UNC Chapel Hill Medical School 2021-22 secondary application essay questions
UNC is ranked 3rd in primary care education and 24th in research by U.S. News & World Report. 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
Tell us about a peer who is deserving of recognition but whose accomplishments may not be acknowledged adequately. Why do you think their accomplishments have gone relatively unacknowledged? (400 words)
There are many ways to answer this question. The most important aspect of this prompt, however, is that it is a real experience, not hypothetical. Also, avoid blaming the peer here, although you can write with admiration about the peer’s humility or desire to avoid the spotlight. This prompt is in a way elusive, potentially about bias, discrimination or inequity. Is there a history in the awarding body’s moments of recognition that is biased? Used as a gateway for conformity? This prompt could be an awareness on your part about how someone with an exceptional accomplishment or two somehow gets passed by. Is there inherent blindness to equity? A strong response to this prompt would be to put yourself in the position of advocate, pro-inclusion, pro-diversity, pro-equity.
However, you may have an individual experience having witnessed something so specific and unique that it is worth telling. This story may have ethical underpinnings. Did someone accomplish something remarkable, but do so disregarding professional ethics, or do so meanwhile conducting oneself poorly in other arenas? It’s less likely that you’ll find a strong story in this “ethics at play” option, but it’s possible. Otherwise, stay with the accomplishment story.
UNC medical school secondary essay #2
Please share your thought and experiences with navigating the COVID-19 pandemic. This could include the barrier you have faced in applying to medical school, creative ways you have overcome those barriers, feelings of grief and loss, thoughts on the role of health care, professional challenges associated with racial health inequities, or other reflection on living through a global pandemic crisis. (400 words)
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 plans volunteering, scribing, or completing classes, be sure to say so, efficiently and clearly, and address the value of “learning to adjust” in a time of crisis in your conclusion. 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 the space to tell your story. Don’t pad it, but do tell it well and thoroughly.
UNC medical school secondary essay #3
How will your values and attitude foster a positive educational environment and benefit your future patients? Tell us about the sources of those values and attitude (eg family, places you’ve lived in, things you have read, life experiences, etc) (400 words)
How do you improve the quality of an educational culture for all? How have you been engaged in your classes, tutoring, mentoring, lab, and research? How does this translate over into patient care and practice? How did you come to walk this walk? What convinced you to engage with education in a positive way – family, a mentor, an observation, a lesson learned, a book, a retreat, something someone said?
UNC medical school secondary essay #4
Tell us about a time when you observed or personally experienced biased behavior. What did you do to address this situation or what would you do in the future? Through either situation we are interested in what you learned. (400 words)
Inevitably, we all witness someone’s exclusion, someone’s presence deemed “less than,” someone cast as “invisible,” someone’s value demeaned. You may have acted on the person’s behalf, so tell that story. Or you may have not been able to act as an advocate on the person’s behalf, and state (or own) that reason, but you’ve lived with the memory of this bias for enough time to know that should it happen again you would do x, y or z. Try to pinpoint the x,y or z rather than say “help” or “support” them. What does “help” or “support” look like in a similar scenario?
UNC medical school secondary essay #5
What motivates you to apply to UNC School of Medicine? (200 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; pinpoint a few of their key initiatives and how you intend to participate and contribute.
Applying to UNC? Here are some stats:
UNC School of Medicine average MCAT score: 512
UNC School of Medicine average GPA: 3.78
UNC School of Medicine acceptance rate: 4.1%
U.S. News ranks UNC #24 for research and #3 for primary care.
Has this blog post helped you feel more confident about approaching your UNC School of Medicine secondary application? We hope so. It’s our mission to help smart, talented applicants like you gain acceptance to your top choice medical school. With so much at stake, why not hire a consultant whose expertise and personalized guidance can help you make your dream come true? We have several flexible consulting options—click here to get started today!
UNC School of Medicine 2021-22 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!
Related Resources:
