Given the mission statement for BCM, I recommend covering your clinical, research and community experience in their secondary application essay. They place special emphasis on recruiting students from diverse backgrounds and from ethnicities that are underrepresented in medicine. Highlight your personal connections, volunteer work and leadership roles in medically underserved communities.
Baylor College of Medicine 2017-18 Secondary Essay Question:
Indicate any special experiences, unusual factors or other information you feel would be helpful in evaluating you, including, but not limited to, education, employment, extracurricular activities, prevailing over adversity. You may expand upon but not repeat AMCAS application information. (2000 character limit. Limit includes spaces.)
Using a timeline you have created of your life that includes all significant events and/or an updated copy of your resume or CV, check off the items you have already covered in your primary application. Creating a list from the remaining items that you have not covered, which are related to clinical, research, work, or leadership in community service? Are there any items that relate to how you have overcome adversity? Strategically selecting the activities or events that will reveal more about you as a person, create an outline using this short list. Free-write to cover as much detail as you can from your outline. After taking a break, edit the material to ensure you have a clear introductory sentence, solid body with explanations and a concise conclusion that sums up your experiences.
If you would like professional guidance with your Baylor College of Medicine application materials, check out Accepted’s Medical School Admissions Consulting and Editing Services, which include advising, editing, and interview coaching for BCOM’s application materials.
Baylor College of Medicine Application Timeline:
***Disclaimer: Information is subject to change. Please check with individual programs to verify the essay questions, instructions and deadlines.***
Alicia McNease Nimonkar is an Accepted 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. Want Alicia to help you get accepted? Click here to get in touch!
Related Resources:
• How to Create Successful Secondary Applications, a free webinar
• Baylor College of Medicine: A Holistic Approach to Admissions, a podcast episode
• 7 Signs An Experience Belongs In Your Application
