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Secondary Essay Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Session 242.

Ever after you submit your primary application, the work isn’t over. Secondary essays are still a huge part of your medical school application.

On this podcast, I’ve covered a lot of different topics related to the application process, including personal statements, applications in general, and interview prep. But I’ve never actually talked specifically about writing your secondaries until now, so I want to touch on this topic today. Specifically, we’ll discuss the most common mistakes students make when it comes to secondary essays.

[01:22] First Biggest Mistake: Not Writing Them Sooner

One of the biggest mistakes students make is waiting for the request for secondary essays to come before they start working on them. If you’ve submitted your primary application and you’re not writing your secondary essays, then you’re behind.

Some schools will monitor how long it takes you to send a secondary back and they will use this as a gauge on your interest to get into their school. If it takes you three weeks to respond, while their average response time is a week and a half, chances are that you could be put lower down the list.

The implications of rolling admissions for medical school

Remember that the medical school admissions process is a rolling admissions process, which means that as soon as applications open, the clock is ticking. This is different than applying to college, which is a deadline-driven process. As long as your application is in by the deadline, you’re just as good as everybody else that applied. This is not the same with medical schools.

So the earlier you turn in your primary application and the sooner you’re done with your secondary essays, the sooner your MCAT score is in, the sooner your letters of recommendation are in, and the sooner your application is complete, you have a better chance that the schools will look at your application while they still have plenty of interview spots open.

I cover this in more depth in Session 281 of The Premed Years :

Applying to medical school is like a game of musical chairs . Your chances of getting a seat becomes slimmer as the application cycle goes on… A s you get later in the cycle, there’s a decreasing number of seats available and an increasing number of applicants in the pool. This is why you need to apply early and understand how putting off the MCAT can affect you.

Pre-write your secondary essays

If you’re asking how to pre-write your essays when the schools haven’t sent them to you yet, the good news is most schools don’t change their essays from year to year. There are a few exceptions, but most schools don’t.

We have compiled a  Medical School Secondary Essay Database , with prompts from all the medical schools. Look up the schools you’re applying to, and if your primary application is submitted, get started on your secondaries.

You will find that writing secondary essays gets easier and easier over time because a lot of them are around the same theme.

[05:22] Second Biggest Mistake: Letting Them Sit Unopened

The second biggest mistake students make with secondaries is letting them sit on your desk or unopened in the mailbox. Let’s say you scheduled a vacation in the middle of application season for some reason, and your secondaries are just sitting there for a couple of weeks while you’re traveling. You can’t do this.

[Related episode: Does It Matter How Fast I Turn Around My Secondary Essays? ]

[06:18] A Deep Dive into Secondary Essays

You will find out that a lot of the questions are very similar from school to school. A lot of them are going to ask about diversity or why you’re applying to a DO school, so you need to be prepared to answer these.

Some students will try to write answers for broad types of questions, like write a generic answer for “diversity questions” or “what will I bring to the class” type questions. Don’t try to answer question batches like that. Just answer the secondary prompts from one school, then move on to the next school. Don’t try to work outside of a school framework.

[07:25] Third Biggest Mistake: Not Answering the Question

One common feedback I give to students I work with is that they’re not answering the question. They told a beautiful narrative about this patient they saved, but they didn’t answer the question the school was looking for. You have to answer the questions.

Most of the questions are asking you something very specific, so keep that in mind and make sure you’re answering the question. I recommend you get feedback from somebody. Ask them to review whether or not you’re answering the question asked.

[08:49] Fourth Biggest Mistake: Being Too Generic

A common question for secondary essays is, “What about our school makes you want to go here?” A lot of students can get so generic here that I can just copy and paste it from secondary to secondary for every school that asks the same question.

You need to say something specific about the school. You need to do some research and come up with a list of programs at each of the medical schools, or student organizations at each of the medical schools.

Identify what is unique about that school

If you want to join a specific program at that school because of the impact you see it having, talk about that. Mention the program by name. Mention very specific types of things or types of research. Mention the mission statement of the school or the program.

Do your research. A lot of medical schools may look alike after a while, but do your research and see if there’s anything specific that you can draw out to help you write your secondaries.

