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JHUSOM

Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Baltimore, MD

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

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34 prompts in the archive

Are there any areas of medicine that are of particular interest to you? If so, please comment.

2500 characters2021-2022, 2022-2023, 2023-2024Historical

Briefly describe your single, most rewarding experience. Feel free to refer to an experience previously described in your AMCAS application if needed

400 words2021-2022, 2022-2023, 2023-2024, 2024-2025Historical

Optional: If you have already received your bachelor's degree, please describe what you have been doing since graduation, and your plans for the upcoming year.

2000 charactersOptional2023-2024Historical

Please review the Johns Hopkins Medicine Equity Statement before answering the question below. The Johns Hopkins Medicine Equity Statement: -At Johns Hopkins Medicine, we believe that everyone has a role in promoting diversity, inclusion, and equity in health care, research, and education. -We must acknowledge, actively address and work toward effectively managing our negative biases, so that we collectively make decisions that improve the lives of our patients, our colleagues, our learners, and our community. -We stand against discrimination and oppression in all their forms. -It is vital that we achieve equity for all, including those who are most vulnerable. The purpose of this essay is to get to know you as an individual and a potential medical student. Please describe how your personal background informs your decision to apply to Johns Hopkins Medicine and what has influenced your desire to become a physician in a Medical community that embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion. You may address any subject you wish, such as being a first-generation college student, or being a part of a minority group, (whether because of your gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, nationality, ethnicity, socio-economic status, political affiliation, first-generation status, religion, etc.) or being the child of undocumented immigrants or being undocumented yourself, etc.

500 words2024-2025Historical

Is any member of your family, spouse, spouse-to-be, or domestic partner a current student, house officer, or employee of the Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins Hospital, or other affiliated partners?

No character/word limit2024-2025Historical

Please explain

500 words2024-2025Historical

Please describe what you did during that break in enrollment

400 words2024-2025Historical

Have you ever interrupted your college education for a semester or longer?

No character/word limit2024-2025Historical

Every future physician has a story. What’s yours? Share the experience, insight, or connection that first made you see yourself in medicine—and how it continues to shape your path. (300-word limit)

300 words2025-2026New

Briefly describe a situation where you had to overcome adversity. Include lessons learned and how you think it will affect your career as a future physician. (300 word limit)

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

Briefly describe a situation where you were not in the majority. What did you learn from the experience?

400 words2021-2022, 2022-2023, 2023-2024, 2024-2025Historical

Describe an interaction or experience that required you to understand or engage with a perspective different from your own. How did you respond and what was the outcome? (300-word limit)

300 words2025-2026New

What draws you to Johns Hopkins School of Medicine? Reflect on how our mission, culture, and academic community align with your values, experiences, and aspirations as a future physician. In your response, please highlight specific aspects of both the Hopkins community (academic, research, and/or extracurricular opportunities) and the Baltimore community, particularly the patients and families that we serve. Elaborate on how you intend to actively engage with and contribute to both of these communities as you pursue your medical education. (300-word limit)

300 words2025-2026New

Wonder encapsulates a feeling of rapt attention…it draws the observer in. Tell us about a time in recent years where you experienced wonder in your everyday life. Although experiences related to your clinical or research work may be the first to come to mind, we encourage you to think of an experience that is unrelated to medicine or science. What did you learn from that experience?

500 words2021-2022, 2022-2023, 2023-2024, 2024-2025Historical

Optional: The Admissions Committee values hearing about each candidate for admission, including what qualities the candidate might bring to the School of Medicine if admitted. If you feel there is information not already addressed in the application that will enable the Committee to know more about you and this has influenced your desire to be a physician, feel free to write a brief statement in the space below. You may address any subject you wish, such as being a first generation college student, or being a part of a minority group (whether because of your sexual orientation, religion, economic status, gender identity, ethnicity) or being the child of undocumented immigrants or being undocumented yourself, etc. Please note that this question is optional and that you will not be penalized should you choose not to answer it.

2500 charactersOptional2021-2022, 2022-2023, 2023-2024Historical

Would you like to share any additional information with the Admissions Committee about yourself that cannot be found elsewhere in your application? This space can also address any extenuating circumstances (e.g., unexplained gaps in work experience, choice of recommenders, inconsistent or questionable academic performance, areas of weakness, etc.) that you would like the Admissions Committee to consider. ( 300 words, optional)

300 wordsOptional2024-2025, 2025-2026School Staple

Do you have any additional relatives that you need to list? (up to 4)

No character/word limit2024-2025Historical

Please share with us how you have reflected upon and grown since your previous application. Discuss any new updates to your candidacy (e.g., changes in your professional life, additional coursework, extracurricular/volunteer engagements, etc.)

400 words2024-2025Historical

Optional: If you interrupted your college education for a semester or longer, please describe what you did during that time.

2000 charactersOptional2023-2024Historical

We recognize academic journeys can be complex and varied. If applicable, please briefly explain any withdrawals (W), incompletes (I), or academic coursework grades below a B on your transcript. Your explanation helps us understand your academic history better and how you have overcome challenges. (300 word limit)

300 words2024-2025, 2025-2026School Staple

Please review the Johns Hopkins Medicine Website. Is there an area of medicine or a particular medical specialty at Johns Hopkins that interests you and why? (300 word limit)

300 words2024-2025, 2025-2026School Staple

Have you ever been placed on probation, dismissed, or suspended from any college or university for reasons pertaining to academic and/or campus judicial integrity?

No character/word limit2024-2025Historical

Have you have ever been convicted of, or pled guilty or no contest to any felony or misdemeanor (excluding minor traffic violations)?

No character/word limit2024-2025Historical

What is their affiliation with the School of Medicine or Hospital?

40 characters2024-2025Historical

What is their relationship to you?

60 characters2024-2025Historical

Is your spouse / spouse-to-be / domestic partner currently applying to an academic degree program at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine?

No character/word limit2024-2025Historical

Have you ever applied to Johns Hopkins School of Medicine (MD or MD/PhD programs) before?

No character/word limit2024-2025Historical

To which prior application year(s) have you applied?

No character/word limit2024-2025Historical

Do you have any other dual/integrated degree interests at Johns Hopkins University (MPH, MS, etc.)?

No character/word limit2024-2025Historical

What is this Individual’s name?

60 characters2024-2025Historical

Have you have already received your bachelor’s degree?

No character/word limit2024-2025Historical

Has any member of your family, spouse, spouse-to-be, or domestic partner graduated from the Johns Hopkins University?

No character/word limit2024-2025Historical

Please describe what you have been doing since graduation and your plans for the upcoming year (300 word limit)

300 words2024-2025, 2025-2026School Staple

What degree did they earn from Johns Hopkins University?

60 characters2024-2025Historical