must contend with many instances of uncertainty. Describe a time when you faced a situation that was ambiguous, confusing, or uncertain, and how you navigated making a decision without complete information (3000 characters)
Do you identify as a first-generation college graduate and/or having a low-income background? We recognize that the definition of “low income” can vary based on geographic location and size of your household, but there are other factors that may be consistent with low-income, such as having qualified for free/reduced lunch in middle/high school, having received Pell grants or work-study aid during college, having qualified for Medicaid/Social Security benefits, or having attended a high school with low per capita funding or title 1 designation and/or a low percentage of seniors receiving a high school diploma. (Does not ask for any elaboration if you say yes.)
Have you or your family experienced economic hardships? (Yes/No)
If Yes, please explain in 1,000 characters or less.
Have you ever been employed at the University of Pennsylvania Health System or Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and worked with a University of Pennsylvania faculty mentor(s)? If yes, please indicate name, department, phone number of faculty member(s), and start/end dates.
Please explain your reasons for applying to the Perelman School of Medicine and limit your response to 1,000 characters.
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Tell us about a challenging problem you faced and how you resolved it. Include how the experience contributed to the person you are today. (Limit your response to 250 words or less.)
At UPSOM, diversity and inclusion are measures of distinction, integral to achieving institutional excellence, and essential to the development of future physicians who become leaders in medicine. Describe how you have demonstrated a commitment to diversity and inclusion in the past, and how you hope to grow that commitment in medical school. (Limit your response to 250 words or less.)
Please write about anything else you would like to add to your application, or anything you would like to emphasize to the Admissions Committee. (Limit your response to 250 words or less.)
Ponce School of Medicine and Health Sciences
List/describe: Academic honors, Research experience/ Publications, Community service/ volunteer work
Explain your interest in graduate studies and your long-range professional plan.
San Juan Bautista School of Medicine
No secondary essay prompts for this cycle.
Universidad Central Del Caribe School of Medicine
University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine
(Suggested reading: How to Get into Brown Medical School )
Brown University The Warren Alpert Medical School
Summarize your activities during the 2022–2023 academic year. Describe how your activities are preparing you for a medical career. (2000 characters)
How will your unique attributes (e.g., cultural or socioeconomic background, lifestyle, work experiences) add to the overall diversity of the Alpert Medical School community? (2000 characters)
What are your aspirations for your medical practice? Fast-forward to 15 years in the future: where do you imagine yourself? (3000 characters)
(Suggested reading: Medical Schools in South Carolina: How to Get In )
Medical University of South Carolina College of Medicine
No secondary essays required in the 2022–2023 application cycle.
University of South Carolina School of Medicine – Columbia
No character limit for any question.
What are your medical practice goals?
Describe your employment status since you completed your bachelor's degree (part-time, full-time, and dates) (only if you have graduated).
In what region of the country do you want to practice medicine? Why?
What areas of medicine are you interested in at this time, or what areas do you plan to pursue?
Do you have any accomplishments or experiences that make you a unique applicant?
Explain any impact that COVID-19 may have had on your educational, research, volunteering or employment plans.
We desire to train students and physicians to work with the diverse patients of our state and nation. Please share at least one experience that has impacted your appreciation for diversity and your ability to relate to those who are unlike you. Do share what you learned from the experience as well.
University of South Carolina School of Medicine – Greenville
Academic History
Did you apply to any MD or DO program during any previous academic year?
If you previously applied to any medical school, what was your final application status?
If you are a re-applicant, what have you engaged in and/or accomplished to strengthen your candidacy? (If not applicable, please write N/A) (3000 characters)
If you applied previously to the University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville, please provide the year(s) of your application(s). (1000 characters)
If you are not accepted to medical school for the upcoming academic year, what are your plans? (5000 characters)
Are you currently, or have you ever been subject to disciplinary action at a college or professional school that did not result in academic probation or dismissal?
If you answered ‘Yes’ to Question 3, please provide a brief description. (If not applicable, please write N/A) (5000 characters)
Have you ever been placed on academic probation at or dismissed from a college or professional school?
If you answered ‘Yes’ to Question 4, please provide an explanation of the event and final outcome. (If not applicable, please write N/A) (5000 characters)
Please briefly describe circumstances regarding any courses with a grade less than a B minus, or any course withdrawals. Additionally, please describe the circumstances if you took any required courses as Pass/Fail rather than graded due to COVID-19, including if you had a choice to take as graded or pass/fail and the context of that decision. (If not applicable, please write N/A) (5000 characters)
If you are currently participating in an academic program, please outline intended coursework for the academic year. (If not applicable, please write N/A) (5000 characters)
If you do not expect to spend this academic year in school, please explain how you intend to use this time. (If not applicable, please write N/A) (5000 characters)
Please ensure you have completed the Prerequisite coursework section of the Applicant Gateway. If you need to explain any irregularities regarding your prerequisite courses, please indicate that here. (If not applicable, please write N/A) (5000 characters)
Activities, Service, Research
Please describe any new or additional medically related employment, volunteer activities or observation experiences not included in your AMCAS application. (If not applicable, please write N/A) (5000 characters)
Please describe any new or additional community service or volunteer activities not included in your AMCAS application. (If not applicable, please write N/A) (5000 characters)
Please describe any new or additional research or leadership experiences not included in your AMCAS application. (If not applicable, please write N/A) (5000 characters)
Have you participated in the U of SC School of Medicine Greenville Medical Experience Academy (MedEx)?
Personal Information
Please consider sharing experiences, challenges, family or personal circumstances, interests, etc. that you believe would bring added value and diversity of lived experience to the learning community at UofSC School of Medicine Greenville. (5000 characters)
If you are not a South Carolina resident, what relationships, bonds, or other interests or connections do you have to the state? (If not applicable, please write N/A) (5000 characters)
Is there any additional information you would like the Admissions Committee to consider that has not been previously addressed? (If not applicable, please write N/A) (5000 characters)
Why have you chosen to apply to U of SC School of Medicine Greenville and how do you think your education at UofSCSOM Greenville will prepare you to become a physician in the future? (5000 characters)
How do you believe you will transform medicine as a physician? (500 words)
If there were 25 hours in the day, how would you fill the additional time? (500 words)
University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine
Given the mission statement of the school, please explain how your experiences and long-term goals would help meet the mission. (1500 characters)
Given the diversity statement of the school, explain how your background and experiences with diversity will bring value to the school. (1500 characters)
Describe how your experiences in health care or social care activities will help you become a good physician. (1500 characters)
Briefly describe a crisis or significant challenge in your life, how you have worked through the crisis or challenge, and what you have learned from this experience. (1500 characters)
What are your career plans in the event that you are not admitted to a medical school this year or after several applications? (1500 characters)
Please use this space to update the information contained on your AMCAS application (i.e. grades in recent courses; alterations in your proposed coursework or graduation; additions to your extracurricular activities) or anything else you want the committee to know. (1500 characters)
For repeat applicants only. Since your last application, what steps have you taken to strengthen your candidacy? Please note any relevant academic, employment, clinical and personal experience. (1500 characters)
For non-South Dakota residents applying to the regular MD program – please describe your ties to South Dakota. (1500 characters)
Please share and explain any disruptions/hardships in your academic, volunteer, work, and/or personal life related to COVID-19 that you would like the Admissions Committee to consider. (5000 characters)
Please use the space below for anything you might wish to discuss related to the corona virus (COVID-19) public health crisis. Possible topics might include, for example: your biggest lessons and insights from the pandemic; creative ways in which you were able to serve your community during the crisis; how the pandemic has affected your outlook on the role of medicine. (5000 characters)
Knowledge and skill are crucial, but why should a physician be kind? (5000 characters)
(Suggested reading: Medical Schools in Tennessee: How to Get In )
East Tennessee State University Quillen College of Medicine*
Time-sensitive considerations: (Regarding all information requested in the supplementary application.) "This information, when requested, must be completed within 14 days of the date on which the information was requested."
What makes you interested in Quillen? Discuss your perceptions on how attending Quillen would align with your future goals and your hopes for how it will shape you into the physician you want to become. (1500 characters)
Social justice, systemic racism, and equity for all have been at the forefront of national conversations. Quillen College of Medicine recognizes that many barriers still exist for persons of color and those from historically underrepresented communities. As a physician you will have opportunities to foster an environment of change for your patients and community. Please share with us your reflections on how your life experiences have impacted the development of your values and attitudes toward others, particularly those with backgrounds or values different from your own. (1500 characters)
Applicant choice. Please select only one of the following questions to answer. Be sure to indicate your choice by starting with the number associated with the question: (1500 characters)
There is no doubt that the level of stress brought on by medical schools can impact a student's mental health and emotional well-being. Discuss the ways you plan to manage your own health and well-being during medical school.
Describe an experience you have had during your life that has given you a unique understanding of human suffering and what did you learn from this experience?
Use this space to tell the committee anything else about yourself that you have not had the opportunity to present elsewhere in your application.
Lincoln Memorial University DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine *
Time-sensitive considerations: "Because we interview and admit on a rolling basis, we strongly encourage applicants to submit their completed application packages at least four weeks prior to the March 15 deadline ."
Please write and ATTACH the short essay addressing ONE of the following questions: (No word count)
Medical school requires a huge commitment in time and energy. How have you prepared for this commitment?
If you are a re-applicant please tell us what you have done to strengthen your application.
Optional: Is there anything you want the admissions committee to know that you haven’t explained on your AACOMAS application? (No word count)
Meharry Medical College School of Medicine *
(Suggested Reading: How to Get Into Meharry Medical College )
Time-sensitive considerations: "The Admissions Committee prefers if the candidate has completed the Supplemental application before their interview ."
Why do you wish to attend Meharry Medical College School of Medicine? (No limit)
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 from that situation. (No limit)
University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine
Optional essays:
Provide any additional information not previously provided in the personal comments of your AMCAS Primary application. (500 characters)
Given the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, we would like to provide our applicants with an optional essay prompt for this years UTHSC COM secondary application. Please use the text field below to share with us how you may have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, including academic, financial, medical disruptions, etc. It would also be helpful for us to hear if any of your planned experiences in shadowing, volunteering, research, employment, or other activities were suspended due to the pandemic. (2500 characters)
Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
Please reflect on the upbringing, background, and experiences in your life that have shaped who you are as a person and will help define the person you want to be in the future. In other words, what makes you who you are? (800 words)
Tell us about a time when you interacted with someone who is different than you. What did you learn? What would you do differently? (600 words)
Everyone needs help at various times in their lives. Describe a time you asked for help and what you gained from that experience that has influenced your approach to asking for help. (600 words)
Optional: If you have completed your undergraduate education, please comment on what you have done or have been doing since graduation. (200 words)
Optional: If applicable, please describe how the COVID-19 outbreak affected your pathway to medical school. You may discuss any academic, personal, financial, or professional alterations to your plans. NOTE: Disclosing certain hardships or obstacles that have been faced during this time will not negatively affect an application. (200 words)
(Suggested reading: Medical Schools in Texas: How to Get In )
Baylor College of Medicine
(Suggested reading: How to Get Into the Baylor College of Medicine )
In addition to training as a competent physician, please select up to two additional areas of interest from the items below that you may want to pursue during your medical studies. Your responses will have no bearing on applications to joint degrees or special programs to which you might also apply. Options include:
Healthcare/disparities/medical underserved communities
Academic Medicine
Community Health
Simulation in medical education
Health systems science
What knowledge, skills and attitudes have you developed that have prepared you for this career path? (1000 characters)
Are you planning to matriculate into medical school immediately after completing your undergraduate education? If not, please explain what activities and/or careers you have pursued in the time between your college education and your application. (limit not stated)
Indicate any special experiences, unusual factors or other information you feel would be helpful in evaluating you, including, but not limited to, education, employment, extracurricular activities, prevailing over adversity. You may expand upon but not repeat TMDSAS or AMCAS application information. This section is mandatory. Please make sure you submit an essay or your application will not be reviewed by the committee. (2000 characters)
Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
What do you like or dislike most about the area you are from (your hometown or where you graduated high school)? (800 characters)
Describe a moment when you failed to accomplish a task or let yourself down. How did this experience change you? (800 characters)
What do you consider the most important thing you have done to date? (500 characters)
What do you consider the role of physicians in medically underserved Texas communities? (800 characters)
Sam Houston State University's Motto is "The Measure of a Life is its Service." What does this mean to you and how do you embody this idea? (800 characters)
As a DO physician, how would you plan to incorporate the tenets of osteopathic medicine into your future practice? (800 characters)
Please share anything you would like to mention to the SHSU-COM Admissions Committee about yourself to strengthen your application. (500 characters)
TCU School of Medicine
TCU School of Medicine does not employ a written secondary application. Instead, they use an online tool that allows invited applicants to record audio answers to questions given at the time of recording.
Texas A&M University College of Medicine
Describe briefly any experiences and/or skills that have made you more sensitive or appreciative of other cultures or the human condition. (3500 characters)
The Texas A&M College of Medicine embraces the Aggie Core Values of Respect, Excellence, Leadership, Loyalty, Integrity and Selfless Service. Briefly discuss what activities demonstrate best that you would be a good custodian of these core values. (3500 characters)
Describe any circumstances indicative of some hardship, such as, but not limited to, financial difficulties, personal or family illness, a medical condition, a death in the immediate family or educational disadvantage not mentioned in your primary application essays; OR describe any key academic, personal, or financial barriers that COVID-19 may have posed on you or your immediate family. (3500 characters)
OPTIONAL: List the area (or areas) of medicine that appeals to you and briefly explain. (Limit your explanation to 50 words or 250 characters for each area of interest you list.) Do not leave blank. If not applicable, please so indicate (250 characters). (Note: This optional question is related to a list of areas of medicine listed on the A&M Secondary Portal.)
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Paul L. Foster School of Medicine
The mission of the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso Paul L. Foster School of Medicine is to provide an outstanding education and development opportunities for a diverse group of students, residents, faculty, and staff; advance knowledge through innovation and research; and serve the needs of our socially and culturally diverse communities and region.” Recognizing the components of this mission and that PLFSOM is located on the US/Mexico border, please describe why you are interested in applying to our school. (300 words or less)
The Foster SOM student honor code states “In my capacity as a Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso School of Medicine medical student, I will uphold the dignity of the medical profession. I will, to the best of my ability, avoid actions which might result in harm to my patients. I will protect the dignity of my patients and the deceased, and will protect their confidential information in accordance with the prevailing standards of medical practice. I will not lie, cheat, or steal. I will enter into professional relationships with my colleagues, teachers, and other health care professionals in a manner that is respectful and reflective of the high standards and expectations of my profession. I will not tolerate violations of this Code by others and will report such violations to the appropriate authorities.” Please describe past experiences or personal attributes that reflect your affinity with this honor code. (300 words or less)
Please describe any unique personal experiences or disadvantage (educational, financial or otherwise) and their significance to you in your pursuit of a medical degree. (300 words or less)
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine – Lubbock
Areas of Interest:
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center is responsible for providing primary health care to 108 counties of West Texas. We are interested in hearing about the areas of medicine that interest you. Please indicate the area(s) of medicine you are interested in and briefly describe your significant activities for each respective interest in the available text box (if checked, a box will appear with a 100 word limit)
Practicing in an underserved area
Rural health
Medical Research
Medical Academics
Border Health
Public Health
Other (please describe below)
Supplemental Information:
Have you experienced any road bumps in your academic career? (low academic performance, dropping, retaking, or failing courses, etc.) If yes, please explain your circumstance. (250 words or less)
Please share any lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic that you would like the admissions committee to consider – either regarding yourself or your community – about any or all of the topics below? (300 words or less)
Disruptions in your academic, volunteer, work, community and or personal life.
Creative ways in which you were able to serve your community during the crisis.
Hardships you may have faced as a result of isolation, quarantine or illness
If you are applying to a dual degree program, please briefly describe your motivation to pursue this program and any other pertinent information (e.g. research interests, steps taken to prepare yourself). (Note that if you select more than one program in this section you will be required to rank them in order of importance. 200 words or less per program.)
Are you applying to our MD & E program?
Describe your motivation to pursue this program, be sure to include how you expect to benefit from the program. (200 words or less)
How do you anticipate this program making you a more efficient caregiver? (200 words or less)
Please list the highest-level math/chemistry/physics course you have taken or are currently taking. (200 words or less)
What projects have you been involved in that require programming and/or machine languages? What languages do you prefer? ( 200 words or less)
Are you applying to FMAT?
What motivates you to participate in the FMAT program? (200 words or less)
What experiences have you had that would prepare you for this intensive program? (200 words or less)
What, in your opinion, distinguishes Family Medicine from other medical specialties? (200 words or less)
Have you experienced any hardship or adversity; personally or professionally? If yes, please share your experience with us. (200 words or less)
Please tell us about your favorite recreational/leisure activities. (200 words or less)
Do you consider yourself from West Texas or as having West Texas ties? If yes, what town or county did you reside in, or what other factors would you cite? (100 words or less)
Have you participated in any special programs offered by a medical school to help prepare yourself for medical school and a career in medicine? If yes, what was the name of the program and where was this program hosted (sponsoring school)? (100 words or less)
University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine
Explain your understanding of osteopathic medicine and your interest in pursuing this pathway to becoming a physician. (200 words)
UIWSOM is the first faith-based school of osteopathic medicine in Texas and mission driven. How will you contribute to the UIWSOM by fulfilling this mission? (200 words)
Please describe your preparation for the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT). Include any tools you may have used to prepare, length of study time, practice exams, etc. (200 words)
If you are reapplying to UIWSOM, what have you done to strengthen your application since you last applied? (If applicable) (200 words)
University of Houston College of Medicine
Yes or no questions with 300 characters to explain each experience:
I have prior experience in a primary care setting.
I have prior experience in a medical practice or social service for an underserved area.
I have prior experience in community or public health
Describe any employment, family or other obligations that impacted your education that are NOT already indicated in your TMDSAS application. (750 characters, optional)
Describe up to 3 of your activities/life experiences that align with our mission. Explain how they might demonstrate a commitment to underserved communities. The examples you select must be included in TMDSAS primary application. Go to the UH College of Medicine mission for more information. (1500 characters)
University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine
What experiences and/or relationships have motivated you toward a career in osteopathic medicine? (2,000 characters)
If you attended more than two colleges/universities, explain why. Community colleges are not needed. (1,000 characters)
If applicable, please update the information contained on your TMDSAS application. Indicate any additional grades earned, alterations in your proposed coursework or graduation date, additions to your extracurricular activities, name change, or anything else you feel the Admissions Committee should know. (1,000 characters)
Did you live in a single parent household? If yes, number of years/months.
Do you consider yourself financially disadvantaged? If yes, please explain. (1,000 characters)
Do you consider yourself educationally disadvantaged? If yes, please explain. (1,000 characters)
One of the values of the University of North Texas Health Science Center is Integrity (uphold the highest ethical standards) which can be described as someone who:
does what is right, not just what is easy, even if no one is looking
conducts themselves with honesty, trustworthiness and dependability
is transparent in actions
owns, corrects and learns from successes and failures
Please select a specific instance where you have demonstrated Integrity and describe how this is indicative of your character (2,000 characters).
University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School
In an effort to give a greater number of applicants the opportunity to present themselves to Dell Med’s admissions team, the school uses a unique video secondary application. If selected for further consideration, the applicant receives an email invitation with details on how to prepare and submit the video through a free online portal. The secondary application consists of questions that address specific aspects of the school’s mission. In a two-minute response for each question, the candidate speaks to how their experiences will help them contribute to this work. The priority deadline for the secondary application is Nov. 16; application will be reviewed only after the secondary is submitted.
Candidates who feel they would represent themselves better in a written format are given the opportunity to request a written version of the secondary application.
(Note: Candidates do not receive the same set of questions.)
University of Texas Long School of Medicine at San Antonio
Long School of Medicine does not employ a written secondary application. However, all applicants who are invited to interview are also invited to complete a standard one-way video interview.
University of Texas Medical Branch School of Medicine
Choose three of the following prompts to respond to (300 words maximum each):
Describe a situation where you have sought to enrich and/or improve the life of another individual.
Describe a time you navigated a challenging circumstance. How will this experience help you succeed in medical school or as a physician?
John Sealy School of Medicine values inclusion and advocacy. Describe a time when you advocated for someone whose social identity (e.g., race, gender, sex, sexual orientation, religion, socioeconomic status, ability status, etc.) differed from yours. Explain the situation and why advocacy was necessary.
Describe a time you were wrong. Why were you wrong? How did you respond?
How do you define curiosity? Provide an example in which curiosity helped solve or expand your knowledge and experience outside of the academic environment.
What attributes do you look for in your physician(s)? Which of these attributes do you need to develop? How will you develop them?
John Sealy School of Medicine at the University of Texas Medical Branch serves patients throughout Texas, focusing on Galveston County and the Gulf Coast Region. Are there particular characteristics of our school and/or the Galveston area in terms of location, history, or other attributes which make you especially interested in matriculating here?
University of Texas McGovern Medical School at Houston
Please discuss one of the following:
A challenging situation or obstacle you have faced in the past
Any academic road bumps in your academic career (low academic performance, failing course, dropping/retaking of courses)
Why was it challenging? How did you handle it? Knowing what you know now, would you do anything differently? What did you learn? (2500 characters)
Describe a time or situation where you have been unsuccessful or failed. What did you learn from this experience and how have you applied this learning to your work and/or life? (2500 characters)
What would you like to contribute and be remembered for in medicine? (2500 characters)
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine
The UTRGV SOM educates future physicians with the following values in mind: Patient Advocacy, Community-Focus, Cultural Awareness, Collaborative Leadership Style, Lifelong Problem Solving. Choose TWO (2) of these values and explain their importance to you and how they integrate with each other. Please explain how this integration will impact your medical school education. (300 words)
Describe how you decide if a person or source is trustworthy. (300 words or less)
Describe a time when the awareness of your own limitations resulted in a favorable outcome for you or someone close to you. (350 words or less)
In the event you are accepted to two or more medical schools, what factors would be most important in determining which school would be the "best fit" for you. (150 words max; bullet points are acceptable)
Briefly describe the community you anticipate practicing medicine in post-residency: (100 words or less)
OPTIONAL: Is there any personal characteristic, capability, or experience that you believe would be important for us to know in order to assess your potential as a medical student and practicing physician? Note: This must be something you have not covered elsewhere in the primary or secondary application. (150 words or less).
OPTIONAL: Do you have any suggestions for improving medical care and access in the community of the Rio Grande Valley? How can the School of Medicine help to improve the situation? (300 words or less)
[Video Response]: Submit a 2-minute video that answers one of the two questions below.
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine has commitments to diversity, inclusion, and health equity. What do these terms mean to you? What is their importance to medical education and practice, as well as to the health of our society in general?
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine's Honor Code requires that medical students live honestly, advance on individual merit, and demonstrate respect for others. UTRGV SOM subscribes to the highest Code of Professional Conduct. Our aim is professional behavior beyond reproach. Briefly explain the relevance of a school of medicine’s honor code to your anticipated development as a future practitioner of medicine. (300 words or less)
University of Texas Southwestern Medical School
Describe a group project or activity that you are most proud of. Consider the following in your response: What aspect makes you most proud? How was it accomplished? How did you deal with disagreement or conflict in the group? How did you get fellow group members to embrace a position or view your perspective? (2500 characters)
Describe a time that you have witnessed someone acting unethically or dishonestly, or an experienced behavior of harassment or discrimination. Consider the following in your response: What did you do? What made the situation difficult for you personally? Describe your reaction and what you might do differently now in retrospect. (2500 characters)
Describe an interaction or experience that has made you more sensitive or appreciative of cultural differences, and/or how you have committed yourself to understanding and aiding in the pursuit of equity and inclusion in your academic, professional or personal life. (2500 characters)
Have you engaged in any public service activities for a duration of one year or greater in length (examples: Military, Peace Corps, Teach for America, etc.). Yes or No? If so, please describe the experience and impact on your personal and professional development. (2500 characters) (Optional)
Please explain any academic discrepancies or extenuating circumstances that you feel the Admissions Committee should know. (2500 characters) (Optional)
University of Texas at Tyler School of Medicine
Why are you interested in applying to UT Tyler SOM? (500 words)
Describe any experiences or information you have in or about East Texas as it relates to our mission statement. (500 words)
Please share with the committee what unique skills, experiences, and/or qualities and characteristics, and/or ideas you may have or possess that will help you contribute to the mission of UT Tyler SOM if selected for the class. (500 words)
Please review the SOM’s values and select the value that most resonates with you. Explain why. (500 words)
Please share with the committee any additional information that may help us evaluate your candidacy that is not addressed elsewhere in the application. (Optional)
Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine
Record a short video (maximum 8 minutes) that answers the following questions:
Who are you?
What is your passion?
What does service mean to you?
Tell us about a physician you admire/want to emulate?
Why Noorda-COM?
University of Utah School of Medicine
In 2019 the UUSOM began a strategic transformation process to emphasize community, relationships, and professionalism in the learning culture. How does our program align with your career goals? How will you contribute to this learning culture? (150 words)
The School of Medicine aims to create a culture of inclusion and anti-racism in health education and healthcare delivery. How have you promoted or advocated for health equity in your experiences? How do you envision contributing to the UUSOM and the communities we serve? (150 words)
Reflecting on the past few years of the pandemic, what has the impact of COVID-19 been on you and/or your community? What lessons have you learned about yourself? (150 words)
RUUTE Scholars questions:
According to your experiences, what does rural and underserved mean to you? (500 words)
How would participation in RUUTE help you fulfill your career aspirations? (150 words)
Why do you believe this program will be a good fit for you? (150 words)
Population Health Program questions:
Please share your interest in the Population Health Program (no word count given)
What are your career interests and future professional goals? (no word count given)
Please describe how you have demonstrated commitment to Population Health concepts during your academic and professional experiences: (no word count given)
What does Population Health mean to you and how do you plan on implementing it into your future education and professional career? (no word count given)
University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine
The Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont recognizes that diversity extends beyond chosen and unchosen identities and encompasses the entirety of an individual’s experiences. Diverse environments can promote growth and provide an opportunity to reflect on preconceptions or biases. Reflect on a time you learned something from someone or a group of people who are unlike yourself. (500 words)
Please reflect on a difficult and challenging non-academic experience you have faced. Include a description of the stressful event, how you dealt with it and what you have learned about others and yourself through this process. (500 words)
Please use this box to describe how the COVID19 pandemic may have adversely impacted your application. (Optional) (150 words)
Additional Comments (Optional) (300 words)
(Suggested reading: Medical Schools in Virginia: How to Get In )
Eastern Virginia Medical School *
Time-sensitive considerations: 30 days from the date of invitation (This information was confirmed with the school.)
(Suggested reading: How to Get Into Eastern Virginia Medical School )
Briefly describe your exposure to medicine. (2000 characters)
What do you think you will like best about being a physician? (2000 characters)
What do you think you will like least about being a physician? (2000 characters)
Describe yourself and your medical career as you see it ten years from now. (2000 characters)
Please indicate your reasons for applying to EVMS. (2000 characters)
EVMS is dedicated to inclusivity and supporting patients and students from diverse backgrounds. Feel free to share your personal experience or ties to communities from diverse backgrounds. Please explain in detail if you wish to respond. Some examples include but are not limited to race/ethnicity, culture, LGBTQ+, differently-abled/disabled, etc. (optional) (2000 characters)
Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine
Describe a significant challenge you have experienced in your life, share the strategies you employed to overcome the challenge, and what you learned from the experience. (500 words)
Professionalism and respect in the community in which you live is of utmost importance in medical school and as a physician. What three professional qualities do you believe a Student Doctor must demonstrate and describe how you will demonstrate these qualities as a medical student at VCOM? (500 words)
How do your professional ambitions align with osteopathic medicine? (500 words)
What influenced your decision to apply to VCOM? (e.g., personal or medical experiences; influences of friends/family/physicians/mentors; etc.) (500 words)
Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine, as a faith-based institution, exists to develop excellent osteopathic physicians in a Christian environment who will impact the world by becoming leaders in the practice of medicine and servants of their fellow man. In 250-500 words, please describe how your personal faith, beliefs, or values will allow you to contribute to LUCOM's mission to develop patient-centered physicians for the osteopathic medical profession.
In under 300 words, how do you hope to impact your community as an osteopathic physician?
Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine *
Time-sensitive considerations: "The supplemental application should be submitted within 60 days of supplemental granted notification by 6 pm."
