Medical School

Secondary Essay
Handbook:

School Specific Tips

for Top Program

An Accepted.com Special Report

by Alicia Nimonkar
Copyright 2014 Accepted.com

Table of Contents

Introduction ................................................................................................................3
Baylor College of Medicine .......................................................................................5
Boston University ......................................................................................................6
George Washington School of Medicine and Health Sciences .................................9
Johns Hopkins Medical School ................................................................................11
Michigan State University College of Human Medicine ........................................14
University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine................................................16
University of Pittsburgh ...........................................................................................18
University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences ................................20
University of Washington ........................................................................................22
Washington University (St. Louis) ..........................................................................25
Yale School of Medicine .........................................................................................27
Epilogue ...................................................................................................................29
About the Author .....................................................................................................29

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Introduction
The best way to ace your application essays is to ANSWER THE ESSAY QUESTIONS. This
may sound like an easy feat, yet so often applicants go into the essay writing process with
ulterior motives: to write their preconceived essays based only loosely on the given essay topics.
Newsflash: No matter how compelling and well-written your essays are, if they dont answer the
questions as they are presented to you on the application, they will not impress the admissions
committeeor at least not in the way you want them to.
In this admissions report you will receive the guidance you need to a) understand exactly what
each essay question is asking, and to b) answer the question in the most compelling and
impressive fashion.
To make sure you make the most of this guide, I recommend that you keep the following in
mind:

These questions were originally used in the 2014-2015 med school application cycle.
Whenever you read this, dont assume they are unchanged. Check the schools
websites for the current version.
Each school asks different questions; therefore, each essay you draft should be unique
to each essay question and to each program. While it may be tempting to use the same
essay for a few different applications, adcoms can usually tell the difference between
a recycled essay and an essay that was written specifically to answer their question
and they certainly prefer the latter.
In our analyses below, youll find valuable tips on what to include in your answers, as
well as advice on what you should avoid at all costs. Dont stop reading after the
dos; the donts can be just as valuable, if not more so.
Since fit is so crucial to each of these schools, be sure to research each program you
apply to and to envision yourself at that particular schoolon its campus, in its
classrooms, interacting with its professors, etc.while drafting your essay. If you
want the adcoms to believe you will be an irreplaceable fixture in their next class,
then youll have to convince them that your ideals and goals are one with theirs.

Finally, at the end of each section of this report, I provide additional application tips and advice,
as well as how Accepted can further assist you with your application efforts. Our consultants are
standing by, ready to be of service to you.
Enjoy the report and answer those questions directly. Effectively.

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Disclaimer: Please double-check the original application on each individual med schools
website to ensure accuracy. Accepted.com is not responsible for any discrepancies in the text or
any changes that may have been made to the original applications since the time of publishing.
Note: As you read through this special report youll find that we formatted it as clearly as
possible so you can easily tell where Accepted commentary begins and ends. Med school
directions and questions are typed in standard font, while Accepted comments are all italicized.

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Baylor College of Medicine

Given the mission statement for BCM, I recommend covering your clinical, research and
community experience in their secondary application essay. They place special emphasis on
recruiting students from diverse backgrounds and from ethnicities that are underrepresented in
medicine. Highlight your personal connections, volunteer work, and leadership roles in
medically underserved communities.
Baylor College of Medicine 2015 Secondary Application Essay Questions

One autobiographical essay, with a character limit of 2000.

Applicants should use single line spacing and 12 point size font.
Responses should be constructed strategically to highlight an applicants strengths.

The following essay is required in the secondary application:

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 AMCAS application
information. (2000 character limit)
Using a timeline you have created of your life that includes all significant events and/or an
updated copy of your resume or CV, check off the items you have already covered in your
primary application. Create a list from the remaining items that you have not coveredwhich
are related to clinical, research, work, or leadership in community service? Are there any items
that relate to how you have overcome adversity? Strategically selecting the activities or events
that will reveal more about you as a person, create an outline using this short list. Free-write to
cover as much detail as you can from your outline. After taking a break, edit the material to
ensure you have a clear introductory sentence, solid body with explanations, and a concise
conclusion that sums up your experiences.
BCM Application Timeline
AMCAS Application Due: November 3, 2014
Secondary Application: December 1, 2014 (Strong recommendation: Submit within two weeks
after receipt.)
Interviews Conducted: August 2014 February 2015
Rolling Admissions: October 16, 2014 June 2015
School Begins: July 2015

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Boston University
BUSMs MD Program offers students the opportunity to work with patients beginning in their
first year of medical school. Students will receive their clinical training at the prestigious Boston
Medical Center, which has the largest trauma center in the Northeast. Students also have the
option of pursuing a Masters Degree in Public Health. The secondary application consists of
five optional essays.
Boston University 2015 Secondary Application Essay Questions

Five optional short essays with varied word limits are requested.
Applicants should use single line spacing and 12 point size font.
Responses should be constructed strategically to highlight an applicants strengths.

