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VUSM

Vanderbilt University School of Medicine

Nashville, TN

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

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7 prompts in the archive

Why are you interested in Vanderbilt University School of Medicine? (Max Word Count 200)

200 wordsOptional2024-2025Historical

Tell us about a time when you interacted with someone who is different than you. What did you learn? Would you do anything differently and if so, what? (600 words maximum)

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

Please reflect on the upbringing, background, and experiences in your life that have shaped who you are as a person and will help define the person you want to be in the future. In other words, what makes you who you are? (800 words maximum)

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

(Optional): If applicable , please describe how the COVID-19 outbreak affected your pathway to medical school. You may discuss any academic, personal, financial, or professional alterations to your plans. NOTE: Disclosing certain hardships or obstacles that have been faced during this time will not negatively affect an application. (200 words)

200 wordsOptional2021-2022, 2022-2023, 2023-2024Historical

(Optional): How did you first become interested in Vanderbilt University School of Medicine? (200 words)

200 wordsOptional2023-2024Historical

It is important to understand that everyone needs help at various times in their lives. Reflecting on the last five years, describe a time you asked for help and what you gained from that experience that has influenced your approach to asking for help. (600 words maximum)

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

(Optional): If you have completed your undergraduate education, please comment on what you have done or have been doing since graduation. (200 words maximum)

200 wordsOptional2021-2022, 2022-2023, 2023-2024, 2024-2025, 2025-2026School Staple