George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences Secondary Application Essay Tips and Timeline [2025–2026], Class Profile
The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences (GW SMHS) is the 11th oldest medical school in the country and has a mission of improving health locally, nationally, and globally. Located in Washington, DC, the campus is within walking distance of both the White House and the National Mall.
The school’s traditional MD curriculum offers earlier clinical experiences, more independent study time, and additional focus on topics such as public health and clinical reasoning. The GW SMHS Scholarly Concentration Program offers students both leadership opportunities and a broader perspective on healthcare through unique programs of study including Disaster Management and Medical Humanities.
The importance of community is evident given the multitude of student organizations at GW SMHS. Students can collaborate with peers who have similar career interests, hobbies, or creative outlets by participating in such groups as Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, the GW Med Run Club, and Out for Health.
GW SMHS Secondary Essay Tips
(Note: In contrast to most med school secondary essays, the character count does not include spaces.)
1. Application Fee Payment Code
2. Have you ever registered at an institution under a different name? (Y/N)
Answer this yes/no question. If you answer “Yes,” include your other name.
3. Have you ever been convicted of, plead guilty, or plead no lo contendere to a criminal offense? Have you ever been arrested for a felony or misdemeanor? (Y/N)
Answer this yes/no question.
4. Did you indicate that you were the recipient of any institutional action on your AMCAS application? (Y/N)
Answer this yes/no question.
5. Do you understand you need to complete these recommendations prior to matriculation? (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Laboratory Experience, English, Social/Behavioral Sciences). (Y/N).
Answer this Yes/No question.
6. Select the campus you prefer for your clinical education.
Main Campus Preferred
- Regional Medical Campus Preferred
- Main Campus Only
- Regional Medical Campus Only
Select your preferred campus for your clinical rotations. Regardless, you will start your pre-clinical education at the main campus. The main campus may be a better fit if you are interested in an urban academic hospital setting. The Regional Medical Campus is located at Sinai Hospital of Baltimore and is part of the LifeBridge Health system. It offers more of a community-based experience with a focus on population health and social determinants of health. Be honest and thoughtful in answering this question, as your response may determine your placement if accepted.
7. If you selected regional medical campus preferred or regional medical campus only in question 6, please explain in detail your interest in regional medical campus and how it will be a good fit for your clinical education. (1750 characters excluding spaces)
If you selected Regional Medical Campus Preferred or Regional Medical Campus Only, demonstrate why this environment will best support your growth as a future physician. Discuss your interest in the campus’s patient population and focus on community health, population health, or social determinants of health. How will these experiences help you work toward your goals for a future medical career? Consider how you will benefit from a smaller, close-knit clinical setting. How will this environment align with your learning style and enhance your clinical education? If you have any personal ties to the Regional Medical Campus region, you may also wish to include that.
8. Please provide the Admissions Committee with a brief summary of your activities, academics, employment or other occupations to account for full-time activity (approx. 30-40 hours/week) from the point of application through matriculation in 2026. (750 characters excluding spaces)
Provide a clear and succinct summary of your plans for the upcoming year. Include whether you will spend the year in school, working, or conducting research. What community service efforts or shadowing experiences will you participate in? Do you have upcoming projects, conference presentations, or publications planned? This response should include both activities you plan to continue and anything new you are planning to start in the next year. Be sure to account for at least 30-40 hours per week.
9. The MD Program includes substantial content in Clinical Public Health (population health, health systems science, health policy, and community health) to prepare GW graduates for an expanded scope of practice required to be successful 21st century physicians. What are your specific interests and experiences related to that aspect of the MD Program? (350 characters excluding spaces)
This is your opportunity to demonstrate how your interests align with the GW Clinical Public Health curriculum. Consider your experience in population health, health systems science, health policy, or community health. Have you been engaged in coursework, research, advocacy, or community service in any of these areas? What interests have you developed? What do you hope to pursue further at GW? Discuss how a substantial foundation in Clinical Public Health will be an important part of your medical education and make you a better physician.
10. What makes you a unique individual? What challenges have you faced? What have you learned from your experiences? (750 characters excluding spaces)
Reflect on aspects of your identity, background, experiences, interests, and beliefs that make up your unique perspective. What challenges have you faced in your life? What have you learned from these experiences? Focus on how you have overcome and grown from these challenges. How have they contributed to who you are today? This is your chance to show your depth, self-reflection, and what you will bring to GW as a future medical student.
11. What is your specific interest in the MD Program at GW? What opportunities would you take advantage of as a student here? Why? (1750 characters excluding spaces)
Use this prompt as an opportunity to demonstrate your enthusiasm for GW as well as why you would be a good fit for the school. Reflect on the school’s mission “to enhance the health and health equity of individuals and communities through world-class education, research from discovery through implementation sciences, and patient care.” How does this mission statement align with your goals as a future physician? Conduct your own research on GW’s curriculum, campus, culture, values, and opportunities. Be sure to use specific examples to demonstrate your genuine interest in and knowledge of the program. What does GW uniquely offer that will help you pursue your interests and goals?
12. Have you previously interacted directly with the MD Admissions Office through events, tours, fairs, webinars, or interviews? (Y/N) If YES, please explain.
Answer this question honestly. If you have previously interacted with the admissions team, specify how. Did you attend webinars, campus tours, or speak with admissions representatives in another setting? What did you learn from this interaction? What role did it play in your decision to apply to the GW MD program?
13. Do you want to pursue the joint MD/MPH program? (Y/N) If YES, then please describe why you would want to pursue the MD/MPH program and how the combined degree would fit into your career goals.
Answer this yes/no question. If you are interested in pursuing a dual MD/MPH degree, explain the following: How does an MPH degree complement your goals as a future physician? What are your specific interests (i.e., health policy, global health, epidemiology, healthcare delivery)? Describe your past experiences in the field of public health such as coursework, research, employment, or community service. What did you learn from this experience, and how did it spark your interest? What impact do you hope to make with an MD/MPH degree? Your response should highlight your passion and dedication to this additional commitment.
GW SMHS Application Timeline
| Time Frame | Action Item |
| By November 15 | Complete the AMCAS application and letters of recommendation. Submit the AMCAS application via the AMCAS website.Provide either a pre-health/premed committee letter (required if available) OR three individual letters (at least one from a science faculty member familiar with your academic work). All letters must be submitted to AMCAS via the AMCAS letter service (do not send directly to GW).Additional requirement: If enrolled in or graduated from a graduate/professional program, send an official letter of good standing directly to GW after receiving an interview invitation. |
| By December 12 | Complete the GW SMHS secondary application. GW will email all AMCAS applicants an invitation to complete the secondary application. Submit the completed secondary application and application fee to the Admissions Office by December 12 (early completion recommended; files are not processed until application and fee are received). |
Source: GW SMHS website
***Disclaimer: Information is subject to change. Please check with GW SMHS directly to verify its essay questions, instructions, and deadlines.***
GW SMHS Class Profile
Here is a look at the GW SMHS Class of 2026 (data taken from the GW SMHS website):
Class size: 181 students
States represented: 25
Undergraduate institutions represented: 76
Women: 52%
Non-white: 65%
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