The last couple of years have been challenging for us all in various ways (i.e., dealing with the impacts of COVID, social unrest and injustices). Please describe a particular challenge you faced. What are some challenges others may have experienced? What did you learn about yourself and others during this time? (2000 characters)
Please briefly explain any lapses in your undergraduate education that are not explained in your application. (2000 characters)
Please briefly explain any low GPAs or poor grades. (2000 characters)
If not addressed in your application, what are you currently doing now? (2000 characters)
Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and Research Institute
From the following list of human qualities, choose the ONE you think is most important and explain your choice: intelligence, honor, humility, perseverance, optimism. (600 words)
What advice would you give someone your age but from a different culture who is new to our country? (600 words)
What do you think your chances of being accepted into medical school are this year? Please explain your answer. (600 words)
Please describe something you deserved but didn’t get and how you felt about it. (600 words)
University of Virginia School of Medicine
Please briefly describe how the pandemic impacted your ability to pursue experiences like clinical work, shadowing, research, or community service. (350 words)
Please list any and all future activities in clinical work, shadowing, research, or community service that you plan to pursue in the upcoming year. (350 words)
Why are you interested in attending the University of Virginia School of Medicine? What factors will be most important to you in choosing a medical school? (350 words)
How will you contribute to the diversity of your medical school class and the University of Virginia School of Medicine? (350 words)
Describe a situation which you found challenging. How did you manage it? (350 words)
(Suggested reading: Medical Schools in Washington State: How to Get In )
Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine
Describe personal experiences that have shaped your desire to attend an osteopathic medical school that focuses on addressing rural and/or medically underserved populations and diversity, equity, and inclusion in health care. (One page)
Washington State University Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine
How will you contribute to the mission and vision of the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine? Support your response with your experiences and/or attributes. (300 words)
What experiences have you had with rural and/or underserved communities/populations? What have you learned from these experiences? (300 words)
Describe your connections to Washington communities and your interests in practicing medicine in Washington. (300 words)
How have you built your resilience? (300 words)
Learning from others is enhanced in educational settings that include individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences. Please describe your personal characteristics or experiences that would add to the educational environment for your classmates. (300 words)
If you are a re-applicant to WSU College of Medicine, describe what you have done since last applying to strengthen your candidacy for our medical school. If you are not a re-applicant to the College of Medicine, please leave blank. (300 words)
Please share any disruptions in your academic/volunteer/work/personal life related to COVID-19 that you would like the Admissions Committee to consider. (Optional) (300 words)
University of Washington School of Medicine
Please share how COVID-19 has impacted you, your family, your community, and/or the patients that you would like to serve. (250 words)
How have societal inequities in the U.S. affected you or patients you have worked with? (250 words)
What perspectives or experiences do you bring that would enrich the class? (250 words)
What obstacles have you experienced and how have you overcome them? (250 words)
Describe your competency by explaining how you have explored and come to understand issues in the social sciences and humanities related to the "human condition". (250 words)
For re-applicants: From your most recent application until now, how have you strengthened your application? (250 words)
Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine
Why did you decide to apply to Marshall? (5000 characters)
Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Where do you want to serve or practice medicine? (5000 characters)
If you are not presently attending school indicate your employment or other plans for the time prior to your planned enrollment in medical school. If still in school, enter N/A. (2000 characters)
Please share any disruptions in your academic, volunteer, work, and/or personal life related to COVID-19 that you would like the Admissions Committee to consider. (5000 characters)
West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine
Why do you want to be an osteopathic physician? (500 characters)
What advantage do you see in attending WVSOM over other medical schools? (500 characters)
Describe an ethically challenging situation you have been in, and how you respond? (500 characters)
What do you feel it will take for you to succeed in medical school? (500 characters)
Describe a situation in work, volunteer activities, or organizations where you demonstrated your ability to work well with others. (500 characters)
What experiences (living, working or visiting) have you had in rural areas? (500 characters)
West Virginia University School of Medicine *
Time-sensitive considerations: 2 weeks from the date of invitation (This information was confirmed with the school.)
Why do you want to attend the WVU SOM? (150 words)
Describe one of your experiences that will provide evidence to the Committee on Admissions that you will be able to contribute to the culture of collaboration at the WVU SOM. (150 words)
Describe a time when you worked closely and successfully with another person who had a background different from your own. (150 words)
Name a medical condition that is particularly prevalent in West Virginia. Describe one experience in which you cared for a patient with that specific medical condition. If you did not have the opportunity to care for an affected patient directly, please share a relevant shadowing, leadership/educational, research or service experience. (150 words)
Which one of the AAMC Interpersonal or Intrapersonal Core Competencies is your strongest, and why? How will this competency enhance your ability to be an outstanding physician? (150 words)
What is your life motto, and why? (150 words)
Medical College of Wisconsin
Explain how your unique background, identity, interests, or talents will contribute to the MCW learning community. (1000 characters)
How will MCW uniquely prepare you for your future goals? (1000 characters)
Recount a time when you made a decision you regret. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience? (2000 characters)
The Medical College of Wisconsin is committed to educating health professionals who are dedicated to improving health equity across the diverse populations we serve. Share with us what you have learned or how you have grown through working with or serving people from cultural backgrounds or groups different than your own. How do you believe you can contribute to improving health equity or reducing health disparities as a physician? (2000 characters)
University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
The Admissions Committee takes many factors into consideration when reviewing your application. A successful applicant is frequently one who communicates what makes them exceptional and why they will become an outstanding physician. You are invited but not required to provide additional information in this essay. Some applicants tell us about hardships and challenges that they have faced in their lives and how these experiences have helped them become caring and compassionate individuals. Other applicants use this space to emphasize a particular passion they have related to their future career in medicine. If you are not a resident of Wisconsin, you may want to tell us why you are interested in the University of Wisconsin or about a special connection that you may have to our state or people who live here. Our goal is to gain insight into you as a unique applicant. You may include anything in this essay that you feel is relevant. (500 words)
Diversity, equity, and inclusion are core values of UWSMPH. Explain how a learning environment that embodies these values is crucial to the education of tomorrow’s physicians. Reflect on how you might contribute to this mission. (250 words)
Many inequities exist at the intersection between health outcomes and historical, societal, economic, or other systemic factors. Choose a broader issue or policy that impacts health outcomes where you believe change is needed to advance health equity. Discuss the role you hope to play as a physician in addressing this issue. (250 words)
In a paragraph (200-300 words), please share how COVID-19 impacted your application in the following domains:
Personal Life
Topics to address might include the public health lessons and health care insights learned from the pandemic, creative ways in which you were able to serve your community during the crisis, or any hardships (economic, health, or other) you faced due to the virus or its mitigation efforts (e.g. social distancing, quarantine).
Required Essay for Re-applicants to UW-Madison: Individuals who are reapplying are required to submit a statement indicating what has changed since the previous application to the UW School of Medicine and Public Health MD or MD/PhD program (e.g., additional academic work, new letters of recommendation, work and volunteer experience, life changes, etc.) (500 words)
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Medical School Personal Statement Ultimate Guide (Examples Included)
Medical School Secondary Essays: The Complete Guide (Examples Included)
AMCAS Work and Activities Ultimate Guide (Examples Included)
- Medical School Application
Medical School Secondary Essays: List
Article Contents 1 min read
The following is a comprehensive list of medical school secondary essays. Click on each school name to review the secondary essay prompts for each school. Check out our medical school secondary essay examples devoted to answering the most common secondary essay prompts on this list.
Note : If you want us to help you with your applications, interviews and/or standardized tests, book a free strategy call . If you are a university, business, or student organization representative and want to partner with us, visit our partnerships page .
Important : while we take care to update the list regularly, you are responsible for your own results. That includes checking with the official admissions office to make sure you have the most up to date med school secondary essay prompts.
Albany Secondary Essay Prompts:
- Describe yourself (1,000 characters)
- Describe a significant challenge that has prepared you for the MD career path (1,000 characters)
- Please explain any inconsistencies in your university, graduate, or professional school academic performance and/or MCAT scores (1,000 characters)
- Has your college or university, graduate or professional school attendance been interrupted for any reason? If yes, please explain. Also, please explain any extended gaps in activity/employment in your post-graduate history (1,000 characters)
- Tell us one thing about yourself that would help the Admissions Committee determine if you should be admitted to our program (1,000 characters)
- If your school has a Premedical Advisory Committee but you are not using that service, please indicate why (1,000 characters)
- In the "Work and Activites" section on your AMCAS application, you provided the following list of experiences (lists all experiences). Please select the experience that you feel has been the most meaningful in influencing your desire to pursue a career in medicine, explain why, and also describe what aspect of that experience best equips you to make an impact in the medical profession. (1000 characters)
If you answer any of the questions below as “yes”, please explain in up to 3000 characters:
- I have taken time off from school between high school and college.
- I have taken time off from school during my undergraduate years.
- I have taken at least a year off from school since college graduation, including this year that I am applying.
- I have taken and received credit for online science core courses (e.g. chemistry, biology, organic chemistry, physics and mathematics) that were taken prior to the Covid Pandemic (earlier than Spring 2020)
- I have applied previously to medical school.
- I have submitted an AMCAS application to Einstein previously.
- I am/was a graduate student in the Sue Golding Division of Albert Einstein College of Medicine.
- I was accepted to medical school previously but did not attend.
- I was previously enrolled in medical school.
- I can attest that I have fulfilled the Albert Einstein College of Medicine COMPETENCIES ( https://einsteinmed.edu/education/md-program/curriculum/educational-competencies.aspx ) for admission. If you answered, "no" to the above question, please explain. For example, if you plan to take pre-medical course work in the coming summer, fall, or spring, please list the courses and tell us when and where you will be taking them. If your answer was, "yes," please write “NA” in the box below. (3000 characters)
- I will have a Baccalaureate Degree by the time I matriculate into medical school.
- I am presently holding a deferral from another medical / graduate / professional school.
- I have received a grade of "F" during my college/graduate school years.
- I have received a grade of "D" during my college/graduate school years.
- I have received a grade of "W" during my college/graduate school years.
- I have received a grade of "I" during my college/graduate school years.
- As an undergraduate, I transferred from one college to another.
- I have been the recipient of a warning notice for a non-academic issue that did NOT result in a disciplinary action.
- I have been subject to a disciplinary action and/or administrative action, expunged or not, while an undergraduate or graduate student.
- I currently have disciplinary charges pending.
- I have been prohibited or suspended from practicing in a professional capacity because of alleged misconduct.
- Please tell us the year Parent/Guardian received their highest academic degree, the name of that degree and the name of the school. If high school or less, please write "high school or less."
- If you were employed during the academic year, other than during winter and summer breaks, please write the number of hours you worked per week, and tell us what you did and why you were employed.
- Please provide your Race as you indicated it on your AMCAS application
- Please provide your Ethnicity as you indicated it on your AMCAS application
- If you indicated, above, that you will have, "Two individual letters (up to 5 are allowed)," please provide the names, titles and institution of your letter writers; please use a separate line for each. Please note that one letter must be from your major and your second letter from a science faculty member (two science letters from two different faculty members in the same department is acceptable). If this does not apply to you, please write “NA” in the box below.
- If you are a Post-Baccalaureate student (not a Master’s Degree student), please indicate whether a letter or statement of “Good Standing” been included in your letter packet? If “yes,” please indicate the name, title and school from which the letter has been submitted. If “no,” please indicate when such a letter or statement will be uploaded to the AMCAS Letter Writer. If this does not apply to you, please write “NA.”
- Did you take your last science course more than 5 years ago?
- If you have an Undergraduate Pre-Professional Advisory Committee at your college or university, and have chosen NOT to request a letter from that Committee, please tell us why not.
- Have you worked in basic or clinical research at Einstein/Montefiore?
- Have you participated in an Einstein/Montefiore Pipeline Program during high school, college or after?
- If you answered "yes" that you have worked with us here at Einstein/Montefiore, will a letter from an Einstein/Montefiore faculty member be included in your evaluations? Please tell us the name, title and department of the letter writer.
- Do you have a family member who is a current employee (non-faculty) of an Einstein/Montefiore affiliated hospital?
- Do you have a SIBLING who is currently enrolled as an Einstein medical or graduate student?
- Do you have a family member who is currently a Faculty member at an Einstein/Montefiore affiliated hospital?
- Do you have a family member who is an Einstein Alumnus (MD, MSTP or PhD degree only)?
- Anything else you would like to share with us? (4000 characters)
- Where do you see yourself in your medical career fifteen to twenty years from now?
- Please share any information you want us to know about you that is not included in your AMCAS application or in this secondary application.
- Learning from others is enhanced in educational settings that include individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences. Please describe your personal characteristics or experiences that would add to the educational environment for your classmates.
- Please describe if and how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected your preparation for applying to medical school.
- Describe a patient interaction with the healthcare system. This could be a direct patient observation (in person or virtual) during a shadowing experience, a personal experience within the healthcare system, or a family member or friend who had a memorable interaction within the healthcare system. What did you learn from this experience?
- Describe a fulfilling or challenging community service experience and how you grew personally from the experience.
- What achievement are you most proud of in your life? What aspect(s) of this achievement will you bring to our medical school? (1000 characters)
- The UA College of Medicine - Phoenix practices Inclusive Excellence, which celebrates the differences, talents, and unique qualities of all individuals. Please describe how you will pursue Inclusive Excellence in your studies while contributing to the collaborative environment at the College of Medicine - Phoenix. (1000 characters)
- Servant Leadership is a Core Value and Attribute we deem essential for our students to possess. To us, it is service to others where one possesses personal humility along with a strong professional will. Describe a time where you have practiced this skill or have seen this in another. What traits were exemplified, and how will you apply these traits to your career in medicine? (1000 characters)
- Throughout your application you have given us a sense of how you intend to contribute to the UA College of Medicine – Phoenix. We would now like to know about how you anticipate the UA College of Medicine – Phoenix will contribute to your goals and passion for medicine. What aspects of our program and community appeals most to you, and how do you plan to make use of specific resources and opportunities here? (1000 characters)
- Were there any significant disruptions in your academic, volunteer, work, or personal life related to COVID-19 that you would like to bring to the attention of the Admissions Committee? (optional, 1000 characters)
- Please reflect on your entire application, is there anything you would like to further share with the Admissions Committee? Items to consider: connection(s) to Phoenix and/or our medical community, your plan during this application season, gap(s) in your education, personal and/or academic challenges. Do not repeat any information already mentioned in the primary or secondary applications. (optional, 1000 characters)
- I previously applied to any medical school (select yes if you submitted a primary or secondary application). (Yes/No)
- If yes, please provide specific examples that illustrate how you are a stronger applicant this cycle. (optional, 1000 characters)
- Please share a meaningful experience you have had working or volunteering in the health professional field or a time in your past in which you were responsible for the care and well-being of someone else. What did you learn from this as it relates to becoming a physician? (350 words)
- Discuss a time in your life in which you have failed at something other than an academic experience. How did you confront the failure and what did you learn from it? Please describe how you typically approach challenges that you face in your life. (350 words)
- "The mission of the University of Arizona College of Medicine Office of Admissions is to select a diverse cohort of students who will become the future leaders in advancing health care to the distinct communities that comprise Arizona and the United States. Consistent with the mission of The University of Arizona College of Medicine, selection of individuals with a demonstrated commitment to serve as care providers, physician scientists, clinical leaders, medical educators and/or public health experts, including advocates for rural and urban underserved populations, is highly valued. Applicants seeking admission should exhibit qualities of altruism, academic excellence, leadership and dedication to becoming lifelong learners through research endeavors and academic development." Please describe the role(s) you can play in helping the College of Medicine to achieve its mission. (350 words)
- Describe the effect that your experiences with engaging diversity have had on your own growth and development. Provide an example and describe how it will impact your career in the medical profession. (350 words)
- (optional) Share any disruptions in your academic/volunteer/work/personal life related to COVID-19 that you would like the Admissions Committee to consider. (no limit)
LETTER OF STRONG TIES
Non-Arkansas residents who have strong ties to Arkansas are given preference over non-residents without strong ties to the state. Therefore, if you have strong ties to Arkansas (you have lived in Arkansas, you have a parent or close relative who resides in Arkansas, you attend(ed) an Arkansas college, etc.), you must describe your ties to Arkansas in a letter to be uploaded using the Upload Documents section of this application.
MD/PhD COMBINED DEGREE APPLICANTS
The College of Medicine offers a combined MD/PhD degree program. Applicants who selected the MD/PhD program in the AMCAS application and complete the two additional AMCAS application essays should review the program details by copying and pasting the following URL into a browser.
MD/PhD Program | College of Medicine
Complete the MD/PhD program application form on the website and use the Upload Documents section to include this document with your application.
MD/MPH COMBINED DEGREE APPLICANTS
The UAMS College of Medicine offers a combined MD/MPH degree program. Applicants may review the program details by copying and pasting the following URL into a browser.
MD/MPH Program | College of Medicine
To apply to this program, please fill out the “Intent to Pursue Combined Degree Form” and use the Upload Documents section to include the document with your application.
1. In addition to training as a competent physician, please select up to two additional areas of interest from the items below that you may want to pursue during your medical studies. Your responses will have no bearing on applications to joint degrees or special programs to which you might also apply. Options include:
a. Clinical Research
b. Healthcare/disparities/medical underserved communities
c. Academic Medicine
d. Community Health
e. Simulation in medical education
f. Health systems science
g. Telehealth
h. Advocacy
i. (connected to #1) What knowledge, skills and attitudes have you developed that have prepared you for this career path? (1000 characters)
2. Are you planning to matriculate into medical school immediately after completing your undergraduate education? If not, please explain what activities and/or careers you have pursued in the time between your college education and your application. (limit not stated)
3. Indicate any special experiences, unusual factors or other information you feel would be helpful in evaluating you, including, but not limited to, education, employment, extracurricular activities, prevailing over adversity. You may expand upon but not repeat TMDSAS or AMCAS application information. This section is mandatory. Please make sure you submit an essay or your application will not be reviewed by the committee. (2000 characters)
- Are you expecting to go on to medical school directly after completing your undergraduate degree?* (Post bac work is NOT considered undergraduate. If attending a post bac program prior to entering medical school, the answer is NO and should be explained.) If you took gap year(s), please use this space to explain what you have been doing prior to applying to medical school. (1400 characters)
- If you have spent more than 4 years as an undergraduate, please explain below. (You may skip this question if you have graduated within 4 years.) (1400 characters)
- Please provide a narrative or timeline to describe any features of your educational history that you think may be of particular interest to us. For example, have you lived in another country or experienced a culture unlike your own, or worked in a field that contributed to your understanding of people unlike yourself? Or, have you experienced advanced training in any area, including the fields of art, music, or sports? This is an opportunity to describe learning experiences that may not be covered in other areas of this application or your AMCAS application. It is not necessary to write anything in this section. Also use this section to explain any impact that COVID-19 may have had on your educational/ research/volunteering or employment plans. (2000 characters)
- Boston Medical Center is the largest safety net hospital in New England, serving primarily people who are publicly insured, people of color, immigrants, and low-income people in the Greater Boston Area. Why are you specifically interested in beginning your medical education in this environment, and how do you feel that your previous experiences will prepare you for this unique learning environment? (3000 characters)
- Optional Essay: Use the space below to provide additional information you feel will provide us with a comprehensive understanding of your strengths as a candidate for a career in medicine. This should include only information NOT already included in your AMCAS or other sections of the BUSM Supplemental Application. Most applicants leave this blank. Yes, it's really optional. (3000 characters)
- Why have you chosen to apply to the Brody School of Medicine and how do you think your education at the Brody School of Medicine will prepare you to become a future physician? (250-300 words).
- The Covid-19 pandemic has had a dramatic impact on everyday life. From your perspective, reflect upon what you have learned or experienced during this time and how will this impact you going forward. (250-300 words). Items to consider incorporating in your response may include but are not limited to: • Academic: Did Covid-19 interrupt your studies? Were you able to interact with your professors and classmates? Did your school require students to move to pass/fail grading systems? Did your MCAT exam get cancelled or delayed? • Clinical Experiences and Community Service Activities: Did you hold a job? Were you able to gain clinical experiences, either in employment or volunteerism? Did you pursue volunteer opportunities in response to community needs during the pandemic? • Personal: How did the pandemic affect you or those close to you? Did you face any personal challenges because of Covid-19? Has Covid-19 changed or challenged your perception of pursuing a career in medicine?
- East Carolina University’s motto is Servire- “To Serve.” Tell us about your most meaningful community service project or experience. (250-300 words)
- In 500 words or fewer, please explain your reasons for applying to the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University of Buffalo. Please be specific.
- In 500 words or fewer, please explain how you would respond to a fellow student who muttered a racist or homophobic statement under their breath in your presence and that of other peers.
Please complete the following essay questions.
1. (Required) Why have you chosen to apply to CNUCOM? (250 words maximum)*
2. (Required) In the medical profession, you will be exposed to students, faculty, colleagues, and patients of various cultures and socioeconomic backgrounds. How has your involvement with diverse populations prepared you for potentially four years in Elk Grove, the greater Sacramento area, and the rest of the Central Valley? (250 words maximum)
3. (Required) Did you have a Pre-Health Advisor at your undergraduate institution? If so, please tell us about your experience. How did it help you in your journey to to apply to medical school? If not, please let us know how you worked independently to find out more about applying to medical school and the path of your journey to apply?
4. (Required) In which direction would you like to see healthcare progress over the next decade? (250 words maximum)
5. (Required) If your education has not been continuous since high school, please explain why. Examples of discontinuities include time taken off while obtaining your undergraduate degree, in addition to gap years. (250 words maximum)
6. (Required) If you have previously applied to medical school, what have you accomplished since that time that would warrant your admission now? (250 words maximum)
7. (Required) Is there anything you would like the Admissions Committee to know that is not reflected elsewhere in your application? (250 words maximum)
8. How do you feel about standardized tests? How did you prepare for the MCAT? What tools or preparatory courses/material did you use and how did you study? Do you feel like your score reflects how you will perform in medical school? From what you have learned, do you think it will help you in the way you will study or prepare for USMLE exams?
- The Admissions Committee is interested in gaining more insight into you as a person. Please describe a significant personal challenge you have faced, one which you feel has helped to shape you as a person. Examples may include a moral or ethical dilemma, a situation of personal adversity, or a hurdle in your life that you worked hard to overcome. Please include how you got through the experience, how you handled the uncertainty or stress, and what you learned about yourself as a result. Please limit your response to 1 page (about 3,500 characters), and leave a blank line between paragraphs.
- One of the four pillars of the Western Reserve2 Curriculum is Research and Scholarship. Although research is not a prerequisite requirement for the University Program, if you have participated in research or another scholarly project, please tell us about it. Describe your experience, including the question you pursued and how you approached it, your results and interpretation of the results, and most importantly, any thoughts about what this experience meant to you. Remember that research can be broadly-defined and can include such projects as a senior capstone or a thesis and can include both medical and non-medically-related investigations. If you have not completed research, please indicate that in the text box below. Please limit your response to 1 page (about 3,500 characters), and leave a blank line between paragraphs.
- Is there any further information that you wish to share with the Admissions Committee that may not be captured in the rest of your application? Please limit your response to 3,500 characters.
- If you are taking time off between college graduation and medical school matriculation, please tell us what you are doing during this gap, and why. Please limit your response to no more than 1000 characters, and leave a blank line between paragraphs.
- Have you experienced an uneven performance in grades and academic achievement? If so, please explain. What did you do to improve? (800 characters maximum)
- If you are currently not a full-time student, please list and describe your current activities. (800 characters maximum)
- Describe the role you play in your immediate family. (800 characters maximum)
- Describe your community and socioeconomic environment. (800 characters maximum)
- Describe the most significant community, public service, and leadership activities you have been involved in over the last six years. (800 characters maximum)
- Describe how your experience, community, and family background impact your understanding of underserved communities. (800 characters maximum)
- Other than healthcare access, what are some of the most important healthcare issues confronting under-resourced communities? How would you address them? (800 characters maximum)
- Please describe how your experiences and personal attributes contribute to the mission of Charles R. Drew University. (800 characters maximum)
- Have you ever been convicted of a crime other than a minor traffic or parking violation? If the answer is yes, please explain. (800 characters maximum)
- Please share the degree to which COVID-19 has caused disruptions in any of the following areas of your life that you would like the Admissions Committee to consider: Academic, Research, Volunteer, Work, Personal Life, Financial Situation, Family. (1200 characters maximum)
- Please provide any additional information, which will give the Admissions Committee greater insight into you as an applicant. (800 characters maximum)
- How did you hear about our program?
- Please write a short essay about why you are applying to the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine. (550 words max)
- Share with us a difficult or challenging situation you have encountered and how you dealt with it. In your response, identify both the coping skills you called upon to resolve the dilemma, and the support person(s) from whom you sought advice. (550 words max)
- (Optional) Please feel free to use this space to convey any additional information that you might wish the Committee to know. For example, if you are not currently completing a degree, please share your planned or current activities for this application cycle. You may also wish to include any impact that COVID-19 has had on your educational, research, or extracurricular plans. (300 words max)
- At Cleveland Clinic and CCLCM we are deeply committed to anti-racism and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in education, healthcare, and our communities. We invite you to share a specific life or work experience that aligns with and will allow you to uniquely contribute to the DEI initiatives at CCLCM. Please limit your response to 1000 characters and leave a blank line between paragraphs.
- We all have targeted areas for improvement (TAFIs) in our personal and professional lives. Please share a current TAFI you have identified that does not include the acquisition of medical/scientific knowledge. How did you recognize this TAFI, and what steps are you taking to address it? How are you measuring your progress and how will you know when you reached your goal?
- Please tell us about a time when you prioritized the needs of others (excluding family) before your own. In addition, tell us about a time when you put your own needs first. For each, please explain your decision making process and the outcome.
- What does your ideal career entail ten years after medical school graduation?
- Have you previously applied to Medical School? (200 characters)
- If you took time off from your undergraduate studies, please briefly summarize your reasons for doing so. (250 words)
- Did you work for compensation during college (either during the school year or summers)? If so, what did you do? How many hours a week did you work? (300 words)
- If you have graduated from college, please briefly summarize what you have done in the interim. (300 words)
- Please describe your most meaningful leadership positions. (300 words)
- Columbia Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons values diversity in all its forms. How will your background and experiences contribute to this important focus of our institution and inform your future role as a physician? (300 words)
- Is there anything else you would like us to know? (400 words)
- Please write a personal mission statement for yourself as a student at CMSRU. How will CMSRU help you fulfill your mission?
- Please describe your anticipated educational, employment, volunteer or other activities between completing your AMCAS application and matriculating to medical school.
- Tell us about something that makes you a unique applicant to CMSRU.
- Medical school involves hard work and can be stressful at times. Tell us about activities that you use to help maintain a work-life balance and respond to stress.
Additional essay for PC3 Primary Care 3 year track:
- For applicants with a serious interest in the PC3 track: please write a short statement that describes your desire to become either a primary care Internist or a primary care Pediatrician and the qualities that make you an excellent choice for the PC3 track and for residency at Cooper. (1000 characters)
- Please state your reasons for applying to Creighton University School of Medicine. (2000 characters)
- In Creighton's Jesuit, Catholic tradition, the mission of the School of Medicine is to improve the human condition with a diverse body of students, faculty and staff who provide excellence in educating students, physicians and the public, advancing knowledge and providing comprehensive patient care. Please describe the role(s) you can play in helping the School of Medicine achieve its mission. (2000 characters)
- How have your experiences with diverse populations prepared you for being a future physician? (2000 characters)
- Describe how you have dealt with a personal challenge or major obstacle that you have overcome. Focus on what you learned about yourself and how it will help you during the challenges you might face in medical school.(2000 characters)
- Describe how the COVID pandemic prepared you for medical school? Include in your answer how it impacted your decision to apply to medical school and what you learned about yourself from the pandemic. (2000 characters)
- Please describe your current activities/employment if you are not currently enrolled as a fulltime student. (2000 characters)
- Discuss any elements of your application that you feel might be concerning to the Admissions Committee (This could include explanation of metric trends, institutional actions, legal violations, etc.) Please enter N/A if no concerns to report. (500 characters)
- Do you have a connection to Northern or Central California? [yes/no] Please explain (500 characters) :
Special Program Prompts:
Rural-PRIME:
- Are you interested in applying to the Rural-PRIME program? [yes/no] Please describe how your experiences with rural communities make you a good fit for the Rural-PRIME program. (500 characters)
- Describe your future plans to serve a rural underserved community. (500 characters)
- Are you interested in applying to the TEACH-MS program? [yes/no] Please tell us what experiences have shaped your desire to be a primary care physician in urban underserved communities. (500 characters)
- Are you interested in applying to the ACE-PC? [yes/no] Please tell us what attributes or experiences would make you a good fit for an accelerated program in primary care. (500 characters)
- Are you interested in applying to the REACH program? [yes/no] Please tell us about your ties to Central California and what you have done, or plan to do, to make a positive change in Central California. (500 characters)
Tribal Health PRIME:
- Are you interested in applying to the Tribal Health PRIME? [yes/no] What experiences have you had with rural and/or underserved communities/populations? More specifically, what involvement have you had with tribal communities/populations? (500 characters)
UC Irvine Secondary Essay Prompts:
- What personal accomplishment are you most proud of and why? (1500 characters, not including spaces)
- Please describe to the Admissions Committee a challenge or disappointment you have overcome and what you learned about yourself from that experience. (1500 characters, not including spaces)
- (Optional) Do you identify as being part of a marginalized group socioeconomically or in terms of access to quality education or healthcare? If so, please describe how this inequity has impacted you and your community. (1500 characters, not including spaces)
- This essay is only for applicants that have already received their baccalaureate degree. Please clarify for the Admissions Committee your activities (school, work, and/or volunteer, travel, etc.) since receiving your undergraduate degree. You may list them in chronological order or you may incorporate them into an essay, stating why you chose particular activities. If you have just received or will receive your undergraduate degree this year, please discuss your plans for current year. (1500 characters, not including spaces)
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MD/PhD-specific Essay Prompts:
- What research accomplishment are you most proud of and why?
