Albert Einstein College of Medicine, located in the Bronx, is a mission-driven institution committed to advancing health through scientific discovery, educational innovation, and deep community engagement. With a longstanding reputation for excellence in medical education, clinical care, and groundbreaking research, Einstein is dedicated to training compassionate, collaborative physician-leaders who are as committed to equity and service as they are to science. In March 2024, Einstein made history by announcing the David S. and Ruth L. Gottesman Scholarship Fund, a transformational gift that ensures free tuition for all MD students – forever – making medical education more accessible and enabling future doctors to focus on purpose, not debt.

Einstein seeks accomplished, service-minded applicants who are driven to transform healthcare – in both how it’s practiced and how it serves diverse communities. Through a holistic admissions process, a noncompetitive pass/fail curriculum, and opportunities for dual degrees, service learning, and research, the school cultivates critical thinkers who are ready to become advocates, educators, and innovators in medicine. Students at Einstein are immersed in a collaborative learning environment that values collegiality, compassion, and leadership – qualities that define the institution’s approach to both medical education and community impact.

2025-2026 Einstein Secondary Essay Prompts

A. HISTORY​

Einstein allows you 3,000 characters to address each of the following statements and explain your circumstances, if needed:

• I have taken time off from school between high school and college. If you answered, “yes” to the above question, please explain.
• I have taken time off from school during my undergraduate years. If you answered, “yes” to the above question, please explain.
• I have taken at least a year off from school since college graduation, including this year that I am applying. If you answered, “yes” to the above question, please explain.
• I have taken and received credit for online science core courses (e.g., chemistry, biology, organic chemistry, physics and mathematics) that were taken prior to the Covid Pandemic (earlier than Spring 2020) and/or after June 2023. If you answered, “yes” to the above question, please explain.
• I have applied previously to medical school. If you answered, “yes” to the above question, please explain why you think you were not accepted.
• I have submitted an AMCAS application to Einstein previously. If you answered, “yes” to the above question, please tell us the year you applied, and whether or not you were interviewed, as well as the outcome.
• I am/was a graduate student in the Graduate Programs in the Biomedical Sciences of Albert Einstein College of Medicine. If you answered, “yes” to the above question, please explain where you are in your graduate education, your intentions for completing, and your reasons for applying to medical school.
• I was accepted to medical school previously but did not attend. If you answered, “yes” to the above question, please tell us where, and why you did not attend.
• I was previously enrolled in medical school. If you answered, “yes” to the above question, please tell us where, and why you did not complete the degree.
• I can attest that I have fulfilled the Albert Einstein College of Medicine COMPETENCIES (Course Requirements | Office of Admissions | Albert Einstein College of Medicine) for admission. If you answered, “no” to the above question, please explain. For example, if you plan to take pre-medical course work in the coming summer, fall, or spring, please list the courses and tell us when and where you will be taking them.
• I will have a Baccalaureate Degree by the time I matriculate into medical school. If you answered, “no” to the above question, please explain.
• I am presently holding a deferral from another medical / graduate / professional school. If you answered, “yes” to the above question, please tell us where and explain.
• I have received a grade of “F,” “D,” “I” and/or “W” during my college/graduate school years. If you answered, “yes” to the above question, please explain.

If any of the circumstances in the statements above apply to you, provide a brief explanation of why this is the case. This may include personal circumstances that impacted your academics or journey to medical school, academic challenges you faced, or your decision to take a gap year. Only explain the statements that apply to you. 

B. HISTORY CONTINUED

Einstein also allows 3,000 characters to respond to each of these questions, if needed:

• As an undergraduate, I transferred from one college to another. If you answered, “”yes”” to the above question, please explain.
• I have been the recipient of a warning notice for a non-academic issue that did NOT result in a disciplinary action. If you answered, “”yes”” to the above question, please explain.
• I have been subject to a disciplinary action and/or administrative action, expunged or not, while an undergraduate or graduate student. If you answered, “”yes”” to the above question, please explain.
• I currently have disciplinary charges pending. If you answered, “”yes”” to the above question, please explain.
• I have been prohibited or suspended from practicing in a professional capacity because of alleged misconduct. If you answered, “”yes”” to the above question, please explain.
• If you were employed during the academic year, other than during winter and summer breaks, please write the number of hours you worked per week, and tell us what you did and why you were employed.
• Please provide the names of languages you speak (other than English) and indicate the fluency with which you speak them (beginner, moderate, advanced). (1000 characters)

If any of the circumstances in the statements above apply to you, provide a brief explanation of why this is the case. This may include reasons for school transfers, explaining disciplinary charges or suspensions (what they are, what actions are taken, what you have learned), languages spoken, and employment during the academic year. 

C. LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION​

Did you take your last science course more than 5 years ago?

If you answered “yes” to the above question, and have been away from course work for more than 5 years, please explain your activities, as well as any course work you may have completed during this time. If your answer was, “”no,”” please write “NA” in the box below. (3000 characters)

If it has been over five years since you completed your last science course, explain what you have been doing since. Have you had a different career? Are you pursuing a non-science degree? Do any of these activities require using your scientific knowledge or skills? Describe any course work that you have completed during this time. 

If you have an Undergraduate Pre-Professional Advisory Committee at your college or university, and have chosen NOT to request a letter from that Committee, please tell us why not. (9000 characters)

If this statement applies to you, describe any special circumstances that explain why you chose not to request an advisory committee letter. 