[11:02] Fifth Biggest Mistake: Repeating the Same Story

Students tend to repeat the same stories from their primary application on their secondary. Don’t tell the same story. Even if they’re asking for your most meaningful clinical experience, you can talk about the same experience, but don’t tell the same story.

Some essays will specifically tell you not to repeat anything that’s in your primary application. If that is the case, then you can’t even talk about the same experience. You have to figure something else out. It can be frustrating when schools do that, especially when they ask about your most meaningful clinical experience and you already put that in your personal statement.

Listing extracurriculars for your secondary application

Some schools will ask for a list of extracurricular activities. In that case, it is okay to just copy and paste from the list you created for your primary application. You don’t need to re-work everything and re-frame things and tell new stories. Just copy and paste it. Some schools just want it in their secondary and not in the primary application.

[Related episode: 5 Common Mistakes Premeds Make With Extracurriculars ]

[13:03] Sixth Biggest Mistake: Copying and Pasting Without Editing

Do not get caught copying and pasting without editing. You don’t want to be that student who sends a secondary essay to NYU that says “I would love to be part of Columbia Medical School next year.”

Be sure to edit it and have somebody look over your stuff. Copy and paste all you want, but then put it aside for the day, and go back and check the next day. Make sure all of the names have been changed and everything is up to date before you send it off.

Links and Other Resources

• Check out our Medical School Secondary Application Essay Database .
• Check out our Secondary Essay Editing service .
• Related episode: Does It Matter How Fast I Turn Around My Secondary Essays?
• Related episode: What Does the Med School Application Timeline Look Like?
• Need MCAT Prep?  Save on tutoring, classes, and full-length practice tests by using promo code “MSHQ” for 10% off Next Step full-length practice tests or “MSHQTOC” for $50 off MCAT tutoring or the Next Step MCAT Course at  Blueprint MCAT (formerly Next Step Test Prep) !

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11 Common Medical School Secondary Questions and How to Answer

• By Med School Insiders
• June 6, 2023
• Secondary Application

Submitting your primary application is extremely time-consuming and takes a huge amount of work. Such a monumental undertaking is no small feat, and while you certainly deserve a break, you won’t get one. Secondary applications arrive fast and furious just a few weeks after you submit your primary application—and they’re every bit as important as your primary. You need to submit your secondaries quickly for your best chance at securing an interview, which is why it’s imperative that you prepare answers to common medical school secondary questions in advance.

In this post, we’ll discuss 11 of the most common medical school secondary questions and how to best answer them to impress admissions committees. We’ll also show you how to create a plan for completing your secondaries as quickly—and effectively—as possible.

Completing Secondaries Quickly and Effectively

The AMCAS application opens around the first week of May for the following year’s medical school class. Submissions open around the end of May to early June, which means you have a month to complete your primary application. If you plan on starting medical school in the fall of 2023, you need to apply in the spring of 2022.

Your secondary applications will take about two to four weeks to arrive after you submit your primary application. It is imperative that you submit secondaries as soon as possible—within 7-14 days—without compromising the quality of your answers.

Understandably, this is a very short time frame in which to work. At Med School Insiders, we recommend you submit your primary application to around 20 schools. This means you could receive up to 20 secondary applications—all around the same time.

Learn more in our guide: How Many Medical Schools Should I Apply to?

This is why it’s vital to prepare for your secondaries in advance by crafting answers to common questions you are likely to find in many of your secondary applications. This way, you have a good basis of content to work with as secondaries come through. If you wait until the rush of secondaries begins, the quality of your answers will suffer and you’ll be more prone to making mistakes.

For a full overview of the secondary application process, including secondary deadlines, costs, and important FAQs, read our Medical School Secondary Application Guide .

Common Medical School Secondary Questions

Admissions committees want to learn more about you beyond your primary application, and they want to better understand whether or not you will make a good fit at their specific school. Each program has a different set of secondary questions. Some schools will ask several questions and some only a few. But while the wording and number of questions will vary, the gist of them will generally be the same. This means you can repurpose your answers, making changes to tailor them to each specific school.

Below are 11 common questions you will likely find in your secondaries, as well as what schools are looking for from your answers.

1. Describe yourself…

While this is certainly a broad question, programs aren’t looking for a broad answer. Programs ask this question to learn more about your personality and how you see yourself. What skills, traits, or experiences will you choose to highlight?

