2024-2025 UT Southwestern (UTSW)

[wysdoc]

2024-2025 UTSW Secondary Essay Prompts: (same as last year) (2500 character limit each)

1. Describe a group project or activity that you are most proud of. Consider the following in your response: What aspect makes you most proud? How was it accomplished? How did you deal with disagreement or conflict in the group? How did you get fellow group members to embrace a position or view your perspective?

2. Describe a time that you have witnessed someone acting unethically or dishonestly, or an experienced behavior of harassment or discrimination. What did you do? Describe your reaction, is there anything you might do differently now in retrospect.

3. Describe an interaction or experience that has made you more sensitive or appreciative of cultural differences, and/or how you have committed yourself to understanding and aiding in the pursuit of equity and inclusion in your academic, professional or personal life.

Questions 4 & 5 are truly optional, answer if they apply to you.
4. (Optional) Have you engaged in any public service activities for a duration of one year or greater in length (examples: Military, Peace Corps, Teach for America, etc.). Yes or No? If so, please describe the experience and impact on your personal and professional development.

5. (Optional) Please explain any academic discrepancies or extenuating circumstances that you feel the Admissions Committee should know.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
MD/PhD Questions: (All MD/PhD apps and MSTP apps go through AMCAS)

1. Describe the type of research you are currently most interested in pursuing for your PhD training. You can be general or specific (e.g., genetics, biochemistry, Alzheimer’s disease, rational drug design, etc.) (500 characters)

2. Why are you interested in MD/PhD training at UT Southwestern in particular? (500 characters)

3. List names of up to five UT Southwestern faculty whose research is of particular interest to you (faculty must have a laboratory website at Labs).

4. If accepted, would you be able to start with a laboratory rotation by June 28, 2025?



Good luck to all applying!
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[Iron Man23]

OOS Secondary just received. Secondaries are the same as last year, and 2500 character limit. The questions were,

1. Describe a group project or activity that you are most proud of. Consider the following in your response: What aspect makes you most proud? How was it accomplished? How did you deal with disagreement or conflict in the group? How did you get fellow group members to embrace a position or view your perspective?

2. Describe a time that you have witnessed someone acting unethically or dishonestly, or an experienced behavior of harassment or discrimination. What did you do? Describe your reaction, is there anything you might do differently now in retrospect.

3. Describe an interaction or experience that has made you more sensitive or appreciative of cultural differences, and/or how you have committed yourself to understanding and aiding in the pursuit of equity and inclusion in your academic, professional or personal life.

4. Have you engaged in any public service activities for a duration of one year or greater in length (examples: Military, Peace Corps, Teach for America, etc.). Yes or No? If so, please describe the experience and impact on your personal and professional development. (Optional)

5. Please explain any academic discrepancies or extenuating circumstances that you feel the Admissions Committee should know. (Optional)

 

[CheeesyBoi]

OOS Secondary just received. Secondaries are the same as last year, and 2500 character limit. The questions were,

1. Describe a group project or activity that you are most proud of. Consider the following in your response: What aspect makes you most proud? How was it accomplished? How did you deal with disagreement or conflict in the group? How did you get fellow group members to embrace a position or view your perspective?

2. Describe a time that you have witnessed someone acting unethically or dishonestly, or an experienced behavior of harassment or discrimination. What did you do? Describe your reaction, is there anything you might do differently now in retrospect.

3. Describe an interaction or experience that has made you more sensitive or appreciative of cultural differences, and/or how you have committed yourself to understanding and aiding in the pursuit of equity and inclusion in your academic, professional or personal life.

4. Have you engaged in any public service activities for a duration of one year or greater in length (examples: Military, Peace Corps, Teach for America, etc.). Yes or No? If so, please describe the experience and impact on your personal and professional development. (Optional)

5. Please explain any academic discrepancies or extenuating circumstances that you feel the Admissions Committee should know. (Optional)

Thanks for the prompts 🙂 When did you app get transmitted?

