Sidney Kimmel Medical College (formerly Thomas Jefferson Medical College) is located in Philadelphia and prides itself on educating physicians who will provide integrated community healthcare. For example, one of their unique programs focuses on providing physicians for rural areas. The new curriculum integrates basic sciences with clinical experience and professional development and is uniquely suited to produce doctors who consider the social and ethical implications of their work in addition to the medical and scientific side. The school also has a large focus on altruism and individual development.

The secondary also asks for ACT or SAT sub-section score, but these are for research purposes only.

SKMC at Thomas Jefferson University 2022-2023 Secondary Application Essays

SKMC essay #1

Describe how the pandemic has affected your educational, work, or research plans? What has your own experience informed you about the challenges of providing equitable and inclusive care to future patients? (2500 Characters)

Like most other medical schools, Sidney Kimmel Medical College wants to know how your education, volunteer work, MCAT, shadowing, employment were affected by the COVID-19 crisis. Most applicants will have had some disruption. 

The second question on equity and inclusion is an additional prompt for their COVID-19 secondary added last year. Notice how they want you to shift your focus to others. They are asking what you learned from your pandemic experience that brought deeper insight to you on the plight of others, in particular, the disenfranchised, the vulnerable, and those already at risk for inequity. How does one fix this? What are the challenges that really came to light about equity because of the pandemic that can no longer be ignored or evaded?

If you were affected personally (you, your family, your community) definitely address this. If you took the initiative to help your family or community deal with the crisis, write about what you did and the impact of your actions on others, especially vulnerable individuals or groups. 

Stay factual, clear and brief. This prompt is relatively short. It’s likely SKMC is using this prompt as an organized way to gather pandemic information from their applicants, so the admissions committee is not searching around for it application by application. Also, it’s likely the additional question aims to broaden answers from “what happened to me” to “what happened to me – and what happened to others.”  Show that you can switch focus. This is a two-step answer.

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SKMC essay #2

Do you have any additional information that hasn’t been covered? (4,000 characters)

Because this is an optional essay, you should not repeat any information that is on your AMCAS. This section should be used either to a) highlight your unique connection to or interest in the school; b) explain something in your application that may be unclear; or c) add any information that was not included in the AMCAS.

To highlight your unique connection, you should write something that is very focused on details specific to why you would be a good fit for this school. Do not write a general essay about yourself or the school, but do the research and investigate specific programs that would be a good fit for you. You should also mention if you have special ties to Kimmel or to the Philadelphia area. Do not use this essay to beg or make a plea; the essay should be direct and focused.

If you use the essay to clarify, provide context, or add information, you should ensure the essay does not repeat the AMCAS or letters of recommendation, if you’ve seen them. This section can be used to provide updates on current employment or plans for the gap year, additional steps you’ve taken to improve your application, additional classes you have completed, new volunteer work you have undertaken or any other new information that was not previously discussed. Similarly, the essay should be specific, direct, and focused.

So, are you applying to Sidney Kimmel Medical College?

SKMC median MCAT score: 514

SKMC median undergrad GPA: 3.77

SKMC acceptance rate: 3.5%

U.S. News ranks SKMC #56 for research and #61 for primary care.

Check out the Med School Selectivity Index for more stats.

For professional guidance with your Sidney Kimmel Medical College application materials, check out Accepted’s Medical School Admissions Consulting and Editing Services, which include advising, editing, and interview coaching for SKMC’s application materials.

SKMC application timeline 2022-2023

Date	Event
August 1, 2022	Early Decision deadline
October 17, 2022	MD/PhD Program deadline
November 15, 2022	MD Program deadline
January 1, 2023	All supporting application documents due
May 1, 2023	Deadline for deferral requests

Interview offers are forwarded to applicants beginning in July. Interviews are held on Wednesdays September through March.

Source: SKMC website

***Disclaimer: Information is subject to change. Please check with individual programs to verify the essay questions, instructions and deadlines.***

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Related Resources:

• The Ultimate Guide to Secondary Essay Questions from Top Med Schools, a free guide
• 5 Fatal Flaws to Avoid in Your Medical School Application Essays
• 3 Tips for Writing the Optional Essay in Medical School Secondary Applications