University of Massachusetts School of Medicine Secondary Essay Prompts
These are the secondary application essay prompts for University of Massachusetts School of Medicine. To put your best foot forward and maximize your chance of an interview invitation, visit our secondary application editing page.
About University of Massachusetts School of Medicine
Secondary Deadline: December 1, 2024
Secondary Fee: $100
FAP Waiver: Yes
CASPer Required: No
PREview Required: Yes
Screens Applications: Yes
Accepts Application Updates: Yes
Mission
The mission of the University of Massachusetts Medical School is to advance the health and well-being of the people of the commonwealth and the world through pioneering advances in education, research and health care delivery.
Values
As a combined enterprise with our clinical partner, UMass Memorial Health Care, we value:
- improving health and enhancing access to care for people within our community, the commonwealth, and the world;ex
- excellence in achieving the highest quality standards in patient care and satisfaction, education and research;
- common good as an institutional focus, exercised both internally and externally;
- collegiality as we work through a shared vision for the common good;
- integrity in decision-making and actions held to the highest ethical standards;
- diversity promoted within our institution to foster an atmosphere of compassion, courtesy, and mutual respect, stimulating inventiveness and broadening our talents and perspectives;
- academic opportunity and scholarship through high-quality, affordable educational programs for the training of physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, researchers, and educators; and
- scientific advancement made possible by embracing creative thinking and innovation to yield an understanding of the causes, prevention, and treatment of human disease for the pursuit of knowledge and the benefit of people everywhere.
To become one of the nation’s most distinguished academic health sciences centers, we seek to:
- achieve excellence in the practice of safe, high-quality care;
- design and implement innovative educational methods to train educators, clinicians, and scientists to meet the future health care workforce needs in Massachusetts and the United States;
- develop educators, clinicians and scientists who are equipped to become the next generation of outstanding leaders in health care;
- develop and capitalize on the strengths of all staff who provide the operational support for an academic health sciences center;
- nurture ongoing progress in the basic sciences to fuel breakthrough discoveries that will transform the practice of medicine;
- translate scientific discoveries to improve patient outcomes and address the root causes of poor health; and
- partner to create and optimize health care initiatives that improve the health of the communities we serve.
2024-2025
Q1) We would like to learn how you developed and demonstrated core professionalism competencies that are required of entering medical students. Please respond to the first prompt (#1; Diversity). Then select three of the other six prompts (#2-#7). Each response should be 150-200 words. Use the text box below for your answer. Separate each of your four responses by writing the competency above/before your response (example: Teamwork – All teams have their struggles, but they can be overcome…).
1) UMass Chan Medical School strives to be a diverse academic community mindful of the fact that diversity makes our community stronger and benefits the patients we serve. Share your definition of diversity. Describe an example where you contributed to the diversity of a group, team or class. Connect this to how you will contribute to the diversity of the UMass Chan Medical School community. (Diversity)
2) Describe a time when you have made a decision that was not popular and how you handled this. (Leadership competency)
3) Describe a time when you were on a team that was dysfunctional in some regard. How did you address the situation? (Teamwork)
4) Describe a meaningful interaction you have had with a person whom you have helped at work, school or another activity. (Empathy/Compassion)
5) Have you ever been in the middle of a situation where there was poor communication? What did you do to improve it? (Communication)
6) Describe a time when you have “thought outside the box” to solve a problem. (Inquiry)
7) Describe a time when you suffered a setback. How did you respond to this challenge? (Persistence/Grit)
Q2) Please discuss any part of your application that you feel requires further explanation. For example, discuss grades or MCAT scores that do not reflect your true ability, and/or a gap in time that is not explained elsewhere in your application. Discuss any impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on your academic, service, extracurricular or employment experiences. If you are reapplying to T.H. Chan SOM, highlight how you have strengthened your application.(250 word limit)
Q3) If you have participated in T.H. Chan SOM or UMass Memorial Health Care, or UMass Chan Medical-Baystate sponsored programs (SEP, Summer Research Program, Worcester Pipeline Collaborative, AHEC, BaccMD, HSPP, Academic Internships, BSEP, Summer Scholars) please describe how these programs helped you decide to apply to T.H. Chan SOM. (200 word limit)
Q4) Why did you apply to T.H. Chan SOM? (200 word limit)
Q5) If you are currently taking a gap year, in what activities are you engaged? (200 word limit)Q6) Please describe an example of your personal and/or professional experience with and understanding of systemic inequity, exclusion, or lack of representation in health care in the United States. How did you arrive at this understanding? (200 word limit)
Track specific-questions:
Purch – Please describe how a focus on population health and healthcare disparities will benefit you in your training and/or career? Please limit your response to less than or equal to 500 words.
