After submitting your primary application, most medical schools will invite you to complete a secondary application, also known as a supplemental application. These applications typically include several short essay prompts designed to help admissions committees learn more about your experiences, goals, and fit for their program.
Every school has its own prompts, but many secondary essays fall into common categories. That’s why it can be helpful to prewrite secondaries in response to frequently asked questions and then tailor them to each program’s mission and values.
Below, you’ll find real secondary essay examples, expert writing tips, common prompts, and strategies for stronger applications to improve your chances of earning an interview.
Get access to 84 secondary essays that REAL students used to gain acceptance at Hopkins, NYU, Stanford, Harvard, and other top medical schools.
Most Common Questions & Prompts
While every medical school has its own secondary application, many prompts fall into the same general categories. One school may ask for two short essays while another requires 10 or more, and character limits can vary significantly.
The key is to answer the specific question being asked while tailoring your response to the school’s mission, values, and programs. Generic essays rarely stand out. Strong responses use personal experiences, thoughtful reflection, and clear examples of your growth and readiness for medical school.
Below are some common prompts and questions I see a lot on secondary applications, along with tips for approaching each one effectively.
Why do you want to attend [MEDICAL SCHOOL]?
The “Why Us?” essay is one of the most common secondary prompts. First, research a school’s website to see what they think they offer, but your response should not directly copy and paste from there. Admissions committees want to understand why their specific program aligns with your interests, experiences, and goals.
We have a detailed guide for answering the “why this school” question, but here are a few quick tips:
- Be specific. Highlight unique programs, research focuses, clinical training opportunities, student organizations, or faculty members at this school that appeal to you.
- Make connections. Link the school’s mission and values to your own experiences and goals. This will show that you have a genuine connection to the school.
- If you have a meaningful connection to the school, briefly mention it. This could be a personal connection, such as loved ones who graduated from the school, or a professional connection, such as having a physician affiliated with the school as a mentor. Make sure it’s authentic, as the person may be asked to confirm the relationship.
- Avoid generic statements that could apply to any medical school. The research you do for your essay will help when it’s time for your interview, too.
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Can you describe a challenge you’ve overcome?
Medical schools use this prompt to assess resilience, maturity, and self-awareness. They’re less interested in the challenge itself than in how you responded to it and what you learned. Choose a challenge that had a meaningful impact on your development and focus on the growth that resulted from the experience.
Strong examples of a challenge you overcame may include:
- Mourning a death in the family or enduring a family health crisis.
- When you had to adjust to a new life outside of the home.
- When your sibling was going through depression, you had to help them.
- Getting a poor grade in college and working to improve.
- Turning around a campus organization that was on the brink of failure.
- Being a first-generation college student or first-gen med school applicant.
- Overcoming stigma from your neighborhood of going away to college.
- Navigating immigrant status while applying to a college of medicine.
From there, focus on your actions rather than simply describing the problem, and explain what you learned and how you’ve applied those lessons since. Most importantly, connect the experience to qualities that will help you succeed in medicine.
What will you contribute to this university?
Diversity is strength, in all its forms. Your ethnicity can undoubtedly be one form of diversity in a student body, but there’s so much more. There’s socioeconomic diversity, age diversity, unique personal experiences that make us who we are, and diversity of thought.
Medical schools are building a class, not just evaluating individual applicants. They want to understand what perspectives, experiences, skills, and values you will bring to their community.
Consider your background, interests, leadership experiences, academic path, non-profit volunteer work, or unique life experiences. Some applicants may even discuss influential experiences from high school if those experiences continue to shape their values and path to medicine.
Read Next: How to Write the Diversity Secondary Essay for Medical School
Who is the most influential person in your life?
Admissions committees are less interested in who you choose and more interested in why that person influenced you. A parent, mentor, teacher, physician, coach, or family member can all be good choices. Focus on the lessons you learned and how those lessons shaped your character, values, or interest in medicine.
What to Avoid Writing: “My dad is important to me because he’s a doctor and showed me what good patient care looks like.”
