The Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) School of Medicine is Oregon’s only academic health center and one of the oldest medical schools in the western United States, with roots dating back to the late 19th century. Celebrating over 125 years of service, OHSU is home to a vibrant, collaborative community of educators, students, scientists, and clinicians united by a mission to heal, teach, discover, and serve. Its nationally and internationally recognized faculty conduct groundbreaking research in areas ranging from molecular biology and cancer to heart disease, behavioral science, and public health. The school is deeply committed to advancing education, research, and clinical care, particularly in improving access to health services for all Oregonians, and serves as a vital resource to all 36 counties in the state.

OHSU seeks future physicians, scientists, and health professionals who embody a commitment to lifelong learning, leadership, discovery, and service. The school values individuals who are dedicated to improving health and access to care, especially for underserved and rural populations across Oregon. Strong applicants will demonstrate a passion for translating scientific discoveries into effective, patient-centered healthcare, along with the ability to work collaboratively in a collegial environment. OHSU also looks for candidates who are motivated by both scientific curiosity and a sense of social responsibility – those prepared to address complex health challenges, serve diverse communities, and contribute meaningfully to the advancement of medical knowledge and practice.

Essay #1

What is a moment in your life that could have or changed your trajectory? (1,550 characters maximum)

This essay is asking applicants to share a story, show self-awareness, and demonstrate how the experience eventually shaped them. Reminder: this story does not necessarily have to be about medicine. Think of structuring this essay in four parts: the scene “before,” the moment something pivotal happened, the decision, and the scene “after.” Honest and specific stories will resonate with the adcom. Examples include almost failing a class, a conversation that changed how you saw yourself, and a choice that closed off one vision of your future but opened up a very different, exciting path.  

Essay #2

Describe the effect of an endeavor that didn’t go according to your plan. (1,550 characters maximum)

This essay is about flexibility, adaptability, and – possibly – one’s ability to handle stressful situations. You could consider highlighting a story where you had fully prepared for something and the plan went in an unforeseen direction. Or you could write about being presented with a situation where you felt completely unprepared. Did you underestimate an academic, professional, or personal challenge? Describe the context of the problem and recognize your lack of preparation. Focus most of your response on what you did to adapt in this setting. How did you manage stress, uncertainty, or unexpected information? What did you learn about yourself? How will this experience influence your future approach to preparation? 

Essay #3

What is an ordinary place that feels extraordinary because of what happened there? (1,550 characters maximum)

The challenge in this essay is to both select and describe a place that is “ordinary.” Selecting a location that is loud, bustling, and chaotic – such as the emergency department of a hospital – won’t work for this essay. The essay should focus on why that place is “extraordinary” to you, perhaps because of a conversation, a moment spent with a special person, compelling music, or the completion of a project. Close the loop of the essay with a final reflection on the “ordinary” place and its meaning to you.

Essay #4

Tell us about what environments allow you to thrive the most and the least. (1,550 characters maximum)

The goal of this essay is to demonstrate your self-awareness and vulnerability. When selecting content for this prompt, be as specific as possible and offer examples. For example, if you thrive most in collaborative environments (and most people do), try to dive deeper. What is it about the collaborative process that works for your learning style? How do you also contribute – both actively and passively – in a collaborative process? And, when thinking about an example for an environment where you thrive the least, don’t try to hide a virtue within that answer (e.g., “I thrive least when things are too easy”). Adcoms appreciate honesty in an answer that demonstrates introspection.  

Essay #5

Discuss your experience of recent personal feedback that was difficult to receive. (1,550 characters maximum)

Consider a piece of feedback that was difficult to receive, and then describe the context of the feedback and why it was particularly challenging. Did it touch on something personal? How did it make you feel, and what was your initial reaction? Most of your essay should focus on how you processed this feedback and responded to it. Show self-reflection, adaptation, and resilience. How have you incorporated this feedback into your life? What did you learn from this experience, and how has it impacted the way you accept feedback? Feedback is a significant part of medicine and medical training, so it is important to demonstrate your willingness to work through challenging feedback and grow from it. 

Essay #6

Describe a time when you had to reconsider or change a deeply held belief or perspective. What prompted this change? (1,550 characters maximum)

Answering this question involves a multistep process. First, clearly identify the belief or perspective for your narrative. This could be social, cultural, ethical, moral, personal, or something else. Second, let the reader know of the circumstance in which your belief was challenged. Perhaps it was in a classroom debate, a social situation, or a political debate, or perhaps during an interpersonal exchange/conversation. Finally, focus on the last part of the prompt: “What prompted this change?” Were you able to see a new point of view? Did you hear a compelling argument? Was a new policy implemented that helped you shift your thoughts?  

