Secondary Essay Prompts for the Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons

Below are the secondary essay prompts for the Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York, NY.

2020-2021

  • If you took time off from your undergraduate studies, please briefly summarize your reasons for doing so. (250 words)
  • Did you work for compensation during college, during the year, or the summer? If so, how many hours a week? (300 words)
  • If you have graduated from college, please briefly summarize what you have done in the interim. (300 words)
  • Please describe your most meaningful leadership positions. (300 words)
  • Columbia Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons values diversity in all its forms. How will your background and experiences contribute to this important focus of our institution and inform your future role as a physician? (300 words)
  • Is there anything else you would like us to know? (400 words)

2019-2020

*ALERT: No word limits. Prompts were changed from previous year!
1) What were/are your undergraduate major(s) and minor(s)?
Please select one of the options below that best describe your major.
  • Biological sciences (biology, microbiology, zoology, etc.)
  • Physical sciences (biochemistry, chemistry, engineering, etc)
  • Social sciences/humanities (sociology, economics, English, etc)
  • Other health professions (nursing, pharmacy, etc.)
  • All Others (including double majors and mixed disciplines)
2) If your name is often mispronounced, how do you pronounce it? What is your preferred name?
3) Have you previously applied to Medical School?
  • Yes or No
4) If you took time off from your undergraduate studies, please briefly summarize your reasons for doing so.
5) Did you work for compensation during college, during the year, or the summer?
  • Yes or No
If so, what did you do? How many hours a week did you work?
6) If you have graduated from college, please briefly summarize what you have done in the interim.
7) Please describe your most meaningful leadership positions.
8) Columbia Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons values diversity in all its forms. How will your background and experiences contribute to this important focus of our institution and inform your future role as a physician?
9) Is there anything else you would like us to know?
10) Do you have a parent who graduated from or is affiliated with Columbia University?
  • Yes or No

 

Learn about Columbia Medical School Admissions.

2018-2019

MD-Only:

  1. If you took time off from your undergraduate studies, please briefly summarize your reasons for doing so. (250 words)

For this question, we suggest a straightforward response. Write in full sentences and be clear about what you did elaborating as space allows.

2.  In what collegiate extracurriculars did you engage? (400 characters)

The biggest concern applicants have about this question is repeating information that is already in the primary application. EVERY applicant will be forced to repeat information! You cannot recreate what you did as an undergraduate. With such a brief character limit, there is little opportunity to elaborate. Depending on how many activities you have, you can create a bulleted list with brief descriptions of each activity or you can write a narrative explaining your extracurriculars.

3.  If you have graduated from college, please briefly summarize what you have done in   the interim. (300 words)

Like prompt #1, it’s best to be direct with this prompt. If you are graduating this year, write about what you plan to do in the upcoming year. If you aren’t sure yet, include information about the types of opportunities you are currently exploring for your gap year.

4. What challenges do you expect to arise from living and working in a complex urban environment? How will you meet them? (300 words) (This is the only required question)

This is a question our applicants often find challenging. Columbia wants to know that you understand the challenges of living in New York City which is very urban. Think about your living conditions; you might not have much space. What about the noise? Sometimes it is tough to escape the hustle bustle of the city. How about transportation? Not everyone loves New York City subways, the unexpected delays, and the crowds. New York is also a very diverse city both in the hospital and outside. While very exciting, this can also present challenges. Show that you truly understand the challenges of urban living.

Personalized editing available for this prompt.

$225  Contact our office to submit payment.  914-909-3915

  • Up to two revisions per essay
  • Please allow 3-4 business days per revision
  • After submitting payment, send an email to info@MedEdits.com indicatng which essay editing option you are purchasing.  We will then set up your account and send directions on how to proceed.
  • Read about our outstanding team.
  • Have questions? Call (914) 909-3915

5. Is there anything else you would like us to know? (300 words)

If anything new has happened since you submitted your application that you haven’t mentioned, write about that here. Did you leave anything out of your application that you’d like to include? Some students use this place to explain his or her specific interest in Columbia since there is no other opportunity to do that. However, if you have nothing to add, there is nothing wrong with leaving this space blank.

6. Please describe your parents’ occupations. (100 characters)

Make this one short and sweet. Be direct. Be honest.