 

[Iron Man23]

Thanks for the prompts 🙂 When did you app get transmitted?

5/31

 

[TheDeadrok]

I'm pretty sure the answer to this is no, but does serving a two-year evangelizing mission (wherein providing service is also a key effort) in another country apply to the 4th essay prompt? I don't think that falls under a public service activity umbrella but I wanted to make sure.

 

[wysdoc]

I'm pretty sure the answer to this is no, but does serving a two-year evangelizing mission (wherein providing service is also a key effort) in another country apply to the 4th essay prompt? I don't think that falls under a public service activity umbrella but I wanted to make sure.

It probably doesn't count for this particular essay prompt, but did you talk about it in another part of your application like the personal characteristics essay or the 3rd TMDSAS essay? If it was an important experience for you it could have been used there. I know you already turned in your TMDSAS application so this comment might be pointless.
If other secondary applications have an optional question like "Anything else you would like us to know, that isn't mentioned elsewhere in your application?" you could bring it in.

 

[taco1572]

hi all! I’m an incoming MS1 at utsw this fall and received tons of help and info from this thread when I was applying last year. Just wanted to pay it forward since I basically have a free summer, so feel free to dm or post any qs you might have about applying or utsw-specific stuff 🙂
I don’t have much insight into being an actual student there yet but i’d be happy to help with the grueling application process lol

 

[texasvandy]

I'm pretty sure the answer to this is no, but does serving a two-year evangelizing mission (wherein providing service is also a key effort) in another country apply to the 4th essay prompt? I don't think that falls under a public service activity umbrella but I wanted to make sure.

Does not fit that specific service but you should be able to discuss this under a whole bunch of essays on every app including first 3 essays on this app.

 

[TheDeadrok]

It probably doesn't count for this particular essay prompt, but did you talk about it in another part of your application like the personal characteristics essay or the 3rd TMDSAS essay? If it was an important experience for you it could have been used there. I know you already turned in your TMDSAS application so this comment might be pointless.
If other secondary applications have an optional question like "Anything else you would like us to know, that isn't mentioned elsewhere in your application?" you could bring it in.

I included it in my 3rd TMDSAS essay, totally forgot about that until just now... So hopefully they have a good idea of what it was and I don't have to worry about that 4th essay prompt. Thanks for the response!

 

[TheDeadrok]

Does not fit that specific service but you should be able to discuss this under a whole bunch of essays on every app including first 3 essays on this app.

Definitely going to mention how living in a country where I was a 1% minority helped me to see the plight of underserved people in the U.S. on the third essay. Thanks for the idea!

 

[texasvandy]

Definitely going to mention how living in a country where I was a 1% minority helped me to see the plight of underserved people in the U.S. on the third essay. Thanks for the idea!

It is unique work/service experience that should have given you many valuable life lessons. UTSW is trying to give brownie points to those who have done specific national service which come with educational scholarships so not easy to fake.

 

[Riceisyummy]

Can anyone report on whether utsw reinterviews reapplicants, especially if they were rejected.

 

[TheDeadrok]

Curious about prompt 5. Is it truly optional? Or should I come up with something to discuss? I do not have any extreme academic discrepancies on my record, nor have I had any large extenuating circumstances that would have hindered my college progress. Should I still come up with something to write about for this prompt?

 

[texasvandy]

Curious about prompt 5. Is it truly optional? Or should I come up with something to discuss? I do not have any extreme academic discrepancies on my record, nor have I had any large extenuating circumstances that would have hindered my college progress. Should I still come up with something to write about for this prompt?

It is to explain bad grades. If you have a 3.3 with all bad grades for a short period, you definitely want to explain, if you have a 4.0 and write something, people will assume you are wasting their time.

Some people have one or two bad semesters which they may want to explain.

 

[Adiemus]

Got my secondary invite today

 

[CheeesyBoi]

Got my secondary invite today

+1 OOS

 

[wysdoc]

Can anyone report on whether utsw reinterviews reapplicants, especially if they were rejected.

did you improve anything from last time?
As a reapplicant, don't recycle your essay for the same school.

