NYU Grossman School of Medicine Secondary Application Essay Tips and Timeline [2025–2026], Class Profile
The New York University (NYU) Grossman School of Medicine, located in the heart of New York City, is a leader in reimagining medical education for the 21st century. Known for pioneering the first three-year MD program among top academic medical schools and offering full-tuition scholarships to all MD students, the school empowers future physicians to pursue their calling without the burden of debt. Its Curriculum for the 21st Century: Personalized Pathways curriculum integrates foundational science with early clinical experience, research collaboration, and global health opportunities, while allowing students to tailor their training through accelerated pathways, several dual MD/master’s degree programs, or an MD/PhD. With access to world-class clinical affiliates and a diverse patient population, NYU Grossman provides an immersive, innovative, and flexible learning environment designed to produce physician-leaders who advance patient care, research, and medical education.
The school seeks academically exceptional, well-rounded applicants who combine strong interpersonal skills and leadership potential with a demonstrated commitment to service. Ideal candidates bring life experiences that reflect cultural competence, resilience, and a passion for improving healthcare on both local and global scales. While academic excellence – evidenced by high GPAs, strong MCAT scores, and a solid foundation in the sciences – is essential, the admissions committee also values diverse perspectives, a collaborative spirit, and the readiness to thrive in a rigorous, patient-centered, and innovation-driven environment.
NYU Grossman Secondary Essay Tips
Essay #1
If applicable, please comment on significant fluctuations in your academic record.
Respond to this prompt only if you have discrepancies in your grades that you can explain in a short essay and that are not addressed elsewhere in your application. When presenting this kind of information, avoid blaming others, and always try to show how you have rectified the situation and/or grown from the experience. For instance, if your grades suffered when you were juggling multiple jobs and coursework, focus on how the experience taught you to be more efficient – rather than complaining that your professor unjustly penalized a late paper.
Although there’s no character length specified for this essay, you should keep your submission short and straightforward. Be as specific as possible, and always be honest.
Essay #2
If you have taken any time off from your studies – before, during, or after college – please describe what you did during that time and your reasons for doing so.
Similarly, if you have any breaks in your educational history, present your explanation of these gaps succinctly, honestly, and with as much emphasis on the positive as possible. I suggest that you limit this essay to a paragraph for shorter breaks that occurred when you were in college, while explaining your gap activities if you are a nontraditional applicant. For instance, if you worked in another career for a while, that might justify a longer essay. If you have graduated from college, provide a short summary of what you have been doing since graduation, focusing especially on full-time work and volunteer activities. Keep things positive; highlight your personal and professional growth, the impact you have had on others, and how you have learned from these beneficial or educational experiences.
Essay #3
NYU Grossman School of Medicine allows all our students to accelerate their medical educational training. To guide our curricular efforts focusing on early career exploration for our students, please select up to three residency specialties currently of interest to you. Please note that your selections do not impact your admissions decision, they are not binding, and you may select “Undecided” if you are unsure of your future career path.
It is absolutely fine to answer this prompt as “Undecided” and wait until your med school clinical rotations to make an informed decision about residency specialties. For students who have gained lots of experience and insight into a variety of specialties – through shadowing, informational interviews, research, and clinical experience – and may know how they eventually want to practice medicine, NYU Grossman offers a three-year MD degree pathway. Accepted students directly progress into one of 21 available residencies at the NYU Grossman residency program through the National Resident Matching Program.
Essay #4
Please upload your most recent CV, ensuring it includes up-to-date publications, abstracts, and presentations.
Don’t overlook this important item! First, ensure you are submitting a CV and not a resume. Second, your CV should be updated and current. Third, double-check that your publications, abstract, and presentations are written and formatted correctly on your CV. And, finally, upload a PDF, not a Word or Google Docs file.
Essay #5
The Admissions Committee evaluates a range of student qualities and life experiences that complement demonstrated academic excellence. What unique qualities do you possess that make you uniquely suited to become a physician or physician scientist? How have your individual lived experiences shaped your core values and desire to be a future leader in our profession? (2500 characters)
This prompt reflects NYU Grossman’s desire to admit students from a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences. The admissions committee will use this essay to understand your personality and to see how well you can express yourself maturely, conveying your leadership potential without directly proclaiming it.
