• Practice your interview with the new SDN AI Interview Coach. Choose a school, answer by voice or typing, and receive a personalized feedback report. Available now to all SDN members. Try the AI Interview Coach.

2025-2026 Iowa

Started by wysdoc
This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.

wysdoc

Plain-spoken Texan
Administrator
Volunteer Staff
Lifetime Donor
10+ Year Member
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
2025-2026 Iowa Secondary Essay Prompts:

  1. We understand you may be applying to multiple medical schools. Please explain your reasons for applying to the Carver College of Medicine. (1500 characters)
  2. Describe a personal characteristic, challenge, or experience that makes you unique. How will this influence your contribution to a dynamic healthcare system that advocates for all peoples? (1500 characters)
  3. Please list and briefly describe all medically related experiences (paid/volunteer) you have completed during the past 5 years. Do NOT forecast future hours. