The Vanderbilt University School of Medicine (VUSM) places special emphasis on the relationships students form during medical school with their classmates and professors. Students join one of four colleges on campus to participate in small group learning activities. In their first two years of medical school, students create their own project to self-direct their learning process, with mentorship. The school seeks individuals who will contribute to the diversity of the class and share successful strategies in building communication skills and a solid foundation of scientific knowledge. The VUSM’s secondary application involves three required essay responses and three optional responses.

VUSM Secondary Essay #1

Please reflect on the upbringing, background, and experiences in your life that have shaped who you are as a person and will help define the person you want to be in the future. In other words, what makes you who you are? (800 words)

Family, culture, norms, expectations, and experiences all play a role in shaping who we are as individuals. This is a reflection answer. What in your past has influenced who you are today? You could answer this question in broad strokes, focusing on a value that was constant through your childhood, or you could tell a story about a specific event that defined or changed you (with a positive outcome, ultimately). What makes you tick? What makes you the introspective person you are? This prompt aims to help the adcom get to know you by revealing your humanity, empathy, and/or compassion, or your leadership, advocacy, and investment in the well-being of others.

VUSM Secondary Essay #2

Tell us about a time when you interacted with someone who is different than you. What did you learn? What would you do differently? (600 words)

Meeting someone who is very different from you and moving forward with a bond and an understanding of difference requires being a secure and aware individual. Perhaps you learned something, not only about yourself or the other individual but also about how to interact to foster a safe and productive exchange for both of you. Perhaps you learned something about how to build a respectful friendship that includes sharing norms and traditions.

VUSM Secondary Essay #3 

Everyone needs help at various times in their lives. Describe a time you asked for help and what you gained from that experience that has influenced your approach to asking for help. (600 words)

Asking for help, especially for something meaningful, is difficult. Who are the people you can rely on? Who are the resources and contacts you feel comfortable reaching out to in a time of need? What does this say about you? What was the outcome when you reached out to others? This prompt seeks a personal story about vulnerability and finding support, resources, and strength.

VUSM Secondary Essay #4 (Optional)

If you have completed your undergraduate education, please comment on what you have done or have been doing since graduation. (200 words)

You must demonstrate how engaged you are, or have been, during a gap year or two. How has the activity you present improved your immersion in medicine? If you have been drawn into personal responsibilities, such as caring for a family member, this would also be a valid answer here.

VUSM Secondary Essay #5 (Optional)

Why are you interested in Vanderbilt University School of Medicine? (200 words)

Why VUSM? When did you know you were interested in the program? What led you to apply to the school? Vanderbilt prides itself on having a “cutting-edge curriculum” and a “vibrant” social mission, and on its website, it profiles its students in warm tones, sharing connections and activities that foster the program’s mission while promoting relationships with peers, building legacy bonds within families, and encouraging outreach initiatives among its medical students that are inclusive and antiracist. In fact, the profiles convey “why us?” as genuine, personal connections and affiliations with the school, alumni, faculty, and mission. So how did you develop an affinity for Vanderbilt? Let the adcom know, personally and with warmth.

VUSM Stats

All data are taken from the US News & World Report in 2024.

Average MCAT score: 521

Average GPA: 3.95

Acceptance rate: 5.2%

Has this blog post helped you feel more confident about approaching your VSUM 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 work with 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!

Dr. Mary Mahoney, PhD, is the medical humanities director at Elmira College and has more than 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 past 20 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

• Accepted’s Medical School Acceptance Calculator, a free tool
• Prewriting Secondaries for Medical School
• Admissions Straight Talk Podcast for Med School Applicants