D. EINSTEIN OR AFFILIATED HOSPITAL WORK EXPERIENCE​

• Have you worked in basic or clinical research at an Einstein affiliated hospital? If you answered, “”yes”” to the above question, please tell us WHERE and WHEN.

• Have you participated in an Einstein Pathway Program during high school, college or after? If you answered “”yes”” to the above question, please name the program(s) and YEAR.
• Have you ever volunteered at an Einstein affiliated hospital, in one of our clinical areas, other than research or a Pathway Program? If you answered, “”yes”” to the above question, please tell us WHERE and WHEN.
• If you answered “”yes”” that you have worked with us at an Einstein affiliated hospital, will a letter from an Einstein faculty member be included in your evaluations? If a letter from an Einstein faculty member will be included in your evaluations, please tell us the name, title and department of the letter writer.

If you answered “yes” to any of the above questions, describe your previous experiences with Einstein programs or affiliated hospitals and provide the information requested in the prompt.

F. UNIQUE LIFE EXPERIENCES​

What unique life experiences, personal attributes and/or perspectives will you bring as part of the incoming class? Are there particular challenges or successes that you have encountered? If you do not wish to write anything, please write “NA.” (3000 characters)

To answer this prompt, you should reflect on key experiences or aspects of your identity that shape who you are. Is there something unique about your family, upbringing, or background? What have you learned from this experience? You may include a specific example of a challenge you have overcome or a success you have experienced. Did these experiences lead you to develop new qualities or perspectives? Make sure you also discuss how your qualities, perspectives, and values will have a positive impact on your class at Einstein. For example, will your experience enhance discussions, make you a better advocate, or strengthen the sense of community around you? 

G. ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH US?​

Please use this space to tell us anything about yourself that you would like us to know. If you do not wish to write anything, please write “NA.” (3000 characters)

This open-ended prompt is an opportunity to share something that you did not include in your AMCAS and secondary application or something you wish to elaborate on further. It can be anything you believe will enhance the admissions committee’s understanding of you and your application. Is there a particular part of your identity or background you have not yet discussed? Do you participate in any extracurricular activities that you did not include or expand on in your application? You may also use this space to discuss why you believe you will be a good fit for Einstein in particular. Are there parts of the school’s mission, curriculum, or programs that align with your medical education goals? Have you been pursuing a particular hobby or interest that you plan on continuing at Einstein? 

Einstein Application Timeline

Event	Date
AMCAS begins accepting primary applications	May 28
Early decision primary applications are due to AMCAS	August 1
All early decision application materials are due to Einstein	August 15
Interview season begins at Einstein	September
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) applications are available to submit	October 1
Einstein notifies early decision applicants of acceptance	October 1
Einstein AMCAS application window for primary applications closes	October 15
Latest date to submit transcripts to AMCAS	November 1
Latest date to submit and verify recipient of evaluation letter to AMCAS	December 1
Latest date for Einstein to receive all application materials	December 1
Interview season ends at Einstein	April
Einstein begins notifying accepted MD program applicants	March 1
Accepted applicants may begin to select the “Plan to Enroll” option in the AMCAS Choose Your Medical School Tool to indicate that Einstein College of Medicine is the preferred option among your acceptances. You may continue to hold multiple offers and remain on other waitlists.	February
FAFSA applications due	March 1
Einstein sends interview invitations	August-April
Accepted applicants may hold no more than three medical school acceptances, but may remain on other waitlists	April
Registration, health forms, housing, and orientation information sent to incoming students	May
Applicants to Einstein’s MD/PhD Program must select “Commit to Enroll” in AMCAS	May 16
Applicants to Einstein’s MD Program must select “Commit to Enroll” in AMCAS	July 11
Orientation and classes begin for all MD students	August

Source: Einstein College of Medicine website

***Disclaimer: Information is subject to change. Please check with Albert Einstein College of Medicine directly to verify its essay questions, instructions, and deadlines.***

Einstein College of Medicine Class Profile

Here is a look at the Einstein admissions statistics (2024 data taken from the Einstein College of Medicine website):

Applications received: 8,897

Interviews granted: 966

MD students accepted in each first-year class: 165

Students with a non-science undergraduate degree: 27%

Students with a Bachelor of Arts in the humanities: 68

Students with a Bachelor of Science: 96

Students certified as an EMT or in wilderness training: 31

Students who received a Gottesman Scholarship: 100%

Average cost of Einstein’s MD degree after institutional scholarships: ~$138,000

Average MD degree cost at a private U.S. medical school: $240,000

Undergraduate schools represented: 71

States represented: 22

In-state students: 44%

Students born in the Bronx: 4

Countries represented: 16+

Students who speak some Spanish: 53%

As the former assistant dean of student affairs at the William Beaumont School of Medicine and former director of pre-health advisement and the Postbaccalaureate Certificate Program at Sacred Heart University, Dr. Valerie Wherely brings more than 20 years of success working with pre-health candidates in medicine, dental, vet, PA, PT, OT, exercise science, and nursing. Her clients appreciate her expertise in the holistic admissions process and her patient, thoughtful, strategic, and data-driven working style. Work with Valerie! Schedule a free consultation today!

Related Resources

• Make the Most of Your Experiences for ERAS
• Do’s and Don’ts of Medical School Recommendation Letters
• Admissions Straight Talk, a podcast for med school applicants