Hanna Renaldi's Blog: University Of Chicago Pritzker School Of Medicine 2016-17 Secondary Application Essay Tips

This medical school is looking for student leaders from diverse backgrounds who demonstrate a strong scientific foundation, thrive in team settings, and find solutions to complex issues. In this secondary application, I recommend focusing on what makes you a unique applicant – your love of science or learning and how you’ve pursued that interest, your connection to medically underserved communities and your commitment to providing assistance to those in need, and the qualities and talents that you will share with your classmates and that will enhance your approach to patient care.

University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine 2016-17 Medical School Essay Questions:

“At the University of Chicago in an atmosphere of interdisciplinary scholarship and discovery, the Pritzker School of Medicine is dedicated to inspiring diverse students of exceptional promise to become leaders and innovators in science and medicine for the betterment of humanity.”

1. Our Mission Statement above is an expression of our core purpose and educational philosophy. In particular, it highlights the value we place on diversity since we regard the diversity of the entering class as essential for educational excellence. Please write an essay on how you would enhance diversity at Pritzker and advance the Pritzker mission. We suggest that you limit your essay to about 550 words.

Create a list of what you would contribute in terms of diversity. Approach this list creatively. You can include anything from your ethnicity, language and cultural background to work experience and hobbies or talents. For example, if you are a talented artist or teacher, how would you share these skills with your classmates? Selecting only the most relevant and important items from your list, use this as your outline. Explain clearly how each characteristic you cover will benefit your classmates and community.

2. Tell us about a difficult or challenging situation you have encountered and how you dealt with it. In your response, identify both the coping skills you called upon to resolve the dilemma, and the support person(s) from whom you sought advice. We suggest that you limit your essay to about 400 words.

For this response, it would be appropriate to discuss a death in the family or serious illness of a family member or friend. This essay would demonstrate your level of maturity and highlight healthy coping mechanisms you have developed. Or you could use a professional example. In the latter case, be sure to select an example that has a clearly positive outcome as a direct result of your efforts. Once you have selected the situation, explain how you were able to identify a successful approach and create a positive outcome, even if only to gain closure.

Optional Essay: Additional Information. Please feel free to use this space to convey any additional information that you might wish the Committee to know. We suggest that you limit your text to about 200 words.

Use this essay to update the adcom on your recent activities and publications. If you have already covered all significant experiences in your primary application and in the essays above, discuss how you have spent your time since submitting the primary application.

Pritzker SOM Application Timeline:

*At 11:59 PM CST (Strong recommendation: Submit within two weeks after receipt.)

If you would like professional guidance with your Pritzker School of Medicine application materials, check out Accepted’s Medical School Admissions Consulting and Editing Services, which include advising, editing, and interview coaching for the Pritzker SOM application materials.

Alicia McNease Nimonkar is an Accepted advisor and editor specializing in healthcare admissions. Prior to joining Accepted, Alicia worked for five years as Student Advisor at UC Davis’ postbac program where she both evaluated applications and advised students applying successfully to med school and related programs.