How you choose to answer this question speaks volumes about your values, and adcoms want to ensure they’re selecting the applicant whose values most align with those of the program. Keep in mind that adcoms aren’t simply looking for the best candidate; they’re looking for the candidate who is the best fit for their specific program.

Be careful not to repeat yourself. Programs already have your primary application, so anything you included in your primary they are already familiar with. They know your qualifications. Now they want to know who the person is behind your scholastic achievements. How do you want the program to perceive you? What notable experience or important element of your personality were you not able to include in your primary application?

Remember to show and not tell. Illustrate your personality traits with proof from your past. How have you exemplified the skills you’re most proud of? Do you have a hobby that’s central to your personality or one you feel has prepared you for the rigors of medical school? What experience from your past shows you at your very best?

We covered this question in more detail in our full guide: Medical School Secondary — How to Describe Yourself .

2. Why did you choose to apply to our program? / Why are you a great fit for our school?

You will certainly come across some version of this question on your secondary applications. Adcoms want to know how serious and enthusiastic you are about joining their program. While it may seem like this is a generic or easy-to-answer question—after all, you know why you applied to the medical school—adcoms are looking for details. How much research have you done on the program? What do you specifically have to offer the program?

This question is a chance to prove to admissions committees that you know their program inside and out. You’re excited not only because you know the program has so much to offer you but because you have so much to offer the program as well. If you give a surface-level answer or regurgitate the program’s mission statement, adcoms won’t take you seriously.

Do ample research. Dig deeper than the school’s website. Check message boards and reach out to current students. Get to know everything you can about the program.

We covered this question in more detail in our full guide: How to Answer the Medical School Secondary “Why Us?” Question .

3. The mission of our school is X. How would you help us fulfill this mission?

This question is similar to the question about what makes you a great fit for the program, but it focuses more on ensuring you have a deep understanding of the school’s mission statement and values.

Be sure not to repeat the mission statement. Adcoms are already well aware of it. Dig deeper. Why specifically do your values align with theirs? Why do you identify with them? Has standing by these values cost you relationships or opportunities? What paths have they inspired you to take? How do you plan on continuing to hold true to these values?

Saying you share the same values and want to uphold them is not enough—prove it. Choose a moment from your past that shows how you have actually lived the mission statement and values of the school.

4. Where do you see your medical career X years from now?

The “where do you see yourself” question could be referencing 10, 15, or 20 years from now.

Schools understand that your direction may likely change along the way, but they want to see that you’ve thought about your future and have envisioned what your future as a doctor may look like.

Do your best to answer this question thoughtfully, and be careful not to be too ambitious. Keep in mind that after four years of medical school, depending on your specialty, you will still have three to seven years of residency. So, if you are planning on becoming a neurosurgeon, you may still be in residency in ten years. But if this is truly your dream, don’t shy away from saying so!

Don’t worry about having to commit to something. If you’re unsure about your specialty, focus on where you’d like to work, the people you want to work with, and who you want to help. What type of doctor will you be once you begin practicing?

5. Discuss a time in your life in which you failed. What did you learn?

Everyone fails from time to time. While admitting a past failure can be intimidating, especially when you’re trying to sell yourself as the ideal applicant, it’s important to focus on what that failure has taught you. Adcoms do not expect you to be perfect; they expect you to be a mature adult who is honest about their mistakes, learns from them, and always resolves to do better next time.

Describe the failure and how you have sought to address it moving forward. What did you learn? How has it affected your medical journey? How did you persevere and find the strength to keep going?

Maturity is an extremely attractive quality in a candidate, and this question is an opportunity for you to showcase how mature you are.

6. Describe a specific challenge you have faced in your life. What did you learn from the experience?

When answering this question, it’s important to come up with something different than what you have already shared in your personal statement. Secondaries are a chance to expand on what you have already expressed. Schools want to get to know more about you, and repeating yourself benefits no one.

You could describe an academic challenge, a workplace challenge, or a personal challenge. The question is quite broad, so you can determine what you want to include. But whatever you choose, make sure it’s a challenge that authentically demonstrates your personal and professional strengths. Ensure that the experience was impactful but not so impactful that you will feel uncomfortable discussing it during interviews. Anything you include in your applications is fair game to be asked about by an interviewer.