- Please describe to the Admissions Committee a research challenge you have overcome and what you learned from that experience.
- What does it mean, to you, to be an MD/PhD?
- Please list all posters, manuscripts (published or planned) you would like the Admissions Committee to consider.
UC Riverside Secondary Essay Prompts:
- The mission of the UCR School of Medicine is to improve the health of the people of California and, especially, to serve Inland Southern California by training a diverse workforce of physicians and by developing innovative research and health care delivery programs that will improve the health of the medically underserved in the region and become models to be emulated throughout the state and nation. What experiences, skills, and abilities will you bring to the class to fulfill this mission? (250 words)
- The values of the UCR SOM are integrity, innovation, inclusion, excellence, accountability and respect. Please choose one of the values and tell us how you have personally experienced it or have seen it emulated in a clinical setting. (250 words)
- In what type of healthcare setting do you see yourself practicing medicine? (250 words)
- Tell us about a personal challenge you have faced in your life thus far and how you demonstrated resilience and grit to overcome it. [Please do not write about studying for or taking the MCAT.] (250 words)
- (Optional) If there is anything you would like the committee to consider about your candidacy that is not explained elsewhere in your application, please use this space to tell us. (250 words)
- This should be a true autobiographical statement. Topics to be included are family, childhood, primary and secondary school years, undergraduate years, and, if applicable, what you’ve done since completing your bachelor’s degree. You should also discuss the motivational factors which led you to a career in medicine, including any disadvantages or obstacles which might put your accomplishments into context. A repeat of your AMCAS statement will not be acceptable. Please note: if you are applying to the MD/PhD program, please include why you are specifically interested in seeking MD/PhD training at UCSD. (6000 char)
- Some medical school applicants are already focused on pursuing a particular career pathway in medicine. While many students will change from this pathway during medical school, knowing of your potential interests does help us to assign interviewers. Your choice below does not influence how the Admissions Committee selects students to interview. Please select from one of career pathways listed below. In addition to this selection, please provide a brief description of your future career goals: (400 char)
- Academic Medicine (Working as a faculty member at a School of Medicine either as a clinician, a clinician-educator, or a clinician investigator. This could be in any field of medicine)
- Primary Care and/or work in underserved communities (Working as a general internist, a pediatrician, or a family medicine physician and/or spending the majority of your time working in a community currently underserved by the medical profession)
- Public Health, administrative leadership in medicine (Pursuing an MPH and/or working for a public health department or organization; working in health care policy; working as a hospital administrator)
- Specialist in private practice (Working in a private practice or managed care setting as a subspecialist. Examples include cardiologist, infectious disease specialist, obstetrician, orthopedic surgeon, general surgeon, anaesthesiologist, radiologist)
- Other/undecided
- If you are an out-of-state applicant, please let us know if there are specific reasons for your interest in the UCSD School of Medicine (1000 characters)
- Do you consider yourself to be a member of a group that is marginalized in a way that systemically affects access to quality education or healthcare?(Y/N) if Yes, Please describe how educational disparity, health disparity and/or marginalization has impacted you and your community? (4800 characters)
Program specific:
- For PRIME-HEq: Please describe your interest in the PRIME-HEq program. Topics to include are longitudinal experiences that you’ve had with underserved communities, including the type of community that you’ve worked with and your level of involvement. Additionally, you should discuss the length of time that you’ve spent working in these communities. (4800 char)
- For GHAC: Please describe your interest in Global Health. The term Global Health can have many meanings; for our purposes, we find the definition provided by Koplan et. al. in their 2009 Lancet publication useful: “the area of study, research and practice that places a priority on improving health and achieving equity in health for all people worldwide”. In your essay, be sure to describe any personal or professional experiences that have shaped your interests, and how Global Health issues have influenced your decision to pursue a career in medicine. (4800 char)
- For PRIME-TIDE: Please describe your experiences with American Indian and Alaskan Native communities, including the type of community and your level of involvement. Please provide the length of time you spent working in or exposed to these communities. Be sure to detail any personal or professional experiences that have shaped your interests, and how American Indian and Alaskan Native issues have influenced your decision to pursue a career in medicine. Finally, please delineate how completion of the PRIME-TIDE program will help you obtain your medical education goals. (4800 char)
- If you wish to update or expand upon your activities, you may provide additional information below. (500 words)
- If you are 2022 or earlier college graduate, please use the space below to tell us what you have done since completing your undergraduate degree. (350 words)
- Do you identify as being part of a marginalized group socioeconomically or in terms of access to quality education or healthcare? Please describe how this inequity has impacted you and your community. (350 words)
- Please list each course you have taken, or are projected to take, in an online environment. (500 characters)
- If you are NOT a Florida resident, please describe any connection to UCF COM, UCF, or Florida. (500 characters)
- If you do not expect to spend the academic year enrolled in an academic program, please explain how you will use this time. (500 characters)
- In this space, provide brief details regarding academic difficulties, grades below "B minus," or course withdrawals. (500 characters)
- What breakthrough in clinical or research medicine would you like to see occur within the span of your career in medicine? Why? (750 characters)
- The complexity of healthcare delivery increasingly requires interdisciplinary teamwork. What lessons have you learned from sports, music, business or other experiences have prepared you to succeed in this environment? (750 characters)
- We often hear that students want to pursue medicine to help people. Why did you choose medicine and not some other field where you can help others, such as nursing, physical therapy, pharmacology, psychology, education, or social work? (750 characters)
- Please share with the Admissions Committee why you are specifically interested in UCF COM. (750 characters)
- Please provide a short essay to help us understand who you are. This essay should be different from your AMCAS Personal Statement. UCF COM places great value on the broad diversity of our students within the classroom. We believe the diverse characteristics of each individual in the class are important factors in serving the educational missions of this school and of our community. Please discuss any unique, personally important and/or challenging experiences in your background that have influenced your goals and preparation for a career in medicine and service to others. These may include experiences such as the quality of your early educational environment, socioeconomic status, cultural background, or other significant events or circumstances that you feel have shaped your character and defined you as an individual. We are also interested on your thoughts about what you can contribute to your class and the medical profession in general. (4000 characters)
- Please write a short essay about why you are applying to the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine. We suggest that you limit your essay to about 550 words.
- Share with us a difficult or challenging situation you have encountered and how you dealt with it. In your response, identify both the coping skills you called upon to resolve the dilemma, and the support person(s) from whom you sought advice. We suggest that you limit your essay to about 550 words.
- Please feel free to use this space to convey any additional information that you might wish the Committee to know. For example, if you are not currently completing a degree, please share your planned or current activities for this application cycle. You may also wish to include any impact that COVID-19 has had on your educational, research, or extracurricular plans. We suggest that you limit your text to about 300 words.
- If your school has a premedical committee or premedical advisor who composes a letter for each applicant from your school and you chose not to avail yourself of this service, please provide an explanation in the text box below for your decision not to do so. We suggest that you limit your text to about 200 words.
- Please explain both of the following:
- the specific reason(s) you have chosen to apply to the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and
- how you will utilize the unique features of our curriculum, institution, city, and/or our mission to achieve your career goals.
- Please describe the reasons that you have chosen to specifically apply your skills to the career of a physician and what specific ways your personality, talents, attributes, etc. will contribute to the practice of clinical medicine.
- The University of Cincinnati is highly committed to selecting and cultivating students who can transform the field of medicine through the use of their distinct talents and attributes. Please tell us how you offer “diversity of thought” to our incoming class. Please also consider sharing unique, personally important, and/or challenging factors in your background that represent the diversity that you bring.
- Please explain, if applicable, any ways in which the COVID-19 pandemic specifically and negatively impacted and/or caused significant hardship for your academic performance between the months of March 2020 and September, 2022.
- We understand that all applicants have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Please use the space below to describe any personal (ie, non-academic) life-altering experiences or changes to your plans related to the pandemic between March 2020 and September 2022.
- Cincinnati Medicine is preparing for a hybrid interview season (both in-person and virtual interviews will be available). Should you be invited to interview with Cincinnati Medicine, we ask that you indicate your interview preference below:
- The University of Cincinnati College of Medicine has a new dual-degree program. The MD/MPH Program is a new opportunity to students to enhance their education and pursue passions in the public health sector. If you are interested in applying to this program, would you like a representative from this program to contact you with the application?
200 character limit for all minus interview preference question.
Colorado Secondary Essay Prompts:
MD Program, (All applicants write this one)
1. The pillars of our curriculum are Leadership, Curiosity, and Commitment. Tell us about how you have embodied one or more of these attributes in your path to medicine thus far. In which of these areas do you see the most opportunity for personal growth and why? Limit this response to 1000 words.
Fort Collins program:
*Please note: MSTP applicants CANNOT apply to these programs.
1. Please tell us why you are interested in being a part of the 4-year CUSOM at CSU (Fort Collins Branch campus)? With the background that FCB’s smaller class sizes and unique structure lead to a highly interactive curriculum, please tell us how this campus matches your learning style and personal philosophy. Limit your statement to 1500 characters, including spaces (approximately 300 words).
Rural program:
1. Describe your personal and professional goals in becoming a rural physician. In particular, describe your interest and ability to spend your clinical year in a rural community. You may also include how past experiences living and/or working in a rural area and your ties to or interest in rural Colorado communities aligns with your goals. Limit your statement to 1500 characters, including spaces (approximately 300 words).
1800 character limit each
- Highlight your experiences in the health care field. What insights have you gained about potential problems you will face as a physician?
- How will the University of Connecticut School of Medicine best serve your needs of becoming a physician or physician scientist?
- Please take a moment to explain how the COVID-19 pandemic directly and personally affected you as it pertains to preparing for medical school. (e.g. MCAT test date delay, financial impact, research/clinical experiences, self-quarantine, etc.).
- Please indicate your plans for the 2022-2023 academic year. If in school, please list your courses. If working, let us know something about the nature of your job. If your plans or courses change subsequently, please inform the Admissions Office by email at [email protected] (no word limit)
- Please reflect on your primary application and share something not addressed elsewhere that would be helpful to the Admissions Committee as we review your file: (no word limit)
- Please tell us specifically why you are interested in Geisel: (no word limit)
- Geisel School of Medicine values social justice and diversity in all its forms. Reflect on a situation where you were the “other”. (250 words)
- At the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, students are provided with curriculum and experiences enabling them to become an "Outstanding Physician, AND...," dedicating themselves to important societal missions. What missions do you want to embrace? What have you done toward your missions? (800 characters)
- Respond to the following and indicate how these areas of experience have impacted your progress toward your future career goals in relation to becoming an "Outstanding Physician, AND...".
- Describe your most unique leadership, entrepreneurial, or creative activity. (800 characters)
- Describe your most important volunteer work and why it was meaningful. (800 characters)
- Describe your most scholarly project (thesis, research or field of study in basic or clinical science or in the humanities) and provide the total number of hours, dates and advisor. (800 characters)
- Describe how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted your pathway to medical school. Include any academic, personal, financial or professional barriers, as well as other relevant information. (800 characters)
- Did you experience or are you anticipating time between graduating from college and matriculating into medical school? If yes; Describe the activities in which you participated or are planning to participate. Examples include additional schooling, employment, or caring for a loved one.(800 characters)
- Do you identify as being part of a group that has been marginalized (examples include, but are not limited to, LGBTQIA, disabilities, federally recognized tribe) in terms of access to education or healthcare? If yes; Describe how this inequity has impacted you or your community and how educational disparity, health disparity and/or marginalization has impacted you and your community. (800 characters)
- If you are a recent graduate, please tell us what you have been doing since graduation. If you have not yet graduated, please discuss your current activities and engagements. We understand that it may have been difficult to obtain clinical or volunteer service experiences during the pandemic; therefore, be sure to discuss any traditional and /or nontraditional clinical exposures and volunteering experiences that you have done during this time. (no limit)
- What else do you feel is important for us to know about you? Are there any challenges over the last year that impacted your medical or non-medical service experiences? You can use this space to highlight something not addressed in your application, including new experiences not in your AMCAS application. (1000 words)
- Describe a situation in which you chose to advocate for someone who was different from you or for a cause or idea that was different from yours. Define your view of advocacy. What risks, if any, might be associated with your choice to be an advocate? (400 words)
- Not achieving a goal or one’s desire can sometimes be disheartening. What have you learned/gained from your setbacks and disappointments and how does this translate to your current way of thinking? (400 words)
- Describe a situation in which you had to utilize your values to interact with people from different backgrounds. How did those values impact the relationship? (400 words)
- Leadership, teamwork, and communication flow synergistically. What do you value most as a leader and as a contributor? What attributes do you possess as a leader and as a team member and how do you apply them on a daily basis? (400 words)
- Critical thinking involves a number of characteristics. Research experience enhances critical analysis skills. Describe any research experience or another situation in which you utilized critical thinking. How will critical thinking be important in your future career? (400 words)
- What makes you interested in Quillen? Discuss your perceptions on how attending Quillen would align with your future goals and your hopes for how it will shape you into the physician you want to become. (1500 characters)
- Social justice, systemic racism, and equity for all have been at the forefront of national conversations. Quillen College of Medicine recognizes that many barriers still exist for persons of color and those from historically underrepresented communities. As a physician you will have opportunities to foster an environment of change for your patients and community. Please share with us your reflections on how your life experiences have impacted the development of your values and attitudes toward others, particularly those with backgrounds or values different from your own. (1500 characters)
- Applicant choice. Please select only one of the following questions to answer. Be sure to indicate your choice by starting with the number associated with the question: (1500 characters)
- There is no doubt that the level of stress brought on by medical schools can impact a student's mental health and emotional well-being. Discuss the ways you plan to manage your own health and well-being during medical school.
- Describe an experience you have had during your life that has given you a unique understanding of human suffering and what did you learn from this experience?
- Use this space to tell the committee anything else about yourself that you have not had the opportunity to present elsewhere in your application.
2000 characters max each
- Briefly describe your exposure to medicine:
- What do you think you will like best about being a physician?
- What do you think you will like least about being a physician?
- Describe yourself and your medical career as you see it ten years from now:
- Please indicate your reasons for applying to EVMS.
- List your entire curriculum plan for the current academic year. If you are not currently in school, please briefly describe your plans for the coming year. (200 word max)
- Briefly describe your health-related experiences. Be sure to include important experiences that are in your AMCAS application, as well as any recent experiences. (200 word max)
- Briefly describe your interest in Emory and the Emory degree program you have selected. (200 word max)
- What do you consider to be the role of the physician in the community? (200 word max)
- If you have any updates or new information to report since you have submitted your AMCAS primary application, please briefly describe below. (200 word max)
- Whether or not you will be a full-time student, please provide details of your activities/employment for the application year (1200 char)
- Tell us why you would like to be admitted to the Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine at FAU. What makes you a good fit for our College of Medicine? (1600 char)
- Your AMCAS application should reflect your community service experiences. However, tell us more about your most meaningful community service involvement, particularly an experience that really inspired you. How did your involvement move you? (Experience does not need to be related to patient care) (1600 char)
- Good leaders add value to the healthcare profession. They have passion, motivation, conflict resolution skills and integrity, among other attributes and traits. Tell us about your leadership experience(s) and/or key leadership skills. Have you organized a fund raiser, had a club organization/leadership role? How do you motivate or influence people? (1600 char)
- Briefly describe a situation where you had to overcome an obstacle or were faced by a difficult challenge or decision. What valuable lessons did you learn? How do you think the experience prepared you for a career as a future physician? (1600 char)
- Diversity means understanding that each individual is unique and recognizing our individual differences. Describe what uniqueness you would bring to the Schmidt COM. We are proud to already have a medical school rich in cultural, ethnic, and socioeconomic diversity. What values, skills, talents, and life experiences would you add to our culture? (1600 char)
- You may have worked during or after college. Having to maintain paid employment can be challenging, yet it can also develop a number of qualities that can help you succeed in medical school, as well as beyond. Tell us about your most meaningful paid employment. What was it about the experience that made it meaningful? What qualities and skills did the job help you develop and strengthen? (Experience does not need to be related to patient care, if none, please write none) (1600 char)
- As a community FAU Schmidt COM has made a commitment to be anti-racist and address systemic racism in education and healthcare. Institutionalized racism can be defined as “macro level systems, social forces, institutions, ideologies, and processes that interact with one another to generate and reinforce inequities among racial and ethnic groups.” As a future medical student at FAU, how can you play an active role in addressing and dismantling systemic racism? (1600 char)
- One of the values of the FAU Schmidt College of Medicine is to provide the best medical care for all people. A major challenge for all physicians to provide the best medical care are Social Determinants of Health (SDOH). These can be defined as “conditions in the social, physical, and economic environment in which people are born, live, work, and age.” What will you as a future doctor do to address SDOH? (1600 char)
- Are you a re-applicant to medical school? If yes, please explain how your application has improved since the last time you applied and/or what you have learned from the experience. (1000 characters)
- Whether or not you will be a full-time student, please explain what you will be doing prior to your planned matriculation into medical school. (600 characters)
- If you have taken a gap year(s), please explain what you have been, or will be doing since graduating from your undergraduate institution. (600 characters)
- Use this area to explain any exception to the prerequisites at your institution. (1000 characters)
- Is there any additional information about your academic record that you would like the Admissions Committee to know? Please include any academic difficulties or course withdrawals. (1000 characters)
- Miami is a vibrant and multicultural, multilingual city. You will be exposed to cultures and languages different than your own while living and studying in this city. Please explain in detail an experience in which you collaborated, worked, or were exposed to diverse backgrounds. Please describe the impact the experience had on you. ( 1200 characters)
- Why did you choose to apply to FIU Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine? (1200 characters)
- Please describe a significant personal challenge you have faced, one which you feel has helped to shape you as a person. Focus on what you learned about yourself and how it will help you during the challenges you might face in medical school. Describe any support system you had at your disposal and how you utilized these resources. (1200 characters)
- If you are accepted into medical school, how do you envision your lifestyle will change, and what challenges may await? Similarly, what do you think will be the most rewarding and difficult part of practicing medicine in the future? (1200 characters)
- Please share any disruptions and/or challenges you have experienced this application year as a direct result of COVID-19 that you would like the Admissions Committee to consider in conjunction with your application. The following are some examples of topics for consideration, but are not limited to: academic preparations; extracurricular activities and/or experiences; personal and/or professional opportunities; or lessons and insights gained as a result of COVID-19. (1000 characters)
- If you are NOT a Florida resident, please describe any connection to FIU, FIU HWCOM, or South Florida. (600 characters)
500 words for all
- Please provide a description of your family. (Optional)
- Please provide a description of where you grew up (i.e. rural area, large city, etc.) (Optional)
- Indicate what you do for fun and diversion (hobbies, special interests, etc.). (Optional)
- What is a unique trait, experience, or interest that we would not normally learn about you? (Optional)
- If there is an important aspect of your personal background or identity, not addressed elsewhere in the application, that you are comfortable voluntarily sharing with the Committee, we invite you to do so here. Many applicants will not need to answer this question. Examples might include significant challenges in access to education, unusual socioeconomic factors, identification with a minority culture, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender identity. Briefly explain how such factors have influenced your motivation for a career in medicine. (Optional)
- Why are you choosing to apply to the FSU College of Medicine? Please be specific describing what is particularly attractive about FSU COM.
- What do you feel are your personal and scholastic qualifications for the study of medicine? (Optional)
- How do you feel you will contribute to the success of the FSU College of Medicine and our unique mission? (Optional)
- If you have previously interviewed or applied to the College of Medicine, what steps have you taken to improve your application? (Optional)
- In what field/specialty of medicine do you envision yourself working ten years from now? Please list no more than three (3) specialties.
- Write a short statement describing how you envision using the specialty/ies you listed above to advance our mission.
- COVID-19: The Admissions Committee understands that the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted applicants in various ways. If you wish to inform the committee as to how these events have affected you and have not already done so elsewhere in your application, please use this space to do so. (Optional)
- If FL has previously been your state of residence but it is not your current state of residence, explain (Optional)
- If you were never a FL resident, explain ties to FL (Optional)
- Criminal/academic discipline question (Optional)
- If you are not a full-time student during this application cycle, in particular at any time between September 2022 and May 2023, please detail your current and planned activities below. (250-500 words)
- The medical profession is frequently described as being both a science and an art. One could summarize this by saying that patients must “be well cared for” (science) but they must also “feel well cared for” (art). We work to teach our students not only the scientific principles of medicine, but also the core values of medicine, often called “professionalism”. Toward this end we keep patients at the center of our education and often reflect on their stories with our students. The exciting advances in our understanding of the biological basis for disease have led to the emergence of a host of targeted therapies and amazing technologies improving the duration and quality of our patients’ lives. The better a physician knows his/her patient, the better decisions they will make together as they approach important healthcare related questions. This so-called shared decision-making model is one key feature of patient centered care. Practicing the art of medicine in this way yields a physician patient relationship (PPR) that is both therapeutic and mutually enriching. However, many of these same technologies have the unintended consequence of separating us from our patients, both literally and figuratively. In addition, the industrialization of medicine and use of electronic health records have led to a decrease in the time physicians spend with their patients further eroding the strength of the PPR. At the UFCOM, we have many strategies to equip our students to preserve their own humanity and that of their patients. One of the most important is the ability to make connections with and get to know their patients. Frequently such connections become the student’s first taste of the joy of medical practice. In fact, the UFCOM version of the Hippocratic Oath includes the following affirmation. “I will remember with gratitude and humility those whose illness or injury provided examples from which I learned, and, in their honor, I will continue the pursuit of knowledge.” In our polarized society, the importance of such virtues as humility and gratitude have perhaps never been greater. Over the last two decades, the Greater Good Science Center at the University of California Berkeley has offered strong scientific support for the importance of such virtues as gratitude and humility in human well-being. But it should also be remembered that philosophers and theologians have cherished these virtues for centuries. For example, when mounting a legal defense for a friend, Cicero observed, “while I wish to be adorned with every virtue, yet there is nothing which I can esteem more highly than the being and appearing grateful. For this one virtue is not only the greatest, but is also the parent of all the other virtues.” Offering a similar endorsement for the virtue of humility, Augustine of Hippo observed, “Humility is the foundation of all the other virtues hence, in the soul in which this virtue does not exist there cannot be any other virtue except in mere appearance.” Students at UFCOM regularly write about and discuss encounters with patients that shape their professional identity in important ways. In so doing, we all learn to become better physicians and human beings. Here are two such reflections, by our students, one a poem and the other an essay. Read and reflect on both and then choose one and describe how the writer grew from the experience. Consider the affirmation from the Hippocratic Oath in your response. (500 words)
- The profession of medicine has always had an explicit contract with society about our expertise and competence but it also includes an important affirmation. Namely, that we will subordinate self-interest to patient interest when the needs of our patients require us to do so. This does not mean we do not take care of ourselves and one another, but it does mean we willingly take on risks to ourselves that many others would not. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought this commitment to light as many medical professionals labored on the front lines caring for the sick despite the potential dangers. When we consider medical practice and hence, medical education, one could ask what sorts of virtues or character traits equip young medical professionals for such a noble calling. Many come to mind including courage, compassion, intellectual honesty and integrity. But recently attention has been given to the ability to stay with a task or course even when one is tired, discouraged and the work is daunting and laborious. Terms such as “resilience”, “endurance”, “perseverance”, “determination” or “grit” describe this character trait. Dr. Angela Duckworth has explored this in detail in her book “Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance” (Angela Duckworth). Cultivating this virtue, in ourselves and one another, offers a tangible means to lean against the depersonalizing and emotionally exhausting forces at work in healthcare. As physicians, we have the privilege of caring for people who are in the most difficult places of their lives. Being present during these times can be both a source of joy as we help our patients, but can also challenge our own emotional health and resilience. Struggling to make sense of suffering induced by disease, social forces and human agency has brought an occasion for growth among many of us who work in healthcare. As you grow into your new identity as a physician, you will come face to face with the suffering of other human beings. In fact, we will all have to face our own losses as we go through medical training and practice. Put simply, none of us is exempt from suffering. As the Nigerian novelist Chinua Achebe (1930-2013) once observed, “When suffering knocks at your door and you say there is no seat for him, he tells you not to worry because he has brought his own stool.” Holocaust survivor and renowned psychiatrist Viktor Frankl, (1905-1997) wrote an account of his time in the concentration camp called, “Man’s Search for Meaning”. It has sold more than 10 million copies in 24 languages and offers profound insights into how finding meaning in suffering sustains us during our darkest times. Below are several quotes from Dr. Frankl that deal with finding purpose and meaning in suffering. After reading and thinking about his insights, choose one or two and tell us about experiences where you have seen these principles at work either in your own life, or in the lives of others. (500 words)
- “Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.”
- “If there is a meaning in life at all, then there must be a meaning in suffering. Suffering is an ineradicable part of life, even as fate and death. Without suffering and death, human life cannot be complete.”
- “A man who becomes conscious of the responsibility he bears toward a human being who affectionately waits for him, or to an unfinished work, will never be able to throw away his life. He knows the 'why' for his existence, and will be able to bear almost any 'how.'”
- “Being human always points, and is directed, to something or someone, other than oneself - be it a meaning to fulfill or another human being to encounter. “
- (Optional) If you think there is any additional information that would help the admissions committee in its review of your application, including any disruptions in your academic/volunteer/work/personal life related to COVID-19, please use the space below. (750 word limit)
Quinnipiac Secondary Essay Prompts:
- What non-academic advice would you give to your younger self? (150 words)
- Describe a situation in which you did not get something you felt you deserved and how you handled it. (150 words)
- What is the toughest feedback you have ever received; how did you respond to it and what did you learn from it? (150 words)
- Other than work/life balance, what do you believe the biggest challenge you will face as a practicing physician will be and how do you anticipate responding to it? (150 words)
- (OPTIONAL) If you were to have a theme song, what would it be and why? (150 words)
And these extra questions in Demographic Information section:
- If you will not be enrolled as a full-time student, how will you be spending/intend to spend your time during your application year? (Limit 150 Words)
- What area of medicine do you envision yourself working in at the end of your training? What is shaping your vision? (Limit 100 Words)
- OPTIONAL Is there anything not captured in your application that you would like to share? (Limit 150 Words)
- Please provide the Admissions Committee with a brief summary of your activities, academics, employment or other occupations to account for full-time activity (approx. 30-40 hours/week) from the point of application through matriculation in 2023. (750 characters)
- The MD Program includes substantial content in Clinical Public Health (population health, health systems science, health policy, and community health) to prepare GW graduates for an expanded scope of practice required to be successful 21st century physicians. What are your specific interests and experiences related to that aspect of the MD Program? (350 characters)
- What is your most meaningful clinical experience to date, involving direct patient contact? (350 characters)
- Describe how current issues regarding advocacy and social justice have impacted your motivation for medical school? (500 characters)
- What makes you a unique individual? What challenges have you faced? How will these factors help you contribute to the diversity of the student body at GW? (750 characters)
- What is your specific interest in the MD Program at GW? What opportunities would you take advantage of as a student here? Why? (1750 characters)
- Are you/will you be enrolled as a student at Georgetown University during the 2022-2023 academic year? (Y/N)
- Have you ever participated in any of the following Georgetown Programs? (check all that apply):
- The Georgetown University Academy for Research, Clinical, and Health Equity Scholarship (ARCHES)
- Pedro Arrupe S.J. Scholarship for Peace (ARRUPE)
- Gateway Exploration Program (GEP)
- Georgetown Scholars Program (GSP)
- Georgetown University School of Medicine Summer Immersion Program (GUSOM SCS)
- Cultivating Opportunity & Realizing Excellence (CORE) Leadership Program
- The Georgetown University School of Medicine (GUSOM) strives to ensure that its students become respectful physicians, with cultural humility, who embrace all dimensions of caring for the whole person. With our Jesuit values of Cura Personalis, People for Others, and Community in Diversity, we are steadfast in our commitment to racial justice and to addressing the health inequities exacerbated by the recent pandemic. Please describe how your values, life experiences, and your identity will contribute to these GUSOM priorities.
