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VTCSOM

Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine

Roanoke, VA

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

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18 prompts in the archive

Explain how interactions with people who are different from you have shaped your world view and relate how you would enrich the VTC community.

600 words2021-2022Historical

Please list any publications in the appropriate citation format using the text box below.

400 words2025-2026New

Tell us about constructive criticism you have received, or a personal challenge you have experienced, that you found particularly impactful. Please describe how that experience has advanced your development as a future physician thought leader.

600 words2021-2022Historical

Describe three aspects of VTCSOM and how those align with your philosophy of medicine.

600 words2021-2022Historical

Please describe a research passion: If funding were no object, what scientific study would you design? Please also describe a non-research passion.

600 words2021-2022Historical

From the following list of human qualities, choose the ONE you think is most important and explain your choice: intelligence, honor, humility, perseverance, optimism.

600 words2022-2023Historical

What advice would you give someone your age but from a different culture who is new to our country?

600 words2022-2023Historical

What do you think your chances of being accepted into medical school are this year? Please explain your answer.

600 words2022-2023Historical

Please describe something you deserved but didn’t get and how you felt about it (600 words).

600 words2022-2023, 2023-2024Historical

Explain why integrity is more important than intelligence and perseverance using an example from your life (600 words).

600 words2023-2024Historical

Explain how your concept of diversity is both the same and different from the mainstream view (600 words).

600 words2023-2024Historical

Choose one aspect about yourself, not already reflected in your application, that you are most proud of. Explain your choice below (600 words).

600 words2023-2024Historical

A: Describe how AI could affect the integrity of medical professionals.

400 words2024-2025Historical

What can a recovering addict who didn't finish high school teach their physician?

400 words2024-2025, 2025-2026School Staple

C: Discuss a recent time when you were wrong. What made you change your mind and what did you do about it?

400 words2024-2025Historical

Who is a fictional character that is similar to you? Describe a time when you embodied that character.

400 words2025-2026New

Describe a time (not related to research) when you were told you had done something wrong. How has the experience changed you?

400 words2025-2026New

D: Who is your role model, and why?

400 words2024-2025Historical