LEAD@Lahey – Based on your interests and life experiences, please describe how you might be a good fit for the LEAD@Lahey Pathway at UMass Chan Medical School? What unique experiences and perspectives might you bring to the class? Please limit your response to 250 words or less.
2023-2024
1) UMass Chan Medical School strives to be a diverse academic community mindful of the fact that diversity makes our community stronger and benefits the patients we serve. Share your definition of diversity. Describe an example where you contributed to the diversity of a group, team or class. Connect this to how you will contribute to the diversity of the UMass Chan Medical School community. (Diversity)
2) Describe a time when you have made a decision that was not popular and how you handled this. (Leadership competency)
3) Describe a time when you were on a team that was dysfunctional in some regard. How did you address the situation? (Teamwork)
4) Describe a meaningful interaction you have had with a person whom you have helped at work, school or another activity. (Empathy/Compassion)
5) Have you ever been in the middle of a situation where there was poor communication? What did you do to improve it? (Communication)
6) Describe a time when you have “thought outside the box” to solve a problem. (Inquiry)
7) Describe a time when you suffered a setback. How did you respond to this challenge? (Persistence/Grit)
Q2) Please discuss any part of your application that you feel requires further explanation. For example, discuss grades or MCAT scores that do not reflect your true ability, and/or a gap in time that is not explained elsewhere in your application. Discuss any impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on your academic, service, extracurricular or employment experiences. If you are reapplying to T.H. Chan SOM, highlight how you have strengthened your application.(250 word limit)
Q3) If you have participated in T.H. Chan SOM or UMass Memorial Health Care, or UMass Chan Medical-Baystate sponsored programs (SEP, Summer Research Program, Worcester Pipeline Collaborative, AHEC, BaccMD, HSPP, Academic Internships, BSEP, Summer Scholars) please describe how these programs helped you decide to apply to T.H. Chan SOM. (200 word limit)
Q4) Why did you apply to T.H. Chan SOM? (200 word limit)
Q5) If you are currently taking a gap year, in what activities are you engaged? (200 word limit)
Q6) Please describe an example of your personal and/or professional experience with and understanding of systemic inequity, exclusion, or lack of representation in health care in the United States. How did you arrive at this understanding? (200 word limit)
2022-2023
1) UMass Chan Medical School strives to be a diverse academic community mindful of the fact that diversity makes our community stronger and benefits the patients we serve. Share your definition of diversity. Describe an example where you contributed to the diversity of a group, team or class. Connect this to how you will contribute to the diversity of the UMass Chan Medical School community. (Diversity)
2) Describe a time when you have made a decision that was not popular and how you handled this. (Leadership competency)
3) Describe a time when you were on a team that was dysfunctional in some regard. How did you address the situation? (Teamwork)
4) Describe a meaningful interaction you have had with a person whom you have helped at work, school or another activity. (Empathy/Compassion)
5) Have you ever been in the middle of a situation where there was poor communication? What did you do to improve it? (Communication)
6) Describe a time when you have “”thought outside the box”” to solve a problem. (Inquiry)
7) Describe a time when you suffered a setback. How did you respond to this challenge? (Persistence/Grit)
Q2) Please discuss any part of your application that you feel requires further explanation. For example, discuss grades or MCAT scores that do not reflect your true ability, and/or a gap in time that is not explained elsewhere in your application. Discuss any impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on your academic, service, extracurricular or employment experiences.If you are reapplying to T.H. Chan SOM, highlight how you have strengthened your application. (250 word limit)
Q3) If you have participated in T.H. Chan SOM or UMass Memorial Health Care, or UMass Chan Medical-Baystate sponsored programs (SEP, Summer Research Program, Worcester Pipeline Collaborative, AHEC, BaccMD, HSPP, Academic Internships, BSEP, Summer Scholars) please describe how these programs helped you decide to apply to T.H. Chan SOM. (200 word limit)
