UC Irvine Medical School Admissions Consulting

The goal for all secondary applications is that it give the

Admissions Committee another avenue by which they can

know the applicant.

 

They are not meant to be tricky, just an opportunity to know

you and gather more information. The secondary application

is very short and is due back to the school within 30 days of

receipt. Not all applicants will receive a secondary application.

There is a screening process by the Admissions Committee.

 

Generally, approximately 65% of applicants will receive a

secondary application invitation.

1. What personal accomplishment are you most proud of and why? (1,500 characters).

This question is designed to let the admissions committee learn about you outside of your application. You may
answer it in any way - what is the personal accomplishment you are most proud of?

 

This could be something academic, personal, professional, or family-related. Many people discuss overcoming a difficult academic issue, a mission/trip in which they have participated, or a personal goal they’ve accomplished.

2. Please describe to the Admissions Committee a challenge you have overcome and what you learned about yourself from that experience. (1,500 characters).

This question allows you to show the Admissions Committee that you have resiliency, can acknowledge challenges and that you can manage them. If you have had academic difficulty, this is a great way to expand on some causes and how you overcame this issue.

 

No matter your situation, it is important to not sound like you are blaming someone else for your problems and can take responsibility.

Other challenges could be personal: weight issues, money issues, family issues. As mentioned, it shows your resiliency and how you manage challenges that arise.

3. This essay is only for applicants that have already received their baccalaureate degree. Please clarify for the Admissions Committee your activities (school, work and/or volunteer, travel, etc.) since receiving your undergraduate degree. You may list them in chronological order or you may incorporate them into an essay, stating why you chose particular activities. (1,500 characters).

This question applies if you have taken a gap year. It is designed to show the Admissions Committee how you’ve spent time off from college. It also allows you to explain if you have had another career and are moving toward medicine.

While there is no correct answer, please be aware that during your gap year you should consider working toward something to further your application: completion of a master’s degree, research scholarship, working in a clinical or research setting. However, it is also okay to mention that you may have taken some time to travel, get married, start a family, or work to earn money for applications/medical school.