Johns Hopkins University Secondary Essay Prompts

These are the secondary application essay prompts for Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. To put your best foot forward and maximize your chance of an interview invitation, visit our secondary application editing page.

about john hopkins university school of medicine

Secondary Deadline: November 1, 2024
Secondary Fee: $100
FAP Waiver: Yes
CASPer Required: No
Screens Applications: Yes
Accepts Application Updates: No

Mission

The mission of the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine is to prepare physicians to practice compassionate clinical medicine of the highest standard and to identify and solve fundamental questions in the mechanisms, prevention and treatment of disease, in health care delivery and in the basic sciences.

2024-2025

1. Please review the Johns Hopkins Medicine Website. Is there an area of medicine or a particular medical specialty at Johns Hopkins that interests you and why? (400 word limit)

2. Briefly describe your single, most rewarding experience. Feel free to refer to an experience previously described in your AMCAS application if needed. (400 word limit)

3. Briefly describe a situation where you had to overcome adversity. Include lessons learned and how you think it will affect your career as a future physician. (400 word limit)

4. Briefly describe a situation where you were not in the majority. What did you learn from the experience? (400 word limit)

5. Wonder encapsulates a feeling of rapt attention…it draws the observer in. Tell us about a time in recent years where you experienced wonder in your everyday life. Although experiences related to your clinical or research work may be the first to come to mind, we encourage you to think of an experience that is unrelated to medicine or science. What did you learn from that experience? (500 word limit)

6. Please review the Johns Hopkins Medicine Equity Statement before answering the question below.
  • The Johns Hopkins Medicine Equity Statement: At Johns Hopkins Medicine, we believe that everyone has a role in promoting diversity, inclusion, and equity in health care, research, and education.
  • We must acknowledge, actively address and work toward effectively managing our negative biases, so that we collectively make decisions that improve the lives of our patients, our colleagues, our learners, and our community.
  • We stand against discrimination and oppression in all their forms.
  • It is vital that we achieve equity for all, including those who are most vulnerable.
The purpose of this essay is to get to know you as an individual and a potential medical student. Please describe how your personal background informs your decision to apply to Johns Hopkins Medicine and what has influenced your desire to become a physician in a Medical community that embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion. You may address any subject you wish, such as being a first-generation college student, or being a part of a minority group, (whether because of your gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, nationality, ethnicity, socio-economic status, political affiliation, first-generation status, religion, etc.) or being the child of undocumented immigrants or being undocumented yourself, etc. (500 word limit)

7. (Optional) Would you like to share any additional information with the Admissions Committee about yourself that cannot be found elsewhere in your application? This space can also address any extenuating circumstances (e.g., unexplained gaps in work experience, choice of recommenders, inconsistent or questionable academic performance, areas of weakness, etc.) that you would like the Admissions Committee to consider (300 words)

Is any member of your family, spouse, spouse-to-be, or domestic partner a current student, house officer, or employee of the Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins Hospital, or other affiliated partners? *Note, we do NOT use this information in our selection process. Yes/No
What is this Individual’s name?(60 characters remaining)
What is their relationship to you?(60 characters remaining)
What is their affiliation with the School of Medicine or Hospital?(40 characters remaining)
Do you have any additional relatives that you need to list? (up to 4)
Has any member of your family, spouse, spouse-to-be, or domestic partner graduated from the Johns Hopkins University?Yes/No
What is this Individual’s name?(60 characters remaining)
What is their relationship to you?(60 characters remaining)
What degree did they earn from Johns Hopkins University? (60 characters remaining)
Do you have any additional relatives that you need to list? (up to 4)
Is your spouse / spouse-to-be / domestic partner currently applying to an academic degree program at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine? Yes/No
What is this Individual’s name?(60 characters remaining)

Educational History

Have you ever applied to Johns Hopkins School of Medicine (MD or MD/PhD programs) before? Yes/No
To which prior application year(s) have you applied?

Please share with us how you have reflected upon and grown since your previous application. Discuss any new updates to your candidacy (e.g., changes in your professional life, additional coursework, extracurricular/volunteer engagements, etc.) (400 word limit)

Have you ever interrupted your college education for a semester or longer? Yes/No
Please describe what you did during that break in enrollment (400 word limit)

Have you ever been placed on probation, dismissed, or suspended from any college or university for reasons pertaining to academic and/or campus judicial integrity? Yes/No
Please explain (500 word limit)

Have you have ever been convicted of, or pled guilty or no contest to any felony or misdemeanor (excluding minor traffic violations)? Yes/No
Please explain (400 word limit)

Have you have already received your bachelor’s degree? Yes/No
Please describe what you have been doing since graduation and your plans for the upcoming year (400 word limit)

We recognize academic journeys can be complex and varied. If applicable, please briefly explain any withdrawals (W), incompletes (I), or academic coursework grades below a B on your transcript. Your explanation helps us understand your academic history better and how you have overcome challenges.