Q4) Why did you apply to T.H. Chan SOM? (200 word limit)
Q5) If you are currently taking a gap year, in what activities are you engaged? (200 word limit)
2021-2022
1) UMass Medical School strives to be a diverse academic community mindful of the fact that diversity makes our community stronger and benefits the patients we serve. Share your definition of diversity. Describe an example where you contributed to the diversity of a group, team or class. Connect this to how you will contribute to the diversity of the UMass Medical School community. (Diversity)
2) Describe a time when you have made a decision that was not popular and how you handled this. (Leadership competency)
3) Describe a time when you were on a team that was dysfunctional in some regard. How did you address the situation? (Teamwork)
4) Describe a meaningful interaction you have had with a person whom you have helped at work, school or another activity. (Empathy/Compassion)
5) Have you ever been in the middle of a situation where there was poor communication? What did you do to improve it? (Communication)
6) Describe a time when you have “thought outside the box” to solve a problem. (Inquiry)
7) Describe a time when you suffered a setback. How did you respond to this challenge? (Persistence/Grit)
Q2) Please discuss any part of your application that you feel requires further explanation. For example, discuss grades or MCAT scores that do not reflect your true ability, and/or a gap in time that is not explained elsewhere in your application. Discuss any impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on your academic, service, extracurricular or employment experiences.If you are reapplying to UMass SOM, highlight how you have strengthened your application.(250 word limit)
Q3) If you have participated in UMass SOM or UMass Memorial Health Care, or UMass Medical-Baystate sponsored programs (SEP, Summer Research Program, Worcester Pipeline Collaborative, AHEC, BaccMD, HSPP, Academic Internships, BSEP, Summer Scholars) please describe how these programs helped you decide to apply to UMass SOM. (200 word limit)
Q4) Why did you apply to UMass SOM? (200 word limit)
Q5) If you are currently taking a gap year, in what activities are you engaged? (200 word limit)
2020-2021
1. You are asked to highlight specific examples of how you developed and demonstrated core professional competencies that are required for entering medical students. Please respond to the first prompt (Diversity). Then select three of the other six prompts.Each response should be 150-200 words.
- UMass Medical School strives to be a diverse community mindful that diversity makes our community stronger and benefits the patients we serve. Each person in our community brings a unique set of strengths, experiences and perspectives. Describe an example where you contributed to the diversity of a group, team or class. Connect this to how you will contribute to the diversity of the UMMS community. (Diversity)
- Describe a time when you have made a decision that was not popular and how you handled this. (Leadership competency)
- Describe a time when you were on a team that was dysfunctional in some regard. How did you address the situation? (Teamwork)
- Describe a meaningful interaction you have had with a person whom you have helped at work, school or another activity. (Empathy/Compassion)
- Describe a situation where poor communication had a negative impact. What did you do to improve it? (Communication)
- Describe a time when you have used your ingenuity to solve a problem. (Inquiry)
- Describe a time when you suffered a setback. How did you respond to this challenge? (Persistence/Grit)
2. Please discuss any part of your application that you feel requires further explanation. For example, discuss grades or MCAT scores that do not reflect your true ability, and/or a gap in time that is not explained elsewhere in your application. Discuss any impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on your academic, service, extracurricular, or employment experiences. If you are reapplying to UMass SOM, highlight how you have strengthened your application. (250 words max)
3. If you have participated in UMass SOM or UMass Memorial Health Care, or UMMS Baystate sponsored programs (SEP, Summer Research Program, Worcester Pipeline Collaborative, AHEC, BaccMD, HSPP, Academic Internships, BSEP, Summer Scholars) please describe how these programs helped you decide to apply to UMass SOM. (200 words max)
