Medical School Secondary Essay Prompts (2026-2027)
A complete list of med school secondary prompts to help you get ahead and stay organized during your admissions process
Discover every secondary essay prompt for every U.S. medical school
We recommend using this resource alongside our Secondary Essay Premium Example Hub, which includes a sample essay in response to every prompt required by every MD and DO program in the US. It’s even been featured by outlets including U.S. News & World Report, making it a convenient and reliable tool for your application process.
(Note: This list is continually updated. We are now adding med school secondary essay prompts for 2026—2027. If you notice that a specific school’s prompts need to be updated, please email contact@shemmassianconsulting.com with details.)
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Click on the state, territory, or country below to view the med schools there:
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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
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 are your personal attributes that demonstrate the osteopathic philosophy? (500 words or less)
University of Alabama School of Medicine
State of Residence Section:
Non-Alabama Resident with Ties to Alabama: If you are not a resident of Alabama, please describe any ties or meaningful experiences you have had related to the state of Alabama or UAB Medical Center. (No limit)
(All Applicants) If the area you spent most of your life before college differs from where you currently consider your permanent address, please explain. (No limit)
Essay Section:
Where do you see yourself in your medical career fifteen to twenty years from now? (750 characters)
Describe a patient interaction with the healthcare system. This could be a direct patient observation (in person or virtual) during a shadowing/clinical experience or a personal experience 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. Examples of community service include, but are not limited to, face-to-face activities volunteering in a healthcare setting, nursing home, school, crisis center, food bank, or shelter. (750 characters)
Describe a situation where you had to adjust your behavior or response based on new information or changing conditions. (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 (e.g., provide an explanation of any gaps in education or work or poor academic performance, a meaningful leadership or community service experience tied to healthcare). (750 characters)
(OPTIONAL) Please share any information you want us to know about you that is not included in your AMCAS application or in this secondary application (e.g., provide an explanation of any gaps in education or work or poor academic performance, a meaningful leadership or community service experience tied to healthcare).
For MD-PhD program applicants:
List 3-5 key phrases that best describe your science/research interests. (No limit)
Please list any regional or national conferences you will be attending during this academic year. If you will be presenting your work, please list the title and authors of your presentation/poster (ABRCMS, ATS, EB, SFN, SACNAS, Biomed Eng Society, etc.).
If you have already graduated from college (or will graduate), please give a brief description of your activities following graduation. (1500 characters)
What factors prompted you to apply to UAB for MD/PhD training? (1500 characters)
List 3 unique qualities that will contribute to you becoming a successful physician scientist. (No Limit)
Additional Experiences Section:
You have a separate page to add any experiences that you did not have listed on your AMCAS application.
University of South Alabama College of Medicine
The Whiddon College of Medicine is dedicated to training resilient, adaptable physicians who provide exceptional, patient-centered care to individuals from all walks of life. Please share a significant life experience or aspect of your background that has shaped your ability to effectively communicate with, empathize with, and care for patients with varied healthcare needs, including those in underserved or rural communities.
Although interests may change, what areas of medicine are you primarily interested in at the current time?
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Arizona
(Suggested reading: Medical Schools in Arizona: How to Get In)
Arizona State University John Shufeldt School of Medicine and Medical Engineering
Innovation in medicine is most powerful when it centers the human experience. Describe a time when you challenged an existing approach, such as clinical, educational, technological, or social, to better serve patients, communities, or learners. What motivated your approach, and what did you learn?
Medicine often operates in uncertainty, ambiguity, and complexity. Describe a moment when no clear “right answer” existed. How did you navigate ambiguity, and how did that experience influence your approach to decision-making or care?
The mission of the Arizona State University’s John Shufeldt School of Medicine and Medical Engineering is to transform healthcare delivery, produce healthcare leaders, and address health challenges facing Arizona and beyond, by integrating medicine, engineering, technology, and the humanities.”
Please describe the role(s) you would like to play in helping ASU John Shufeldt School of Medicine and Medical Engineering to achieve its mission.
(OPTIONAL) Please share any additional information that you wish the Admissions Committee to know. Essays can focus on your current activities if you are not currently pursuing a degree, your connection to ASU or the greater Phoenix area, any academic disruptions you would like to clarify, or other information that provides insight on your candidacy.
A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine
What particular qualities do you feel that you can bring to ATSU SOMA?
Discuss a situation in which you had to persevere despite facing obstacles or setbacks. How did you maintain your motivation and keep moving forward towards your goals?
Tell us about a mistake you made that had consequences for yourself or others. How did you respond in the moment, what responsibility did you take, and what did you learn about accountability and integrity from the experience?
Is there anything else you would like to share with the SOMA Admissions Committee about your application?
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"
[IMPACT] What about yourself are you most proud of? How will this shape the way you care for others and contribute to the well-being of the communities you serve? (1000 character limit)
[SERVICE] Servant Leadership is a core value and attribute we deem essential for our students to possess. Share an example where you took initiative to support others while putting their needs ahead of your own. What personal values guided your actions, and how will those values shape the way you care for patients? (1000 character limit)
[ARIZONA] One of the core missions of the UA College of Medicine – Phoenix is to train physicians who will serve the people and communities of Arizona. Please share your connection to the state or, if you do not have one, what draws you to care for patients here. How do you envision contributing to the health and well-being of Arizona’s communities as a future physician? (1000 character limit)
[RESILIENCE] If you previously applied to any medical school (submitted a primary or secondary application), please reflect on your prior application and indicate in what ways you have grown personally, academically, and professionally. How do these changes make you a stronger applicant this cycle? (1000 character limit)
University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson*
Time-sensitive considerations: "Submit your secondary application and fee to the College of Medicine – Tucson within 30 days from the date it was initially sent by 11:59 p.m. Arizona time or January 2, 2026 — whichever day comes FIRST."
Describe a time when you were part of a team working toward a common goal. This experience can be within or outside of the healthcare field. What was your role on the team, how did you contribute to its success collaboration with your peers? Reflect on what this experience taught you about collaboration and how it has prepared you for a career in medicine. (Limit: 350 words)
Please describe a time in your life when you faced a significant personal challenge that wasn't related to academics. How did you handle this challenge, and how will the coping skills you’ve developed help you in medical school and beyond? (Limit: 350 words)
“The University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson trains future physicians to provide high-quality and compassionate care, develops scientists focused on exciting discoveries, and nurtures undergraduate and graduate students interested the many professions in health care and the health sciences.
Consistent with this mission, we strive to bring together individuals with a demonstrated commitment to serve as care providers, physician-scientists, clinical leaders, medical educators and public health experts.
Applicants should exhibit qualities of altruism, academic excellence, leadership and dedication to becoming lifelong learners through research endeavors and academic development.”
Please describe what draws you to our mission and the role(s) you see yourself playing in helping the College of Medicine – Tucson in achieving this mission. (Limit: 350 words)As a healthcare provider, you will work with patients from a wide range of communities and varied lived experiences. Please describe your experience engaging with individuals from different perspectives and explain how you will apply the lessons learned from these experiences as a physician. (Limit: 350 words)
If you have applied to medical school before, please share what you have done since you last applied. (Limit: 350 words)
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Arkansas
Alice L. Walton School of Medicine
All prompts have a 1500-character limit.
Describe how AWSOM’s mission and values align with your personal and professional goals. Please include how you believe AWSOM will help you develop into the kind of person and physician you hope to become.
The Admissions Committee evaluates a range of student qualities, characteristics, and life experiences that complement demonstrated academic excellence. What unique qualities or individual lived experiences do you possess that make you uniquely suited to become a physician?
Describe your experiences engaging in the community, and how those experiences have prepared you for a future as a physician.
Trust and rapport are essential in your day-to-day interactions with people. How do you cultivate a relationship with a person who may be very different from you?
Whole health considers the needs of the whole person with the goal of preventing disease, improving health outcomes, and sustaining wellness. How do you practice whole health in your personal life, and how do you aspire to incorporate whole health principles when caring for the community?
(OPTIONAL) Gap Year(s) if applicable: If you are taking time off between college graduation and medical school matriculation, please tell us why you made this decision and what you will be doing or have done during this gap time.
(OPTIONAL) Is there any additional information not included elsewhere in your application you would like the admissions committee to know?
Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine
Please answer all questions in this section honestly and to the best of your ability. There are no length requirements or minimums.
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.
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California
(Suggested reading: Medical Schools in California: How to Get In)
California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine
CHSU values a student body that embraces our University’s mission. Please explain how you would personally contribute to advancing CHSU’s mission.(1500 characters)
Please share why are you interested in Osteopathic Medicine and why you want to be trained as an osteopathic physician. (1500 characters)
California Northstate University College of Medicine
Please note: Questions 1 to 6 have a stated limit of 250 words, though the space provided for submitting responses allows 1785 characters. We recommend developing your responses based on the stated limits.
(REQUIRED) Why have you chosen to apply to CNUCOM? (250 words maximum)
(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? (250 words maximum)
(REQUIRED) In which direction would you like to see healthcare progress over the next decade? (250 words maximum)
(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)
(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)
(REQUIRED) Is there anything you would like the Admissions Committee to know that is not reflected elsewhere in your application? (250 words maximum)
(OPTIONAL) 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
Diversity comes in many forms. How do you think you might contribute to the diversity of the class? (150 words)
Describe the last time you were criticized by a peer or supervisor. How did you handle it? (150 words)
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? (150 words)
What would be the best example that shows you are a person of integrity? (150 words)
If given the opportunity to attend medical school, where would you see yourself in ten years? (150 words)
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. (If not applicable, please enter N/A in the box below) (150 words)
Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science*
Time-sensitive considerations: "28 days after receipt of the supplemental application invitation"
The university’s vision statement is “Excellent health and wellness for all in a world without health disparities”. Describe how you envision yourself contributing to the CDU vision statement. (1200 characters)
Describe your commitment to transforming the health of diverse and underserved communities. (800 characters)
Detail the key motivational factors in your decision to apply to the CDU MD Program. (800 characters).
Please describe a personal experience in which you have encountered discrimination. (800 characters)
How will you utilize your medical knowledge and skills to contribute positively to your community after completing medical school? (800 characters)
(Optional) Have you participated in any CDU programs (pipeline, degree, community, research, etc.)? If you answered "yes" to the previous question, please list the CDU program(s). (9999 characters)
(Optional) How did you hear about the CDU COM program? (9999 characters)
How will you use your life experience with poverty and housing insecurity as a physician? (800 characters)
(Optional) If you are reapplying, please describe any new experiences, achievements, or developments since your last application. How have these contributed to your personal, academic, or professional growth? (400 characters)
Kaiser Permanente School of Medicine
(Suggested reading: How to Get Into Kaiser Permanente Medical School)
During your career as a physician, you will likely 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. Write your response to the prompt above in 250 words or less.
Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine is dedicated to graduating courageous leaders who lead change through inquiry and innovation in medical education, the profession, and the healthcare system. How do your values align with this mission? Write your response to the prompt above in 250 words or less.
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. Write your response to the prompt above in 250 words or less.
Drawing from your lived experiences, how do you think knowledge of the social drivers of health can be leveraged to engage in community health advocacy? Write your response to the prompt above in 250 words or less.
Optional: Have you previously applied to medical school? If yes, please describe your accomplishments since you last applied that would promote your acceptance? Write your response to the prompt above in 250 words or less.
KPSOM scholarship question:
The Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine (KPSOM) Impact Scholarship is a mission-driven, full cost of attendance scholarship created to recognize and support exceptional applicants whose values and experiences reflect the school’s commitment to excellence, community engagement, innovation, advocacy, and leadership. The scholarship honors students who demonstrate excellence, resilience, and a deep dedication to improving healthcare systems and community well-being. The Impact Scholarship represents an investment in the next generation of physician leaders, empowering students to thrive while preparing them to lead meaningful changes in medicine. Please Select Yes of No if you would like to self-nominate for the KPSOM Scholarship? Which components of your application best demonstrate your alignment with KPSOM’s mission?
MD/PhD questions:
Please list publications and papers submitted. Include one or two sentences describing your role on each publication.
Please provide the names of faculty at Caltech with whom you'd like to meet. Briefly state why you'd like to meet with this person: (Up to ten people)
Loma Linda University School of Medicine
What makes LLUSM particularly attractive to you? (275 word limit)
Our medical curriculum integrates spiritual, ethical, and relational issues from the Christian perspective into the practice of medicine. Religion courses and weekly chapel services are part of this program. Please respond to the preceding statements as they relate to your personal educational and career goals. (275 word limit)
What personal attributes make you a desirable candidate for admission to LLUSM? (275 word limit)
Identify experiences in your life that illustrate your service to others. (275 word limit)
Discuss how your spiritual origins, development, and experiences have influenced and been integrated into your daily life. (275 word limit)
Please describe your current involvement (or reason for not being involved) with a church or religious group. (275 word limit)
Stanford University School of Medicine
(Suggested reading: How to Get Into Stanford Medical School)
Yes/No questions:
(Yes/No) Are there any current or pending disputes concerning your academic status?
(Yes/No) Was your enrollment status ever interrupted during your undergraduate or graduate program, not including summer term (e.g. medical, personal, or academic reasons, military service, other)? If yes, please explain. (150 characters including spaces)
(Yes/No) Are you a community college TRANSFER student? This designation specifically only refers to individuals that enrolled at a community college with the express purpose of transferring to a four year institution. This EXCLUDES courses taken at community college during high school, during interruptions in your undergraduate studies (from a four year institution), or post-undergraduate studies. If you completed community college coursework during the excluded periods indicated, do not answer yes to this question.
(Yes/No) Has your education included any formal, pre-medical postbaccalaureate programs?
(Yes/No) Are you a re-applicant to the Stanford Medicine MD Program? (Note: Applicants who withdraw prior to the AMCAS verification process are not considered re-applicants). Yes, I have previously applied. No, I have NOT previously applied.
Practice setting questions:
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)
Health Policy
Primary Care
Public Health/Community Health
Global Health
Please describe your motivation for this practice scenario. 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 including spaces)
2. How will you take advantage of the Stanford Medicine Discovery Curriculum and scholarly concentration requirement to achieve your personal career goals?(1,000 characters including spaces)
About you - Background:
3. 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 including spaces)
4. How have your life experiences shaped your perspective on medicine, health, or patient care—and how do you anticipate bringing that perspective into our learning community? (2,000 characters including spaces)
5. Please describe a significant contribution you've made to a community that matters to you. What role did you play, how did you influence others, and how did your actions create positive change? (1,000 characters including spaces)
Awards/Scholarship questions:
(Yes/No) Have you received any of the following awards or scholarships?
(Yes/No) Are you an applicant in the current cycle (regardless of pending decisions) for any of the awards or scholarships listed below? If so, please select the name(s) below. Please do not list a scholarship that was PREVIOUSLY awarded or decided (any status). The information requested here is specific to the current cycle with no final decision.
Peer review publications questions:
(Yes/No) Do you have peer-reviewed publications resulting from scholarly endeavors?
Additional Questions
7. What do you see as your greatest area for growth, and how will you address it? (1,000 characters including spaces)
8. Please describe a time you felt unfairly treated or judged and how you responded. (1,000 characters including spaces)
9. (OPTIONAL) Please include anything else that will help us understand better how you may uniquely contribute to Stanford Medicine? (1,000 characters including spaces)
Touro University California College of Osteopathic Medicine
Please select one of the tenets of Osteopathic Medicine and explain how it might relate to one or more of your lived experiences
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.
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.
Please discuss how your life experiences and personal characteristics will contribute to your future success as an outstanding osteopathic physician.
When considering medical schools, what criteria are important to you and how does TUCOM align with those criteria?
University of California – Davis School of Medicine
(Optional) 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. (1000 characters)
Activities: Please list the activities you would like to be considered in your application to UC Davis. The secondary activities may be used to highlight your experiences specifically relevant for UC Davis. You may use your most meaningful experiences listed in your initial AMCAS application or select/add others that may be relevant to UC Davis. Please only list three. The admissions committee will review all AMCAS application activities as well; this an opportunity to highlight your most meaningful and/or relevant to UC Davis School of Medicine. Please list your actual hours completed at the time of your secondary submission, not projected commitment. Therefore, enter your secondary application submission date as your end date for activities still in progress.
Prompt for activities: Briefly describe this activity and its significance. How did it prepare you for a medical career? Include any supporting information (e.g. your contribution to the project or accomplishment as well as links to any publication, etc) (500 characters each 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)
Have you ever had difficulty accessing quality education or healthcare? If so, please describe how this impacted you and others in your community. (1500 characters)
Have you completed your Bachelors Degree (B.A/ B.S). 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)
MSTP prompts
What research accomplishment are you most proud of and why? (1500 characters)
Please describe to the Admissions Committee a research challenge you have overcome and what you learned from that experience. (1500 characters)
What does it mean, to you, to be an MD/PhD? (1500 characters)
Please list all posters, manuscripts (published or planned) you would like the Admissions Committee to consider. (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 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)
Are you re-applying to DGSOM? If you answered “Yes” to question 6, describe what has changed since you last applied to DGSOM. Please be specific. (800 characters)
Global Heath Equity Pathway Application Questions
1. Please describe why you are interested in the Global Health Equity Pathway and any experiences that have informed your decision to apply for this Pathway.
2. How do you think participation in the Pathway will contribute to your future career plans and career development?
3. What additional skills would you like to develop as part of the Pathway? What strengths do you currently have that may contribute to a global health or health equity project? (i.e., language, writing skills, advocacy work, monitoring and evaluation experience, data management/cleaning/analysis, website development, etc.)
4. What are the major challenges you might face as medical student working in global health or health equity? How might you overcome these challenges?
5. Optional question: Please let us know if you have a mentor or organization with whom you would be excited to work as part of the Pathway and why you would like to work with this individual and/or organization. Mentors and organizations may be affiliated with DGSOM/UCLA or may be pre-existing relationships you developed prior to medical school. Note that you are not expected to have a DGSOM mentor and/or partner organization identified prior to arrival at DGSOM.
Urban Health Equity Pathway Questions
1. Please describe how your experience, community and family background impact your understanding of medically underserved/under-resourced communities.
2. Other than healthcare access, what are some of the most important health care issues confronting medically underserved/under-resourced and vulnerable communities? How would you address them?
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 displayed it 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)
PRIME program essays:
Please describe the reason for your interest in being trained as a physician leader for the African, Black, Caribbean community in the Inland Southern California Region.
What is the most important healthcare issue confronting African, Black, Caribbean communities in the Inland Southern California region and what would be your first steps to address this issue?
In what ways has your lived experiences, professional work, or academic studies within the African, Black, Caribbean community shaped your personal growth and deepened your commitment to the PRIME program’s mission?
University of California – San Diego School of Medicine
(Suggested reading: How to Get Into UCSD Medical School, which contains a sample secondary essay)
2025–2026
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. (6000 Characters)
Please note: This section should be completed by all applicants. If you are applying to the MD/PhD program, use this essay to incorporate comments explaining why you are specifically interested in seeking MD/PhD training at UCSD. For applicants that are applying to any special programs/concentrations outside of the MD/PhD program, there are additional optional sections in the secondary application to explain your interest.
2. 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, only if OOS)
PRIME - HEq
The goals of PRIME - HEq are: To increase the number of clinicians, research scientists, and advocates addressing minority health and health disparities; to create a diverse community of scholars that develop, transmit, and apply new knowledge in minority health and health disparities; and to promote a multidisciplinary community/university partnership to eliminate health disparities. The program utilizes existing opportunities to allow enrollees to obtain a master's degree emphasizing minority health and health disparities, tailored to student's interest (MPH, MBA, MAS, MS) Applicants indicating an interest in PRIME are required to write an additional essay detailing their qualifications and reasons for interest in the program.
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. (Yes/No prompt. If yes, you have up to 4800 characters for your response.)
GHAC
Applicants to the UCSD School of Medicine may apply for admission to the GHAC. This track is available to five medical students per class per year, and will provide mentored research and clinical experiences in Global Health. The GHAC has four goals: 1) to prepare young physicians to engage with the global community to address health disparities; 2) to provide experiences and training in academic Global Health research; 3) to provide field experiences in Global Health delivery; and 4) to facilitate education about structural and social factors that create and propagate health disparities. Students in this concentration will undertake an additional curriculum that exposes them to Global Health topics throughout all four years of medical school. This track is appropriate for applicants hoping to pursue an academic medical career in Global Health. Students accepted into the GHAC will be provided with financial support for two international rotations (up to $5000 for both). Applicants interested in applying for the GHAC are required to write an additional essay detailing their qualifications and reasons for interest in this program.
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. (Yes/No prompt. If yes, you have up to 4800 characters for your response.)
PRIME-TIDE
Applicants to the USCD School of Medicine may apply for admission to the Program in Medicine - Transforming Indigenous Doctor Education (PRIME-TIDE), which is available to six medical students per class per year. The educational objectives of the PRIME-TIDE are to: 1) teach medical students the appropriate management and treatment of diseases common in AI/AN communities with a focus on culturally sensitive care via a mentored clinical experience in local, regional or national tribally-operated Indian Health Service (IHS) ambulatory clinics; 2) understand the opportunities for community-based research with AI/AN communities through the California Native American Research Center for Health (CA-NARCH); 3) engage in preventive medicine and public health in a tribal healthcare setting; and 4) understand the social, environmental, economic and political issues related to providing healthcare to tribal communities, as well as the limitations/adaptations to the delivery of IHS care. These objectives will be met by completing didactic coursework, as well as mentored research and clinical experiences.
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." (Yes/No prompt. If yes, you have up to 4800 characters for your response.)
CIMAC
Applicants interested in being considered for CIMAC are required to write an additional essay detailing their qualifications and reasons for interest in this program. Please describe your interest in Compassion and Empathy. In your essay, be sure to describe any personal or professional experiences that have shaped your interests, and how you think your career as a physician would benefit from being in this program. (4800 Characters, only if you are applying to CIMAC)
Member of a Marginalized Group
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? Please describe how educational disparity, health disparity and/or marginalization has impacted you and your community? (4800 Characters, only if you select "Yes")
MOST MEANINGFUL EXPERIENCES (FROM AMCAS)
On your AMCAS Application, you were asked to identify your three “most meaningful” experiences. These activities have been auto-filled in your secondary application.