Application Tip: Check out the BUSM Viewbook with admissions information.
The following are required in the secondary application:
1. If you did not go to college directly after high school, please explain. (1400 character limit,
approximately 280 words)
Medical schools love non-traditional applicants who have life experience. If this essay prompt
applies to you, provide a brief explanation of how you spent your time before enrolling in
collegedetailing any awards or accomplishments you earned before entering higher education.
If you worked to help support your family, this is admirable and demonstrates that you took on
significant responsibility at a young age. Responding to this prompt will only help your
application.
2. If you are not expecting to go directly to medical school after completing your undergraduate
work, please explain. (1400 character limit, approximately 280 words)
Be honest in this response. If you need to take a break before applying to medical school, write
about how you will use your time. Discuss all volunteer work, extracurricular interests, or
clinical experience that you plan to participate in. If you have a goal for this period, provide it. If
you need to work to save up money to applystate this in your response. Explain where you
intend to work and anticipated responsibilities.

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3. If you have spent more than 4 years as an undergraduate, please explain below. (You may skip
this question if you have graduated within 4 years.)
If applicable, create a list of all the reasons why you were not able to graduate in four years.
After ranking your list in order of importance, use this as your outline. Having multiple interests
or double majors will only help your application, as the reader will have the opportunity to learn
more about your unique talents and interests.
4. Please provide a narrative or timeline to describe any features of your educational history that
you think may be of particular interest to us. For example, have you lived in another country or
experienced a culture unlike your own, or worked in a field that contributed to your
understanding of people unlike yourself? Or, have you experienced advanced training in any
area, including the fields of art, music, or sports? This is an opportunity to describe learning
experiences that may not be covered in other areas of this application. It is not necessary to write
anything in this section. (2000 character limit, approximately 400 words)
Though this essay is also optional, I would strongly recommend responding to it. Use an updated
copy of your resume or CV and work backwards from the most current to oldest experiences.
What are your other interests, outside of medicine? Have you lived or worked in another
country? Did you win any science or non-science awards or fairs in your early education? Focus
this response on educational experiencestalents or skills you developed through training or
learning opportunities (formal education or self-taught).
5. We have found that for most applicants, an extra essay written expressly for Boston University
adds little to the information content of the portfolio. While we no longer require an essay, some
applicants feel that additional information is necessary in order to provide us with a
comprehensive understanding of their strengths as a candidate for a career in medicine. If you
wish, use the space below to offer an essay or any other information, addressing any issue you
feel is of importance. If you choose to use the space, please do not duplicate information
provided elsewhere in this Supplemental Application or in material you have submitted to
AMCAS.
For most applicants, no supplementary essay will be necessary and this space can be left blank.
In this response, you could focus on any clinical, research, or science related experiences that
you have not already covered in detail in your personal statement that would reveal your
commitment to a career in medicine. Again, this essay is also optional, but by responding to it
you will be demonstrating your interest in the BUSM Program. Again, using a copy of your
resume/CV or a timeline of your life experiences could assist you in deciding what to write about
in this response. Be strategic in your selection by covering information that you have not yet
discussed that will highlight your strengths as an applicant.

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BUSM Application Timeline

AMCAS Application Due: November 1, 2014
Secondary Application: January 2, 2015 (Strong recommendation: Submit within two weeks
after receipt.)
Interviews Conducted: Mid-September 2014 Early February 2015
Earliest Notice of Acceptance: Mid-January 2015

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George Washington School of Medicine and Health Sciences

The curriculum and goals of George Washington SMHS center on its ability to graduate
Physician Citizens. Since the school is located in the most powerful city in the U.S.,
Washington D.C., GW emphasizes the opportunities to treat the areas diverse communities. It is
essential to have years of service, either clinical or nonclinical, with diverse populations and to
have a demonstrated record of long-term leadership experience.
In addition you need to know about GWs educational approach. It is initiating a brand new
curriculum in Fall 2014 that incorporates more technology, independent study time, active
learning models and clinical exposure. It also offers a Track System that allows students to gain
special training in the following areas: Community/Urban Health, Emergency Management,
Global Health, Health Policy, Integrative Medicine, Medical Education Leadership, Medical
Humanities, and Research. The Track System will influence the direction of a students
education throughout their four years at George Washington SMHS.
George Washington 2015 School of Medicine and Health Sciences Secondary Application
Essay Questions

Four essays total requestedtwo essays with 750 character limits, one essay with a 1,000
character limit and one essay with a 2,000 character limit.
Applicants should use single line spacing and 12 point size font.
Responses should be constructed strategically to highlight an applicants strengths.

