University of North Dakota School of Medicine Secondary Essay Prompts

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

About University of North Dakota School of Medicine & Health Sciences

Secondary Deadline: November 1, 2023
Secondary Fee: $50
FAP Waiver: Full Fee Waived
CASPer Required: Yes
Screens Applications: No
Accepts Application Updates: No

Mission

The primary purpose of the University of North Dakota School of Medicine & Health Sciences is to educate physicians and other health professionals to enhance the quality of life in North Dakota. Other purposes include the discovery of knowledge that benefits the people of this state and enhances the quality of their lives. 

Values 

  • COMMUNITY
    A spirit of collaboration and connectedness across the University and beyond
  • DISCOVERY
    An enthusiasm for inquiry, creativity, and innovation
  • DIVERSITY
    An understanding and appreciation of diverse people, experiences, and ideas
  • INCLUSIVITY
    A welcoming, inclusive, and supportive environment for all
  • LIBERAL ARTS
    An educational foundation essential for living an intellectually curious, personally fulfilling, and socially responsible life
  • LIFELONG LEARNING
    A passion for learning, civic engagement, and community leadership

2023-2024

1. The School of Medicine & Health Sciences is a community-based medical school, and because of the unique circumstances of our regional location, we place special emphasis on the unique skills needed to provide care for patients and populations in rural and Native American communities across all competencies. The primary purpose of the UND School of Medicine & Health Sciences is to educate physicians and other health professionals for subsequent service in North Dakota and to enhance the quality of life of its people. Other purposes include the discovery of knowledge that benefits the people of this state and enhances the quality of their lives. Please explain the steps you have taken towards, and how you will fulfill different aspects of the school’s mission. (1200 characters)

2. Reflect on personal experiences of resilience and emotional intelligence throughout your life and how this has prepared you in your pursuit of a career in medicine. (1200 characters)

3. Describe your experiences with diverse populations. Examples include a summary of a volunteer experience, study abroad, employment, self-taught endeavor or a formal course on diversity that includes direct interaction with individuals or groups from socioeconomic disadvantaged, diverse cultures, rural, or other backgrounds. (1200 characters)

4. Describe your research activity. Examples include the outcome of a formal research experience, course-dependent undergraduate research, thesis, or capstone project. (600 characters)

5. Describe your creative activity. Examples include the on-going production of art forms, artistic performance, or other creative efforts, such as photography, painting, musical talents, needlework, cooking, wood-working, building cars, yoga instructor, dancing, theatre performance, writing, gaming etc. (600 characters)

6. Expand and reflect on medical and/or clinical experience as it relates to the mission of the School of Medicine & Health Sciences. This may include a summary of physician shadowing, clinical observation, community service, volunteer work, and/or employment. Examples include, but are not limited to, work in a clinic, hospital, as a first responder, clinical lab, public health, home health visits, assisted living, nursing home care, youth camps, or relevant military duty. (1200 characters)

7. Expand and reflect on leadership and team experience. This may include a summary of leadership roles or teamwork in employed positions, extracurricular activities, organizations, volunteer services, or any other leadership or team experiences. (1200 characters)

8. What are your career plans if you do not ever get admitted to medical school? (600 characters)

9. If needed, update the information in your AMCAS application (i.e., grades in recent courses, alterations in your proposed coursework or graduation, additions to extracurricular activities, unreported legal and institutional infractions, etc.). (600 characters)

10. Are you currently enrolled in a grant-funded and/or degree-granting postbaccalaureate program and/or advanced degree? If so, what is your timeline for completion? (600 characters)

11. Have you participated in any of these pathway programs: Scrubs Camp, Med Prep, CLIMB, Summer Institute, Pre-Med Day, etc? Please indicate all that apply. (Radio option)

12. UND SMHS REAPPLICANTS ONLY: When was your previous application, and, subsequently, what steps have you taken to strengthen your candidacy? Note any relevant academic, employment, clinical, and personal experience and/or development. (1200 characters)

2022-2023

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

2021-2022

1. “The School of Medicine & Health Sciences is a community-based medical school, and because of the unique circumstances of our regional location, we place special emphasis on the unique skills needed to provide care for patients and populations in rural and Native American communities across all competencies. The primary purpose of the UND School of Medicine & Health Sciences is to educate physicians and other health professionals for subsequent service in North Dakota and to enhance the quality of life of its people. Other purposes include the discovery of knowledge that benefits the people of this state and enhances the quality of their lives.” Please explain the steps you have taken towards, and how you will fulfill different aspects of the school’s mission. (1200 words)

2. Reflect on personal experiences of resilience and emotional intelligence throughout your life and how this has prepared you in your pursuit of a career in medicine. (1200 words)

