Given the principles for BCM, I recommend covering your clinical, research and community experience in their secondary application essays. 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 2018-19 Secondary Application Essay Questions:
Baylor College of Medicine Essay #1
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.)
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.
Baylor College of Medicine Essay #2 (Required for applicants who graduated from college prior to applying to medical school)
What did you do during your gap year? (2,000 character limit)
If this question applies to you, share everything that you did during this time. It’s better to have more than not enough activities. You can include any progress you have made in your professional life as well as in hobbies. Use all the space allowed. Obviously, it will help if you have continued your clinical work and community service, but don’t neglect to mention any achievements or improvement you have made in other areas of your life. It’s better to be a well-rounded applicant with lots of diverse interests than focused only on medicine.
Baylor College of Medicine Essay #3 (Required for career changers)
Is becoming a physician a second career for you? If so, what was your first career choice? (2,000 character limit)
Be honest in responding to this question. You can detail all the reasons why you choose your first career path. Mention any and all accomplishments that you achieved in this field. There is no need to “bash” or write about the negative side of this career to explain why you left it. Instead, consider pivoting to explain how and why your background in this area will give you a unique perspective in medicine. How will your original career benefit your approach to medicine?
Baylor College of Medicine Essay #4 (Required for applicants to the Medical Scientist Training Program)
Please describe your primary research Interests for the PhD portion of dual degree training including potential Baylor College of Medicine or Rice University faculty with whom you would like to work. (Will not limit final research project or mentor selection) (2000 character limit)
To provide the best response to this question, first do some research. Review their list of faculty and the projects they’re working on at Baylor and Rice University to narrow your focus. Using your background in that particular area or a related field, explain all the reasons why you would be interested in conducting research on that topic(s). Align your interests with what the school has to offer you. Be honest and take the opportunity to engage in some reflection about what motivates you to engage in research and the focus you’ve chosen.
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 2018-19 Application Timeline
| AMCAS Application Due | November 1, 2018 |
| Secondary Application Due | MD only: December 1, 2018
MD/Ph.D: November 1, 2018 |
| Interviews Take Place | August 2018 – February 2019 |
| Notification of Acceptance | October 2018 – June 2019 |
***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:
• 5 Fatal Flaws to Avoid in Your Med School and Secondary Essays, a free guide
• School-Specific Med Secondary Essay Tips
• 4 Tips for Writing Successful Secondary Essays