 

[wander21]

hi all! I’m an incoming MS1 at utsw this fall and received tons of help and info from this thread when I was applying last year. Just wanted to pay it forward since I basically have a free summer, so feel free to dm or post any qs you might have about applying or utsw-specific stuff 🙂
I don’t have much insight into being an actual student there yet but i’d be happy to help with the grueling application process lol

Does the second question ask for a time we witness someone else acting unethically OR someone else experiencing harassment? Or does it mean someone else acting unethically or US experiencing harassment?

 

[wysdoc]

Does the second question ask for a time we witness someone else acting unethically OR someone else experiencing harassment? Or does it mean someone else acting unethically or US experiencing harassment?

you can make it clear in the context of your essay which you are discussing

 

[Riceisyummy]

did you improve anything from last time?
As a reapplicant, don't recycle your essay for the same school.

I improved quite a bit for this cycle and rewrote everything. I had enough clinical, volunteering, etc so I decided to gain more life experience this cycle to improve.

 

[IWishICouldPhysics]

For prompt #5, I went through a semester and change where I had 6 loved ones pass away in rapid succession; I kept a 4.0, but it was a difficult time personally that led to a lot of personal growth. Is this worth discussing or should I just leave it blank?

 

[IWishICouldPhysics]

Does the second question ask for a time we witness someone else acting unethically OR someone else experiencing harassment? Or does it mean someone else acting unethically or US experiencing harassment?

Just a mere applicant, but I’m doing the latter (experiencing racism myself). A few matriculating students at UTSW who I know did the same, so that SHOULD be ok?

 

[swifty1027]

hi all! also an incoming ms1 at UTSW and would love to give back to the community that helped me so much throughout my cycle! please feel free to reach out with questions and I'll do my best to answer 🙂

 

[taco1572]

Does the second question ask for a time we witness someone else acting unethically OR someone else experiencing harassment? Or does it mean someone else acting unethically or US experiencing harassment?

Yeah so the other replies make sense where you can just pick one and specify which one you’re talking about. For me, I just discussed someone consistently behaving rudely towards someone else and what I did in that situation. I don’t think you necessarily need to be the one who experienced the harassment, you could also have witnessed it

 

[texasvandy]

For prompt #5, I went through a semester and change where I had 6 loved ones pass away in rapid succession; I kept a 4.0, but it was a difficult time personally that led to a lot of personal growth. Is this worth discussing or should I just leave it blank?

It is a devastating experience to lose 6 people.

There are plenty of other places where you should be able to discuss how you have grown from those bereavements and may be even tie that to your desire for becoming a physician. It would be a contrived essay to state you went through hell but still got a 4.0.

 

[IWishICouldPhysics]

It is a devastating experience to lose 6 people.

There are plenty of other places where you should be able to discuss how you have grown from those bereavements and may be even tie that to your desire for becoming a physician. It would be a contrived essay to state you went through hell but still got a 4.0.

The essay definitely wouldn't be about getting the 4.0 (just thinking about writing that makes me cringe) or any academic issues, more to address the "extenuating circumstances" part of the prompt and discuss personal growth. Now that I know the prompt is actually optional, not the standard fake optional, I'll just leave it blank.

 

[drizzlysunnily]

Have you engaged in any public service activities for a duration of one year or greater in length (examples: Military, Peace Corps, Teach for America, etc.). Yes or No? If so, please describe the experience and impact on your personal and professional development. (Optional)

I'm currently working for AmeriCorps, and it'll go until the end of summer. So while it hasn't been a year, could I still touch on my experience, or should I just not answer this prompt...? Or maybe talk about service I have done for a year but not associated with any larger-scale national organizations?

Any input would be so appreciated!

