duke medical school secondary essay examples

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Duke medical school secondary essays.

Reviewed by:

Rohan Jotwani

Former Chief Resident in Anesthesiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, & Admissions Officer, Columbia University

Reviewed: 10/13/23

Wondering how to write the Duke Medical School secondaries? Follow along for all the Duke med school essay tips and samples you need to get started. 

Secondary essays can seem like a major undertaking, which is why most students find getting started is the hardest part. If this sounds familiar to you, you’ve come to the right place! In this guide, we discuss everything you need to know about writing memorable supplemental essays for Duke Medical School . 

Even if Duke isn’t one of your target medical schools, our expert tips can still help you to write stellar essays for any med school you apply to. Stick around to find out how to write the Duke Med School supplemental essays including tips, samples, and more.

Let’s get started!

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Duke Medical School Secondary Essay Prompts & Tips

The Duke supplemental application is notorious for being extraordinarily long. There are nine essay prompts in total to get through, although not all of them are mandatory for submission. Nevertheless, you should get started on your supplemental essays as soon as you can to ensure you have enough time to write thoughtfully and review thoroughly. 

The Duke Medical School secondary essay prompts are the following:

Essay Prompt 1: Advocacy ‍

Describe a situation in which you chose to advocate for someone who was different from you or for a cause or idea that was different from yours. Define your view of advocacy. What risks, if any, might be associated with your choice to be an advocate? (400 words)

Essay Prompt 2: Coping with Disappointment ‍

Not achieving a goal or one’s desire can sometimes be disheartening. What have you learned/gained from your setbacks and disappointments and how does this translate to your current way of thinking? (400 words)

Essay Prompt 3: Value Systems

Describe a situation in which you had to utilize your values to interact with people from different backgrounds. How did those values impact the relationship? (400 words)

Essay Prompt 4: Leadership

Leadership, teamwork, and communication flow synergistically. What do you value most as a leader and as a contributor? What attributes do you possess as a leader and as a team member and how do you apply them on a daily basis? (400 words)

Essay Prompt 5 : Critical Thinking

Critical thinking involves a number of characteristics. Research experience enhances critical analysis skills. Describe any research experience or another situation in which you utilized critical thinking. How will critical thinking be important in your future career? (400 words)

Essay Prompt 6 : Understanding the Need for Health Care Changes

Potential sources of health inequities exist. Duke’s Moments to Movement (M2M) is a collective stand to address these issues. Describe your experience and reflection with race and its relationship to disparities in health, health care and society. Consider the values of justice, diversity, inclusion and equity (400 words)

Essay Prompt 7: COVID-19 Implications

How has the COVID-19 pandemic influenced your journey to medical school? Have these events changed your outlook on medicine’s role in society? (400 words)

Essay Prompt 8: Tell Us Who You Are

Tell us more about who you are. This is your opportunity to tell us how you wish to be addressed, recognized and treated. (500 words)

Essay Prompt 9 (Optional): Race/Ethnicity/Geographic Origin/Socioeconomic Status/ Advantage/Disadvantage/ Religious Affiliation

Use the text box below to provide additional information on how these parameters have/will influence you. (Optional, 200 words)

Essay 10 (Optional): Additional Information

Please let us know of any additional information that you would like us to consider while reviewing your application.

As you can see, the final prompt is optional. For more information on the Duke medical school application process, take a look at our complete guide on how to get into Duke medical school . There we discuss how to apply, application material requirements, and much more.

Duke Medical School Secondary Essay Tips 

Now that we’ve gone over the supplemental essay prompts, let’s go over some tips on how to answer each one. 

Tip #1: Choose an Appropriate Story

The Duke supplemental essays provide an opportunity for you to highlight what makes you a uniquely qualified med school candidate and, one day, an excellent doctor. However, demonstrating your soft skills can be challenging without sounding like you're bragging. That’s why it’s important to use anecdotal evidence to back up your claim.

For example, the “Leadership” essay asks you about your values as a leader and a team player. In this essay and others that ask you about a specific personality trait (coping skills, advocacy, critical thinking and value systems) you should select a compelling story from your past in which you demonstrated that skill. 

You can also select a story about how you developed that skill. Nobody gets everything right on their first try! Talking about a time you failed and learned from it is an excellent way to show humility, self awareness, and tie in the key trait in the essay prompt. Specifically, this is an excellent format for the “Coping with Disappointment” essay.