4. What is your greatest strength? What are you going to contribute to the UMMS community?
5. If you are currently taking a gap year, in what activities are you engaged? (200 words max)
2019-2020
1) Describe a time when you have made a decision that was not popular and how you handled this. (Leadership competency)
2) Describe a time when you were on a team that was dysfunctional in some regard. How did you address the situation? (Teamwork)
3) Describe a meaningful interaction you have had with a person whom you have helped at work, school or another activity. (Empathy/Compassion)
4) Have you ever been in the middle of a situation where there was poor communication? What did you do to improve it? (Communication)
5) Describe a time when you have “thought outside the box” to solve a problem. (Inquiry)
6) Describe a time when you suffered a setback. How did you respond to this challenge? (Persistence/Grit)
7) Describe a challenging time when you advocated for someone. (Advocacy/Cultural Competence)
Q2) Please discuss any part of your application that you feel requires further explanation – for example, grades or MCAT scores that do not reflect your true ability, a gap in time that is not explained elsewhere in your application. If you are reapplying to UMass SOM, highlight how you have strengthened your application. (250 word limit)
Q3) If you have participated in UMass SOM or UMass Memorial Health Care, or UMMS Baystate sponsored programs (SEP, Summer Research Program, Worcester Pipeline Collaborative, AHEC, BaccMD, HSPP, Academic Internships, BSEP, Summer Scholars) please describe how these programs helped you decide to apply to UMass SOM. (200 word limit)
Q4) Why are you interested in UMass SOM? What will you bring to your class and the SOM community? (200 word limit)
Q5) If you are currently taking a gap year, in what activities are you engaged? (200 word limit)
2018-2019
2017-2018
1. Please respond to four of the following seven prompts related to competencies that are important for a physician to possess. (150 words/item, 600 words/total; please use the text box below for your answer, separate each of your four responses by writing the competency above/before your response; example: Teamwork – All teams have their struggles but they can be overcome…)
- a0Describe a time when you have made a decision that was not popular and how you handled this. (Leadership competency)
- Describe a time when you were on a team that was dysfunctional in some regard. How did you address the situation? (Teamwork)
- Describe a meaningful interaction you have had with a person whom you have helped at work, school or another activity. (Empathy/Compassion)
- Have you ever been in the middle of a situation where there was poor communication? What did you do to improve it? (Communication)
- Describe a time when you have “thought outside the box” to solve a problem. (Inquiry)
- Describe a time when you suffered a setback. How did you respond to this challenge? (Persistence/Grit)
- Describe a challenging time when you advocated for someone. (Advocacy/Cultural Competence)
2. Please discuss any part of your application that you feel requires further explanation – for example, grades or MCAT scores that do not reflect your true ability, a gap in time that is not explained elsewhere in your application. If you are reapplying to UMass SOM, highlight how you have strengthened your application. (250 word limit)
3. If you have participated in UMass SOM or UMass Memorial Health Care, or UMMS Baystate sponsored programs (SEP, Summer Research Program, Worcester Pipeline Collaborative, AHEC, BaccMD, HSPP, Academic Internships, BSEP, Summer Scholars) please describe how these programs helped you decide to apply to UMass SOM. (200 word limit)
4. Why are you interested in UMass SOM? What will you bring to your class and the SOM community? (200 word limit)
PURCH Track Only:
5. Please describe how a focus on population health, healthcare disparities and the community as a patient will benefit you in your training and/or career? Please limit your response to less than or equal to 500 words
2016-2017
1. If you are reapplying to UMMS, please describe how you have strengthened your credentials since your last application. Limit your answer to 200 words
2. Have you ever worked/volunteered or otherwise participated in any UMASS Medical School or UMASS Memorial Health Care sponsored activities/programs (Example: Area Health Education Center (AHEC), Pipeline Program, Summer Enrichment Program (SEP), Research) If Yes, please describe. A letter of recommendation from your program supervisor is strongly encouraged. Limit your answer to 200 words.