The following are required in the secondary application:

1. 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)
for the 2014-2015 application cycle, or from the point of application through matriculation in
2015. (750 characters)
The best way to approach this type of question is to create a list of the commitments you have
made for the next year. Only include those activities that you have already started or plan to
definitely complete. It will not be helpful to list things that you end up not participating in
because you could be asked about them in an interview and it will not help your application if
you have to explain why you are not completing the activities you listed on the secondary.
Ideally, you will be able to bring an updated CV or resume to the interview with the new
experiences you have completed listed.

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2. What is your most significant achievement outside the classroom? (750 characters)
What they are really asking you is, What is important to you in your life? They want to
understand your maturity level and priorities. Based on the fact that they emphasize leadership,
community service, and a commitment to life-long learning, you can select an achievement that
1) you are truly proud of, and that 2) allows you to share your dedication to helping others
through leadership and/or education. Its essential to be authentic so do select something that is
important to you. Situations that reveal creative leadership will be most effective.
3. What makes you a unique individual? What challenges have you faced? How will these
factors help you contribute to the diversity of the student body at GW? (1000 characters)
In responding to this essay prompt, it will be important for you to select a challenge that you
have overcome that will allow you to demonstrate by showing, rather than telling, how you are
a unique individual. For example, if you came up with a unique way to approach an issue that
provided a successful resolution for everyone involved, this would be an effective choice.
Creating an outline will help you ensure that you have selected a subject that will cover all three
questions in the prompt. In identifying what was unique about your approach to the challenge,
you will be answering the third question listed. Many different challenges would work well for
this essay, just be sure to select one that highlights your approach to problem solving.
4. What is your specific interest in the MD Program at GW? What opportunities would you take
advantage of as a student here? Why? (2000 characters)
Do your research for this question. There are lots of wonderful special programs at GW. Create
a list as you read through their website. After youve read through all of their webpages, rank
your list in the order of importance to you. Create an outline based on these rankings. Again, its
essential to be authentic in your response and to demonstrate how you have used similar
opportunities in the past. Its even more helpful if you have visited the school or spoken with
representatives or students.
George Washington SMHS Application Timeline
AMCAS Application Due: December 1, 2014
Secondary Application: January 1, 2014 (Strong recommendation: Submit within two weeks
after receipt.)
School Begins: Early August 2015

Check out our Med School Admissions 101 pages for in-depth resources and tips on these
topics and more!

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Johns Hopkins Medical School

Ranked at the top for research, Johns Hopkins Medical School provides a medical education
with an emphasis on integrating scientific innovation in patient care. The schools mission
statement shares a comprehensive and long term perspective on medical education, touching on:
The Science and Practice of Medicine, Clinical Competence, The Social Context of Medicine,
Communication, Professionalism, and Lifelong Learning. Given these tenets, describe how your
background and experience has prepared you to excel in these areas as you write your
secondary essays.
Johns Hopkins 2015 Secondary Application Essay Questions

Eight short essays are requestedfour are required and the other half are required only if
the situation described applies to the applicant.
Applicants should use single line spacing and 12 point size font.
Responses should be constructed strategically to highlight an applicants strengths.

The following are required in the secondary application:

1. If you have already received your bachelors degree, please describe what you have been
doing since graduation, and your plans for the upcoming year. (700 character limit)
Use an updated copy of your CV or resume and make a list of your recent activities, labeling
them according to the six tenets of the schools mission statement (listed and linked above). You
can arrange the list chronologically or by the label you assigned each one. Be sure to clarify
how each experience has prepared you to succeed at their institution.
2. If you interrupted your college education for a semester or longer, please describe what you
did during that time. (700 character limit)
If this essay question applies to you, review an unofficial or official copy of your college
transcript. What did you do during the time away from school? How did the break(s) impact
your academic record? Did your grades increase or decrease before or after your return?
Adcoms will be scrutinizing how you spent the time and how it ultimately affected your grades.
Provide a concise description that details the information they are looking for, along with an
explanation, if there was a decrease in your GPA before or after the break.
3. List any academic honors or awards you have received since entering college. (600 character
limit)
Using a copy of your submitted AMCAS application and an updated copy of your CV or resume,
create a list of all scholarships and awards that you received during your undergraduate
education. Check both documents to make sure that you include all honors awarded to you.