Tip #2: Stay Up to Date on Current Events 

Keeping up with current events in the medical field is an important part of the application process, especially when it comes to the “Covid-19” essay and the “Understanding the Need for Health Care Changes” essay . Both of these essays ask you to provide your views on healthcare and society. When formulating your answers, make sure to support your ideas!

You should always be “in the know” so that you can formulate an opinion based on medical reasoning, and you won’t be caught off guard. This is especially important in your interviews, and may come up later on throughout your career. A good doctor is able to remove themselves from the equation and consider the bigger picture. 

That said, both the “Covid-19” prompt and the “Understanding the Need for Health Care Changes” prompt ask you to outline your personal experiences in relation to the future of healthcare. So, you should be able to support your opinion with a personal experience as well. 

The strongest essay in this case is one that is able to tie in both personal and professional reasoning to ultimately present a solid case to back the main message of your writing. For example , “in my personal life I noticed Covid was having a negative impact on X. I did research and noticed more issues with X, so, as a future healthcare provider I want to improve X.”

Tip #3: Consider the Structure of Your Essay

When writing your essay, something you may find helpful is to go back to the basics. In a traditional essay, the intro sets up the rest of the story by piquing our interest and setting the scene. The body paragraph(s) explain important details about the story, and present the ‘problem’ of your essay. 

Next, the climax shocks you with the most interesting, key turn of events in the story. Finally, the conclusion sums up what you took away from the experience and conveys a message. Following this structure, no matter which prompt you’re writing, will help you to craft an interesting story that keeps the reader engaged the entire time.

Tip #4: Research Your School

One of the best things you can do to strengthen your essays is to do a ton of school research, especially when writing the “Understanding the Need for Health Care Changes” essay, and the “Value Systems” essay. Take a look at everything Duke has to offer. What attracts you to the school? What specific pieces of Duke’s history and values do you find inspiring?

Remember, you’ll be competing with some top-tier talent. Knowing exactly what you can get out of Duke will help admissions committees to see that you’ll not only be a great student, but you’re a perfect fit for this school specifically. This is also why, although not always necessary, you should edit your essays and adjust them for each school you apply to. 

Tip #5: Be Authentic and Don’t Repeat Yourself

When it comes to writing supplemental essays, one of the most crucial things you need to remember is that Duke wants to get to know you. Avoid trying hard to tell a university what you think they want to hear, as it can come off as ingenuine and is often more obvious than you may think. Write with your own voice, not someone else's! 

At the same time, you should also avoid repetition. It can be tempting to talk about the amazing awards you’ve won, but if they’re already on your application - don’t worry. They saw it! Your essays are the place to provide insight on who you are as a person. In short, be genuine, write in your own voice, and don’t repeat your resume. 

Tip #6: Only Write the Optional Essays if They Apply to You

The first Duke Medical School optional secondary is quite specific. It asks you to provide information on how your race, ethnicity, geographic origin, socioeconomic status, religious affiliation, or other unique advantages/disadvantages have influenced you and will continue to in the future. If this prompt does not apply to you, it’s better to not write it. 

Remember, the admissions committee wants you to be authentic. Do not go out of your way to search for a disadvantage to write about! If this prompt does apply to you, use this time to not only explain how your unique experience has been challenging for you, but talk about how you intend to pave the way for others like you in the future through the medical field. 

The same logic applied to the second optional essay. You should only write it if there’s a gap on your resume or something specific you want to explain.

Tip #7: Revise, Revise, Revise!

As always, revise your essays! Have a teacher, mentor, coach, friend, or guardian look over them before you send them in. There’s a lot of written work to submit, which means there’s a lot of room for error. Don’t let a simple grammar mistake put a stain on your hard work!

Now that we’ve gone over the Duke essay prompts and our expert tips, let’s dive into some examples! Here are some Duke med school essay examples that worked. 

Sample Essay #1: Coping with Disappointment (400 words)

“As a student with dyslexia, I have faced my fair share of academic setbacks and disappointments. Dyslexia has presented me with unique challenges in my academic journey, from struggling to read quickly to misinterpreting written instructions. However, I have learned that it is not my dyslexia that defines me, but rather how I choose to cope with it.

One of the ways I have coped with disappointment is by developing a growth mindset. I have learned to approach setbacks as opportunities for learning and improvement, rather than as evidence of my limitations. For example, when I struggled to keep up with my reading assignments, I worked with my academic advisor to identify strategies for improving my reading speed and comprehension. By doing so, I was able to improve my grades and eventually develop a greater sense of confidence in my abilities.

