Secondary Essay Prompts Database

University of Kansas School of Medicine (Kansas City, KS)

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

University of Kansas School of Medicine (Kansas City, KS)

Secondary Deadline
MD Applicants – November 15, 2026 MD/PhD Applicants – October 15, 2026
Secondary Fee
$50
FAP Waiver
Yes
Casper Required
No
Screens Applications
No
Accepts Application Updates
Yes
Mission
The University of Kansas School of Medicine commits to enhance the quality of life and serve our community through the discovery of knowledge, the education of health professionals and by improving the health of the public.
Vision
The University of Kansas School of Medicine will work with its partners to become the premier academic medical center in the region known for its excellent education, innovative scientific discovery, outstanding clinical programs and dedication to community service. It will be known as the place where everyone wants to come to learn, to teach, to conduct research and to receive his or her health care.

Values
  • Excellence
  • Partnership and Collaboration
  • Teamwork and Participatory Decision Making
  • Ethics, Honesty, and Respect
  • Practicality and Financial Responsibility
  • Openness and Transparency in Decisions and Finances
  • Accountability and Measurable Milestones
  • Diversity
  • Continuous Improvemen

Application Cycles
2026-2027
Application Cycle
All questions have a 250-word limit.

All questions have a 1000-character maximum.

  • If you are not a Kansas resident, what is your specific interest in applying to the University of Kansas School of Medicine.
  • Please describe how your actions and experiences align with the vision statement of the University of Kansas School of Medicine: “To improve lives and communities in Kansas through innovation in education, research, and health care.
  • Describe your health care experiences that involved direct exposure to physicians’ clinical duties and how they have shaped your desire to apply to medical school.
  • Describe examples of leadership experience in which you have significantly influenced others, helped resolve disputes, or contributed to group efforts over time.
  • Beyond academics (grades and MCATs), describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to address this challenge.
  • Give an example of what you have done to make your community a better place to live.
  • If there are academic discrepancies in your application that have not been explained in your application, use this space to clarify. Examples may include unexplained gaps in time, multiple undergraduate institutions attended, multiple course withdrawals, inconsistent academic performance, inconsistency between academic performance and MCAT scores.
  • If you are currently enrolled, or plan to be enrolled during the next academic year in a graduate or professional degree program, please describe your status within the program and your intention to complete the program. You must also request a letter from your graduate program advisor or from the dean of your professional school. This letter must include acknowledgement of your application to medical school and a description of your status in the program.

    Students in the MD program are considered and expected to participate full-time in MD program requirements and accompanying activities (e.g., service, research, etc.). Our experience over multiple decades has informed the SOM that participation in outside activities (e.g., employment, other degree programs, etc.) is not conducive to successfully navigating our curriculum and overall school requirements. Failing to meet program expectations can place the student at risk for administrative action, including dismissal.
  • If you are no longer a full-time student, briefly describe your current employment, community, and/or educational activities.
  • For Repeat Applicants Only: Since your last application, note any relevant academic, employment, and personal experiences that enhance your ability to be a better physician.
2025-2026
Application Cycle
All questions have a 250-word limit.

All questions have a 1000-character maximum.

  • If you are not a Kansas resident, what is your specific interest in applying to the University of Kansas School of Medicine.
  • Please describe how your actions and experiences align with the vision statement of the University of Kansas School of Medicine: “To improve lives and communities in Kansas through innovation in education, research, and health care.
  • Describe your health care experiences that involved direct exposure to physicians’ clinical duties and how they have shaped your desire to apply to medical school.
  • Describe examples of leadership experience in which you have significantly influenced others, helped resolve disputes, or contributed to group efforts over time.
  • Beyond academics (grades and MCATs), describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to address this challenge.
  • Give an example of what you have done to make your community a better place to live.
  • If there are academic discrepancies in your application that have not been explained in your application, use this space to clarify. Examples may include unexplained gaps in time, multiple undergraduate institutions attended, multiple course withdrawals, inconsistent academic performance, inconsistency between academic performance and MCAT scores.
  • If you are currently enrolled, or plan to be enrolled during the next academic year in a graduate or professional degree program, please describe your status within the program and your intention to complete the program. You must also request a letter from your graduate program advisor or from the dean of your professional school. This letter must include acknowledgement of your application to medical school and a description of your status in the program.

