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DUKE

Duke University School of Medicine

Durham, NC

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

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15 prompts in the archive

Critical thinking involves a number of characteristics. Research experience enhances critical analysis skills. Describe any research experience or similar experience in which you utilized critical thinking. How will critical thinking be important in your future career? (400 words)

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

Use the text box below to provide additional information on how these parameters have/will influence you.(Optional, 200 words)

200 wordsOptional2022-2023Historical

PCLT values community engagement. What is your understanding of community engagement and its value? How does community-engagement impact either research or working in a community to improve health outcomes? (250 words)

250 words2022-2023Historical

What distinguishes you from other applicants to the PCLT program? (250 words)

250 words2022-2023Historical

Share with us your story. This is your opportunity to allow us to know how you wish to be addressed, recognized, and treated. (400 Words)

400 Words2022-2023, 2023-2024, 2024-2025, 2025-2026School Staple

Trust and rapport are essential in your day-to-day interactions with people. How do you cultivate a relationship with a person who may be very different from you? (400 words)

400 words2023-2024, 2024-2025, 2025-2026School Staple

What do you value most as a leader and as a contributor? What attributes do you possess as a leader and as a team member and how do you apply them on a daily basis? (400 words)

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

Your career in medicine may place increasing demands for your time. While in medical school, how will you balance your educational commitment and your outside interests? (400 words)

400 words2024-2025Historical

Describe a situation in which you chose to advocate for someone who was different from you or for a cause or idea that was different from yours. Define your view of advocacy. What risks, if any, might be associated with your choice to be an advocate? (400 words)

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

Not achieving a goal or one’s desire can sometimes be disheartening. What have you discovered from your setbacks and disappointments and how does this translate to your current way of thinking? (400 words)

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

Describe a situation in which you had to utilize your values to interact with people from different backgrounds. How did those values impact the relationship? ( 400 words )

400 words2022-2023Historical

Potential sources of health inequities exist. Duke’s Moments to Movement (M2M) is a collective stand to address these issues. Discuss your experience with disparities in health, health care and society. (400 words)

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

(Optional) Please let us know any additional information that you would like us to consider while reviewing your application (400 Words).

400 WordsOptional2023-2024, 2024-2025, 2025-2026School Staple

COVID-19 Implications: How has the COVID-19 pandemic influenced your journey to medical school? Have these events changed your outlook on medicine’s role in society? (400 words)

400 words2021-2022, 2022-2023, 2023-2024Historical

What has been your most humbling experience and how will that experience affect your interactions with your peers and patients? (400 words)

400 words2021-2022Historical