Another way I have learned to work through my dyslexia is by seeking support from my community. I’m excited to take advantage of the wealth of resources at Duke University, such as the Disability Management System to the Office of Access and Outreach. Additionally, I have connected with other students with dyslexia through organizations like the Learning Disability Association, which has provided me with a sense of community and shared experience.

Finally, I have coped with disappointment by maintaining a sense of perspective. While my dyslexia may present me with unique challenges, it is important to remember that it does not define me as a person or as a potential medical student. By focusing on my strengths and working to develop strategies to overcome my weaknesses, I have been able to maintain a sense of optimism and resilience even in the face of setbacks. 

Overall, coping with disappointment as a student with dyslexia is an essential skill for any aspiring medical student. By developing a growth mindset, seeking support from the community, and maintaining a sense of perspective, I am confident that I can overcome any academic challenge and achieve my goal of attending Duke Medical School. While dyslexia may present me with unique challenges, I have learned that it is not a barrier to success, but rather an opportunity to develop resilience and perseverance.”

Why this essay works:

This essay is successful because the writer comes from a perspective of growth when talking about their dyslexia. The main point to focus on when writing this essay is how you work through issues, not the issue itself. The writer also shows that they’ve done research on Duke Medical School by incorporating programs they found and resources they intend to use.

Sample Essay #2: Value Systems

“As an international student studying in the US, I have had several opportunities to interact with people from different backgrounds. One particular situation that stands out to me happened during a group project in my communications class. Our team consisted of students from various cultural and ethnic backgrounds, and we were tasked with creating a presentation on a topic related to cultural diversity.

Throughout the project, I found myself struggling to connect with some of my teammates. We had different perspectives on the topic and often disagreed on how to approach the project. However, I was determined to maintain a positive and respectful relationship with all of my teammates, despite our differences.

To achieve this, I relied on my core values of empathy, open-mindedness, and respect for diversity. I made a conscious effort to listen carefully to my teammates' perspectives, even when I disagreed with them. I tried to put myself in their shoes and understand how their cultural backgrounds may have influenced their opinions.

Additionally, I remained open-minded to new ideas and approaches. Rather than dismissing my teammates' ideas outright, I asked questions and tried to understand their reasoning. I was also willing to compromise and adapt my own ideas to fit the needs and perspectives of the group.

Finally, I maintained a strong commitment to respecting diversity in all its forms. I recognized that our team's diversity was one of our greatest strengths, and I encouraged my teammates to share their unique perspectives and experiences. I also made a conscious effort to avoid making assumptions or judgments based on cultural stereotypes.

Overall, my values of empathy, open-mindedness, and respect for diversity helped me to build positive and productive relationships with my teammates, despite our differences. By actively listening, remaining open-minded, and respecting diversity, I was able to contribute to a successful group project and develop meaningful connections with people from different backgrounds.”

This essay is short and sweet and focuses on how the student was able to overcome their differences with teammates to complete a group project. They highlight soft skills like empathy, open-mindedness, and respect for diverse perspectives. When it comes to writing this essay, its best to keep it light and not delve too heavily into the issue at hand. 

Sample Essay #3: COVID-19 Implications

“The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the world, and my journey to medical school has not been immune to its effects. As I reflect on the past year and a half, I can see how these events have changed my outlook on medicine's role in society and reinforced my commitment to pursuing a career in healthcare.

Firstly, the pandemic has highlighted the critical importance of healthcare workers and the need for a strong and resilient healthcare system. As I watched frontline workers selflessly put their own health at risk to care for others, I was struck by the incredible dedication and compassion that defines the medical profession. The pandemic has shown me that medicine is not just a job or a career path, but a calling to serve others and make a positive impact on the world.

Additionally, the pandemic has emphasized the need for innovation and adaptation in the healthcare field. The development of vaccines and new treatments in record time was a testament to the power of human ingenuity and collaboration. As a prospective medical student, I am excited to be entering a field that is constantly evolving and adapting to meet new challenges.

On a more personal level, the pandemic has also impacted my journey to medical school in practical ways. Virtual learning and remote coursework have presented unique challenges and forced me to adapt to new modes of learning. However, I have also found opportunities for growth and development in these new learning environments, such as developing stronger self-motivation and time-management skills.

The pandemic has also impacted my ability to participate in clinical experiences and volunteer opportunities. However, I have remained committed to finding ways to contribute to my community, such as volunteering at vaccine clinics and tutoring students remotely.

Overall, the COVID-19 pandemic has reinforced my belief in the importance of medicine and the critical role of healthcare workers in society. It has also presented challenges and opportunities for growth in my journey to medical school. I am more determined than ever to pursue a career in healthcare and to make a positive impact on the world through medicine.”

