Secondary Essay Prompts for the Duke University School of Medicine

Below are the secondary essay prompts for the Duke University School of Medicine in Durham, NC.

2019 – 2020

  • Tell us more about who you are. You may provide additional information that expands your self-identity where gender identification, racial and/or ethnic self description, geographic origin, socioeconomic, academic, and/or other characteristics that define who you are as you contemplate a career that will interface with people who are similar AND dissimilar to you. You will have the opportunity below to tell us how you wish to be addressed, recognized and treated.
    • Word limit 500
  • If one of the above identities do not best describe you, then what identity do you feel most comfortable with?(optional)
  • I self-identify as…
    • Word limit 500
  • Race/Ethnicity/Geographic Origin/Socioeconomic Status/ Advantage/Disadvantage/ Religious Affiliation(optional)
  • In addition to the broad categorization of race, ethnicity, geographic origin, socioeconomic status as provided through your AMCAS application, you may use the text box below to provide additional clarifying information that may reflect the impact of any of these parameters on your development thus far as well as the impact that these may have had on your path to a career in medicine and your plans for the future.
    • Word limit 200
  • Describe the community in which you were nurtured. What core values did you receive and how will these translate into the contributions you hope to make in medicine? What improvements do you think might make the community better?
    • Words left: 500
  • Describe a situation where you have chosen to advocate for someone who is different from yourself. What does advocacy mean to you and how has your advocacy developed? How do you see it linked to your role as a physician? What risks, if any, might be associated with your choice to be an advocate?
    • Word limit: 500
  • What has been your most humbling experience and how will that experience affect your interactions with your peers and patients?
    • Word limit 500
  • Success can arise from failure. What have you gained from your failed experiences and how does this translate in your current way of thinking?
    • Word limit 500
  • Critical thinking involves a number of characteristics including creativity, innovation, discernment, emotional intelligence, application and analysis. Describe a situation in which you utilized critical thinking. Why is critical thinking vital in your future?
    • Word limit 500
  • Leadership, teamwork, and communication operate synergistically. What do you value most as a leader and member of a team? What attributes do you possess as a leader and how will you apply them every day?
    • Word limit 500
  • Please let us know of any additional information that you would like us to consider while reviewing your application.

2018 – 2019

  1. Tell us more about who you are. You may provide additional information that expands your self-identity where gender identification, racial and/or ethnic self description, geographic origin, socioeconomic, academic, and/or other characteristics that define who you are as you contemplate a career that will interface with people who are similar AND dissimilar to you. You will have the opportunity below to tell us how you wish to be addressed, recognized and treated. 500 words
  2. (Optional) In addition to the broad categorization of race, ethnicity, geographic origin, socioeconomic status as provided through your AMCAS application, you may use the text box below to provide additional clarifying information that may reflect the impact of any of these parameters on your development thus far as well as the impact that these may have had on your path to a career in medicine and your plans for the future. 200 words
  3. Describe the community in which you were nurtured or spent the majority of your early development with respect to its demographics. What core values did you receive and how will these translate into the contributions that you hope to make to your community as a medical student and to your career in medicine? What improvements do you think might make the described community better? 500 words
  4. Describe a situation where you have chosen to advocate for someone who is different from yourself. What does advocacy mean to you and how has your advocacy developed? How do you see it linked to your role as a physician/leader? What risks, if any, might be associated with your choice to be an advocate? 500 words
  5. What has been your most humbling experience and how will that experience affect your interactions with your peers and patients? 500 words
  6. Describe a situation where you failed. What did you learn from the experience? Describe at least one functional impact of the experience. 500 words
  7. Critical thinking involves many aspects including curiosity, comprehension, application and analysis. Describe a time when you have utilized critical thinking. How do you anticipate critical thinking being used as part of your career? 400 words
  8. Many view medical care as an undeniable right. What responsibility does the medical profession have in taking care of all persons? 400 words
  9. (Optional) Please let us know of any additional information that you would like us to consider while reviewing your application:

Below are the secondary essay prompts for the Duke University School of Medicine.

2017 – 2018

  • The Duke University School of Medicine 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 Duke University School of Medicine 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 Duke University School of Medicine and how do you think your education at Duke University School of Medicine will prepare you to become a physician for the future? (1 page, formatted at your discretion, upload as PDF)

2017 – 2018

  • Describe the community in which you were nurtured or spent the majority of your early development with respect to its demographics. What core values did you receive and how will these translate into the contributions that you hope to make to your community as a medical student and to your career in medicine? What improvements do you think might make the described community better? 600 words
  • Describe a situation where you have chosen to advocate for someone who is different from yourself. What does advocacy mean to you and how has your advocacy developed? How do you see it linked to your role as a physician/leader? What risks, if any, might be associated with your choice to be an advocate? 600 words
  • What has been your most humbling experience and how will that experience affect your interactions with your peers and patients? 600 words
  • What qualities will you bring to the practice of medicine? 600 words
  • Describe a situation where you failed. What did you learn from the experience? Describe at least one functional impact of the experience. 600 words
  • What role has research had in your preparation for medicine? 250 words

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

Duke University School of Medicine Secondary Essay and Duke University School of Medicine Secondary Application

Duke University School of Medicine 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.

Duke University School of Medicine Admissions Requirements

2017-2018 Accepted Student Data
Median GPA = 3.88
Median MCAT = 519
Applications = 7030
Interviewed = 751
Matriculated = 116

Learn more about this school:

Duke University School of Medicine
Committee on Admissions
Durham, NC 27710 USA

(919) 684-2985

(919) 668-3714

Secondary Essay Prompts for Other Schools

 

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*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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