With almost 200 years of history, Tulane University School of Medicine (TUSOM) offers a comprehensive medical education rooted in innovation, community engagement, and clinical excellence. Located in the heart of downtown New Orleans, TUSOM provides students with early clinical exposure, system-based learning, and opportunities to explore dual degrees such as the MD/MPH, MD/MBA, and MD/MS in Bioethics and Medical Humanities. The school’s flexible curriculum allows students to pursue community service, global health initiatives, and mentored research, while its location in one of the nation’s most culturally vibrant cities enriches both academic and personal experiences. With distinctive programs such as TRuMEd for rural medicine, longitudinal research opportunities, and international study options, TUSOM prepares graduates to become compassionate, skilled, and globally minded physicians.

TUSOM seeks students who are academically prepared, socially responsible, and committed to improving health locally, nationally, and globally. Ideal applicants demonstrate strong interpersonal skills, cultural competence, and a passion for service – particularly in underserved communities. The admissions committee values candidates who show curiosity, adaptability, and leadership, as well as those eager to take advantage of TUSOM’s unique opportunities in research, public health, and community-based care. Applicants who bring diverse experiences and perspectives, along with a clear sense of purpose and resilience, are especially well positioned to thrive in TUSOM’s dynamic and interdisciplinary environment.

TUSOM Secondary Essay Tips

Essay #1

Tulane University School of Medicine’s mission statement states: We improve human health and foster healthy communities through discovery and translation of the best science into clinical practice and education; to deliver the highest quality patient care and prepare the next generation of distinguished clinical and scientific leaders. Briefly describe the reasons for your interest in Tulane University School of Medicine. (150 words)

Consider your interest in TUSOM. The mission statement above demonstrates the school’s values of discovery, patient care, and leadership. Referring to this mission and anything else you have learned about TUSOM, describe your reasons for applying. What are your goals as a future clinician? How will TUSOM’s mission, curriculum, and opportunities help you achieve these goals? Your response should demonstrate your enthusiasm for TUSOM as well as how you will contribute to the institution as a medical student. 

Essay #2

What disparities in health do you believe are pertinent to the New Orleans patient population? How would you attempt to address them as a medical student at Tulane? You may support your answer by using past involvement working in a similar patient population to compare and/or describe your interest in any student activities offered at Tulane or in New Orleans. (150 words)

Reflect on your experiences working with underserved patient populations. Discuss the health inequities you learned about and how you tried to address them. Do you believe any of these same inequities are pertinent to the New Orleans patient population? If so, how will your past experiences help you address them as a TUSOM medical student? Discuss the specific actions you would take. Conduct some research; this may include participating in extracurricular activities or service opportunities offered at TUSOM or in New Orleans. Your response should demonstrate your commitment to serving the New Orleans patient population and addressing health inequities in the surrounding communities.

Essay #3

Who knows you best and how would they describe you? (150 words)

Select a person in your life who you believe knows you best. This may be a family member, friend, mentor, etc. Briefly discuss why they know you best. Did you grow up with them? Did they support you through a particularly difficult time or witness your growth? Then consider how they would describe you. Are there personality traits, values, or anecdotes you believe they would use? Describing yourself through someone else’s eyes will provide the admissions committee with a picture of both your relationships and your personal values. 

Essay #4

Please list any leadership positions (clubs, organizations, paid work) you may have held. (100 words)

As stated in the school’s mission, TUSOM prioritizes training future “distinguished clinical and scientific leaders.” Consider your recent leadership positions. Were you the head of a club or captain of a team? Did you mentor younger students or take on a leadership role at work? Briefly describe your responsibilities and leadership style in these roles. What did you learn? How will these experiences guide your role as a leader going forward?

Essay #5 

Please list your hobbies and major non-academic interests. (100 words)

What do you do for fun? Are you interested in athletics, arts, music, or cooking? Describe your hobbies or non-academic interests and the role they play in your life. Why are they important to you? Your response will show who you are as a person outside of a student and medical school applicant. These hobbies are often what make you unique and set you apart from other applicants! Your response should be genuine and enthusiastic. 

OPTIONAL: The following questions are optional. Declining to answer a question will not negatively impact your application in any way.

Essay #6 

In what ways did the COVID-19 pandemic alter/interrupt your medical school application? (no word count)

Answer this prompt only if you feel your path to medical school has been altered by the COVID-19 pandemic. Did you face additional academic or personal challenges? Did the pandemic hinder your ability to pursue shadowing, community service, research, or other activities? You may also consider the ways in which the pandemic revealed new opportunities or changed your perception of healthcare. Did it change your understanding of healthcare inequities? Did you care for a sick family member or volunteer to help deliver food in your community? You may discuss any impact that COVID-19 had on your medical school application. 

TUSOM Application Timeline

Event	Regular Decision
Primary application deadline	October 1
Secondary application deadline	November 1
Interviews	August to March
Acceptances released	October 15 (rolling thereafter)
Deposit deadline (to hold place)	April 30
Orientation packet distributed	May 30
Orientation	August 1, 2025
Classes begin	August 4, 2025

Source: TUSOM website

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

TUSOM Class Profile

Here is a look TUSOM Class of 2029 (data taken from the TUSOM website and the Class of 2029 Fact Sheet):

AMCAS applications: 13,814 

Applicants enrolled: 190

Gender

• Female: 100
• Male: 90

Average MCAT: 510

Average GPA: 3.70

Average age: 24

Age range: 20-45

States represented: 35

Countries represented: 7

Colleges and universities represented: 85

• Tulane graduates: 59

First generation in college: 15

Advanced degrees

• Master of Science: 36
• Master of Public Health: 6
• Master of Sciences in Nursing: 1
• PhD: 1

Top majors

• Biology
• Neuroscience 
• Biochemistry
• Public health
• Cell and molecular biology
• Psychology 
• Economics

Non-science majors: 25%

As the former assistant dean of student affairs at the William Beaumont School of Medicine and former director of pre-health advisement and the Postbaccalaureate Certificate Program at Sacred Heart University, Dr. Valerie Wherely brings more than 20 years of success working with pre-health candidates in medicine, dental, vet, PA, PT, OT, exercise science, and nursing. Her clients appreciate her expertise in the holistic admissions process and her patient, thoughtful, strategic, and data-driven working style. Work with Valerie! Schedule a free consultation today!

Related Resources

• Medical School Selectivity Index, a free tool
• Five Fatal Flaws to Avoid in Your Med School & Secondary Essays, a free guide
• Tulane Medical School: How to Get In, podcast Episode 569