To tackle this prompt, first ask yourself what qualities or values you think make a good physician or physician-scientist. You might want to think about inspiring people you have seen or worked with. Which of these qualities or values are the strongest in you? And where did they come from? Your family? Your identity or background? Understanding the qualities and values that make you you will help pinpoint how you can contribute to medicine.
Do not use this essay to repeat what you said in your personal statement or to rehash your work experiences. This essay should not be a list of achievements or vague traits like “leadership.” And don’t get hung up on the word “unique.” Even if an experience isn’t unique in itself, the way that each person perceives and reacts to it is. These are the details that will help you impress the admissions committee.
Essay #6
The most meaningful achievements are often non-academic in nature. Describe the personal accomplishment that makes you most proud. Why is this important to you? (2500 characters)
This prompt asks you to think about achievements broadly and include experiences that might not otherwise be covered in a traditional application. Your achievement could be in the arts, sports, community service, or possibly even personal arena. The focus should be on why this nonacademic achievement was important to you. Do not write about academic awards or your grades/MCAT scores. I also don’t recommend that you write about getting into med school or another academic-type program.
Essay #7
Conflicts arise daily from differences in perspectives, priorities, worldviews and traditions. How do you define respect? Describe a situation in which you found it challenging to remain respectful while facing differences. (2500 characters)
In this essay, it’s important to focus on a specific situation and be honest about your role. There should be a genuine conflict that you sought to resolve rather than circumstances in which you were a relatively passive observer. A strong essay here will show that you have grown and matured as a result of the conflict. Try to write this essay for someone who doesn’t know you well, which will require you to provide detail. The situation can come from your academic, professional, or personal life. And don’t forget to define “respect”; be sure to provide your personal definition, not the dictionary definition.
Essay #8
Describe a situation in which working with a colleague, family member or friend has been challenging. How did you approach the situation, and what did you gain from the experience that will benefit you as a future health care provider? (2500 characters)
This prompt asks you to reflect on how you grew as a person from a difficult situation and learned to relate to others. However, in this case, the other party in the challenging situation is someone you are close with – someone who is a member of one of your “groups,” such as your family, team, coworkers, or social circle.
Again, it’s important here to write about a specific situation and show how you resolved it – or tried to resolve it – even if the other party remained oppositional. It can be an experience from any aspect of your life, so don’t limit yourself to academic or professional situations (though those can also lead to fruitful essays). The most important character in the essay is you, so show how you grew as a result of the experience. The point here is not about being right; it is about sustaining relationships while accepting differences.
NYU Grossman Application Timeline, 2025-2026
| Date | Event |
| July | NYU Grossman begins sending interview invitations |
| September | Interview season begins |
| October 1 | FAFSA applications available to submit |
| October 15 | Primary applications due |
| November 10, 2025 | Secondary applications due |
| December | Interview season ends |
| January | Notification of admissions decisions |
| February 2, 2026 – 11:59 p.m. EST | Tertiary applications due |
| February 19, 2026 | Accepted applicants may begin to select the “Plan to Enroll” option in the AMCAS Choose Your Medical School Tool |
| March 1 | FAFSA applications due |
| April 15, 2026 | Accepted applicants may hold no more than three medical school acceptances but may remain on other waitlists |
| April 30, 2026 | Accepted applicants committed to matriculating may select the “Commit to Enroll” option in AMCAS (must withdraw from other acceptances and waitlists) |
| May | Registration, health forms, housing, and orientation information sent to incoming students |
| June | MD program applicants may select “Commit to Enroll” in AMCAS at least three weeks before orientation |
| July | Orientation and classes begin for all MD students |
Source: NYU Grossman website
***Disclaimer: Information is subject to change. Please check with NYU Grossman directly to verify its essay questions, instructions, and deadlines.***
NYU Grossman Class Profile
Here is a look at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine Class of 2024 (data taken from the NYU Grossman website):
Applicants: 8,271
Interviewed: 821
Accepted: 208 (acceptance rate: 2.50%)
Matriculated: 106 (91 MD, 13 MD/PhD, 2 OMS)
Total students in all classes: 422
Students receiving grants and/or scholarships: 100%
Median MCAT: 523
MCAT range: 516-527
Median GPA: 3.98
GPA range: 3.79-4.0
Gender
- Men: 51%
- Women: 49%
Average age: 23
Age range: 20-30
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