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WVU

West Virginia University School of Medicine

Morgantown, WV

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

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14 prompts in the archive

Students are a crucial part of the medical team, and often students bring innovative ideas to challenging situations. Please provide a creative solution to a major health issue in West Virginia.

150 words2021-2022Historical

Describe one of your experiences that will provide evidence to the Committee on Admissions that you will be able to contribute to the culture of collaboration at the WVU SOM. (150 words)

150 words2022-2023Historical

How do you see yourself serving the state of West Virginia if accepted?

150 words2023-2024, 2024-2025, 2025-2026School Staple

Describe a time when you advocated for someone, other than a relative or friend, who had a different background from your own.

150 words2024-2025, 2025-2026School Staple

What would be the six-word title of your memoir? You are allowed only six words here. You may have the opportunity to explain your answer if you are invited for an interview.

6 words2024-2025, 2025-2026School Staple

Name a medical condition that is particularly prevalent in West Virginia. Describe one experience in which you cared for a patient with that specific medical condition. If you did not have the opportunity to care for an affected patient directly, please share a relevant shadowing, leadership/educational, research or service experience. (150 words)

150 words2022-2023Historical

Which one of the AAMC Interpersonal or Intrapersonal Core Competencies is your strongest, and why? How will this competency enhance your ability to be an outstanding physician?

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

Why do you want to attend WVU SoM? How did you first hear about WVU SoM, and why do you feel you would be a good fit?

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

The mission statement of our School mentions that we prepare our learners to be "resilient." However, every incoming student is expected to already have some degree of resilience as described in AAMC Pre-Professional Competencies. Please describe how you have demonstrated resilience and adaptability.

150 words2021-2022Historical

Describe a time when you worked closely and successfully with another person who had a background different from your own.

150 words2021-2022, 2022-2023, 2023-2024Historical

What is your life motto, and why?

150 words2022-2023, 2023-2024Historical

Every accepted student to the Class of 2026 will bring varied experiences to enhance the learning environment. If accepted, what can you teach your classmates, and in turn, what are you hoping to learn from them?

150 words2021-2022Historical

(optional) question on how the pandemic adversely affected your application. Max word count of 100.

100 wordsOptional2021-2022Historical

Why did you choose to apply to West Virginia University School of Medicine?

150 words2021-2022Historical