- Is there any further information that you would like the Committee on Admissions to be aware of when reviewing your file that you were not able to notate in another section of this or the AMCAS Application?
- Why have you chosen to apply to the Georgetown University School of Medicine and how do you think your education at Georgetown will prepare you to become a physician for the future? (3000 characters)
- On average how many hours per week did you devote to employment during the academic year?
- If you have already graduated, briefly summarize your activities since graduation. (4000 characters maximum)
- If there is an important aspect of your personal background or identity, not addressed elsewhere in the application, that you would like to share with the Committee, we invite you to do so here. Many applicants will not need to answer this question. Examples might include significant challenges in access to education, unusual socioeconomic factors, identification with a minority culture, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender identity. Briefly explain how such factors have influenced your motivation for a career in medicine. (4000 character maximum)
- (Optional) The Committee on Admissions understands that the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted applicants in various ways. If you wish to inform the Committee as to how these events have affected you and have not already done so elsewhere in your application, please use this space to do so. (This is an optional essay; the Committee on Admissions will make no judgment based on your decision to provide a statement or not.)
- The interview season for the 2022-2023 cycle will be held virtually and is anticipated to run from mid-September through January 2023. Please indicate any significant (three or more weeks) restriction on your availability for interviews during this period. If none, please leave this section blank.
- Have you lived in communities which are medically underserved, or where the majority of the population is economically and/or educationally disadvantaged? (Please indicate, Yes or No and then explain/describe briefly in 250 words or less).
- Have you worked (volunteer or paid employment) with medically underserved, economically disadvantaged, and/or educationally disadvantaged populations? (Please indicate, Yes or No and then explain/describe briefly in 250 words or less).
- After residency, do you plan to practice medicine in an underserved or disadvantaged community? (Please indicate, Yes or No and then explain/describe briefly in 250 words or less).
*No assigned word limit
A) Describe in detail how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted you. (600 word limit)
B) Describe a personal experience that has demonstrated your resilience. (600 word limit)
C) Describe any personal connection to JABSOM and/or Hawaii and the Pacific that you may have. (600 word limit)
D) If you are a re-applicant to JABSOM, please complete the following additional essay. Describe what efforts you have made to further improve your application to the MD Program. (600 word limit) Optional
1. Describe a stressful situation that you have experienced. Please detail your reaction, how you managed the situation, and what you learned that will help you handle a similar circumstance in the future.
2. In addition to training as a competent physician please select up to two additional areas of interest from the items below that you may want to pursue during your medical studies. Your responses will have no bearing on applications to joint degrees or special programs to which you might also apply.
a. Simulation
b. Clinical Research
c. Basic science research
d. Interdisciplinary collaboration
e. Healthcare disparities
f. Academic medicine
g. Global Health
h. Community Health Urban
i. Community Health Rural
j. Innovation Medicine
3. Have you applied for admission to medical school previously?
4. Have you ever matriculated into and not completed a professional/graduate program?
5. Please describe any abrupt changes that you experienced in your preparation for application for medical school due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- We understand you may be applying to multiple medical schools. Please explain your reasons for applying to the Carver College of Medicine. (1500 characters)
- Describe any unique personal characteristics or obstacles you may have overcome that will influence your contribution to a diverse healthcare system. (1500 characters)
- Please list and briefly describe all medically related experiences (paid/volunteer) you have completed during the past 5 years. Do NOT forecast future hours. Please include experiences listed on your AMCAS and also provide any additional experiences NOT listed on your AMCAS. (Up to 15 entries and 175 characters per description)
- (If applicable) If you are a reapplicant to the Carver College of Medicine, how have you strengthened your application? (1500 characters)
- (If applicable) If you are not currently in a degree-seeking program, please indicate what you will be doing from the time you complete this secondary application to the start of medical school. (1500 characters)
- Why did you decide to apply to Marshall? (5000 characters)
- Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Where do you want to serve or practice medicine? (5000 characters)
- If you are not presently attending school indicate your employment or other plans for the time prior to your planned enrolment in medical school. If still in school, enter N/A. (2000 characters)
- (Optional) Please share any disruptions in your academic, volunteer, work, and/or personal life related to COVID-19 that you would like the Admissions Committee to consider. (5000 characters)
- Briefly describe your single, most rewarding experience. Feel free to refer to an experience previously described in your AMCAS application.
- Are there any areas of medicine that are of particular interest to you? If so, please comment.
- Briefly describe a situation where you had to overcome adversity; include lessons learned and how you think it will affect your career as a future physician.
- Briefly describe a situation where you were not in the majority. What did you learn from the experience?
- Wonder encapsulates a feeling of rapt attention … it draws the observer in. Tell us about a time in recent years that you experienced wonder in your everyday life. Although experiences related to your clinical or research work may be the first to come to mind, we encourage you to think of an experience that is unrelated to medicine or science. What did you learn from that experience?
- (Optional) The Admissions Committee values hearing about each candidate for admission, including what qualities the candidate might bring to the School of Medicine if admitted. If you feel there is information not already addressed in the application that will enable the Committee to know more about you and this has influenced your desire to be a physician, feel free to write a brief statement in the space below. You may address any subject you wish, such as being a first generation college student, or being a part of a minority group (whether because of your sexual orientation, religion, economic status, gender identity, ethnicity) or being the child of undocumented immigrants or being undocumented yourself, etc. Please note that this question is optional and that you will not be penalized should you choose not to answer it.
The following questions allow the Admissions Committee to become acquainted with you as an individual. Please answer the questions in 3-5 sentences. Each answer must be 65 words or less.
- What is the most fun you’ve had lately?
- If you had to give yourself a nickname, what would it be?
- What are three things you don't care about at all?
- Describe a situation in which you didn’t get something you felt you deserved.
- Are you a member of a group that is under-represented in medicine?(Y/N) IF yes, Which Group? How does under-representation affect your community?
- Have you previously applied to medical school (M.D. , D.O., international)?(Y/N) IF yes, Upon reflection, what do you think went wrong?
Essay Questions:
- What do you see as the physician's role in Public Health? Please answer the question in 150 words or less.
- (Optional) Is there anything else you would like us to know?(Y/N) If yes, please answer the question in 200 words or less.
Provide relatively brief (1,000 character maximum) answers to the following questions. Use Notepad or other non-formatting text editors if you would like to copy-paste your answers from drafts prepared elsewhere. If you copy-paste more than 1,000 characters into a text box, you will lose your answer when you click the button. Required fields are marked with an asterisk.*
1. Describe your health care experiences that involved direct exposure to physicians’ clinical duties and how they have shaped your desire to apply to medical school.
2. Describe examples of leadership experience in which you have significantly influenced others, helped resolve disputes, or contributed to group efforts over time.
3. Beyond academics (grades and MCATs), describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to address this challenge.
4. Give an example of what you have done to make your community a better place to live.
5. Describe how you relate to someone who is very different from you. Examples of differences may be cultural, racial, religious, economic, gender/sexual orientation, lifestyle.
6. If you are not a Kansas resident, what is your specific interest in applying to the University of Kansas School of Medicine?
7. If necessary, update the information contained in your AMCAS application. Indicate grades earned, alterations in your proposed course work or graduation time, additions to your extracurricular activities, or other pertinent information.
8. If there are discrepancies in your application that have not been explained in your personal statement, use this space to clarify. Examples may include unexplained gaps in time, multiple undergraduate institutions attended, multiple course withdrawals, inconsistent academic performance, inconsistency between academic performance and MCAT scores.
9. If you are currently enrolled, or plan to be enrolled during the next academic year, in a graduate or professional degree program, please describe your status within the program and your intention to complete the program. You must also request a letter from your graduate program advisor or from the dean of your professional school. This letter must include acknowledgement of your application to medical school and a description of your status in the program.
10. If you are no longer a full-time student, briefly describe your current employment, community, medical, and/or educational activities.
11. For Repeat Applicants Only: Since your last application, note any relevant academic, employment, and personal experiences that enhance your ability to be a better physician.
12. For Combined MD/PhD Program Applicants: Do you also want to be considered as an “MD-only” applicant?
*13. Have you ever been convicted for violation of a regulation or law relating to controlled substances (answer YES or NO)? If yes, provide appropriate explanation(s), including the date(s) of conviction, case number(s), and the jurisdictional court(s) involved.
*14. Have you ever been convicted of a felony (answer YES or NO)? If yes, provide appropriate explanation(s), including the date(s) of conviction, case number(s), and the jurisdictional court(s) involved.
For everybody:
1. Please elaborate on why this is your preferred campus. (750) (Choose which campus you want to go to)
2. What competencies and qualities do you feel a physician should possess? (1500)
3. Describe the most significant community service activity in which you have participated. What did you learn from that experience? (2000)
4.Describe an experience or situation which made you feel grateful? (1500)
5.In providing patient care, should physicians maintain emotional distance or empathize with patients' emotional state? (1500)
6. It is impossible to have predicted the drastic impact caused by the novel coronavirus identified as COVID-19. Describe the impact you have witnessed of this pandemic on those around you. (1500)
7. Please share unique, personally important, and/or challenging facts in your background, such as the quality of your early educational environment, socioeconomic status, culture, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, or life/work experiences. Please discuss how such factors have influenced your goals and preparation for a career in medicine. (2000)
OOS Prompts:
In the individual assessment of each applicant, the UK College of Medicine prioritizes attributes that reflect our mission. Although not essential, certain applicant characteristics will enhance potential to contribute to the college and to the profession of medicine: Commitment to the State: As a state medical school, the UK College of Medicine gives preference to Kentucky residents, and non-residents who have strong ties to the state, including previous attendance at a Kentucky college or university. Commitment to Underserved Populations: Certain geographic areas (rural counties) and patient populations (non-majority) have challenges in receiving safe, effective, patient-centered, timely, efficient, and equitable health care. The UK College of Medicine values individuals who have demonstrated interest in serving these areas or populations in the future. Diversity: A diverse educational environment enriches both medical education and patient care. The UK College of Medicine strives for each class to represent the people of the Commonwealth, and therefore considers each applicant’s educational background, life experiences, cultural identity, and socioeconomic background. The University will not discriminate based on race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, or age.
Why have you chosen to apply to the University of Kentucky College of Medicine? (1000 characters)
Please elaborate on personal characteristics and any accomplishments and experiences that you feel help to demonstrate your potential to contribute to the college and to the profession of medicine. (1000 characters)
Please elaborate on any Kentucky ties: personal, familial, etc. (750 characters)
(275 words max each)
- What makes LLUSM particularly attractive to you?
- Our medical curriculum integrates spiritual, ethical, and relational issues from Christian perspective into the practice of medicine. Weekly chapel services and religion courses are part of this program. Please respond to the above as it relates to your personal educational and career goals.
- What personal attributes make you a desirable candidate for admission to LLUSM?
- Identify experiences in your life that illustrate your service to others.
- Discuss how your spiritual origins, development, and experiences have influenced and been integrated into your daily life.
- Please describe your current involvement (or reason for not being involved) with a church or religious group.
- If you have already graduated, describe your activities since graduation and your planned activities prior to matriculation into medical school.
- Explain any impact that COVID-19 or recent events in American society may have had on your educational, research, volunteering or employment plans.
Prompts for applicants to Primary Care Scholars program and Rural Scholars Track:
- Please provide specific information about your immediate and extended family that live in rural or underserved communities in Louisiana. (i.e., relationship, community, occupation, etc.)
- List all extracurricular activities during college, e.g., volunteer work, clubs, etc. Please indicate the duration and nature of your participation.
- Describe your involvement in your home community prior to and since attending college, e.g., community groups, activities, or volunteer efforts, etc. Please indicate your length of time of involvement.
- List your hobbies and interests.
- Based on your own personal experience, observations and insights, describe the roles and responsibilities of a rural or primary care physician.
- Why do you feel you are a suitable candidate for the Rural Scholar Track (RST), and/or the Patrick F. Taylor Primary Care Scholar Program (PFT)?
Primary Care Scholars program applicants:
- What other career possibilities have you considered?
- Describe your personal experiences and knowledge of rural and/or community life.
- Do you have any commitments or obligations that will interfere with practicing medicine in Louisiana immediately following completion of a residency program (i.e., military, ROTC, religious, etc.?) If yes, please describe.
Rural Scholars Track applicants:
- What medical specialty possibilities have you considered?
If you wish, you may attach an essay of reasonable length (500-600 words) using the prompt "your values". This is an optional essay.
- Explain how you know that you want to spend your life studying and practicing medicine. Describe how the Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine (SSOM) can help you develop into the kind of person and physician you hope to become. Minimum 100 Words
- Social justice in the Jesuit tradition, justice due each person by virtue of their own inherent human dignity, is an essential dimension of education at SSOM. Describe what you have learned about yourself from your concrete social justice experiences. Explain how you plan to sustain your efforts to advocate for current social justice issues as a medical student and as a physician. Minimum 100 Words
- Serving underserved and under-resourced communities is an expression of social justice. Describe an impactful experience in working with and for under-resourced communities. Explain what you have learned about yourself through this service OR what has hindered your efforts to serve others in these environments. Minimum 100 Words
- Describe your leadership style. Provide a specific example of how you have applied your leadership style. Minimum 100 Words
- Describe a non-academic personal/professional challenge or conflict that you have experienced. Explain what skills, resources and/or strategies you employed to resolve the problem. Minimum 100 Words
- Have you or any of your relatives attended or been employed by Loyola University Chicago or the Loyola Stritch School of Medicine? If so, please list the affiliation and their years of attendance.
Complete if applicable.
- Please indicate additional grades earned, amendments to your proposed coursework or graduation date, address changes, additions to your list of experiences, and anything else you feel we should know.
- Please explain in more detail (in less than 1500 characters) anything that would help us understand any gaps or delays in your education, academic missteps, or personal challenges not listed elsewhere.
- If you have not been enrolled in coursework for over two years, please let us know what you have been doing since your coursework ended.
- Have you applied to SSOM prior to this application? If so, please list the years of your previous application submissions to SSOM and tell us how your application has improved since your previous submission.
- If you did not submit an advisor or committee letter, please tell us why.
- Why are you choosing to apply to the University of Louisville School of Medicine?
- How well did your high school prepare you for college?
- What determined your choice of college(s)?
- How do you assess your college record?
- Please describe any circumstances adversely affecting your academic performance while in college.
- Describe your most significant personal accomplishments and/or experiences and how these may relate to your potential to contribute to the medical community.
- What has been your most significant contribution to your community, through service or volunteerism? What was its impact on the community and on you?
- How have your cultural experiences shaped the way you see yourself contributing to the medical field and strengthened your ability to provide equitable care for a diverse patient population?
- List and describe any additional experiences, interests, hobbies, or skills not included in other areas of your application or that you have completed since submitting your AMCAS application.
- How has the pandemic affected the way you view the healthcare system and/or see yourself contributing to the medical field?
- Discuss briefly why you have decided to pursue medicine and how your personal characteristics align with those you believe are most needed by physicians.
- Practice after residency: How do you see yourself practicing medicine after residency training? (Please include choice of medical practice and location).
- (Optional) If you are a reapplicant, what has changed from your previous application or your approach to this year's admissions cycle?
- If you are not a Kentucky resident, please explain any personal or familial ties to the Commonwealth of Kentucky. If you are a Kentucky resident type "Not Applicable" in the text box below.
Please submit answers to the following questions (500 words or less each).
- Why are you specifically interested in pursuing your medical education at Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine? Please tell us in a few sentences why you are interested in the top choice track you indicated.
- We are all differentiated from or connected to one another by individual inflections that constitute our diversity. Explain how your relationship with your own diversity and to the diversities of others manifests in your personal and professional activities.
- Share with us your thoughts about the relevance – or not – of diverse learning environments in which you wish to learn medicine.
1) Please discuss your primary interest in attending the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University.
2) Please describe your motivation for becoming a physician. What contributions do you feel that you could make to the medical profession in the future?
3) The Admissions Committee regards the diversity of an entering class as an important factor in serving the educational mission of our school. The Admissions Committee strongly encourages you to share personal challenges that you have overcome and that are unique to you. These challenges may include the quality of your early educational environment, socioeconomic status, region of residence with respect to its health professional needs, ties to MCG, culture, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or life and/or work experiences. Please discuss how such factors have influenced your goals and preparation for a career in medicine.
4) Please describe the geographical area in which you would most likely practice medicine and why. Please include the country, region, state, city and/or town in your response.
5) Please explain any inconsistencies in your academic record. This may include below average course performance, grade trends, MCAT scores, etc.
6) Please explain any disruptions to your medical school application this cycle that the admissions committee should consider, as it relates to COVID-19 (Examples include: academics, volunteer/clinical experiences, personal life, etc.)
- Explain how your unique background, identity, interests, or talents will contribute to the MCW learning community. (1000 characters)
- How will MCW uniquely prepare you for your future goals? (1000 characters)
- Recount a time when you made a decision you regret. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience? (2000 characters)
- The Medical College of Wisconsin is committed to educating health professionals who are dedicated to improving health equity across the diverse populations we serve. Share with us what you have learned or how you have grown through working with or serving people from cultural backgrounds or groups different than your own. How do you believe you can contribute to improving health equity or reducing health disparities as a physician? (2000 characters)
- What are your medical practice goals?
- Describe your employment status since you completed your bachelor's degree (part-time, full-time, and dates) (only if you have graduated)
- In what region of the country do you want to practice medicine? Why?
- What areas of medicine are you interested in at this time, or what areas do you plan to pursue?
- Do you have any accomplishments or experiences that make you a unique applicant?
- Explain any impact that COVID-19 may have had on your educational, research, volunteering or employment plans.
- We desire to train students and physicians to work with the diverse patients of our state and nation. Please share at least one experience that has impacted your appreciation for diversity and your ability to relate to those who are unlike you. Do share what you learned from the experience as well.
Why do you wish to attend Meharry Medical College, School of Medicine?
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.
230 words each, maximum.
- If you wish to discuss your perceptions of your academic readiness for the rigors of a medical school curriculum or explain poor grades in college coursework or MCAT scores to the Admissions Committee, please do so below.
- What is your understanding of the practice of rural medicine?
- Do you consider yourself to have been raised or to be residing in an area that is medically underserved or in a county that consists of medically underserved populations? By medically underserved we mean populations vulnerable to poor health due to difficulties accessing adequate health care services. This may be due to factors including but not limited to: education level; poverty; being uninsured or underinsured; lack of a usual source of care other than the emergency department; belonging to a socially marginalized group with poorer health outcomes; cultural or language barriers to receiving quality medical care; distance or lack of transportation to needed medical care. Please explain.
- The mission of Mercer University School of Medicine (MUSM) is to educate physicians and health professionals to meet the health care needs of medically underserved and rural areas of Georgia. Summarize your work and learning experiences that you believe reflect congruence with this mission. Based on your understanding of our mission, where and what do you envision yourself doing after completion of medical school and residency?
- If you wish to, please briefly explain below to the Admissions Committee experiences, attributes or qualifications you believe are unique to you that can add to the diversity of the educational environment at MUSM.
- Please explain to the Admissions Committee factors that you could not highlight above that would help the Admissions Committee better understand your unique circumstances. If you would like to briefly highlight any substantial updates with regard to your application (example, volunteer experiences) that have occurred after you submitted the Primary AMCAS Application, please summarize them below.
- What percent of your professional time do you anticipate devoting to: 1. Administration 2. Teaching 3. Patient Care 4. Research. (999 characters)
- Briefly explain the reasons for your selections in the Perceptions of Your Medical Career Section (regarding community size you want to practice in). (999 characters)
- If the answer to any part of this section (Personal Data) is 'Yes', give specific details below. If the answers are 'No', please enter Does not apply: (with respect to optional questions regarding previous med/dental school attendance, dismissals and/or convictions). (999 characters)
- Type a brief statement setting forth the key motivational factors in your decision to apply to Morehouse School of Medicine and any information about yourself you feel would be of interest to the Committee of Admissions in the consideration of your application. (999 characters)
- If you are currently not a full time student, please briefly describe the activities you are participating in this academic year. (100 words)
- If there is an important aspect of your personal background or identity or a commitment to a particular community, not addressed elsewhere in the application, that you would like to share with the Committee, we invite you to do so here. Aspects might include, but are not limited to significant challenges in or circumstances associated with access to education, living with a disability, socioeconomic factors, immigration status, or identification with a culture, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender identity. Briefly explain how such factors have influenced your motivation for a career in medicine. Completing this section is optional. (150 words)
- What is the toughest feedback you ever received? How did you handle it and what did you learn from it? (250 words)
- Describe a situation that you have thought to be unfair or unjust, whether towards yourself or towards others. How did you address the situation, if at all? (200 words)
- If you’ve experienced academic problems while in college and/or graduate or professional school please describe and explain below. Please be sure to include withdrawals, incompletes, poor grades, etc. (1000 characters)
- If a specific medical school application activity was impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak, please describe the activity, the time period during which it was to take place, and any relevant contact information. (1000 characters)
- Please explain what you will be doing during the 2022-2023 academic year. If you graduated/will graduate in 2022, what are your plans during this gap year? (1000 characters)
- Please let us know if you have a specific reason you are interested in attending the University of Maryland School of Medicine, and/or if you have any special ties to our institution (optional). (1000 characters)
- Briefly describe your most important exposure to clinical medicine. (1500 characters)
- Briefly describe your most satisfying experience related to community service. (1500 characters)
- Without limiting the discussion to your own identity, please describe how you envision contributing to the core values of diversity and inclusion at our School of Medicine, and in the medical profession. (1500 characters)
- What does it mean to you to enter into a profession? (1500 characters)
- We would like to learn how you developed and demonstrated core professionalism competencies that are required of entering medical students. Please respond to the first prompt (#1; Diversity). Then select three of the other six prompts (#2-#7). Each response should be 150-200 words. Use the text box below for your answer. Separate each of your four responses by writing the competency above/before your response (example: Teamwork - All teams have their struggles, but they can be overcome...).
- UMass Chan Medical School strives to be a diverse academic community mindful of the fact that diversity makes our community stronger and benefits the patients we serve. Share your definition of diversity. Describe an example where you contributed to the diversity of a group, team or class. Connect this to how you will contribute to the diversity of the UMass Chan Medical School community. (Diversity)
- Describe a time when you have made a decision that was not popular and how you handled this. (Leadership competency)
- Describe a time when you were on a team that was dysfunctional in some regard. How did you address the situation? (Teamwork)
- Describe a meaningful interaction you have had with a person whom you have helped at work, school or another activity. (Empathy/Compassion)
- Have you ever been in the middle of a situation where there was poor communication? What did you do to improve it? (Communication)
- Describe a time when you have ""thought outside the box"" to solve a problem. (Inquiry)
- Describe a time when you suffered a setback. How did you respond to this challenge? (Persistence/Grit)
- Please discuss any part of your application that you feel requires further explanation. For example, discuss grades or MCAT scores that do not reflect your true ability, and/or a gap in time that is not explained elsewhere in your application. Discuss any impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on your academic, service, extracurricular or employment experiences.If you are reapplying to T.H. Chan SOM, highlight how you have strengthened your application. (250 word limit)
- If you have participated in T.H. Chan SOM or UMass Memorial Health Care, or UMass Chan Medical-Baystate sponsored programs (SEP, Summer Research Program, Worcester Pipeline Collaborative, AHEC, BaccMD, HSPP, Academic Internships, BSEP, Summer Scholars) please describe how these programs helped you decide to apply to T.H. Chan SOM. (200 word limit)
- Why did you apply to T.H. Chan SOM? (200 word limit)
- If you are currently taking a gap year, in what activities are you engaged? (200 word limit)
- We are committed to an environment which fosters collaboration, humanism, equity and social justice. How do you envision yourself contributing to the NJMS community?
- We seek students who are self-aware, resilient and adaptable. Discuss a personal or professional challenge you’ve experienced and how you resolved it. Please include insight on what you learned about yourself as a result.
- If you will not be a full-time student between June 2022 and August 2023, please describe in detail your planned activities, including projected time commitment for each activity.
- If you have chosen to pursue one or more “growth” years prior to your planned matriculation to medical school in 2023, please share insight on your decision.
- If you are a re-applicant, please share what you have done to enhance your candidacy and re-application?
- Please elaborate on challenges not thoroughly addressed anywhere else in your application (Please feel free to address any or all of the following if applicable: impact of COVID, institutional actions, academics, MCAT, personal difficulties, etc.).
- Please discuss any additional information you feel may help us in our review of your candidacy.
- Please use this space if you would like to provide additional information to the admissions committee. You may choose to elaborate on or clarify details you have previously provided.
- Prompt asking to describe interest in primary care if interested in PACCE.
- Please feel free to comment on any course grades, GPA trends, or MCAT scores and what you have learned about yourself.
- If you are applying with a state of legal residence that is not NJ, please indicate your connection to NJ (mark all that apply) and explain this connection.
500 words each
- What have you done during the recent COVID-19 pandemic that will better prepare you to be a medical student and future physician?
- Why have you selected the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine for your medical education? Please be as specific as possible.
- Please provide a chronological list with dates AND a brief description of your clinical experiences/shadowing.
- Please provide a chronological list with dates of your community service/volunteering.
- Please discuss a situation where you had to use your leadership skills.
- Please briefly discuss your research experience.
- Please provide a chronological list with dates of your employment.
- What have you done to help identify, address and correct an issue of systemic discrimination?
- (Optional) Provide a description of any activities involving the FINE ARTS (dance, drama, music, art, photography, etc. OR (Optional) Provide a description of any activities involving SPORTS (organized team sports, recreational activities that you play, watch or follow)
- (Optional) Describe your most meaningful involvement in STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS.
- (Optional) Provide a description of your most memorable TRAVEL experience.
- (Optional) Provide a description of your HOBBIES and what you do for fun and relaxation.
- For reapplicants (if applicable): If you applied previously, describe how you have strengthened your candidacy since your last application?
Comment on how you hope to impact medicine in the future. If examples are needed, feel free to refer to our seven Paths of Excellence. Do not exceed 1500 characters including spaces (about 250 words).
OR, if applying to the Medical Scientist Training Program:
Describe why you are applying to the University of Michigan MSTP. If you are interested in a specific department, program, or area of research for your Ph.D., please provide a brief explanation. We recognize that your interests may change. Do not exceed 1500 characters including spaces (about 250 words).
Please respond to only one of the following two prompts. Do not exceed 2500 characters including spaces (about 400 words).
Describe your identity and how it has impacted the development of your values and attitudes toward individuals different from yourself and how this will impact your interactions with future colleagues and patients.
If you recognize and/or represent a voice that is missing, underrepresented, or undervalued in medicine, please describe the missing voice(s) and how increased representation in medicine could impact the medical community.
How was your journey to medical school affected by the COVID pandemic? Please feel free to describe any positive or negative aspects. Do not exceed 2500 characters including spaces (about 400 words).
Outside of medicine, and beyond what we can read in your application, please tell us what you’re curious about, or what you’re passionate about, or what brings you joy – and why. Some examples include listening to historical novels, exploring national parks, woodworking, baking cupcakes, podcasting, knitting, playing pickleball, filmmaking, making music, etc. Do not exceed 1500 characters including spaces (about 250 words). (word count updated based on applicant reports)
All questions are required and have a 1,500 character maximum (including spaces), unless otherwise indicated.
- Our physicians pride themselves on giving outstanding care to patients, while looking for better and more equitable ways to do so. As you think about being a future physician and advocate for patients, describe a time when you advocated for someone or something. What did you learn from this situation?