Do you have any other dual/integrated degree interests at Johns Hopkins University (MPH, MS, etc.)? Yes/No
Please explain (200 word limit)

2023-2024

1. Optional: If you have already received your bachelor’s degree, please describe what you have been doing since graduation, and your plans for the upcoming year. (2000 characters)

2. Optional: If you interrupted your college education for a semester or longer, please describe what you did during that time. (2000 characters)

3. Briefly describe your single, most rewarding experience. Feel free to refer to an experience previously described in your AMCAS application. (2500 characters)

4. Are there any areas of medicine that are of particular interest to you? If so, please comment. (2500 characters)

5. Briefly describe a situation where you had to overcome adversity; include lessons learned and how you think it will affect your career as a future physician. (2500 characters)

6. Briefly describe a situation where you were not in the majority. What did you learn from the experience? (2500 characters)

7. Wonder encapsulates a feeling of rapt attention … it draws the observer in. Tell us about a time in recent years that you experienced wonder in your everyday life. Although experiences related to your clinical or research work may be the first to come to mind, we encourage you to think of an experience that is unrelated to medicine or science. What did you learn from that experience? (2500 characters)

8. Optional: The Admissions Committee values hearing about each candidate for admission, including what qualities the candidate might bring to the School of Medicine if admitted. If you feel there is information not already addressed in the application that will enable the Committee to know more about you and this has influenced your desire to be a physician, feel free to write a brief statement in the space below. You may address any subject you wish, such as being a first generation college student, or being a part of a minority group (whether because of your sexual orientation, religion, economic status, gender identity, ethnicity) or being the child of undocumented immigrants or being undocumented yourself, etc. Please note that this question is optional and that you will not be penalized should you choose not to answer it. (2500 characters)

2022-2023

1. Briefly describe your single, most rewarding experience. Feel free to refer to an experience previously described in your AMCAS application. (2500 Characters)

2. Are there any areas of medicine that are of particular interest to you? If so, please comment. (2500 Characters)

3. Briefly describe a situation where you had to overcome adversity; include lessons learned and how you think it will affect your career as a future physician. (2500 Characters)

4. Briefly describe a situation where you were not in the majority. What did you learn from the experience? (2500 Characters)

5. Wonder encapsulates a feeling of rapt attention … it draws the observer in. Tell us about a time in recent years that you experienced wonder in your everyday life. Although experiences related to your clinical or research work may be the first to come to mind, we encourage you to think of an experience that is unrelated to medicine or science. What did you learn from that experience? (2500 Characters)

6. Optional: The Admissions Committee values hearing about each candidate for admission, including what qualities the candidate might bring to the School of Medicine if admitted. If you feel there is information not already addressed in the application that will enable the Committee to know more about you and this has influenced your desire to be a physician, feel free to write a brief statement in the space below. You may address any subject you wish, such as being a first generation college student, or being a part of a minority group (whether because of your sexual orientation, religion, economic status, gender identity, ethnicity) or being the child of undocumented immigrants or being undocumented yourself, etc. Please note that this question is optional and that you will not be penalized should you choose not to answer it. (2500 Characters)

2021-2022

The secondary application essay prompts from this medical school application cycle are the same as above.

2020-2021

The secondary application essay prompts from this medical school application cycle are the same as above.

2019-2020

1. List any academic honors or awards you have received since entering college. (600 characters)

2. Briefly describe your single, most rewarding experience. Feel free to refer to an experience previously described in your AMCAS application. (900 char)

3. Are there any areas of medicine that are of particular interest to you? If so, please comment. (1100 characters)

4. Briefly describe a situation where you had to overcome adversity; include lessons learned and how you think it will affect your career as a future physician. (900 characters)

5. Briefly describe a situation where you were not in the majority. What did you learn from this experience? (1100 characters)

6. The Admissions Committee values hearing about each candidate for admission, including what qualities the candidate might bring to the School of Medicine if admitted. If you feel there is information not already addressed in the application that will enable the Committee to know more about you and this has influenced your desire to be a physician, feel free to write a brief statement in the space below. You may address any subject you wish, such as being a first-generation college student, or being a part of a minority group (whether because of your sexual orientation, religion, economic status, gender identity, ethnicity), or being the child of undocumented immigrants or being undocumented yourself, etc. Please note that this question is optional and that you will not be penalized should you choose not to answer it. (1100 characters)

2018-2019

1. If you took a gap year: 700 char box describing activities

2. If you took time off during undergrad: 700 char box describing why / what you did

3. 600 chars for academic honors and awards.