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4. Briefly describe your single, most rewarding experience. Feel free to refer to an experience
previously described in your AMCAS application. (900 character limit)
While the essay prompt allows you to use an experience shared in your AMCAS application, I
recommend selecting a new anecdote for this essay response. Make a list of your top five or ten
most rewarding experiences. Next to each item, write one or two reasons why you would
consider it the most rewarding. Then, referring back to the tenets of the schools mission
statement, which of these experiences meets the highest number of these areas? Structure your
response according to how your own expectationssense of fulfillmentmatch that of the
schools mission.
5. Are there any areas of medicine that are of particular interest to you? If so, please comment.
(1100 character limit)
To demonstrate the realistic knowledge you have gained of the medical field through your
clinical experience and volunteer work, I recommend focusing this response on the areas of
medicine that you have developed an interest in based on your personal experience. A broad
response that highlights how long term and extensive your exposure is to the various fields of
medicine would be appropriate.
6. Briefly describe a situation where you had to overcome adversity; include lessons learned and
how you think it will affect your career as a future physician. (900 character limit)
To formulate your response to this question, choose a professional experience and show how you
directly changed or improved on a process or system to benefit the community you worked with.
What was the situation? How did you learn from it and improve the outcome? How will this
knowledge serve you in your patient interactions or level of engagement with your patient
community?
7. If applicable, describe a situation where you were not in the majority. What did you learn from
this experience? (1100 character limit)
Provide a variety of examples to demonstrate your success in working with individuals from
diverse backgrounds and cultures. Examples could include travel to countries in which you do
not speak the language, participation in cultural or religious activities that are different from
your own, and engagement with communities of different ethnicities or cultural backgrounds
from your own.
8. If applying to the dual MD/MBA program, please describe your reasons for wishing to obtain
this degree. (1100 character limit)

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To determine your interest in the program, review their website. How will the combination of
these two degrees enable you to meet your life goals? Why not apply only for an MD? How will
an MBA inform or improve your influence on the health of a community?
Johns Hopkins Medical School Application Timeline
AMCAS Application Due: October 15, 2014
Secondary Application: December 1, 2014 (Strong recommendation: Submit within two weeks
after receipt.)

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Michigan State University College of Human Medicine

According to a 2010 study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, this school is ranked #6
out of 141 U.S. medical schools for meeting its social mission to educate doctors who are
underrepresented in medicine and who will work in underserved communities. They have six
different campuses spread across the state of Michigan so students receive exposure to diverse
patient populations, with their headquarters located in Grand Rapids. Their state-of-the-art
facilities were competed in 2010.
When drafting your responses to their secondary questions its important to review the schools
mission statement: Michigan State University College of Human Medicine is committed to
educating exemplary physicians and scholars, discovering and disseminating new knowledge,
and providing service at home and abroad. We enhance our communities by providing
outstanding primary and specialty care, promoting the dignity and inclusion of all people, and
responding to the needs of the medically underserved. Since the three short essay questions
required in their secondary application are general in nature, what experiences or
characteristics can you identify in your life or yourself that align with the schools values?
Michigan State University College of Human Medicine 2015 Secondary Application Essay
Questions

Three short essays are required with a limit of 350 words.

Six optional short essays are requested for students interested in the special programs that
they offer with word limits of 350.
Applicants should use single line spacing and 12 point size font.
Responses should be constructed strategically to highlight an applicants strengths.

