Washington University St. Louis School of Medicine Secondary Essay Prompts

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

about Washington University St. Louis School of Medicine

Secondary Deadline: November 30, 2023
Secondary Fee: $100
FAP Waiver: Full Fee Waived
CASPer Required: No
Screens Applications: No
Accepts Application Updates: Yes/Email

Mission 

Washington University School of Medicine will lead in advancing human health through the best clinical care, innovative research and the education of tomorrow’s leaders in biomedicine in a culture that supports diversity, inclusion, critical thinking and creativity.

Vision

In leading the advancement of human health, Washington University School of Medicine will:

  • Cultivate excellence and collegiality within an inclusive community
  • Attract and develop a diverse, talented, academic workforce
  • Lead the revolution in biomedicine
  • Enhance our intellectual and technological environment to foster exceptionally creative research and education
  • Develop and maintain excellent clinical programs to provide outstanding care
  • Observe the highest standards of ethics, integrity and compassionate care
  • Apply advances in research and medicine to the betterment of the human condition locally and global

2023-2024

1. Describe a time or situation where you have been unsuccessful or failed. (3000 characters)

2. Is there anything else you would like to share with the Committee on Admissions? (Optional) Some applicants use this space to describe unique experiences, obstacles, and/or challenges they faced in their journey to medical school. (3000 characters)

3. Are you still a full time student? If no, describe in chronological order your activities during the time(s) when you were not enrolled as a full-time student. (Optional) (2000 characters)

2022-2023

1. Have you already completed your undergraduate education, have you had your college or graduate education interrupted, or do you plan not to be a full-time student during your application year? If you select “yes,” this question appears: Describe in chronological order your activities during the time(s) when you were not enrolled as a full-time student.  (2000 char limit)

2. Describe a time or situation where you have been unsuccessful or failed. (3000 char limit)

3. Is there anything else you would like to share with the Committee on Admissions? (optional)

Some applicants use this space to describe unique experiences and obstacles such as significant challenges in access to education, unusual socioeconomic factors, and/or identification with a particular culture, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or gender identity and/or possibly challenges related to COVID or other issues in preparation for medical school. (3000 char limit).

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. Have you already completed your undergraduate education, have you had your college or graduate education interrupted, or do you plan not to be a full-time student during your application year? If you select “yes,” this question appears: Describe in chronological order your activities during the time(s) when you were not enrolled as a full-time student.  (2000 char limit)

Optional

2. Describe a time or situation where you have been unsuccessful or failed. (3000 char limit)

3. Is there anything else you would like to share with the Committee on Admissions? Some applicants use this space to describe unique experiences and obstacles such as significant challenges in access to education, unusual socioeconomic factors, and/or identification with a particular culture, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or gender identity. (3000 char limit)

MSTP

4. Briefly describe the area of research you would like to explore in graduate school. (1800 chars)

2018-2019

1.Have you already completed your undergraduate education, have you had your college or graduate education interrupted, or do you plan not to be a full-time student during your application year? If you select “yes,” this question appears: Describe in chronological order your activities during the time(s) when you were not enrolled as a full-time student. (2000 char limit)

2.(Optional) Describe a time or situation where you have been unsuccessful or failed. (3000 char limit)

3.(Optional) Is there anything else you would like to share with the Committee on Admissions? Some applicants use this space to describe unique experiences and obstacles such as significant challenges in access to education, unusual socioeconomic factors, and/or identification with a particular culture, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or gender identity. (3000 char limit)

2017-2018

1. Have you already completed your undergraduate education, have you had your college or graduate education interrupted, or do you plan not to be a full-time student during your application year? (Yes/No)

If yes: Describe in chronological order your activities during the time(s) when you were not enrolled as a full-time student. (2000 char)

(If no: Nothing)

Describe a time or situation where you have been unsuccessful or failed. OPTIONAL (3000 char)

2. Do you have unique experiences or obstacles that were not covered in your application about which you would like to inform our Admissions Committee? OPTIONAL (3000 char)

3. Have you been convicted of any criminal offense (excluding speeding and non-moving traffic offenses)?

If yes: Please explain (1000 char)

2016-2017

1. (optional) Do you have unique experiences or obstacles that you have overcome that were not covered in your application about which you would like to inform our Admissions Committee? (maximum 3000 characters including spaces)

2. (optional) Describe a time or situation where you have been unsuccessful or failed. (maximum 3000 characters including spaces)

3. If you have already completed your education, if your college or graduate education was interrupted, or if you do not plan to be a full-time student during the current year, describe in chronological order your activities during the time(s) when you were not enrolled as a full-time student. (maximum 1800 characters including spaces)

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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