Secondary Essay Prompts Database

Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine (Hershey, PA)

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Program Overview

Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine (Hershey, PA)

Secondary Deadline

December 15, 2026

Secondary Fee

$90

FAP Waiver

Yes

Casper Required

Screens Applications

Yes

Accepts Application Updates

Yes

Mission

The College of Medicine (and our academic hub, Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center) are committed to enhancing the quality of life through improved health, the professional preparation of those who will serve the health needs of others, and the discovery of knowledge that will benefit all.

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Vision

The College of Medicine is committed to R.I.T.E values: respect, integrity, teamwork and excellence. It strives to promote a respectful work and learning environment, characterized by collaborative and shared-credit behaviors, to embrace diverse backgrounds, talents, and perspectives, and to act in a compassionate, thoughtful, considerate and kind manner. The College values integrity, encouraging persistent best efforts, moral courage to ask hard questions, and fair treatment of others. It supports teamwork and the underlying values of sharing and trust, with the goal of ensuring the best experience for co-workers, patients, and trainees. Finally, the College of Medicine pursues excellence by aligning individual performance with the mission, vision, values, and strategic imperatives and a solution-focused culture.

Values

The College of Medicine’s vision is to improve health through our missions of education, research, patient care and community health.

While research and education are distinct lines of endeavor from patient care services, the academic and clinical enterprises work synergistically to advance the unified purpose of improving health. The College of Medicine strategic plan reflects this reality, and contains goals and initiatives that seek to advance research and education while leveraging the clinical strengths of Penn State Health.

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Application Cycles

2026-2027

Application Cycle

All questions have a 250-word limit.

1. If not currently enrolled in a full-time academic program, please summarize your activities from the time of graduation from your baccalaureate program through the time of this application, as well as your plans between now and your matriculation to medical school. (Maximum 75 words)

2. Is there a unique aspect of your application that should be considered by the admissions committee? (Maximum 75 words)

3. Explain why you decided to apply to the Penn State College of Medicine. (Maximum 75 words)

4. Write a short paragraph describing a significant experience you have had working in a team setting. (Maximum 250 words)

5. Write a short statement describing how you envision using your medical education to advance care for under-resourced communities or groups that have been historically marginalized or made vulnerable. (Maximum 250 words)

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2025-2026

Application Cycle

All questions have a 250-word limit.

2. Is there a unique aspect of your application that should be considered by the admissions committee? (Maximum 75 words)

3. Explain why you decided to apply to the Penn State College of Medicine. (Maximum 75 words)

4. Write a short paragraph describing a significant experience you have had working in a team setting. (Maximum 250 words)

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2024-2025

Application Cycle

All questions have a 250-word limit.

1. Have you previously applied for admission to Penn State College of Medicine?(y/n)

a. if yes, were you granted an interview?

b. Please indicate the entering first-year class year(s) to which you applied, and explain how your qualifications have changed since your previous application. (Maximum 75 words)

2. Have you, previous to this application year, applied for admission to any medical school other than Penn State College of Medicine? (y/n) if yes, a. Please indicate the entering first-year class year(s) to which you applied, and (if not indicated in 1b above) explain how your qualifications have changed since your previous application. (Maximum 75 words)

4. Have you attended or participated in any of the following events or programs sponsored by or in conjunction with Penn State College of Medicine? If “yes”, please check all that apply. Please describe your involvement. (Maximum 75 words)

5. Have you participated in the PA Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Primary Care Ambassador Program or any other state AHEC pathway program? (if yes, describe, 75 words)

6. If not currently enrolled in a full-time academic program, please summate your activities from the time of graduation from your baccalaureate program through the time of this application, as well as your plans between now and your matriculation to medical school. (Maximum 75 words)

Personal Statements

10. Is there a unique aspect of your application that should be considered by the admissions committee? (Maximum 75 words)

11. Explain why you decided to apply to the Penn State College of Medicine. (Maximum 75 words)

12. Write a short paragraph describing a significant experience you have had working in a team setting. (Maximum 250 words)

13. Write a short statement describing how you envision using your medical education to advance care for under-resourced communities or groups that have been historically marginalized or made vulnerable. (Maximum 250 words)

2023-2024

Application Cycle

All questions have a 250-word limit.

1. If not currently enrolled in a full-time academic program, please summate your activities from the time of graduation from your baccalaureate program through the time of this application, as well as your plans between now and your matriculation to medical school. (Maximum 75 words)

2. Is there a unique aspect of your application that should be considered by the admissions committee? (Maximum 75 words)

3. Explain why you decided to apply to Penn State College of Medicine. (Maximum 75 words)

4. Please write a short paragraph describing a significant experience you have had working in a team setting. (Maximum 250 words)

5. Write a short statement describing how you envision using your medical education to advance care for under-represented or marginalized populations. (Maximum 250 words)

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