2025-2026 Columbia (Vagelos)

[chilly_md]

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2025-2026 Columbia Secondary Essay Prompts

1. Did you work for compensation during college (either during the school year or summers)? If so, what did you do? How many hours a week did you work? (300 words)

2. If you have graduated from college, please briefly summarize what you have done in the interim. (300 words)

3. Please describe your most meaningful leadership positions. (300 words)

4. Columbia Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons values diversity in all its forms. How will your experiences contribute to this important focus of our institution and inform your future role as a physician? (300 words)

5. Is there anything else you would like us to know? (400 words)

Good luck to all applying!

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[next_md]

+1 OOS MD Secondary

 

[bkgirl123]

+1 IS MD

 

[next_md]

1. Did you work for compensation during college (either during the school year or summers)?
Yes/No
If so, what did you do? How many hours a week did you work? (300 words)
2. If you have graduated from college, please briefly summarize what you have done in the interim. (300 words)
3. Please describe your most meaningful leadership positions. (300 words)
4. Columbia Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons values diversity in all its forms. How will your experiences contribute to this important focus of our institution and inform your future role as a physician? (300 words)
5. Is there anything else you would like us to know? (400 words)

@chilly_md @wysdoc

 

[blonolo]

+1 OOS MD/PhD.

Edited to add MSTP-specific prompts (in addition to all of the MD prompts listed above):

1. What academic honors have you received (e.g., prizes, scholarships, fellowships, honor societies)? (1000 words)
2. What are your major research interests? (20 words)
3. What are your PhD Goals at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons? (1000 words)
4.Is there any other information you would like to include to the admissions committee? (1000 words) [this is in addition to the additional info prompt provided in the MD portion of the application]

 

[rosegold123]

+1 IS MD

 

[manifestingmdacceptance]

+1 OOS II (MD only)

 

[AniKar8]

+1 OOS II (MD only)

i'm assuming you mean a secondary (which is usually just denoted by "secondary"), not an interview invitation (which is II)

 

[dunkcat]

+1 OOS MD

For Prompt 1 ("Did you work for compensation during college..."), is it alright to write significantly under the word limit of 300? All of my employment during college was part-time research, and I have already explained what I did in these roles in my Work/Activities section. Padding this essay out for me would mean repeating a lot of this information.

 

[Ms. miRNA]

+1 OOS MD

For Prompt 1 ("Did you work for compensation during college..."), is it alright to write significantly under the word limit of 300? All of my employment during college was part-time research, and I have already explained what I did in these roles in my Work/Activities section. Padding this essay out for me would mean repeating a lot of this information.

I am in a similar position as you (part-time research in college), and I used about 150 words

 

[applecrisps]

Has anyone not received a secondary yet? I submitted my primary on the 27th and have not received anything yet

 

[PawneeGoddess1]

Has anyone not received a secondary yet? I submitted my primary on the 27th and have not received anything yet

Same, international applicant here

 

[applecrisps]

Same, international applicant here

I’m instate. And confused. I didn’t realize they screened?

 

[Animebob]

+1 OOS MD, verified 7/16 and secondary received 7/16

 

[dogsrcool]

for any md-phd applicants, do you know if the experiences tab (5) is supposed to be all employment history or relevant research employment? thanks!

 

[Cherryberry876]

Do they still want a cv?

 

[diltiazemm]

Do they still want a cv?

Yup, compiled mine right before submitting 💀

 

[fiepye]

anyone know if the "Anything Else" prompt is a good spot for a "Why Us" type of essay for Columbia specifically? some schools feel better or worse about those in the Anything Else space -- any insight is greatly appreciated!

 

[IWIKIWG]

On Admit there’s 2 reported interviews. Do we know if these are confirmed or false reports?