After submitting your AMCAS, AACOMAS, or TMDSAS primary application, the next step in the admissions process is tackling secondary essays. These essays allow medical schools to learn more about your motivations, values, and fit for their specific program. With most applicants receiving 10-20 secondaries, writing strong, thoughtful responses in a short period is crucial.

At AcceptMed, we guide students through the secondary application process, helping them avoid common mistakes that can weaken their essays. Many students rush their responses, repeat their primary application, or fail to personalize their answers, ultimately reducing their chances of securing an interview.

Writing Generic or Repetitive Essays

Why This Is a Problem:

Many applicants copy and paste generic answers across multiple secondaries, failing to tailor their responses to each school. Admissions committees can easily spot vague, impersonal essays, and these do nothing to demonstrate genuine interest in a program.

How to Fix It:

• Research each school before writing. Look for specific programs, mission statements, or unique offerings that align with your goals.
• Avoid broad statements like “I want to help people.” Instead, mention a particular aspect of the school that excites you and connect it to your past experiences.
• Personalize every essay. Even if schools ask similar questions, adjust your response to reflect why you’re a great fit for their program specifically.

Weak Example (Generic Response):
"I am excited to apply to XYZ Medical School because of its commitment to excellence in medicine."

Strong Example (Personalized Response):
"XYZ Medical School’s emphasis on rural healthcare aligns with my experience volunteering in underserved communities. The Rural Health Scholars Program would allow me to continue serving similar populations while developing the skills needed to address healthcare disparities."

Repeating Your Personal Statement

Why This Is a Problem:

Admissions committees have already read your personal statement, so restating the same experiences or stories wastes valuable space. Your secondary essays should complement, not duplicate, your primary application.

How to Fix It:

• Choose different experiences to highlight. If your personal statement focused on research, use secondaries to discuss clinical experiences, leadership, or community service.
• If using the same experience, offer a new perspective. Expand on what you learned rather than rehashing the same story.
• Use secondaries to fill in gaps. If your primary application lacked strong clinical exposure, use a secondary essay to emphasize patient interactions or hands-on experience.

Weak Example (Repetitive Response):
"I first realized I wanted to be a doctor after shadowing a physician, which I discussed in my personal statement."

Strong Example (New Perspective):
"While shadowing a physician, I initially admired the depth of medical knowledge required. However, it was observing how the doctor comforted anxious patients that solidified my desire to pursue medicine. This experience shaped my approach to patient care, leading me to volunteer as a patient advocate in a hospital setting."

Submitting Essays Too Late

Why This Is a Problem:

Medical school admissions operate on a rolling basis, meaning that interview slots fill up as the cycle progresses. The later you submit your secondaries, the lower your chances of securing an interview.

How to Fix It:

• Follow the 2-Week Rule. Aim to submit each secondary within 10-14 days of receiving it.
• Pre-write common responses. Many secondaries ask about diversity, challenges, and why you’re interested in a school—draft these essays in advance to save time.
• Create a submission tracker. Keep a spreadsheet of essay prompts, deadlines, and submission dates to stay organized.

Pro Tip: Even if a school doesn’t have an official deadline, submitting early shows enthusiasm and gives you a competitive advantage.

Failing to Answer the Question Directly

Why This Is a Problem:

Many students write off-topic or vague responses, which can frustrate admissions committees and weaken their application.

How to Fix It:

• Read the prompt carefully. Highlight key phrases to ensure you understand exactly what is being asked.
• Stay focused. If a question asks about a specific challenge, don’t give a general overview of your journey to medicine—stick to the prompt.
• Use a clear structure. Follow a logical flow, ensuring each paragraph contributes directly to answering the question.

Weak Example (Off-Topic Response):
Prompt: "Describe a challenge you've faced and how you overcame it."
"I have always been passionate about medicine. My experiences volunteering at a clinic reinforced my desire to become a doctor."

Strong Example (Direct Response):
"During my sophomore year, I struggled with time management while balancing research and coursework. Recognizing the need for structure, I implemented a detailed study schedule, which improved both my academic performance and research productivity. This experience taught me the importance of adaptability and self-discipline—qualities I will bring to medical school."

Writing Long-Winded or Unfocused Essays

Why This Is a Problem:

Admissions committees read thousands of applications, so essays that are too long, unfocused, or overly wordy can lose their attention.

How to Fix It:

• Stick to the word limit. If a prompt asks for 250 words, don’t submit 500 words—concise writing is a skill.
• Use strong topic sentences. Every paragraph should have a clear main idea that supports your response.
• Avoid unnecessary filler. Instead of saying, "This experience was truly transformative and deeply meaningful to my personal growth," say, "This experience shaped my approach to patient care by teaching me the value of empathy and communication."

Pro Tip: Read your essay out loud—if a sentence feels too long, simplify it.

Ignoring Grammar and Formatting Issues

Why This Is a Problem:

Typos, awkward phrasing, and grammatical errors make essays appear rushed and unpolished. Even minor mistakes can distract from your message and hurt your professionalism.

How to Fix It:

• Use spell check and grammar tools like Grammarly, but don’t rely on them entirely.
• Have someone else proofread. A fresh pair of eyes can catch mistakes you missed.
• Format for readability. Use paragraph breaks and logical flow to make your essay easy to read.

Your secondary essays are a critical part of your medical school application, providing an opportunity to demonstrate your fit for each program. Avoiding these common mistakes can make your application stand out and increase your chances of securing interviews.

Key Takeaways:

• Avoid generic responses—personalize every essay for each school.
• Don’t repeat your personal statement—use secondaries to highlight new experiences.
• Submitting early—late submissions reduce interview chances.
• Answer the question directly—stay on topic and use a clear structure.
• Keep it concise—follow word limits and remove unnecessary filler.
• Proofread carefully—avoid grammar mistakes and formatting errors.

By following these strategies, you’ll submit polished, compelling secondary essays that leave a lasting impression on admissions committees—bringing you one step closer to medical school acceptance.