- Describe a time when you experienced an obstacle, challenge or failure. How did it affect you? What did you learn?
- Describe a time when you personally experienced, observed, or acted with explicit bias. What did you learn about yourself and the experience?
- Our families and communities tend to shape our individual worlds and perceptions. Think about the communities that you are an active part of, whether it be a cultural group, family, religious group, neighborhood, etc. Describe the world that you are most comfortable in and how it has shaped who you are. How will this impact your future as a physician and the patients you will serve?
- Why do you want to go to medical school in the state of MN? (Consider the state of Minnesota and its population.)
- The COVID-19 pandemic has created innumerable challenges, loss, and uncharted territory in public health. Describe your thoughts, feelings, and experiences with navigating COVID-19. Please tell us what impact, if any, this has had on your path to medical school.
- The University of Minnesota Medical School is committed to building an anti-racist community. Please share your reflections on, experiences with, and greatest lessons learned about systemic racism. (Consider this country's history, racism, racial injustice, anti-black racism, and the impact of the murder of Mr. George Floyd on the Minnesota/Twin Cities community).
- How will your unique attributes (religion, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, ideology, intellectual heritage, and/or experiences) add to the overall diversity of the University of Minnesota Medical School community?
- What other pertinent information would you like to bring to the attention of the Admissions Committee? This is an opportunity for you to discuss an aspect of your journey to medicine that you have not already presented in your application. You may also update us with any current experiences that were not included in your AMCAS application. (Optional; 900 character maximum)
Minnesota Health Pathways Description
The University of Minnesota Medical School is a world class leader in medical education, research and patient care. Our mission is to provide innovative education and training, research that advances medicine and clinical care that improves the lives of our patients. We are one school with two campuses. Beginning in Fall 2023, a new curriculum designed in three phases: a systems-based Foundations Phase; Clinical Immersion Phase; and Specialty-specific Transition Phase, will launch. The new curriculum will include a component called Minnesota Health Pathways. These pathways are longitudinal courses completed during the Foundations phase focusing on one of five different underserved and/or under-resourced communities in MN. The Minnesota Health Pathways have been designed to allow students to individualize their experience while still achieving a set of shared learning goals. All pathways will be available at both campuses and all students will have to enroll in one pathway.
Select your pathway interest(s) below (you may select more than one). Once you make your selection there will be additional questions that you will be required to answer
- Indigenous Health Pathway
- The University of Minnesota Medical School is dedicated to educating future physicians who have demonstrated an interest in serving Indigenous communities.
- Describe your experience in and ties to Indigenous communities, including your familiarity with life in an Indigenous community or your Indigenous community.
- What do you view as the greatest healthcare needs in Indigenous communities? Describe your future practice and how you will help fill these needs as a future physician.
- List each city or town you've lived in, starting with your place of birth and indicating which is your hometown. We define hometown as the place you lived the longest between birth and age 18. You are limited to listing 15 residences. If you need to include more, please contact the Office of Admissions for assistance. Please use only numbers in the population field.
- Rural Health Pathway
- The University of Minnesota Medical School is dedicated to educating future physicians who have demonstrated an interest in serving patients and families in rural Minnesota.
- Tell us how you define the term "rural community" as it applies to Minnesota.
- Describe your experience in and ties to rural Minnesota areas, including your familiarity with life in a rural Minnesota setting.
- What do you view as the greatest healthcare practice needs in rural Minnesota communities? Describe your future practice and how you will help fill these needs as a future physician.
- List each city or town you've lived in, starting with your place of birth and indicating which is your hometown. We define hometown as the place you lived the longest between birth and age 18. You are limited to listing 15 residences. If you need to include more, please contact the Office ofAdmissions for assistance. Please use only numbers in the population field.
- Urban Communities Pathway
- The University of Minnesota Medical School trains a culturally aware workforce qualified to meet the needs of the diverse populations we serve. Tell us why you are interested in engaging and/or working with urban underserved communities, and describe any experiences you have had serving underserved communities.
- 2SLGBTQIA+ Pathway
- The University of Minnesota Medical School is committed to dismantling the health disparities affecting Minnesota’s 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. Describe your experiences engaging and/or working with 2SLGBTQIA+ communities and explain why 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusive health care is important.
- Immigrant/Refugee/Global Health Pathway
- The University of Minnesota Medical School strives to have our community better reflect the broad identities of our state. Describe your interest and/or experience engaging or working with refugee, immigrant, and global health communities. How do their experiences differ from the traditionally underserved and how will your experience prepare you to serve our refugee, immigrant, and global populations?
1. Please describe your motivation for pursuing the medical degree. (3000 characters)
2. Please discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic affected your academic preparation for medical school or opportunities for shadowing, volunteering, research, etc. Please also discuss any other impact of the pandemic that you would like the admissions executive committee to know. (2500 characters)
- Please describe any element within your candidacy not fully addressed on the AMCAS application that you want the Admissions Committee to consider. (1200 characters)
- Please let us know information regarding how you heard about our school, and any factors (programs, people, mission, geography ect.) that led you to apply. (1200 characters)
- Please discuss (e.g. using specific personal traits, education, life experiences, etc.)
- how you will add to the overall diversity of the medical school and the practice of medicine AND
- how you will contribute to an inclusive learning environment at the medical school and the practice of medicine. (2000 characters)
- Has COVID-19 significantly impacted your medical school application? (This question is optional, and if your application wasn't greatly impacted by the pandemic, then don't feel like you have to answer.) [check yes/no] If yes (2000 characters):
- Please think about how the following were impacted, but do not limit your response to these considerations:
- Volunteering experiences
- Health care experiences (shadowing and direct patient care experiences)
- Academics and MCAT (pass fail courses, online courses, etc.)
- Have you previously applied to the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine? (check yes/no)
- [If yes] In the space provided below, please provide the Admissions Committee with a brief application history (including when you first applied and the number of application attempts). Please describe in detail the ways in which this application is superior to your previous application(s). (3000 characters)
- Briefly describe the reasons for your campus/site choice and comment on one or two factors that are most important to you in choosing where you wish to pursue your medical education. (1000 characters)
- NYITCOM values diversity, equity, and inclusion. How will your background and experiences add to our inclusive culture and how will this focus influence your future role as a physician? (1000 characters)
- Describe a challenge you’ve faced and the steps you took to overcome it. (1000 characters)
- Describe the community in which you see yourself practicing medicine. (1000 characters)
- Have you previously applied to NYITCOM? If yes, what specific steps have you taken to strengthen your credentials for the current application year? (1000 characters)
- How and where did you learn about NYITCOM? (250 characters)
- If applicable, please comment on significant fluctuations in your academic record which are not explained elsewhere on your application.
- If you have taken any time off from your studies, either during or after college, please describe what you have done during this time and your reasons for doing so.
Please limit your answer on the following essays to a maximum of 2500 characters each.
- The Admissions Committee uses a holistic approach to evaluate a wide range of student qualities and life experiences that are complementary to demonstrated academic excellence, strong interpersonal skills and leadership potential. What unique qualities or experiences do you possess that would contribute specifically to the NYU Grossman School of Medicine community?
- The ultimate goal of our institution is to produce a population of physicians with a collective desire to improve health for all segments of our society through outstanding patient care, research and education. In this context, where do you see your future medical career and why? If your plans require that you complete a dual degree program, please elaborate here.
Please answer only one of the following three questions:
- The most meaningful achievements are often non-academic in nature. Describe the personal accomplishment that makes you most proud. Why is this important to you?
- Conflicts arise daily from differences in perspectives, priorities, worldviews and traditions. How do you define respect? Describe a situation in which you found it challenging to remain respectful while facing differences?
- Describe a situation in which working with a colleague, family member or friend has been challenging. How did you resolve, if at all, the situation as a team and what did you gain from the experience that will benefit you as a future health care provider?
- What do you hope to achieve from your experience as a NEOMED student? (5000 characters)
- PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS: Given the distinctive educational philosophy and integrated curriculum at FSM, describe how your personal characteristics and learning style would align with the institution. (200 word max)
- COPING SKILLS: Describe specific steps you take to manage your stress and maintain wellness while balancing personal, educational, and professional responsibilities. (200 word max)
- FUTURE CAREER PLANS: Feinberg’s mission is to train future leaders in medicine who will serve their patients, communities and society. Describe one specific goal within medicine and how FSM, located in Chicago which is one of the most culturally diverse cities in the country, will help you achieve this professional goal. (200 word max)
- COVID-19 IMPACT: Describe how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted your pathway to medical school. Include any academic, personal, financial or professional challenges, as well as any other relevant information. (200 word max)
- POST-UNDERGRADUATE EXPERIENCES (if applicable): If you have a year or more between college graduation and medical school matriculation, describe both your completed activities and future plans during the gap period. (200 word max)
- REAPPLICANT (if applicable): If you are a reapplicant this cycle, please address steps taken to improve your application for medical school. (200 word max)
- Personal Narrative: The Feinberg School of Medicine values diversity as a measure of excellence. We define diversity as the totality of the characteristics and experiences of our students. We believe that a diverse student body improves the educational environment and the ability of our graduates to serve an increasingly diverse patient population. Everyone has their own narrative. Please provide more detail about how your experiences would enrich the Northwestern community. (200 word max)
- Are you the first person in your immediate family to pursue a career in healthcare? If not, what medical professions are your immediate family members a part of? (N/A if not applicable) (100 characters)
- If you have been away from full-time academics for more than two years, please explain. (N/A if not applicable) (750 characters)
- If you are a re-applicant to the UNMC College of Medicine, how is your application different this year? (N/A if not applicable) (750 characters)
- If this is your first application to UNMC, but not your first application to medical school, what is your rationale for applying to UNMC this cycle? (N/A if not applicable) (750 characters)
- What is your personal rationale for applying to the UNMC College of Medicine, especially if you are not from Nebraska? (1,000 characters)
- What are you most proud of in your life? (1,500 characters)
- Tell us about a time when you have had to overcome adversity. (1,500 characters)
- What have been the positive impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on your personal and professional life? (1,000 characters)
- Given the potential impact on shadowing opportunities since 2020, how do you know that you want to be a physician and what the career entails? (1,500 characters)
1. Describe your primary motivation for applying to UNR Med, your most important connection(s) to the state of Nevada and any plans for using your career in medicine to support our vision of a healthy Nevada.
2. Describe a time when you were faced with a significant life crisis, a personal struggle, or an academic or professional failure. How did you respond and how did your experience impact your future actions?
3. Nevada faces health care challenges that include racial and ethnic health disparities, a shortage of physicians in our rural communities, and inadequate medical services for our LGBTQ community and for non-English speakers. Describe how your prior experiences have prepared you to deliver care to underserved patients.
4. Describe and share what you learned from an experience providing direct patient care.
Each question has a 250 word limit.
1. Describe how your background and future goals will contribute to the mission of the UNLV School of Medicine.
2. Briefly discuss how you envision yourself contributing to the care of our growing and diverse population in the state of Nevada.
3. Provide a BRIEF chronological summary of your time since graduating from high school up to the point of applying to medical school.
4. You are welcome to share with the Admissions Committee any disruptions or impact to your application components, the application process, and/or your personal life due to COVID-19. This field is not required
5. If you have any other information you believe is important for the Admissions Committee to consider, please include it here. Do not restate information already in your primary AMCAS application.
1. At the UNM School of Medicine we are committed to building a community of diverse learners that will go on to contribute to the diversity of the medical field. Are there any aspects of your experience that you are most proud of or that you feel you have been unable to highlight with your application materials already submitted? If so, please explain how this will contribute to the diversity of a learning community and your future medical community. (2000 characters)
2. What do you see as the most important characteristics of a physician? How do you plan to cultivate them during your training? (2000 characters)
3. While providing healthcare as a physician is often a rewarding career, it is also a profession that entails addressing constant challenges. Identify what you think is the most significant issue the medical profession will face in the next 20 years, and walk us through the process of solving this problem at a local or national level. Explain your reasoning along the way.
4. Clinical outcomes are often the downstream outcome of broader policies that impact health inequities. What is a public health policy that has impacted the health outcomes of our community for better or worse? (2000 characters)
5. Please tell us about a situation in which working with a team was challenging. What was your role? What was challenging? How was it handled? What did you learn? (2000 characters)
6. Please describe how COVID-19 has effected your preparation for applying to medical school. Describe any academic, personal, financial, or professional barriers/disruptions that COVID-19 may have triggered. (2000 characters)
- Tell us about a peer who is deserving of recognition but whose accomplishments may not be acknowledged adequately. Why do you think their accomplishments have gone relatively unacknowledged? (250 words)
- Please share your thoughts and experiences with navigating the COVID-19 pandemic. This could include the barriers you have faced in applying to medical school, creative ways you have overcome those barriers, feelings of grief and loss, thoughts on the role of health care professionals, challenges associated with racial health inequities, or other reflections on living through a global pandemic crisis. (250 words)
- How will your values and attitudes foster a positive educational environment and benefit your future patients? Tell us about the sources of those values and attitudes (e.g. family, places you’ve lived in, things you have read, life experiences, etc). (250 words)
- Tell us about a time when you observed or personally experienced biased behavior. What did you do to address this situation or what would you do in the future? Through either situation we are interested in what you learned. (250 words)
- What motivates you to apply to the UNC School of Medicine? (200 words)
Reapplicant Prompt: What has changed about you as a candidate since your last application to medical school? What has made you a stronger applicant? (200 words)
- "The School of Medicine & Health Sciences is a community-based medical school, and because of the unique circumstances of our regional location, we place special emphasis on the unique skills needed to provide care for patients and populations in rural and Native American communities across all competencies. The primary purpose of the UND School of Medicine & Health Sciences is to educate physicians and other health professionals for subsequent service in North Dakota and to enhance the quality of life of its people. Other purposes include the discovery of knowledge that benefits the people of this state and enhances the quality of their lives." Please explain the steps you have taken towards, and how you will fulfill different aspects the school’s mission.
- Reflect on personal experiences of resilience and emotional intelligence throughout your life and how this has prepared you in your pursuit of a career in medicine.
- Describe your experiences with diverse populations. Examples include a summary of a volunteer experience, study abroad, employment, self-taught endeavor or a formal course on diversity that includes direct interaction with individuals or groups from socio-economic disadvantaged, diverse cultures, rural, or other backgrounds.
- Describe your research activity. Examples include the outcome of a formal research experience, course-dependent undergraduate research, thesis, or capstone project.
- Describe your creative activity. Examples include the on-going production of art forms, artistic performance, or other creative efforts, such as photography, painting, musical talents, needlework, cooking, wood-working, building cars, yoga instructor, dancing, theatre performance, writing, gaming etc.
- Expand and reflect on medical and/or clinical experience as it relates to the mission of the School of Medicine & Health Sciences. This may include a summary of physician shadowing, clinical observation, community service, volunteer work, and/or employment. Examples include, but are not limited to, work in a clinic, hospital, as a first responder, clinical lab, public health, home health visits, assisted living, nursing home care, youth camps, or relevant military duty.
- Expand and reflect on leadership and team experience. This may include a summary of leadership roles or teamwork in employed positions, extracurricular activities, organizations, volunteer services, or any other leadership or team experiences.
- What are your career plans if you do not ever get admitted to medical school?
- If needed, update the information in your AMCAS application (i.e., grades in recent courses, alterations in your proposed coursework or graduation, additions to extracurricular activities, unreported legal and institutional infractions, etc.).
- Are you currently enrolled in a grant-funded and/or degree-granting post-baccalaureate program and/or advanced degree? If so, what is your timeline for completion?
- How have your experiences serving others contributed to your personal growth, and how would your experiences contribute to diversity, equity, and inclusiveness in our community? (400 words)
- Describe your motivation to attend OUWB. (250 words)
- (Optional): Is there anything you want the admissions committee to know about your qualifications for medical school that are not already represented in your application materials? For example, if you have already graduated, briefly summarize your activities since graduation. Note: This space is provided for new information only, not to promote qualifications already highlighted in your other materials. (400 words)
- (Optional): If you are a re-applicant to OUWB, please describe improvements you have made to your current application from previous cycles (please include academics, experiences, and/or personal characteristics). (400 words)
Required Essays for those applying to REGULAR M.D., M.D./PhD and the Primary Care Track:
- The mission statement of The Ohio State University College of Medicine is to "improve people's lives" through innovation in research, medical education, and patient care. Please describe how your past experiences predict your potential to contribute in two of these three areas. (250 words or less)
- The OSU COM Admissions vision statement states that the admissions committee will assemble a class that displays "diversity in background and thought." Why is "diversity in background and thought" a desirable characteristic for a medical school's student body? (250 words or less)
- (Optional) Please use the space below to communicate anything you would like to share with the admissions committee related to the pandemic. Possible topics might include, for example: your biggest lessons and insights from the pandemic; creative ways in which you were able to serve your community during the crisis; or hardships you may have faced as a result of the virus or quarantine. (250 words or less)
Additional Required Essays for Primary Care Track applicants:
- How do you feel ready to choose a career in family medicine? Please provide any examples of exposure and/or experiences not already mentioned in your application.
- "Health is Primary" is a communications campaign to advocate for the values of family medicine, demonstrate the benefits of primary care, and engage patients in our healthcare system. The aim is to build a primary care system that reflects the values of family medicine, puts patients at the center of their care, and improves the health of all Americans. How do you plan to reflect the values of Family Medicine in your future career? (250 words or less)
- What experience have you had that has given you insight into the patients you hope to eventually serve? (1550 characters)
- Tell us about a time you went into a situation completely unprepared. (1550 characters)
- Discuss a time in your life that demonstrated your resilience. (1550 characters)
- In 1990, Salovey and Mayer defined emotional intelligence (EI) as “the subset of social intelligence that involves the ability to monitor one’s own and others’ feelings and emotions, to discriminate among them and to use this information to guide one’s thinking and actions”. The components of EI include self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills. Briefly describe one example of a time you harnessed your EI to resolve a difficult situation, AND one example of a time your failure to use your EI compounded a difficult situation. What did you learn about yourself in each of these situations? (2050 characters)
- Give an example of personal feedback in the last few years that was difficult to receive. How did you respond? (1550 characters)
- Please discuss how your personal experience demonstrates the ability to overcome adversity and contributes to diversity in the provision of healthcare. Please include any insight into the diversity that you would bring to OHSU School of Medicine and the profession of medicine in the context of OHSU's definition of diversity: Diversity at OHSU requires creating and sustaining a community of inclusion. We honor, respect, embrace and value the unique contributions and perspectives of all employees, patients, students, volunteers and our local and global communities. Diversity may include age, color, culture, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status. We respect diversity of thought, ideas and more. Diversity maximizes our true potential for creativity, innovation, quality patient care, educational excellence and outstanding service. (1550 characters)
- Are there any additional ties to the state of Oregon you wish to share? If so, use the space below. Please note that this does not factor toward your consideration as an Oregon resident or Oregon Heritage. (1550 characters)
- We know that many of our applicants in the OHSU UME Program may have familial relationships with individuals who are OHSU faculty, residents, staff, or current students who serve as evaluators in our admissions process. We have added this question in hopes to prevent perceived or actual conflicts of interest that can occur when an applicant has a family member (or someone with a similar close personal relationship) they may encounter through the admissions process. If you have any such connections, please list those individuals’ names and departments below. (1550 characters)
It’s all biographic checkboxes unless you’re applying to the Tulsa track.
Tulsa SCM track only:
- Please submit an essay (450 words or less) that explains your interest and commitment to Community Medicine.
- Please explain (in 250 words or less) how you expect the SCM track to enhance your medical education.
- Please enter any additional community or volunteer experience not included on your AMCAS application. (no word limit)
- Please enter any other relevant life experience that you feel might have an impact on your application to the SCM track. (no word limit)
- If not currently enrolled in a full-time academic program, please summate your activities from the time of graduation from your baccalaureate program through the time of this application, as well as your plans between now and your matriculation to medical school. (Maximum 75 words)
- Is there a unique aspect of your application that should be considered by the admissions committee? (Maximum 75 words)
- Explain why you decided to apply to the Penn State College of Medicine. (Maximum 75 words)
- Write a short paragraph describing a significant experience you have had working in a team setting. (Maximum 250 words)
- Write a short statement describing how you envision using your medical education to advance care for under-represented or marginalized populations. (Maximum 250 words)
List/describe:
Academic honors
Research experience/ Publications
Community service/ volunteer work
Essay: Explain your interest in graduate studies and your long-range professional plan.
- The Perelman School of Medicine (PSOM) is deeply committed to recruiting a diverse class to enrich an inclusive team-based learning experience. How would you and your experiences contribute to the diversity of the student body and/or how would you contribute to an inclusive atmosphere at PSOM? Please explain and limit your response to 1,000 characters.
- We are all navigating through challenging times, and physicians and physician-scientists must contend with many instances of uncertainty. Describe a time when you faced a situation that was ambiguous, confusing, or uncertain, and how you navigated making a decision without complete information (3000 characters).
- Please explain your reasons for applying to the Perelman School of Medicine and limit your response to 1,000 characters.
- Tell us about a challenging problem you faced and how you resolved it. Include how the experience contributed to the person you are today. (Limit your response to 250 words or less.)
- At UPSOM, diversity and inclusion are measures of distinction, integral to achieving institutional excellence, and essential to the development of future physicians who become leaders in medicine. Describe how you have demonstrated a commitment to diversity and inclusion in the past, and how you hope to grow that commitment in medical school. (Limit your response to 250 words or less.)
- Please write about anything else you would like to add to your application, or anything you would like to emphasize to the Admissions Committee. (Limit your response to 250 words or less.)
- Rush Medical College is located on Chicago’s near west side and serves a diverse patient population. We seek to train physicians who can connect with diverse patient populations with whom they may not share a similar background. Tell us about a life experience that has broadened your own world view or enhanced your ability to understand those unlike yourself and what you learned from this experience. (1000 characters)
- As an anchor institution, Rush is embedded in its strategies to improve the societal and structural determinants of health, which improve the economic vitality of Chicago’s west side neighborhoods and help residents achieve better health. Using your own experiences, describe how you have impacted and/or changed a person or community. (1000 characters)
- Do you have direct patient care/contact experience beyond shadowing/observing? Answering "yes" demonstrates you have had active interactions with patients and/or clinical participation in their continuum of care. (if yes you fill out a 400 char description of activities for EACH experience)
- If applicable, describe how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted your application to and/or preparation for medical school. (1000 characters)
- (Optional) Use this space to provide additional information, which is non-COVID related, you would like the Committee on Admissions to be aware of when reviewing your application (1000 characters)
- Do you wish to include any comments to the Saint Louis University (SLU) School of Medicine Admissions Committee (e.g. why you chose to apply to SLU, other extenuating circumstances, etc.)? (1000 characters)
- Describe briefly any experiences and/or skills that have made you more sensitive or appreciative of other cultures or the human condition. (1000 characters)
MD/PhD additional question:
- Relate your current thinking about the type and scope of clinical career that you seek. Remember that most applicants cannot identify at this point the specific medical disciplines they might choose for residency programs. However, you may have preliminary ideas about your relative interest in direct patient care vs. consultative service, translational vs. basic research, academic medical center vs. corporate, etc. (max 3,000 characters)
Given the mission statement of the school, please explain how your experiences and long term goals would help meet the mission.
Given the diversity statement of the school, explain how your background and experiences with diversity will bring value to the school.
Describe how your experiences in health care or social care activities will help you become a good physician.
Briefly describe a crisis or significant challenge in your life, how you have worked through the crisis or challenge, and what you have learned from this experience.
What are your career plans in the event that you are not admitted to a medical school this year or after several applications?
- Will your education be continuous between college and medical school matriculation? (500 words)
- If NO, please explain what you have done or plan to do during the gap period and why.
- If YES, please tell us about your proudest accomplishment to date.
- Describe an obstacle you've overcome and how it defined you. (500 words)
Respond to one (500 words):
- Please describe how you, as a future physician, plan to address the social determinants of health.
- What, in your opinion, is the role of a physician in addressing systemic racism and societal injustices?
Essay question #1: SIU School of Medicine uses a holistic approach to identify and select a diverse student body best suited to fulfill its mission: to assist the people of central and southern Illinois in meeting their health care needs through education, patient care, research, and service to the community. In what ways do you believe you would contribute to this mission? Please limit your answer to 300 words or less.
Essay question #2: To be successful as a student at SIU School of Medicine and as a practicing physician, you must be flexible and committed to cultivating and employing critical interactive and learning skills. Describe your experiences that demonstrate: contribution in a teamwork setting; engagement in self-directed and life-long learning (taking personal initiative to identify and address your learning goals and needs); and exposure to the small group tutorial process used in a problem-based learning environment. Please limit your answer to 500 words or less.
Essay question #3: If you have previously applied to SIU School of Medicine, please describe how you feel you have strengthened your credentials since that application. Please limit your answer to 300 words or less
1. PRACTICE SETTING What do you see as the most likely practice scenario for your future medical career? Choose the single answer that best describes your career goals and clinical practice setting:
a. Academic Medicine (Clinical)
b. Academic Medicine (Physician Scientist)
c. Non-Academic Clinical Practice
d. Health Policy
e. Health Administration
f. Primary Care
g. Public Health/Community Health
h. Global Health
Why do you feel you are particularly suited for this practice scenario? What knowledge, skills and attitudes have you developed that have prepared you for this career path? (1,000 characters)
2. CURRICULAR INTERESTS
How will you take advantage of the Stanford Medicine Discovery Curriculum and scholarly concentration requirement to achieve your personal career goals? (1,000 characters)
3. BACKGROUND
Describe in a short paragraph your educational and family background. (E.g., I grew up in New York City, as the 3rd child of a supermarket cashier and a high school principal. I attended Mann High School where my major interests were boxing and drama.) (600 characters)
4. CONTRIBUTION TO LEARNING ENVIRONMENT
The Committee on Admissions regards the diversity (broadly defined) of an entering class as an important factor in serving the educational mission of the school. You are strongly encouraged to share unique attributes of your personal identity, and/ or personally important or challenging factors in your background. Such discussions may include the quality of your early education, gender identity, sexual orientation, any physical challenges, or any other life or work experiences. (2,000 characters)
5. Please describe how you have uniquely contributed to a community with which you identify. (1,000 characters)
6. ADVOCACY Please describe an experience/ situation when you advocated for someone else. (1,000 characters)
7. (Optional) SPECIAL INSIGHTS Please describe any lessons, hardships, challenges or opportunities that resulted from the global COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, describe how these insights have informed your motivations and preparation for medical school in areas of academics, research, employment, volunteer service and/or clinical experiences. (1,000 characters)
8. (Optional)ANYTHING ELSE? Please include anything else that will help us understand better how you may uniquely contribute to Stanford Medicine? (1,000 characters)
- (If applicable) Please describe your activities for the period of September 15 to July 1:
- Living in NYC
- What will be your support system while in medical school? (Limit 150 words)
- Describe what personal, urban experiences prepare you to live and study in New York City (Limit 150 words)
- Specific reason(s) for SUNY Downstate?
- Why do believe you are a good fit for SUNY Downstate?
- What is your experience with diversity, health equity and social justice?
- If you earned your baccalaureate degree prior to this past June, please provide a brief statement indicating your plans for the upcoming academic year:
- You might consider yourself disadvantaged if you grew up in an area that was medically or underserved or had insufficient access to educational opportunities. Do you consider yourself within this description? If you answer Yes please explain your particular circumstances regarding why you consider yourself a disadvantaged applicant.
- If you are interested in Primary Care, are you interested in receiving more information about potential scholarship opportunities?
- We understand that the COVID-19 crisis disrupted many aspects of our lives. Please share if you had any curricular impacts during this time, for example, change to pass/fail courses or to online coursework or if you anticipate any deficiencies in experiences as a result of COVID-19.
- Please upload an essay, under 500 words, answering the following question:
- Upstate Medical University is strongly committed to providing a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment for the patients we serve and all who work at, study at, or visit our campus. As a potential partner in this effort, please describe your commitment to eliminating health inequities, discrimination, or other forms of social injustice. (500 words)
Out-of-State Applicants
Although our primary obligation is to residents of the State of Alabama, we do consider competitive, out-of-state applicants with strong ties to the State of Alabama.
Please write a brief essay explaining your ties to the State of Alabama.
Optional Essay – 500 words maximum
The learning community at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine benefits from the inclusion of students with broad life experiences, as well as students from diverse backgrounds. The Admissions Committee encourages you to share life experiences that you may have had and/or important factors in your background that illustrate your readiness for practicing medicine in a multicultural society.
