Secondary Essay Prompts – Loma Linda University School of Medicine

2017 – 2018

• The Loma Linda 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 Loma Linda 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 Loma Linda University School of Medicine and how do you think your education at Loma Linda 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

1. Describe the extent and source of your knowledge of Loma Linda University School of Medicine (LLUSM). (750 characters max)
   • This is a straightforward question and you should give specifics about the who and the what. Who have you have spoken to about LLUSM and what have they shared? It would be appropriate to name any mentors, faculty members, family friends, current students or residents that you have interacted with. Beyond what they have told you about LLUSM, you could comment on the gestalt tone you noted – their enthusiasm or fondness for the school.
   • If you have learned about LLUSM through visits, classes, videos, or their website, you can say this here. It would also be appropriate to say that you are eager to learn more, especially if you truly don’t know much about LLUSM.
2. What makes LLUSM particularly attractive to you? (750 characters max)
   • You should be able to talk about a few areas that appeal to you most. Is there something about their curriculum – specific content areas such as public health or end of life communication skills and decision making – or do you like the way they teach or approach teaching? Do they offer interesting opportunities during the 4th year or blocks of time for individualized or tailored experiences? Do you like the focus on care for a certain population (ie. disadvantaged populations)? Do you want this location and why? 
3. What qualities make you a desirable candidate for admission to LLUSM? (750 characters max)
   • Match some of your interpersonal strengths to their “ideal candidate.” Think about your abilities in the areas of interpersonal and communication skills and also professional behavior. (these are both graduation competencies for medical school and residency) This would be an appropriate place to talk about how your religion, faith or spirituality influences you or has shaped you.
4. Discuss how your spiritual experience has influenced your life and how you integrate it into your daily life. (750 characters max)
   • This is quite specific. I would recommend giving particulars about your religion, faith or spirituality and your daily/ weekly / monthly practices. It could be as simple as meditation or prayer or more extensive involvement with an organized group. You can also explain the origin of your religion/faith/spirituality (any precipitating events) and subsequent development.
5.  What experiences in your life would illustrate your perspective on service to others? (750 characters max)
   • This is where you should talk about any service you do from your individual helping of others (taking food to neighbors, cooking for roomates, etc) to larger scale efforts. From these activities, who have you become? What qualities have you internalized that will help in medicine?
6. As a Christian educational institution the medical curriculum integrates spiritual, ethical, and relational issues from a Christian perspective into the practice of medicine. Weekly chapel services and religion courses are part of this program. Please respond to the above as it relates to your personal educational and career goals. (750 characters max)
   • This prompt seems to be asking you to tell them about your past and current involvement in both services/rituals and religious coursework (either college coursework or more informal course work done through your church – Bible or text studies). You could talk here about the benefits you have experienced through attending chapel or church, or more informal services. And, how these benefits would help you be a more well rounded and healthy medical student. (ie. Self care)
7. Loma Linda University is a Seventh-day Adventist institution that has lifestyle expectations that include abstinence from alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs/substances in all forms. In the past year, have you used any of these substances? If so, which one(s)? (250 characters max)
   • This is tricky because this isn’t an answer the admissions committee will be able to check out or vet. As in all application materials, be honest. If appropriate, explain the context where you drank or used drugs (ie to celebrate at a family wedding). If this is not a lifestyle commitment you can truly make, this is not the school for you. I would recommend downloading and reviewing their student handbook, which has extensive information in the introduction and student life sections. 
8. If accepted to LLUSM, are you willing to abide by the lifestyle policies of Loma Linda University School of Medicine? (250 characters max)
   • Medical school is difficult in the best of circumstances. If this is not an environment you can thrive in, do not say yes and do not submit the secondary.

2016 – 2017

MedEdits advises against using outdated prompts for the current season.

• Describe the extent and source of your knowledge of Loma Linda University School of Medicine (LLUSM). (750 characters)
• What makes LLUSM particularly attractive to you? (750 characters)
• What qualities make you a desirable candidate for admission to LLUSM? (750 characters)
• Discuss how your spiritual experience has influenced your life and how you integrate it into your daily life. (750 characters)
• What experiences in your life would illustrate your perspective on service to others? (750 characters)
• As a Christian educational institution the medical curriculum integrates spiritual, ethical, and relational issues from a Christian perspective into the practice of medicine. Weekly chapel services and religion courses are part of this program. Please respond to the above as it relates to your personal educational and career goals. (750 characters)
• Loma Linda University is a Seventh-day Adventist institution that has lifestyle expectations that include abstinence from alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs/substances in all forms. In the past year, have you used any of these substances? If so, which one(s)? (250 characters)
• If accepted to LLUSM, are you willing to abide by the lifestyle policies of Loma Linda University School of Medicine? (250 characters)
• Describe your involvement with your religious group: (750 characters)

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.