In addition to the information you provided on the AMCAS application, we would like to know if there are any additional activities you would consider among your most meaningful. This may include activities that you’ve already completed but couldn’t include as you were limited to three selections on the AMCAS application, or it may include a new activity that began after your initial AMCAS application was submitted. Use the “Add” button below to enter a new activity. Please provide a brief description of this experience. (100 characters each)
This section is optional –you can enter any number of additional experiences including zero. If you have no experiences to add, simply click save and continue and this section will be marked as complete
POSSIBLE CAREER PATHWAY (Required, with a 400-character box)
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 the career pathways listed below. In addition to this selection, please provide a brief description of your future career goals:
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
University of California – San Francisco School of Medicine
(Suggested reading: How to Get Into UCSF Medical School)
Note from UCSF: "It may take 8-12 weeks after we receive your verified primary application before you may hear from the School of Medicine with an invitation to complete a secondary. "
If you wish to update or expand upon your activities, you may provide additional information below. (Max 500 words)
If you are 2025 or earlier college graduate, please use the space below to tell us what you have done since completing your undergraduate degree. (Max 350 words)
UCSF PRIDE values serve as a guiding light for institutional life and activities. Briefly describe how you will contribute to and support our PRIDE values consistent with your goals or life experience. Learn more about UCSF PRIDE values at Mission and Values. (Max 500 words)
University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine
Question 1:
The following questions allow the Admissions Committee to become acquainted with you as an individual. Please answer the questions in 3-5 sentences. (max. 1000 characters) - Note: This character count was updated on 8/1/2025 following an email from the school that addressed a typo in the previously listed character count, which was 550.
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.
Question 2:
Is there anything else you would like us to know? Please respond in 200 words or less (max. 1,400 characters)
Additional questions for MD-PhD applicants:
List your publications and papers submitted including one or two sentences describing your role on each publication. (250 word, max. 1,800 characters)
Please indicate fields of study for which you have a special interest. For example: Anatomy, Biostatistics, Molecular Biology, Systems Biology, Epidemiology, Bioengineering, Human Genetics, Neurosciences, Biochemistry, Immunology Nutrition, Microbiology, Pathology, Pharmacology Biophysics, Physiology, Cancer, Other (500 characters)
Please provide the names of faculty with whom you would like to meet, if invited for an interview. For each faculty member suggested, provide a sentence or two explaining why you would like to meet that person. (250 word, max. 1,800 characters)
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)
What was your most memorable community service activity and how did your activity benefit the community? (500 words)
How does the COMP Mission statement align with your values? (500 words)
Why do you want to attend COMP? (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)
If you have not taken any coursework for over 3 years, please explain why and what you have been doing during that period of time. (500 words)
Are you a transfer applicant? (Yes/No)
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Canada
(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)
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Colorado
(Suggested reading: Medical Schools in Colorado)
Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine
What noteworthy characteristics, abilities, or skills do you possess that will help ensure RVU achieves new heights in medical education? (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.
Please describe how your experiences have shaped your approach to creating welcoming, respectful, and collaborative environments for all your future patients. Limit the response to 300 words.
(OPTIONAL) Please explain how you and your application has changed since your previous submission. Limit this response to 1500 Characters.
(OPTIONAL) 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).
(OPTIONAL) Colorado Springs Branch: The CS LIC Program exists at the intersection of academic and community medicine. CS LIC students experience the myriad of academic, private, corporate, military, non-profit, and public service organizations that come together to care for a community. Clinical, didactic, and project-based learning emphasizes how physician leadership and community engagement can promote the health of communities. Didactic education is based in Colorado Springs with clinical sites spanning small cities along the Southern Front Range including Pueblo, Cañon City, Monument, and Woodland Park. Please describe how participation in the CS LIC would advance your career goals and how your life experiences align with an interest in our program. If applicable, you may also note any ties to Colorado Springs or the Southern Front Range. Limit your statement to 1500 characters, including spaces (approximately 300 words).
(OPTIONAL) Rural Track: Why are you interested in being a rural physician? How will rural life and work fit your personal and professional goals? You may include your past experiences and ties or interest to rural Colorado. Limit your statement to 1500 characters, including spaces (approximately 300 words).
(OPTIONAL) What has led you to commit to a career in urban primary care? Please describe any life experiences that have contributed to this commitment. As an urban primary care physician, describe the impact you will make on your community. Limit your statement to 500 words.
(OPTIONAL) What has led you to commit to a career in infectious diseases and public health? Please describe any life experiences that have contributed to this commitment. As an infectious diseases physician, describe the impact you will make on your community. Limit your statement to 500 words.
(OPTIONAL) What has led you to commit to a career in pediatrics? Please describe any life experiences that have contributed to this commitment. As a pediatrician, describe the impact you will make on your community. Limit your statement to 500 words.
(OPTIONAL) Combined MD-MS (Aerospace Engineering): CUSOM has joined with the Department of Aerospace Engineering Sciences at CU Boulder to offer a combined MD-MS degree program. The goal of this program is to prepare trainees to lead the next generation of human spaceflight in clinical, research, engineering, and programmatic positions. The 5-year curriculum includes spending one year at CU Boulder obtaining an MS in Aerospace Engineering with a focus on bioastronautics. Participants can also elect to complete an MS thesis or develop more hands-on engineering experience via Graduate Projects courses. Describe your career path up to this point and how that has led to your interest in human spaceflight. What is your motivation for seeking a dual degree in Aerospace Engineering and how does this fit into your vision for your career? (1500 characters)
(OPTIONAL) CUSOM has partnered with the Leeds School of Business at CU Boulder to offer a combined MD-MBA degree program. The goal of this program is to prepare trainees to lead innovation and progress at the intersection of medicine and business. Please answer the following question with a limit of 750 words. What are your career aspirations and professional development goals for your studies in the MBA program, and why is Leeds your choice? How will your background, values, academics, and leadership skills enhance the experiences of your fellow MBA students during your studies? In what ways do your core values guide your approach to leadership?
(OPTIONAL) Public health is both a science and a calling, requiring practitioners to bridge the gap between clinical medicine and population-level health improvement. As a medical student applying to the Master of Public Health program, write a statement, reflecting on the following:
What inspired you to pursue an MPH degree in addition to your medical training?
What public health issue or field (e.g., epidemiology, health systems, management and policy, climate and environmental health, biostatistics, community and behavioral health, etc.) are you most passionate about?
How does the chosen public health field align with your personal and professional goals?
Your statement should be 5000 characters maximum in length.
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Connecticut
(Suggested reading: Medical Schools in Connecticut: How to Get In)
Quinnipiac University Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine
If you have worked while enrolled as a full-time student, how many hours per week did you work on average and for how many years?
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? If you are a re-applicant, please address steps taken to improve your application for medical school. (200 words)
Although your interests may change, how do you currently envision your specialty interests and future career in medicine and why? (200 words)
Tell us about some of your experiences that you believe will help you to take better care of patients. (200 words)
As a medical student and future physician, you are faced with many uncertain situations. Please describe a situation when you were asked to do something that you felt unprepared for. How did you handle it? (400 words)
At Netter SOM, we value service to each other and others in the community. Please share how you have made efforts to work with people from a different background than you. What did you learn from these efforts? (400 words)
If applicable, please address any withdrawals, repeated courses, leaves of absence, or breaks in your undergraduate education that are not explained in your application. (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 health care 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)
The University of Connecticut School Of Medicine realizes that each applicant brings a unique perspective from a broad range of experiences that have been influential in leading to a career in medicine. How will your own life experiences and unique identity enhance the UConn SoM classroom and community? (1800 characters)
Have you participated in any outreach activities or summer programs at UConn Health? If not, how did you learn about the University of Connecticut School of Medicine? Please list any activities/exposure and approximate time of engagement. (1800 characters)
(Suggested reading: How to Get Into the Yale School of Medicine)
Essays (Required)
Required Essay 1:
Yale School of Medicine is committed to improving the health of all people. How have your experiences prepared you to care for all individuals regardless of background, education, or viewpoint? (500 words)
Required Essay 2 (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.
(1) 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)
(2) 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) Have there been any updates regarding your activities / achievements / distinctions since completing your AMCAS application, or do you have any important accomplishments you have not yet shared with us here or in your AMCAS application? The Office of Admissions will review your activities / achievements / distinctions in the Experiences section of the AMCAS Application, so you do not need to restate anything included there. (No limit)
If you are not enrolled in college or graduate school classes for the duration of the current academic year, please tell us how you are spending your time. Include both your current and any planned activities prior to enrolling in medical school.
Additional Information (Optional)
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. Please limit your response to 500 words.
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District of Columbia
(Suggested reading: Medical Schools in Washington, D.C.: How to Get In)
George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences
If you selected regional medical campus preferred or regional medical campus only in question 6, please explain in detail your interest in regional medical campus and how it will be a good fit for your clinical education. (1750 characters)
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 2027. (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 makes you a unique individual? What challenges have you faced? What have you learned from your experiences? (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)
Have you previously interacted directly with the MD Admissions Office through events, tours, fairs, webinars, or interviews?[ ] If yes, please explain : (250 characters)
Note: They ask you to attest that 'No part of this application (primary or secondary) was created using artificial intelligence, any other available tools, or another author but is solely my own writing.”
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, being Men and Women for Others, and Unity in Community, we are steadfast in our commitment to provide care for all. Please describe how your perspectives, values, and individual life experiences will contribute to these GUSOM priorities. (Max Characters 1000)
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? (Max Characters 1000)
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? (Max 3000 characters)
Howard University College of Medicine
There is a long background section where you did indicate (check boxes or selection) things like education and history of misdemeanors. Next there are some short answer prompts followed by some yes/no questions.
The essay questions:
Was your childhood home located in a rural, urban or suburban area? (250 words/3000 characters)
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/3000 characters 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/3000 characters 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/3000 characters or less.]
Please provide below any additional information you believe is important in evaluating your application (e.g. additional coursework, problems with academic record; disadvantaged, etc.) [Please indicate, Yes or No and then explain/describe briefly in 250 words/3000 characters or less.]
Did COVID-19 impact you preparing your AMCAS application for fall 2026? (i.e. volunteer/work experience, financially, course registration, MCAT testing, etc.) [Please respond Yes or No and then explain/describe briefly in 250 words/3000 characters or less, indicate N/A if not applicable]
Why Howard University College of Medicine? (2500 characters)
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Florida
(Suggested reading: Medical Schools in Florida: How to Get In)
Florida Atlantic University Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine
Prerequisites: [This section has appeared for the past few years, but we have not confirmed that it appears for 2025-2026. In previous years, this section had a 1600 character limit (for each) including spaces.]
1. Use this area to justify and/or explain any academic hardships on your transcripts (any failed and/or repeated courses due to any reason)
2. Use this area to explain exceptions to these prerequisites at your institution.
The questions:
Will you be enrolled as a student this year? Whether or not you will be a full-time student, please provide details of your activities/employment for the application year. (1200 characters)
Describe why you would lilke to attend the Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine at FAU. What values, skills, talents, and life experiences would you contribute to our community? (1600 characters)
Community service provides a powerful lens through which we can understand your values, motivations, and growth. Please describe a community service experience that was meaningful to you. What inspired you to get involved? In what ways did this experience promote your personal growth and learning? What aspects did you find most fulfilling? (1600 characters)
Reflect on your past experiences participating in paid or unpaid work, volunteer roles, or other community-oriented activities. What skills or personal qualities have you developed that you believe will support your success in medical school and as a future physician? These experiences do not need to be clinical. (1600 characters)
Leadership is not defined by titles alone - it's demonstrated through initiative, collaboration, and the ability to guide others toward a shared goal. Describe a time when you demonstrated leadership by guiding a group or organization toward a shared goal. How did you align efforts, motivate others, and contribute to the outcome? (1600 characters)
Discuss a significant personal challenge that helped shape who you are today. What did you learn about yourself, and how will these insights help you navigate the challenges in medical school and beyond? Please include any support systems or resources that played a role in your experience and share if you believe they will translate to medical school. (1600 characters)
If you are a reapplicant for medical school, please share examples of personal or professional experiences that you believe have strengthened your application, contributed to your growth, and have better prepared you for the rigors of medical school since your initial application. (1600 characters)
Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine
(OPTIONAL - Gap year) Please explain what you have been doing, or will be doing since graduation prior to your planned matriculation to medical school. (No limit)
Describe how your experiences and background have influenced the way you approach patient care and communication. (1200 characters)
Why did you choose to apply to FIU Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine? (1200 characters)
Describe a time you put another person's needs before your own. What did you do, and what motivated your actions? (1200 characters)
Describe a meaningful clinical or hands-on care experience. What did it teach you about the realities of patient care, including any challenges or limitations you observed? (1200 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)
Florida State University College of Medicine
"Please complete this application with as much specificity and detail as you can. Though many questions are optional the Admissions Committee STRONGLY ENCOURAGES applicants to submit detailed answers to each question"
A. Personal Background (500 words)
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)
B. Academic Background and Pre-Medical Course Requirements
Choose the appropriate response for each required prerequisite. As a reminder: All prerequisites must be completed with a “C” or better and BEFORE matriculating at the FSU COM. (This section includes a list of questions about prerequisites and whether you attended or applied to FSU during undergrad. For each prerequisite, the answer choices are “Completed with a grade of ‘C’ or better” and “In progress.”)
C. Self Critical Analysis (500 words)
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)
If you have previously interviewed or applied to the College of Medicine, what steps have you taken to improve your application? (Optional)
D. Additional Questions
In what field/specialty of medicine do you envision yourself working ten years from now? Please list no more than three (3) specialties. (500-character limit)
Write a short statement describing how you envision using the specialty/ies you listed above to advance our unique mission and contribute to the success of the FSU College of Medicine. (9999-character limit)
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 the NSU M.D. program, 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)
Have you encountered significant personal or professional challenges that have shaped your motivation to pursue a career in medicine and service to others? (4000 characters))
If applicable, please describe how your experience with challenges has informed your perspective, decision-making, or approach to helping others. You may include reflections on your educational path, life experiences, or other formative events. If not applicable, please type NA. (4000 characters)
Do you have any gaps or inconsistencies in either academic or standardized test performances throughout your undergraduate, graduate, or post-graduate career? (4000 characters) If you answered yes to the previous question, please explain. If you have selected no, please type NA.
Is there a time gap between earning your last degree (baccalaureate or other) and the expected time of your medical school matriculation? (4000 characters) If you answered yes to the previous question, please explain. If you have selected no, please type NA.
Have you previously applied to any medical school (M.D., D.O., international)? (4000 characters) If yes, please explain what steps you have taken to improve your overall application profile for this admissions cycle. If you have selected no, please type NA.)
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 health care-related volunteer activities since graduation from high school. (1000 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 number of hours per week. (1000 characters)
University of Central Florida College of Medicine
Medical school demands significant personal sacrifices, including long hours, emotional stress, and sometimes compromising personal time. Can you describe how you have prepared yourself for these sacrifices and how you plan to maintain a healthy work-life balance while managing the responsibilities of a medical student? (Limit 750 characters)
Can you please recount an experience from your academic or personal life where you actively collaborated with others to achieve a common goal? How do you anticipate applying this collaborative approach in your future medical education and practice, taking into account the diverse perspectives and expertise within healthcare teams? (Limit: 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? (Limit 750 characters)
Tell us about something that is integral to understanding who you are as a person that we would not automatically know from reading your application. These may be things like qualities, characteristics, or events you feel are unique to your life experience. You could address 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. (Limit 4000 characters)
Please share with the Admissions Committee why you are specifically interested in UCF COM (limit 500 characters).
(OPTIONAL) [Reapplicant] In this space, please briefly describe what you have done to improve your candidacy. (No limit)
Will you be a Florida Resident for tuition purposes at the time of matriculation? If you have claimed another state of residence on your AMCAS application, please review the Florida statute section 1009.21 and the State University System of Florida Board of Governors Regulation 7.005 to confirm you will be eligible to classify as a Florida resident for tuition purposes prior to selecting "yes". If you are NOT a Florida resident, please describe any connection to UCF COM, UCF, or Florida. (No limit)
Are you currently enrolled in an academic program? If you do not expect to spend the academic year enrolled in an academic program, please explain how you will use this time. (No limit)
University of Florida College of Medicine
1. Non-Florida residents, please describe your association with the state of Florida if you selected Other above. For all other selections, feel free to expand your answer here as well.
2. If you are not a full-time student during this application cycle, in particular at any time between July 2026 and July 2027, please detail your current and planned activities below. If your plans are not confirmed or if they change, please update us later in the cycle via the User Profile: Updates section. (250 - 500 words)
Please consider the following optional question: Reflect upon your life experiences and values. Do any or all of these help frame how you envision your future contributions to the health and wellbeing of others as a physician and if so, how? (250 words max)
3. If you are a reapplicant to UF COM, please briefly describe your approach to preparing for a new application and specific changes from your previous application. (500 words max)
4. This question is for those who applied via AMCAS ("Other Special Program") to the Jacksonville clerkship track only: The Jacksonville regional medical school campus seeks individuals with an interest in practicing in underserved communities. The program aims to supplement UFCOM’s core medical education with clinical, research, and other experiences designed to provide in-depth, longitudinal learning opportunities in addressing social determinants of health, engaging community resources, and improving population health outcomes. Please tell us about your interests and experiences that motivate you to apply to this program. Please limit your response to 250-500 words.
5. 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.
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.”
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, a joy that can be a bulwark against burnout. As Dr. Fred Griffin has observed:
“It is physicians’ good fortune to spend their lifework engaged in a profession where—hand in hand with developing proficiency in helping others—they may deepen self-understanding, increase their own humanity, and learn how to grapple with the dilemmas that they too must face in life…When physicians are willing to engage in this process, they are much more likely to find their work meaningful; they are less likely to become “burned out” by the daily impact of the suffering of their patients and of the emotional demands placed on them. This statement is only apparently paradoxical.”
Fred Griffin: Literature and Medicine vol 23 No2 pp280-303
Students at UFCOM regularly write about and discuss encounters with patients that shape their professional identity and help them become better physicians and human beings. Please download here two such reflections from our third-year students, each describing interactions where they grew and learned while they were caring for patients. Read and reflect on both and then choose one and describe how the writer, in the words of Dr. Griffin, deepened self-understanding and increased their humanity. (525 words max)
6. What does it mean to be present for the patient?
Advances in medical science and technology have generated astoundingly effective treatments for once-incurable illnesses. Options we take for granted such as operating room techniques, advanced computational support and an array of new drugs and biologics would have seemed miraculous to earlier generations. These tools have restored countless patients to health, and we are appropriately grateful for the science of medicine.
Yet the modern healthcare system has become a vast bureaucracy that, while claiming to serve patients, prioritizes efficiency and revenue, leaving both patients and physicians feeling like little more than cogs in the machine.
To preserve medicine’s human dimension, we must purposefully be attentive to each patient for whom we have the privilege to care. French philosopher Simone Weil observed that, “attention is the rarest and purest form of generosity.” In striving to be genuinely present with our patients, we have the chance to make this generosity abundant rather than rare.
Most doctors enter the field of medicine with a spirit of service and dedication to the patient, grounded in the principles of the Hippocratic Oath. This perspective places the individual patient at the center of learning and growth throughout medical school, residency training and medical practice. In taking the UFCOM Hippocratic Oath, future physicians commit to “practice medicine with conscience and humility, and…act with enduring respect for the dignity of human life. Foremost in my mind will be compassion, respect, and impartial care for my patients.”
Central to this commitment is the idea of being fully present with each patient. Dr. Francis W. Peabody in “The Care of the Patient” wrote: “The good physician knows his patients through and through, and his knowledge is bought dearly. Time, sympathy and understanding must be lavishly dispensed, but the reward is to be found in that personal bond which forms the greatest satisfaction of the practice of medicine.”
Modern medicine presents real world obstacles to this mission. Pressure to see more patients in less time from behind a computer screen detracts from what matters most to patients – a physician who sees, hears and understands them in the moment. An important question emerges: how do we free ourselves from the distractions imposed by the healthcare system so we can fix our attention on the patient in front of us?
Describe an interaction you’ve witnessed in which the physician or other health care professional was fully (or not fully) present for the patient. How has this shaped your understanding of what it means to care for another person in medicine? (525 words max)
7. (OPTIONAL) If you think there is any additional information that would help the admissions committee in its review of your application, please use the space below. Character limit 5000
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."
(Optional) If you have a significant other (e.g., partner, sibling, other relative) applying to the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine this current cycle, please enter that person's first and last name in the space below. (250 characters)
(Optional) If you have a significant other applying to Miller SOM this cycle, please enter their AAMC identification number below. (1000 characters)
(If a reapplicant) If you have applied to the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine before (through the regular application process or via an early assurance/early matriculation program) we invite you to use this space to provide additional information about your previous application. This can include year(s) applied, outcome of application, and ways you have strengthened your application since your last application. (1000 characters)
(If applicable) Use the space below if you would like to share information about a family member who is a graduate of one of our Miller SOM educational or residency programs or who is a current faculty or staff member. This information could include the name of the family member, program(s) they are/were affiliated with, (if alumni) graduation year, and how this family member’s experience with the University of Miller SOM shaped your career trajectory or has otherwise impacted your decision to apply to our program. (1000 characters)
(If applicable) In the space below, please include additional information about your past involvement in our programs. This could include year(s) of attendance, additional programs of attendance, and how attendance in these programs shaped your career trajectory or has otherwise impacted your decision to apply to our program. (1000 characters)
(If applicable) We attempt to engage with prospective applicants in a wide variety of contexts. Please share how you have learned about us and where you may have interacted with our faculty, students, administrators, and other Miller SOM community members. (Select all that apply.)
Use the space below if you would like to share additional information about resources you used to learn about our program and contexts where you may have interacted with representatives of our medical school. (1000 characters)Please indicate if you have an interest in any area of research or subspecialty with opportunities for engagement at the Miller School of Medicine (i.e. Ophthalmology, Trauma, Cancer, etc.). (optional) (200 characters)
Why are you applying to the University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine? In your essay, please provide a response that clearly articulates how you believe our program specifically will enhance your education/training, what you feel you will uniquely contribute to our learning community, and/or what features of our medical school prompted you to apply. (5000 characters)
(Optional): In the space below, please discuss any experiences you may have had serving, working, living, and/or learning in broadly diverse environments that you believe would enable you to thrive in and contribute to our Miller SOM and Greater Miami community. (5000 characters)
(Optional): In the space below, we invite you to choose one of our #MedCanes values and discuss how you exemplify that value. (5000 characters)
Integrity: Demonstrating honesty and fairness in our words and actions
Collaboration: Working together in teams to achieve common goals
Accountability: Taking ownership and responsibility for our actions and outcomes
Respect: Treating others with dignity and compassion
Excellence: Giving of ourselves in a way that exceeds expectations
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 characters,)
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)? (Pick one and then move to the next question.)
