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SIU

Southern Illinois University School of Medicine

Springfield, IL

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

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5 prompts in the archive

SIU School of Medicine uses a holistic approach to identify students who best fulfill its mission: to assist the people of central and southern Illinois in meeting their health care needs through education, patient care, research and service to the community. In what ways do you believe you would contribute to SIU’s mission and what barriers have you overcome in your life’s circumstances to reach this point in applying to medical school? Please limit your response to 300 words or less.

300 words or less2021-2022, 2022-2023, 2023-2024, 2025-2026School Staple

Have you ever been convicted of a felony? Have you ever been convicted with a misdemeanor other than a minor traffic offense? Have you ever been charged with a felony or a misdemeanor other than a minor traffic offense, or with misconduct on any college campus? If you answered 'YES' to any of the three preceding questions, please explain the relevant circumstances. (no character limit given)

No character/word limit2022-2023, 2023-2024Historical

To be successful as a student at SIU School of Medicine and as a practicing physician, you must be flexible and committed to cultivating and employing critical interactive and learning skills. Describe your experiences that demonstrate: contribution in a teamwork setting; engagement in self-directed and life-long learning (taking personal initiative to identify and address your learning goals and needs); and exposure to the small group tutorial process used in a problem-based learning environment. Please limit your answer to 500 words or less.

500 words or less2022-2023, 2023-2024, 2025-2026School Staple

Tell us about your lived experiences that will make you a better physician? Please limit your response to 300 words or less.

300 words or less2023-2024, 2025-2026School Staple

If you have previously applied to SIU School of Medicine, please describe how you feel you have strengthened your credentials since that application. Please limit your answer to 300 words or less.

300 words or less2022-2023, 2023-2024, 2025-2026School Staple