Secondary Essay Prompts – George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences

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In this comprehensive yet straight forward guide, you will find all the information you need to complete the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences secondary application in the most compelling way possible. Our easy to follow 20 page guide addresses the following:

• What is GW looking for?
• What are GW’s admissions stats?
• On what should you focus for your secondary essays?
• How to answer the “what makes you a unique individual?” question.
• What should you write about to show your true interest in GW?
• With links embedded in the pdf document, you will be able to answer all five GW secondary essay questions with ease.
• The guide also includes sample responses.
• Find out how to market yourself effectively to GW.
• Our guide will help you be as efficient and effective as possible when completing your secondary application.

2018 – 2019

• Please provide the Admissions Committee with a brief summary of your activities, academics, employment or other occupations to account for full-time activity (approx. 30-40 hours/week) for the 2018-2019 application cycle, or from the point of application through matriculation in 2019. (750 characters)
  • In narrative (sentence) form, talk professionally about what you do and plan to do during your application year. For those who are college seniors, explain your course choices and activities you plan to continue. For those who have just graduated, if you have a job lined up – fantastic – talk about it. If you do not, talk about any volunteering, clinical, research, or other activities that you plan to do. If you have space, you can mention any personal goals such as running a marathon, writing, etc. Be careful not to talk too much about traveling the world as you want to present yourself as productive during this period.
• What is your most meaningful community service experience to date? (350 characters)
  • A straight forward response is perfect here (and all there is room for!). In narrative form, state the experience, your role, and why this was so important for you.
• What is your most meaningful clinical experience to date, involving direct patient contact? (350 characters)
  • As with the above, be direct and concise. Give a context or backdrop for the experience (where was it? Clinic, hospital, etc) and why you sought this particular experience out, then say how you interacted with the patient(s) and what you most enjoyed.
• What makes you a unique individual? What challenges have you faced? How will these factors help you contribute to the diversity of the student body at GW? (1000 characters)
  •  Unique is really anything about you that you want to bring to their attention that has played a significant role in shaping you – an atypical family structure, sibling or parental influence, educational experience, job or resonsbility, personal illness or loved one’s illness, ethnic or cultural background. If you have dealt with an intensely difficult situation, you could write about this as both your challenge and uniqueness. If not, you may want to present them as different.
    In terms of how you will contribute diversity to the class, this should tie to your previous comments and should be presented as characteristics or personality traits that are your assets/strengths.
• What is your specific interest in the MD Program at GW? What opportunities would you take advantage of as a student here? Why? (2000 characters)
  • Given the amount of space they have allotted, GW expects that you have some carved out reasons for wanting to be on their DC campus. First, within their walls – what is it about their curriculum or philosophy, teaching style, faculty and current student body that appeals to you? Next, think outside the walls more broadly to the DC area and what is going on that you could become involved with based on your career interests. Are you passionate about a cause or a population group? Interested in healthcare or health policy? Do you want to take an additional year during medical school to intern? Many umbrella organizations have a presence in DC and the NIH is just north in Bethesda.

2017 – 2018

• Please provide the Admissions Committee with a brief summary of your activities, academics, employment or other occupations to account for full-time activity (approx. 30-40 hours/week) for the 2017-2018 application cycle, or from the point of application through matriculation in 2018. (750 characters)
• What is your most meaningful community service experience to date? (350 characters)
• What is your most meaningful clinical experience to date, involving direct patient contact? (350 characters)
• What makes you a unique individual? What challenges have you faced? How will these factors help you contribute to the diversity of the student body at GW? (1000 characters)
• What is your specific interest in the MD Program at GW? What opportunities would you take advantage of as a student here? Why? (2000 characters)