The following essays are required in the secondary application:

1. Discuss a time when you stepped out of your comfort zone. What were the challenges? What
did you learn? (350 word limit)
There are many possible ways to approach this response. Using an experience that covers your
exploration of a new language and culture or an example in which you worked with a new group
of people as a team or a familiar group of people on a new goal would both work. Choose an
experience that allowed you to develop and grow as a person that had a clearly positive
outcome. Journaling may be a helpful way to locate the best example from your life to use.
2. Describe a personally rewarding experience. What did you learn about yourself through this
experience? You are permitted to use an experience included in your AMCAS application, as
long as you didnt go into great detail in your AMCAS application (including personal statement
and experiences) or in Essay One, or you discuss a different aspect of the experience. (350 word
limit)

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The adcom wants to determine what you value by what you find rewarding in your life. Its
important to be authentic. I recommend choosing something that is truly fulfilling for you but
that also will demonstrate how well you will fit in with the culture of service created at
MSUCHM. A response that focuses on any form of service that you have most enjoyed will fit
this response nicely. Alternatively, any personal achievements that you have worked towards
may also workas long as they benefited more than one person.
3. If you could present yourself to the Committee on Admissions, what would you want to make
sure they knew about you? (350 word limit)
For such an open-ended question, I recommend that you review your AMCAS application in
detail to see if there is anything that you didnt cover. Other important topics to consider
discussing may have occurred before college or after you submitted your AMCAS application
that you can share with the adcom. Its important to take the time and effort to respond to this
question as thoughtfully as possible. If youre really struggling for a topic, consider any hobbies
or talents outside of school that will help you maintain your balance and focus in medical
school.
Michigan State University College of Human Medicine Application Timeline
AMCAS Application Due: November 1, 2014
Secondary Application: November 30, 2014 (Strong recommendation: Submit within two weeks
after receipt.)

Create a secondary essay that expands the school's image of who you are, while seamlessly
complementing the other parts of your application. Delve into the tips on our Secondary 101
advice page.

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University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine

This medical school is looking for student leaders from diverse backgrounds who demonstrate a
strong scientific foundation, thrive in team settings, and find solutions to complex issues. In this
secondary application, I recommend focusing on what makes you a unique applicantyour love
of science or learning and how youve pursued that interest, your connection to medically
underserved communities, and your commitment to providing assistance to those in need, as well
as the qualities and talents that you will share with your classmates and that will enhance your
approach to patient care.
University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine 2015 Secondary Application Essay
Questions

Two essays are requiredthe first essay has a 550 word limit and the second essay has a
400 word limit.
An additional optional essay is requested, with no word limit.
Applicants should use single line spacing and 12 point size font.
Responses should be constructed strategically to highlight an applicants strengths.

The following are required in the secondary application:

At the University of Chicago in an atmosphere of interdisciplinary scholarship and discovery,
the Pritzker School of Medicine is dedicated to inspiring diverse students of exceptional promise
to become leaders and innovators in science and medicine for the betterment of humanity.
Essay Question 1. Our Mission Statement above is an expression of our core purpose and
educational philosophy. In particular, it highlights the value we place on diversity since we
regard the diversity of the entering class as essential for educational excellence. Please write an
essay on how you would enhance diversity at Pritzker and advance the Pritzker mission. We
suggest that you limit your essay to about 550 words.
Create a list of what you would contribute in terms of diversity. Approach this list creatively. You
can include anything from your ethnicity, language and cultural background to work experience
and hobbies or talents. For example, if you are a talented artist or teacher, how would you share
these skills with your classmates? Selecting only the most relevant and important items from
your list, use this as your outline. Explain clearly how each characteristic you cover will benefit
your classmates and community.
Essay Question 2. Tell us about a difficult or challenging situation you have encountered and
how you dealt with it. In your response, identify both the coping skills you called upon to resolve
the dilemma, and the support person(s) from whom you sought advice. We suggest that you limit
your essay to about 400 words.

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For this response, it would be appropriate to discuss a death in the family or serious illness of a
family member or friend. This essay would demonstrate your level of maturity and highlight
healthy coping mechanisms you have developed. Or you could use a professional example. In the
latter case, be sure to select an example that has a clearly positive outcome as a direct result of
your efforts. Once you have selected the situation, explain how you were able to identify a
successful approach and create a positive outcome, even if only to gain closure.
(Optional) Additional Information. Please feel free to use this space to convey any additional
information that you might wish the Committee to know. We suggest that you limit your text to
about 200 words.
Use this essay to update the adcom on your recent activities and publications. If you have
already covered all significant experiences in your primary application and in the essays above,
discuss how you have spent your time since submitting the primary application.
Pritzker SOM Application Timeline
AMCAS Application Due: October 15, 2014
Secondary Application: December 1, 2014 at 11:59 PM CST (Strong recommendation: Submit
within two weeks after receipt.)
Interviews Conducted: August 19, 2014 January 29, 2015
Rolling Admissions Begins: October 15, 2014

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University of Pittsburgh
UPSOM places special emphasis on their collaborative problem-based curriculum and the fact
that their medical students begin interacting with patients in their first year of medical school.
Providing the best care to patients through research, education, leadership, and diversity is
central to their mission. In your own background, how can you demonstrate your commitment to
service? Have you experienced the patient side of medicine yourself or through family members?
How have these unique life experiences and the communities you have served contributed to your
unique development and identity?
University of Pittsburgh 2015 Secondary Application Essay Questions

Two short essays with 250 word limits are required.