    Students in the MD program are considered and expected to participate full-time in MD program requirements and accompanying activities (e.g., service, research, etc.). Our experience over multiple decades has informed the SOM that participation in outside activities (e.g., employment, other degree programs, etc.) is not conducive to successfully navigating our curriculum and overall school requirements. Failing to meet program expectations can place the student at risk for administrative action, including dismissal.
  • If you are no longer a full-time student, briefly describe your current employment, community, and/or educational activities.
  • For Repeat Applicants Only: Since your last application, note any relevant academic, employment, and personal experiences that enhance your ability to be a better physician.
2024-2025
Application Cycle
All questions have a 250-word limit.

Why do you prefer to attend the campus you ranked as your first choice? (980 character limit)

If your circumstances meet one of the eligible exemptions noted on the Campus Instructions page, specifically describe them here. Persons requesting an eligible exemption will be asked to provide supporting documentation.

1000 character maximum for all prompts

1 ) If you are not a Kansas resident, what is your specific interest in applying to the University of Kansas School of Medicine?

2 ) Please describe how your actions and experiences align with the vision statement of the University of Kansas School of Medicine: “To improve lives and communities in Kansas through innovation in education, research, and health care.”

3 ) Describe your health care experiences that involved direct exposure to physicians’ clinical duties and how they have shaped your desire to apply to medical school.

4 ) Describe examples of leadership experience in which you have significantly influenced others, helped resolve disputes, or contributed to group efforts over time.

5 ) Beyond academics (grades and MCATs), describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to address this challenge.

6 ) Give an example of what you have done to make your community a better place to live.

7 ) If there are academic discrepancies in your application that have not been explained in your application, use this space to clarify. Examples may include unexplained gaps in time, multiple undergraduate institutions attended, multiple course withdrawals, inconsistent academic performance, inconsistency between academic performance and MCAT scores.

8 ) If you are currently enrolled, or plan to be enrolled during the next academic year in a graduate or professional degree program, please describe your status within the program and your intention to complete the program. You must also request a letter from your graduate program advisor or from the dean of your professional school. This letter must include acknowledgement of your application to medical school and a description of your status in the program. Students in the MD program are considered and expected to participate full-time in MD program requirements and accompanying activities (e.g., service, research, etc.). Our experience over multiple decades has informed the SOM that participation in outside activities (e.g., employment, other degree programs, etc.) is not conducive to successfully navigating our curriculum and overall school requirements. Failing to meet program expectations can place the student at risk for administrative action, including dismissal.

9 ) If you are no longer a full-time student, briefly describe your current employment, community, and/or educational activities.

10 ) For Repeat Applicants Only: Since your last application, note any relevant academic, employment, and personal experiences that enhance your ability to be a better physician.

2023-2024
Application Cycle
All questions have a 250-word limit.

All will answer 1 through 5.

“Provide relatively brief (1,000 character maximum) answers to the following questions.”

1. Describe your health care experiences that involved direct exposure to physicians’ clinical duties and how they have shaped your desire to apply to medical school.

2. Describe examples of leadership experience in which you have significantly influenced others, helped resolve disputes, or contributed to group efforts over time.

3. Beyond academics (grades and MCATs), describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to address this challenge.

4. Give an example of what you have done to make your community a better place to live.

5. Patients come from various backgrounds. Please describe how you will engage with patients whose backgrounds may differ from yours.

6. If you are not a Kansas resident, what is your specific interest in applying to the University of Kansas School of Medicine?

7. If there are academic discrepancies in your application that have not been explained in your application, use this space to clarify. Examples may include unexplained gaps in time, multiple undergraduate institutions attended, multiple course withdrawals, inconsistent academic performance, inconsistency between academic performance and MCAT scores.

8. If you are currently enrolled, or plan to be enrolled during the next academic year in a graduate or professional degree program, please describe your status within the program and your intention to complete the program. You must also request a letter from your graduate program advisor or from the dean of your professional school. This letter must include acknowledgement of your application to medical school and a description of your status in the program. Students in the MD program are considered and expected to participate full-time in MD program requirements and accompanying activities (e.g., service, research, etc.). Our experience over multiple decades has informed the SOM that participation in outside activities (e.g., employment, other degree programs, etc.) is not conducive to successfully navigating our curriculum and overall school requirements. Failing to meet program expectations can place the student at risk for administrative action, including dismissal.

9. If you are no longer a full-time student, briefly describe your current employment, community, medical, and/or educational activities.

10. for Repeat Applicants Only: Since your last application, note any relevant academic, employment, and personal experiences that enhance your ability to be a better physician.

11. For Combined MD/PhD Program Applicants: Do you also want to be considered as an “MD-only” applicant?

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