 

[wysdoc]

I'm currently working for AmeriCorps, and it'll go until the end of summer. So while it hasn't been a year, could I still touch on my experience, or should I just not answer this prompt...? Or maybe talk about service I have done for a year but not associated with any larger-scale national organizations?

Any input would be so appreciated!

Yes, AmeriCorps is one of the longterm service commitments they mention, so you should answer this question.
Most applicants will leave it blank.

 

[drizzlysunnily]

Yes, AmeriCorps is one of the longterm service commitments they mention, so you should answer this question.
Most applicants will leave it blank.

Got it. Thank you so much!

 

[texasvandy]

I'm currently working for AmeriCorps, and it'll go until the end of summer. So while it hasn't been a year, could I still touch on my experience, or should I just not answer this prompt...? Or maybe talk about service I have done for a year but not associated with any larger-scale national organizations?

Any input would be so appreciated!

You could state that you are not doing the whole year and only for summer (are you a student).

 

[yeehaw124]

Hi! I would appreciate anyone's insight into if I am screwed or not. My application and LORs will probably be approved next week, but CASPER filled up yesterday, so I have to take it on June 27th. Are my chances at UTSW hindered at all? My LM is 74.7 and my WARS is 84 if that helps! Thank you in advance 🙂

 

[wysdoc]

Hi! I would appreciate anyone's insight into if I am screwed or not. My application and LORs will probably be approved next week, but CASPER filled up yesterday, so I have to take it on June 27th. Are my chances at UTSW hindered at all? My LM is 74.7 and my WARS is 84 if that helps! Thank you in advance 🙂

Please try to avoid the mindset of "If I do one thing wrong, everything is ruined". Be patient with yourself during this year-long process.
There is no rush to get everything done at the same time, and your CASPer date of June 27th is early enough.

Here is what the UTSW site says about the dates for MCAT and CASPer:
The MCAT must be taken between January 2020 and September 2024 to be considered for the 2025 entry year application.
You may submit your application before your MCAT scores are released, though action on your application may be delayed until receipt of your current scores.

You must also take the CASPer examination and have your score sent to UT Southwestern. If you are invited to interview, your scores must be delivered to UT Southwestern prior to your interview date.

Most on-time applicants turn in their TMDSAS primary first and then work on the CASPer, just like you did.

 

[Reanox24]

Incoming OOS MS1 trying to give back to the community! DM if y'all have any questions

 

[BigBroBeans23]

hi all! also an incoming ms1 at UTSW and would love to give back to the community that helped me so much throughout my cycle! please feel free to reach out with questions and I'll do my best to answer 🙂

Congrats!! I was just seeing if you answered the #4 prompt or the optional essay talking about public service. I know most optional essays are "optional" but this one seems to be interested in full time commitments. Also, the same for #5 as well (is it optional or "optional").

 

[stere0psis]

Congrats!! I was just seeing if you answered the #4 prompt or the optional essay talking about public service. I know most optional essays are "optional" but this one seems to be interested in full time commitments. Also, the same for #5 as well (is it optional or "optional").

Both are genuinely optional. I answered them because I had things to say, though my response for #5 was maybe 5 sentences long because I had already addressed my earlier academic struggles in the primary and only had like 1 or 2 things I wanted to add.

If you didn't do one of the activities listed in #4 (or something in the same vein as them) I wouldn't try to stretch an experience just to give an answer, that's just how I view it though.

 

[wop]

OOS secondary

 

[wop]

Do people know if these are just automatically sent to everyone? I’m assuming they are? I got an email from Dell telling me they only send it to a certain % of people, so I’m wondering about this one

 

[texasvandy]

Dell only has 50 (?) seats and dont want to review apps from 6000+ people to find the ones meeting their mission. UTSW usually sends secondaries to everyone.

 

[wysdoc]

Do people know if these are just automatically sent to everyone? I’m assuming they are? I got an email from Dell telling me they only send it to a certain % of people, so I’m wondering about this one

Everyone with a complete TMDSAS app gets a secondary from UTSW

 

[HRC1986]

Does a complete TMDSAS app mean letters of rec are in as well? Before UTSW can release secondaries?

