Carle Illinois College of Medicine Secondary Essay Prompts

In the three artifacts we ask you to SHOW US how compassion, curiosity, and creativity have played out in your life, and how you exemplify these values. Each artifact should be uploaded as a PDF (one page for each value, formatted no larger than 8.5″ x 11″). No hyperlinks or embedded videos are allowed. We encourage you to make your artifacts image focused but captions or other brief notes can be included on the artifact to help us understand the context of your images. Your artifacts will be most powerful if you include multiple activities for each and clearly indicate the quality and depth of your experience, but only include that which is meaningful for the value. The artifacts should be somewhat reflective in nature so share your thoughts and insights. You may repeat experiences listed on your AMCAS application and/or include new ones. Our screeners will evaluate your portfolio independently BEFORE they evaluate your AMCAS application so do not assume the screeners are aware of any of the information in your AMCAS. Please do not include activities from high school or earlier unless they are of very high quality or impact (an example would be achieving Eagle Scout rank). Family interactions/relationships (“spending time with family”) are unlikely to score well unless you can show how they are unusual or significant (an example would be full-time caregiver for a family member for a period). Please make your role clear. Was the activity you are presenting part of a class for credit or something you did on your own? Was this part of a team? If so, what was YOUR role?

For example, if you did or are still doing work in a research lab, we are less interested in a detailed description of the science and more interested in learning what you did, how YOU contributed, and if you were able to be innovative. While the content of your portfolio is of primary importance, our reviewers are also evaluating your presentation. This does not mean you have to be “artistic”, but it is valuable to show an innovative approach. Instead of thinking about what WE want, include what YOU want to share. What drives you? What do you want us to know? Show us who you are, and why you are uniquely suited to our school.

In the impact statement we ask you to TELL US more. This statement will provide meaningful context and scope for your artifacts and tell us the impact of what you are showing us. The impact statement is not intended to explain your artifacts, but rather to expand on and supplement them; to demonstrate the impact of the experiences you included. Think of this statement being like an abstract, a synopsis, or a legend for a figure in a paper. You have a maximum of 250 words.

Compassion
We believe in creating physicians who, in addition to solving healthcare’s most complex problems, are also tender, kind, and warm. From day one, you will be working with patients.
Show Us – How have you changed the lives of others? What have you experienced that has fostered a deep sense of compassion? For example, have you had a moving volunteer experience? Have you learned through adversity and shared those lessons with others in need? Share with us the ways you’ve impacted a larger population and help us see how you will be the type of physician we would entrust with our most beloved community members.

Curiosity
Carle Illinois College of Medicine values lifelong learners. We want to see your passion for learning and growing!
Show Us – How have you explored new interests, cultures, or people? Have you identified a need and taken the initiative to respond to that need? For example, is there a research project or work experience you’d like to share? Has your curiosity fostered a deeper sense of vulnerability, resilience, or life-long learning? If so, how? Let us see where your curiosity has taken you.

Creativity
The dictionary tells us that innovation is a new method, idea, or product. Often there is an outcome, a clearly defined result, or a new thing is discovered. The introduction of something new requires dynamic thinking and creative solutions. Creativity is key to innovation. Help us see your creativity and potential for innovation!
Show Us – What are the ways you demonstrate you have an active mind? What are you really proud of? For example, have you used technology in novel or distinct ways? What innovative solutions have you employed in your work, healthcare, or hobbies? Have you taken a risk to respond to a problem, to express yourself, or to achieve your goals? Describe how you live and lead a creative life.

Impact Statement
Tell Us – In 250 words or less, create an abstract-style narrative describing the impact of the experiences you included in your portfolio artifacts and how they have shaped your understanding of and connection to the Carle Illinois values of Compassion, Curiosity, and Creativity. The narrative should provide context and scope to the stories told in your artifacts and the value and impact these Carle Illinois values have in your life.