1. What do you see as the most likely practice scenario for your future medical career?

You will need to introspect in order to answer this question. Consider your career goals. Do you plan to be a full-time clinician or do some research as well? Are you interested in global health and medical work abroad? Do you see yourself performing community outreach here in the US? Be realistic but optimistic. You are not bound to your answer, so it is ok to have reasonable but lofty goals. Make sure to focus on your career in medicine. Detailing your goals in other professional spheres (if you have them) does not necessarily show your strength as a potential doctor and will not specifically answer this question.

a. Please choose the single answer that best describes your career goals:
Private Practice
Academic Medicine
Public Health
Health Care Administration
Health Policy
Other

Choose as appropriate based on your preferences.

b. Describe the knowledge, skills, and attributes you have developed in preparation for the career path you have chosen in question 4a.
(2000 Characters)

Based on your answer above, create a cohesive overview of the attributes which make you a qualified candidate to realize that goal. The challenge here is to not repeat experiences discussed on your primary application. This will likely be inevitable, but when touching on those experiences, discuss a new aspect and approach them from a different angle. Think specifically about which traits you want to highlight. Create an outline prior to writing. Consider using anecdotes and stories from those experiences so that you can shine a new light and not be repetitive.

2. (Optional) The USF Morsani College of Medicine’s Scholarly Concentrations program aims to support the educational development of medical students by providing opportunities for academic endeavors in areas of special interest. This program facilitates self-directed learning, enhances interactions between students and fosters relationships between students and faculty. Scholarly concentrations provide a forum where diversity of ideas and perspectives are valued. Each concentration includes elements of course work, practical application and scholarly presentation.

Please review our Scholarly Concentrations website to determine which concentration would be of interest to you and answer the following question. (Scholarly Concentrations Program | USF Health)

a. How would the USF Morsani College of Medicine’s Scholarly Concentrations Program help your personal career goals? (2000 characters)

The first step is to review the available concentrations on the program website, of which there are 11. Next, reflect on your personal goals and aspirations. If applicable to you, discuss how one of these concentrations would help you achieve your career goals. What specific skills would you gain that would allow you to advance your career toward your goals. Be specific in this answer.

3. The University of South Florida, College of Medicine strives to educate a very diverse set of students who bring a variety of strengths and interests to the field of medicine. The definition of diversity is broad and includes (but is not limited to) lifestyle, race/ethnicity, geography, socioeconomic status and distance traveled through life. The definition of strength is also broad and includes (but not limited to) humanism, scholarship, intellectual curiosity, research and leadership. How do you feel your particular experiences, interests, and passions will add to the strength and diversity of the USF class and ultimately to the field of medicine?
(2000 characters)

Start by brainstorming what is unique about you and your background. Is it your place of birth, your family, your culture, or you path to medicine? Also consider prior adversity you have had to overcome and how that has shaped your values. Next consider your personal strengths and attributes. Consider 1-2 of these characteristics to focus on. Discuss them in detail, providing specific examples as to how you demonstrate these qualities. Weave a story which shows how your unique characteristics will contribute to your medical school class. Consider the effect you might have on your peers, professors and patients.

4. Describe your ideas about how the medical profession can best respond to disparities in healthcare (2000 characters)

This question will require some creativity, as this is a dilemma which is not easy to fix. The most basic part of this prompt is acknowledging that significant disparities in healthcare exist and it is our duty as physicians to try to bridge these gaps. Consider focusing on the following themes: empowering underserved populations through education, sustainable strategies to provide more medical care to the underserved, preventative medicine to help reduce the burden of chronic disease which occurs in patients who do not have access to medical care which can prevent the development of such diseases.

5. If you have experienced academic difficulties, please explain the situation and how it was resolved. (Please explain all grades less than a “B” (including B-) or any “withdrawal” on your transcripts). (2000 characters)

Do not feel compelled to answer this question, but if there is a portion of the application which needs clarification it is reasonable to do so. Be sure to not sound like a victim and not to make excuses, but be honest in description of the circumstances and reasons for this academic issue. One possible example is if you had any health issues requiring you to withdraw from a class and receive an incomplete. State what you learned from the experience and how you improved upon it thereafter. The prompt specifically ask for explanation of all grades lower than B, so be sure sure to follow this.

There are also various questions about participating in SMPs or Post Baccs, crimes, and IAs that you have to answer if applicable. All 2000 characters

Answer these questions as applicable to your prior history.