This tells the admissions committee very little about your experiences or growth. It’s a broad statement that could apply to many applicants.
What to Write Instead: “My dad showed me from an early age what it means to care for others. As a physician, he treated patients with compassion, but I was equally influenced by the volunteer work he did outside the clinic. He often brought me to community health events, where I saw the dignity and respect he gave every patient, regardless of their circumstances.”
Notice the difference. Instead of simply telling the reader that your father influenced you, this version shows how he influenced you through specific experiences and examples.
Can you tell us more about the research you conducted?
This is a straightforward question in which you can discuss your most significant research activities. Admissions committees don’t expect every applicant to become a physician-scientist, but they do want to understand your role, contributions, and what you learned.
Give the reader a framework in the first few sentences. Show them the big picture of your project or lab without bogging the paragraph down with nitty-gritty details or jargon. Clearly explain your role and your responsibilities, and focus on the skills and insights you gained.
What is your most important extracurricular?
Try not to repeat yourself from the Work and Activities section. If a single activity really is most important, and you already wrote about it as one of your three most meaningful experiences on your AMCAS, you can simply write about it again in more detail.
If there is something dominant in your life that you weren’t able to discuss on the AMCAS, write about that. For example, if you are a classical musician on the side, a prolific actor in the community, or the area’s top chess player, discuss it.
Avoid writing about a shadowing experience. Did following around a doctor really change your life? If it truly did, talk about it some, but don’t force it.
Why did you take a gap year?
Gap years are increasingly common. Applicants come from a wide variety of backgrounds and locations, from New York and New Jersey to Puerto Rico, New Orleans, San Antonio, and San Francisco, and admissions committees recognize that there is no single path to medical school. Good reasons to take a gap year include:
- Building up your finances.
- Bolstering your GPA with a post-bacc.
- Improving MCAT scores.
- Gaining new experiences (non-medical).
- Getting more clinical, research, or leadership experience.
- Reapplying after not getting into medical school (as long as reapplicants have grown as future physicians in some way).
Whether you worked, conducted research, improved your academic record, traveled, or gained clinical experience, focus on how the experience prepared you for this school of medicine. Be honest about your reasons, and focus on skills, maturity, and experiences gained.
If you’re a non-traditional applicant, this is also a great opportunity to explain your path to medicine. Career changes, military service, raising a family, or other life experiences can demonstrate valuable qualities such as resilience, leadership, and adaptability.
What are your long-term goals?
You don’t need a chosen specialty or fellowship to write about it here. AdComs expect these choices to grow and morph as you actually attend med school. Instead, you can say you are leaning towards X and Y because you have been exposed to them in the past. Or you know you love working with children, and so you’d love to do pediatrics.
Don’t be afraid to discuss public health, public policy, or more academic or administrative goals. Show ambition while remaining realistic and flexible. Med school isn’t just for practicing doctors. Physicians can change the world in many ways.
Connect your goals to past experiences and, as always, research each specific school to ensure your long-term goals in the health sciences align with its mission.
Is there anything else you would like us to know?
Don’t just recycle your personal statement. This is your opportunity to address important information that hasn’t been covered elsewhere in your application.
You shouldn’t feel obligated to use this space if you truly have nothing meaningful to add. But if there is an important aspect of your background, growth, circumstances, or experiences that deserves additional context, this is often the best place to include it.
Highlight qualities or accomplishments that strengthen your application, and keep your response focused and purposeful.
Secondary Essay Examples From Accepted Students
Below are four real medical school secondary essay examples from MedSchoolCoach students who were ultimately accepted to the programs where they submitted these responses. They illustrate several common secondary essay topics, including meaningful experiences, diversity, research, and health equity.