As with discussing a time in your life you failed, focus this response on what you have learned from the experience. How did it change you, whether it be the way you carry yourself, your work ethic, or how you deal with people. How has the challenge shaped your journey moving forward?

7. Describe a moral or ethical dilemma you faced. What did you learn from the experience?

The AAMC has a strict code of medical ethics that all practicing physicians in the US must adhere to at all times. When have you been faced with a moral or ethical dilemma in your past? How did you respond to it? Did you do the right thing, or has your past mistake shown you the error of your ways and inspired you to recommit to a strict code of ethics ?

If you’re struggling to answer this question, consider the kinds of questions that are asked on the Casper test . Have you encountered any similar scenarios? Have you ever been pressured to do something you knew to be wrong? What did you do? Have you ever witnessed someone cheating on a test or breaking the law? Did you confront them privately, or did you report them to the proper authorities? What did you learn from the experience? What did you learn about yourself?

Ethics are of the utmost importance to doctors, and breaching the code of ethics carries severe punishments. Pick an event from your past that illustrates your commitment to making the moral or ethical choice, even, and especially, when it’s tough.

8. What areas of medicine are you primarily interested in at this current time?

Schools understand that your specific medical interest may change the more you further your education. In fact, some questions may expressly say, “We understand that your direction may change…” So, don’t think that you have to commit to anything you’re not ready to yet.

Schools simply want to see that you’ve put thought into this. There are many, many different types of medical specialties out there , and if an applicant has absolutely no idea about the direction they want their career to take, it sends a clear sign to adcoms that the applicant hasn’t put enough thought into their career path beyond, “well, a doctor makes a lot of money, right ?”

Are you interested in internal medicine, family medicine, neurosurgery, or psychiatry, to name a few? Do you want to be a hands-on physician working in the ER, or would you prefer to focus your career on research and developing life-saving medications?

Do your research and answer thoughtfully. If you’re very interested in attending a specific medical school, tailor your answer to what the program has to offer.

9. How do you think you might contribute to our school’s diversity?

Medical schools believe their college community, culture, and campus learning experience are enriched by including a wide range of different backgrounds, perspectives, identities, and beliefs, which is why the diversity essay exists. It’s an opportunity for applicants with minority backgrounds, an unconventional education, unique family histories, or otherwise atypical upbringings to explain how their uniqueness will add to the college community.

When answering this question, it’s vital to understand diversity comes in many forms—it’s not just limited to your religious background or the color of your skin. Did you have a non-traditional upbringing, such as being raised by a single parent or growing up with a sibling with a disability? Have you experienced a personal health scare? What’s your family’s education level or economic status? Were you ever made fun of or ridiculed for your personal identity?

Anyone can contribute diversity to the campus. Get personal. Don’t hold back or give a surface-level answer. What is unique about your upbringing or your personality? What’s always made you feel different? How can you use this to add diversity to the college community?

For more insight, read our detailed guide on How to Write the Medical School Secondary Diversity Essay .

10. If you took time off after undergrad, what have you achieved in this time?

A question like this might be expressly asking about a possible gap year , or it may be referring to what you did with your months between undergrad and the beginning of medical school.

This is a chance to expand on extracurriculars , speak about your passion projects, or share what you learned while working, volunteering, or traveling.

If you took time to explore the world, why did you make this decision , and what did you learn about yourself and the world? Taking time to pursue a passion or to travel abroad won’t be looked down upon, especially if you are able to explain how the experience contributed to your growth.

Adcoms are looking for passionate students who have compassion for all the peoples of the world and are infinitely curious. What projects or activities did you pursue in your downtime? What did you learn about the world, and how will you apply what you learned to your medical education and future career?

11. Is there anything else you would like us to know?

If you’re asked if you’d like to add anything or if there’s anything else you’d like admissions committees to know, don’t waste this opportunity. While this is another open-ended question, be sure to answer it directly, with specifics.

This is a chance to elaborate on any special experiences, unusual factors, or other information you feel would be helpful in evaluating you. What have you not been able to include in the rest of your application that you want the admissions committee to know about you? Outside of interviews, this is your last chance to express anything you feel will help you stand out from the competition.