Essay #7

Describe a time when selfishness served you well. (1,550 characters maximum)

There is a fine line between selfishness and responsibility. This question is specifically asking you to share a time when you chose “selfishness” – which means putting yourself first – at the potential cost of someone else. This story doesn’t have to be malicious in nature, but it should demonstrate the tension between a choice you made and the person/people/organization on the receiving end of your decision. When structuring this essay, state the act of selfishness, and be sure to explain both the benefit and the cost of it.  

Essay #8 (Optional)

Are there any additional ties to the state of Oregon you wish to share? If yes, use the space below. If no, leave blank. Please note that this does not factor toward your consideration as an Oregon resident or Oregon Heritage.

Respond to this prompt if you want to expand on your reasoning for applying to medical school in Oregon. Have you spent time working, studying, or living in the state? Do you have friends or family who live there? This is an opportunity to demonstrate any connections to Oregon and explain why you hope to live, train, and serve there. Describe any interest you may have in the state’s healthcare system, patient population, or culture. 

Essay #9 (Optional)

We know that many of our applicants in the OHSU UME Program may have familial relationships with individuals who are OHSU faculty, residents, staff, or current students who serve as evaluators in our admissions process. We have added this question in hopes to prevent perceived or actual conflicts of interest that can occur when an applicant has a family member (or someone with a similar close personal relationship) they may encounter through the admissions process. If you have any such connections, please list those individuals’ names and departments below. If no, leave blank.

List any connections you have to OHSU faculty, residents, staff, or current students. Include their departments. 

Supplemental Essay #1

Based on your own experiences or the experiences of family and friends, do you believe that the area in which you grew up was adequately served by the available health care professionals? Were there enough physicians, nurses, hospitals, clinics, and other health care service providers and how did that affect your experience and relationship with health care? Please explain. (4,000 characters maximum)

If you grew up in an area with adequate healthcare resources and providers, simply state that. However, if you grew up in a rural or disadvantaged area with limited healthcare resources, begin by describing the area. In addition, tell the adcom what type of healthcare providers were conveniently located nearby (e.g., pediatricians) and what type of providers were a significant distance away (e.g., specialty providers). Include information about whether you could easily access services such as walk-in clinics, emergency departments, and hospitals. Finally, what did you think of healthcare providers as you were growing up? Did you think they were helpful or unattainable? Share your insights.

Supplemental Essay #2

Please describe the nature of the adversity and how social, economic, academic, or other circumstances affected you and your opportunities. (4,000 characters maximum)

If you did not experience any type of adversity listed in the essay prompt, simply state that. If something outside of your control meaningfully limited your access to resources, safety, stability, or opportunities, you are encouraged to write about that. These could include financial hardship, immigration status, food/housing insecurity, disability, illness (yours or a family member’s), being first-gen, community violence, discrimination, caregiving responsibilities, and/or a chaotic or unsafe home. The adcom would also like to know how the adversity affected your opportunities for things such as grades, test prep, extracurricular access, and time available for completing the “normal” premed checklist items. 

Supplemental Essay #3

We acknowledge that our application is not fully comprehensive. If there is anything additional you would like to let us know about you, please briefly state it here. (No maximum)

If you think you have told a compelling story – between your primary application and the secondary questions – you do not have to add anything else here. Some applicants will take the opportunity to use this essay to say “Here is why I want to attend the Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine” given that the question has not specifically been asked.  

OHSU Application Timeline

Date/Time Frame	Event/Requirement
May 31 to October 15	AMCAS transmits applications to OHSU. Applicants must set up an AMCAS account, complete the online application, and designate OHSU as a recipient.
Up to six weeks after AMCAS submission	It may take six weeks for OHSU to receive your certified AMCAS application.

Source: OHSU website

***Disclaimer: Information is subject to change. Please check with OHSU directly to verify its essay questions, instructions, and deadlines.***

OHSU Class Profile

Here is a look at a recent OHSU entering class (data taken from the OHSU website):

Average total GPA: 3.66

Average science GPA: 3.57

Average MCAT score: 509

Total applications: 6,000+

Applicants interviewed: 543

Applicants accepted: 230+

Class size: Approximately 150

Oregon residents: 82%

Average age: 27

Previous applicants: 32%

Undergraduate institutions represented: 70+