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MCW

Medical College of Wisconsin

Milwaukee, WI

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

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12 prompts in the archive

If you choose one or multiple, you have 2000 characters to elaborate.

2000 characters2023-2024Historical

MCW values the unique backgrounds and identities of our incoming students. If you are comfortable, please indicate if any of the following apply to you. Check all that apply (several boxes listed).

2000 characters2025-2026New

Reapplicant Essay: Please explain how your application has changed since your last application to MCW Medical School. How have you enhanced your preparation for medical school and future career as a physician (e.g., additional academic work, employment, volunteer experience, etc.)? You may wish to elaborate on the process you employed to critique your application’s strengths and weaknesses or share life changes or circumstances that have impacted your application.

2000 characters2024-2025, 2025-2026School Staple

There are also additional demographic checkboxes (economic disadvantage, grew up in rural community, LGBTQ, Veteran). If you choose one or multiple, you have 2000 characters to elaborate.

2000 characters2024-2025Historical

At MCW, we are guided by the values of acting in caring ways, engaging in collaborative efforts, approaching our world with curiosity , advancing inclusive practices, demonstrating integrity in all that we do, and treating everyone with respect. Describe how your unique experiences, interests, and talents have embodied one or more of these values, and how they will shape the way you plan to contribute to the MCW learning community.

1000 characters2025-2026New

MCW is committed to its missions of community engagement and improving health for all. MCW medical students play an important role in advancing these missions by working with and within various communities throughout Wisconsin which requires adaptability and a willingness to learn from new experiences. Describe a time where you entered a new environment or situation, how you adapted, what you learned, and how that experience helped you grow in your ability to serve others and contribute to MCW’s missions during your education.

2000 characters2025-2026New

We recognize that the COVID-19 pandemic may have had lasting effects on your academic, personal, or professional journey toward a career in medicine. If you wish, please share any significant or enduring impacts that may have influenced your preparation for medical school and are not fully captured elsewhere in your application. Do you have additional information you'd like to provide?

2000 characters2025-2026New

The Medical College of Wisconsin is committed to educating health professionals who are dedicated to improving health equity across the diverse populations we serve. Share with us what you have learned or how you have grown through working with or serving people from cultural backgrounds or groups different than your own. How do you believe you can contribute to improving health equity or reducing health disparities as a physician?

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

We understand that the COVID-19 pandemic may have disrupted academic, extracurricular, and personal activities that could affect your application and/or your application preparation. Do you have additional information you'd like to provide? (y/n) (2000 characters)

2000 characters2023-2024Historical

Explain how your unique background, identity, interests, or talents will contribute to the MCW community.

1000 characters2021-2022, 2022-2023, 2023-2024, 2024-2025Historical

How will MCW uniquely prepare you for your future goals?

1000 characters2021-2022, 2022-2023, 2023-2024, 2024-2025, 2025-2026School Staple

Recount a time when you made a decision you regret. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

2000 characters2021-2022, 2022-2023, 2023-2024, 2024-2025, 2025-2026School Staple