The writer highlights several issues with the healthcare system they realized throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. They also highlight the importance of the healthcare system and reinstate their passion for medicine toward the end. The best way to end this type of essay is by explaining how the pandemic has affected your desire to pursue medicine.

FAQs: Duke Med School Secondary Essays

Here are our answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the Duke Medical School secondary essays

1. How Many Secondary Essays Do You Need for Duke Medical School?

The Duke Medical School secondary application is notoriously long, and has sometimes up to 10 secondary essay prompts with two being optional. The exact number of secondary essay prompts for the 2023-2024 application cycle has not yet been released. 

2. Does Duke Screen Before Secondaries?

According to the AAMC , Duke does not screen before sending secondary applications. Many students choose not to complete the Duke med school secondary application due to its length. However, the school is still highly competitive. 

3. How Do You Answer Duke Medical School Secondaries?

When it comes to writing memorable Duke med essays, there is no one size fits all approach. However, you’re sure to make a good impression if you keep these tips in mind:

• Choose appropriate stories that highlight your unique qualities
• Stay up to date on current events 
• Structure of your essay properly to keep your reader interested
• Research your school
• Be authentic and don’t repeat yourself
• Only write the optional essays if they apply to you
• Revise, and then revise again!

If you’re concerned about the strength of your application, consider hiring an experienced medical school admissions coach to help you craft a successful application from start to finish.

Final Thoughts

Writing the Duke Medical School secondaries is a lot of work, but it’s also an excellent opportunity to stand out from the crowd! In fact, because the secondary application to Duke is longer than average, many students don’t end up moving forward with their application. So, technically, even by finishing it you already have a leg up!

Of course, this is no excuse to slack off. Duke Medical School is highly competitive and well known across the country. Your essays should reflect what makes you uniquely qualified to study at Duke, highlight your soft skills, and contain compelling, memorable stories. By following our expert tips, you’re sure to have a much better chance of gaining acceptance to Duke Medical School. 

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Medical School Secondary Essay Examples from Accepted Applicants!

Plus tips for answering the 5 most common med school secondary essay prompts.

Before we jump into medical school secondary essay examples, you need to know that the main purpose of the secondary medical school application is to determine whether you are a good “fit” with the mission and values of the school you are applying to. Medical schools send out secondary essays to further assess the unique characteristics of each applicant that have not been addressed in the  AMCAS Work and Activities  section or your medical school personal statement . This post will go over medical school secondary essay examples from students who were accepted, and tips for writing strong essays that application committees will love. 

>> Want us to help you get accepted? Schedule a free strategy call here . <<

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Article Contents 16 min read

Medical school secondary essays: "why our school" prompt.

The most important component of answering this prompt is doing your research. Do you have a thorough understanding of the school's mission statement and values? What population or populations are they most interested in serving? How do they describe their student body? What curriculum-enriching activities are available to their students? Do they have a strong research program? Is their curriculum a good fit for your learning style? Are all of these things in line with your own values, career goals, and learning needs?

Being informed will demonstrate an interest in the program, allowing you to write a response showing that you will be a genuinely good fit for the school.

“Questions like these are an opportunity for you to shine and show the faculty what sets you apart from the other candidates … In your response, it is important to highlight things that are relevant to the institution’s mission and values while also explaining qualities that would make you a great asset to the program … it is important to always tailor your response to the school and program you are applying to, including for this question.” – Dr. Neel Mistry, MD, University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine.

Would you like us to help you with your medical school secondary essays ","buttontext":"free strategy call","buttoncolor":"#ffffff","addtrustpilot":"false","bannerundertext":" ","belowbuttontext1":null,"belowbuttontext2":null,"trustpilot":false}" :url=""https:\/\/bemoacademicconsulting.com\/contact-schedule-free-strategy-call"" code="banner1" background-color="#000066" button-color="#ffffff" banner-image> to answer this prompt, it can be useful to think about how to choose a medical school and what you’re looking for. “my main priority [in choosing a med school] was location. since i knew i was going to spend four years there, i wanted it to be in a location that i could see myself having support and enjoying. beyond that i looked at opportunities for research support, patient population diversity, and locations where students matched. i also thought about where rotations occur during third year as i wanted to focus on hospitals where rotations were not scattered and centralized to a main hospital center.” – dr. monica taneja, md, university of maryland school of medicine..

What are you most excited about when you think of attending this school? Research? Global health? Community outreach? "}]" code="timeline1">

Medical School Secondary Essay Example: Why Our School?