Describe the knowledge, skills, and attributes you have developed in preparation for the career path you have chosen in the previous question. (1500 characters)
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)
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)
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Georgia
(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 2026-2027 academic year. If you are not 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)
Emory School of Medicine is committed to recruiting and educating medical students who will help deliver quality health care and will promote the health of our patients. In our community, this includes learning about and addressing the health care needs of our most under-served populations. Please describe any of your activities that have been in service to under-served communities. (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."
The goal of the MCG Admissions Committee is to admit a diverse medical school class of well-rounded and academically qualified individuals who will best contribute to our institutional mission and ultimately meet the healthcare needs of Georgians. This section captures additional information not readily available in AMCAS. Please adhere to the word limit in each section. Please do not use special characters in your responses ( no #, % , &, etc.).
Please discuss your primary interest in attending the Medical College of Georgia and how medical education at MCG will help you achieve your future career goals and desired specialty. (300 words)
At the core of MCG’s mission is community engagement and providing care to underserved communities. Please describe your engagement or your personal experience with underserved communities. (300 words)
Please describe your motivation for becoming a physician. Provide an example of an impactful clinical experience or patient encounter which reinforced your desire to enter medicine. (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 were part of something that failed. What did you learn from this experience? (300 words)
The Admissions Committee regards an individual’s personal attributes and life experiences as important factors in serving the educational mission of MCG and meeting the healthcare needs of a diverse patient population. In this context, how you would contribute to MCG’s community and the healthcare needs of Georgians? (300 words)
Please describe the specific geographical area (state, city, town or country if applicable) in which you would most likely practice medicine and why. (300 words)
Please explain any inconsistencies in your academic record. This may include below average course performance, grade trends, MCAT scores, etc. If no inconsistencies have occurred, please select "N/A." (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." (300 words)
If applicable, indicate any special experiences, unusual factors, or other information you feel the admissions committee should consider which may not be captured in other areas of your application. If no additional experiences have occurred, please select "N/A. (300 words)
Mercer University School of Medicine
2024–2025
Please provide below an alternate e-mail address (different from the one listed on the Primary AMCAS Application) to which we can send you correspondence related to your application. (Required)
Please provide a cell phone number at which you can be contacted in reference to your application. (Required)
Please address any institutional action, including honor code or conduct code violations, from your time as an undergraduate and graduate student. (Required)
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 to the Admissions Committee experiences, attributes, or qualifications you believe are unique to you that will strengthen 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)
Describe your experiences in service to others and your community and how they have helped prepare you to be a physician. (230 words)
(Suggested reading: How to Get Into Morehouse School of Medicine)
There is a 200-word limit for all questions.
Give an example when you have shown resilience and how you would overcome academic adversity if encountered in medical school.
In what ways do you plan to contribute to the Morehouse School of Medicine community, both during your time as a student and beyond?
Imagine you’re a healthcare provider working at a community clinic with limited resources. You’re responsible for distributing a small number of free glucose monitors to patients with diabetes. You have two patients who qualify: one is highly engaged, follows care instructions, and has shown consistent improvement. The other struggles with managing their condition due to low literacy, language barriers, and unstable housing, and often misses appointments. You only have one monitor left. Who do you give it to—and why? How would you navigate this situation in a way that reflects a commitment to health equity?
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Hawaii
University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine
Reflect on a recent instance where you were given personal feedback that was unfavorable or difficult to receive. How did you respond? Elaborate on how this experience has shaped the way in which you interact with others. (600 words)
How are you currently serving your community? Describe the impact that you are making and how this has improved your community. (500 words)
Professionalism in medicine often requires balancing personal beliefs with the duty of care, or navigating conflicts within a healthcare team. Describe a specific instance where your professional integrity or boundaries were challenged. How did you handle it, what was the outcome and how did this experience shape your definition of what it means to be a professional physician? (500 words)
Describe why you have chosen to apply to JABSOM and if you have any personal connections to the school, Hawaii or the Pacific Basin. If you do not have a personal connection, elaborate on your motivations for applying to JABSOM. (500 words)
(For Reapplicants) If you are a re-applicant to JABSOM, please complete the following additional essay. Elaborate on the specific steps you have taken to enhance your candidacy for the MD program and why you chose to take these steps. (500 words)
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Idaho
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)
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Illinois
(Suggested reading: Medical Schools in Illinois: How to Get In)
Carle Illinois College of Medicine
Note: Carle uses a unique format for its secondary. Please read the instructions carefully.
In the three artifacts we ask you to SHOW US how compassion, curiosity, and creativity have played out in your life, and how you exemplify these values. Each artifact should be uploaded as a PDF (one page for each value, formatted no larger than 8.5" x 11"). No hyperlinks or embedded videos are allowed. We encourage you to make your artifacts image focused but captions or other brief notes can be included on the artifact to help us understand the context of your images. Your artifacts will be most powerful if you include multiple activities for each and clearly indicate the quality and depth of your experience, but only include that which is meaningful for the value. The artifacts should be somewhat reflective in nature so share your thoughts and insights. You may repeat experiences listed on your AMCAS application and/or include new ones. Our screeners will evaluate your portfolio independently BEFORE they evaluate your AMCAS application so do not assume the screeners are aware of any of the information in your AMCAS. Please do not include activities from high school or earlier unless they are of very high quality or impact (an example would be achieving Eagle Scout rank). Family interactions/relationships ("spending time with family") are unlikely to score well unless you can show how they are unusual or significant (an example would be full-time caregiver for a family member for a period). Please make your role clear. Was the activity you are presenting part of a class for credit or something you did on your own? Was this part of a team? If so, what was YOUR role?
For example, if you did or are still doing work in a research lab, we are less interested in a detailed description of the science and more interested in learning what you did, how YOU contributed, and if you were able to be innovative. While the content of your portfolio is of primary importance, our reviewers are also evaluating your presentation. This does not mean you have to be "artistic", but it is valuable to show an innovative approach. Instead of thinking about what WE want, include what YOU want to share. What drives you? What do you want us to know? Show us who you are, and why you are uniquely suited to our school.
In the impact statement we ask you to TELL US more. This statement will provide meaningful context and scope for your artifacts and tell us the impact of what you are showing us. The impact statement is not intended to explain your artifacts, but rather to expand on and supplement them; to demonstrate the impact of the experiences you included. Think of this statement being like an abstract, a synopsis, or a legend for a figure in a paper. You have a maximum of 250 words.
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? Have you learned through adversity and shared those lessons with others in need? Share with us the ways you’ve impacted a larger population and help us see how you will be the type of physician we would entrust with our most beloved community members.
Curiosity
Carle Illinois College of Medicine values lifelong learners. We want to see your passion for learning and growing!
Show Us - How have you explored new interests, cultures, or people? Have you identified a need and taken the initiative to respond to that need? For example, is there a research project or work experience you’d like to share? Has your curiosity fostered a deeper sense of vulnerability, resilience, or life-long learning? If so, how? Let us see where your curiosity has taken you.
Creativity
The dictionary tells us that innovation is a new method, idea, or product. Often there is an outcome, a clearly defined result, or a new thing is discovered. The introduction of something new requires dynamic thinking and creative solutions. Creativity is key to innovation. Help us see your creativity!
Show Us - What are the ways you demonstrate you have an active mind? What are you really proud of? For example, have you used technology in novel or distinct ways? What innovative solutions have you employed in your work, healthcare, or hobbies? Have you taken a risk to respond to a problem, to express yourself, or to achieve your goals? Describe how you live and lead a creative life.
Impact Statement
Tell Us - In 250 words or less, create an abstract-style narrative describing the impact of the experiences you included in your portfolio artifacts and how they have shaped your understanding of and connection to the Carle Illinois values of Compassion, Curiosity, and Creativity. The narrative should provide context and scope to the stories told in your artifacts and the value and impact these Carle Illinois values have in your life.
Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
All prompts have a 150-word limit.
Chicago Medical School values service, interprofessional collaboration, and community engagement. Describe an experience that reflects one or more of these values and how you hope to continue this work during your time in medical school. (150 word limit)
Which specific programs, opportunities, or aspects of Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University motivated you to apply, and how do they align with your career goals? (150 word limit)
What interests you about training in the Chicago/North Chicago region, and how might this environment shape your medical education and future career as a physician? (150 word limit)
If you joined the Chicago Medical School community, how would you contribute to the learning environment through initiatives, organizations, or areas of involvement that interest you? (150 word limit)
Describe a time when you received difficult or unexpected feedback about your academic performance or behavior. How did you respond to that feedback, and what changes did you make as a result? (150 word limit)
Illinois College of Medicine at The Chicago School
Reflect on an experience from your education or personal background that shaped your understanding of how individual identities, lived experiences, and cultural perspectives influence healthcare. How did this experience shape your perspective, and how might it guide your contributions to IllinoisCOM and the communities you serve and your engagement with the principles and practice of osteopathic medicine? (500 words)
As IllinoisCOM evolves, how do you envision contributing to the college’s developing identity, culture, and long-term impact? What does this opportunity represent to you personally, and how might you help shape the future of the college and its role in the broader healthcare community? (500 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."
Stritch values our student’s unique experiences and perspectives, for that reason, we respectfully request that your answers are your own and not generated or enhanced by AI programming. (500 words)
As you consider Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, please tell us what resonates with you regarding our mission as a Jesuit, Catholic medical school? Consider also what you may be curious about regarding our institutional mission and identity. (500 words)
Considering all that you could do with your life, how have you discerned your decision to become a physician? What is particular to the practice of medicine and the vocation of a physician that draws you to apply to medical school versus another helping/caring profession? What experiences, conversations, and encounters have informed your decision to apply? (500 words)
Social justice, in the Jesuit tradition, justice due to each person's inherent human dignity, is an essential dimension of education at SSOM. Describe an impactful experience working with and for under-resourced communities. Explain what you have learned about yourself through this service and/or what has hindered your efforts to serve others in these environments. (500 words)
Describe a time you received feedback about your performance and disagreed with the feedback. What did you disagree with? How did you handle it? (500 words)
Medical education is characterized by long hours of study, a steady cadence of course exams, subjective and objective assessment of performance, licensing exams, and sometimes demanding and stressful educational contexts in the clinical environment. How has your chosen undergraduate course of study prepared you for the rigor and demands of the medical school curriculum? What additional skills have you learned as a pre-med student to help you balance your educational and personal responsibilities, including managing your time and relieving stress? (500 words)
Have you or any of your relatives attended or been employed by Loyola University Chicago or the Stritch School of Medicine? (Yes/No)
(OPTIONAL) 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.
(OPTIONAL) 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.
(OPTIONAL) 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.
(OPTIONAL) 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.
(OPTIONAL) Are you currently, or have you been, enrolled in any of the following programs?
LUC - Applicant Boot Camp or Health Equity and Advocacy Leaders (ASPIRE):
LUC - Early Assurance Program (EAP):
LUC - Health Professionals Recruitment and Exposure Program (HPREP):
Loyola University Chicago undergraduate (LUC):
Loyola MA in Medical Sciences (LUC MAMS):
Loyola MS in Medical Physiology (LUC MSMP):
Loyola Masters in Infectious Disease and Immunology (INDIRI):
Proviso United with Loyola for Educational Enrichment (PULSE):
LUC - Medical Minority Applicant Registry (MED-MAR):
12a.) Please provide a statement about the program:
(OPTIONAL) Have you ever been convicted of a crime other than a minor traffic or parking violation? If the answer is yes, please explain below.
(OPTIONAL) If you did not submit an advisor or committee letter, please tell us why.
(OPTIONAL) Using the voice tool linked here, please clearly speak your first and last name into your microphone.
(OPTIONAL) Please also phonetically spell your name here. Use the following resources to determine the standard phonetic spelling for your first and last name: http://www.photransedit.com/.
Midwestern University Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine
List any relative who is an osteopathic physician:
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)
Upload a copy of your resume or curriculum vitae, which will include, but not be limited to the following information:
Educational History (colleges attended and degrees earned)
Employment History
Medically-related work and volunteer experiences
College extracurricular activities, honors, and leadership responsibilities
Community activities, honors, and leadership responsibilities
Hobbies and nonacademic interests
Northwestern University The Feinberg School of Medicine
MD application questions
Feinberg’s mission is to train future leaders who will serve their patients, communities and society. Explain which aspects of Feinberg will support your future goals in medicine and how FSM, located in Chicago, will help you achieve these professional aspirations. (200 words)
Describe a favorite book, movie, album, or other work of art you would like to share with your future classmates and why. (200 words)
The Feinberg School of Medicine values the totality of our students’ experiences. As everyone has their own narrative, please describe how your experiences have shaped your interests, preparation for medicine, or perspective on patient care, and how they may contribute to your development with the Northwestern community. (200 words)
Post-Undergraduate Experiences (If applicable):
If you have one year or more between college graduation and medical school matriculation, describe both your completed activities and anticipated plans, including the extent of your involvement. (200 words)
Reapplicant (If applicable):
If you are reapplying to medical school, please address steps taken to enhance your application. (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)
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)
If you have (or expect to have) a year or more between college graduation and medical school matriculation, describe both your completed activities and anticipated plans. (200 words)
If you are reapplying this cycle, please address steps taken to enhance your application. If not a reapplicant, please enter "N/A." (200 words)
Do you or an immediate family member have an existing relationship with Feinberg School of Medicine? (Y/N) - 50 words if Y
Please provide a brief statement explaining why you are specifically applying to the Northwestern University Medical Scientist Training Program. (200 words)
The Feinberg School of Medicine values the totality of our students’ experiences. As everyone has their own narrative, please describe how your unique experiences would enrich the Northwestern community. (200 words)
Rush Medical College of Rush University
All prompts have a 1,000-character limit.
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 worldview or enhanced your ability to understand those unlike yourself and what you learned from this experience.
Tell us about an experience within a healthcare environment that revealed the complexity of caring for others. How did your understanding evolve through reflection, observation, or continued engagement, and what did you learn about the responsibilities of medicine?
Some commitments grow deeper the longer we remain involved. Tell us about an experience that required sustained engagement with others. What drew you to it initially, what kept you engaged, and how did it influence the way you think about caring for others, serving communities, social responsibility, or contributing to something larger than yourself?
Advancing knowledge often begins with curiosity, persistence, and a willingness to question what is already known. Tell us about an experience, project, or question that demanded sustained inquiry from you. Where did it lead, and how did it shape the way you think about discovery, innovation, or lifelong learning?
Describe an experience that required you to persist, adapt, or rethink your approach in order to create meaningful progress. What kept you engaged, and how did the experience influence the way you approach leadership, accountability, or future challenges?
Southern Illinois University School of Medicine
The mission of SIU School of Medicine is 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.
Preference is given to established residents of central and southern Illinois who intend to practice medicine in the state.
Applicants should have a good foundation in the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities.
Applicants are expected to demonstrate facility in writing and speaking the English language.
Preference is given to applicants who will have earned a baccalaureate degree by the time of matriculation.
Preference is given to applicants who have had sufficient recent academic activity to demonstrate potential for successful completion of medical school.
Although the Admissions Committee establishes no quotas, active efforts are made to recruit qualified applicants from groups who have been under-represented in the medical profession.
Questions:
SIU School of Medicine uses a holistic approach to identify students who best 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 SIU’s mission and what barriers have you overcome in your life’s circumstances to reach this point in applying to medical school? Please limit your response to 300 words or less.
Tell us about your lived experiences that will make you a better physician? Please limit your response to 300 words or less.
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.
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
1. Students at the Pritzker School of Medicine complete the majority of their clinical training at UChicago Medicine (UCM). UCM, nationally recognized by the AAMC for sustained commitment to community engagement, partnership, and collaboration, has a primary service area where poverty is over double the state level. Additionally, our students lead numerous community-based initiatives throughout Chicago, including six free clinics that primarily serve uninsured patients. Please share with us the personal and professional experiences that have best prepared you to work in this clinical environment. (450 words)
2. All MD students participate in our longitudinal Scholarship & Discovery research program, which offers protected curricular time, mentoring, and funding for students to pursue their scholarly interests. Please describe your research interests and share how our research opportunities will help you advance your career goals. (450 words - MD only)
3. Medical education requires humility and resilience as students learn to become physicians prepared to deliver exceptional care within a rapidly changing and sometimes challenging healthcare landscape. 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 situation, and the support person(s) from whom you sought advice. (450 words)
Additional Questions
1. 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. We suggest that you limit your text to about 300 words.
2. 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
No word or character count was indicated.
What characteristics, qualities, or attributes do you possess that have helped you navigate conflict, change, or unfamiliar situations? In your response, reflect on how you demonstrate resiliency and a growth mindset in your approach to personal and professional development.
Which characteristics, qualities, or attributes of UI COM attracted you to apply for medical school here?
An important part of UI COM’s identity is the concept of “one college, three campuses.” The curriculum is identical on each campus; however, each campus has unique characteristics. Please describe what you have learned about at least two of our three campuses.
Injustice can take many forms and impact individuals and communities in profound ways. Reflect on some of the causes and consequences of injustice you have observed or learned about. What does an individual’s response to injustice reveal about their values and character? How do you see your role—as a future physician and member of society—in recognizing and addressing injustice when you encounter it?
UI COM thrives when students bring a variety of perspectives, values, and ways of thinking to the learning environment. Describe an aspect of your perspective, value system, or experience that is especially meaningful to you. How would this shape your contribution to a collaborative and enriching learning environment at our medical school?
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Indiana
Indiana University School of Medicine
There are no secondary essay prompts for the current cycle. However, there are prompts for the MSTP program.
Instead, the school will email to confirm receipt of your AMCAS application. When they are ready to select interviewees, they will email those students a link to provide additional (non-essay) information.
MSTP Prompts:
How did you find out about the Indiana MSTP? Why are you interested in MD/PhD training at Indiana University/Purdue University in particular? (500 word limit)
Please describe your research interests and describe how the opportunities at the Indiana MSTP fit with your goals for graduate training. Please include names of up to five IU (and for BME applicants, Purdue) investigators whose research programs interest you. (500 word limit)
The Indiana MSTP seeks students whose individual strengths and viewpoints can help advance the future of medicine. Please describe the unique perspective or experience you would contribute to the incoming class. You may also share any personally significant or challenging circumstances from your background that shape the outlook you bring. (500 word limit)
Briefly describe a specific instance when you faced adversity, how you met that challenge, and how you demonstrated resilience. (250 word limit)
If you have any updates or new information to report since you have submitted your AMCAS primary application, please briefly describe below. (250 word limit)
If you are currently not a fulltime student, please briefly describe the activities you are participating in this academic year. (250 word limit)
If you are a re-applicant, what have you done to enhance your re-application? (250 word limit)
Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Are you applying for the Early Decision Program?
Are you a current student in Marian’s Biomedical Sciences graduate program?
Have you had the opportunity to connect with someone from MU-WCOM?
Do you have research experience?
In Indiana, 53 of our 92 counties are designated as Health Professional Shortage Areas. What experiences have you had working with these types of communities, and how has it shaped your perspective on healthcare? (Max 300 words)
Do you have any connections to the state of Indiana?
What personal experiences or values have motivated you into considering an osteopathic medical education? (Max 300 words)
Explain your interest in attending MU-WCOM. (Max 300 words)
Please indicate any new information, changes or additions that were not included in your AACOMAS application (including but not limited to, education, employment, extracurricular activities, research, military service, academic warnings, conduct violations, and/or convictions). (Max 300 words)
Do/did you have an undergraduate pre-medical or health profession advisor?
I am eligible for an AACOMAS fee waiver and request one from MU-WCOM.
Please indicate how you first learned about MU-WCOM, providing specific details where appropriate.)
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Iowa
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 a personal characteristic, challenge, or experience that makes you unique. How will this influence your contribution to a dynamic healthcare system that advocates for all peoples? (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. (15 entries, 175 characters per description)
(OPTIONAL) If you are a reapplicant to the Carver College of Medicine, how have you strengthened your application? (1500 characters)
(OPTIONAL) 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)
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Kansas
Kansas College of Osteopathic Medicine
What failures have you experienced that have shaped you as an individual and prepared you for the rigors of medical school? (500 words, max)
What have you found as the most effective way to prioritize your time? (500 words, max)
What individuals and experiences have led to your interest in Osteopathic Medicine and motivated you to apply to KHSC-KansasCOM? (500 words, max)
University of Kansas School of Medicine
Why do you prefer to attend the campus you ranked as your first choice? (980 character limit) If your circumstances meet one of the eligible exemptions noted on the Campus Instructions page, specifically describe them here. Persons requesting an eligible exemption will be asked to provide supporting documentation.
1000 character maximum for all prompts
If you are not a Kansas resident, what is your specific interest in applying to the University of Kansas School of Medicine?
Please describe how your actions and experiences align with the vision statement of the University of Kansas School of Medicine: “To improve lives and communities in Kansas through innovation in education, research, and health care.”
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.
Describe examples of leadership experience in which you have significantly influenced others, helped resolve disputes, or contributed to group efforts over time.
Beyond academics (grades and MCATs), describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to address this challenge.
Give an example of what you have done to make your community a better place to live.
If there are academic discrepancies in your application that have not been explained in your application, 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.
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.
Students in the MD program are considered and expected to participate full-time in MD program requirements and accompanying activities (e.g., service, research, etc.). Our experience over multiple decades has informed the SOM that participation in outside activities (e.g., employment, other degree programs, etc.) is not conducive to successfully navigating our curriculum and overall school requirements. Failing to meet program expectations can place the student at risk for administrative action, including dismissal.If you are no longer a full-time student, briefly describe your current employment, community, and/or educational activities.
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.
