A secondary application essay should discuss the applicant's motivations for becoming a doctor.
Admissions to medical school require both a primary and secondary application. The secondary application is an essay in which prospective students have the opportunity to share more information about themselves and their professional motivations. The essay plays an important role in the admissions process and is the basis for whether applicants are invited to interview. Although a secondary application is a personal statement and should reflect the character of the applicant, there are general guidelines for best structure the essay.
Instructions
1. Identify the audience. A secondary essay will be read by an admissions team generally consisting of staff, faculty, students and doctors. The Student Doctor Network, a nonprofit organization, advises that admissions teams typically spend only three to 10 minutes reading an essay, and therefore materials have to be both succinct and compelling. Additionally, take note of the particular strengths and focus of the medical school, and tailor the content accordingly.
2. Craft an introduction. The opening of the secondary essay serves as an invitation to draw the reader into the material. An opening statement can use a variety of literary mechanisms, such as posing a question or describing an action, to grab the readers' interest. Irrespective of the approach, an ideal introduction conveys a personal anecdote that effectively captures an aspect of the applicant's personality or experience as it relates to professional ambitions in medicine.
3. Describe motivations for wanting become a doctor. Using clear and focused language, explain the reasons for wanting to enter medical school. Remember that it is more effective to show rather than tell. For example, instead of writing, "I've always wanted to practice medicine," describe personal instances that reinforced ambitions to pursue work in the field. This component of the essay is also an ideal place to mention goals for future work in medicine, as well as interests in areas of specialization.
4. Call attention to unique qualities. Because a secondary essay functions as a personal advertisement, it should highlight characteristics, talents and experiences that set the applicant apart. Draw attention to particular skills, such as language ability, or activities, such as volunteer work or substantial international experience. Emphasize a balance between personal strengths of character, such as sympathy and generosity, and professional attributes like sound judgment and respect for diversity.
5. Detail qualifications and formal training. The secondary essay should reference the applicant's educational background and academic experiences, such as significant research, lab assistant positions and courses of study related to health and medicine. If applicable, the essay should also discuss work experience and relevant skills gained from professional opportunities.
6. Edit the essay. The last but arguably most important step in writing a secondary application is to review the material for grammatical accuracy and stylistic clarity. Make sure that the prose is focused and compelling, and that the essay conveys the central points of motivations, personal strengths and qualifications. Also, edit the essay to remove any redundancies, as these weigh down the pace of the statement and can be distracting to readers.
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