- Do you believe the competitiveness (i.e. course requirements, experiences, academic performance, etc.) of your application for medical school has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic? (1500 character max)
- What do you see as the most likely practice scenario for your future medical career (Private Practice, Academic Medicine, Public Health, Health Care Administration, Health Policy, or Other)? Describe the knowledge, skills, and attributes you have developed in preparation for the career path you have chosen in the previous question. (1500 character max)
- (optional) The USF Morsani College of Medicine’s Scholarly Concentrations program aims to support the educational development of medical students by providing opportunities for academic endeavors in areas of special interest. This program facilitates self-directed learning, enhances interactions between students and fosters relationships between students and faculty. Scholarly concentrations provide a forum where diversity of ideas and perspectives are valued. Each concentration includes elements of course work, practical application and scholarly presentation. Please review our Scholarly Concentrations website to determine which concentration would be of interest to you and answer the following question: (Scholarly Concentrations Program | USF Health) a. How would the USF Morsani College of Medicine’s Scholarly Concentrations Program help your personal career goals? (1500 characters)
- The USF Morsani College of Medicine strives to educate a very diverse set of students who bring a variety of strengths and interests to the field of medicine. The definition of diversity is broad and includes (but is not limited to) lifestyle, race/ethnicity, geography, socioeconomic status and distance traveled through life. The definition of strength is also broad and includes (but is not limited to) humanism, scholarship, intellectual curiosity, research, and leadership. How do you feel your particular experiences, interests, and passions will add to the strength and diversity of the USF class and ultimately to the field of medicine? (2000 characters)
- If you have experienced academic difficulties, please explain the situation and how it was resolved. (Please explain all grades less than a "B", including B-, or any "withdrawal" on your transcripts). (2000 characters)
- If you have chosen the SELECT program or BOTH, please explain how your experiences and career goals match with the mission of the SELECT program. (MD SELECT Program | USF Health) (1500 characters)
- What is the nature of your interest in the Lewis Katz School of Medicine? (2,000 characters)
- How do you plan on contributing to the Lewis Katz School of Medicine Community?
- LKSOM seeks an engaged student body with a wide variety of backgrounds, experiences, perspectives, and interests to enhance the medical school experience for everyone. Please use the space below to describe what makes you unique as an applicant, an obstacle that you had to overcome, or how you will contribute to the LKSOM community. (2,000 characters)
- Tell us about your special interest in the campus you selected. (2,000 characters) **There are 2 campuses: 1. North Philadelphia and 2. St. Luke's campus in Bethlehem, PA. The one you select is the one where you will be considered for admission.**
- What are your plans for the current year - June 2022 until June 2023? (2,000 characters)
- The Coronavirus pandemic has affected all of us. Please use this space to describe to us how you were impacted academically, personally or professionally by COVID-19. (2,000 characters)
- Describe briefly any experiences and/or skills that have made you more sensitive or appreciative of other cultures or the human condition. (3500 characters)
- The Texas A&M College of Medicine embraces the Aggie Core Values of Respect, Excellence, Leadership, Loyalty, Integrity and Selfless Service. Briefly discuss what activities demonstrate best that you would be a good custodian of these core values. (3500 characters)
- Describe any circumstances indicative of some hardship, such as, but not limited to, financial difficulties, personal or family illness, a medical condition, a death in the immediate family or educational disadvantage not mentioned in your primary application essays; OR describe any key academic, personal, or financial barriers that COVID-19 may have posed on you or your immediate family. (3500 characters)
- (Optional) List the area (or areas) of medicine that appeals to you and briefly explain. (Limit your explanation to 50 words or 250 characters for each area of interest you list.) Do not leave blank. If not applicable, please so indicate (250 characters) (The optional question is related to a list of areas of medicine listed on the A&M Secondary Portal) correction: there's not a list. Say what interests you at this time.
2022-2023 prompts for EnMed (A&M's engineering & medicine program) (notice essay length is listed in words, not characters like the regular MD prompts above).
- How did you hear about the EnMed program? (100 words)
- Explain your interest in the EnMed medical education program: (250 words)
- How will the EnMed medical education meet your goals and interests in ways that a traditional MD-only program would not? (150 words)
- What creative, engineering, innovation, or entrepreneurship related activities have you participated in outside the classroom? Describe how these have prepared you to create innovative medical technologies. (150 words)
- What knowledge, skills, and experiences have you acquired inside the classroom during your education that are most relevant to EnMed? (150 words)
- What role do you envision yourself taking in the process of creating and translating new medical technologies during your future medical career? (150 words)
- Do you have an undergraduate or graduate degree in engineering or computer science? (Yes or No)
- The mission of the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso Paul L. Foster School of Medicine is to provide an outstanding education and development opportunities for a diverse group of students, residents, faculty, and staff; advance knowledge through innovation and research; and serve the needs of our socially and culturally diverse communities and region.” Recognizing the components of this mission and that PLFSOM is located on the US/Mexico border, please describe why you are interested in applying to our school. (300 words or less)
- The Foster SOM student honor code states “In my capacity as a Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso School of Medicine medical student, I will uphold the dignity of the medical profession. I will, to the best of my ability, avoid actions which might result in harm to my patients. I will protect the dignity of my patients and the deceased and will protect their confidential information in accordance with the prevailing standards of medical practice. I will not lie, cheat, or steal. I will enter into professional relationships with my colleagues, teachers, and other health care professionals in a manner that is respectful and reflective of the high standards and expectations of my profession. I will not tolerate violations of this Code by others and will report such violations to the appropriate authorities.” Please describe past experiences or personal attributes that reflect your affinity with this honor code. (300 words or less)
- Please describe any unique personal experiences or disadvantage (educational, financial or otherwise) and their significance to you in your pursuit of a medical degree. (300 words or less)
Areas of Interest
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center is responsible for providing primary health care to 108 counties of West Texas. We are interested in hearing about the areas of medicine that interest you.
Please indicate the area(s) of medicine you are interested in and briefly describe your significant activities for each respective interest in the available text box (if checked, a box will appear with a 100 word limit)
Practicing in an underserved area
Rural health
Medical Research
Medical Academics
Primary Care
Border Health
Public Health
Other (Please describe below)
ESSAY PROMPTS :
The only prompts that are REQUIRED are 2. and 7.
- Have you experienced any road bumps in your academic career? (Low academic performance, dropping, retaking, or failing courses, etc.) (yes or no)
- If so, please explain your circumstance. (250 words or less)
- Please share any lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic that you would like the admissions committee to consider – either regarding yourself or your community – about any or all of the topics below? (300 words or less)
- Disruptions in your academic, volunteer, work, community and or personal life.
- Creative ways in which you were able to serve your community during the crisis.
- Hardships you may have faced as a result of isolation, quarantine or illness
- If you are applying to a dual degree program, please briefly describe your motivation to pursue this program and any other pertinent information. (e.g. research interests, steps taken to prepare yourself) (Note that if you select more than one program in this section you will be required to rank them in order of importance. 200 words or less)(note that you get 200 words for each program if you choose more than one) (MD/MBA, MD/MPH, MD/PHD, MD/JD, or NONE)
- Are you applying to our MD & E program? (yes or no)
- Describe your motivation to pursue this program, be sure to include how you expect to benefit from the program. (200 words or less)
- How do you anticipate this program making you a more efficient caregiver? (200 words or less)
- Please list the highest-level math/chemistry/physics course you have taken or are currently taking. (200 words or less)
- What projects have you been involved in that require programming and/or machine languages? What languages do you prefer? ( 200 words or less)
- Are you applying FMAT? (yes or no)
- What motivates you to participate in the FMAT program (200 words or less)?
- What experiences have you had that would prepare you for this intensive program (200 words or less)?
- What, in your opinion, distinguishes Family Medicine from other medical specialties (200 words or less)?
- Have you experienced any hardship or adversity, personally or professionally? (yes or no)
- If so, please share your experience with us. (200 words or less)
- Please tell us about your favorite recreational/leisure activities (200 words or less)
- Do you consider yourself from West Texas or as having West Texas ties? (yes or no)
- If yes, what town or county did you reside in, or what other factors would you cite? (100 words or less)
- Have you participated in any special programs offered by a medical school to help prepare yourself for medical school and a career in medicine? (yes or no)
- If yes, what was the name of the program and where was this program hosted (sponsoring school)? (100 words or less)
- Describe how the pandemic has affected your educational, work, or research plans? What has your own experience informed you about the challenges of providing equitable and inclusive care to future patients? (2500 characters)
- Do you have any additional information that hasn't been covered? (4000 characters)
- Do you wish to include any comments (in addition to those already provided in your AMCAS application) to the Admissions Committee at Tufts University School of Medicine? Please explain briefly. (1000 characters)
- Please briefly describe your plans for the coming year. Include in this explanation if you will be a student, working, conducting research, volunteering, etc. (1000 characters)
- How might you contribute to the diversity of the student body of Tufts University School of Medicine? Please explain briefly. (1000 characters)
- Given how the COVID-19 pandemic has altered the world these past few years, please contextualize how your experiences have been affected which might include your personal, professional and educational journey. (1000 characters)
- Do you have any withdrawals or repeated coursework listed on your transcript(s)? Please explain briefly. (1000 characters)
- Did you take any leaves of absence or significant breaks from your undergraduate education? (Do not include time off after graduation.) Please explain briefly. (1000 characters)
- We understand that many applicants encounter academic hardships along the way. Please comment on any academic difficulties that you have encountered since completing high school (grades and MCAT scores) and that you believe might adversely affect your likelihood of medical school acceptance. We believe that such difficulties offer an opportunity for growth and would appreciate learning how your experiences have affected your approach to academics. If you have not encountered any difficulties, you may answer 'No'. (1000 characters)
- Have you ever been convicted of, or pleaded guilty or no contest to, a Misdemeanor crime, excluding 1) any offense for which you were adjudicated as a juvenile 2) any convictions which have been expunged or sealed by a court, or 3) any misdemeanor convictions for which any probation has been completed and the case dismissed by the court (in states where applicable)? (1000 characters)
- Tulane University School of Medicine’s mission statement states: We improve human health and foster healthy communities through discovery and translation of the best science into clinical practice and education; to deliver the highest quality patient care and prepare the next generation of distinguished clinical and scientific leaders. Briefly describe the reasons for your interest in Tulane University School of Medicine. (150 words)
- What disparities in health do you believe are pertinent to the New Orleans patient population? How would you attempt to address them as a medical student at Tulane? You may support your answer by using past involvement working in a similar patient population to compare and/or describe your interest in any student activities offered at Tulane or in New Orleans. (150 words)
- Who knows you best and how would they describe you? (150 words)
- What have you been pursuing since you graduated? (No word max)
- Please list any leadership positions (clubs, organizations, paid work) you may have held. (100 words)
- Please list your hobbies and major non-academic interest. (150 words)
- (Optional) Tulane University School of Medicine values the diversity of its patients, faculty, staff, and students. Do you identify with a particular group that you believe is underrepresented among medical professionals? These include groups oriented around, but not limited to: ethnicity, race, sexuality, religion, disability, and economic background. (60 words)
- In what ways did the COVID-19 pandemic alter/interrupt your medical school application? (No word max)
In an effort to give a greater number of applicants the opportunity to present themselves to Dell Med’s admissions team, the school uses a unique video secondary application. If selected for further consideration, the applicant receives an email invitation with details on how to prepare and submit the video through a free online portal. The secondary application consists of questions that address specific aspects of the school’s mission. In a two-minute response for each question, the candidate speaks to how their experiences will help them contribute to this work. The priority deadline for the secondary application is Nov. 16; application will be reviewed only after the secondary is submitted.
Candidates who feel they would represent themselves better in a written format are given the opportunity to request a written version of the secondary application.
(Note: Candidates do not receive the same set of questions.)
- Please discuss one of the following: (2500 characters)
- A challenging situation or obstacle you have faced in the past. Why was it challenging? How did you handle it? Knowing what you know now, would you do anything differently? What did you learn?
- Any academic road bumps in your academic career (low academic performance, failing course, dropping/retaking of courses). Why was it challenging? How did you handle it? Knowing what you know now, would you do anything differently? What did you learn?
- Describe a time or situation where you have been unsuccessful or failed. What did you learn from this experience and how have you applied this learning to your work and/or life? (2500 characters)
- What would you like to contribute and be remembered for in medicine? (2500 characters)
- Describe a group project or activity that you are most proud of. Consider the following in your response: What aspect makes you most proud? How was it accomplished? How did you deal with disagreement or conflict in the group? How did you get fellow group members to embrace a position or view your perspective? (2500 characters)
- Describe a time that you have witnessed someone acting unethically or dishonestly, or an experienced behavior of harassment or discrimination. Consider the following in your response: What did you do? What made the situation difficult for you personally? Describe your reaction and what you might do differently now in retrospect. (2500 characters)
- Describe an interaction or experience that has made you more sensitive or appreciative of cultural differences, and/or how you have committed yourself to understanding and aiding in the pursuit of equity and inclusion in your academic, professional or personal life. (2500 characters)
- (Optional) Have you engaged in any public service activities for a duration of one year or greater in length (examples: Military, Peace Corps, Teach for America, etc.). Yes or No? If so, please describe the experience and impact on your personal and professional development. (2500 characters)
- (Optional) Please explain any academic discrepancies or extenuating circumstances that you feel the Admissions Committee should know. (2500 characters)
- The UTRGV SOM educates future physicians with the following values in mind: Patient Advocacy, Community-Focus, Cultural Awareness, Collaborative Leadership Style, Lifelong Problem Solving. Choose TWO (2) of these values and explain their importance to you and how they integrate with each other. Please explain how this integration will impact your medical school education. (300 words)
- Describe how you decide if a person or source is trustworthy. (300 words or less)
- Describe a time when the awareness of your own limitations resulted in a favorable outcome for you or someone close to you. (350 words or less)
- In the event you are accepted to two or more medical schools, what factors would be most important in determining which school would be the "best fit" for you. (150 words max; bullet points are acceptable)
- Briefly describe the community you anticipate practicing medicine in post-residency: (100 words or less)
Part 2: Essays (Optional)
- Is there any personal characteristic, capability, or experience that you believe would be important for us to know in order to assess your potential as a medical student and practicing physician? Note: This must be something you have not covered elsewhere in the primary or secondary application. (optional,150 words or less).
- Do you have any suggestions for improving medical care and access in the community of the Rio Grande Valley? How can the School of Medicine help to improve the situation? (optional, 300 words or less)
Part 2: Video Response (Required)
Submit a 2-minute video that answers one of the two questions below.
- The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine has commitments to diversity, inclusion, and health equity. What do these terms mean to you? What is their importance to medical education and practice, as well as to the health of our society in general?
- The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine's Honor Code requires that medical students live honestly, advance on individual merit, and demonstrate respect for others. UTRGV SOM subscribes to the highest Code of Professional Conduct. Our aim is professional behavior beyond reproach. Briefly explain the relevance of a school of medicine’s honor code to your anticipated development as a future practitioner of medicine.
1. One of the AAMC Core Competencies for entering medical students involves cultural competence. The competency involves several distinct domains, including:
a. Demonstrating knowledge of socio-cultural factors that affect interactions and behaviors;
b. Showing an appreciation and respect for multiple dimensions of diversity;
c. Recognizing and acting on the obligation to inform one's own judgment;
d. Engaging diverse and competing perspectives as a resource for learning, citizenship, and work;
e. Recognizing and appropriately addressing bias in selves and others;
f. Interacting effectively with people from diverse backgrounds.
Discuss a specific experience from your life that you feel demonstrates your level of competence in one of the above domains. (Clearly indicate which of the six domains above that you are responding to.) As part of your discussion, explain how you feel this experience will impact your future contribution to the culture of diversity and inclusion at The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences and later in your career as a physician. Max word count: 600
2. One of the AAMC Core Competencies for entering medical students involves resilience and adaptability. This competency involves the ability to tolerate stressful or changing environments or situations and adapt effectively to them. Additional characteristics of this competency are persistence and the ability to recover from setbacks.
Discuss a specific experience from your life that you feel demonstrates your level of competence in resilience and adaptability as described above. As part of your discussion, explain how you feel this experience will help you meet new challenges you may face in medical school. Max word count: 600
3. (Optional) Please use the space below for anything you might wish to discuss related to the coronavirus (COVID-19) public health crisis. Possible topics might include, for example: your biggest lessons and insights from the pandemic; creative ways in which you were able to serve your community during the crisis; hardships you may have faced as a result of the virus or quarantine. (You will have an opportunity to specifically discuss impacts to your coursework/grades in a separate item). Max word count: 600
Affiliations and Experiences
1. We invite you to briefly discuss any other connections you may have to The University of Toledo, the UToledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, the city of Toledo, or the region of Northwest Ohio or to provide additional information about the affiliations you noted above. Max word count: 500
2. Will one or more years have passed between your graduation from college/university (bachelor’s degree) and your expected matriculation to medical school? YES/NO
If ‘YES’, please briefly describe what activities you are/have been engaged in during the period between undergraduate and medical school. Max word count: 300
3. Are you a re-applicant to the MD program at The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences?
If you indicated ‘YES,’: Please briefly describe how your application has changed since applying previously to our program. Max word count: 300
4. If you feel you have any aspects of your record that may potentially negatively influence your application to our medical school, we encourage you to use this space to discuss them in order to provide the admissions committee with further context about your application. (Examples of possible topics include MCAT scores lower than our class average, low grades, withdrawn course, institutional action/student conduct violation.) Max word count: 500
- Medicine and Officership are time-honored professions that unite at “America’s Medical School” in rewarding and challenging ways. What are your thoughts and impressions about serving as a uniformed medical corps officer, and why do you want to pursue this career path? (1500 Character Limit)
- The Uniformed Services University features a unique curriculum that prepares students to care for those in harm’s way. Please describe what in your research about our school and its values attracts you to our institution’s mission and approach. (1500 Character Limit)
- Our Admissions Committee assembles classes of students with a wide range of backgrounds, skills, experiences, and talents. Please describe how a special quality or experience of yours has informed your ability to participate well in a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment.
Were there any significant disruptions in your academic/volunteer/work/personal life related to COVID-19 that you would like the Admissions Committee to consider in reviewing your application?
- If applicable, please describe how the COVID-19 pandemic affected your pathway to medical school. You may discuss any academic, personal, financial, or professional alterations to your plans. NOTE: Disclosing certain hardships or obstacles that have been faced during this time will not negatively affect an application. (500 words)
- If you have completed your undergraduate education, please comment on what you have done or have been doing since graduation. (200 words)
- Please reflect on the upbringing, background, and experiences in your life that have shaped who you are as a person and will help define the person you want to be in the future. In other words, what makes you who you are? (800 words)
- Tell us about a time when you interacted with someone who is different than you. What did you learn? What would you do differently? (600 words)
- Everyone needs help at various times in their lives. Describe a time you asked for help and what you gained from that experience that has influenced your approach to asking for help. (600 words)
2000 character limit each.
- The last couple of years have been challenging for us all in various ways (i.e., dealing with the impacts of COVID, social unrest and injustices). Please describe a particular challenge you faced. What are some challenges others may have experienced? What did you learn about yourself and others during this time?
- Please briefly explain any lapses in your undergraduate education that are not explained in your application.
- Please briefly explain any low GPAs or poor grades.
- If not addressed in your application, what are you currently doing now?
MD/PhD applicants:
- Describe your motivation for obtaining a dual degree. (3000 characters)
- Describe your significant research experience(s) and your role in any publications. (10,000 characters)
- Describe scientific topics and/or labs at VCU that appeal to your future research aspirations. (1,000 characters)
600 word limit each
- From the following list of human qualities, choose the ONE you think is most important and explain your choice: intelligence, honor, humility, perseverance, optimism.
- What advice would you give someone your age but from a different culture who is new to our country?
- What do you think your chances of being accepted into medical school are this year? Please explain your answer.
- Please describe something you deserved but didn’t get and how you felt about it.
- Please briefly describe how the pandemic impacted your ability to pursue experiences like clinical work, shadowing, research, or community service.
- Please list any and all future activities in clinical work, shadowing, research, or community service that you plan to pursue in the upcoming year.
- Why are you interested in attending the University of Virginia School of Medicine? What factors will be most important to you in choosing a medical school? Please answer the question in 350 words or less.
- How will you contribute to the diversity of your medical school class and the University of Virginia School of Medicine? Please answer the question in 350 words or less.
- Describe a situation which you found challenging. How did you manage it? Please answer the question in 350 words or less.
- The Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont recognizes that diversity extends beyond chosen and unchosen identities and encompasses the entirety of an individual’s experiences. Diverse environments can promote growth and provide an opportunity to reflect on preconceptions or biases. Reflect on a time you learned something from someone or a group of people who are unlike yourself. (500 words)
- Please reflect on a difficult and challenging non-academic experience you have faced. Include a description of the stressful event, how you dealt with it and what you have learned about others and yourself through this process. (500 words)
- Please use this box to describe how the COVID19 pandemic may have adversely impacted your application. (Optional) (150 words)
- (Optional) Additional Comments (300 words)
- We seek to train physicians who can connect with diverse patient populations with whom they may not share a similar background. Tell us one experience that enhanced your ability to understand those unlike yourself and what you learned from it. (200 words)
- Describe a non-academic challenge you have faced and explain how you overcame it. (200 words)
- From your list of "most meaningful experiences" on the AMCAS application, choose one that has been the most formative in terms of your desire for a career in medicine. Why did that experience have such meaning for you in your decision-making process? (200 words)
- Tell us about any specific reason(s) (personal, educational, etc.) why you see yourself here at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine. (200 words)
- Please tell us an interesting fact about yourself that a casual acquaintance may find surprising or interesting. (50 words)
- If you have received a C+ grade or lower in any coursework, please explain. (200 words)
- If there is anything specific that you would like for us to know regarding how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected you and your application you may do so here. (200 words) (Please note that this is optional. Also, please do not repeat any information provided in your previous required responses.)
- Summarize your activities during the 2022-2023 academic year. Describe how your activities are preparing you for a medical career (2000 characters).
- How will your unique attributes (e.g., cultural or socioeconomic background, lifestyle, work experiences) add to the overall diversity of the Alpert Medical School community? (2000 characters)
- What are your aspirations for your medical practice? Fast-forward to 15 years in the future: where do you imagine yourself? (3000 characters)
Please respond to each essay below (each <300 words):
1. How will you contribute to the mission and vision of the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine? Support your response with your experiences and/or attributes.
2. What experiences have you had with rural and/or underserved communities/populations? What have you learned from these experiences?
3. Describe your connections to Washington communities and your interests in practicing medicine in Washington.
4. How have you built your resilience?
5. Learning from others is enhanced in educational settings that include individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences. Please describe your personal characteristics or experiences that would add to the educational environment for your classmates.
6. If you are a re-applicant to WSU ESFCOM, describe what you have done since last applying to strengthen your candidacy for our medical school. If you are not a re-applicant to WSU ESFCOM, please leave blank.
7. "Please share any disruptions in your academic/volunteer/work/personal life related to COVID-19 that you would like the Admissions Committee to consider (not required). "
- Have you already completed your undergraduate education, have you had your college or graduate education interrupted, or do you plan not to be a full-time student during your application year? If yes, Describe in chronological order your activities during the time(s) when you were not enrolled as a full-time student. (2000 characters)
- Describe a time or situation where you have been unsuccessful or failed. (3000 characters)
- (Optional) Is there anything else you would like to share with the Committee on Admissions? Some applicants use this space to describe unique experiences and obstacles such as significant challenges in access to education, unusual socioeconomic factors, and/or identification with a particular culture, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or gender identity and/or possibly challenges related to COVID or other issues in preparation for medical school. (3000 characters)
1250 character limit each.
- What characteristics and qualities are necessary for successful leadership? Do you think all physicians should be leaders? Please discuss your reasons.
- How would you address discordance between medical information vs disinformation? Discuss any impact on patients and society.
- What healthcare issues are faced by marginalized communities? Include the impact of at least one social determinant of health.
- Which of your experiences or activities align with WSU SOM’s mission? Please discuss how.
- Please answer if you have had a gap (career change, re-applicant, additional education, etc.). A “gap” is defined as a period of time between the end of your undergraduate education and the start of medical school. What activities have you participated in or plan to participate in during this period? How does this relate to your future career in medicine? Please mark N/A if this does not apply to you.
- If you are NOT a U.S. or Canadian citizen, please list and upload a copy of your current U.S. visa(s), including a permanent residency card (green card). *Please note, that non-Canadian international applicants are only eligible for admission if they have completed a degree at Wayne State University. International applicants are NOT eligible for federal student financial aid and must provide proof of funding prior to matriculation.
- Please write a brief statement giving your reasons for applying to Weill Cornell Medical College.
- Please describe a challenge you faced and how you addressed it.
- If applicable, please tell us about any special circumstances related to COVID-19 that could help us understand you better.
- (Optional) If you are not attending college during the upcoming (2022-2023) academic year, what are your plans?
- Why do you want to attend the WVU SOM? (150 words)
- Describe one of your experiences that will provide evidence to the Committee on Admissions that you will be able to contribute to the culture of collaboration at the WVU SOM. (150 words)
- Describe a time when you worked closely and successfully with another person who had a background different from your own. (150 words)
- Name a medical condition that is particularly prevalent in West Virginia. Describe one experience in which you cared for a patient with that specific medical condition. If you did not have the opportunity to care for an affected patient directly, please share a relevant shadowing, leadership/educational, research or service experience. (150 words)
- Which one of the AAMC Interpersonal or Intrapersonal Core Competencies is your strongest, and why? How will this competency enhance your ability to be an outstanding physician? (150 words)
- What is your life motto, and why? (150 words)
- Describe why you wish to enroll at WMed. You should describe any connection that you have to Southwest Michigan.
- Describe what you bring to the practice of medicine - your values, skills, talents, and life experiences - and how you add to the cultural, ethnic, and socioeconomic diversity of the medical profession.
- The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the world in an unprecedented way. If COVID-19 impacted you, your academic plan, or your planned experiences, and you haven't noted elsewhere, please tell us about your unique circumstances.
- WMed Re-Applicants Only: Describe the changes to your application from previous cycles - include academics, experiences, and/or personal attributes.
1. If you have earned a medically related certificate/license, please select one of the following. Chose “other” for certificates/licenses not listed and explain this selection on the question that follows. Chose “none of the above” if you have not earned a medically related certificate(s)/license(s).
2. If you earned a medically related certificate/license, how many hours have you worked in that role since earning your certificate/license? If not, please enter N/A. (100 Characters)
3. Did you have a financial need in college that required you to take out educational loans?
4. Did you or your family overcome a significant economic hardship?
5. If there has been a significant economic hardship, please explain the circumstances. If none, please enter N/A. (500 Characters)
6. If you had paid employment during the summers after matriculating (entering) college, how many summers did you work?
7. Which of the following best describes the summer you worked the most hours?
8. If you had paid employment during the academic year after matriculating (entering) college, how many academic years of college did you work?
9. Which of the following best describes the academic year you worked the most hours?
10. Were you raised in a single-parent household?
11. Are either of your parents a graduate of Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine?
12. If your parents are graduates of Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, please list their name(s) and graduation year(s). Enter N/A if your parents are not Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine Alumni. (100 Characters)
13. Are any of your relatives Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine alumni, current students, faculty or staff.
14. If you have relatives that are Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine alumni, current students, faculty or staff, please list their name(s). Enter N/A if you do not have relatives that are Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine alumni, current students, faculty or staff. (100 Characters)
15. Is this your first medical school application cycle?
16. Have you applied to Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine in a previous cycle?
17. If you have applied to Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine in a previous cycle, please indicate the year(s) of your previous application(s). Enter N/A if this is your first application to Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine. (100 Characters)
18. Has there been/will there be a gap between achieving your bachelor’s degree and expected matriculation into medical school?
