Health Admissions IQ
All Schools
BU

Boston University Aram V. Chobanian & Edward Avedisian School of Medicine

Boston, MA

Historical and predicted secondary essay prompts. Use these to understand how schools have framed their questions over time.

Not sure how to approach these prompts?

Explore example essays, strategy breakdowns, and expert guidance inside the Secondary Essay Example Hub.

Access the Secondary Essay Hub

9 prompts in the archive

Did you go on to college directly after high school? (Y/N) (if no, explain 2000 characters)

2000 characters2023-2024, 2024-2025Historical

[REAPPLICANTS ONLY] Use this space to highlight aspects of your application that have changed since your last application. (300 words)

300 words2023-2024, 2025-2026School Staple

If you have spent more than 4 years as an undergraduate, please explain below. (You may skip this question if you have graduated within 4 years.) (2000 characters)

2000 characters2021-2022, 2022-2023, 2023-2024, 2024-2025Historical

Do you hope to attend medical school immediately after earning your undergraduate degree? If no, describe how you've spent your time leading up to applying to medical school. This may include attending a post-baccalaureate program or other education, gap year activities such as employment or travel, or other relevant pursuits. (300 words)

300 words2021-2022, 2022-2023, 2023-2024, 2024-2025, 2025-2026School Staple

Why BU Chobanian & Avedisian SOM? Boston Medical Center is the largest safety net hospital in New England, serving primarily people who are publicly insured, people of color, immigrants, and low-income people in the Greater Boston Area. Why are you specifically interested in beginning your medical education in this environment, and how do you feel that your previous experiences will prepare you for this unique learning environment? (300 words)

300 words2021-2022, 2022-2023, 2023-2024, 2024-2025, 2025-2026School Staple

If you took gap year(s), please use this space to explain what you have been doing prior to applying to medical school. (2000 characters)

2000 characters2024-2025Historical

Core Competencies: Explain in each box below, how your coursework exemplifies knowledge competency in each subject area. These are broad subject areas. You should list courses, and other pertinent information. (For example, Biology: Intro Bio 101, Intro Bio lab 102, Anatomy 201, summer research in cell biology with Professor Smith; Humanities: Freshman English, History of Civilization, Philosophy 101, English writing tutor 2 semesters). Add text to explain your entries if necessary. Include courses that you have completed or anticipate completing prior to matriculation. For sciences, include both lectures and labs. We will accept your school's definition of lab experience for Chemistry, Organic Chemistry and Biological Sciences. Use your transcript and university course classifications as a guide. Courses may be listed more than once if the subject matter falls into more than one core competency. Non U.S. or non-Canadian educated applicant must have completed a minimum of (2) two years of academic work at an institution accredited by and located in the U.S. or Canada, which should include study in the core competencies listed. There is no right or wrong answer here. You will be contacted if the Committee on Admissions has any questions regarding your answers. If you have nothing to list under a particular category, write N/A. (600 characters each) Biology: Chemistry: Physics: Mathematics: Humanities (including English)

600 characters each2024-2025Historical

Provide a timeline or narrative highlighting any notable aspects of your educational journey that you believe are especially relevant or significant to us better understanding who you are. Section not required but...this is an opportunity to describe any learning experience(s) that are not covered in other sections of your supplemental application or AMCAS application. For example, have you lived in another country or experienced a culture unlike your own? Worked in a field that contributed to your understanding of people unlike yourself? Do you have advanced training in art, music, or sports, etc.? You may also use this section to explain any impacts that COVID-19 may have had on your educational/research/clinical/volunteering or employment plans. (300 words)

300 wordsOptional2021-2022, 2022-2023, 2023-2024, 2024-2025, 2025-2026School Staple

[OPTIONAL] Use this space to provide any additional information you feel will provide us with a comprehensive understanding of your strengths as a candidate for a career in medicine. Do not include information already provided in your AMCAS application or other sections of the supplemental application. Most students leave this blank. (300 words)

300 wordsOptional2021-2022, 2022-2023, 2023-2024, 2024-2025, 2025-2026School Staple