3. Describe your experiences with diverse populations. Examples include a summary of a volunteer experience, study abroad, employment, self-taught endeavor or a formal course on diversity that includes direct interaction with individuals or groups from socio-economic disadvantaged, diverse cultures, rural, or other backgrounds. (1200 words)

4. Describe your research activity. Examples include the outcome of a formal research experience, course-dependent undergraduate research, thesis, or capstone project. (600 words)

5. Describe your creative activity. Examples include the outcome of a creative activity, capstone project, senior recital, performance, debate, product creation or any other major production or installation. (600 words)

6. Expand and reflect on medical and/or clinical experience as it relates to the mission of the School of Medicine & Health Sciences. This may include a summary of physician shadowing, clinical observation, community service, volunteer work, and/or employment. Examples include, but are not limited to, work in a clinic, hospital, as a first responder, clinical lab, public health, home health visits, assisted living, nursing home care, youth camps, or relevant military duty.

7. Expand and reflect on leadership and team experience. This may include a summary of leadership roles or teamwork in employed positions, extracurricular activities, organizations, volunteer services, or any other leadership or team experiences. (1200 words)

8. What are your career plans if you do not ever get admitted to medical school? (600 words)

9. UND SMHS RE-APPLICANTS ONLY: When was your previous application, and, subsequently, what steps have you taken to strengthen your candidacy? Note any relevant academic, employment, clinical, and personal experience. (1200 words)

2020-2021

Answer each in 600 or less words.

1. The primary purpose of the UND SMHS is to educate physicians and other health professionals for subsequent service in North Dakota and to enhance the quality of life of its people.” Given the purpose of the School, please explain how you will fulfill this mission.

2. Reflect on personal experiences of resilience and emotional intelligence throughout life and how has this prepared you in your pursuit of medicine.

3. Describe your experiences with diverse populations. Examples include a summary of a volunteer experience, study abroad, employment, or a formal course on diversity that includes direct interaction with individuals or groups from socio-economic, cultural, geographic, rural, or other backgrounds different from your own.

4. Describe your research or creative activity. Examples include the outcome of a formal research experience, course-dependent undergraduate research, thesis, capstone, senior recital, performance, debate, product creation or any other major production or installation.

5. Expand and reflect on medical and/or clinical experience as it relates to the mission of the School of Medicine & Health Sciences. This may include a summary of physician shadowing, clinical observation, community service, volunteer work, and/or employment. Examples include, but are not limited to, work in a clinic, hospital, as a first responder, clinical lab, public health, home health visits, assisted living, nursing home care, youth camps, or relevant military duty.

6. What are your career plans if you do not ever get admitted to medical school?

2019-2020

We ask that you be thorough but try to keep each answer to 1600 characters or less (not including spaces).

  1. Residency History: List each permanent residence starting with your place of birth
  2. The primary purpose of the UND SMHS is to educate physicians and other health professionals for subsequent service in North Dakota and to enhance the quality of life of its people. Given the purpose of the school, please explain how you do or will fulfill this mission.
  3. Describe your experience with life in a rural and/or Native American community.
  4. What are your career plans in the event that you are not admitted to medical school this year?
  5. What are your career plans in the event that you don’t ever get admitted to medical school?
  6. If needed, update the information in your AMCAS application (i.e., grades in recent courses, alterations in your proposed coursework or graduation, additions to extracurricular activities, unreported legal and institutional infractions, etc.).
  7. Please see “Residency Preferences” on the UND SMHS Admissions website. Describe your ties to the state of North Dakota or how you qualify for the other residency groups described there.
  8. Are you an enrolled member of a U.S. federally recognized tribe? If yes, please describe your connection to this or other Native American communities. If no, you do not need to complete this question.
  9. Are you currently enrolled in a grant-funded and/or degree-granting post-baccalaureate program? If so, what is your timeline for completion?

UND SMHS REAPPLICANTS ONLY: When was your previous application, and, subsequently, what steps have you taken to strengthen your candidacy? Note any relevant academic, employment, clinical, and personal experience.

2018-2019

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

2017-2018

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

2016-2017

(1600 character limit not including spaces)

1. What do you consider to be your hometown? Explain

2. Given the purpose of the school, please justify why you should be accepted for admission.

3. Describe how your experiences (health care or social care) will help you develop into a compassionate physician.

4. Describe how familiar you are with life in a rural and/or Native American community.

5. Describe how you have contributed to your family or community.

6. What are your career plans in the event that you are not admitted to medical school: This year? Ever?

7. Describe your connection to the state of North Dakota. Minnesota applicants, describe your connections to your respective communities and/or to North Dakota.

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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