7. If you answer yes to the “Did you work during undergrad?” checkbox, this question appears:
“Did you work for compensation during college during the year or the summer? If so, what did you do? How many hours a week did you work? (300 words)”

This another question that requires a direct response. Elaborate as much as space allows.

MSTP:

  1. What Academic Honors Have You Received? (e.g. prizes, scholarships, fellowships, honors societies). (5000 Characters)
  2. What are your major research interests? (20 words)
  3. PhD Goals (5000 characters)
  4. Additional Information (5000 Characters)

Columbia Bassett:

  1. Columbia-Bassett application adds one essay of “What aspect of Columbia-Bassett has the most appeal to you?”

Medical Schools in New York

Get individualized help on your Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons secondary essays.

Personalized Secondary Editing.

  1. What challenges do you expect to arise from living and working in a complex urban environment? How will you meet them? (300 words) (This is the only required question) $225
  • Up to two revisions per essay
  • Please allow 3-4 business days per revision
  • After submitting payment, send an email to info@MedEdits.com indicatng which essay editing option you are purchasing.  We will then set up your account and send directions on how to proceed.  
  • Read about our outstanding team.
  • Have questions? Call 646.217.4674

What challenges do you expect to arise from living and working in a complex urban environment? How will you meet them?

Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons Admissions Requirements

2017-2018 Accepted Student Data
Median GPA = 3.87
Median MCAT = 519
Applications = 8188
Interviewed = 1035
Matriculated = 150

Learn more about this school:

Columbia U Vagelos Coll of P&S
Admissions Office, Room 105
New York City, NY 10032 USA

(212) 305-3595

(212) 305-3601

Below are the secondary essay prompts for the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons.

MedEdits advises against using outdated prompts for the current season.

2017 – 2018

  • The Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons strives to ensure that its students become respectful physicians who embrace all dimensions of caring for the whole person. Please describe how your personal characteristics or life experiences will contribute to the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons community and bring educational benefits to our student body. (1000 characters)
  • Is there any further information that you would like the Committee on Admissions to be aware of when reviewing your file that you were not able to notate in another section of this or the AMCAS Application? (1000 characters)
  • Why have you chosen to apply to the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and how do you think your education at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons will prepare you to become a physician for the future? (1 page, formatted at your discretion, upload as PDF)
  • If you took time off from your undergraduate studies, please briefly summarize your reasons for doing so. (250 words)
  • From which languages can you translate scholarly material into English?
  • In what collegiate extracurriculars did you engage? (400 words)
  • If you have graduated from college, please briefly summarize what you have done in the interim. (300 words)
  • What challenges do you expect to arise from living and working in a complex urban environment? How will you meet them? (300 words)
  • Is there anything else you would like us to know? (300 words)
  • Please describe your parents’ occupations: (100 words)

2016 – 2017

  • If your name is often mispronounced, how do you pronounce it? What is your preferred name? (25 characters)
  • If your last name is often mispronounced, how do you pronounce it? (25 characters)
    If you took time off from your undergraduate studies, please briefly summarize your reasons for doing so. (250 words)
  • From which languages can you translate scholarly material into English?
  • In what collegiate extracurriculars did you engage? (400 words)
  • If you have graduated from college, please briefly summarize what you have done in the interim. (300 words)
  • What challenges do you expect to arise from living and working in a complex urban environment? How will you meet them? (300 words)
  • Is there anything else you would like us to know? (300 words)
  • Please describe your parents’ occupations. (100 characters)

Secondary essay webcast with Dr. Jessica Freedman, founder and president of MedEdits Medical Admissions.  Read more about Dr. Freedman.

Columbia University Medical Center

Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons Secondary Application

Topics covered in this presentation:

  • When should I submit my secondary essays?
  • Pay attention to the word/character limits.
  • Can I recycle secondary essay prompts for multiple schools?
  • Identify topics that you left out of your primary application.
  • And, much more.

Secondary Essay Prompts for Other Schools

 

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Secondary Essay Prompts By School

*Data collected from MSAR 2022-2023, 2022 Osteopathic Medical College Information Book, and institution website.

Disclaimer: The information on this page was shared by students and/or can be found on each medical school’s website. MedEdits does not guarantee it’s accuracy or authenticity.

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