Secondary Essay Prompts for the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
Below are the secondary essay prompts for the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville, TN.
2019 – 2020
- Write a brief autobiography. As completely and precisely as possible, give a picture of yourself, your family, and events you consider important to you. In doing so, identify the values that are of greatest importance to you. If you have completed your undergraduate education, please comment on what you have done or have been doing since graduation. (1200 words)
- Please discuss a challenging situation or obstacle you have faced in the past. Why was it challenging? How did you handle it? Knowing what you know now, would you do anything differently? What did you learn? (500 words)
- An additional section for MD-PhD applicants to list pubs, presentations, and abstracts.
2016 – 2017
- Autobiography: Write a brief autobiography. As completely and precisely as possible, give a picture of yourself, your family, and events you consider important to you. In doing so, identify the values that are of greatest importance to you. If you have completed your undergraduate education, please comment on what you have done or have been doing since graduation. (1200 words)
- Challenge: Please discuss a challenging situation or obstacle you have faced in the past. Why was it challenging? How did you handle it? Knowing what you know now, would you do anything differently? What did you learn? (500 words)
Secondary essay webcast with Dr. Jessica Freedman, founder and president of MedEdits Medical Admissions. Â Read more about Dr. Freedman.
Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
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.
Below are the secondary essay prompts for the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.
2017 – 2018
- The Vanderbilt 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 Vanderbilt 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 Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and how do you think your education at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine will prepare you to become a physician for the future? (1 page, formatted at your discretion, upload as PDF)
Vanderbilt University School of Medicine Admissions Requirements
2017-2018 Accepted Student Data
Median GPA =Â 3.91
Median MCATÂ =Â 521
Applications = 6337
Interviewed = 587
Matriculated = 99
Learn more about this school:
Vanderbilt University SOM
Office of Enrollment Services
Light Hall 303
Nashville, TN 37232 USA
Office of Enrollment Services
Light Hall 303
Nashville, TN 37232 USA
(615) 322-2145
(615) 322-2312
Secondary Essay Prompts for Other Schools
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Secondary Essay Prompts By School
ArizonaUniversity of Arizona College of Medicine (Tucson)
University of Arizona College of Medicine (Phoenix)
A.T. Still University–School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona (ATSU-SOMA), Mesa
Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University (AZCOM), Glendale
University of Arizona College of Medicine (Phoenix)
A.T. Still University–School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona (ATSU-SOMA), Mesa
Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University (AZCOM), Glendale
AlabamaUniversity of Alabama School of Medicine, Birmingham
University of South Alabama College of Medicine, Mobile
Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine (ACOM), Dothan
Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine–Auburn Campus (VCOM-Auburn), Auburn
University of South Alabama College of Medicine, Mobile
Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine (ACOM), Dothan
Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine–Auburn Campus (VCOM-Auburn), Auburn
ArkansasUniversity of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Medicine, Little Rock
Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine (ARCOM), Fort Smith
Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine (ARCOM), Fort Smith
CaliforniaCalifornia Northstate University School of Medicine, Elk Grove
Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles
Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda
Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford
University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento
University of California, Irvine, School of Medicine, Irvine
University of California, Los Angeles David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles
University of California, Riverside, School of Medicine, Riverside
University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla
University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine, San Francisco
Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine–California (TUCOM-CA), Vallejo
Western University of Health Sciences/ College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific (Western U/COMP), Pomona
Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles
Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda
Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford
University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento
University of California, Irvine, School of Medicine, Irvine
University of California, Los Angeles David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles
University of California, Riverside, School of Medicine, Riverside
University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla
University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine, San Francisco
Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine–California (TUCOM-CA), Vallejo
Western University of Health Sciences/ College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific (Western U/COMP), Pomona
ColoradoUniversity of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora
Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine (RVUCOM), Parker
Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine (RVUCOM), Parker
ConnecticutFrank H. Netter MD School of Medicine at Quinnipiac University, Hamden
University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington
Yale School of Medicine, New Haven
University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington
Yale School of Medicine, New Haven
DC, WashingtonGeorgetown University School of Medicine, Washington
George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington
Howard University College of Medicine, Washington
George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington
Howard University College of Medicine, Washington
FloridaFlorida Atlantic University Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Boca Raton
Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Miami
Florida State University College of Medicine, Tallahassee
University of Central Florida College of Medicine, Orlando
University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville
University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, Miami
USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine Bradenton Campus (LECOM Bradenton), Bradenton
Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine (NSU-KPCOM), Fort Lauderdale
Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Miami
Florida State University College of Medicine, Tallahassee
University of Central Florida College of Medicine, Orlando
University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville
University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, Miami
USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine Bradenton Campus (LECOM Bradenton), Bradenton
Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine (NSU-KPCOM), Fort Lauderdale
GeorgiaEmory University School of Medicine, Atlanta
Medical College of Georgia at Georgia Regents University, Augusta
Mercer University School of Medicine, Macon
Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta
Georgia Campus–Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (GA-PCOM), Suwanee
Medical College of Georgia at Georgia Regents University, Augusta
Mercer University School of Medicine, Macon
Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta
Georgia Campus–Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (GA-PCOM), Suwanee
IllinoisChicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine & Science, North Chicago
Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood
Northwestern University The Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago
Rush Medical College of Rush University Medical Center, Chicago
Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield
University of Chicago Division of the Biological Sciences The Pritzker School of Medicine, Chicago
University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago
Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University (CCOM), Downers Grove
Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood
Northwestern University The Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago
Rush Medical College of Rush University Medical Center, Chicago
Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield
University of Chicago Division of the Biological Sciences The Pritzker School of Medicine, Chicago
University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago
Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University (CCOM), Downers Grove
IndianaIndiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis
University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City
Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine (MU-COM), Indianapolis
University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City
Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine (MU-COM), Indianapolis
KentuckyUniversity of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington
University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville
University of Pikeville–Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine (UP-KYCOM), Pikeville
University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville
University of Pikeville–Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine (UP-KYCOM), Pikeville
LouisianaLouisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans, New Orleans
Louisiana State University School of Medicine in Shreveport, Shreveport
Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans
Louisiana State University School of Medicine in Shreveport, Shreveport
Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans
MarylandJohns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences F. Edward Hebert School of Medicine, Bethesda
University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences F. Edward Hebert School of Medicine, Bethesda
University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore
MassachusettsBoston University School of Medicine, Boston
Harvard Medical School, Boston
Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston
University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester
Harvard Medical School, Boston
Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston
University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester
MichiganCentral Michigan University College of Medicine, Mount Pleasant
Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, East Lansing
Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, Rochester
University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor
Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit
Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine, Kalamazoo
Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine (MSUCOM), East Lansing
Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, East Lansing
Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, Rochester
University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor
Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit
Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine, Kalamazoo
Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine (MSUCOM), East Lansing
MississippiUniversity of Mississippi School of Medicine, Jackson
William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine (WCUCOM), Hattiesburg
William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine (WCUCOM), Hattiesburg
MissouriSaint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis
University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine, Columbia
University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, Kansas City
Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis
A.T. Still University–Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (ATSU-KCOM), Kirksville
Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences College of Osteopathic Medicine (KCU-COM), Kansas City
University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine, Columbia
University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, Kansas City
Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis
A.T. Still University–Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (ATSU-KCOM), Kirksville
Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences College of Osteopathic Medicine (KCU-COM), Kansas City
NebraskaCreighton University School of Medicine, Omaha
University of Nebraska College of Medicine, Omaha
University of Nebraska College of Medicine, Omaha
NevadaUniversity of Nevada School of Medicine, Reno
Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine (TUNCOM), Henderson
Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine (TUNCOM), Henderson
New HampshireGeisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover
New JerseyCooper Medical School of Rowan University, Camden
Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark
Rutgers, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway
Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine (RowanSOM), Stratford
Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark
Rutgers, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway
Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine (RowanSOM), Stratford
New MexicoUniversity of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque
Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine (BCOM), Las Cruces
Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine (BCOM), Las Cruces
New YorkAlbany Medical College, Albany
Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx
City University of New York School of Medicine, New York
Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York
Hofstra North Shore – Northwell School of Medicine, Hempstead
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York
Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo
New York Medical College, Valhalla
New York University School of Medicine, New York
State University of New York Downstate Medical Center College of Medicine, Brooklyn
State University of New York Upstate Medical University, Syracuse
Stony Brook University School of Medicine, Stony Brook
University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester
Weill Cornell Medicine, New York
New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYITCOM), Old Westbury
Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine–New York (TouroCOM-NY), New York City
Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx
City University of New York School of Medicine, New York
Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York
Hofstra North Shore – Northwell School of Medicine, Hempstead
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York
Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo
New York Medical College, Valhalla
New York University School of Medicine, New York
State University of New York Downstate Medical Center College of Medicine, Brooklyn
State University of New York Upstate Medical University, Syracuse
Stony Brook University School of Medicine, Stony Brook
University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester
Weill Cornell Medicine, New York
New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYITCOM), Old Westbury
Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine–New York (TouroCOM-NY), New York City
North CarolinaDuke University School of Medicine, Durham
The Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill
Wake Forest School of Medicine of Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, WinstonSalem
Campbell University Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine (CUSOM), Lillington
The Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill
Wake Forest School of Medicine of Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, WinstonSalem
Campbell University Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine (CUSOM), Lillington
OhioCase Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland
Northeast Ohio Medical University, Rootstown
Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus
The University of Toledo College of Medicine, Toledo
University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati
Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, Dayton
Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine (OU-HCOM), Athens
Northeast Ohio Medical University, Rootstown
Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus
The University of Toledo College of Medicine, Toledo
University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati
Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, Dayton
Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine (OU-HCOM), Athens
OklahomaUniversity of Oklahoma College of Medicine, Oklahoma City
Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine (OSU-COM), Tulsa
Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine (OSU-COM), Tulsa
PennsylvaniaDrexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia
Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia
Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey
Raymond and Ruth Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia
The Commonwealth Medical College, Scranton
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM), Erie
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM), Philadelphia
Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia
Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey
Raymond and Ruth Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia
The Commonwealth Medical College, Scranton
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM), Erie
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM), Philadelphia
Puerto RicoPonce Health Sciences University School of Medicine, Ponce
San Juan Bautista School of Medicine, Caguas
Universidad Central del Caribe School of Medicine, Bayamon
University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, San Juan
San Juan Bautista School of Medicine, Caguas
Universidad Central del Caribe School of Medicine, Bayamon
University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, San Juan
South CarolinaMedical University of South Carolina College of Medicine, Charleston
University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia
University of South Carolina School of Medicine – Greenville, Greenville
Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine–Carolinas Campus (VCOM-Carolinas), Spartanburg
University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia
University of South Carolina School of Medicine – Greenville, Greenville
Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine–Carolinas Campus (VCOM-Carolinas), Spartanburg
TennesseeEast Tennessee State University James H. Quillen College of Medicine, Johnson City
Meharry Medical College, Nashville
University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine, Memphis
Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville
Lincoln Memorial University–DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine (LMU-DCOM), Harrogate
Meharry Medical College, Nashville
University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine, Memphis
Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville
Lincoln Memorial University–DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine (LMU-DCOM), Harrogate
TexasBaylor College of Medicine, Houston
Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, Bryan
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, El Paso
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine, Lubbock
The University of Texas School of Medicine at San Antonio, San Antonio
University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School, Austin
University of Texas Medical Branch School of Medicine, Galveston
University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Houston
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine, Harlingen
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas Southwestern Medical
University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine (UIWSOM), San Antonio
University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth/Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine (UNTHSC/TCOM), Ft. Worth
Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, Bryan
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, El Paso
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine, Lubbock
The University of Texas School of Medicine at San Antonio, San Antonio
University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School, Austin
University of Texas Medical Branch School of Medicine, Galveston
University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Houston
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine, Harlingen
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas Southwestern Medical
University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine (UIWSOM), San Antonio
University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth/Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine (UNTHSC/TCOM), Ft. Worth
VirginiaEastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk
University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville
Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond
Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke
Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine (LUCOM), Lynchburg
Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine–Virginia Campus (VCOM-Virginia), Blacksburg
University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville
Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond
Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke
Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine (LUCOM), Lynchburg
Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine–Virginia Campus (VCOM-Virginia), Blacksburg
WashingtonUniversity of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle
Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine (PNWU-COM), Yakima
Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine (PNWU-COM), Yakima
*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.