Completing Secondaries—You Need a Plan

It’s important to create a strategy for how you will complete your secondaries. Don’t simply tackle them one by one as they come in, as you will quickly become overwhelmed. Keep in mind that you will very likely receive your secondaries in rapid succession, if not all at once. Create a strategy for completing them to avoid burnout and optimize your chances of success.

There are a few different ways to go about completing your secondaries, and your strategy may include a combination of them.

Top Choice First: Complete your top choice or best fit schools first to optimize interview chances. Rolling admissions mean medical schools review applications as they are submitted on a continuous (rolling) basis. Invitations to interview are only made while spots are available. The longer you take to respond, the worse your chances of acceptance are. If you have your heart set on a specific school, be sure to prioritize its secondary application.

Most Competitive First: Complete the most competitive schools first to optimize interview chances. Again, due to rolling admissions, the longer you take to submit your secondary application, the worse your chances of securing an interview are. All of the interview spots will be taken by the applicants who successfully submitted their secondary before you, and if you can’t secure an interview early enough in the process, you will not be accepted.

Lower Rank First: Complete lower ranked/lower preference schools first for practice. If you want a bit of practice before moving on to secondaries from your higher choice schools, complete a couple of secondaries from lower ranked schools to get yourself started. Once you find a groove, switch to higher priority schools.

Most Questions First: Completing secondaries with a lot of questions first will give you a lot of content to work with. You’ll get the bulk of the work out of the way and can then focus on repurposing and tailoring your questions to each school.

Learn more: This is the Ideal Order Secondary Applications .

Looking for more strategies? Read our 9 Steps to Writing Stellar Medical School Secondary Applications .

Craft Secondary Answers That Stand Out

Applying to medical school is a long journey that doesn’t end after you submit your primary application. Secondary applications are time-consuming, and they arrive right when students are ready for a break. While we understand the struggle, it is vital that you focus and don’t give up during this critical time.

Med School Insiders can help. Our Medical School Secondary Application Editing services will help you craft stand out secondary applications that will get you noticed by your desired medical schools. Our doctor advisors have served on medical school admissions committees and have read hundreds of secondary essays. We know what it takes to succeed, and we’ll help you craft stellar secondary applications tailored to each school you apply to.

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• Medical School Secondary Essays

How to Ace "Why This Medical School?" Secondary Essay

When writing your medical school admissions essay, you will likely have to answer the “Why This Medical School?” secondary essays prompt. It’s important to know why schools are asking this essay prompt, and how to answer it! Among other tips you’ll come across when learning how to make your medical school application stand out , having a well written, concise essay that expresses your passion and interest in a specific program is key to getting asked for an interview.

>> Want us to help you get accepted? Schedule a free initial consultation here <<

Article Contents 8 min read

The application process for medical schools can be daunting and stressful, especially if you're not sure about where to apply or what makes one school better than another. There are several components of each application, and in order to land yourself an interview at your top school(s), you’ll need to write enticing essays that follow the instructions of each prompt, and provide relevant details that will help you stand out among other applicants. One question that all applicants will get asked on their applications is, “why this medical school?” or, a similar variation of the question. This essay prompt can help you stand out from the crowd by showing that your interest in attending this school goes beyond just getting an education—you may have ties to the location and city, or researched their program extensively and find it to be the most unique and intriguing for you and your future goals. But what exactly should you include in your “why this medical school” essay in order to stand out? Read on to learn some tips for writing a strong response to this question, and view a few sample essays.

The "why this medical school?" essay is one of the most important parts of your medical school application. The prompt asks you to explain why you want to go to this particular school, and it lets the admissions committee get a deeper sense of who you are an if you’re a worthy of consideration for an interview. This essay allows them to learn more about your personality and interests, so that they can make an informed decision about whether or not they think you’d be a good fit for their program not simply because you wish to attend medical school, but because you’d fit in well, and are passionate about, their specific program.

In other words, if your goal is getting into your chosen medical school as quickly as possible (and what applicant doesn't want that?), then answering this essay well will dramatically improve your chances! This particular essay helps admissions committees weed out candidates who are impartial about which school they attend, and who may not align with their program’s values, culture and structure. Medical programs are competitive, and many are seeking the ‘best of the best’ applicants who demonstrate passion, intrinsic motivation, and determination to attend their program. That is why it’s crucial that you plan out your responses to your each of your prompts and medical school secondary essays throughout your application process. Taking your time, writing authentically, crafting several drafts, revising, asking a trusted individual or seeking medical school admissions consulting for support, and submitting your essays on time are all great ways to ensure your “why this medical school” essay is superb.