Applicants should use single line spacing and 12 point size font.
Responses should be constructed strategically to highlight all of an applicants strengths
and how they relate to the mission and values of UPSOM.

Application Tip: Check out the UPSOM admissions committee procedures and criteria.
The following are required in the secondary application:
1. Tell us about a challenging problem you faced and how you resolved it. (250 word limit)
Given UPSOMs focus on one-on-one patient interactions, use an experience in which you were
able to resolve a professional conflict. Emphasize the role that you played in finding a solution
and the skills you employed to identify and implement a positive outcome that was mutually
beneficial for all parties involved. I recommend using an issue that has a clear positive
resolution and one that is not personal in nature.
2. UPSOM is a culturally diverse and talented community. How would you enrich/enliven the
UPSOM community? The essay should discuss material that is not included in the rest of your
application. (250 word limit)
To best address this essay, take your time to make a long list of your unique qualities, talents,
and experiencesthe longer the better. Cross out those items that you have already included in
your personal statement. Identify your top three on the listas they relate to UPSOMs mission
and goals. Explain how those three identifiers will allow you to connect with the community and
how they represent you as an individual.

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UPSOM Application Timeline

AMCAS Application Due: October 15, 2014
Supplemental Application: November 15, 2014 (Strong recommendation: Submit within two
weeks after receipt.)
Interviews Concluded: Mid-December 2014

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University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences

UT College of Medicine and Life Sciences offers an education that emphasizes the importance of
treating patients as individuals and incorporating the latest research available in their training.
After the first year, students have the opportunity to participate in paid summer research
positions. Students complete clerkships during their third and fourth years with the option of
serving patients abroad in the fourth year. For more details about their program and campus,
you can see the College of Medicine Viewbook, here.
Toledo 2015 Secondary Application Essay Questions

Two essays are requested, no limit required.

Applicants should use single line spacing and 10 or 12 point size font.
Responses should be constructed strategically to highlight all of an applicants strengths.

The following essays are requested in the secondary application:

1. Briefly discuss any extenuating circumstances which you feel are pertinent to your application
(poor grades, course withdrawals, etc). (No word limit)
To respond effectively to this essay prompt, examine your AMCAS application from an outsiders
perspective. In reviewing your grades and activities, is there anything that needs to be
explained? Is there anything confusing? Or is there something that might not be obvious to the
reader without providing some emphasis, for example, on the number of hours that you worked
per week while attending school full time? You can explain any reasons why your application
may be less competitive. State the facts to create the right tone.
2. The University of Toledo College of Medicine is committed to excellence in education which
prepares graduates to deliver quality health care. Developing cultural competence is an important
goal in our curriculum. Cultural competence is defined as an awareness, understanding and
ability to use specific methods to deal effectively with cultural issues and its role in health and
health care. Please discuss a life experience in which you feel you demonstrated cultural
competence. (No word limit)
I recommend selecting an example in which you played an active role in overcoming language
or cultural barriers. In this essay, you can highlight the interpersonal communication skills that
you have and any additional languages that you speak. Effective examples would include
translating for people who dont speak the same language or communicating religious or
cultural differences that could cause confusion for others. For example, a student from a Hmong
or Laotian background who understands this communitys lack of trust for Western Medicine
could describe how s/he successfully helped organize and host free health clinics through a
church in the community to provide health checkups.
There are many different examples that would fit well for this essay question. The key will be
selecting one that demonstrates your level of awareness and sensitivity to others.

