In 1811, Brown University was the third university in the nation to offer medical education. Although the medical school closed 16 years later, it was relaunched in 1972 and is known today as The Warren Alpert Medical School. 

With a commitment to compassion, equity, and social responsibility, the school cultivates diverse physician leaders who transform care, discovery, and advocacy both locally and globally. The Warren Alpert Medical School’s curriculum emphasizes early patient contact, integrated sciences, strong mentorship, and social responsibility. The Scholarly Concentrations Program runs throughout the four years of the MD program and enables students to conduct independent research in cross-disciplinary fields. As Rhode Island’s only medical school, The Warren Alpert Medical School is affiliated with seven local hospitals that serve more than one million people from diverse backgrounds.

The school seeks academically strong, socially conscious, compassionate future physicians who will contribute to advancing health with integrity and creativity.

Table of Contents:

• The Warren Alpert Medical School Secondary Essay Tips 
• The Warren Alpert Medical School Application Timeline
• The Warren Alpert Medical School Class Profile

The Warren Alpert Medical School Secondary Essay Tips 

Essay #1

Do you have significant limitations on your interview availability for the 2024-2025 admissions cycle? [Assume they meant 2025-2026] (500 characters)

*NOTE: Interviews occur on Thursdays and/or Fridays beginning in mid-September and finishing in February. Please detail any significant limitations on your availability during this time, such as international travel, work or courses. You may use the text box below to explain your limited availability. (if none, leave blank)

Describe any limitations with scheduling interviews, if applicable. 

Essay #2 

Summarize your activities during the 2024-2025 academic year. Describe how your activities are preparing you for a medical career. [Again, I think they meant 2025-2026] (2000 characters)

What activities have you participated in during the past academic year? Are you attending school, working, or conducting research? Include any volunteer work, shadowing, or other activities you are participating in. Consider how these commitments are preparing you for medical school. Have you gained patient-facing experience, medical knowledge, or research skills? Have you learned to work effectively in a team environment? How will what you learned help you become a better learner and future physician?

Essay #3 

How will your unique attributes, life experiences, and interests add to The Warren Alpert Medical School community? (2000 characters)

What makes you unique? Consider parts of your identity, personality traits, upbringing, interests, or any other life experiences. Describe these unique attributes and how they will contribute to the community at The Warren Alpert Medical School. Will you bring a new perspective to discussions, foster a more inclusive environment, or teach your classmates about a particular topic? Are there particular programs or initiatives in The Warren Alpert Medical School community that you will contribute to? Your response should demonstrate your unique qualities and the ways you will participate in the school community. 

Essay #4 

Reflect on a non-academic situation when you had to change course, and how you did so. (3000 characters)

Consider times when something did not work out or you felt you made the wrong decision and had to change your plans. Describe how and why you changed course. What were some difficulties with the change? What strategies did you use? What did you learn from this experience? Your response should reflect your ability to adapt and change directions when needed. You may choose to discuss how these skills could apply to a future career in medicine. 

The Warren Alpert Medical School Application Timeline

Date/Period	Event/Requirement
Spring to early summer	Complete your AMCAS application; take the MCAT; submit early in the cycle
July	AMCAS applications begin to be accepted
October 7	AMCAS application deadline
November 1	Secondary application and letters of recommendation deadline
September to February	Interviews held every Thursday and most Fridays; invitations sent via email
Rolling	Admissions decisions released; candidates told decision time frame on interview day
April	Second Look event for accepted applicants

Source: The Warren Alpert Medical School website

***Disclaimer: Information is subject to change. Please check with The Warren Alpert Medical School directly to verify its essay questions, instructions, and deadlines.***

The Warren Alpert Medical School Class Profile

Here is a look at the MD Class of 2029 admissions and acceptance statistics (data taken from The Warren Alpert Medical School website):

Matriculated: 144

Universities represented: 54

US states and territories represented: 32

Countries represented (by birth or citizenship): 15

Students who report speaking a language other than English at an advanced level: 45%

Students who came to the medical school directly from undergrad: 35%

Age range: 21-35

Students enrolled in Primary Care-Population Medicine dual degree (MD/MS) program: 16

Students from groups historically underrepresented in medicine: 24%

Related Resources

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