Are you applying to UCSD? Check out how to prepare your secondary for this competitive institution!

Your response to “why this medical school” must be genuine, personal, and most of all, convincing. You absolutely do not want to fabricate a response, as if you’re invited to interview, it will be clear that you weren’t honest and authentic in your essay, and this may result in a rejection. You must make your intentions and passion clear, and for eager future medical students, this should actually be quite easy to do!

Ask yourself: “Why do I want to attend this particular school? What do I like about the school and their program? What makes them better than another school with a similar program?” You can write down your thoughts first, or, even record yourself speaking as you share your thoughts with a family member or friend. This can be a good way of starting your writing process if you’re experiencing writers block. Additionally, preparing your essay responses aloud is a good way of indirectly preparing for other common medical school interview questions that will come your way if and when you get invited for an interview!

"Why This Medical School?" Sample #1, 500-750 words

“I recall the first time I knew, with confidence, that I would one day be a doctor. I knew I needed to be a doctor, in fact, because all I’ve ever wanted to do is learn, and help people. When I was seven years old, a child at the playground who had joined in on a game of tag with my friends and I plummeted from the top of the monkey bars and broke her arm. Many onlookers panicked and ran for help, but without hesitation, I ran to the aid of the injured child and comforted her. I knew, somehow innately, how to keep her calm, and the importance of keeping her injury still until help arrived. I felt excited and honored to help in that moment. For the months that followed, many parents complemented me on my composure and expressed how mature I was when all the other children cried and panicked. To me, it only felt natural to be a helper in my community, and to take charge of a situation, so that was when I realized not everybody felt so automatically inclined—or fascinated with—helping injured and ill people. I knew then what path I had to take, and began looking for opportunities to learn more about health care at my school, and in my community. My community is one that is historically underserved, and members of my community are underrepresented in the medical field, and after years of volunteering at various pop-up clinics and detox centers, I’m eager help to change that.

Attending X University Medical School, means I’ll be learning and getting clinical experience in my own community, and will be able to take part in community outreach programs, and eventually, propose my own ideas for outreach. I know first-hand the medical and mental health care support this community surrounding X University is lacking, and, I know the wonderful people who reside in it that make it the incredible place it is. I would be elated to be a part of a renowned learning environment where I could enhance and develop my technical skills, partake in initiatives throughout my program and beyond, and give back to my community by providing compassionate care.

Throughout my time in secondary and post-secondary, I immersed myself in life sciences and sociology—my other favorite subject, which I will receive a double-major in. I started volunteering in various groups and shadowing with other pre-med students in my second year of study, most notably, the local women’s health facility and shelter. There, I learned the importance of accessible care, and came to understand the systemic inequity that exists in healthcare, especially for women and minorities in underserved communities. I was also able to put my understanding of sociology and social systems to use as I helped women navigate next-step programs, whether they were escaping abusive partnerships or recovering from an addiction. As an eager and accomplished self-started, I feel I could bring forth my existing knowledge and passion to help people, and would excel in X University’s interdisciplinary, self-directed components of the medical program. I also look forward to learning alongside a team of likeminded professionals in your clinical, team-oriented experiences offered as both a part of the program, and as extracurricular opportunities. I feel that although there are many medical schools in the state, X University offers the most comprehensive, appealing program to professionals like myself who want to learn the from the best faculty, and apply what I’ve learned throughout my time in your program, and bring the best care to our budding and evolving community when I one day become an MD.”

"Why This Medical School?" Sample #2, 250-500 words

“Attending X University as a medical student means that I would be able to immerse myself into a community renowned for its supportive culture, research alongside incredible faculty, and attend one of the top programs in the country. Because I have a special interest, and experience working with patients with, XYZ, a notoriously under-researched and underfunded area of medicine, I know that X University will provide me with the opportunity to flourish as a future medical professional, and as a future clinical researcher. I have many ground-breaking ideas to explore, and because I’ve followed X University’s research for nearly a decade, I know I would be among like-minded individuals at your institution. Last year, my lab team was awarded the University of Newtown Award for Excellency in Biology and Life Sciences for our project that explored the relation and co-existence between celiac disease and sickle-cell anemia. I enjoyed this extensive research project, and partaking in it only affirmed my dedication and passion for this field of medicine.