Experience-Focused (194 Words/1252 Characters)
Prompt: From your list of "most meaningful experiences" on the AMCAS application, choose one that has been the most formative in terms of your desire for a career in medicine. Why did that experience have such meaning for you in your decision-making process? (200 words or less)
Essay: I worked as a medical assistant at a clinic in Los Angeles, which required negative COVID-19 results before surgical procedures and visitation. Because they did not accept at-home kits, there was a high demand for tests from nearby facilities. To help address this gap, our clinic offered rapid antigen and PCR tests. Because of the strict timeline the hospital required, many patients urgently needed their results to make the deadline for surgeries or to visit their critically ill loved ones. Knowing how anxiety-inducing this process can be, I donned my N-95 mask, face shield, gown, and gloves between appointments to assist as many walk-in patients as possible, even on our busiest days. I served many patients from diverse cultures, translating for Mandarin patients and using basic Spanish to communicate with those who spoke little English. The relief that spread across their faces as they heard their mother tongue was incredibly rewarding to see. This experience emphasized the importance of compassion and culturally tailored care to improve health outcomes and patient empowerment. With this knowledge, I aim to become a physician who can address systemic inequities by providing personalized care and advocating for underserved patients.
Diversity Essay (373 Words/2396 Characters)
Prompt: Describe your identity and how it has impacted the development of your values and attitudes toward individuals different from yourself, and how this will impact your interactions with future colleagues and patients. (2500 characters)
Essay: Growing up, I traveled to India during summers to visit my family. Living in India for months at a time allowed me to understand the rich history of my ancestral homeland, Hyderabad. Unlike other parts of India, Hyderabad historically saw collaboration between Hindus and Muslims. They set aside their differences to live peacefully and build long-lasting monuments, such as the Charminar, symbolizing the value of tolerance on which Hyderabad was established. I experienced firsthand how coexistence between Hindus and Muslims persists today, as my family tailor and my apartment watchman have Arabic names and practice Islamic traditions. Recognizing this aspect of my heritage informed my identity as someone who celebrates diversity and understands its importance.
Upon returning to the U.S., I had a new appreciation for the values of diversity and acceptance, which I now noticed in my hometown as well. Although the people in my community had our differences, we assisted one another during difficult times. Whether it was shoveling driveways during snowstorms or babysitting children of our working neighbors, we could count on the people living around us to understand our needs and support one another. The values I learned from my neighbors continue inspiring me to behave altruistically and help those in need whenever possible.
My experiences reflect the richness of my life as well as the dual nature of my identity. I embody diverse values because I am both an Indian with deep ties to centuries of history and tolerance and an American with compassionate attributes. Throughout my undergraduate years, I delivered meals at food banks, served underprivileged groups and clinics, and treated patients experiencing multiple medical comorbidities as an EMT. By taking these actions, I aim to apply the diverse aspects of my identity in my life and help others overcome the challenges they face.
As a physician, I hope these core values will meaningfully shape my interactions with colleagues and patients. I will work alongside colleagues and staff to collectively improve patient outcomes. With my patients, I will act compassionately and dedicate myself to addressing their needs through high-quality care. Witnessing different parts of the world, learning to appreciate different backgrounds, and selflessly contributing to others’ health will serve me well as I work toward these goals.
Research-Focused (329 Words/2199 Characters)
Prompt: Please briefly discuss your research experience. (500 words max)
Essay: Our current study investigates activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3) as a biomarker for spinal cord injury and stroke. We found specific induction of ATF3 in rodent CNS neurons and significant increase in human serum ATF3 within one day of injury or stroke. ATF KO mice also had worsened neurological outcome post-injury, suggesting that ATF3 has some neuroprotective function. As a staff research associate, I use tissue samples to examine the expression of ATF3 on an individual cellular level. To determine the correlation between ATF3 levels, AIS score, and AIS improvement of the SCI patient population, I collect blood samples to quantify biomarker levels. Preliminary data from our ongoing study also demonstrates a positive correlation between serum ATF3 and injury severity in rodents and humans. To design experiments and present my findings, I use analytical skills and practice effective communication.
In undergrad, our lab focused on the nature and function of fear. One challenge in treating PTSD is understanding why some individuals develop disorders while others do not. Using stress-enhanced fear learning procedures, we studied fear-learning as well as voluntary alcohol intake in rodents. The ability to identify potential factors that promote susceptibility will serve as a valuable tool to examine proposed risk factors of PTSD and work toward preventing and reducing the severity of certain mental illnesses. In this role, I strengthened my benchwork, animal handling, and critical thinking skills.
