Secondary Essay Prompts Database

University of Virginia School of Medicine (Charlottesville, VA)

These are the secondary application essay prompts for University of Virginia 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 Virginia School of Medicine (Charlottesville, VA)

Secondary Deadline
December 15, 2026
Secondary Fee
$80
FAP Waiver
Yes
Casper Required
No
Screens Applications
Yes
Accepts Application Updates
Mission
At the University of Virginia School of Medicine, our primary purpose is to educate and train physicians and scientists to help people achieve healthy, productive lives and to advance knowledge in the medical sciences.

Vision

The first step to answering this question is doing some research on the program website to understand some of its nuances.

Values

If one of these aspects aligns with your strengths or interests, explain how you are a great fit for this reason.

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

Two (2) essays:
1. Why are you interested in attending the University of Virginia School of Medicine? What factors will be most important to you in choosing a medical school? Please answer the question in 350 words or less.

2. Tell us about a challenge or obstacle you experienced. How did you manage it? Please answer the question in 350 words or less.

Two (2) short answer questions:
1. Please briefly describe how the pandemic impacted your ability to pursue experiences like clinical work, shadowing, research, or community service.

2. Please list any and all future activities in clinical work, shadowing, research, or community service that you plan to pursue in the upcoming year.

2025-2026
Application Cycle
All questions have a 250-word limit.

Two (2) essays:
1. Why are you interested in attending the University of Virginia School of Medicine? What factors will be most important to you in choosing a medical school? Please answer the question in 350 words or less.

2. Tell us about a challenge or obstacle you experienced. How did you manage it? Please answer the question in 350 words or less.

Two (2) short answer questions:
1. Please briefly describe how the pandemic impacted your ability to pursue experiences like clinical work, shadowing, research, or community service.

2. Please list any and all future activities in clinical work, shadowing, research, or community service that you plan to pursue in the upcoming year.

2024-2025
Application Cycle
All questions have a 250-word limit.

1. Please briefly describe how the pandemic impacted your ability to pursue experiences like clinical work, shadowing, research, or community service. (No apparent limit)

2. Please list any and all future activities in clinical work, shadowing, research, or community service that you plan to pursue in the upcoming year. (No apparent limit)

Essays:

1. Why are you interested in attending the University of Virginia School of Medicine? What factors will be most important to you in choosing a medical school? (350 word limit)

2. What about your individual background, perspective, or experience will serve as a source of strength for you or those around you at UVA? Feel free to write about any past experience or part of your background that has shaped your perspective and will be a source of strength, including but not limited to those related to your community, upbringing, educational environment, race, gender, or other aspects of your background that are important to you. (350 word limit)

3. Tell us about a challenge or obstacle you experienced. How did you manage it? (350 word limit)

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

1. Please briefly describe how the pandemic impacted your ability to pursue experiences like clinical work, shadowing, research, or community service.

2. Please list any and all future activities in clinical work, shadowing, research, or community service that you plan to pursue in the upcoming year.

3. Why are you interested in attending the University of Virginia School of Medicine? What factors will be most important to you in choosing a medical school? Please answer the question in 350 words or less.

4. How will you contribute to the diversity of your medical school class and the University of Virginia School of Medicine? Please answer the question in 350 words or less.

5. Describe a situation which you found challenging. How did you manage it? Please answer the question in 350 words or less.

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