My goal as a future medical student it to absorb all learning materials in every form, and take each moment of field experience as both a challenge and an opportunity to shine. Not only will I learn how to best provide care, but to also make the current system better for patients. Whether I do so through my combined passion and knowledge obtained through X University’s program, or through my future research on diseases like XYZ, I will strive to make a difference, and feel the inclusive, non-competitive, supportive learning community at X University is the best place for me access the tools and gain the experiences in order to do so. Because X University has a wonderful reputation for making breakthroughs in the field of medical research, specifically with auto-immune diseases, I am eager and prepared to relocate across the country and begin my professional journey as a member of a prestigious medical school community.”

It might sound like a basic question, but the “why this medical school” essay prompt carries a lot of significance and your response must be well thought out! This prompt is asking you to explain why you want to attend a particular institution, and your response will let the admissions committee understand you, your goals, and get a deeper sense of who you are. This essay will be used to help them assess whether or not you’re worthy of consideration based on your interests, passions, personality, and goals as they relate to the particular medical program you’re applying for.

It isn’t uncommon for students to apply to several medical schools. You likely have one or two ‘top’ choices, but in order to secure a chance of admission, you may apply to your ‘plan B’ schools as well. You should never communicate that a school is not your top choice, but rather, focus on what each school and program offers, what you’ll gain from the experience—should you be accepted and attend—and what makes them unique from other schools. Admissions teams know that many students apply to several schools, so be honest in your answer to the extent of why you want to attend the school, but never state that you are applying because a particular school is “close to home”, “is known for easy admittance”, or “because it’s an option”. Take the time to research and get excited about each school individually before you write each essay.

When drafting and writing your “why this medical school?” essay, and any secondary essay, it’s important that you:

• Stick to a legible, professional and consistent format and font (no colors or creative fonts)
• 1.5-2.0 spacing is always preferred
• Adhere to any specific instructions outlined on your application
• Ensure that you proofread and edit your essay several times to ensure it’s error-free
• This is a personal, professional essay. That means you should write in your own authentic voice, portray yourself as a professional, and include an introduction, body section with appropriate details, and a brief conclusion that reiterates and wraps up your response and prompts the admissions committee to—hopefully—proceed with next steps in your application process.

This can vary by school, and every application is different! In general, most admissions and secondary essays span anywhere from 250-1000 words. Always double check your application/essay instructions and stick as closely to the word count as you can.

Your essay should outline what personal experiences, goals and values you have that align with a particular aspect of the school’s program, culture, reputation, and/or curriculum. You should highlight specific aspects of the medical program that are appealing to you and unique to the school, and detail why this is important to you! This is a brief essay, so it’s best to research and decide on a few key points about the school that are relevant to your interest, and detail them, along with a bit about who you are as a prospective medical school student.

As noted above, this is a brief essay, and schools are trying to get a clear idea of who each applicant is, and why they are interested in their specific medical school program. Avoid detailing irrelevant events, as well as going in-depth about your experience, grades or GPA accomplishments, as a lot of this information was likely already reviewed in your initial application. Along with this, don’t simply regurgitate information from the school’s website! They already know what they offer, so if you’re opting to discuss a specific point, such as a unique curriculum, get specific and detail why it matters to you and aligns with your goals! Finally, it’s important to remember that the admissions team is looking to select candidates with a genuine interest and passion for medicine, and for their school. It’s crucial that your essay is written in your voice, and includes honest details about what entices you about the chosen school specifically.

You may benefit from seeking help from a medical school admissions tutor . The application process, as well as the interview process, for medical school can be extensive and overwhelming! BeMo Academic Consulting can help you prepare for various components of your medical school application by offering 1-on-1 preparatory consulting services to guide you through every step of the application process!

Not always! Although it’s a good sign that the admissions committee has reviewed your initial application and would like to learn more about you, some schools send secondary essay prompts to every applicant, and others opt to send them to applicants whom they have interest in. Because it varies by school, it’s important that you prepare and submit your secondary materials as soon as you can to show that you’re eager and interested in the school!

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