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Kentucky
University of Kentucky College of Medicine
Why have you chosen to apply to the University of Kentucky College of Medicine? (No limit)
The University of Kentucky College of Medicine's (UKCOM) mission statement promotes an environment that encourages excellence in education, access to high-quality health care, and transformative research to improve the health and wellness of Kentuckians and beyond. Please describe how your past experiences or future plans contribute to enriching and enhancing the learning environment at UKCOM. (No limit)
If you are a non Kentucky resident, you are required to elaborate on your Kentucky ties if applicable (personal, familial e.g.) (No limit)
Your combination of life experiences make you uniquely you. Talk about one such experience and how it has helped you prepare to be a physician. (No limit)
Describe an experience or situation which made you feel grateful? (No limit)
Please share unique, personally important, and/or challenging facts in your life and/or work experiences. Please discuss how such factors have influenced your goals and preparation for a career in medicine. (No limit)
Describe a situation where you were not in the majority. (No limit)
University of Louisville School of Medicine
Why have you chosen to apply to the University of Louisville School of Medicine? (150 words)
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. (150 words)
If you are a reapplicant, what has changed from your previous application or your approach to this year's admissions cycle? (150 words)
What has been your most significant contribution to your community, through service or volunteerism? What was its impact on the community and on you? (150 words)
The University of Louisville School of Medicine's mission is to improve the health and vitality of our community, our commonwealth, and our world by educating the next generation of physicians and scientists. This mission includes caring for underserved areas of Kentucky. Describe how your experiences and attributes equip you to care for underserved communities. (150 words)
Which areas of medical practice are you interested in pursuing during residency? How do you see yourself practicing medicine after residency training, including location? (150 words)
Is there any context for your undergraduate years that would help the committee to understand your academic performance? For example, students who come from rural areas, who worked long hours in paid employment during college, or who are first generation college graduates may not have the same access to opportunities and support as students from other environments. (150 words)
University of Pikeville–Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine
Have you previously applied to KYCOM?
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.
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Louisiana
Louisiana State University – New Orleans School of Medicine
LSU uses forms (rather than essays) for most of its secondary. The following prompt is the optional essay for this year:
14. (Optional) If you wish, you may attach an essay of reasonable length (500-600 words) using the prompt "your values.”
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
Briefly describe the key motivational factor(s) in your decision to apply to LSU Health Shreveport and any additional information about yourself you feel would be of interest to the Admissions Committee in consideration of your application. (500 characters)
If your State of Legal Residence is not Louisiana, briefly describe what ties you have to LSU Health Shreveport and/or the area. (500 characters)
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 how this statement resonates with your desire to attend Tulane University School of Medicine. (150 words)
What disparities in health do you believe are pertinent to the New Orleans community or similar patient populations? How would you attempt to address them as a medical student at Tulane? You may support your answer by using demonstrated past involvement working with similar patient populations to compare and/or describe your interest in any student experience offered at TUSOM 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? (Only necessary if you graduated. No stated limit.)
Please list any leadership positions (clubs, organizations, paid work) you may have held. (100 words)
Please list your hobbies and major non-academic interests (150 words)
Applying to medical school is a long and arduous process. Describe any ways your medical school application journey was hindered, altered or interrupted? (Optional with no max)
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Maine
University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
Note: Questions are contained within the AACOMAS primary application.
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)
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Maryland
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
(Suggested reading: How to Get Into Johns Hopkins Medical School)
Briefly describe a specific challenge you faced and how you overcame it. What was your approach, what did you learn from the process, and how do you see those skills translating to a career in medicine? (250 words)
Describe an interaction that required you to understand or engage with a perspective different from your own. How did you respond and what was the outcome? (250 words)
Please review the Johns Hopkins Medicine Website. Is there an area of medicine or a particular medical specialty at Johns Hopkins that interests you and why? (250 words)
Every future physician has a story. What’s yours? Share the experience, insight, or connection that first made you see yourself in medicine—and how it continues to shape your path. (300 words)
What draws you to Johns Hopkins School of Medicine? Reflect on how our mission, culture, and academic community align with your values, experiences, and aspirations as a future physician. In your response, please highlight specific aspects of both the Hopkins community (academic, research, and/or extracurricular opportunities) and the Baltimore community, particularly the patients and families that we serve. Elaborate on how you intend to actively engage with and contribute to both of these communities as you pursue your medical education. (300 words)
(OPTIONAL) Would you like to share any additional information with the Admissions Committee about yourself that cannot be found elsewhere in your application? This space can also address any extenuating circumstances (e.g., unexplained gaps in work experience, choice of recommenders, inconsistent or questionable academic performance, areas of weakness, etc.) that you would like the Admissions Committee to consider. (300 words)
(OPTIONAL - Gap year) Please describe what you have been doing since graduation and your plans for the upcoming year (300 words)
Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine
How do your values align with MSOM’s mission of preparing physicians to be socially responsible and community-oriented? (750 characters max)
Have you previously applied to MSOM? If yes, please describe how your application has changed or improved since your last submission. (750 characters max)
If you experienced a period of notable academic distress or a gap in your education (such as multiple course failures or complete withdrawal), please explain. (750 characters max)
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 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)
Military physicians often navigate uncertain and complex environments. Describe a significant experience where your knowledge or skills were insufficient to address a challenge. What was your approach to the problem? What lessons did you learn? (1500 Character Limit)
University of Maryland School of Medicine
Describe here the reason why you are specifically interested in attending the University of Maryland School of Medicine. (1000 characters)
Please describe what you will be doing during the 2026-2027 academic year. If you graduated/will graduate in 2026, what are your plans for the coming year until you matriculate to medical school? (1000 characters)
(OPTIONAL) If you’ve experienced academic challenges 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)
Briefly describe your most meaningful exposure to clinical medicine. (1500 characters)
(OPTIONAL) Please share any relevant characteristic about your background and/or experiences not already described in AMCAS you feel may positively impact how you practice medicine in the future. (400 characters)
Briefly describe your most satisfying experience related to community service. (1500 characters)
How does our School of Medicine mission, vision, and values align with your vision for your future career as a physician? (1500 characters)
What does it mean to you to enter into a profession? (1500 characters)
MSTP Prompts
Please indicate the MD/PhD program you are most interested in (drop-down menu).
Why are you applying to the MD/PhD Program at the UMSOM? (2500 characters)
Please list the name(s) of your MD/PhD letter of recommendation writers who can focus on your research potential. (2500 characters)
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Massachusetts
(Suggested reading: Medical Schools in Massachusetts: How to Get In)
Boston University School of Medicine
Do you hope to attend medical school immediately after earning your undergraduate degree? If no, describe how you've spent your time leading up to applying to medical school. This may include attending a post-baccalaureate program or other education, gap year activities such as employment or travel, or other relevant pursuits. (Max 300 words)
Provide a timeline or narrative highlighting any notable aspects of your educational journey that you believe are especially relevant or significant to us better understanding who you are. Section not required but...this is an opportunity to describe any learning experience(s) that are not covered in other sections of your supplemental application or AMCAS application. For example, have you lived in another country or experienced a culture unlike your own? Worked in a field that contributed to your understanding of people unlike yourself? Do you have advanced training in art, music, or sports, etc.? (Max 300 words)
Why BU Chobanian & Avedisian SOM? 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? (Max 300 words)
(Suggested reading: How to Get Into Harvard Medical School)
A. Marital Status
B. Are your parents/guardians Harvard Medical School alumni (MD or MD-PhD) or faculty members?
C. On average how many hours per week did you devote to employment during the academic year?
D. If you have already graduated, briefly summarize your activities since graduation. (4000 characters)
E. If there is an important aspect of your experience not addressed elsewhere in the application that may illuminate how you could contribute to the medical school and that you would like to share with the Committee, we invite you to do so here. Examples might include significant challenges in access to education, unusual socioeconomic factors, ideological perspectives, or other experiences that help place your prior academic achievements in context or provide further insight into your motivation for a career in medicine or the perspective you might bring to the medical school community.
For HST applicants:
The HST MD program draws on the combined resources of Harvard and MIT to provide a distinct preclinical education tailored to preparing students for careers as transformative physicians who will shape the future practice of medicine. Our students come from the full spectrum of disciplines including biological, physical, engineering and social sciences. HST classes are small, commonly include graduate students and have an emphasis on quantitative and analytic approaches. The unique HST pre-clinical curriculum prepares students well for the HMS clinical education while also emphasizing disease mechanisms and preparing students to solve critical unmet needs in medicine and healthcare (ranging from novel diagnostics and therapeutics to applications of ‘big data’ and systems engineering).
Please focus on how your interests, experiences and aspirations have prepared you for HST (rather than identifying specific HST faculty or research opportunities). (4000 character maximum)
Tufts University School of Medicine
Do you wish to share a specific reason why have you chosen to apply to Tufts University School of Medicine? (Yes/No) (1000 characters)
Please briefly describe your plans for the coming year. Will you be a student, working, conducting research, volunteering, or other activities? (1000 characters)
Please tell us about your journey to medical school and how your background and experiences will positively impact your future as a medical student and physician. If you have experienced personal circumstances or hardships that have helped you develop qualities that you believe will allow you to better serve your future patients and the medical community as a whole, please share those experiences in your response. (1000 characters)
Which of your experiences with clinical medicine or healthcare has best prepared you for a future career as a physician, and why? Please tell us about the specific experience, the skills you acquired, and the insights you gained about the profession of medicine. (1000 characters)
Tufts University School of Medicine is committed to social responsibility, and to serve and advocate for all people. Have you done substantial work or service that has contributed to societal good, or addressed social determinants of health, health equity, or social justice? (Yes/No) If yes, please describe the work or service, and how it has influenced your perspective on the role of a physician in society. (1000 characters)
Do you have any withdrawals or repeated coursework listed on your transcript(s). (Yes/No) If yes, 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.) (Yes / No)
If yes, please explain briefly. (1000 characters)
Because your academics will not be shared with interviewers until after you complete your interview, we encourage you to use this space to elaborate on any academic challenges you have overcome. 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). 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)? For more information, please visit our website. (Yes / No) If yes, please explain briefly.
Do NOT include: any misdemeanors in which no conviction resulted or in which a conviction has been vacated; a first conviction for any of the following misdemeanors: drunkenness, simple assault, speeding, minor traffic violations, affray or disturbance of the peace; any convictions of a misdemeanor where such conviction occurred more than five years prior to the date of this application, unless you were sentenced to imprisonment upon conviction or you have been convicted of any offense within the five years' period.
Have you been a participant in any of the following programs? (If so, please indicate the dates of your participation.)
-- Tufts Medical School MS in Biomedical Sciences Program (MBS)
-- Tufts Postbaccalaureate Premedical Program
-- Tufts Medical School/UMass Boston Enrichment Program
-- Tufts Medical School / Spelman College Enrichment Program
-- QuestBridge National College Match Finalist who attends or graduated from a QuestBridge college partner as a QuestBridge Scholar
Do you wish to include any additional comments (beyond those already provided in your application) to the Admissions Committee at Tufts University School of Medicine? (Yes/No) If yes, please explain briefly.
University of Massachusetts Medical School
How will your lived experiences, your background, your identity or that which makes you unique contribute to the diverse community and learning environment at UMass Chan? (200 word limit)
Describe a specific situation in which you persevered through more than usually challenging circumstances. What did you learn from that experience that you have continued to use? (200 word limit)
Describe your role in a project that identified a problem, studied it, launched a solution and tested its effectiveness. (200 word limit)
Describe a situation where you learned something important about yourself that you did not previously know. How did you use that insight to change your approach in the future? (200 word limit)
Please describe an example of your personal and/or professional experience with and understanding of systemic inequity, exclusion, or lack of representation in health care in the United States. How did you arrive at this understanding? (200 word limit)
If you have previously applied to medical school, describe how you have strengthened your candidacy. If you have not previously applied to medical school please enter "N/A". (200 word limit)
Please discuss any part of your application that you believe requires further explanation such as low grades or scores or gaps in time that are not explained elsewhere. (optional). (200 word limit)
If applying for the PURCH Pathway at Baystate: Please describe how a focus on population health and healthcare disparities will benefit you in your training and/or career? (500 words)
If applying for the LEAD@Lahey Pathway at Lahey: Based on your interests and life experiences, please describe how you might be a good fit for the LEAD@Lahey Pathway at UMass Chan Medical School? What unique experiences and perspectives might you bring to the class? (250 words)
Track specific-questions:
Purch - Please describe how a focus on population health and healthcare disparities will benefit you in your training and/or career. Please limit your response to less than or equal to 500 words.
LEAD@Lahey - Based on your interests and life experiences, please describe how you might be a good fit for the LEAD@Lahey Pathway at UMass Chan Medical School. What unique experiences and perspectives might you bring to the class? Please limit your response to 250 words or less
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Michigan
(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.)
(If you select any affiliation) Please provide a brief summary of your affiliation with any County selected:
(If taking a gap year) Describe what activities you have engaged in since degree completion.
Describe your motivation for applying to the Covenant HealthCare College of Medicine at Central Michigan and your future career in medicine. Finally, describe how your preparation and background will contribute to the mission of the College of Medicine. (1000 words max)
[REAPP 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.
Michigan State University College of Human Medicine
How have your most meaningful experiences shaped what you envision doing in medicine 15 years from now? Describe one specific future accomplishment that would define your career’s success up to that point in time. (Please limit your response to 400 words or less.)
How have your personal experiences with, or observations of, systemic inequities shaped your perspective? Moving beyond generalities, describe how this perspective will uniquely influence your approach to patient care and your role in addressing health disparities as a future physician. (Please limit your response to 400 words or less.)
Each year, we review thousands of applications. Beyond what is in your primary application, what do you want the Admissions Committee to know about you as it relates to your fit for MSU CHM’s community-based mission? If you are an out-of-state applicant, we encourage you to address your interest in training and potentially practicing in Michigan. (Please limit your response to 400 words or less.)?
Leadership in Medicine for the Underserved Program (LMU) Essays
1. Why are you interested in the Leadership in Medicine for the Underserved Program? Be specific. (400 words)
2. How have your past experiences prepared you for the challenges of a medical practice in an underserved area? (400 words)
3. A central component of this program is that students achieve low-intermediate proficiency in a second language by the time they reach the third year of medical school. Explain your current second language proficiency and/or your plan for achieving low-intermediate proficiency in a second language. (400 words)
4. What are the advantages of using a public health approach to maximize individual and population health status? (400 words)
LMR Program Essays
1. What motivated you to pursue a career in rural medicine? (250 words)
2. How have your past experiences prepared you for the challenges of a medical practice in a rural area? (250 words)
3. Are you interested in interviewing for the Rural Physician Program (RPP), the Rural Community Health Program (R-CHP), or would you like to interview for both programs? (250 words)
Medical Partners in Public Health Certificate Program (MD-PH) Essays
1. Why are you interested in the Medical Partners in Public Health Certificate program, and what will you plan to do in your future practice with the information and skills gained from this experience? (400 words)
2. Please describe any formal training that you have had in public health. (400 words)
3. Please describe any public health-related experiences that you have had. (400 words)
4. Are there any other considerations that you wish to share with the committee? (400 words)
Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
The MSUCOM curriculum stresses the importance of intrapersonal competencies, including personal responsibility and adaptability. Please tell us a time when you were faced with a challenge in these areas and how that challenge impacted your professional growth. (300 words)
Tell us about a time you stumbled in a professional setting and how you moved forward from the experience.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
(1) 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. You are not required to complete this field. If you do not have additional information to share write "N/A" in the box below. (500 words)
(2) Please describe any intentional efforts you have made to learn about osteopathic medicine. This may include meaningful interactions with DOs, experiences that influenced your understanding of osteopathic philosophy or professional identity, or specific reasons for your interest in the osteopathic profession. You are not required to complete this field. If you do not have additional information to share, write "N/A" in the box below. (500 Words)
Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine*
Time-sensitive considerations: 2 weeks from the time of invitation (This information was confirmed with the school.)
Describe a significant sacrifice you had to make for someone else. How did you respond, what help-seeking behaviors did you utilize, and how did the experience shape your resilience, self-awareness, or personal growth? (Max 400 words)
Describe a time when you stepped outside of your comfort zone to engage with individuals, communities, patient populations, or environments that were unfamiliar to you. What challenges did you encounter and what did you learn about yourself and others? (Max 400 words)
At OUWB, we believe that effective physicians must be able to navigate differing perspectives with compassion and respect. Describe a time when you worked through conflict in a team (at a workplace, classroom, service activity, personal setting). What did you learn about communication, collaboration, and professionalism? (Max 400 words)
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 (Max 400 words)
(OPTIONAL) If you're EDP: Why did you choose to apply to OUWB'S Early Decision program (EDP)? Please explain your ties to OUWB. (Please only complete this question if you applied through the Early Decision Program)
(OPTIONAL) If you're MD/MPH: Reflect on the experiences that sparked your interest in public health and your decision to pursue and MPH degree. How will the knowledge and skills gained through MPH training complement your medical education to achieve your professional aspirations? (Please only complete this question if you applied through the MD/MPH combined degree program) (400 words)
(OPTIONAL) [Reapplicant] If you are a reapplicant to OUWB, please describe the improvements you have made to your current application compared to previous cycles (please include academics, experiences, etc.)
University of Michigan Medical School
How do you hope to impact medicine and improve patient care in the future? Why do you need a medical degree to fulfill these goals? Do not exceed 1500 characters including spaces (about 250 words).
Please describe the impact of your identity and experiences on your growth and development, and how it may impact your career as a physician. Do not exceed 1500 characters including spaces (about 250 words).
The University of Michigan Medical School strives to be a place of empowerment, advocacy and change in health care. What experiences have you had in empowerment and advocacy for others that would help to advance this mission? Do not exceed 1500 characters including spaces (about 250 words).
Outside of medicine, and beyond what we can read in your application, tell us what you are curious about or what you have chosen to explore. Do not exceed 1500 characters including spaces (about 250 words).
MSTP Essay: Describe why you are applying to the University of Michigan MSTP. If you are interested in a specific department, program, or area of research or faculty mentor for your Ph.D., please provide a brief explanation. We recognize that your interests may change. If relevant, please describe your gap/growth year plans. Do not exceed 1500 characters including spaces (about 250 words).
Wayne State University School of Medicine*
Time-sensitive considerations: 2 weeks from the time of invitation (This information was confirmed with the school.)
Please consider the Wayne State University School of Medicine Mission Statement when answering the questions below.
Mission Statement: We will educate a diverse student body in an urban setting and within a culture of inclusion, through high quality education, clinical excellence, pioneering research, local investment in our community and innovative technology, to prepare physician and biomedical scientific leaders to achieve health and wellness for our society.
When reflecting on the roles and responsibilities of a physician, please discuss what motivated your interest? What are potential challenges to pursuing a career in medicine? (1250 characters)
What are the healthcare challenges faced by under-resourced communities in the United States? Why do these healthcare challenges exist? How would you address them? (1250 characters)
Which of your experiences or activities align with WSU SOM's mission? Please discuss how they align. (1250 characters)
The Wayne State University School of Medicine aims to provide a rich, varied, and inclusive educational experience for all members of the class. How would you advance belonging and contribute to the educational experience of fellow medical students? (1250 characters)
Please answer if you have had a gap or growth year (career change, re-applicant, additional education, etc.). A “growth year” is defined as a period of time between the end of your undergraduate education and a year or more prior to 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? (no limit listed)
Western Michigan University School of Medicine
This school has a second phase after they have reviewed your primary and secondary: Some applicants will have a brief phone interview, and depending on how that goes, you may/may not go on to the official interview.
1. Please explain both of the following: (2000 characters)
a) The specific reason(s) you have chosen to apply to WMed.
b) How you will utilize the unique features of WMed's mission, vision, and curriculum to achieve your career goals.
2. What unique values, skills, talents, and/or life experiences will you bring to WMed and the practice of medicine?
3. WMed Re-Applicants Only: Describe the changes to your application from previous cycles - include academics, experiences, and/or personal attributes.
4. (OPTIONAL): Please explain any connection you have to Southwest Michigan.
5. (OPTIONAL): Is there any additional information not included elsewhere in your application you would like the Admissions Committee to know?
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Minnesota
(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)
MD Applicants
At Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, we seek students whose values align with our mission to put the needs of the patient first. Please share why you would like to study medicine at our school, including specifically why at the top campus track you selected. (500 words)
Reflect on how your professional and lived experiences have shaped your identity. Tell us how these experiences will help you contribute to a collaborative learning environment, support your patients and colleagues, and advance Mayo Clinic’s commitment to excellence. (500 words)
Mayo Clinic’s Bold. Forward. strategy integrates digital innovation with a deeply humanistic approach to transform healthcare. What role do you see yourself playing in shaping this future? Describe the skills, experiences, or aspirations in artificial intelligence and innovation that prepare you to contribute meaningfully to this transformation. (500 words)
MSTP Applicants
In the space below, write a brief paragraph (max. 500 characters) explaining why you are specifically applying to the Mayo Clinic MD-PhD Program.
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."
List University of Minnesota faculty members you would be interested in potentially working with for your PhD studies in our program. A list of names is sufficient, and they do not need to be in any rank order. You may provide up to 12 names. (300 characters)
Describe the area(s) of research you are interested in pursuing during your PhD training and how your interest(s) align with the research opportunities available at the University of Minnesota. (500 characters)
Why are you particularly interested in joining the University of Minnesota MSTP? (700 characters)
How does your lived experience (relating to identity, past work, leadership, socioeconomic status, first generation status, disability, etc.) inform your understanding of and support for justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion? (700 characters)
(OPTIONAL) What other pertinent information would you like to bring to the attention of the MSTP? This is an opportunity for you to discuss an aspect of your physician scientist journey 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. (700 characters)
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Mississippi
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
Statement of Purpose:
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.
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Missouri
(Suggested reading: Medical Schools in Missouri: How to Get In)
A.T. Still University Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine
Have you applied to KCOM previously? if yes, list previous application year(s). f yes, detail below what has changed since your last application.
Please list any relatives that are osteopathic physicians:
Please list any relatives that are allopathic physicians:
Describe one or more significant life experiences that have meaningfully shaped your development as a potential future physician. What did you come to understand about yourself, and how has that insight altered your perspective or behavior? (500 words)
Describe your experiences with osteopathic medicine and how they have influenced your decision to pursue a career as an osteopathic physician. (500 words)
Please list any changes or updates to your AACOMAS application. This section may be left blank if your AACOMAS application is complete and accurate
Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine*
Time-sensitive considerations: "Secondary applications are due within 21 days of your invitation."
