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.

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 how this statement resonates with your desire to attend Tulane University School of Medicine. (150 words maximum)

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 community or similar patient populations? How would you attempt to address them as a medical student at Tulane? You may support your answer by using demonstrated past involvement working with similar patient populations to compare and/or describe your interest in any student experience offered at TUSOM or in New Orleans. (150 words maximum)

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 or others like it? 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 underserved patient populations and addressing health inequities in these communities.

Essay #3

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

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

What have you been pursuing since you graduated? (Only necessary if you graduated. No stated limit.)

A gap year is best utilized to advance research experiences, public health initiatives, shadowing, building publication credentials, or any immersion in a patient-facing opportunity that would not be possible without a gap year (such as a mission trip abroad bringing basic aid to an underserved community, community work to lessen the negative impact of social determinants of health, working as a CNA or EMT while retaking the MCAT, or enrolling in a postbaccalaureate program to demonstrate academic success otherwise not reflected in your GPA).

Most schools look favorably on a gap year when applicants utilized this time to gain opportunity and growth. How have the activities during your gap year changed you? What have they taught you? What experiential story can you tell from a gap year activity that brings home valuable insight into human wellness, equity, or vulnerable populations?

Essay #5

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

As stated in the school’s mission, TUSOM prioritizes training future “distinguished clinical and scientific leaders.” In research activities, was there a time when you had to adapt to an unexpected situation? How did this experience unwittingly place you in a leadership role? How did you handle this? What did you learn?

Consider other 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 #6 

Please list your hobbies and major non-academic interests. (150 words maximum)

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 question is optional. Declining to answer a question will not negatively impact your application in any way.

Essay #7

Applying to medical school is a long and arduous process. Describe any ways your medical school application journey was hindered, altered or interrupted. (Optional with no maximum)

Med school applicants are often hard on themselves, feeling less than stellar when their premed plan presents a challenge, a detour, or perhaps a slower trajectory. Frankly, this is likely more the norm than a flawless premed chronology of accomplishments and achievements, so breathe and tell your story.

Remember, doctors are human, and life rarely unfolds in the manner of our best laid plans. What happened that changed your preparation for medical school? How did you adapt? Was there a silver lining?

This prompt assesses your ability to adapt and understand firsthand the challenges of adversity or uncertainty. It tests your character and growth more so than it asks for a confession, an admission, a flaw, or a mistake. The issue is much less about “what happened” than it is about how you handled it, where you sought solutions, and what you learned from the experience.

Remember, doctors will always face obstacles, whether foreseeable or not.  

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	July 31, 2026
Classes begin	August 10, 2026

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%

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, Admissions Straight Talk podcast Episode 569