3. What are your future medical career plans? Please describe your hopes for your chosen medical specialty, type of practice, and size/type of practice community. Limit your answer to 200 words.
4. Please explain any grades: o Lower than a ‘B’ in any prerequisite or science course o Any semester where you feel your academic performance was not representative of your true abilities Limit your answer to 200 words.
5. How did you study for the MCAT exam? Limit your answer to 200 words.
6. Please provide a description of a personal dilemma relating to ONE of the nine following personal compentencies that are important to success in medical education and physician practice. Limit your answer to 500 words. Any additional information beyond one page will not be evaluated.
7. Please check the competency of your choice:
Integrity & Ethics Competency
Behaves in an honest and ethical manner; adheres to ethical principles and follows rules and procedures; resists peer pressure to engage in unethical behavior and encourages others to behave in honest and ethical ways.
Reliability & Dependability
Consistently fulfills obligations in a timely and satisfactory manner; takes responsibility for personal actions and performance.
Service Orientation
Demonstrates a desire to help others and sensitivity to others’ needs and feelings; demonstrates a desire to alleviate others’ distress.
Social & Interpersonal Skills
Demonstrates an awareness of others’ needs, goals, feelings, and the ways that social and behavioral cues affect peoples’ interactions and behaviors; adjusts behaviors appropriately in response to these cues; and treats others with respect.
Capacity for Improvement
Sets goals for continuous improvement and for learning new concepts and skills; engages in reflective practice for improvement; solicits and responds appropriately to feedback
Resilience and Adaptability
Demonstrates tolerance of stressful or changing environments or situations and adapts effectively to them; is persistent, even under difficult situations; recovers from setbacks.
Cultural Competence
Demonstrates knowledge of social and cultural factors that affect interactions and behaviors; shows an appreciation and respect for multiple dimensions of diversity; recognizes and appropriately addresses bias in themselves and others; interacts effectively with people from diverse backgrounds.
Oral Communication
Effectively conveys information to others using spoken words and sentences listens effectively; recognizes potential communication barriers and adjust approach or clarifies information as needed.
Teamwork
Works collaboratively with others to achieve shared goals; shares information and knowledge with others and provides feedback; puts team goals ahead of individual goals.
The information below provides instructions on how you should write your description.
Step 1: Review each competency Carefully read each competency definition to be sure you understand what is important. Carefully reflect on each competency and think about a dilemma you encountered in your activities, experiences, or accomplishments and relate that to it.
Step 2: Choose what you will write about for ONE competency Choose one dilemma that best describes your demonstration of your chosen competency. The dilemma may be specific, such as a challenging person, situation or assignment. Alternately, it may be an example of a dilemma you witnessed, in which case your relay what your response would have been.
Step 3: Provide a narrative description of the dilemma Carefully describe the dilemma you have selected. Your response should clearly reflect your individual experience or understanding of this dilemma related to that competency. Your description must reflect the quality of your understanding of the dilemma including how it relates to the specific competency and its scope and impact. Specifically, you should describe:
a) the situation in which the activity, experience or accomplishment occured;
b) actions you took and the resulting consequences of those actions;
c) what you learned from the experience
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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