19. If there has been or will be a gap in your education, please describe how you have/will use this time. If not, please enter N/A. (500 Characters)
20. Would you describe yourself as a non-traditional candidate for medical school?
21. If you consider yourself a non-traditional candidate, please explain. If not, please enter N/A. ( 500 Characters)
22. Briefly describe any extenuating circumstances which you believe are pertinent to your application (i.e. Poor grades, withdrawn courses, life events). If none, please enter N/A. ( 500 Characters)
23. If you have attended any allopathic or osteopathic medical school, as a candidate for an M.D. or D.O., please list the name of the school and explain the reason for separation. Enter N/A if you have not attended any allopathic or osteopathic medical school as a candidate for an M.D. or D.O. (500 Characters)
24. Do you have a connection to any of the following? Please select all that are applicable
25. If you indicated that you have connections to Ohio, Wright State University or Boonshoft School of Medicine, please explain. If none, please enter N/A. ( 500 Characters)
26. Briefly describe any effect the Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) has had on your application (i.e. delayed MCAT, withdrawn courses, online coursework, pass/fail grading, etc .) . If none, please enter N/A. (500 Characters)
Autobiographical statement
Autobiographical statement that includes (250-word limit):
- The origin and development of your motivation to be a physician
- Your prior experiences in healthcare
- Steps taken to explore a career in medicine
- Your eventual goals as a physician
- Personal attributes that would make you a good physician
Please do not repeat what you wrote in your AMCAS Personal Comments (this will already be on file with our office). If you have already covered all of the above topics in your AMCAS application, use this space to let the Admissions Committee know more about who you are in addition to being someone who wants to be a physician.
Additional essays
4 additional short essays (250-word limit each)
- How have your experiences prepared you to be a physician?
- What perspectives or experiences do you bring that would enrich the class?
- What obstacles have you experienced and how have you overcome them?
- How have societal inequities in the U.S. affected you or patients you have worked with?
For re-applicants: From your most recent application until now, how have you strengthened your application?
1. The Admissions Committee takes many factors into consideration when reviewing your application. A successful applicant is frequently one who communicates what makes them exceptional and why they will become an outstanding physician. You are invited but not required to provide additional information in this essay. Some applicants tell us about hardships and challenges that they have faced in their lives and how these experiences have helped them become caring and compassionate individuals. Other applicants use this space to emphasize a particular passion they have related to their future career in medicine. If you are not a resident of Wisconsin, you may want to tell us why you are interested in the University of Wisconsin or about a special connection that you may have to our state or people who live here. Our goal is to gain insight into you as a unique applicant. You may include anything in this essay that you feel is relevant. (Limit response to 500 words.)
2. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are core values of UWSMPH. Explain how a learning environment that embodies these values is crucial to the education of tomorrow’s physicians. Reflect on how you might contribute to this mission. (250 words)
3. Many inequities exist at the intersection between health outcomes and historical, societal, economic, or other systemic factors. Choose a broader issue or policy that impacts health outcomes where you believe change is needed to advance health equity. Discuss the role you hope to play as a physician in addressing this issue. (250 words)
4. In a paragraph (200-300 words), please share how COVID-19 impacted your application in the following domains:
a. Academic
b. Volunteer
c. Research
e. Personal Life
Topics to address might include the public health lessons and health care insights learned from the pandemic, creative ways in which you were able to serve your community during the crisis, or any hardships (economic, health, or other) you faced due to the virus or its mitigation efforts (e.g. social distancing, quarantine).
Required Essay for Re-applicants to UW-Madison:
1. Individuals who are reapplying are required to submit a statement indicating what has changed since the previous application to the UW School of Medicine and Public Health MD or MD/PhD program (e.g., additional academic work, new letters of recommendation, work and volunteer experience, life changes, etc.) (500 words)
- Yale School of Medicine values diversity in all its forms. How will your background and experiences contribute to this important focus of our institution and inform your future role as a physician?
- (please select one of the following): MD applicants: Please answer either one of the following questions. MD/PhD applicants: Please answer question 2 as it pertains to your proposed PhD research.
- While there is great emphasis on the physician-patient relationship, Yale School of Medicine also emphasizes the importance of training future physicians to care for communities and populations. Describe how your experiences would contribute to this aspect of the mission of the Yale School of Medicine.
- Research is essential to patient care, and all students at Yale School of Medicine complete a research thesis. Tell us how your research interests, skills and experiences would contribute to scholarship at Yale School of Medicine.
Optional Section:
- This section is optional. It should be used to bring to the attention of the Admissions Committee any important information (personal, academic, or professional) not discussed in other sections of your Yale Secondary Application. If you are a recent graduate, please also list your post-graduation plans/activities in the “Additional Information” section and submit any relevant updates for finalized plans/activities as the application year progresses. Please limit your response to 500 words.
As this information changes frequently, we encourage you to verify these details with the program(s) to which you are considering applying. If you see an error here, please notify us with the updated information, and we’ll send you a FREE copy of a BeMo book of your choosing! You can receive our Ultimate Guide to Med School Admissions, our Ultimate Guide to MMI Prep, or our Ultimate Guide to CASPer Prep! Please email our Student Support Team with any corrections, and we’ll arrange to send you your free book upon confirming the information: info [at] bemoacademicconsulting.com
1. How much time do I have to complete my secondary essays?
This completely varies from one school to the next – some secondaries are due back within two weeks, others within a month, so it's important to review your secondary essay deadlines and adhere to them strictly. Most importantly, you should not take longer than two weeks to submit your completed essays. Medical schools correlate the speed in which you submit your essays with your level of interest in their program, so it's important to ensure a prompt submission. With this said, do not rush your secondaries at the expense of quality.
2. What is the purpose of secondary essays?
Secondary essays provide admission committees with a chance to get to know you further to help them determine whether you will be a suitable candidate for their program. Through a variety of questions, admission committee members will learn more about your personal and professional characteristics, values, and unique skill set to see if they are in line with their core values and mission statement. The information you provide should not be copied from your AMCAS work and activities section and in general, should expand or provide new information that isn't found elsewhere in your application materials.
3. I have applied to 20 medical schools, how can I possibly complete all secondaries within a 2-week or 1-month timeframe?
You can certainly submit all secondaries on time; the key is to begin writing your secondaries before you have even received your secondary applications. Using the list we have provided above, you can begin creating an outline or a first draft responding to each prompt at the schools in which you applied. Keep in mind that secondary essay prompts can change from one year to the next, but more often than not, the theme of the essay remains the same. For example, one year a secondary essay prompt may ask: “How will you contribute to the diversity at our school?”. The following year it may ask: “Please share a unique, personally important, and/or challenging factor in your background, such as socioeconomic status, culture, race, ethnicity, gender, etc, and explain how this factor has influenced your goals and preparation for a career in medicine.” What's important here is to recognize that both prompts are asking for you to write a diversity essay .
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Medical School Secondary Essay Prompts Database
Updating for 2022-2023 as Secondaries Come in!
ProspectiveDoctor has compiled a database of past and current medical school secondary essay prompts from past years to help you get a head start on your secondary applications. Select a school to discover their essay prompts.
Related posts:
- Rush Medical College Secondary Questions
- University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine Secondary Questions
- Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple Secondary Questions
- The Commonwealth Medical College Secondary Questions
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Medical School Secondary Essay Prompts: The Most Common Questions to Prepare For
Padya Paramita
June 12, 2019
You’ve uploaded your transcript, MCAT score, extracurricular information, personal statement, and finally clicked the submit button on the AMCAS . You might want to use the next couple of weeks to relax. I wouldn’t recommend it, considering your medical school secondary essays are right around the corner. Schools cut off a big portion of the application pool between the secondary and the interview stages, so don’t take the medical school secondary essay prompts lightly!
Although medical schools don’t typically begin sending out secondary applications until early July, you shouldn’t just sit around and start reading a 400-page novel for fun while you wait. Rather, prepare yourself to have common essay topics ready for the minute the prompts are sent out. Below, I’ve outlined the general timeline of secondaries, how to keep yourself organized in the process, the most common medical school secondary essay prompts and how to approach them, recent secondary questions at MD programs, and overall dos and don’ts when writing your medical school secondaries.
How to Prepare for Secondaries: The Basics
Secondary essay prompts are demanding and ask you questions that allow you to reflect on your experiences, career goals in medicine, and challenges that you have overcome. Medical schools want to know why you’re interested in their program and how they might be a good fit for you and vice versa. The number of applicants who receive secondaries varies from school to school. Most schools automatically send out secondaries upon submission of the primary to all applicants, while others ensure students have passed an initial screening and met the GPA and MCAT cutoffs (typically set at a 3.0 GPA and 500 MCAT score) before sending out secondary essays.
First and foremost, you should not put off submitting your secondaries, because your application is not considered complete without them. At most schools, your AMCAS will not even be read until you’ve submitted this portion as well, so don’t delay. Medical schools don’t usually state a deadline for the secondary essays but if they do, absolutely adhere to it, or all your hard work will go to waste.
Second, medical schools view the time you take to turn in your secondaries as a direct reflection of your interest in their program. If there’s no deadline, you should be looking to complete them and send them back within two weeks of receiving them. The two week turnaround time is long enough to be meticulous, but short enough to show eagerness. If you sit around and take over a month to send back your secondaries, don’t expect an interview. But if you take time to think about possible medical school secondary essay prompts and how you might prepare for them in advance, you won’t be scrambling at the last minute.
Secondaries Organization & Game Plan
In order to keep yourself organized and monitor the secondaries for each school, start a spreadsheet. It should detail whether you’ve received the prompt, whether you’ve paid the secondary application fee ($50 or $75, depending on the school), the method to submit, the essay topic(s), and whether you’ve submitted the essays or not. This way, you can keep track of your progress and what remains to be covered for each school, avoiding additional stress during this high pressure period.
The best way to prepare for your secondary essays is to simply start writing about yourself. While there’s no way to figure out the secondary essay prompts in advance for all your schools, you can generate tailored, well-written essays far more easily if you go ahead and tackle traditional essay topics. Medical school secondary essay prompts often follow a general pattern that you can readily get a sense of. The word or character limit for the secondary essays is set by each school, and could range anything from 2000 to 4000 characters.
The secondaries ask for essays about you , so keep in mind your most impressive qualifications, why you want to attend medical school, and how each school might be able to help you achieve your goals. You want to choose topics which bring out the best version of yourself. Remember, the people reading your applications are humans. You don’t want to bore them. You want to stand out as a unique individual in the process. It can come in handy to keep a separate document outlining your reasons for pursuing medicine and the unique opportunities at each medical school that resonate with your passions within the field. This can help you get the ball rolling so you’re ready to conquer medical school secondary essay prompts .
Examples of Common Medical School Secondary Essay Prompts
You should put approximately 25-30 medical schools on your list to stay on the safer side of the intensely competitive medical school admissions process. Schools often have a range of 2-9 secondary questions for you to answer. Take a moment to do the math. This means that you could end up answering over seventy medical school secondary essay prompts . You only had to write one personal statement in the primary, so the number of essays you have to write for the secondary stage can seem like a massive mountain to climb.
The good news is, there will be some overlap in the kinds of prompts among the schools. That said, you should expect each school’s essays to need quite a bit of tweaking to adjust to specific prompts. And don’t expect to be able to reuse every essay you write! But preparing for typical prompts is a strategic starting point. Listed below are a number of secondary essay prompts which are common among many medical schools:
- Explain why you wish to attend this particular medical school.
- What diverse or unique element will you bring to this medical school community?
- If you graduated before you applied, summarize your activities since you graduated.
- Describe a challenge you overcame or a time when you faced an ethical dilemma and how you learned and grew from that experience.
- Who is the most influential person in your life and why?
- Describe a meaningful leadership position.
- What are your goals as a physician?
- What research or independent academic work have you completed, and what did you accomplish or learn?
- What do you think is the role of a physician in a community?
- Describe a humbling experience and what you learned from it.
- Elaborate on an area of interest outside of medicine (e.g., hobbies).
- Describe the characteristics that make you who you are. How will they impact your success as a medical student and physician?
- From the list of activities and experiences listed in your AMCAS application, please select one that has most impacted your decision to enter medicine.
- Is there any other information you would like to share with the admissions committee?
Medical schools often send some combination of these prompts, or similar questions relating to your identity, meaningful experiences, or goals. So even if you don’t know exactly which medical school secondary essay prompts to expect, the list above should give you a clearer picture of what to prepare for.
How to Tackle the Most Common Prompts
Now that you’ve seen the classic questions medical schools ask for secondaries, it’s time to analyze how to answer them. Generally, if you look at the pattern of the prompts, admissions committees want to know who you are, why you’re motivated to pursue medicine, and how you would fit in at their school.
To further break down the ways schools specify what they’re looking for, let’s look at some questions based off of the common medical school secondary essay prompts :
“Why This School” Essays
Take a look at the following “why this school” prompts from three different medical schools in 2018, and the way they framed their questions:
- Georgetown University - Why have you chosen to apply to the Georgetown University School of Medicine and how do you think your education at Georgetown will prepare you to become a physician for the future? (1 page, formatted at your discretion)
- Mayo Clinic - Why are you specifically interested in pursuing your medical education at Mayo Clinic School of Medicine even if you gain acceptances to other highly ranked medical schools? (500 words or less)
- University of Toledo - Briefly describe why you wish to attend medical school at The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences. As part of this essay, please discuss, if applicable, any personal connection you may have to The University of Toledo, the UT College of Medicine and Life Sciences/former Medical College of Ohio, the city of Toledo, or the region of Northwest Ohio. (300 words)
Success with these questions lies in actually taking the time to do research on your school list. Make sure you know exactly what the programs offer - you’ve applied to the school for a reason. What are the things you like the most about it and how will it help your goals? Emphasize your demonstrated interest in the school as specifically as possible - detail what about the program’s mission appeals to you the most and fits your personality and plans. Finally, make sure you carefully read the entire prompt and answer all parts. While the objective of the questions is the same (to find out why you have chosen the school), each school puts its own unique spin to the question.
In the past, Georgetown has wanted to know how your training as a physician would benefit from a Georgetown education. To tackle this prompt, jot down specialties only Georgetown offers - faculty, courses, research opportunities - which appeal to you. Don’t pick every single thing off the website. Select a special few details relevant to your interests within medicine and talk about how learning from a certain professor, for example, aligns with your goals.
Mayo’s prompt last year was similar, but asked why you would choose them despite acceptances to other top schools. You definitely need to be as specific as possible in your response. Admissions committee members obviously want accepted students to enroll. They want to know that you’re not applying just for the sake of trying to attend a highly ranked school. So this is the time to demonstrate your knowledge of the program and to feature the opportunities you can take advantage of only at Mayo
Toledo’s “why this school” prompt in 2018 wanted to know about personal connections to the school, the city of Toledo, or the entire region of northwestern Ohio. Public medical schools pay special attention to in-state applicants, and love to see candidates convey interest in the regional appeal of the school. Whether you’ve learned fun facts from a relative who’s an alum or you have a strong connection to the food in the area, expressing concrete details about what you love about the medical school’s environment can help admissions committee members gain an added perspective on you.
“How Will You Contribute to Our School” Essays
Check out a couple examples of medical school secondary essay prompts from last year which ask about how you will contribute to MD programs:
- New York University - The Admissions Committee uses a holistic approach to evaluate a wide range of student qualities and life experiences that are complementary to demonstrated academic excellence, strong interpersonal skills and leadership potential. What unique qualities or experiences do you possess that would contribute specifically to the NYU School of Medicine community (2500 characters max)?
- University of Nevada - Describe how your background and future goals will contribute to the mission of the University of Nevada School of Medicine.
To answer the “how will you contribute to our school prompts,” you need to think about the theme of your own application, and the theme of the institution itself.
Your essay could follow an application persona, or a recurrent theme throughout to help you stand out from other applicants. For example, your application persona could be that you are an aspiring surgeon who was motivated to be a doctor after helping victims of a natural disaster. Keeping your persona in mind can help you decide which of your qualifications and experiences to highlight in such an essay. What do you bring to the table that other applicants don’t? What are you passionate about? What parts of medicine excite you?
Admissions committees want to understand how they’ll specifically benefit from your unique contributions. Think about what each school is known for. How does its mission align with what you hope to achieve from an education in medicine? Don’t get carried away, just talk about your perspective.
“Describe a Challenge You’ve Faced” Essays
Often, medical schools want to know about how you respond to challenges, as shown in the prompts below:
- University of Chicago - Share with us a difficult or challenging situation you have encountered and how you dealt with it. In your response, identify both the coping skills you called upon to resolve the dilemma, and the support person(s) from whom you sought advice. We suggest that you limit your essay to about 550 words.
- Harvard University - If there is an important aspect of your personal background or identity, not addressed elsewhere in the application, that you would like to share with the Committee, we invite you to do so here. Many applicants will not need to answer this question. Examples might include significant challenges in access to education, unusual socioeconomic factors, identification with a minority culture, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender identity. Briefly explain how such factors have influenced your motivation for a career in medicine. (4000 characters maximum)
- University of Kansas - Beyond academics (grades and MCATs), describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to address this challenge.
When answering prompts that fall under the “challenge” umbrella, you should do a little bit of self-reflection. The applicants you’re going up against may have faced far greater adversity than you have - whether in the loss of their home or facing prejudice of some kind in society. This type of question may be optional, for example, in the case of Harvard’s 2018 secondaries. But, if the question is not optional, and you’re not sure that you’ve really faced many challenges, do not exaggerate your adversity . Grasping at straws for adversity will backfire and show that you lack perspective.
Medical schools want their classes to be comprised of exceptional individuals, each of whom should bring something different to the class. Instead of telling stories that aren’t yours, focus on challenges you might have faced in a unique passion or avocation. Try talking about an obstacle you faced in your clinical adventures or while leading a project for your work or internship.
Dos and Don’ts
Now that you’ve familiarized yourself with what you can expect out of your medical school secondary essay prompts , it’s time to go over some dos and don’ts to make sure you avoid common mistakes and stay on track to write standout secondaries.
Think About Your Primary Application
When answering medical school secondary essay prompts , it’s important that what you wrote in your primary application stays in the front of your mind. You definitely should not repeat experiences that you already outlined in your personal statement or activities list. But, if there’s something you didn’t get to talk about in depth - such as an important part of your cultural background or an impressive research internship, this is the place to write about it!
Ensure That You’ve Followed All Directions
A good place to start the secondary process is to read the prompts very carefully. Identify the task at hand and ask yourself: what is the question really asking? You can treat the task as a to-do list, and elaborate on each point on the list to form an outline of your essay. Look through the prompt guidelines - word limit, page limit, formatting requirements - and ensure you stick to them.
You might be reusing bits and pieces from one school’s essay for another. That’s okay. But make sure you’ve edited it to fully answer the latter school’s question and formatting requirements. If admissions committees see that you haven’t completed all parts of the prompt, or that you’ve crossed the limit or format guidelines, it’s an automatic red flag. You will not receive an interview if you fail to meet schools’ instructions. It might seem like a minor thing, but such mistakes definitely happen, especially when you’re writing so many applications.
Leave Yourself Plenty of Time to Edit
You must appear professional on your medical school application, and secondaries are an important part of that. Once you’ve finished writing your essays, edit them as much as possible. There will be a lot of essays to go through and you’ll be under a time crunch, but you need to read and reread them to ensure quality. Make sure you avoid run-on sentences and that you’ve made each word count. Careless errors such as grammatical or spelling mistakes will not reflect well on you.
Think Strategically
The medical school application process is notoriously cutthroat. You have to pick and choose your battles. When answering medical school secondary essay prompts , you should not answer all your reach schools first. You should focus on the schools you’re most likely to attend in order to demonstrate interest, but don’t be too ambitious. Check to see which of the schools on your list - especially schools you’re more likely to get into - have secondary prompts that can be easily answered with solid responses that you have already prepared. You definitely want to be smart in the balance of submitting secondaries both promptly and strategically.
Provide Mixed Messages
Remember, you need to keep your primary application in mind when filling out your secondaries. If some bit of information in your secondary application doesn’t match what you’ve already said in your primary application, admissions committees will notice. Don’t write something in your essays that contradicts what you’ve stated as a value or credential previously.
Writing about a topic you can’t speak in depth about might lead to trouble on multiple fronts. If you do so in your essay and you’re asked about it in an interview, you will be in trouble. In a similar vein, you shouldn’t highlight something that was a minimal experience. You will be competing against brilliant students who have versatile stories to tell. Talking about a minor burn you got three years ago might not be a great way to fill up the space allotted for your secondaries.
Write About a High School Experience
You’re an adult now. You’ve gone through years of life experiences that have greatly impacted your motivation to become a doctor. Unless it was something extremely formative and absolutely integral for your medical school application, don’t waste your secondaries reliving your high school glory days.
Use Flowery Language
This is not a poetry competition and neither are you studying for the SAT. There’s no need to be pretentious and show off your vocabulary on your medical school secondaries. While it’s good to mix up your word usage and not repeat, don’t go all out with the metaphors or thesaurus.com. Admissions committees want to know more about you and what you’ll bring to their program. Don’t take the attention away from the story by adding too many long words that ultimately don’t make sense.
Medical school secondary essay prompts offer you the challenge of answering specific questions about yourself and your career interests within a short span of time. But, if you anticipate the kinds of questions headed your way and prepare in advance, with a stroke of luck, you might even have a few first drafts before the secondaries even come out. You’ve got a lot of writing coming up, so the sooner you start working on the common medical school secondary essay prompts , the better. And if you get an interview, and eventually accepted into medical school, the extra effort you put into working on your secondary essays will all be worth it.
General FAQ
Do all applicants get secondaries.
The number of applicants who receive secondaries varies from school to school. Most schools automatically send out secondaries upon submission of the primary to all applicants, while others ensure students have passed an initial screening and met the GPA and MCAT cutoffs.
When is the right time to turn in my secondary essays?
Medical schools view the time you take to turn in your secondaries as a direct reflection of your interest in their program. If there’s no deadline, you should be looking to complete them and send them back within two weeks of receiving them.
What are some common secondary essay prompts?
Some of the most common prompts include: “explain why you wish to attend this particular medical school,” “what diverse or unique element will you bring to this medical school community,” and “if you graduated before you applied, summarize your activities since you graduated.”
How many prompts do I have to answer per school?
Schools often have a range of 2-9 secondary questions for you to answer.
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Medical School Secondary Application Prompts
Secondary Essays by School/Program
The Med School Insiders Secondary Application Database is updated for the 2020 application cycle! Medical schools are sorted alphabetically below.
Each school’s prompts are accompanied by expert tips and strategies to help guide you craft a more effective secondary application. To take your secondary applications to the next level, take a look at our secondary application packages !
A B C D E F G H I J L M N O P R S T U V W Y
Albany Medical College (Albany, NY)
Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University (Bronx, NY)
Baylor College of Medicine (Houston, TX)
Boston University School of Medicine (Boston, MA)
Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University (Greenville, NC)
Brown University Warren Alpert Medical School (Providence, RI)
California Northstate University College of Medicine (Elk Grove, CA)
Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine (Cleveland, OH)
Central Michigan University College of Medicine (Mount Pleasant, MI)
Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science (Los Angeles, CA)
Chicago Medical School – Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine & Science (North Chicago, IL)
Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine (Cleveland, OH)
Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons (New York, NY)
Cooper Medical School of Rowan University (Camden, NJ)
Creighton University School of Medicine (Omaha, NE)
Dartmouth Medical School (Hanover, NH)
Drexel University College of Medicine (Philadelphia, PA)
Duke University School of Medicine (Durham, NC)
East Tennessee State University – James H. Quillen College of Medicine (Johnson City, TN)
Eastern Virginia Medical School (Norfolk, VA)
Emory University School of Medicine (Atlanta, GA)
Florida Atlantic University Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine (Boca Raton, FL)
Florida International University College of Medicine (Miami, FL)
Florida State University College of Medicine (Tallahassee, FL)
Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine – Quinnipiac University (North Haven, CT)
George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences (Washington, DC)
Georgetown University School of Medicine (Washington, DC)
Harvard Medical School (Boston, Massachusetts)
Hofstra University Zucker School of Medicine (Hempstead, NY)
Howard University College of Medicine (Washington, DC)
Indiana University School of Medicine (Indianapolis, IN)
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (Baltimore, MD)
Loma Linda University School of Medicine (Loma Linda, CA)
Louisiana State University HSC – School of Medicine at New Orleans (New Orleans, LA)
Louisiana State University HSC – School of Medicine in Shreveport (Shreveport, LA)
Loyola University Chicago – Stritch School of Medicine (Maywood, IL)
Marshall University – Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine
Mayo Clinic School of Medicine – Minnesota (Rochester, MN)
Mayo Clinic School of Medicine – Arizona (Scottsdale, AZ)
Medical College of Georgia – School of Medicine (Augusta, GA)
Medical College of Wisconsin (Milwaukee, WI)
Medical University of South Carolina – College of Medicine (Charleston, SC)
Meharry Medical College (Nashville, TN)
Mercer University School of Medicine (Macon, GA)
Michigan State University College of Human Medicine (East Lansing, MI)
Morehouse School of Medicine (Atlanta, GA)
Mount Sinai Icahn School of Medicine (New York, NY)
New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine (Old Westbury, NY)
New York Medical College School of Medicine (Valhalla, NY)
New York University School of Medicine (New York, NY)
Northeastern Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) (Rootstown, OH)
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine (Chicago, IL)
Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine (Rochester, MI)
Ohio State University College of Medicine (Columbus, OH)
Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine (Portland, OR)
Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine (Hershey, PA)
Ponce Health Sciences University (PHSU) (Ponce, Puerto Rico)
Rush Medical College of Rush University Medical Center (Chicago, IL)
Rutgers University New Jersey Medical School (Newark, NJ)
Rutgers University Robert Wood Johnson Medical School (Piscataway, NJ)
Saint Louis University School of Medicine (St. Louis, MO)
San Juan Bautista School of Medicine (Caguas, Puerto Rico)
Sanford School of Medicine of the University of South Dakota (Sioux Falls, SD)
Southern Illinois University School of Medicine (Springfield, IL)
Stony Brook School of Medicine at University Medical Center (Stony Brook, NY)
Stanford University School of Medicine (Stanford, CA)
SUNY Downstate Medical Center – College of Medicine (Brooklyn, NY)
SUNY Upstate Medical University – College of Medicine (Syracuse, NY)
Temple University Lewis Katz School of Medicine (Philadelphia, PA)
Texas A & M Health Science Center – College of Medicine (College Station, TX)
Texas Tech University HSC – Paul L. Foster School of Medicine (El Paso, TX)
Texas Tech University HSC School of Medicine (Lubbock, TX)
Thomas Jefferson University — Sidney Kimmel Medical College (Philadelphia, PA)
Tufts University School of Medicine (Boston, MA)
Tulane University School of Medicine (New Orleans, LA)
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences – F. Edward Hebert School of Medicine (Bethesda, MD)
Universidad Central del Caribe School of Medicine (Bayamon, Puerto Rico)
University at Buffalo – School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (Buffalo, NY)
University of Alabama School of Medicine (Birmingham, AL)
University of Arizona College of Medicine (Phoenix, AZ)
University of Arizona College of Medicine (Tucson, AZ)
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences – College of Medicine (Little Rock, AR)
University of California Davis School of Medicine (Sacramento, CA)
University of California Irvine School of Medicine (Irvine, CA)
University of California Los Angeles (UCLA David Geffen) (Los Angeles, CA)
University of California Riverside School of Medicine (Riverside, CA)
University of California San Diego School of Medicine (San Diego, CA)
University of California San Francisco School of Medicine (San Francisco, CA)
University of Central Florida College of Medicine (Orlando, FL)
University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine (Chicago, IL)
University of Cincinnati College of Medicine (Cincinnati, OH)
University of Colorado School of Medicine (Denver, CO)
University of Connecticut School of Medicine (Farmington, CT)
University of Florida College of Medicine (Gainesville, FL)
University of Hawaii at Manoa John A. Burns School of Medicine (Honolulu, HI)
University of Illinois College of Medicine (Chicago, IL)
University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine (Iowa City, IA)
University of Kansas School of Medicine (Kansas City, KS)
University of Kentucky College of Medicine (Lexington, KY)
University of Louisville School of Medicine (Louisville, KY)
University of Maryland School of Medicine (Baltimore, MD)
University of Massachusetts School of Medicine (Worcester, MA)
University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine (Miami, FL)
University of Michigan Medical School (Ann Arbor, MI)
University of Minnesota Medical School – Twin Cities (Minneapolis, MN)
University of Minnesota Medical School – Duluth (Duluth, MN)
University of Mississippi Medical Center School of Medicine (Jackson, MS)
University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Medicine (Kansas City, MO)
University of Missouri–Columbia School of Medicine (Columbia, MO)
University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Medicine (Omaha, NE)
University of Nevada–Reno School of Medicine (Reno, NV)
University of Nevada–Las Vegas School of Medicine (Las Vegas, NV)
University of New Mexico School of Medicine (Albuquerque, NM)
University of North Carolina (UNC) Chapel Hill School of Medicine (Chapel Hill, NC)
University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences (Grand Forks, ND)
University of Oklahoma College of Medicine (Oklahoma City, OK)
University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine (Philadelphia, PA)
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine (Pittsburgh, PA)
University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine (San Juan, Puerto Rico)
University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry (Rochester, NY)
University of South Alabama College of Medicine (Mobile, AL)
University of South Florida (USF) Morsani College of Medicine (Tampa, FL)
University of Southern California (USC) Keck School of Medicine (Los Angeles, CA)
University of Tennessee HSC College of Medicine (Memphis, TN)
University of Texas Austin Dell Medical School (Austin, TX)
University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) School of Medicine (Galveston, TX)
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine (Edinburg, TX)
University of Texas Houston McGovern Medical School (Houston, TX)
University of Texas San Antonio School of Medicine (San Antonio, TX)
University of Texas Southwestern (UTSW) Medical School (Dallas, TX)
University of Toledo College of Medicine (Toledo, OH)
University of Utah School of Medicine (Salt Lake City, UT)
University of Virginia School of Medicine (Charlottesville, VA)
University of Vermont College of Medicine (Burlington, VT)
University of Washington School of Medicine (Seattle, WA)
University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health (Madison, WI)
Vanderbilt University School of Medicine (Nashville, TN)
Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine (Richmond, VA)
Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine (Roanoke, VA)
Wake Forest University School of Medicine – Bowman Gray Campus (Winston-Salem, NC)
Washington State University Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine (Spokane, WA)
Washington University in St. Louis – School of Medicine (St. Louis, MO)
Wayne State University School of Medicine (Detroit, MI)
Weill Cornell Medicine Medical College (Manhattan, NY)
West Virginia University School of Medicine (Morgantown, WV)
Western Michigan University School of Medicine (Kalamazoo, MI)
Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine (Dayton, OH)
Yale University School of Medicine (New Haven, CT)
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The Five Most Common Medical School Secondary Essay Prompts for 2018
Remember Valentine’s Day when you were a kid? If your grade school was anything like mine, we had to give Valentines to every other kid in the class. The night before, I often ran into my classmates at the Hallmark store, buying packs of the Muppets/Harry Potter/My Little Pony collection, all with the same puns on them. “I’m ready to Kermit to you,” or “I Adumbledore you,” or “Valentine, you are Twilightlicious.
