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JABSOM

University of Hawaii, John A. Burns School of Medicine

Honolulu, HI

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

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13 prompts in the archive

Describe how your background and your unique lived experiences will contribute to JABSOM's mission. (600 word limit)

600 words2024-2025Historical

Describe any personal connection to JABSOM and/or Hawaii and the Pacific that you may have. If you do not have a personal connection to JABSOM and/or Hawaii, please describe why you have chosen to apply to JABSOM. (600 word limit)

600 words2022-2023, 2023-2024, 2024-2025Historical

If you are a re-applicant to JABSOM, please complete the following additional essay. Elaborate on the specific steps you have taken to enhance your candidacy for the MD program and why you chose to take these steps.

600 words2022-2023, 2023-2024, 2024-2025, 2025-2026School Staple

Describe your most important volunteer work and why it was meaningful.

600 words2023-2024Historical

Describe a personal experience that has demonstrated your resilience. What did you learn from that experience that may help you manage similar situations in the future? ( 600 words )

600 words2022-2023Historical

Discuss a time you tried to right a perceived wrong, felt moved to speak up for someone, or took a stand against a situation you felt was unjust.

600 words2022-2023Historical

Describe a situation that demonstrates that you are a person of integrity.

600 words2022-2023Historical

Resilience is “the process and outcome of successfully adapting to difficult or challenging life experiences, especially through mental, emotional, and behavioral flexibility and adjustment to external and internal demands.” Consider a challenge you have experienced. How are your attitudes and actions regarding your challenge a reflection of resilience?

600 words2023-2024Historical

Describe a challenging situation in which you did not agree with a directive/rule and how you handled this.

600 words2022-2023Historical

Please provide responses to essay A, B, and C. If you are a re-applicant, also respond to essay D. Please limit responses to 600 words per essay.

600 words2022-2023, 2025-2026School Staple

A) Reflect on a recent instance where you were given personal feedback that was unfavorable or difficult to receive. How did you respond? Elaborate on how this experience has shaped the way in which you interact with others.

600 words2025-2026New

Describe why you have chosen to apply to JABSOM and if you have any personal connections to the school, Hawaii or the Pacific Basin. If you do not have a personal connection, elaborate on your motivations for applying to JABSOM.

600 wordsHistorical

Describe how you have impactfully contributed to a community with which you identify.

600 words2024-2025, 2025-2026School Staple