4. Briefly describe your single, most rewarding experience. Feel free to refer to an experience previously described in your AMCAS application. (900 char)

5. Are there any areas of medicine that are of particular interest to you? If so, please comment. (1100 char)

6. Briefly describe a situation where you had to overcome adversity; include lessons learned and how you think it will affect your career as a future physician. (900 char)

7. Briefly describe a situation where you were not in the majority. What did you learn from this experience? (1100 char)

8. The Admissions Committee values hearing about each candidate for admission, including what qualities the candidate might bring to the School of Medicine if admitted. If you feel there is information not already addressed in the application that will enable the Committee to know more about you and this has influenced your desire to be a physician, feel free to write a brief statement in the space below. You may address any subject you wish, such as being a first generation college student, or being a part of a minority group (whether because of your sexual orientation, religion, economic status, gender identity, ethnicity), or being the child of undocumented immigrants or being undocumented yourself, etc. Please note that this question is optional and that you will not be penalized should you choose not to answer it. (1100 char)

MSTP

9. Please list your area(s) of interest in graduate study. These may be general and/or specific: (270 char)

10. If you are planning to defer admission: 180 chars to explain why.

11. Foreign language proficiency

12. List names of ppl writing MD/PhD letters for you.

2017-2018

1. If you have already received your bachelor’s degree, please describe what you have been doing since graduation, and your plans for the upcoming year. 700 char

2. If you interrupted your college education for a semester or longer, please describe what you did during that time. 700 char

3. List any academic honors or awards you have received since entering college: 600 char

4. Briefly describe your single, most rewarding experience. Feel free to refer to an experience previously described in your AMCAS application. 900 char

5. Are there any areas of medicine that are of particular interest to you? If so, please comment. 1100 char

6. Briefly describe a situation where you had to overcome adversity; include lessons learned and how you think it will affect your career as a future physician. 900 char

7. Briefly describe a situation where you were not in the majority. What did you learn from this experience? 1100 char

8. The Admissions Committee values hearing about each candidate for admission, including what qualities the candidate might bring to the School of Medicine if admitted. If you feel there is information not already addressed in the application that will enable the Committee to know more about you and this has influenced your desire to be a physician, feel free to write a brief statement in the space below. You may address any subject you wish, such as being a first generation college student, or being a part of a minority group (whether because of your sexual orientation, religion, economic status, gender identity, ethnicity), or being the child of undocumented immigrants or being undocumented yourself, etc. Please note that this question is optional and that you will not be penalized should you choose not to answer it. 1100 char

9. If applying to the dual MD/MBA program, please describe your reasons for wishing to obtain this degree. 1100 char

2016-2017

1. Briefly describe your single, most rewarding experience. Feel free to refer to an experience previously described in your AMCAS application. (900 char)

2. Are there any areas of medicine that are of particular interest to you? If so, please comment. (1100 char)

3. Briefly describe a situation where you had to overcome adversity; include lessons learned and how you think it will affect your career as a future physician. (900 char)

4. Briefly describe a situation where you were not in the majority. What did you learn from this experience? (1100 char)

5. The Admissions Committee values hearing about each candidate for admission, including what qualities the candidate might bring to the School of Medicine if admitted. If you feel there is information not already addressed in the application that will enable the Committee to know more about you and this has influenced your desire to be a physician, feel free to write a brief statement in the space below. You may address any subject you wish, such as being a first generation college student, or being a part of a minority group (whether because of your sexual orientation, religion, economic status, gender identity, ethnicity), or being the child of undocumented immigrants or being undocumented yourself, etc. Please note that this question is optional and that you will not be penalized should you choose not to answer it. (1100 char)

6. If applying to the dual MD/MBA program, please describe your reasons for wishing to obtain this degree. (1100 char)

Disclaimer: The information on this page was shared by students and/or can be found on the medical school’s website. Med School Insiders does not guarantee the accuracy of the information on this page.

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