After school the next day, you’d come home with a bag full of Valentines, all purchased from the same place. You didn’t know exactly which terrible pun would be scrawled on the card, but you knew roughly what was coming your way.
Secondary essays are the same. Each med school may strive to be unique, but they’re all shopping for the same information.
We analyzed the secondary essays for all 145 US allopathic med schools and 40 US DO schools to see which candy-coated essays you can expect to receive this coming 2018-19 application cycle.
Just like Valentines, secondary essays don’t change much from year to year. If you follow our guide below to the five most commonly occurring secondary essays, then you’ll be ready to return your secondaries quickly and ease the writing process for the rest.
Just don’t send actual candy back with your secondaries.
OUR SECONDARY SUPER SYSTEM
*75 pages of secondaries*
That’s the highest total we found while collecting past student data for this article. By the way, that’s 12pt font single spaced. Well over 15,000 words.
If this scares you for your own secondary application cycle, that’s a good thing. Get started on pre-writing them right away by using our handy Secondaries Database:
https://www.savvypremed.com/search-schools
Those 75 pages weren’t filled entirely with original essays. We encourage all of students to reuse material across schools. In fact, this recycling is the only way to survive the flood of secondary essays.
YOU WON’T BELIEVE THE AMOUNT OF PAGES YOU’LL NEED TO WRITE FOR MEDICAL SCHOOL
Even when repurposing essays, it can be incredibly time-consuming to backtrack and retrace your steps so many times. Not to mention the cutting, the tweaking, the shuffling around
While helping students with secondaries, we thought there had to be a better way. We designed a Secondary Super System, where we tracked 97 popular MD and DO schools and compiled all of their prompts and word counts. We like to think of secondaries as a puzzle that can be solved with enough research and strategizing.
We can streamline the process by sharing the most commonly occurring secondaries and offering guidance for how to complete the most essays with the smallest amount of work.
MEDICAL SCHOOL SECONDARY QUESTION #1
Why our school.
Of schools ask this question
500 / 3,000
Maximum word/character count
Minimum word/character count
316 / 1,613
Average word/character count
How to approach the prompt:
Even though it asks “why our school,” you’ll stand out most by focusing on yourself first. Use an example or anecdote to show your major healthcare values/accomplishments/goals. Then you can connect those to the school’s mission and opportunities.
Don’t just list things you think are cool about the schools. Make sure they get to know you, so that they understand why their programs are personally relevant to you.
Starting with yourself will allow you to reuse the same essay across schools without it looking so transparently like a template. To tailor their responses to different schools, some students might have to write two different openings about themselves (EX: one about clinical research for UCSF and one about underserved primary care for UC Riverside).
Why Our School? How To Knock Out 12 Medical School Secondaries With One Essay
Red Hot Ways To Show Your Medical School Fit
Good starter schools: Miami Miller (500 words), Penn State (75 words)
These two schools have pretty standard wording in their prompts, and they cover the maximum and minimum word count.
It’s a good exercise to write a long-form and a short-form version of any secondary essay, and then use them as the building blocks for other schools. In other words, don’t try to cut your 500 word essay down to 150. Build off the 75 word one instead.
Curveballs: Yale, Michigan State, Georgetown
Some schools will include aspects of their mission into the question. Whether it’s the Yale System, Michigan State’s Shared Discovery, or Georgetown’s “cura personalis,” you’ll encounter certain “why our school” essays that need some customization. Usually the missions and curricula are broad, so it’s pretty feasible with a few tweaks.
MEDICAL SCHOOL SECONDARY QUESTION #2
How will you enhance our school’s diversity.
Of school ask this question
700 / 3,000
365 / 1,600.
Average word/ character count
Pretend you’re in a conversation with your future medical school classmates about the state of healthcare in the United States. What unique experiences or point of view could you contribute to that conversation?
Race and culture are possible topics, but it’s wise to think beyond the traditional definition of diversity. Are you a dancer? An athlete? Had an unusual job? Did you major in something unique? What makes you different from other pre-meds?
Most schools will ask how your diversity will contribute to their incoming class, so you might as well include that part in your general templated answer. It’s also good if your answer shows you engaging with people different than yourself, since many schools focus their prompts around that idea. If you know all the ways the question is asked, you can kill as many birds as possible with the same stone. Save yourself a dozen rewrites by covering all bases from the get-go.
HOW TO TACKLE SECONDARIES: HOW WILL YOU CONTRIBUTE TO OUR CAMPUS'S DIVERSITY?
3 TIPS FOR “AVERAGE” PRE-MEDS TO STAND OUT IN THEIR MEDICAL SCHOOL ADMISSIONS ESSAYS
Good starter schools: Toledo (700 words), Rosalind Franklin (100 words)
Curveballs: Boston, Albany, Loyola Stritch
Boston University puts its own spin on the diversity question by asking students about their “educational history” (time spent living abroad, lingual abilities, any specialized training, niche areas of expertise, etc.). Loyola Stritch steers your diversity answer towards its Jesuit value of “social justice for the underserved.” Albany drives students crazy with its “Describe yourself in 1000 characters” prompt, but don’t worry, we’ve got you covered
3 STRATEGIES FOR DESCRIBING YOURSELF IN 1,000 CHARACTERS FOR ALBANY MEDICAL COLLEGE'S SECONDARY
MEDICAL SCHOOL SECONDARY QUESTION #3
How will you spend your gap year, 500 / 10,000, 300 / 2,176.
Be honest about what you plan to do. It’s okay if it’s just a plan at this point.
This prompt is merely looking for an explanation as to why you didn’t apply during your final year of undergrad. If that’s the case for you, just give a quick report of how you’ve spent this gap year. Without overstating your weaknesses, take a moment to justify your decision to wait and then highlight all the valuable experience you’ve gained as a result.
If you have a lot of small experiences during the gap, then present them as a catalogue to show your wide exposure in a short amount of time. If you’ve put most of your energy into one activity or experience, then dive deep into all the responsibility and commitment it required.
WHAT SHOULD I DO DURING MY GAP YEAR (TO STAND OUT FOR MEDICAL SCHOOL)?
GAP YEAR PART 2: HOW AND WHEN TO TRAVEL WHILE APPLYING TO MEDICAL SCHOOL
Good starter schools: Stony Brook (500 words), UCLA Geffen (300 characters)
Curveballs: St. Louis (10,000 characters)
Most gap year questions are pretty straightforward, but when it’s a school’s only question and it’s 10,000 characters long, things get more complicated.
There’s a lot of hearsay about whether or not schools want students to use “gap year” and “additional info” prompts to discuss their interest in the school. Even if they don’t include a “why our school” question or specifically ask why you’re a match, it will only help your chances by drawing these connections in your answer.
Think of it this way: what if the information you share shows you as being just as qualified and distinct as someone else, but that other candidate has taken the time to create a clear, strong connection with the school in question? If you’re the admissions officer, which applicant would you choose?
MEDICAL SCHOOL SECONDARY QUESTION #4
Describe a significant challenge., 600 / 3,500, 334 / 1,883.
Tact and honesty. On the one hand, there are certain challenges you should not admit to medical schools (psychiatric conditions such as depression come to mind). On the other hand, as long as it’s not something that raises a red flag, you should open up about something seemingly simple that was really hard for you.
Have you ever mediated a conflict between two friends? Helped a friend or family member through a serious issue? Try to choose situations which tempted you to give up, or scenarios that tested your ethics through a conflict of interest. Also, choosing times that you stepped out of your comfort zone or dealt with a learning curve can be a good approach for these prompts, since your shortcomings will be more forgivable.
Since many schools ask for a “failure” rather than a “challenge” or “problem,” it’s smart to work some kind of failure into your essay (just to save you time in the long-run when reusing material). Remember that a “failure” can be something abstract (like a misguided attitude, an oversight, or a missed opportunity).
Good starter schools: Duke (600 words), Rosalind Franklin (100 words)
Curveballs: Rush, MCW, NYU
Certain schools will make it intentionally difficult to reuse your general “challenge” answer. For example, Rush asks about a time when you didn’t agree with a directive/rule and how you responded. MCW asks for a creative solution to an unfamiliar situation. NYU asks you to define respect and describe a time when it was difficult to remain respectful while facing differences.
If you really plan ahead with your pre-writing, you can account for these curveballs and try to include these factors in your templated answer. But sometimes it just won’t be possible and you’ll be forced to write an original essay for a school’s prompt. If nothing else, these prompts will be good practice for interviews, where you’ll be asked many specific questions about conflicts, disagreements, and ethical decision-making.
MEDICAL SCHOOL SECONDARY QUESTION #5
Is there anything else you’d like us to know, 296 / 2,585.
Medical schools want to make sure they give you a chance to explain any problems in your application - poor grades, holes in your application, withdrawals from school, etc.
This is mostly for students with major weaknesses in their application that have not already been addressed adequately in the personal statement. It’s probably in your best interest to leave this section blank unless you have a glaring issue that wasn’t addressed elsewhere.
Other times, this prompt’s wording might blur the lines of a “disadvantaged” prompt, and if the school doesn’t ask for personal hardships elsewhere, this prompt can be a good opportunity to cover that topic.
Good starter schools: UCSF (500 words), Quinnipiac (150 words)
Curveballs: Harvard
Not everyone applies to Harvard, but it’s a good example of an “additional info” prompt that boggles the mind. It’s Harvard’s only secondary other than a “gap year” question, which makes students feel inclined to answer it. It includes many potential different factors to discuss, but its language seems to imply that it wants students to focus on hardships and disadvantages.
The killer: it has a line that says, “Many applicants will not need to answer this question.” Some students are unsure which group they fall into. Others wonder if this question is a test of whether you care enough to answer it. Our advice: only answer this prompt if you wrote a disadvantaged essay for your AMCAS or covered personal hardships in your AACOMAS personal statement.
Secondaries manage to be extremely redundant and highly variant at the same time (don’t ask us how, but it’s true). We can’t account for every detail, but we believe our Secondary Super System can help you streamline the process.
Remember: the system is most useful when you have enough time to pre-write, so get started on secondaries as soon as possible! You might not amass 75 pages, but you’d be surprised…
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How To Create Impressive Medical School Secondary Essays
Introduction.
At this stage in your application to medical school, you've gone through the AMCAS primary application process and are now receiving your secondary applications. Your secondaries are a series of specific questions that each school you've applied to sends to you.
That being the case, you are probably now wondering how to create impressive medical school secondary essays. This step in the process is even more important than the last because your essays will let the school know who you are as an individual, how you are a suitable candidate, and what sets you apart from other candidates.
If you've applied to many schools, you will be writing a lot of essays. But you need not worry because this article will dive into the different kinds of essay prompts you will receive as well as how to answer them effectively.
Even though each prompt is unique to the school, there is some overlap and question types can be placed into general categories. This means that you can even pre-write some of your essays to save yourself time.
Get The Ultimate Guide on Writing an Unforgettable Personal Statement
What are Medical School Secondary Essays?
Medical school secondary essays are the second component of the medical school application process. Each school has a unique secondary application, whereas the primary application was a single application sent to several schools using either AMCAS, TMDSAS or AACOMAS.
Secondary applications will usually consist of a series of short questions or essay questions. Questions will be unique to each school; however, there is significant overlap among them. If you submitted your primary application in June, you could expect to receive secondary applications beginning in July and continuing throughout the summer.
However, it’s important to note that not all schools send secondary applications to all applicants. Some use the primary application as a screening tool, and only send secondaries to students they’d like to see continue on in the admissions process.
A school like Stanford will ask five essay questions (2000 characters for the first one and 1000 characters for the rest) while Loma Linda will ask 11 non-essay questions (including a yes or no question).
Purpose of Medical School Secondary Essays
Medical school secondary essays give you an opportunity to show the school you want to attend how your goals and values align with theirs and how you would contribute to their program as a student.
Schools want to make sure that you are a good fit for their program and find out more about you than you could address in your AMCAS work and activities section. They want to see how you are unique and what sets you apart from the other candidates.
Best Format to Follow When Writing Your Medical School Secondary Essays
When writing your secondaries, here is a suggested guideline:
- Answer the prompt
- Outline your response
Use concrete examples
Relate examples to your theme.
- Adhere to word or character counts
- Reflect on your experiences
Answer the prompt
Whatever the prompt is, have a definitive response to start the essay off to make your answer as straightforward as possible.
Outline the response
As you're given a character count limit, it is best to outline your response to use your space effectively. Create a list of all the points you want to make and tailor them to incorporate the school's central values and goals.
Stories are more effective in making a point than general statements. Use examples in your essay to build on your main points.
When you provide examples, make sure to answer the question, "how is this relevant?" Your examples should demonstrate how you will benefit medicine and how you'll make a good physician.
Adhere to word and character counts
When you have preset responses to prompts, you address all critical points within the character count limits.
Reflect on your experiences
Describe what you learned and gained from your experiences. Don’t just talk about it, explain why it was significant.
Re-read your essay the next day to make sure it is free of errors and conveys the message you are trying to make. Consulting a med school advisor can be an effective way to make sure your response is strong and stands out among other applicants.
Sometimes, students re-read and miss their own mistakes, so having an unbiased editor with experience in medical school admissions can be beneficial.
Common Types of Medical School Secondary Essays and Tips for Answering Each Type
Diversity essay.
In medicine and other healthcare fields, diversity is essential. A clinician needs to be able to connect with patients from different backgrounds and experiences. Having a diverse student body creates an atmosphere of inclusivity, and as a worker in the social sector, especially front-line work, connecting with your patients is critical.
When writing a diversity essay, you may think that the only topics you can cover are multiculturalism, race, and religion. You might think that because you're a minority, you do not have anything new to add. Or you might think you are already represented well and have no experience with diversity, so you do not have anything important to say.
However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. A variety of factors determine what level of diversity you can bring to the table:
- Your qualities and what you want to learn, or what you still wish to learn
- Your immigration experience if you were a newcomer or how your values differ from your social circle; how has the difference of values shaped your way of connecting with patients
- What do you understand about cultural competency? Are you aware of different medicine approaches in the field? Do you apply that to your practice? And why is it important to know about how other cultures view medicine/treatment?
- Your language
- Where you grew up (rural vs. urban, in-country vs. abroad)
Diversity can also come from your experiences: a sibling with down-syndrome, service in the military, an illness that you’ve struggled with or the loss of a loved one. All of these experiences count as diversity and are what medical schools are looking for.
Where you came from and how your skills, experiences, and interests differentiate you from your peers. These unique backgrounds allow different ideas and perspectives to be brought to the classroom.
Additionally, using terms loosely in your essay, like "diversity, "multicultural," or "cultural-competency," does not mean you have an understanding of them. Instead, it may make you seem insincere, so the better way to go is, to be honest. Speak about what you actually know and what you have really experienced with diversity.
Adversity Essay
The purpose of an adversity essay is for admissions committees to understand your level of resiliency and room for growth in the medical field.
This essay is not about competing with people's stories of adversity, but instead showcasing your own challenges and experiences and depicting what those experiences have taught you for professional development. It is more a reflection piece about managing stress or barriers in your life and illustrating how you overcome them.
The admissions committees want to see this because they want to know if you can overcome hurdles that come your way. Medical school is a massive undertaking that will be full of hurdles - tests and courses will push you to your limit.
The admissions committees want to see your ability to adapt and problem-solve; that you can pick yourself up after you’ve fallen down.
Topics you can include:
- How you handled disappointing a loved one/or disappointment in general
- Managing criticism or feedback
- External situations that were out of your hands
- Talk about a challenge you’ve faced, What was your response? What was the result? What did you learn?
"Why our school?" Essay
This prompt is aimed at determining why you want to attend a particular medical school. Medical schools read through hundreds of secondary essays each year. Instead of highlighting their program facts, which they already know about, show them that you connect to their mission, vision, and values.
The key is to mention your qualities, life experiences, and skills concerning the school's mission, vision, values, and programs. This way, you are not just repeating what the school offers but also mentioning how these programs fit you as an individual.
One approach to answering this prompt is by researching the school's website and finding topics of interest to you or seeing the school's values mentioned consistently throughout the website.
From there, you can pinpoint specific programs you like and write about how you can learn from them and what skills you can offer. Essentially, it is about seeing what the school stands for or what work they encourage and incorporating your own experiences with their beliefs.
For example, If a school places importance on community service and you have relevant volunteer experiences, make sure to mention this and how you want to continue improving those skills. If your experience is more research-based, talk about that experience and how more community service will make you a better physician.
If you want to stand out, you can survey students or graduates of the school and inquire about their experiences to see if the school is right for you. How do you reach others? Connecting via social media or reaching out to your peers may be a good start.
This essay's not about writing what the school already knows about themselves but more about what you can learn and benefit from and why this is the right fit for you.
Gap year essay
These days, it's common for students to take a year or two off after completing their undergrad degree before they go to medical school. There are multiple reasons for this, and the medical school you are applying to wants to know what those reasons are.
It is a reasonably straightforward prompt: talk about how you have spent your gap year and how it will contribute to your medical school success and beyond.
Questions to discuss in this essay include:
- What did you achieve during your gap year?
- Why did you want to take a gap year?
- What experiences did you have? How did this year shape your role as a worker, and how will you deliver the skills you've built through the healthcare field?
- What did you learn about yourself during this period?
It is always an excellent tactic to connect your gap year to the program of study you are applying for, and even if it doesn't connect, you can still mention how it makes you a more suitable candidate for the program. Even if you did an unrelated job while studying or preparing for medical school, the attributes you learned across the way and your continuous efforts to grow and learn are what admissions committees will notice.
Anything else you'd like us to know?
Out of all the prompts, this is likely the most open-ended, and confusion on how to best answer it is understandable. It can be challenging to address such a vague question. How do you know what to talk about? Is there even anything else that I want to discuss?
Use this as an opportunity to highlight anything about yourself and your experiences that aren't well discussed or explained elsewhere on the application.
If you have any pre-written material that you have not used in your essays, this is the time to use them. If this is not an option, you can write a completely new essay discussing topics like volunteer or research experience .
You can also talk about other achievements or skills that aren't directly related to medicine but find a way to relate it back to how it makes you a better candidate. This section is also a good place to explain any shortcomings in your application, such as a failed course, or a low test score etc.
Some students believe that it is mandatory to answer this question, and that is simply not true unless the question states otherwise. If you feel that your application addresses all your key points and conveys your candidacy in the best possible way, there is no need to force it. It's always better to prioritize quality over quantity.
Sample Prompts
From UW School of Medicine
“Autobiographical statement that includes (250-word limit):
- The origin and development of your motivation to be a physician
- Your prior experiences in healthcare
- Steps taken to explore a career in medicine
- Your eventual goals as a physician
- Personal attributes that would make you a good physician
Please do not repeat what you wrote in your AMCAS Personal Comments (this will already be on file with our office). If you have already covered all of the above topics in your AMCAS application, use this space to let the Admissions Committee know more about who you are in addition to being someone who wants to be a physician."
“4 additional short essays (250-word limit each):
- How have your experiences prepared you to be a physician?
- What perspectives or experiences do you bring that would enrich the class?
- What obstacles have you experienced and how have you overcome them?
- How have societal inequities in the U.S. affected you or patients you have worked with?
For re-applicants: From your most recent application until now, how have you strengthened your application.”
From Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago
“Essay Question 1
Please write a short essay about why you are applying to the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine. We suggest that you limit your essay to about 550 words.”
“Essay Question 2
Share with us a difficult or challenging situation you have encountered and how you dealt with it. In your response, identify both the coping skills you called upon to resolve the dilemma, and the support person(s) from whom you sought advice. We suggest that you limit your essay to about 550 words.”
“Optional Additional Information
Please feel free to use this space to convey any additional information that you might wish the Committee to know. For example, if you are not currently completing a degree, please share your planned or current activities for this application cycle. You may also wish to include any impact that COVID-19 has had on your educational, research, or extracurricular plans. We suggest that you limit your text to about 300 words."
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Failing to pre-write your essays .
One of the biggest mistakes you can make is waiting to receive your secondary application before working on it. It would be best if you started working on your secondaries after you submit your primary applications. You have a limited time (most secondaries are due back 2 weeks to a month) to submit, so the sooner you can get them done, the better. You should always send secondaries back within two weeks to show you continual interest in that medical school.
Focusing only on what happened in a situation and not addressing what you learned
When sharing anecdotes, make sure to demonstrate their value by discussing what you took away from them. Don't just go from one statement to another talking about the events as they occurred.
Not following word-counts
If the word count is 800 words and your piece is 700 words that is perfectly acceptable. Try and write the best quality piece without going over the word count.
Don’t be generic when talking about the school
Some prompts will lead you into discussing why you want to attend a particular school. In these cases, to avoid being generic in your responses, say something specific about the school. You should do some research and come up with a list of programs at each of the medical schools or student organizations at each of the medical schools. Identify what is unique about that school: specific values, programs, or opportunities they have.
When can I expect to receive my secondary applications?
Once you submit your primary application and AMCAS receives your transcripts, they begin the verification process. You will receive your secondary applications after AMCAS completes verification and releases your primary applications to the medical schools to which you applied.
Will I receive a secondary application from every school I applied to?
While the majority of schools will send you a secondary without screening your primary application, some will screen your primary. Therefore, you may not receive a secondary from every medical school.
How long do I have to submit my essay?
It would be best if you aimed to submit your secondaries as soon as possible – generally within two weeks of receiving your secondary application. Most schools don't have a strict deadline, and those that do will state it. Remember, schools correlate your reply time with your level of interest in the school. That is why it’s best to submit within two weeks.
What if a school changes its prompts and my pre-written material is wasted?
Schools usually change their prompts every few years, and if they do, the themes often remain the same. Instead of asking why do you want to attend our school, it may change to asking how you feel your passions align with their goals as an institution. So it's still a good idea to pre-write. Even if they change it, you could always reword and repurpose one of your essays for other schools.
How optional are optional essays?
They are somewhere between optional and required. It would help if you only answered an optional prompt when you have relevant information to address. A forced response will not go over well with admissions committees and can hurt your application.
Which essay should I work on first?
You should prioritize the ones from your top-choice schools and the ones that require in-depth answers so that you will have material to re-use if necessary.
Completing your secondary applications is a time-consuming and stressful process. Now that you know what to and what not to do, you can begin working on your essays with some confidence. You are now armed with the knowledge on how to create impressive medical school secondary essays.
Don't underestimate the importance of pre-writing your secondaries and always convey your individuality. Answer the prompt as clearly as you can and expand on your key points. Remember that the ultimate goal is to impress the admissions committee enough to be called in for an interview.
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Medical School Personal Statement FAQs
Let’s start today with a seemingly simple question that you are going to have to consider before applying to med school: Who are you? It may seem simple on the surface, but this can be one of the most challenging questions that premed students encounter on the medical school application or the MCAT. Yet, it’s the basic question posed in at least one major part of your application: the medical school personal statement .
There are a couple important themes to keep in mind while you’re coming up with the subject matter for your medical school personal statement—or, what many admissions officers refer to as “your interview in writing.” Check out a few of our handy personal essay FAQs:
What kind of questions will I be asked?
The question posed—or the essay prompt—will be surprisingly vague. The Association of American Medical Colleges’ (AAMC) prompt from the AMCAS application is simply: “Use the space provided to explain why you want to go to medical school.” This broad net can prove both a blessing and a curse, depending on how you look at it. On one hand, it allows you the freedom to take your story in just about any direction, and what could be better than that? On the other, it can feel overwhelming if you overthink it.
How long should my medical school personal statement be?
How many versions should i write.
Unlike the school-specific, tailored information you’ll give on your secondary applications, your AMCAS medical school statement will remain uniform across all the schools you apply to.
Since you’ll only have one version of the personal essay, it should not be directed towards any individual school. Use your secondary applications and essays to express your interests in individual medical schools.
What should I write about in my personal statement?
Even though the prompt for the medical school personal statement is vague, it is generally understood that you have three major goals to accomplish in this essay. Focus the essay with these in mind, but don’t be afraid to be creative!
You’ll need to give some serious thought to why you want to go into medicine , and more specifically, why you want an MD or a DO . Far too often, students write generic, impassioned passages about “wanting to help people.” While that is a completely valid reason to go to medical school, it doesn’t really explain why you want to become a doctor to the exclusion of other health careers, like nursing or physical therapy. It doesn’t really even explain why you want to go into medicine. Firefighters, teachers, plumbers, and landscapers help people too!
Why do I want to be a physician specifically?
Is it the translation of your scientific knowledge into patient education about how to live a healthy lifestyle? Is it the pursuit of new therapies and cures through research? Is it the rigor of a career that demands lifelong learning?
Medical schools want to know that if they admit you, you’ll contribute to the class in a unique and meaningful way. So think about what makes your desire to become a physician unique. Medical schools want to admit a diverse class , and although diversity in medical education is a rather broad topic in general, they’re looking beyond just demographics—to facets such as educational experiences, life challenges, medical interests, and more.How does everything fit together?
You want your medical school personal statement to tell an intricate story about you—something a reader can get excited about and relate to. Rather than simply rewriting your résumé in paragraph form, construct your essay around a theme that you can keep returning to.
Perhaps you’re a musicology major who’s also passionate about education and patient care. Focusing on the intersection between the arts and sciences both historically and in your own life could be a good launching-off point. Take it from us—it’s worked before.
Who should edit my med school essay?
- Someone who knows you really well. Medical schools can spot a disingenuous personal statement a mile away. Get a best friend, parent, or significant other to call you on any bluffing or “gaming” of the essay. It’s not about writing what you think the admissions committee wants to hear—it’s about writing the truth, representing yourself tactfully, and letting your accomplishments speak for themselves.
- A strict grammarian. To be sure, using a comma when you should be using a semicolon will not, by itself, keep you out of medical school. But any sloppiness or lack of clarity in your statement will subtly and collectively bring down the overall quality and effectiveness of your words.
- Someone who knows medicine. Who should know better what will appeal to a medical school admissions committee than someone who’s already been there, done that? A physician you’ve shadowed, a PI with whom you’ve worked, or a friend who’s already a medical student will help you hone your statement’s message. If you are currently an undergraduate student, your pre-med advisor certainly fits the bill.
Ultimately, the essay is crucial to your success in applying to medical school, so go ahead and start writing. By thinking through your essay, you’re helping define who you are as a citizen, as a student, and as the physician you’re well on your way to becoming.
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