There is a 500-word limit for each essay. Please upload files as a PDF or Word document.
Reflecting on your past experiences, how have you successfully navigated challenging academic or personal situations, and how will those strategies help you maintain confidence and success in medical school?
Reflect on a time when you identified someone in need and took action to support them. What did you observe that made you realize they needed help, and how did you provide that support? What was the outcome, and what did you learn from the experience?
Can you describe a clinical experience that deeply impacted you? What were the key takeaways, both personally and clinically? Please be specific in your response.
Saint Louis University School of Medicine
1. Has any family member been a student (current or past) at Saint Louis University (SLU) School of Medicine? Please do not include affiliation with the SLU undergraduate campus in this space. If you are unsure please go ahead and include the information. Yes/No
2. Please select any of following criteria that applies to you:
Attended a SLU Program (such as AIMS, Summer Scholars, Summer Undergraduate Research Program, MSMS, etc.)
Family member is/was a resident, fellow, faculty or staff member (current or past) at SLU School of Medicine or SLUCare (Please do not include family affiliation with the SLU undergraduate campus in this space)
3. Have you or will you have taken gap time equal to a semester or more? Yes/No Please describe your gap activities (past and/or future):
4. Please check one that applies to you during your time as an undergraduate student:
Paid employment for an average of 10-19 hrs/week for 4 years
Paid employment for an average of 20+ hrs/week for 4 years
Played varsity sports for 3+ years
Not Applicable
Other
5. Do you have a premedical advisor? Yes/No
6. Why did you apply to Saint Louis University School of Medicine?
7. Do you wish to include any comments (other extenuating circumstances not addressed in your primary application, updates, clarifications, etc.)? Yes/No Please explain.
8. Describe a meaningful experience that expanded your viewpoint or deepened your understanding of individuals whose backgrounds, circumstances, or life journeys differ from your own.
9. Were you ever the recipient of any action (e.g. dismissal, disqualification, suspension, etc.) by any college for unacceptable academic performance or conduct violations? Yes/No
10. I have read and understand the academic and technical standards and can comply with those requirements. Yes/No
11. What is the date of your PREview exam?
12. Would you like to apply for the MD/PhD program? Yes/No
University of Missouri – Columbia School of Medicine
1. Why are you interested in attending the University of Missouri School of Medicine? (3000 characters)
2. Is there anything that was not fully address in your application and/or any additional updates since submitting the AMCAS application? (3000 characters)
3. Have you applied to the University of Missouri School of Medicine before? Yes/No
University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Medicine
We educate physicians/healthcare providers to provide care for individuals with various identities, backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Describe any interests, abilities and/or experiences that prepare you to participate in and contribute to that learning environment. (1000 word limit)
Did either of your parents/guardians attend the UMKC School of Medicine? Y/N
If you are not a resident of Missouri, do you have any ties to the state or metro area? Y/N
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: (2500 word limit)
Academic: Did your school move to an online-only curriculum? Were you able to interact with your professors? Did you have to leave an academic program stateside or abroad? Did your school require you to move to the Pass/Fail grading system? Did your original MCAT exam get canceled or delayed? Were there other academic barriers?
Professional: Did you hold a job? Did you have to go out and seek new job opportunities? Did you lose a job? Were there other financial or professional barriers that you faced?
Personal: Did you have to move out of a house or dorm? Did you have to cancel travel plans? Did you modify your planned experiences related to healthcare or volunteer opportunities? Did you seek out volunteer opportunities that arose from the crisis?
Are you from a rural community? Y/N
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. (No limit)
Did you participate in UMKC’s Summer Scholars Program? Y/N
Did you participate in UMKC’s Saturday Academy Program? Y/N
Are you a reapplicant to the UMKC School of Medicine? Y/N
Have you had any prior interaction with the UMKC School of Medicine?
Attended a virtual or on-campus visit
Spoke with a staff or faculty member
Shadowed or volunteered at a clinical site
Attended a camp or conference at UMKC
Other
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..."
(Only required if you indicate you're not currently an undergrad) 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. (2,000 characters)
Describe a time or situation where you have been unsuccessful or failed. (3,000 characters)
Is there anything else you would like to share with the Committee on Admissions? (3,000 characters)
MSTP Applicants
Briefly describe the area of research you would like to explore in graduate school (1800 characters)
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Nebraska
Creighton University School of Medicine
Please copy and paste essays composed in Word (or any other word processing program) into Notepad and then into the secondary application. This will ensure that the essays paste correctly into the system.
Please state your reasons for applying to Creighton University School of Medicine. (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)
Please describe your current activities/employment if you are not currently enrolled as a fulltime student. (2000 characters)
Please reflect on your entire application, is there anything you would like to further share with the Admissions Committee? Gap(s) in your education, personal and/or academic challenges, etc. (2000 characters)
"Women and Men for and with Others" is a fundamental Jesuit value and an important part of the Creighton University School of Medicine mission. Reflect on a meaningful service experience or community engagement activity that shaped your understanding of serving others. What did you learn about yourself, others, and your role in the community through this experience? (2000 characters)
Using an example or examples, describe the effect that your experience(s) engaging with disadvantaged and/or underserved populations have had on you own growth and development. Reflect on how this/these experience(s) will impact your career as a future physician. (2000 characters)
Medicine requires individuals to uphold professional standards even in difficult situations. Describe a personal experience that influenced your understanding of professionalism and explain how it will guide your conduct in medical school. (2000 characters)
Additional essays if you answer "Yes" to the following:
Will you be applying to the Creighton University School of Medicine MD/PhD program?
A. Please state your reasons for applying to Creighton University School of Medicine MD/PhD program. Within the essay, discuss:
How the degree will enhance your medical career.
Your personal career goals and how your goals relate to the healthcare community and society as a whole. (2000 characters)
B. Please explain your preparation for the MD/PhD program. Within the essay, discuss your significant research experience(s) and technical capabilities. (2000 characters)
Will you be applying to The Arrupe Global Scholars and Partnerships Program? Please note that applying for the Program does not exclude you from our separate regular MD applicant pool.
A: What does global health mean to you and how does it apply to your professional goals? (Reflect on your previous experiences in Global Health or share your future aspirations in this field.) (2000 characters)
B: Discuss how the Arrupe Global Scholars and Partnerships Program will prepare you differently than a traditional MD program for a future in Global Health. (2000 characters)
C: Explain why the additional program year obtaining an MPH degree is valuable for your future goals. (2000 characters)
D: Describe how your personal experiences have shaped your understanding of cultural humility. Explain why cultural humility is important for your future in the field of Global Health or important for physicians working in Global Health. (2000 characters)
E: What aspects of the Arrupe Global Scholars and Partnerships program do you foresee to be the most challenging and how would you respond to those challenges? (2000 characters)
University of Nebraska College of Medicine
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? (1000 characters)
Have you had a personal interaction with UNMC faculty or advisors that prompted your application to UNMC College of Medicine (N/A if not applicable) (750 characters)
What are you most proud of in your life? (1500 characters)
Tell us about a time when you have had to overcome adversity. (1500 characters)
How do you know that you want to be a physician? (1500 characters)
Tell us something about yourself that will enhance the UNMC College of Medicine? (1500 characters)
What have you learned from working with people whose background is different from yours? (1500 characters)
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Nevada
Roseman University College of Medicine
Please describe any obstacles that you have encountered during your journey to a career in medicine and how you overcame them. (500 to 1000 words)
RUCOM recognizes the importance of Social Determinants of Health as key drivers of healthcare outcomes, including those in Nevada. As a future physician, how would you seek to address these Social Determinants of Health in your future practice? (500 to 1000 words)
Describe your interactions with someone from a different cultural background or life experience and what you learned from that interaction. (500 to 1000 words)
Short Answer Responses:
If you took time off between earning your baccalaureate degree and applying to medical school, please explain why. (250 words)
Please include any updates to your application that you would like the Admissions Committee to consider when reviewing your file. This may include changes since the submission of your primary application, information not addressed in previous questions, or additional insights into your academic journey thus far. (250 to 1000 words)
There are various other short answer responses that show up if you click 'yes' for a question.
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)
What volunteer experience have you had during the last three years? (1500 characters)
What research experience have you had during the last three years? (1500 characters)
Please tell us about your extracurricular activities or hobbies. (1500 characters)
University of Nevada Las Vegas School of Medicine
(REQUIRED) Why are you interested in the Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV and how does your background and future goals contribute to our mission? (500 words)
(REQUIRED) Briefly discuss how you envision yourself contributing to the care of our growing and diverse population in the state of Nevada. (500 words)
(REQUIRED) Briefly discuss how you define professionalism and how you will demonstrate professionalism in the classroom at the Kerkorian School of Medicine and in clinical training settings in our valley. (500 words)
(REQUIRED) Provide a BRIEF chronological list of your time since graduating from high school up to the point of applying to medical school. Do not write in essay form here. This should simply be a list by years. (250 words)
(OPTIONAL) Applicants who are Nevada Connection are strongly encouraged to share more about their ties to Nevada in this essay. Nevada residents or applicants who are out of state (western region) with no tie to Nevada may also use this box to elaborate on their commitment to Nevada, per our mission, if they would like. (250 words)
(OPTIONAL) Applicants are welcome to share with the Admissions Committee any disruptions or impacts to your application components, the application process, and/or your personal life that may be relevant to your holistic profile. Please also use this area to present any information related to academic and/or MCAT performance that requires further information. (250 words)
(OPTIONAL) 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. (250 words)
REAPPLICANTS:
Reapplicants will also have an additional question appear in #7:
If you are a reapplicant to UNLV KSOM, please include your changes/improvements since your last application.
University of Nevada Reno School of Medicine
Please share why you want to pursue your medical education at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine; describe any connections to Northern Nevada communities; and how you are prepared to contribute to UNR Med’s vision of a Healthy Nevada. (300 words)
Describe a time when you were part of a team that was struggling to meet objectives. How did you react? What would you do differently? What did you take away from this experience that will influence your approach to working on a team in the future? (300 words)
Reflect on and describe an experience where you provided care or service to individuals from populations that commonly experience health care disparities. Discuss what you learned about the socio-cultural or economic factors that affect underserved populations and describe how your interactions with these individuals motivated or prepared you for a future in medicine. (300 words)
Describe a time when you faced a significant life crisis or an academic, personal, or professional failure. How did you respond, what did you learn, and how did the experience influence your future actions? (300 words)
Please share an example of how you have used critical thinking and communication skills to develop a creative or innovative solution to a challenging problem. (300 words)
(Optional) 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. If you are a re-applicant to UNR Med, we encourage you to outline any significant changes or new experiences from your previous application. (500 words)
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New Hampshire
Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth
(Suggested reading:How to Get Into Dartmouth Medical School)
Please indicate your plans for 2026-2027. If in school, list the courses you will be taking. If working, tell us about your job. If your plans or courses change, subsequently, please inform the Admissions Office by email at Geisel.Admissions@dartmouth.edu. For course changes, we only need to be notified about changes related to prerequisite courses. (250 Words)
Please reflect on your primary application and share something not addressed in your experiences or personal statement that would be helpful to the Admissions Committee as we review your file. (300 Words)
Are there specific aspects of the Geisel School of Medicine that draw you to apply? What are the characteristics and strengths you will bring to our program, and how will you contribute to our community? (300 Words)
Dartmouth values a culture of inquiry and respect and encourages dialogues that harness diversity and openness of thought. Reflect on a situation where you felt different from those around you, or one where your perspective differed from others. (250 Words)
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New Jersey
(Suggested reading: Medical Schools in New Jersey: How to Get In)
Cooper Medical School of Rowan University
Please describe your anticipated educational, employment, volunteer, or other activities between completing your AMCAS application and matriculating to medical school. (1500 Characters)
We are a mission-aligned education program, please describe how CMSRU will help you fulfill your mission? (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)
Optional: Please share with us something unique about your pathway to medical school, including any obstacles you may have faced. (1500 Characters)
Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine
Why are you interested in attending the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine? (500 words)
Describe a time when you engaged with a perspective, culture, or experience different from your own. What did you learn, and how did it influence your personal or professional development? (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.
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
Each essay has a 1500-character limit:
At NJMS, we are committed to the principles of humanism in medicine and to addressing health inequities that affect many communities. Our students work as part of interprofessional teams to care for patients who may experience disparities in health and access to care. Reflect on an experience that shaped your understanding of humanism and equity in healthcare. How do you hope to embody these values as a medical student and future physician?
Medicine demands humility, self-awareness, and resilience. Describe a significant challenge or failure you have faced. What did you learn about yourself, and how has it shaped your approach to working with others and handling responsibility? (if applicable)
If you have taken or plan to take “growth” or “gap” time, describe how you used or plan to use this time meaningfully. What did you hope to gain, and how will this contribute to your development as a future physician?
If you will not be a full-time student between July 2025 and July 2026, please describe your planned activities, including time commitments and goals for each.
If you are reapplying to medical school, describe the steps you have taken to strengthen your candidacy and reflect on what this process has taught you about your motivation and preparedness for a career in medicine. (if applicable)
Use this space to address any personal, academic, or professional challenges not thoroughly addressed elsewhere in your application (i.e., institutional actions, academic and/or MCAT inconsistencies, health, family issues, etc.).
Is there anything else you would like the Admissions Committee to know about you or your journey to medicine?.
Early Decision Applicants must also answer the following:
Please share why you have decided to apply as an Early Decision applicant, as well as insight on your Motivation for NJMS.
As an Early Decision applicant, how do you intend to enhance your preparation for a successful transition into NJMS over the next year?
Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
1. RWJMS has identified the core values below as critical to our mission and vision. We strive to matriculate learners who embody these values.
R -- Respect, dignity and humanism for the diverse population we serve
W -- Wellness and resilience
J -- Joining learners hand in hand with care delivery
M -- Making patients first with safe, compassionate, high-quality care
S -- Science to advance human health
In two paragraphs or less, identify which value you selected and reflect on one of your experiences to discuss how you have built a foundation for this value.
2. RWJMS strives to matriculate a student body that supports and enriches each other and the learning environment. Please share a life experience, personal attribute, and/or perspective that will help contribute to this learning environment. (250 words or less)
3. Medical training can be stressful. What strategies have you developed to manage stress and maintain your well-being? How have these strategies evolved over time? (250 words or less)
4. Discuss a difficult or challenging situation you have encountered and how you dealt with it. What did you learn from this situation? (Please keep this under 250 words)
5. Describe a time when you received feedback that you did not agree with. How did you handle this situation? What did you learn from this experience? (Please keep this under 250 words)
6. Please feel free to comment on any course grades, GPA trends, or MCAT scores and what you have learned about yourself. (No limit)
7. Please use this space if you would like to provide additional information to the admissions committee. (No limit)
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New Mexico
Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine
In what area of medicine do you see yourself practicing, and in what type of setting? (300 words)
Reflect on a previous experience where you interacted with individuals from a different background than your own. What challenges did this present, if any? How did you demonstrate openness to their perspective? How will the experience influence your approach to patient care in the future? (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)
There is a physician shortage in New Mexico. What is your understanding of the contributors to this problem, and what ideas do you have to address it? (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)
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New York
(Suggested reading: Medical Schools in New York: How to Get In)
Describe yourself. (1000 characters)
Please explain any inconsistencies in your university, graduate, or professional school academic performance and/or MCAT scores. If the question does not apply to you, please put N/A in the box provided (1000 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. If the question does not apply to you, please put N/A in the box provided (1000 characters).
Please describe your personal experiences with the structural and social determinants of health in your life and community, how they shaped your engagement with medicine and your future ideas for doctoring (1000 characters).
Tell us about a community with which you identify and how you are involved with it (1000 characters).
Is there anything else you would like the admissions committee to know when reviewing your application? If so, please use the space provided (1000 characters).
Activities
In the "Work and Activities" section on your AMCAS application, you provided the following list of 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.
Describe what aspect of that experience best equips you to make an impact in the medical profession (1000 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 questions that may or may not apply to you. Please write “NA” if your response is “no.” For each question, you may use up to 3,000 characters to respond.
A. History
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) and/or after June 2023.
I have applied previously to medical school. If you answered, "yes" to the above question, please explain why you think you were not accepted.
I have submitted an AMCAS application to Einstein previously. If you answered, "yes" to the above question, please tell us the year you applied, and whether or not you were interviewed, as well as the outcome.
I am/was a graduate student in the Graduate Programs in the Biomedical Sciences of Albert Einstein College of Medicine. If you answered, "yes" to the above question, please explain where you are in your graduate education, your intentions for completing, and your reasons for applying to medical school.
I was accepted to medical school previously but did not attend. If you answered, "yes" to the above question, please tell us where, and why you did not attend.
I was previously enrolled in medical school. If you answered, "yes" to the above question, please tell us where, and why you did not complete the degree
I can attest that I have fulfilled the Albert Einstein College of Medicine COMPETENCIES (Course Requirements | Office of Admissions | Albert Einstein College of Medicine) 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.
I will have a Baccalaureate Degree by the time I matriculate into medical school. If you answered, "no" to the above question, please explain.
I am presently holding a deferral from another medical / graduate / professional school. If you answered, "yes" to the above question, please tell us where and explain.
I have received a grade of "F," "D," "I" and/or "W" during my college/graduate school years. If you answered, "yes" to the above question, please explain.
B. History Continued
If you answer, "yes" to any of the following, please explain.
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.
[There is a space to include information about parents and their education and addresses.]
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 the names of languages you speak (other than English) and indicate the fluency with which you speak them (beginner, moderate, advanced). If none, please write "NA." (1,000 characters)
C. Letters of Recommendation
Did you take your last science course more than 5 years ago? If you answered “yes” to the above question, and have been away from course work for more than 5 years, please explain your activities, as well as any course work you may have completed during this time. If your answer was, "no," please write “NA” in the box below. (3000 characters)
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. (9000 characters)
D. Einstein or Affiliated Hostpital Work Experience
Have you worked in basic or clinical research at an Einstein affiliated hospital? If you answered, "yes" to the above question, please tell us WHERE and WHEN.
Have you participated in an Einstein Pathway Program during high school, college or after? If you answered "yes" to the above question, please name the program(s) and YEAR.
Have you ever volunteered at an Einstein affiliated hospital, in one of our clinical areas, other than research or a Pathway Program? If you answered, "yes" to the above question, please tell us WHERE and WHEN.
If you answered "yes" that you have worked with us at an Einstein affiliated hospital, will a letter from an Einstein faculty member be included in your evaluations? If a letter from an Einstein faculty member will be included in your evaluations, please tell us the name, title and department of the letter writer.
E. [ It’s been reported that there is no section E on the application (maybe it pops up if you select certain things)]
F. Unique Life Experiences
What unique life experiences, personal attributes and/or perspectives will you bring as part of the incoming class? Are there particular challenges or successes that you have encountered? If you do not wish to write anything, please write “NA.” (3000 characters)
G. Anything else you’d like to share with us?
Please use this space to tell us anything about yourself that you would like us to know. If you do not wish to write anything, please write “NA.” (3000 characters)
Additional prompts MSTP applicants must complete:
In the list below and in the following question, please indicate the field(s) of your prior research experience. Check all that apply.
Please describe briefly the field(s) in which you plan to pursue your future research. We are looking for the big picture, Aging, Neuroscience, Cell Biology, Immunology, etc., not the specific focus. (250 characters)
Please list your previous scientific presentations and abstracts. List all authors, abstract titles, name of meeting, and date of meeting. List each meeting on a separate line. Please do not include the text of the abstract. (9999 characters)
Please list publications on which you are a co-author. List each on a separate line. Include names of all authors, title, journal, year of publication, and volume and page number(s). Please do not list papers that are “in preparation.” (9999 characters)
Please indicate which was your favorite course in college and why. (3000 characters)
Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons
(Suggested reading: How to Get Into Columbia Medical School)
Did you work for compensation during your undergraduate studies (either during the academic year or summers)?
(OPTIONAL) What did you do? How many hours a week did you work?
Please briefly summarize what you have done since graduating from your undergraduate institution.
Please describe your most meaningful leadership position(s). (300 words)
The Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons values a wide array of experiences and perspectives. How will you contribute to this important value of our institution, and how will it inform your future role as a physician? (300 words)
Is there anything else you would like us to know? (400 words)
Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell
Please indicate what you have been doing since the time of graduation until now. (Max 250 words)
Explain why the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell is a good fit for your medical education journey? (Max 250 words)
“The School of Medicine, in a culture of community, scholarship and innovation, is dedicated to inspiring promising students to lead and transform medicine for the betterment of humanity.” How do you feel you would contribute to the Zucker School of Medicine’s mission and values and where do you see this taking you in the future? (Max 250 words)
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).
If you are committed to a particular community or if there is an important aspect of your background not addressed elsewhere in the application, we invite you to do so here. Briefly explain how such factors have influenced your motivation for a career in medicine. (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 others. How did you address the situation, if at all? (250 words).
Were there any adverse circumstances in your premedical preparatory journey?
MD-PhD applicants must also answer the following:
Please tell us why you have chosen to apply to the MD-PhD Program at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. (250 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."
For Jonesboro campus:
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)
Based on your experiences within your community, workplaces, educational experiences, and your unique attributes, in what ways will you contribute to the NYITCOM Community? (1000 characters)
Describe the community in which you see yourself practicing medicine. (1000 characters)
How and where did you learn about NYITCOM? (250 characters)
For Old Westbury campus:
Which NYITCOM campus/site are you interested in attending? (The NYITCOM Admissions Committee reserves the right to recommend the best campus fit for you based upon your complete application.)
Would you consider attending either campus?
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. (Max. 1000 characters)
Based on your experiences within your community, workplaces, educational experiences, and your unique attributes, in what ways will you contribute to the NYITCOM Community? (Max. 1000 characters)
Describe the community in which you see yourself practicing medicine. (Max. 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? (Max. 1000 characters)
Do you have any immediate family members (ONLY grandparents, parents, brothers/sisters, spouses) who have graduated from NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine?
If you do, please provide their name, relationship, and year of graduation from NYITCOM. (Max. 200 characters)
How and where did you learn about NYITCOM? (Max. 250 characters)
Are you interested in any concurrent degree programs?
(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.