Write a critical analysis of your personal and scholastic qualifications for the study of medicine, the realization of your professional ambitions, and why you are choosing to apply to our school.

When I was in kindergarten, I was playing tag with my friends when I noticed a kid sitting on the bench. He seemed visibly anxious and left out of the fun so I felt compelled to invite him to play with us. This sense of compassion lay the foundation for my desire to study medicine. As I grew older, I became more inquisitive about the natural world and wanted to know how everything worked and fit together. I started to become passionate about chemistry, mathematics and biology, finding that those subjects gave me the tools to understand my surroundings. I felt empowered with every new concept I would learn; however I never quite felt as though I knew enough. It was only when my friend asked for help with her mental illness that I realized just how much I did not know and how unequipped I was to help someone in this situation. The clash between my sense of compassion and my lack of knowledge and ability to help drove me to want to study medicine.

As I ventured into college, my knowledge-seeking tendencies manifested in an interest in biomedical engineering. I chose this degree for its ability to teach me about the design and manufacturing of groundbreaking medical technologies such as skin-grafts, medical imaging devices, and prostheses. I dreamt of pushing clinical innovations and finding the next technology to revolutionize patient care. Aside from educating myself in medical technology, my college years gave me a lasting perspective and understanding of the Hispanic community’s struggles. I once accompanied my friends to volunteer in a mobile clinic. It was early in the morning when a nurse told me to put up a sign that read: “We do not check IDs.” At first, I was confused, but after careful consideration, I realized that it was to not deter illegal immigrants from seeking medical aid. As the day went on and patients came in, I noticed that most did not have the means to afford regular health and dental care. Most of them prayed that their illnesses would go away on their own because they did not have the means to get professional help. This experience really opened my eyes to the plight of underserved communities and reinforced my decision to pursue medicine so that I could help serve those who were unable to help themselves.

I applied to X University for its opportunities to allow me to work with underserved communities and develop the technical and interpersonal skills to provide patients from these communities the best care. I hope to combine my experience within medicine and engineering to push clinical technologies and advancements further to provide cheap and effective alternatives to current medications and treatments to drive down the cost of healthcare so that it can become available to more people.  

Questions surrounding cultural competency delve into your ability to interact with people whose culture, beliefs, or values are different from your own. Are you able to help people in a way that is in line with their values and belief system, even if these values and beliefs are not in line with your own? It is also important to realize the vital role that effective communication plays in bridging cultural differences.

Similar to the TMDSAS personal characteristics essay, your essay should focus on the barriers you encountered, the communication strategies you employed to overcome these barriers, how you helped the person in a way that respected their beliefs, and how you will apply this lesson in the future.

Great ideas for narratives that could address the diversity secondary essay prompt include:

• A time when you used your problem-solving skills to help someone from a socio-cultural background different from your own.
• A time you advocated for someone from a different socio-cultural background from your own.
• How you used your communication skills to overcome a language barrier and help someone.
• A reflection on what you learned from working with people with a different background from your own.
• A reflection on communicating with people with a different background from your own.
• A reflection on learning about and accepting the difference in beliefs of people with a different background from your own.
• A reflection on an interaction with an individual whose values were different from your own.

Medical School Secondary Essay Example: Diversity Essays

A. Describe how you relate to someone who is very different from you. Examples of differences may be cultural, racial, religious, economic, gender/sexual orientation, lifestyle.

The world is so diverse and it can be easy to resign to only care for and be informed of one’s own personal interests. To connect with someone else is to choose to forgo ignorance and aim to understand other people and their backgrounds. This is a choice that is made every day when we decide how to interact in society.

In my first year of university, I roomed with a person who immigrated from Colombia. I saw how difficult it was for her to transition to a new country and to overcome cultural barriers. Instead of accepting the fact that our cultures rendered us incompatible, I decided to educate myself on her culture. I started to read of the political unrest in Colombia, I found Latin music we could listen to, and I utilized my basic Spanish to try to make her feel at home. Five years later, we still live together and are the best of friends. It's clear that a little effort trying to understand the life and journey of someone else can go a long way to building connections and trust.

Would you rather watch a video? Here are the most common medical school secondary essay prompts:

B. Please discuss the diversity that you would bring to our school of medicine and the profession of medicine.

The challenges I faced as a first-generation immigrant has taught me several valuable lessons, which have influenced my pursuit of medicine. Here in the States, I am granted liberties that are otherwise unattainable in Vietnam- specifically access to quality healthcare and opportunities for growth and enrichment. My first exposure to medicine did not transpire in a hospital but instead took place in a small tent affiliated with a roaming clinic.

