UNC Chapel Hill Medical School 2020-21 secondary application essay questions
UNC is ranked 1st in primary care education and 6th in NIH research funding across the United States. UNC strives to reach underserved populations and reduce health care disparities. Their medical students receive leadership training as part of their curriculum.
UNC medical school secondary essay #1
Give an example of how you made a difference in someone’s life and explain what this experience taught you about yourself. (500 words)
What a kind prompt. UNC wants to know how you help others by way of one story. “Making a difference” in someone’s life, in a way, could address helping someone heal, from a struggle, from isolation, from “having no one else.” “Making a difference” in someone’s life, in another way, could address helping someone in a time of need, bringing joy, having someone’s back. Then, UNC wants you to reflect on this experience – what did you learn about yourself from this experience? Likely, what you learned may have something to do with altruism.
UNC medical school secondary essay #2
What motivates you to apply to UNC School of Medicine? (500 words)
In this prompt, UNC wants to know that you know who they are, what they value, what their mission is, and how you fit their school of medicine. This is not a moment to explain what UNC SOM can do for you; rather how are you just right for them.
UNC medical school secondary essay #3
UNC School of Medicine values diversity and inclusion across the institution. We believe that education and professional development are enhanced in educational settings that include individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences. Please describe how your background and/or experiences would contribute to the UNC SOM community? (500 words)
Who are you? What do you bring to a diverse community? Are you ever represented as a minority? What effect did this have on you? Does your life experience contribute to diverse cultures? Does your life experience show that you advocate for diversity as a core value?
Tie your answer to who UNC students are. How do you fit? How would you round them out? How would your inclusion with their student body enhance their mission to rectify exclusion?
You can find profiles of UNC SOM students through the Education tab, “about our students.” You can find an “our ideal candidate” page through the Admissions tab.
UNC medical school secondary essay #4
Please use the space below for anything you might wish to discuss related to the COVD-19 public health crisis. Possible topics might include: your biggest lessons and insights from the pandemic, creative ways in which you were able to serve your community during the crisis, hardships you may have faced as a result of the virus, and/or quarantine. (750 words)
This year most, if not all, U.S. Schools of Medicine are asking a “how were you affected by COVID-19” question. If you had to change your plans volunteering, scribing, completing classes, be sure to address the value of “learning to adjust” in a time of crisis. After all, a career in medicine will be rife with challenges to change with the times and change with crisis. If you had plans canceled, segue into how you found new opportunities in serving your community, serving patients, serving public health during this time.
If you or your family were affected, personally, by COVID-19, this could be a very compelling story to tell here. You have approximately three pages to tell your story. Don’t pad it, but do tell it well and thoroughly.
If you would like professional guidance with your UNC School of Medicine application materials, check out Accepted’s Medical School Admissions Consulting and Editing Services, which include advising, editing, and interview coaching for UNC‘s application materials.
UNC School of Medicine 2020-21 application timeline
| AMCAS submission deadline | October 1st |
Source: UNC School of Medicine website
***Disclaimer: Information is subject to change. Please check with individual programs to verify the essay questions, instructions and deadlines.***
Dr. Mary Mahoney, Ph.D. has over 20 years of experience as an advisor and essay reviewer for med school applicants. She is a tenured English Professor with an MFA in Creative Writing from Sarah Lawrence College and a PhD in Literature and Writing from the University of Houston. For the last twenty years, Mary has served as a grad school advisor and essay reviewer for med school applicants. Want Mary to help you get Accepted? Click here to get in touch!
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