I also worked as a research assistant in a developmental psychology lab at UCLA. Project PEAR investigated executive functioning by assessing how children sustain attention and persist during challenging tasks. I helped run EEG and behavioral sessions, during which I instructed children on tasks while measuring brain activity. The CARE study examined why certain children have more difficulty managing their worries and fears, with the goal of discerning more effective coping mechanisms. I coded audio and video to identify strategies for teachers and parents to use in promoting positive development. Through this experience, I practiced working with children and nurtured my compassion.
Health Care Challenges (329 Words/2037 Words)
Expert Tips for Writing Standout Secondary Essays
The med school secondary essay process can feel overwhelming, especially when multiple schools send requests at once. Fortunately, many prompts cover similar themes, and a few smart strategies can help you write stronger essays while staying on top of deadlines.
Read Instructions Thoroughly
Pay attention to the specific requirements for each secondary application process. Each school has different character limits, submission deadlines, and priorities that you should know before you begin writing.
Some schools may have specific essay prompts completely separate from what was on your AMCAS. Others may ask for additional information about your experiences or goals that you already discussed on your AMCAS. A strong essay answers the specific prompt rather than the question you wish they had asked.
Prioritize by Deadlines, Length & Priority
Once secondaries start arriving, create a plan for tackling them efficiently.
Start with schools that have the shortest deadlines or strict turnaround expectations. (Some med schools in California, for example, have 15-day deadlines.) Then focus on applications with fewer essays or shorter responses to build momentum.
Finally, devote extra time to your top-choice programs, where a thoughtful, highly tailored response can make the biggest impact. If there is a secondary that has a really tough question, come back to it with a fresh mind at a later time.
Start Early
Secondary applications can take a significant amount of time to complete, so it is crucial to start working on them as soon as possible. Getting started early gives you enough time to write thoughtfully, gather feedback, and avoid the stress of rushing to meet deadlines.
Tailor Your Responses
You may be tempted to copy and paste your responses from one application to the next, but you must tailor your responses to each school.
Show that you did your research and are genuinely interested in attending that particular program. Demonstrate comprehension of their mission statement, unique premed student organizations, or clinical and research opportunities on campus. The strongest essays feel personalized to both the applicant and the school.
Show, Don’t Just Tell
Rather than simply claiming that you’re compassionate, resilient, or dedicated, demonstrate those qualities through specific experiences. A brief anecdote from a future medical student is often more powerful than several sentences of explanation.
For example, instead of telling the reader you’re committed to serving others, show them a moment when you helped a patient, supported a family member, or advocated for someone. The best secondary essays combine concise storytelling with thoughtful reflection, allowing medical school admissions committees to see your character through your actions.
Proofread (More Than Once)
Even strong essays can be undermined by spelling mistakes, grammatical errors, formatting issues, or accidentally mentioning the wrong school.
I recommend editing and proofreading your essays yourself and then giving them to someone you know and trust to give them one final proofread. A second set of eyes can often catch mistakes you’ve overlooked after reading the same response multiple times.
Don’t Sacrifice Quality for Early Submission
You typically want to submit a secondary within two weeks of receiving it. If the school gives you a submission deadline, try to submit at least two or three days early.
However, speed should never come at the expense of quality. Submitting a polished, thoughtful essay a few days later is usually better than rushing out a response filled with mistakes or weak content. Aim to submit early, but only after you’re confident in the final product.
Avoid Answering Questions Generically
If you get vague questions like, “Why do you want to come here?” you may feel like answering vaguely, “Because it’s a medical school! Why else?!”
Instead, get specific, do your research on the school, tailor your responses to that university, and add a personal flair that helps your secondary stand out. Specific details, personal experiences, and clear connections to the school will always be more memorable than generic statements that could apply to any applicant or program.
(Generic responses are the primary reason you should avoid asking ChatGPT to write your answer, although chatbots can help in the editing process.)