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UT College of Medicine and Life Sciences Application Timeline

AMCAS Application Due: November 1, 2014
Secondary Application Due: December 31, 2014 (Strong recommendation: Submit within two
weeks after receipt.)
Interviews Conducted: September 2014 April 2015
School Begins: August 2015

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University of Washington
Given UWSOMs top ranking in primary care, they will be looking for applicants with a strong
interest in patient education and community health. This secondary application will require that
you provide an autobiographical essay and answer three to four short essay questions. In
constructing your responses, focus on highlighting those life experiences that will demonstrate
your commitment to community service and leadership and reveal the depth of your maturity,
compassion, and integrity. If you are from a rural background or Washington, Wyoming, Alaska,
or Montana, be sure to reference your life experiences in these areas since UWSOM has a
special program called WWAMI that is designed to serve the needs of these communities.
University of Washington 2015 Secondary Application Essay Questions

One autobiographical essay, with no character limit, and three short essays with 250 word
limits are requested.
One additional short essay is required for reapplicants with a 250 word limit.
Applicants should use single line spacing and 12 point size font.
Responses should be constructed strategically to highlight all of an applicants strengths,
especially since the application will be reviewed holistically.

Application Tip: Check out this application advice from the Dean of Admissions at UWSOM.
The following are required in the secondary application:
1. An autobiographical statement which should include:

the origin and development of your motivation to be a physician

your prior experiences in health care
steps taken to explore a career in medicine
your eventual goals as a physician
and other issues of importance

The Personal Comments section of the AMCAS application may be used to satisfy this
requirement, or an additional autobiography may be submitted with your secondary materials.
Your AMCAS personal statement will already be on file with our office.
This essay is optional. However, to demonstrate your interest in their program, you may submit
this additional autobiographical statement. Be strategic in your approachfocus on clinical or
research experiences that you have not discussed in your personal statement. It may be helpful to
draft a timeline of your life experiences and to focus on those that you have not yet covered in
detail. Is there anything that you would like the admissions committee to know about how your
interest in medicine developed or about your approach to patient care in your clinical
experience? How will a medical education influence your life goals? What unique experiences or
talents do you have that will influence how you practice medicine?

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2. Three additional short essays (250 word limit each)

a. How have your experiences prepared you to be a physician?
Since you will be providing an in-depth autobiographical statement that will complement
your personal statement, I recommend providing a big picture summary in response to
this short essay response. It will be important to cover the number of years you have of
relevant experiencecommunity service, research, and clinical experience. What did you
learn from these experiences? How did these activities influence your decision to pursue
a medical education? What did you learn about yourself as you became actively involved
in community health?
b. How do you imagine your personal and professional lives intersecting 10 years from
now?
For this essay response, it is important to focus on how your healthy lifestyle choices,
talents, and hobbies will impact your practice of medicine. How do you create balance in
your life between your academic responsibilities, family, friends, and your other
activities? What talents and hobbies influence your connection to the community? In
what ways do you foster a commitment to lifelong learning?
c. What obstacles to your goals have you experienced and how have you dealt with them?
Be sure to select a life experience in which you have actively worked to overcome
challenges to achieve your goals. Maintain a positive focus and provide all the facts
relevant to the situation. It can be helpful to establish a cause and effect relationship
between the elements. What were your goals? What obstacles arose in the situation?
What approach did you take to address the issue(s)? What were the results? I recommend
selecting a situation that has a clearly positive outcome as a direct result of your active
efforts.
For reapplicants: From your most recent application until now, how have you strengthened
your application?
As a reapplicant, you are demonstrating the depth of your determination to attend medical
school by reapplying. Reiterate that determination in your response to this question.
Strategically focus on the improvements you have made to your applicationyour new GPA,
MCAT score, and life experiences. Focus on how the time you have spent improving your
application has made you a better and more focused applicant.

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UWSOM Application Timeline

AMCAS Application Due: October 15, 2014
Secondary Application Due: December 1, 2014 (Strong recommendation: Submit within two
weeks after receipt.)
Interviews Conducted: October 1 Mid-March
Rolling Admissions: October 1, 2014 End of March 2015
Alternates Accepted: April 1, 2015 End of August 2015
School Begins: August 2015

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Washington University (St. Louis)

Ranked in the top ten for research, WUSOM provides exciting opportunities for medical students
to participate in research at the basic science or clinical levels. They are looking for students
with strong ties to their communitieswith excellent communication skills, a dedication to
service, and well-rounded interests. The secondary application requests three essays.
Washington University (St. Louis) 2015 Secondary Application Essay Questions

Three essays are requested: two essays with a 3,000 character limit and one essay with a
1,800 character limit.
Applicants should use single line spacing and 12 point size font.
Responses should be constructed strategically to highlight an applicants strengths.

