Secondary Medical School Application Essay/Questions
These are a series of actual secondary application questions taken from three medical schools. Many of the schools ask
from 5 to 10 such essay questions.
Chose SIX of the following essays for your assignment. Limit EACH response to 250 words
1) Beyond what you have written in your AMCAS Personal Comments, discuss your early life experiences, family
background and aspects of your home community that have led to your decision to become a physician.
2) Describe a difficult life experience and how you dealt with it.
3) Our medical school is committed to enrolling and graduating a diverse student body. The Admissions Committee
considers the following: high academic potential, disadvantaged background, race and ethnicity, evidence of
outstanding leadership, creativity, unique work or service experience, community involvement, non-traditional
educational progression, and demonstrated commitment to working with diverse populations. How would you
contribute to the diversity of the University of WhaHoo Medical School student body?
4) Briefly describe what you are currently doing. If you have already graduated, please indicate what you have been
doing since graduation, and what your plans are for the coming year.
5) Should you not be accepted to medical school, the alternative career that you would pursue is:
6) Describe your personality and personal characteristics and how you expect that they will lead to success in the
specific curriculum and learning environment of University of WhaHoo Medical School.
7) Describe the coping strategies that you employ when confronted with a difficult (non-academic) situation.
8) Describe any experiences way from traditional educational pursuits (such as travel, or time in the workplace other
than summer jobs). Specify the timeframe and the impact that the activity has had upon you. If you have been in
school continuously, then describe a non-academic activity which as been formative.
9) Please discuss the diversity that you would bring to University of WhaHoo Medical School and the profession of
medicine. You may want to consider important aspects of your life experiences such as early educational
opportunities, socioeconomic status, culture, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or life/work experiences and how
these circumstances have shaped your perspective of medicine and better prepared you to become a physician.
10) Please answer the following: “Future physicians are expected to work in an interprofessional environment, meaning
in a team of other health care professionals that may include people with a variety of backgrounds and skills. Using
your own experiences, tell us how you have developed the qualities and values you believe are important and will
your role as physician-leader of the healthcare team.