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)
Please review the NYMC Technical Standards on our NYMC.EDU website for Admissions and Enrollment and attest to your understanding of them. Please scroll down to the bottom of the page where it says policies related to student admission to view the link.
Struggling to write your med school essays?
Get our free 102-page guide to help you with every step: Get Into Medical School: 6 Practical Lessons to Stand Out and Earn Your White Coat
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. (No limit)
If you have taken any time off from your studies - before, during, or after college - please describe what you did during that time and your reasons for doing so. (No limit)
Please upload your most recent CV, ensuring it includes up-to-date publications, abstracts, and presentations.
Tell us about a long-term goal you pursued over several years. What obstacles did you encounter, and what sustained your motivation when progress was slow? (2500 characters)
Medical training demands continuous improvement. Share an example of feedback you received that was difficult to hear. How did you act on it, and what changed as a result? (2500 characters)
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? (2500 characters)
Describe a situation in which you faced an ethical dilemma or pressure to compromise your values. How did you navigate the situation, and what guided your decision? (2500 characters)
Some of the most meaningful achievements are non-academic in nature. Describe the personal accomplishment that makes you most proud. Why is this important to you? (2500 characters)
MSTP specific questions
1. How many months of full-time research experience have you completed? When estimating this amount, you may convert part-time research into its full-time equivalent. For example, if you conducted part-time research for 1 year for ~50% of the time, this would equal 6 months of full-time research. Please do not include lab experiences associated with a course (e.g., organic chemistry course with lab).
2. What area of research would you like to pursue in your graduate training? (200 words max)
3. Please describe your ideal career. (200 words max)
New York University Long Island School of Medicine
NYULISOM seeks to admit highly motivated candidates whose experiences and professional goals directly align with our primary care mission and demonstrate a commitment to a future career as a general practitioner in fields of medicine that are anchored in the principles of primary care and address the growing physician workforce shortages in specific medical disciplines.
To advance this mission, acceptance to NYULISOM is paired with the offer of a directed pathway to residency into one of four designated residency programs at NYU Langone Hospital – Long Island. (400 words)
Internal Medicine
Pediatrics
Obstetrics & Gynecology
General Surgery
Please indicate the specific residency track for which you wish to be considered and explain the reason(s) for your choice, including those experiences listed on your AMCAS application that have confirmed your decision to pursue this field of medicine in the context of primary care. If applicable, please also discuss any other factors –such as your personal journey, academic interests or activities not listed on your application— that have influenced your choice.
Please provide the response that applies to you (400 words):
If you are still in school, please tell us your planned academic, extracurricular, research, community service and/or work activities for the application cycle.
If you have graduated from college, please tell us what you have been doing since that time up until the present and your reasons for doing so. Please be sure to account for all your time since graduating.
(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 that you feel would be helpful for the admissions committee to consider when conducting its holistic review of your credentials. (400 words)
(Optional) Please feel free to share any other information that you have not already included in your AMCAS application or secondary responses that you believe would be relevant for the admissions committee to know about. (400 words)
SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University College of Medicine
Will you be attending college full-time as of September 15? If no, please describe your activities for the period of September 15 to July 1. (no word count)
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 you believe you are a good fit for SUNY Downstate? (300 words)
What is your experience with diversity, health equity and social justice? (300 words)
SUNY Upstate Medical University
Question about gap year plans. (No limit)
Which medical specialty do you currently plan to pursue? (No limit)
Are there any areas of weakness in your application that you would like to clarify for the Admissions Committee? If yes, Please describe. (1,800 characters)
What experiences have you had with underserved communities/populations? What have you learned from these experiences? (1,800 characters)
Describe any ties or meaningful experiences you have had related to Central New York or SUNY Upstate Medical University. (1,800 characters)
How will you contribute to the diversity of your medical school class and The Norton College of Medicine? (1,800 characters)
The Norton College of Medicine is committed to improving the healthcare of Central New York. How do your career plans advance this mission? (1,800 characters)
Stony Brook University Renaissance School of Medicine
1. Will your education be continuous between college and medical school matriculation? If NO, please explain what you have done or plan to do during the gap period and why. (500 words)
2. Tell us how your past experiences and/or challenges have defined you. (500 words)
3. Please respond to ONE of the following two questions: (500 words)
Please tell us about your career goals, and how you plan to achieve them.
Can you describe a time you faced an ethical/professional dilemma and how you managed it.
MSTP Specific prompt:
4. Please describe the basic and/or clinical research fields that you think you might like to explore and/or develop expertise in during your MSTP training. To the extent that you have defined potential specific future clinical interests, please describe the type(s) of medicine that you might be interested in pursuing once you have completed the MSTP. (500 words)
Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine
In no more than three paragraphs that will fit on this single page (if the essay creates a second page, it is too long), please discuss how your background, experience or academic program has prepared you for meeting Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine’s Mission, Goals, or Objectives.
University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine
(OPTIONAL) If your parents DO NOT work in a health care field, please list their occupation. (1000 characters)
(OPTIONAL) If you or your parents are active military, please describe below: (5000 characters)
(OPTIONAL) If you have participated in any educational program sponsored by our medical school, please list programs and dates. (5000 characters)
The Jacobs School of Medicine recognizes the many options you have in choosing medical schools in which to apply. Using personal experiences or connections, in 300 words or less, explain how Western New York and/or the Jacobs School align with your values, making it a place you feel would be a good fit for you to not only complete your medical education but continue your career.
In 300 words or less, please describe a time when you observed someone being marginalized whether through a subtle remark, a dismissive comment or their perspective being overlooked. How did you respond in the moment and what informed your decision-making? How has this experience influenced your commitment to an inclusive learning environment in medical school?
In 300 words or less, please describe a clinical encounter that challenged your assumptions.
University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry
If you previously applied to medical school, briefly describe any experiences you have been part of since your previous application. ( 200 words)
Community involvement is a pillar of medical education at the University of Rochester. Describe a community you identify with, how you are involved in it, and how you will be involved in communities we serve at the University of Rochester School of Medicine. (200 words)
Additional prompt for MSTP applicants:
Please briefly describe your research interests, and describe how the opportunities at the University of Rochester fit with your goals for graduate training. Please include names of up to five investigators whose research programs interest you. (no word limit)
(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)
Describe a setback or failure that required you to reassess your approach. How did you respond? (1525 characters)
Please share something you became curious about and chose to explore further. What motivated your interest, and what did you learn through the process? (This does not have to be related to medicine). (1525 characters)
Describe a time when your perspective was challenged by someone with a different viewpoint. How did you engage with that difference, and what did you take away from the experience? (1525 characters)
If you are NOT attending college full time during the upcoming (2026-2027) academic year, what are your plans? (1525 characters)
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North Carolina
(Suggested reading: Medical Schools in North Carolina: How to Get In)
Campbell University Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine
Which person in your life has contributed most to your choice of a career in medicine and describe how that individual influenced your decision to be a physician? (No word limit)
The MISSION of Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine (CUSOM) is to educate and prepare community–based osteopathic physicians in a Christian environment to care for the rural and under-served populations in North Carolina, the Southeastern United States, and the nation. Briefly describe how your career goals align with the CUSOM Mission (Max 4000 characters)
Identify three of your core values, and discuss how these values align with the CUSOM Mission (Max 4000 characters)
Duke University School of Medicine
Share with us your story. This is your opportunity to allow us to know how you wish to be addressed, recognized and treated. (400 words)
Trust and rapport are essential in your day-to-day interactions with people. How do you build a relationship with a person who may be very different from you? (400 Words)
Describe a situation in which you chose to advocate for someone or for a cause different than yours. Define your view of advocacy. What risks, if any, might be associated with your choice to be an advocate? (400 Words)
Describe a time when you received feedback following a setback. What did you do to implement change? (400 Words)
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. Describe any research experience or similar experience in which you utilized critical thinking. How will critical thinking be important in your future career? (400 Words)
Drawing from your clinical experiences, how have you fostered a connection with people? (400 Words)
Which personal quality or skill of yours have you found to be the most beneficial in building relationships within your community? (400 Words)
Please let us know any additional information that you would like us to consider while reviewing your application. (400 Words)
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
2025–2026
Describe the key motivational factors in your decision to apply to the Brody School of Medicine. (250 words maximum)
At the Brody School of Medicine, our mission places a strong emphasis on serving the community—both within Brody and throughout Eastern North Carolina and the state. Can you describe a meaningful experience from your past that reflects your commitment to service, and how it shaped your understanding of its importance in healthcare? (250 words maximum)
Can you describe any interactions or experiences you've had with individuals from rural communities? In what ways have these experiences influenced your understanding of the unique challenges and needs they face? (250 words maximum)
Describe your future career goal(s) including your specialty(ies) of interest and the location where you hope to practice. How do you envision using the specialty(ies) you listed to advance the mission of Brody? (250 words maximum)
Methodist University Cape Fear Valley Health School of Medicine
Describe a time you served a community in need. What impact did it have on you and others? (200 words)
Discuss a health disparity you are passionate about addressing. What steps would you take as a medical student and future physician to make progress on this issue? (200 words)
What is something you want to share with us that is not reflected on your application? (200 words)
(OPTIONAL) Please describe any connection you have to North Carolina or to the Southeastern NC region. (150 words)
Note: Candidates are required to disclose if they used artificial intelligence (AI) in completing their secondary application in any section. Applicants may use artificial intelligence tools for brainstorming, proofreading, or editing their essays. However, their final submission should reflect their own work and should be an accurate account of their experiences.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine
Describe an experience where you attempted a task and realized during the process that you were not ready for it. How did this experience impact your approach to trying new things? (250 words)
How will your life experiences foster a positive educational environment and benefit your future patients? (250 words)
Discuss your involvement in a service activity that has impacted your understanding of healthcare and your desire to pursue a career in medicine. (250 words)
What motivates you to apply to the UNC School of Medicine? (250 words)
Wake Forest School of Medicine
(Suggested reading:How to Get Into the Wake Forest School of Medicine)
The mission of our academic health system is to improve health for all. Consider your abilities, insights, and previous experiences and then tell us about your potential to help improve health for all. (200 Words)
Describe a non-academic challenge you have faced and explain how you overcame it. (200 words or less)
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 or less)
Please share an experience that demonstrates how you have collaborated with others. (200 words or less)
Tell us about a time you have committed yourself to something. (200 words or less)
Tell us about any specific reason(s) (personal, educational, etc.) why you see yourself here at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine. (150 words or less)
Please tell us an interesting fact about yourself that a casual acquaintance may find surprising or interesting. (50 words or less)
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North Dakota
University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences
Residency History: List each permanent residence starting with your place of birth and number of years at each residence. The last two questions in this section are required.
a. What is your state of current permanent residence? (This would be where your driver’s license is from, what state you pay taxes to, etc…) (Required)
b. List the high school, city, and zip code you graduated from. (Required)
The UND School of Medicine & Health Science gives residency preference in admissions. To be considered for one of our residency preferences, you must answer the questions below. If you do not meet any of our residency preferences, please select "no" on the first question.
a. Do you meet one of the UND SMHS residency preferences?
b. Are you currently a legal resident of North Dakota and graduated from a North Dakota high school?
c. Are you currently a legal resident of North Dakota for five consecutive years or longer at the time of your application to UND SMHS?
d. Are you currently and have you been a resident of North Dakota for more than one but less than five years at the time of your application to UND SMHS?
e. Do ALL the following questions apply to you:
1) A North Dakota high school graduate?
2) A previous legal resident of North Dakota for ten years or more?
3) Your parents are current legal residents of North Dakota?
f. Excluding online degrees, are you, or will be at the time of matriculation, a graduate of a North Dakota college or university?
g. Excluding online degrees, do you have a first-degree family member (mother, father, sibling, child, or spouse) who is a graduate of a North Dakota college or university? List family member and the college or university they attended.
h. Do ALL the following apply to you:
1) You currently are a legal ND resident for less than one year OR you are currently not a resident of ND?
2) Your spouse is currently attending or has been accepted into a ND university or college at the time of your application to UND SMHS?
3) You will be living in ND during the current academic year?
i. Are you a current legal resident of Minnesota and graduated from a high school in Minnesota Red River Valley? List high school and county (https://med.und.edu/student-affairs-admissions/applicant-eligibility.html)
j. Do ALL the following questions apply to you:
1) A current legal MN resident?
2) You have resided in a MN Red River Valley county for one year or more at the time of your application to UND SMHS?
3) If this applies to you, list county you have resided in for one year or more.
k. Do ALL the following questions apply to you:
1) A current legal MN resident for one year or more at time of your application to UND SMHS?
2) You live outside the Red River Valley area?
l. Do ALL the following questions apply to you:
1) A current legal MN resident for less than one year at time of your application to UND SMHS?
2) You live outside the Red River Valley area?
m. Are you a current resident of a WICHE-sending state Wyoming or Montana?
The following question is used to identify applicants for the Indians into Medicine (INMED) Program. For information regarding this program, contact yvette.lapierre@und.edu. If not applicable proceed to the next Question Set. If applicable answer the following questions below:
1) Are you an enrolled member of a U.S. federally recognized tribe?
2) Do you agree to have your application shared with the Indians Into Medicine office? If you answer no to this question, you will not be reviewed for the INMED program.
Answer questions 4 – 11. Do not leave any questions blank.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 ongoing 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)
Have you participated in any of these pathway programs: Scrubs Camp, Med Prep, CLIMB, Summer Institute, Pre-Med Day, etc? Please indicate all that apply. (Radio option)
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)
Have you read the UND SMHS Standards of Capacity policy (https://med.und.edu/policies/_files/docs/4.14-standards-of-capacity.pdf), and are you prepared to meet these standards with or without reasonable accommodations?
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Ohio
(Suggested reading: Medical Schools in Ohio: How to Get In)
Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
Required:
Greatest Challenge Essay: 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. (2,000 character limit)
Personal Growth: Based on your current maturity and wisdom, reflect upon an experience from the past few years that you would handle differently today. (1,000 character limit)
Context of Care: Social and structural factors can influence health outcomes and impact how healthcare is delivered within communities. Briefly describe an experience that has broadened your perspective or increased your understanding of people whose life experiences, backgrounds, or circumstances may differ from your own. How did this experience shape your views on health, healthcare access, and/or healthcare delivery? (1,500 character limit)
Gap Year(s) if applicable: If you will have a time gap between college graduation and medical school matriculation, please tell us why you made this decision and what you will be doing or have done during this time. (1,000 character limit)
Optional:
Research/Scholarly Work: 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 other scholarly project (capstone project, honors thesis, etc.), please reflect on the experience, including how you learned from it, what challenged you, and how it may have impacted you educationally and professionally. If you have not completed research or scholarly project, please indicate that in the text box below. (2,500 character limit)
If the details of your project are included elsewhere in your application no need to repeat them here. We are interested in learning what you took away from the experience(s).
If you are applying to both the University Program and the Cleveland Clinic Lerner Program, the research response will default to the CCL Program required response.
Additional Information Response: 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? (2,000 character limit)
Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine (CCLCM, 5 yr. MD) Applicants
Required:
Greatest Challenge Essay: 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 and what you learned about yourself as a result. (2,000 character limit)
Research Essay: Please tell us about ONE research project to which you made a significant contribution. In your essay, describe your role on the project, the hypothesis of your research and whether you contributed to hypothesis generation, why the methods were selected to answer that hypothesis, your results, and interpretation of your results with respect to future findings. In addition, please briefly share your motivation for pursuing this research project and reflect on how this experience affected your future career goals. (3,500 character limit)
Personal Growth: Based on your current maturity and wisdom, reflect upon an experience from the past few years that you would handle differently today. (1,000 character limit)
Cultural Awareness: Many have been reckoning with the impact of systemic injustices on social environments and healthcare equity. Describe a personal experience that has deepened your cultural awareness and humility, and the impact of that learning on how you look at health and healthcare. (1,500 character limit)
Career Essay: What does your ideal career entail fifteen years after medical school graduation? (1,000 character limit)
Gap Year(s) if applicable: If you are taking time off between college graduation and medical school matriculation, please tell us why you made this decision and what you will be doing or have done during this gap. (1,000 character limit)
Optional:
Additional Information Response: 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? (2,000 character limit)
MSTP (MD/PhD) Applicants
Required:
Greatest Challenge Essay: 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 and what you learned about yourself as a result. (2,000 character limit)
Personal Growth: Based on your current maturity and wisdom, reflect upon an experience from the past few years that you would handle differently today. (1,000 character limit)
Cultural Awareness: Many have been reckoning with the impact of systemic injustices on social environments and healthcare equity. Describe a personal experience that has deepened your cultural awareness and humility, and the impact of that learning on how you look at health and healthcare. (1,500 character limit)
PhD Advisor: What do you look for in a PhD advisor, and who at CWRU would interest you? (800 character limit)
Area of Interest: What is your specific interest in the MSTP at CWRU? (800 character limit)
Gap Year(s) if applicable: If you are taking time off between college graduation and medical school matriculation, please tell us why you made this decision and what you will be doing or have done during this gap time. (1,000 character limit)
Optional:
Additional Information Response: 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? (2,000 character limit)
Northeast Ohio Medical University
Please complete a brief personal statement of 5,000 characters or fewer addressing the question below:
What do you hope to achieve from your experience as a NEOMED student?
Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine
(REQUIRED) All applicants are required to answer the following question in the form of an essay. There is no specific word count, font or font size required. Please name the file using following format: "last name, first name, required essay."
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?
(SELECT ONE) All applicants are required to answer one of the following three questions in the form of an essay. There is no specific word count, font or font size required. Make sure to include the question itself at the top of your essay. Please name the file using the following format: "last name, first name, selected essay."
Describe the community in which you were nurtured or spent the majority of your early development. 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?
What has been your most meaningful life experience (i.e., family situation, clinical or shadowing experience, volunteer experience, etc.) that influenced your decision to pursue medicine?
The Ohio State University College of Medicine
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. Describe experiences that best demonstrate your potential to contribute meaningfully to two of these areas. What did you learn through these experiences, and how do they shape your goals as a future physician? (250 words)
Describe an experience that shaped your understanding of health inequities in the United States. What factors were involved, and how did this experience influence your perspective or actions? (250 words)
The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences
1. (OPTIONAL) We invite you to briefly discuss any connections you may have to the region of Northwest Ohio. (400 words)
2. (OPTIONAL) 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.) (400 words)
3. The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences' mission is to "improve health in the communities and region we serve by educating and training excellent clinicians and scientists, providing high-quality patient care and conducting nationally recognized research”. Values contributing to this mission are the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) Premed Competencies of:
Commitment to Learning and Growth
Scientific Inquiry
Service Orientation
Please describe how your past experiences predict your potential to contribute to at least one of these mission areas, and reflect on how the corresponding AAMC Premed Competencies have shaped your personal and professional development. (600 words)
4. 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. (600 words)
For Reapplicants (must answer both):
Please briefly describe what activities you are/have been engaged in during the period between undergraduate school and medical school. (Max 400 Words)
Please briefly describe how your application has changed since applying previously to our program. (Max 300 Words)
University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
Describe your interest in the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. Which opportunities or resources would you pursue as a student, and why are they important to your goals? (2000 characters)
Please summarize your past research experience(s). Discuss your role and contributions to the project(s). Explain how these experience(s) have prepared you for a career as a physician-scientist. (4000 characters)
Please discuss your motivation and goals for joining an MD/PhD program. Elaborate on future career plans and how the University of Cincinnati MSTP will help you achieve those goals. (2000 characterss)
Please discuss your research interests and how these align with the research opportunities provided at the University of Cincinnati/Cincinnati Children’s. Discuss potential MSTP faculty mentors whose research is of interest to you. (2000 characters)
Have you ever been subject to any institutional action- such as discipline, probation, suspension, dismissal, or any other sanction- by any college, university or medical school for unacceptable academic performance or a conduct violation, even if the action may did not interrupt your enrollment or require withdrawal? If 'Yes' please explain fully in the space below. (750 characters)
Have you ever participated in a pre-conviction program, or been convicted of a felony or other criminal offense, or pled guilty or no contest to such an offense? Please include all instances, even if charges were dropped, dismissed, or otherwise resolved. If yes, please explain below. (750 characters)
Have you ever been convicted of, or pled guilty or no contest to, any moving traffic violation (including speeding violations)? If yes, please explain below. Please include all instances, even if charges were later dropped, dismissed, or otherwise resolved. (750 characters)
Are you a UCCOM re-applicant? Explain how you and your application have changed since your previous submission, and tell us what you have learned along the way. You may answer N/A if not a re-applicant. (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.). You may answer N/A if there are no concerns you would like to discuss. (2000 characters)
Describe your interest in the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. Which opportunities or resources would you pursue as a student, and why are they important to your goals? (2000 characters)
Do you have any ties to the greater Cincinnati region and/or other areas of Ohio? Please describe. Examples may include personal, academic, professional/service, community, or other meaningful connections (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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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Oklahoma
Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Which of the following Elective Programs are you interested in? Global Health/ Rural Medicine/Tribal Medicine/Urban Underserved. Please explain what interests you about this elective program? (No limit)
What experiences have motivated you toward a career in osteopathic medicine? Please share a meaningful experience you have had while in the health professional field. (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
Main campus required essays, Oklahoma City
1. What aspects of the OU College of Medicine’s mission, values, curriculum, or community drew you to apply? Describe how your goals, experiences, or interests align with what our institution uniquely offers. (450 words)
2. Describe a meaningful experience where you engaged in service, advocacy, community partnership, or work with underserved or marginalized populations. What did you learn about the factors that influence community health, and how will this shape your approach to medicine? (450 words)
3. Medical education environments differ in structure, culture, and emphasis. Describe the kind of learning environment in which you believe you will thrive. What combination of experiences, such as community-engaged learning, longitudinal clinical experiences, team-based or interprofessional care, research and scholarly opportunities, population-health initiatives, or exposure to a broad range of clinical settings, will best support your growth as a future physician, and why? (250 words)
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 that explains your interest and commitment to Community Medicine. (450 words max)
Please explain how you expect the SCM track to enhance your medical education. (250 words max)
Please enter any additional community or volunteer experience not included on your AMCAS application. (250 words max)
Please highlight any other relevant life experience that you feel might have an impact on your application to the SCM track. (250 words max)
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Oregon
Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine
Tell of a patient experience that influenced your perspective on becoming a physician. (1550 characters)
Describe the effect of an endeavor that didn't go according to your plan. (1550 characters)
Discuss a time in your life that demonstrated your resilience and ability to overcome adversity. How did this change you? (1550 characters)
How does intellectual and academic struggle fit into your identity as a future physician? (2050 characters)
Discuss your experience of recent personal feedback that was difficult to receive. (1550 characters)
Describe a time when you had to reconsider or change a deeply held belief or perspective. What prompted this change? (1550 characters)
Describe a time personal obligations had to be prioritized over school/work. What did it teach you about managing competing priorities? (1550 characters)
(Optional) Are there any additional ties to the state of Oregon you wish to share? If yes, use the space below. If no, leave blank. Please note that this does not factor toward your consideration as an Oregon resident or Oregon Heritage. (1550 characters)
(Optional) 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. If no, leave blank. (Please note: the OHSU portal won’t actually allow you to click “Submit” if you leave this one blank. Some students have opted to type “N/A” or create a blank space with the space bar.)