The significant gap in healthcare accessibility, advancement, and quality between the States and the developing countries were increasingly apparent when I returned to Vietnam to visit my family. In time, I also realized that these similar circumstances and situations exist in my local community as well. This has inspired me to advocate for the underserved population because I, myself, can identify with their struggles. During our financial crisis, my family received overwhelming support and generosity from several neighborhood communities. I wish to return the kindness. Now more than ever, in a time where immigrants are restricted access, I must fight to give them a voice.

I also bring with me the traditions and culture of a Vietnamese American. I have developed my own understanding of the diverse facets of the Asian American identity and the ripple effect it has on the community. Through lion dancing and partnering with the Vietnamese and Chinese communities, I grasped the important role that communities play in providing resources. To become one of the few Vietnamese doctors in the area would allow me to address the needs of the community and give me a platform to collaborate with other communities of color. One of my goals is to break down the language barriers and stigmas surrounding the older Asian community and help them achieve their health goals.

I bring a steadfast mindset of advocating for the underserved in my community and as an immigrant Vietnamese American, I aim to use my position to influence decisions that will benefit the entire community.

Medical School Secondary Essays: "Overcoming Challenges" Prompt

This prompt is looking at what medical schools typically refer to as “resilience”. The reality is that you will be faced with a wide variety of challenges during your medical training. Medical schools are looking for candidates who are equipped with mature coping strategies, enabling them to proficiently navigate whatever life, or medical school, decides to throw at them.

You can use any example from your own life to address this prompt. Ideas include:

• A time when things did not go according to plan.
• Overcoming a setback.
• Overcoming an illness or injury.
• Dealing with the illness of a loved one.

The important thing to remember with this prompt is to keep it positive. Focus on the strategies you used to overcome the hurdle that presented itself to you, and what you learned from the situation. Review some adversity essays for medical school for inspiration.

“It is not only important to highlight the situation in detail but to also reflect on your actions. Drawing upon lessons from this experience and how you used what you learned to make changes the next time around is key to demonstrating a growth mindset.” – Dr. Neel Mistry, MD.

Describe a challenging situation you faced and what you did to address it.

My sister was diagnosed with epilepsy at 3 months old, and it has been a continual learning experience. She never qualified for an autism diagnosis, but her behaviors resembled an autistic or neurodivergent individual. As an 8-year-old, I did not notice public reactions to my sister’s behaviors.

But, as we both grew older, I became embarrassed when people would stare at her, or notice her behavioral differences. Behavioral incidents continued to occur throughout my time in high school and college. However, I have grown into a more empathetic person who better understands the difficulties my sister faces. I won’t deny that sometimes it is still embarrassing, but I remind myself that she struggles to control her behaviors and it is not her fault.

The best way I can help her as a sister is to be there for her and try to help her through the emotions she may not be able to express all the time. Understanding my sister has made me into a stronger, more confident and empathetic woman.

Medical School Secondary Essays: "Future Goals" Prompt

It’s okay not to know exactly what kind of doctor you want to be or what medical specialty you want to pursue. For this prompt, reflect on the experiences that cemented your decision to pursue medicine.

• What was it specifically about these experiences that made you want to become a doctor?
• What fascinated you the most? Why?
• What patient population did you enjoy working with the most? Why?

You can then go on to say what kind of doctor you would like to be, or, if you haven't decided, suggest more generally which direction you would like to see your career take (i.e. mention a patient population you think you would like to work with). Many students change their minds once having been in medical school a couple of years, so it’s reasonable to say that you will keep your eyes open and continue to explore every opportunity!

Medical School Secondary Essay Example: Your Future Goals

Professionalism and the ability to gain respect in the community in which you live is of utmost importance as you embark upon a career as a physician. What three professional qualities do you feel a Student Doctor must be able to demonstrate as he/or she makes the transition into the study and practice of medicine? How will you demonstrate those qualities as a medical student at RowanSOM?

There are many valuable attributes a student doctor must possess, but the three of which I consider the most valuable are self-discipline/reflection, open-mindedness/sensitivity, and teamwork skills.

Possessing self-discipline and self-reflection skills are key for any student doctor planning on tackling the arduous medical courses that will come their way. Through my undergraduate career, I have constantly improved upon my academic study strategies to adapt to the rigors of upper-level biological courses. I realize that when one way does not work it is crucial to consult peers, advisors, and professors to improve my approach. Such changes included recording my lectures, attending more office hours, and even seeking resources outside of my lecture material to supplement my knowledge. I use this principle in my personal health goals as well. For example, my favorite hobby that I use to keep me grounded is going to the gym, where I attempt to break my fitness plateaus by researching and consulting peers. It is this drive to constantly improve myself that will allow me to overcome the many obstacles that will come my way during my medical pursuit.

