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University of South Dakota, Sanford School of Medicine

Vermillion, SD

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

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11 prompts in the archive

Knowledge and skill are crucial, but why should a physician be kind? (5000 characters)

5000 characters2021-2022Historical

What are your career plans in the event that you are not admitted to a medical school this year or after several applications? (1500 characters)

1500 characters2021-2022Historical

Please use this space to update the information contained on your AMCAS application (i.e. grades in recent courses; alterations in your proposed coursework or graduation; additions to your extracurricular activities) or anything else you want the committee to know. (1500 characters)

1500 characters2021-2022Historical

For non-South Dakota residents applying to the regular MD program - please describe your ties to South Dakota. (1500 characters)

1500 characters2021-2022Historical

Given the mission statement of the school, please explain how your experiences and long term goals would help meet the mission.

1500 characters2021-2022, 2025-2026School Staple

Given the diversity statement of the school, explain how your background and experiences with diversity will bring value to the school.

1500 characters2021-2022, 2025-2026School Staple

Describe how your experiences in health care or social care activities will help you become a good physician. (1500 characters)

1500 characters2021-2022Historical

Briefly describe a crisis or significant challenge in your life, how you have worked through the crisis or challenge, and what you have learned from this experience.

1500 characters2021-2022, 2025-2026School Staple

For repeat applicants only. Since your last application, what steps have you taken to strengthen your candidacy? Please note any relevant academic, employment, clinical and personal experience. (1500 characters)

1500 characters2021-2022Historical

Please share and explain any disruptions/hardships in your academic, volunteer, work, and/or personal life related to COVID-19 that you would like the Admissions Committee to consider. (5000 characters)

5000 characters2021-2022Historical

Please use the space below for anything you might wish to discuss related to the corona virus (COVID-19) public health crisis. Possible topics might include, for example: your biggest lessons and insights from the pandemic; creative ways in which you were able to serve your community during the crisis; how the pandemic has affected your outlook on the role of medicine.

5000 characters2021-2022, 2025-2026School Staple