Supplemental Information section with additional prompts:
Based on your own experiences or the experiences of family and friends, do you believe that the area in which you grew up was adequately served by the available health care professionals? Were there enough physicians, nurses, hospitals, clinics, and other health care service providers and how did that affect your experience and relationship with health care? Please explain. (4000 characters)
["While you were growing up, did you experience any of the following types of adversity?" with options to select the severity of the following adversities: economic, educational, ethnic/cultural, family] Please describe the nature of the adversity and how social, economic, academic, or other circumstances affected you and your opportunities. (4000 characters)
We acknowledge that our application is not fully comprehensive. If there is anything additional you would like to let us know about you, please briefly state it here. (550 characters)
Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific - Northwest
Time-sensitive considerations: “The secondary application is due two weeks from the receipt of the application link.”
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).
If you have not had the opportunity to shadow/observe a DO, why is it important to you to become an osteopathic physician?
What was your most memorable community service activity, and how did your activity benefit the community?
How does the COMP Northwest Mission statement align with your values?
Why do you want to attend COMP Northwest in Lebanon, Oregon?
Have you participated in research?Yes/ No. If yes, briefly describe your role and what skills you gained from participation in the research. Please provide us with the link to the publication or abstract if possible.
Briefly discuss any extenuating circumstances that you feel are pertinent to your application (poor grades, course withdrawals, lapse in your education, etc.).
If you have not taken any coursework for over 3 years, please explain why and what you have been doing during that period of time.
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Pennsylvania
(Suggested reading: Medical Schools in Pennsylvania: How to Get In)
Duquesne University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Why do you want to become a physician, and how are you a good fit for DUQCOM's mission? (250-500 words)
Can you describe an experience where you faced and overcame adversity? (250-500 words)
Choose between 3 and 4:
How have your experiences and understanding of social determinants of health influenced your perspective on patient care and your approach to practicing medicine? (250-500 words)
Can you share an example of an altruistic experience you've had and explain how it influenced your desire to pursue a career in medicine? (250-500 words)
Drexel University College of Medicine
There is a 1500-character limit for all prompts.
Tell us about yourself and why you feel like you may be a good fit for Drexel University College of Medicine. (Maximum characters 1500)
We recognize that each applicant’s journey is unique. If there were any extenuating circumstances that limited your involvement in service, academic, or other preparatory experiences—including MCAT preparation/taking—please share them here. If none, simply type “N/A” in the response area. (Maximum characters 1500)
If you have applied to medical school before, reflect on any meaningful experiences, growth, or updates that you feel have enhanced your application since the last time you applied. If this is your first application cycle, simply type “N/A” in the response area. (Maximum characters 1500)
If you have a preference between the Philadelphia and West Reading campuses, you’ll be presented with this question:
Why are you interested in the Philadelphia/West Reading campus specifically? (250 Words)
Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine
Do you plan to apply for the Abigail Geisinger Scholars Program? (Y/N). Abigail Geisinger Scholars If yes, which specialty are you interested in? Please share with the Admissions Committee what primary care and/or psychiatry means to you, and why you believe you are a good fit for the Abigail Geisinger Scholars Program. (1500 characters)
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. (1500 characters)
GCSOM prioritizes the delivery of evidence-based medicine through compassionate and culturally humble care for all patients, particularly for the communities of Northeast and Central Pennsylvania. How will you contribute to these priorities? (1500 characters)
If you have previously applied to medical school, 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. (1500 characters)
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
There are no secondary essay prompts for the 2022–2023 cycle.
Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine
If not currently enrolled in a full-time academic program, please summarize 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 and what meaningful ties you may have to Hershey and the central PA area. (75 words)
Part of the PSCOM mission is providing excellent care to the patients of Central PA and rural communities and ultimately the nation. How will you help us fulfill this mission? (250 words)
Describe your motivation to be a physician. (250 words)
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Note: Questions are contained within the AACOMAS primary application.
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)
Use this space if you'd like to address any identified deficiencies in your application. (700 characters)
Explain how your life experiences could help advance the goals of having healthcare providers who can empathize with the patient communities they serve. This question provides an opportunity to describe impactful life experiences, especially challenges or hardships that may not be easily presented in other parts of the application. This experience described can be from any point in your timeline and does not need to be directly related to the field of medicine or healthcare. (2500 characters)
Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University
Have you previously applied to Sidney Kimmel Medical College? Yes/No
Do you have a parent who received a M.D. degree from Jefferson Medical College or completed residency (postgraduate) or fellowship training at Jefferson? Yes/No
Are either of your parents members of the Jefferson Faculty? Yes/No
Do you have a spouse who has graduated or is currently attending Sidney Kimmel Medical College? Yes/No
Do you have a sibling who has graduated or is currently attending Sidney Kimmel Medical College? Yes/No
Check if you are applying to one of the Educational programs below
Physician Shortage Area Program (For applicants from rural areas who plan rural practice
DIMER Program (For Delaware residents only)
MD/MPH More Information
Jeff BEACON (Jefferson Bringing Equity And Care for Our Neighborhoods) More Information
Have you ever been convicted of a crime other than a minor traffic or parking violation? Yes/No
If invited for interview day where will you be traveling from?
Sidney Kimmel Medical College defines diversity as the richness in human differences. How will your own experiences allow you to contribute to the diversity of the student body and to provide equitable and inclusive care to your future patients? (2500 characters)
Do you have any additional information that hasn't been covered? (4000 characters)
Temple University Lewis Katz School of Medicine
There are a handful of yes/no questions, one question in which you’ll select the campus, and essays:
Tell us about your special interest in the first choice campus you selected.
Founded on a historic commitment to expanding access to education and healthcare, the Lewis Katz School of Medicine emphasizes a mission rooted in training physicians who combine scientific excellence with deep humanistic commitment. Our mission and vision highlight the importance of compassionate care, community engagement, and a drive to improve health outcomes through innovation, advocacy, and service. Please share how your experiences and/or activities reflect these values and how they shape the physician you hope to become.
The Admissions Committee would like to know more about you. Katz seeks an engaged student body with a wide variety of 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 Katz community.
What are your plans for the current year - June 2026 until June 2027?
(OPTIONAL) IA (possibly “institutional actions”) explanation.
University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine
(Suggested reading: How to Get Into Perelman School of Medicine)
Have you taken or are you planning to take time off between college graduation and medical school matriculation? If yes, please describe your activities during this time. (700 characters)
Have you participated in any global activities outside of the U.S. prior to submitting your AMCAS application? (1000 characters)
How would your life experiences contribute to Perelman? Please explain. (1000 characters)
We all periodically have to make decisions under challenging circumstances. Physicians and physician-scientists sometimes need to proceed and act with limited information. Please describe a time when you faced a situation that was ambiguous, confusing, or uncertain, and how you navigated the matter despite lacking all of the necessary information. (3000 characters)
Have you or your family experienced economic hardships, regardless of current income status? (1000 characters)
Please share your reasons for applying to the Perelman School of Medicine. (1000 characters)
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
How do you see yourself fitting into our curriculum, given your personality traits and learning style? What aspects do you expect will come naturally to you, and what challenges do you anticipate? (Limit your response to 250 words or less.)
Tell us about a challenging situation in which a belief or assumption you made was challenged by new evidence or experience. How did you respond in the moment, and what did you do afterward? (Limit your response to 250 words or less.)
Respect for others and the ability to empathize with people from different backgrounds are integral to the successful practice of medicine. Describe a situation you observed that illustrates the impact of respect and empathy. What did you learn from this experience, and how has it influenced the type of physician you aspire to become? (Limit your response to 250 words or less.)
(Optional) If you wish, use this space to tell the UPSOM Admissions Committee anything else about yourself. (Limit your response to 250 words or less.)
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Puerto Rico
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
No secondary essay prompts for this cycle.
University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine
No secondary essay prompts for this cycle.
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Rhode Island
(Suggested reading: How to Get into Brown Medical School)
Brown University The Warren Alpert Medical School
First Question: Do you have significant limitations on your interview availability for the 2025-2026 admissions cycle?
*NOTE: Interviews occur on Thursdays and/or Fridays beginning in mid-September and finishing in February. Please detail any significant limitations on your availability during this time, such as international travel, work or courses. You may use the text box below to explain your limited availability. (if none, leave blank)*
Three Required Essays:
1. Summarize your activities during the 2025-2026 academic year. Describe how your activities are preparing you for a medical career. (2000 characters)
2. How will your unique attributes, life experiences, and interests add to The Warren Alpert Medical School community?
(2000 characters)
3. Reflect on a non-academic situation when you had to change course, and how you did so. (3000 characters)
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South Carolina
(Suggested reading: Medical Schools in South Carolina: How to Get In)
Medical University of South Carolina College of Medicine
Please discuss your primary interest in attending the Medical University of South Carolina. (2000 characters)
We desire to train students and physicians to work with the diverse patients of our state and nation. Please share any important aspects of your background, identity, and/or experiences that have impacted your ability to relate to and work with diverse communities and patient populations. (3000 characters)
For re-applicants: If you are a re-applicant, please describe what you have done since last applying (i.e. your activities, involvement, preparedness, etc.) to strengthen your candidacy for medical school. (2000 characters)
For out-of-state applicants: If you are not a legal resident of South Carolina, please describe in detail your strong Close Ties to South Carolina. Close Ties are defined as: (1) Having lived in SC for multiple years, (2) Parents who currently live full-time in SC, (3) Completed the majority of your education in SC (i.e. enrolled in or graduate of an undergraduate and/or graduate degree from a South Carolina institution), (4) and/or Currently living in and/or working in South Carolina. (3000 characters)
University of South Carolina School of Medicine – Columbia
No character limit for any question.
What additional qualifications have you acquired since your last application? (if applicable)
Do you have any other ties to South Carolina that you would like the Admissions Committee to consider? (if applicable)
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.
Working as part of a team is an important aspect of your medical education at our School of Medicine and as a practitioner in the future. Please share at least one experience where you worked as part of a team to accomplish a goal/objective. What was your role as a part of the team and what did you learn from working with others? How did you deal with conflict on the team and/or working with a team member who you disagreed with?
University of South Carolina School of Medicine – Greenville
Essays
At USCSOM Greenville, Lifestyle Medicine is integrated into all four years of our curriculum. Please share how you envision lifestyle medicine affecting your time as a medical student and as a practicing physician. (500 words)
Service is a stated value in our school's mission and is central to the USCSOM Greenville community. It can take many forms — formal or informal, sustained or brief, recognized or unseen. Share a service experience that has been significant in your journey, and reflect on what motivates your commitment to continue serving others through the field of medicine.
Additional Questions
No word or character limit:
Did you apply to any MD or DO program during any previous academic year?
What have you engaged in and/or accomplished to strengthen your candidacy?
If you are not accepted to medical school for the 2026 entering class, what are your plans?
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.
If you are currently participating in an academic program, please outline intended coursework for the academic year. (If not applicable, please write N/A).
If you are not currently enrolled in an academic program for this year, 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)
Please indicate whether you graduated (or are on track to graduate) as a member of your undergraduate institution’s Honors College.
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)
Please describe any new or additional community service, volunteer or leadership activities not included in your AMCAS application. (If not applicable, please write N/A)
Please describe any new or additional research experiences not included in your AMCAS application. (If not applicable, please write N/A)
Please select the description(s) below that best describes your overall research experience. If a project status is pending, choose the option that represents the current status. Use the space in question 5 to describe the anticipated timeline and outcome of any pending projects.
Use this space to provide clarification of your research experiences, if needed.
Have you participated in a Pathway Program or other Program listed below that is affiliated with USCSOM Greenville?
Have you participated in the USC School of Medicine Greenville Medical Experiences Academy (MedEx)?
Please consider sharing experiences, challenges, family or personal circumstances, interests, etc. that you believe would bring added value and unique lived experience to the learning community at USC School of Medicine Greenville.
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)
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)
Why have you chosen to apply to USC School of Medicine Greenville and how do you think your education at USCSOM Greenville will prepare you to become a physician in the future?
What areas of medicine are you interested in at this time or what areas do you plan to pursue, and why?
These next two questions are optional if you are interested in the PCAT program, no word limit:
How do primary care physicians improve the health of individuals and communities? Can you describe a time—whether through volunteering, shadowing, or personal experience—when you saw these principles in action and the impact they had?
The PCAT program accelerates training for scholars committed to the specialty of Family Medicine. Describe the specific experiences that have influenced your decision to pursue this program and demonstrate your commitment to Family Medicine. In your response, consider including clinical experiences, volunteer work, research, personal stories, or other relevant activities that have shaped your interest and dedication to this field.
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South Dakota
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)
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Tennessee
(Suggested reading: Medical Schools in Tennessee: How to Get In)
Baptist University College of Osteopathic Medicine (BUCOM)
BUCOM shares the values of our larger learning community at Baptist Health Sciences University such as integrity, professionalism, continuous improvement, and service as an expression of our Christian values. We foster a Christian environment where servant leadership is modeled in all aspects of learning, teaching, service, and business. Describe what it means to be a servant leader, and specifically how it connects to your decision to become an osteopathic physician. (250 words)
Please describe your experience working or volunteering in the healthcare sector. Provide details of the work you did as well as any direct patient encounters you had that were particularly meaningful. (250 words)
Describe the town or city where you spent the majority of your K-12 years including the general population size and make-up. Please include the closest major metropolitan city and how far away it is. (250 words)
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."
Why have you chosen to apply to Quillen College of Medicine? How do your personal and professional goals align with Quillen’s mission and values? (1500 characters)
Quillen College of Medicine’s curriculum is designed to foster excellence in clinical practice through active, in-person participation and peer co-learning. This approach requires individual preparation, engagement in participatory class sessions, and a commitment to mutual coaching among peers. We believe that meaningful learning extends beyond academics and can be found in all areas of life. To help us understand how you will thrive in our community, please reflect on the significance of this learning model in your personal and professional development. In your response, consider the following: Describe a time when you navigated a challenging group learning experience. What was your role, and how did you contribute to the group’s success? Discuss the value you find in learning through teaching and coaching your peers. How does this approach enhance your understanding and application of material? You are encouraged to draw from both academic and non-academic experiences to illustrate your points. (1500 characters)
Choose one of the following: a. As a physician, you will have the unique opportunity to foster positive change within your patients and community. Reflect on how your life experiences have shaped your values and attitudes towards others, especially those from different backgrounds or with differing values. How have these experiences prepared you to treat all patients with respect, care, compassion, and dignity, even when their beliefs differ from your own (1500 characters)
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."
Statement of Resilience: 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.
Statement of Purpose: Why do you wish to attend Meharry Medical College, School of Medicine?
Thomas F. Frist, Jr. College of Medicine at Belmont University
Time-sensitive considerations: “Applicants are encouraged to return supplemental application materials within 10 days for best consideration.”
1. At FCoM, our mission, vision, and values shape our purpose, set our aspirations, and inform our decisions. Please select which value you find most energizing and why. Discuss how this value has impacted your life. (2000 characters)
We love learning
Lead by serving
Live with integrity
Heal together in humility
2. Our curriculum centers around a whole-person approach to healing in a community of service learning, inspired by the love and grace of Christ. Discuss how your spiritual experiences, faith, or personal beliefs have influenced your life and your decision to pursue medicine as a career. (2000 characters)
3. As a newer medical school, our students will help shape a new culture and build lasting community. Reflect on a time when you embraced ambiguity, sharing specific examples where you contributed to creating a culture of growth, collaboration, and adaptability. (2000 characters)
4. Reapplicants only – Describe the changes to your application from previous cycles - include developments to your academics, experiences, and/or personal attributes. You are welcome to submit this essay if you consider yourself a medical school reapplicant. (2000 characters)
University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine
List all courses you are taking or planning to take within the current academic year (e.g. Fall 2025 and/or Spring 2026). List course(s), title, and credit hours. (If applicable)
(Optional) Any additional information not previously provided in the personal comments of your AMCAS primary application. (500 characters)
Imagine you are a medical student in a clinic and encounter a patient whose cultural background and beliefs differ significantly from your own. The patient is hesitant about a treatment plan that is standard practice but conflicts with their personal beliefs. How would you approach this situation to ensure the patient feels heard and respected while also providing the best possible care. (3000 characters)
Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
1. 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 maximum)
2. Tell us about a time when you interacted with someone who is different than you. What did you learn? Would you do anything differently and if so, what? (600 words maximum)
3. It is important to understand that everyone needs help at various times in their lives. Reflecting on the last five years, 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 maximum)
4. Optional: Please briefly summarize your activities since graduating from college. If you are still enrolled in undergraduate studies, please comment on any new projects, roles or initiatives undertaken since submitting your AMCAS application (200 words maximum)
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Texas
(Suggested reading: Medical Schools in Texas: How to Get In)
(Suggested reading: How to Get Into the Baylor College of Medicine)
Questions 1 and 3 are mandatory.
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:
Clinical Research
Healthcare/disparities/medical underserved communities
Academic Medicine
Community Health
Simulation in medical education
Health systems science
Telehealth
Advocacy
What knowledge, skills and attitudes have you developed that have prepared you for this career path? (1,000 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. (no limit)
(If no) Please explain (no limit) (If yes) No essay needed
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. (2,000 characters)
MD/PhD Applicants Additional Prompts:
Please describe your primary research Interests for PhD training. (Limit of 1000 characters)
Why do you think Baylor College of Medicine MD/PhD Program would be a good place for you to train to be a physician scientist? Please provide names of potential Baylor College of Medicine and/or Rice University faculty with whom you would like to work. (Will not limit final research project or mentor selection) (Limit of 1,500 characters)
Tell us about a characteristic(s) that may enable you to interact with people from a wide range of ages, experiences, viewpoints, and backgrounds. (Limit of 1,000 characters)
Published articles, please provide full citations.
Plans for the 2023-2024 academic year description (Limit of 1,000 characters)
Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
How has your community and/or hometown shaped your values and your pursuit of medicine? (800 characters)
Describe a moment when you failed to accomplish a task or let yourself down. How did you grow from this experience? (800 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 is the most significant service contribution that you have made? (800 characters)
Why do you want to pursue osteopathic medicine at SHSU-COM? What about osteopathic medical education interests you? (800 characters)
Are you a Texas resident? (Yes/No)
Please share anything you would like to mention to the SHSU-COM Admissions Committee about yourself to strengthen your application. (500 characters)
1. The Burnett School of Medicine defines empathetic scholars with these eight traits: Compassion, Teachability, Altruism, Insight, Humility, Collaboration, Integrity, and Respect. (answer both parts of this prompt within 250-300 words)
Which trait do you think you embody most and how will that be valuable to patient care?
Which trait might you need to improve upon? How will you improve in this area and how will this be of value in your role as a physician?
2. Characteristics of an aspiring MD. (250 to 300 words)
3. Describe any personal qualities and/or lived experiences that add context to your application that shape who you are as an individual and aspiring healthcare leader.
MD/PhD Additional essays:
(250 to 300 words)
MD/PhD Essay Prompt #1: Tell us why you want an MD/PhD in Biomedical Engineering and how you envision valuing and using this degree in your professional career progression.
MD/PhD Essay Prompt #2: Provide a summary of your past formal and informal training and experiences in biomedical engineering that will equip you to thrive in the doctoral program as a clinician-scientist.
Texas A&M University College of Medicine
1. As a physician, you never know what type of patient you will serve. From your past experiences, please describe or highlight factors or situations that demonstrate your ability to work with individuals from multicultural communities.
2. The Texas A&M University Naresh K. Vashisht College of Medicine embraces the Aggie Core Values of Respect, Excellence, Leadership, Loyalty, Integrity and Selfless Service. Please elaborate on personal characteristics, values, accomplishments and/or any experiences that you feel will help to demonstrate your potential to contribute to the college and to the profession of medicine.
3. OPTIONAL: Describe or reflect any circumstances indicative of some degree of hardship, such as, but not limited to: personal or family illness, a medical condition, a death in the immediate family or socioeconomic disadvantages not mentioned in your primary application essays. What steps or strategies have you used to address these circumstances?
EnMed (Engineering Medicine) Program prompts
How did you hear about the EnMed program? (250 words)
How will the Engineering Medicine program meet your career goals and aspirations in ways that a traditional MD program would not? (250 words)
List the knowledge and skills you have participated in outside the classroom, then describe how these have prepared you to create innovative medical technologies. (250 words)
List the knowledge and skills you have acquired inside the classroom, then describe how these have prepared you to create innovative medical technologies. (250 words)
At the end of your career, what do you want to have accomplished in order to consider yourself successful? (250 words)
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Paul L. Foster School of Medicine
1. 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)
2. 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)
3. 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. (150 Words Each)
Practice in an underserved area and/or work with an underserved population
Rural/Border health
Medical Research/Academics
Primary Care
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 so, please explain your circumstance. (250 words or less)
As a part of your journey, please share any instances when a goal of yours was deterred or even halted. What lessons did you learn from this experience, and how did it shape your approach to future challenges? (250 words or less)
If you are applying to a dual degree program, please rank them in order of preference.
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. (100 words or less)
Please share with us your ideal practice. For example: Where would you practice? Who would your patients be? What would your specialty be? (100 word limit)
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)
Do you consider yourself to be first generation? If yes, please explain your reasoning (Examples of Definition: both of your parents are born outside of the USA, both of your parents have education or a degree outside of the USA, both of your parents do not have an education higher than high school).
