Secondary Application Questions

Common secondary application questions
Compiled by Danielle Clifford ‘17
(Danielle is attending SUNY-Upstate Medical School with a focus on rural healthcare.)
General
1. Why do you want to become a physician?
2. Why will you make a good physician? What makes you a good fit for medical school?
3. What attracts you to the medical profession?
4. Qualities you possess that will make you a good physician
5. How you developed those qualities
6. How have you explored the field of medicine?
7. Why have you chosen to apply to this medical school?
8. How will you contribute to medical school community?
9. How will you contribute to diversity of the student body and medical profession?
10.What would you do if weren't accepted to medical school this cycle?
11.What are some challenges facing physicians in the US?
12.What are your career goals in medicine?
13. How do you envision life 15 years from now?
14.What would you like the admissions committee to know about you?
15.Why should we accept you to our program?

Personal experiences that have shaped you
1. What is a challenge you have overcome?
2. Who or what has had impact on you?
3. How your role models or mentors have influenced you?
4. What is unique about your background and how could it help you as a physician?
5. Describe a memorable or influential experience (or medical experience)
6. Greatest achievement (What accomplishment are you most proud of?)
7. Biggest failure
8. Greatest strengths and weaknesses
9. What experiences in the clinical environment were the most important to you?
10. Discuss a scholarly activity or research project in which you have participated
11.What extracurricular activity has been most rewarding to you?
12. How have you contributed to your community?
13. Describe a time when you failed at something
14. Describe a time when you had to make a difficult ethical decision
15. Describe experiences during which you have demonstrated leadership
16. Describe a time when you had to work as a team member
17. How do you resolve conflicts?
18. Why did you get "C" in this class?
19. Why is your score on (particular section of) MCAT low?
20. Discuss how you spent time in years between college and medical school (ex if you took a gap year)
21. Describe hobbies and interests