UMMS is ranked in the top ten schools for excellence in primary care. Given the school’s focus on self-directed learning and building on a strong science foundation, it will be important in your secondary essays to convey the level of your self-awareness in meeting your academic goals. How did you approach challenging science courses? In what ways have you demonstrated a commitment to lifelong learning? How has your community benefited from this commitment? For students interested in earning a MD/PhD, UMMS has a Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) Program. As part of this program, students will be given the training to enter academic medicine and conduct basic science research.
University of Michigan 2013 Secondary Application Essay Questions:
- Two short essays with 250 word limits are required.
- For MSTP applicants, a different essay prompt is provided for Essay #1.
- Applicants should use single line spacing and 12 point size font.
- Responses should be constructed strategically to highlight all of an applicant’s strengths, especially to demonstrate how they align with UMMS’ mission statement and goals.
Application Tip: Check out this helpful advice from the UMSOM Director of Admissions.
The following are required in the Secondary Application:
Essay 1
Tell us something you are passionate about and why. Do not exceed 1500 characters (about 250 words).
Based on the school’s goals for their medical education, I recommend selecting one academic interest that you can relate to medicine. A talent or interest that has required significant effort and long term commitment would be an ideal choice. Research, team building activities (i.e. clubs, health organizations, volunteer work, etc.), leadership roles that required teaching and/or mentoring others, and organized team sports are some activities that would work especially well for this essay response. Most importantly, select a topic that you are excited about because your enthusiasm will be captured in your prose. Once you have narrowed down your topic, create a list of reasons why this activity is important to you. Review the school’s goals and decide which three reasons coincide with your own interests as well as the school’s. Use this short list as your outline; start with the least important reason of the three you selected.
MSTP applicants: Instead of the above, briefly describe why you decided to apply to the University of Michigan MSTP. If you are interested in a specific department, program, or area of research for your Ph.D., please provide a brief explanation (we recognize that your interests may change).
This essay response will require that you complete significant research on the history and structure of the MSTP program and curriculum. After reading their web pages, what features of the program stand out in your mind? After reviewing a complete list of their departments, what areas interest you? Have you completed research or a degree in any of these fields? What attracted you to that research project or field? Align your background and long-term interests with their program in your essay response.
Essay 2
At the University of Michigan Medical School, we are committed to building a superb educational community with students of diverse talents, experiences, opinions, and backgrounds. What would you as an individual bring to our medical school community? Do not exceed 1500 characters (about 250 words).
This is a common general question on secondary applications; the response that you develop for this essay can be adapted for other applications. An effective response to this question will provide an overview of the diverse talents and interests that you will share with the UMMS community. Have you received awards or recognition in any of your fields of interest? What has been your most long-term commitment—to music, science, volunteering, research, clinical experience, leadership or athletics? What talents have you cultivated that you have shared with your community? How many languages do you speak and how has your cultural background increased your connection with the community? After you have selected those talents and activities that you feel best represent you—relate them back to medicine and how you will share or involve your classmates in these interests. How will they enrich your classmates’ experience as well as your own?
| AMCAS Application Due | September 30, 2012 |
| MSTP Application and Secondary Materials Due |
October 15, 2012 |
| Secondary Application | *November 30, 2012 (Strong recommendation: Submit within two weeks after receipt.) |
| Interviews Conducted | September 7, 2012 to February 15, 2013 |
| Rolling Admissions | October 15, 2012 to March 2013 |
| School Begins | First Week in August 2013 |
If you would like professional guidance with your University of Michigan Medical School application materials, please consider using Accepted’s Medical School Admissions Consulting and Editing Services, which include advising, editing, and interview coaching for the UMMS application materials.
Alicia Nimonkar is an Accepted.com advisor and editor specializing in healthcare admissions. Prior to joining Accepted, Alicia worked for five years as Student Advisor at UC Davis’ postbac program where she both evaluated applications and advised students applying successfully to med school and related programs. Explore Accepted.com’s services to see how Alicia can help you achieve your professional dreams in healthcare.
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