If yes, please explain your reasoning. (100 words or less)
Have you ever participated in any TTUHSC special programs? (Checklist)
Middle School to Medical School (M2M)
Early Dedication to Medical Education (EDME)
Future Healthcare Professional’s Experience (FHPE)
Summer Enrichment Program (SEP)
Premedical Enrichment Program (PEP)
Graduate Medical Education Sciences (GMES)
N/A
If you are applying to either of these special programs, please be prepared to answer the following additional questions:
Medicine and Engineering (MD&E) (read about it HERE)
MD&E PROMPTS:
1. Describe your motivation to pursue this program at TTUHSC, be sure to include how you expect to benefit from our program. (200 words or less)
2. How do you anticipate this program making you a more efficient caregiver? (200 words or less)
3. Please list the highest-level math/chemistry/physics course you have taken or are currently taking. (200 words or less)
4. What projects have you been involved in that require programming and/or machine languages? What languages do you prefer? (200 words or less)
Family Medicine Accelerated Track (FMAT) (read about itHERE) 3 year MD path leading to FM residency in Lubbock, Amarillo, or Permian Basin
FMAT PROMPTS
1. What motivates you to participate in the FMAT program (200 words or less)?
2. What experiences have you had that would prepare you for this intensive program (200 words or less)?
3. What, in your opinion, distinguishes Family Medicine from other medical specialties (200 words or less)?
University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine
Explain your understanding of the UIWSOM curriculum and why you are interested in it. (200 words)
Words like “holistic” and phrases such as “mind, body, and spirit” are often associated with Osteopathic Medicine. Briefly discuss your understanding of this. (200 words)
Describe your “Mission Fit” with the UIW School of Osteopathic Medicine. (200 words)
Describe your preparation for the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT). Include any tools you used and how much time you prepared for the exam. (200 words)
University of Houston College of Medicine
Time-sensitive considerations: This school has a firm 14-day deadline to complete the secondary essay.
1. I have prior experience in primary care setting (general internal medicine physician, a general pediatrician, or a family medicine physician). Yes or No
2. I have prior experience in a medical practice or social service for an underserved area: Yes or No
3. I have prior experience in community or public health: Yes or No
4. Why are you interested in the primary care field(s) and care of the community as a whole? (2500 character limit)
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? (2000 characters)
If you attended more than two colleges/universities, explain why. Community colleges are not needed. (1000 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. (1000 characters)
Do you consider yourself financially disadvantaged? If yes, please explain. (1000 characters)
Do you consider yourself educationally disadvantaged? If yes, please explain. (1000 characters)
One of the values of the University of North Texas System is Courageous Integrity which means one should model exceptional standards and act in the best interest of our community. These behaviors include:
Build trust through consistent actions that are honest, transparent, and authentic
Provide, accept, and support open and constructive feedback
Hold yourself and others accountable for decisions, behaviors, actions, and results
Please select a specific instance where you have demonstrated Courageous 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 (roughly 20 percent of applicants), 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 Dec. 15; 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 on SparkHire.
University of Texas Medical Branch School of Medicine
Part A. Choose two of the six prompts to respond to (300 words maximum each):
Describe a situation where your team’s success depended on your ability to learn a new skill or perspective quickly. How did your contributions specifically alter the group’s outcome?
Analyze a time that you made an error in a professional or academic setting. Provide your response, how you disclosed it, and any changes you made to prevent it from recurring.
Scientific inquiry is important for being a physician. Describe a time you encountered a claim or piece of information that you initially doubted. How did you verify the truth and how will this skepticism serve you as a physician?
Identify a specific trait that you look for in your physicians that you currently lack. What is your plan to develop this attribute during your time at John Sealy School of Medicine?
If you have any work experience, particularly with significant responsibilities, explain how those skills will help you be a better physician.
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, regional mission, or other attributes that make you especially interested in matriculating here?
JSSOM has a bilingual health scholarly concentration, which focuses on Spanish-speaking populations. Please indicate your level of proficiency in Spanish based on the guidelines provided below:
Native/Functionally Native: I converse easily and accurately in all types of situations. Native speakers, including the highly educated, may think that I am a native speaker, too.
Advanced: I speak very accurately and understand other speakers very accurately. Native speakers have no problem understanding me, but they probably perceive that I am not a native speaker.
Good: I speak well enough to participate in most conversations. Native speakers notice some errors in my speech or my understanding, but my errors rarely cause misunderstanding. I have some difficulty communicating necessary healthcare concepts.
Fair: I speak and understand well enough to have extended conversations about current events, work, family, or personal life.
Basic: I speak the language imperfectly and only to a limited degree and in limited situations. I have difficulty in or understanding extended conversations. Iam unable to understand or communicate most healthcare concepts.
I am not proficient.
If you have taken coursework at a community college, please indicate what type of student you would consider yourself when taking courses:
Upward Transfer: This refers to applicants who first complete some or all their course work toward a degree (i.e., associate’s degree) at a community college or junior college and then transfer to a four-year institution. These applicants will have attended a community college or junior college after graduating from high school, but before ever attending a 4-year institution
Accelerated: This refers to applicants who take community college or junior college courses and earn college credits while attending high school (regardless of whether they re-enrolled in a community college or junior college later).
Supplemental: This refers to applicants who enroll at one or more community colleges after enrolling at a four-year institution. Two common patterns are concurrent enrollment at a two- and four-year institution and reverse transfer, whereby students either fulfill part of their education at a four-year institution and then transfer to a community college or junior college or have already obtained a bachelor's degree before enrolling at a community college or junior college.
I have not taken any courses at a community college.
Which MD Program are you applying for?
MD Only.
MD/PhD Only.
MD/PhD and MD Program.
MD/MPH Only.
MD/MPH and MD Program.
Part B. The other component will be asynchronous video responses to two questions. Once invited to complete the supplemental application, applicants will receive a link to complete this portion through SparkHire.
University of Texas McGovern Medical School at Houston
Why do you feel that McGovern Medical School is the best fit for your medical education? In what way do you see yourself adding to the McGovern community? (1000 character limit)
Describe the most significant experience that has prepared you thus far for life in medical school. (1000 character limit)
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? (1000 character limit)
What’s one thing a mentor taught you that you still appreciate today? (1000 character limit)
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine
1. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) School of Medicine prepares physicians to serve communities in the Rio Grande Valley and other similarly underserved regions. Describe one significant health challenge affecting communities like those in the RGV. Briefly discuss how your experiences or observations have shaped your understanding of this issue, and how training in this environment may influence the kind of physician you hope to become. (250 words or less)
2. Describe a time when you worked with others to address a challenging problem that affected a group, organization, or community. Please discuss the challenge or situation. What the outcome or impact of your collaboration was. What this experience taught you about collaboration, leadership, and working in healthcare, and how it might influence your future role as a physician. (250 words or less)
3. Describe an experience in which you were required to make a difficult decision. In your response, please discuss • How you approached the decision-making process • The factors you considered • The outcome of your decision • What this experience taught you about responsibility, accountability, or leadership. (250 words or less)
4. Describe a commitment you have maintained over time to a community, organization, or cause. This experience may be related to healthcare, but it does not have to be. In your response, please discuss: • What initially motivated your involvement • What sustained your commitment over time • How this experience has shaped your values, perspective, or approach to serving others. What was the impact of your commitment on the organization/community. (250 words or less)
Part 2: REQUIRED [VIDEO Response]
In 90 seconds, respond to the following prompt: Describe a time when your perspective changed. Explain what you initially believed, what led you to reconsider, and how your thinking evolved. You may take a moment to gather your thoughts before responding, and please focus on your reasoning and reflection.
University of Texas Southwestern Medical School
1. Describe a group project or collaborative experience that you are most proud of. What was your role, and how did you contribute to the group’s success? Reflect on how you navigated challenges or differing perspectives. (2500 characters)
2. Describe a time that you have witnessed someone acting unethically or dishonestly, or experienced a behavior of harassment or discrimination. What did you do? Describe your reaction. Is there anything you might do differently now in retrospect? (2500 characters)
3. Describe an experience that deepened your understanding of people whose backgrounds or life experiences differ from your own. How did this experience shape your perspective? (2500 characters)
4. (OPTIONAL) Tell us about a community service experience that had a significant impact on you. What made it meaningful, and what did you learn through your involvement? (2500 characters)
5. (OPTIONAL) Please explain any academic discrepancies or extenuating circumstances that you feel the Admissions Committee should know. (2500 characters)
MD/PhD Questions:
(All MD/PhD apps and MSTP apps go through AMCAS)
Describe the type of research you are currently most interested in pursuing for your PhD training. You can be general or specific (e.g., genetics, biochemistry, Alzheimer’s disease, rational drug design, etc.) (500 characters)
Why are you interested in MD/PhD training at UT Southwestern in particular? (500 characters)
List names of up to five UT Southwestern faculty whose research is of particular interest to you (faculty must have a laboratory website at Labs).
If accepted, would you be able to start with a laboratory rotation by_______?
University of Texas at Tyler School of Medicine
1) Our mission is to improve the quality of life and reduce health disparities in our rural East Texas region. Please indicate (select one) your connection to East Texas as outlined in our county map and explain below: (250 words)
I have direct ties to the East Texas region (born, graduated high school, community college, undergraduate, etc.)
I have indirect ties to the East Texas Region (family members, in-laws, visited East Texas frequently, attended summer camp in East Texas, etc.)
I have ties to a rural region with similar characteristics to the East Texas region (size, demographics, health disparities, etc.)
I do not have ties to the East Texas region; however, I’m interested in practicing in this area after graduation.
I do not have ties to the East Texas region but am still interested in attending the UT Tyler School of Medicine.
2) (For Reapplicants) What have you done between the last application cycle to make your application stronger?
3) The mission of the UT Tyler SOM is fourfold:
Community: Embed the School of Medicine within East Texas, focusing on communication, responsiveness, inclusion, and community. The School of Medicine in East Texas, and everything we do will be in partnership with our communities.
Education: Recruit, support and develop a representative healthcare and research workforce from East Texas, focused on reducing health disparities in East Texas.
Research: Develop an array of biomedical, clinical, preventive, translational and population-based research programs focused on understanding and eliminating health disparities in East Texas.
Clinical: Expand access to top-quality healthcare in the local communities of East Texas by developing and implementing innovative healthcare systems and leveraging existing infrastructure and programs.
Why are you interested in applying to UT Tyler’s SOM? (500 words)
4) Please describe a significant personal challenge you have faced, one which you feel has helped to shape you as a person. Please include how you got through the experience and what you learned about yourself as a result. Examples may include: moral or ethical dilemma, a situation of personal adversity; or a hurdle in your life that you worked hard to overcome. (500 words)
5) Optional question (highly recommend): Please use this space to share with the committee any additional information that may help us evaluate your candidacy that is not addressed elsewhere in the application. (500 words)
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Utah
Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine
Please submit a short video (maximum 8 minutes) to introduce yourself to the Noorda-COM admissions team. Be authentic, reflective, and professional, and have fun sharing your story.
Your video should address the following questions:
Who are you beyond your application?
What does service mean to you?
How do you learn, grow, and contribute as part of a team?
Why Noorda and osteopathic medicine?
University of Utah School of Medicine
The Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine’s mission guides our work and community. What aspect of our mission stands out most to you, and how have you demonstrated alignment with this mission through your experiences and preparation for medical school? (500 character limit)
The University of Utah’s “Impact 2030” vision emphasizes collaboration to address society’s most pressing challenges. What healthcare-related “big problem” in your community or in communities you have served concerns you most? How do you see yourself contributing to a solution to this issue in your role as a future physician? (500 character limit)
Additional essay for applicants to the Pathways in Health Care Program
Please share more about your experience in the Pathway program(s) and how these experience(s) have helped you prepare for medical school
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)
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Vermont
University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine
The Larner College of Medicine curriculum emphasizes active in-person participation and peer co-learning. This relies on individual students preparing for, and being actively involved in, participatory class sessions. Please share your thoughts on the suitability of active learning for you. Consider the points below to guide your response. (Maximum 400 word count).
The value of balancing your learning with the teaching of your classmates.
Any potential challenges to this approach to learning.
Personal contributions to such a learning environment and areas of growth.
Examples of navigating a group learning process such as a flipped classroom experience.
The Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont recognizes that diversity extends beyond chosen and unchosen identities and encompasses an individual’s entire experiences. Diverse environments can promote growth and provide an opportunity for reflection. Reflect on a time you learned something from someone or a group of people who are unlike yourself and how that challenged your preconceptions or biases. How will this experience influence your behavior in the future? (Maximum 400 word count)
The Larner College of Medicine has core values that are reflected in our professionalism statement. How has your understanding of what professionalism means evolved over time? Reflect on a personal experience that contributed to your understanding of your own core values. (Maximum 300 word count)
What unique opportunities at Larner College of Medicine would be meaningful to you in your education and how do these align with your larger goal of becoming a physician? (Maximum 250 word count).
(OPTIONAL) Use this space to share any information, not presented elsewhere, that will clarify any aspect of your application. If you are a reapplicant, you may choose to share what you have done since your previous application. (Maximum 250 word count)
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Virginia
(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 VHS-EVMS at ODU. (2000 characters)
(Optional) VHS-EVMS at ODU 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. If you wish to respond, please explain in detail. Some examples include but are not limited to race/ethnicity, culture, LGBTQ+, differently-abled/disabled, etc. (2000 characters)
(Optional) If you would like to discuss how your individual background, perspective, or experience, including any societal or other barriers, have affected your life, through discrimination, inspiration or otherwise, feel free to share your experiences, obstacles overcome, and how this impacted your education and road to applying to medical school. (2000 characters)
Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine
Describe a significant challenge you have experienced in your life. Please share the strategies you employed to overcome the challenge, and what you learned from the experience. (500 words)
How do your professional ambitions align with osteopathic medicine? What influenced your decision to apply to VCOM? (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."
Using specific examples, discuss how your mission and values align with those of VCU School of Medicine. (2000 characters)
Describe an experience that led you to change your views about an issue for which you previously held a strong opinion. (2000 characters)
Please briefly explain any lapses in your journey to medicine that are not explained in your application. (2,000 characters)
Please briefly explain any low GPAs or poor grades. (2,000 characters)
What will you be doing for the next twelve months during the application cycle? (2,000 characters)
Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and Research Institute
1. Reflect on a trait or characteristic you are proud of that you feel is most vulnerable to being lost on your journey to becoming a physician. How do you plan to protect it? (400 words)
2. Describe a time when doing the "right" thing conflicted with rules, authority, or expectations. How did you handle it? (400 words)
3. Beyond the rise of AI, what do you consider the greatest challenge facing your generation, and how do you plan to address it? (400 words)
4. (OPTIONAL) Please list any publications in the appropriate citation format using the text box below. (400 words)
University of Virginia School of Medicine
Essays:
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.
Tell us about a challenge or obstacle you experienced. How did you manage it? Please answer the question in 350 words or less.
Short answer questions:
Please briefly describe anything that has impacted your college or postgrad experience.
Please list any and all future activities in clinical work, shadowing, research, or community service that you plan to pursue in the upcoming year.
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Washington
(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, no word or character limits)
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.
What experiences have you had with communities facing significant barriers (eg, social, cultural, access)? What have you learned from these experiences?
Describe your connections to Washington communities and your interests in practicing medicine in Washington
How have you built your resilience?
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 learning environment of your classmates.
If you are a reapplicant to WSU, describe what you have done since last applying to strengthen your candidacy for our medical school.
University of Washington School of Medicine
Note: Applicants must complete a Washington state residency questionnaire for review before the school will send a secondary application.
1. The UWSOM aims to build a diverse class of students to enrich the field of medicine. What perspectives, identities, and/or qualities would you bring? (250 words)
2. What obstacles have you experienced and how have you overcome them? (250 words)
3. How have societal inequities in the U.S. affected you or people you have worked with? (250 words)
4. Demonstrated competency? - Social sciences, Humanities or "Human Condition"?
Entering medical students should understand the social forces that shape the health of the individuals and communities they will serve. This includes understanding how social contextual factors and policy operate at the community and national level to impact the health of individuals. Students should be familiar with disparities in health currently present in society and their underlying etiologies. Candidates seeking acceptance to UWSOM can establish competency in this area through course work in the social sciences, humanities or related interdisciplinary fields such as public health or ethnic and gender studies, clinical and/or population health research, service learning, lived experience or a combination of thereof. Examples of social science/humanities coursework to consider: Anthropology, Sociology, Political Science, Economics, Psychology, Religion, History, Philosophy, Literature.?
Describe your competency by explaining how you have explored and come to understand issues in the social sciences and humanities as they relate to the practice of medicine. (250 words)
MSTP questions:
Indicate the area(s) of research in which you are interested.
Please use this space to supplement your AMCAS Personal Comments. (MSTP will consider information provided here as well as your AMCAS Personal Comments):
How did you find out about the University of Washington's Medical Scientist Training Program?
Use this opportunity to provide any autobiographical information which you feel would be helpful for the MSTP office. (optional)
If you are not currently enrolled in coursework (nor planning to be enrolled throughout the application process), please describe your activities in this period.
(There is a prompt in the coursework section under social studies/humanities.) Describe your competency by explaining how you have explored and come to understand issues in the social sciences and humanities as they relate to the practice of medicine. (250 words)
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West Virginia
Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine
Please note: we received these directly from an individual at Marshall, and we know there is a discrepancy between the word count and the character count mentioned for #3. As of July 22, 2024, the space allows 250 characters, so perhaps they will update this question.
Why did you decide to apply to Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine? (5000 characters)
Describe a challenging experience and how it impacted your personal growth. (750 characters)
Please provide below any additional information you believe is important in evaluating your application (e.g. additional coursework, problems with academic record, disadvantaged, etc.) Please indicate, yes or no and then explain/describe briefly in 250 words or less. (optional; 250 characters)
West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine
There is a 500-character limit for each prompt.
Why do you want to be an osteopathic physician?
What advantage do you see in attending WVSOM over other medical schools?
Describe an ethically challenging situation you have been in, and how you responded.
What do you feel it will take for you to succeed in medical school?
Provide a brief comment about your study habits.
Describe a situation in work, volunteer activities, or organizations where you demonstrated your ability to work well with others.
What experiences (living, working, or visiting) have you had in rural areas?
Briefly comment on how your volunteer experience benefited you.
West Virginia University School of Medicine*
Time-sensitive considerations: 2 weeks from the invitation date (This information was confirmed with the school.)
Why do you want to attend WVU SOM? How did you first hear about WVU SOM, and why do you feel you would be a good fit? (150 words)
Describe a time when you advocated for someone, other than a relative or friend, who had a different background from your own. (150 words)
How do you see yourself serving the state of West Virginia if accepted? (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 would be the six-word title of your memoir? You are allowed only six words here. You may have the opportunity to explain your answer if you are invited for an interview.
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Wisconsin
For all applicants:
At MCW, we are guided by the values of acting in caring ways, engaging in collaborative efforts, approaching our world with curiosity, advancing inclusive practices, demonstrating integrity in all that we do, and treating everyone with respect. Describe how your unique experiences, interests, and talents have embodied one or more of these values, and how they will shape the way you plan to contribute to the MCW learning community. (1,000 characters)
How will MCW uniquely prepare you for your future goals? (1,000 characters)
Recount a time when you made a decision you regret. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience? (2,000 characters)
MCW is committed to its missions of community engagement and improving health for all. MCW medical students play an important role in advancing these missions by working with and within various communities throughout Wisconsin which requires adaptability and a willingness to learn from new experiences. Describe a time where you entered a new environment or situation, how you adapted, what you learned, and how that experience helped you grow in your ability to serve others and contribute to MCW’s missions during your education. (2,000 characters)
Required of reapplicants to MCW
Please explain how your application has changed since your last application to MCW Medical School. How have you enhanced your preparation for medical school and future career as a physician (e.g., additional academic work, employment, volunteer experience, etc.)? You may wish to elaborate on the process you employed to critique your application’s strengths and weaknesses or share life changes or circumstances that have impacted your application. (2,000 characters)
Required of applicants applying to MCW-Central Wisconsin and/or MCW-Green Bay
Describe the experiences that have contributed to your motivation to pursue a primary care focused, community-based medical education program. (2,000 characters)
Describe the community in which you envision yourself living and practicing medicine. Address the benefits and challenges of life in your specified community. (2,000 characters)
University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
The Admissions Committee is committed to comprehensive, mission-aligned evaluation of all applicants. Review our institution’s mission. Using specific examples, discuss how and why you believe you are a good fit for the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. (500 words max.)
UW SMPH uses the AAMC’s Premed Competencies for Entering Medical Students as an applicant evaluation framework. Choose one of the professional competencies from the drop-down list where you have experienced growth. Using specific examples, describe your development in this competency. (250 words max.)
Commitment to growth and learning
Empathy and compassion
Ethical responsibility to self and others
Interpersonal Skills
Oral communication
Reliability and dependability
Resilience and adaptability
Self-awareness
Service orientation
Teamwork and collaboration
Understanding others
3. Reflect on a time when a failure, or an apparent failure, set you up for later success. Do you have a favorite failure that you now see as a pivotal moment in your personal or professional growth? (250 words max.)
4. Individual and population health flow from the intersections between healthcare outcomes, sociopolitical factors, economic, historical and other systemic factors. Choose a broader issue or policy that impacts health outcomes where you believe change is needed. Discuss the role you hope to play as a physician in addressing this issue. (250 words max).
5. Individuals 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.). If switching application pathway (e.g. to WARM from regular MD or from regular MD to MD/PhD), please explain the decision/change. (500 words max)
[Optional] IA/Criminal offense explanation
MSTP Questions
Please describe your interest in MSTP training at UW-Madison. Identify specific laboratories and describe how you envision contributing to their research, and how their research fits within your goal of becoming a physician-scientist. Please also describe specific aspects of the environment at UW and SMPH that will foster your growth as a physician scientist. (700 words max.)
The “physician-scientist” can take many forms. Tell us about the type of physician-scientist you want to become and why. (250 words max.)
Reflect on a time when a failure, or an apparent failure, set you up for later success. Do you have a favorite failure that you now see as a pivotal moment in your personal or professional growth? (250 words max.)
A successful physician-scientist has many character/personality traits. Tell us about one of your character/personality traits that will help define you as a physician-scientist. (250 words max.)
