Texas A&M College of Medicine Secondary Essay Prompts

1. Describe briefly any experiences and/or skills that have made you more sensitive or appreciative of other cultures or the human condition. (3500 character maximum).

First think about what attributes you have that will allow you to effectively deal with diverse people. Consider communication, empathy, leadership as possible traits to discuss. Next, think back to an experiences during which you interacted with cultures other than your own. Perhaps you worked with homeless or underprivileged communities during undergrad. Was there a time during which you had to stand up for someone whom you might not otherwise interact with? Perhaps you spent an extended time abroad and learned a new language or culture. Use an anecdote to discuss the physician role as educator and advocate for the patient. This is a large responsibility for a doctor, to use their knowledge and resources to empower their patients and help them better themselves. Be sure to reflect on how these experiences influenced your beliefs and values, and try to connect this to how you view the role of the physician. You might discuss the humanity of patients, and how they are people first.

2. The honor code for the Texas A&M College of Medicine is: “A Texas A&M medical student is a professional who exhibits leadership, honesty, integrity, compassion, respect and self-discipline.” Please briefly discuss what activities or personal attributes demonstrate best that you would be a good custodian of our honor code (3500 character maximum).

Brainstorm your personal attributes and experiences which fit with this honor code. Be sure to specifically address at least most if not all of the components: leadership, honesty, integrity, compassion, respect and self-discipline. The key is to not repeat your primary application. Consider choosing anecdotes from your experiences you have previously listed. Specific experiences will be stronger than general assertions about your strengths.

3. Describe any circumstances indicative of some hardship, such as, but not limited to, financial difficulties, personal or family illness, a medical condition, a death in the immediate family or educational disadvantage. (Do not leave blank. If not applicable, please so indicate. The character limit on this essay is 3500).

Choose this experience wisely. When discussing the hardship, be sure that the wording does not make you sound like a victim, as this can reflect poorly. If talking about personal or family hardship, describe how it was a challenge but focus on what it taught you and how you overcame it. If choosing an interpersonal dispute, be sure to paint it in an objective manner without maligning the other person or negatively depicting yourself. Focus on the positive outcome. The lesson learned is key.

4. OPTIONAL QUESTION: List the area (or areas) of medicine that appeals to you and briefly explain. (Limit your explanation to 50 words or 250 characters for each area of interest you list.) Do not leave blank. If not applicable, please so indicate.

Identify a few components of medical practice which specifically interest you and explain why they do. Consider adding in how you see yourself practicing that portion of medicine in the future. Here are some broad aspects of medicine which you can discuss: direct patient care, procedural practice (for example surgery), medical research (basic science and clinical), patient advocacy, medical education, global health.