The following are required in the secondary application:

1. Describe a time or situation where you have been unsuccessful or failed. (3000 character limit,
including spaces)
The best response to this type of question will demonstrate resilience. It will be important to
select an event or commitment that you clearly did not perform well on, but one in which you did
not give up. Choose something that you had to repeat or improve, and demonstrate how, through
hard work, you were able to succeed. For example, you could use your first teaching experience.
For most people, the first time you have to teach a class or group, it does not go well but we
learn from that first experience and improve. Focus the bulk of the essay on how you improved
and on outcomes. End on a high note.
2. Do you have unique experiences or obstacles that you have overcome that were not covered in
your application about which you would like to inform our Admissions Committee? (3000
character limit, including spaces)
Given this institutions dedication to community service, I recommend sharing the details of any
long-term volunteer work that you have not discussed in your personal statement. Have you
overcome any significant challenges in your life to be successful? Learning a new language or
finding resources to reach your goals can be good examples. Think broadly of your life
experienceswere there difficulties in your life that you have overcome which other people may
see as obstacles?
3. If you have already completed your education, if your college or graduate education was
interrupted, or if you do not plan to be a full-time student during the current year, describe in
chronological order your activities during the time(s) when you were not enrolled as a full-time
student. (1800 character limit, including spaces)

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Use an updated copy of your resume or CV to help you create a comprehensive response.
Capture the diversity of your activities and interests. Include all work experiences or volunteer
activities. Review a copy of your transcript to be sure that you have covered all significant gaps
in your education. If there were increases or decreases in your GPA before or after these breaks,
explain.
WUSOM Application Timeline
AMCAS Application Due: December 1, 2014
Secondary Application Due: December 31, 2014 (Strong recommendation: Submit within two
weeks after receipt.)
Interviews Conducted: October 2014 March 2015
Rolling Admissions: November 2014 April 15, 2015
School Begins: August 11, 2015

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Yale School of Medicine

Ranked in the top ten for research, Yale School of Medicine requires that each student complete
a thesis, based on their own research interests, to graduate. For this purpose, the first two years
of the curriculum are flexible and student-directed. Based on the schools goals (located in the
Student Handbook), as well as their curriculum, they are looking for students with extensive
experience in leadership roles and research collaborations. Two essay responses are required
on the secondary application.
Yale 2015 School of Medicine Secondary Application Essay Questions

Two essays with 500 word limits are requested.

Applicants should use single line spacing and 12 point size font.
Responses should be constructed strategically to highlight an applicants strengths.

The following are required in the secondary application:

1. Please use this space to write an essay in which you discuss your interest in Yale School of
Medicine. (500 word limit)
Using the student handbook to research the educational opportunities available at Yale SOM,
create a list of reasons why you would like to attend Yale SOM. Then, use the top five items from
the list and explain your reasoning behind them. How will you directly benefit from their
academic resources while you are in medical school? How will this association influence your
career in the future? In your conclusion, summarize the big picture benefits for both you and
the institutiondiscussing how you, as well as they, will be rewarded by your contributions to
their school.
2. This section should be used to bring to the attention of the Admissions Committee any
information not previously discussed throughout your Yale Secondary Application. (500 words
limit)
In this essay response, update the adcom on your most recent activities. Use an updated draft of
your CV or resume and identify which activities and awards you have already discussed in the
primary application. Then focus on those items that you have not already discussed and that are
most important to you and relevant to a career in medicine, and explain how the talents or skills
you developed from these experiences will enrich your classmates and medical school education.

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Yale SOM Application Timeline

AMCAS Application Due: October 15, 2014
Secondary Application Due: November 15, 2014 (Strong recommendation: Submit within two
weeks.)
Interview Invitations Sent Out: August 2014 February 2015
Admissions Decisions Released: March 2015

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Epilogue
Thank you for downloading this exclusive Accepted special report. We hope you will use the
valuable tips in this report to optimize your medical school applications by writing compelling,
thoughtful answers to the essay questions.
If you are still not confident about your ability to write effective application essays, or just want
to save time, please contact Accepted.com. While our experienced professional editing staff
wont write your essays for you, we can help you from the beginning, as youre defining your
topics and themes, or we can edit your essays to ensure that your application is as strong as it can
be.
If you have any questions about this report, or questions about med school admissions in general,
please feel free to post them to our Facebook wall, or LinkedIn group.
We look forward to hearing from you!

About the Author

Alicia Nimonkar is an Accepted.com advisor and editor specializing in healthcare
admissions. Prior to joining Accepted, Alicia worked for five years as Student
Advisor at UC Davis postbac program where she both evaluated applications and
advised students applying successfully to med school and related programs. Alicia
is happy to advise you and edit your primary and secondary medical school
application essays

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