In addition, it is important for student doctors to be open-minded and sensitive when understanding patients from diverse backgrounds. My research experience at the Center for Addiction, Personality, and Emotion Research enriched my understanding of the socioeconomic and environmental factors that are involved in developing addiction disorders. Learning about the neurobehavioral and psychological processes that underlie addictive behavior reinforced my awareness of the health disparities that arise from environmental and social systems in my local community. It is imperative to understand the patient outside of their symptoms in order to realize the other factors involved in their diagnosis. I aim to one day use this knowledge to inform my future patients of preventative measures and how to overcome their environmental strains.

Lastly, it is crucial for student doctors to develop teamwork skills when entering the field of medicine. Physicians have to be prepared to engage and work within different teamwork structures or environments with other specialists to provide high-quality care for their patients. My experiences as an EMT taught me firsthand how critical it is to build long-lasting relationships based on trust with your team. I have spent countless hours getting to know my EMS crew to ensure that we built a sense of camaraderie that would allow us to work well together during calls. I remember one occasion when my partner was flustered during a stressful call and could not remember the next step in delivering a treatment protocol to a patient. I noticed he was frustrated and subtly reminded him of the next step. Based on our relationship and trust, he acted on my advice and later thanked me for the assistance. Knowing that we always had each other’s back gave us the reassurance and confidence we needed to handle the many unpredictable calls that came our way. I hope to strengthen this same sense of teamwork as a future physician.

If you have an academic lapse or took a break that you wish to explain to the admissions committee, you may want to prepare this prompt in advance. The most important things to focus on are:

• Clearly, yet briefly, explain the situation that led to the break or lapse.
• Outlining how you moved past the situation.
• Outlining what you learned from the situation, and how you will manage similar situations going forward.

“The best way to address red flags is to be open and honest … and provide open reflection on how you grew from the experience.” – Dr. Monica Taneja, MD.

“what i would do in these situations is talk about the red flag/gap in an open and honest way without sounding closed off or confrontational about it … essentially, you are taking something that would normally be considered a negative and spinning into a positive.” – dr. jaime cazes, md, university of toronto temerty faculty of medicine., medical school secondary essay example: academic lapses or breaks.

If you have taken a gap year(s), please explain what you have been, or will be, doing since graduating from your undergrad institution. 

I threw myself into the medical school application process during my final year of my undergrad degree. Realizing that my application was lacking, I have spent the time since graduation gaining volunteer and leadership experience, improving my MCAT score, and taking science prerequisite courses.

Taking post-baccalaureate classes proved advantageous. I was thrilled when my MCAT score improved significantly, going from 505 to 517. My score was a testament to the hard work and dedication I put into my organic chemistry and molecular biology courses, and to the time management, accountability, and work ethic I refined in studying for the MCAT.

While pursuing post-baccalaureate science courses improved my academics, volunteering at a seniors’ care center has opened my eyes to the issues facing seniors and those who care for them. Once, upon entering the facility, I heard a patient calling for help; he had fallen and could not get back into his wheelchair. Per volunteer protocol, I cannot physically assist the residents into their chairs. However, after determining that he was not physically hurt, I calmly reassured him that I was getting help and informed the nurses of his situation. This incident and other experiences at the center allowed me to develop and practice skills such as enforcing appropriate boundaries, working with others, and handling unexpected and stressful circumstances with poise.

From my various experiences, I have developed and refined my belief system and skill set. I've developed a greater sensitivity to those facing physical or mental limitations, and a dedication to serving my community in overcoming such challenges. I’ve learned the value of being empathetic and showing compassion in the process. I've developed the critical traits and values that I am certain this school would be proud of, whether as a student or as a physician.

Pre-writing your secondaries for med school is key! Here's how:

Medical School Secondary Essays: Tips from Our Experts and Students

1. submit your essays as soon as you can.

Submitting your essays early means you can take advantage of medical schools’ rolling admissions process. As soon as medical school secondary essays are received, decisions about interview invites are made. Submitting early means a better chance of securing an interview, and therefore an acceptance letter. Being delayed with your secondaries can cost you both! One of our students, Rishi, had to reapply after submitting his secondaries too late and receiving zero interview invites.