Avoid Getting Frustrated If You Already Answered a Question
Some secondary prompts will ask you to revisit experiences you already discussed in your primary application. This is normal.
Instead of repeating yourself word for word, use the opportunity to add depth, reflection, or new context. Admissions committees often ask follow-up questions because they want to learn more about a particular experience, not because they missed your original answer.
Think of these prompts as an invitation to expand on important parts of your story rather than a frustrating repetition.
Build a Pre-Written “Response Bank”
Many secondary essays fall into recurring categories, such as diversity, adversity, leadership, meaningful experiences, research, gap years, and “Why This School?” prompts.
Before secondaries arrive, start creating outlines or rough drafts addressing these themes. You shouldn’t plan to copy and paste them verbatim, but they could be good starting points that save you from beginning every essay from scratch.
It can also help to follow a simple framework for most responses:
- Opening: Introduce the main idea or experience.
- Example: Share a concise anecdote or specific experience.
- Reflection: Explain what you learned or how you grew.
- Connection: Tie the experience to medicine, your future goals, or the school’s mission.
Having these building blocks ready can reduce your workload once applications start arriving.
Secondaries Submission Timeline
I recommend that you complete and submit your medical school secondary applications as soon as possible, as most schools make admissions decisions on a rolling basis.
As a general rule, prioritize schools with the strictest deadlines first. Some programs, particularly in California, including USC, UC Irvine, and other University of California schools, expect secondaries to be returned within about two weeks. Aim to submit those within 9-12 days of receiving them. For most other schools, try to submit within two weeks.
Give yourself enough time to:
- Check the unique requirements for each school.
- Write thoughtful, tailored responses.
- Revise and proofread your essays.
- Proofread with someone you trust.
- Submit at least 2-3 days before any stated deadline.
Managing your time well and meeting deadlines demonstrates your commitment to the admissions process and increases your chances of being accepted.
FAQs
Can I reuse secondaries from past application cycles?
It is not advisable to reuse medical school secondary essays from a previous application cycle. To improve your odds the second time around, you have to show schools that you’ve grown as an applicant. Include any new experiences or qualifications you’ve earned since your last attempt.
Think about it. What good is resubmitting an essay that wasn’t successful the first time around? Rewrite it if you want to boost your chances. Also, remember that the schools you are applying to this time around may have different essay prompts or may be looking for different information in their secondary essays.
Is getting a secondary a sign I’m likely to be accepted?
Most medical schools send secondary applications to a large percentage of applicants, sometimes even automatically after verifying basic eligibility. Receiving a secondary means your primary application passed initial screening, but it does not indicate that you are competitive for a medical school interview or acceptance.For many schools (but not all), not receiving a secondary means you’re not being considered. (Pro tip: Check your spam folder to see if you missed an email.)
What do I do if a school’s secondary application does not have any essay prompts?
Can I reuse secondary essay responses for multiple medical schools?
How many medical schools should I apply to?
Most applicants apply to a balanced list of around 15-30 schools, depending on their competitiveness, GPA, MCAT, and goals. A strong strategy includes a mix of reach, target, and safer schools.
Highly selective programs like Harvard Medical School, Dartmouth, and Brown University may be reach schools for many applicants. Other schools, like the University of Miami, the University of South Florida, or the University of Nevada, may fall into the target or safer categories. You should also consider geographic preference.For some schools that do not pre-screen applicants, you may receive a secondary application as soon as you submit, and AMCAS verifies your primary application. For schools that have a pre-screening process, it may take 1-4 weeks after submitting your primaries to receive any med school secondary essays.
Get Personalized Essay Writing & Editing Support
Strong secondary essays demonstrate self-awareness, maturity, and a clear connection between your experiences and your future goals as a physician.
Whether you’re struggling to get started, trying to answer difficult prompts, or looking for a final review before submitting, our Physician Advisors at MedSchoolCoach can help. Our team has been through the admissions process itself and has helped hundreds of applicants craft stronger secondary applications.