I have everything else in except for the letters (which are going to be batched together as committee letter packet).

 

[BigBroBeans23]

Does a complete TMDSAS app mean letters of rec are in as well? Before UTSW can release secondaries?

I have everything else in except for the letters (which are going to be batched together as committee letter packet).

So I was missing one of my letters, but they will send them out in batches. Just make sure that your TMDSAS application says "Transmitted". And I also know it takes a few hours to a few days (speaking for most schools) for them to process on the apps on the school's end. hopefully that helps.

 

[eb124101]

hi all! also an incoming ms1 at UTSW and would love to give back to the community that helped me so much throughout my cycle! please feel free to reach out with questions and I'll do my best to answer 🙂

Hi! For the optional question 5 that asks about academic discrepancies, is it worth it to discuss a C on my transcript in a science class? Do you have any other tips for answering these prompts? Especially how to tailor them to UTSW since they are somewhat generic questions.

 

[wysdoc]

Hi! For the optional question 5 that asks about academic discrepancies, is it worth it to discuss a C on my transcript in a science class? Do you have any other tips for answering these prompts? Especially how to tailor them to UTSW since they are somewhat generic questions.

one C? not worth an essay.
As for how to point your answers to UTSW, that's the art of a good writer, isn't it?

 

[HRC1986]

Hi! For the optional question 5 that asks about academic discrepancies, is it worth it to discuss a C on my transcript in a science class? Do you have any other tips for answering these prompts? Especially how to tailor them to UTSW since they are somewhat generic questions.

Still haven't received the secondary prompt although the TMDSAS application was transmitted 6/5 so a bit concerned. I sent MCAT and CASPER to them as well, only thing missing is the committee letters since they are taking some time to put together but my understanding was secondary release did not depend on LOR's. Hopefully will get it soon!

 

[eb124101]

It is to explain bad grades. If you have a 3.3 with all bad grades for a short period, you definitely want to explain, if you have a 4.0 and write something, people will assume you are wasting their time.

Some people have one or two bad semesters which they may want to explain.

Is one bad grade in a science class worth talking about? It definitely affected my GPA for that semester.

 

[TheDeadrok]

Is one bad grade in a science class worth talking about? It definitely affected my GPA for that semester.

Did it affect your overall GPA significantly? If not, probably don't worry about it.

 

[eb124101]

Did it affect your overall GPA significantly? If not, probably don't worry about it.

it was my sophomore year so hard to know but I didn't end with a bad GPA so it's probably not a big deal

 

[eb124101]

hi all! I’m an incoming MS1 at utsw this fall and received tons of help and info from this thread when I was applying last year. Just wanted to pay it forward since I basically have a free summer, so feel free to dm or post any qs you might have about applying or utsw-specific stuff 🙂
I don’t have much insight into being an actual student there yet but i’d be happy to help with the grueling application process lol

Hi! Would you be willing to read my responses to the essays?

 

[HRC1986]

I was able to find the UT Southwestern secondary invite in the Spam folder (thank goodness I checked!) and submitted it today.

Question - everything is now in (Secondary, CASPER, MCAT) except for the LOR's as I am waiting for my Health Committee to put together my committee letter and package the other LOR's. Does UTSW need the LOR's before they send out interview invites? And when do the interview invites start going out?

 

[stere0psis]

I was able to find the UT Southwestern secondary invite in the Spam folder (thank goodness I checked!) and submitted it today.

Question - everything is now in (Secondary, CASPER, MCAT) except for the LOR's as I am waiting for my Health Committee to put together my committee letter and package the other LOR's. Does UTSW need the LOR's before they send out interview invites? And when do the interview invites start going out?

They require all TMDSAS supporting documentation (including LORs) for your application to be considered complete. It is my understanding that only completed applications are eligible for interview invitations.

Last year ii's started rolling out in late July.