“[One of] the things that really I think prevented me from getting in the first time around is I was just very delayed with my secondaries … I didn't even get any interviews that first cycle because I was so late on my secondaries.” – Rishi, current student at Carver College of Medicine.

Planning your secondaries well ahead of time also ensures you’re not rushing to write, proof, rewrite and finalize your essays.

“It is advisable to start preparing for secondaries as early as possible so that you have enough time to revise and go through multiple iterations of edits prior to submitting. Also, getting a fresh pair of eyes to have a look is never a bad idea.” – Dr. Neel Mistry, MD.

2. pre-write your med school secondary essays.

Some of you may be realizing at this point that you’ve applied to 10-20 schools and that each will likely send somewhere between 2-10 prompts. That’s a lot of essay writing! To get on top of this, we recommend pre-writing your secondary essays.

“Secondaries were a lot of work especially after completing all of the primary application materials. I tried to pre-write secondaries starting in mid-June as there aren’t many changes year to year in prompts, which are easily found online. For each school I read their mission statement and tailored my answers to their priorities. Since many essays also overlap between schools, I was able to morph different essays based on length to reduce overall writing. Pre-writing allowed me to have [less than] 1 week turn around on all of my secondary application returns.” – Dr. Monica Taneja, MD.

If you check out our comprehensive list of medical school secondary essay prompts , you can pull out common themes for the schools you are most interested in applying to. You should then create an essay outline or rough essay that addresses each of these themes.

“A lot of these prompts, they might be worded a little bit different … but there's some broad [question] types. If you compare a couple of schools, there will be some overlap and that's helpful because you can write what are these common skeletons that will allow you to be more efficient.” – Rishi, BeMo student.

Though schools may change their prompts from year to year, pre-planning at least some of your essays will make you much more efficient with your writing, allowing you to create consistently well-thought-out essays. 

Just like with your medical school personal statement, your personal stories will help your secondary essays stand out and be more memorable to the admissions committee.

“These application readers are reading a large volume of essays and sometimes they're not spending as much time as you might think. They are kind of glancing over every word so you have to think like what they are going to remember from this when they read it.” – Rishi, BeMo student.

As part of your pre-writing plan, start brainstorming personal experiences or influences you can talk about in your secondaries to make your points and keep your readers’ attention.

Medical school secondary essays are meant to provide medical school with more specific information about your candidacy and fit for their programs. The questions are geared towards the missions, requirements, and goals of each program. They are usually sent out once primary applications have been submitted.

Some schools will list a deadline (UCLA secondary essays are due after fifteen days). If the school does not specify a deadline, you should aim to submit your secondaries no later than 2 weeks after receiving the invites to complete them.

Some of the most common med school secondary prompts include "Why our school?", "Cultural Competency", "Overcoming Challenges", and "Future Goals". Pay attention to the wording of the prompts, as they may not include this direct terminology, but you should approach them with specific strategies to answer them.

Each medical school will have its own secondaries requirements. Some may ask for 1 or 2 essays, while others may require 10. Check the requirements of your schools of choice to make sure.

Yes, there are some medical schools without secondary essays , but these are rare. Check with the programs of your choice to make sure.

Many med schools recycle their secondary prompts from year to year. Plus, there are some common themes that all secondaries explore. Check out the old prompts from your schools of choice to start planning general outlines for your essays.

Most likely, you will be eliminated from the applicant selection pool right away. Med schools will want to see your dedicated and commitment to their school, which secondaries demonstrate. If you are late or do not submit them at all, you will no longer be considered for a position in their medical school.

If you applied to many med schools, there is a chance you will have trouble completing all the secondaries on time. If this is your position, you should certainly try to complete all of them on time and of good quality. Focus on the schools you want to attend and where you have the highest chance of acceptance and complete their secondaries first.

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Have a question ask our admissions experts below and we'll answer your questions.

Wynne Milhouse

Hello! Would it be okay to write about how not getting into medical school the first time was a time of adversity, even if it was on a secondary for a school I didn't apply to last time (or if it was)? I feel as if this prompt may show up for schools that I did and did not apply to two years ago, but not getting into medical school the first time WAS a big hurdle, and I have made significant changes to combat this. Is it okay to talk about that, or will that reflect poorly on me? Thanks! Best, Wynne Milhouse

BeMo Academic Consulting

Hello Wynne! Thank you very much for your question. Absolutely, you should write about not getting into med school the first time even if you are writing secondaries for a school you did not apply to last time. You can even mention that you are now applying to this school because you improved your research and found that this would be a more suitable choice for you. Let us know if you have any other questions!

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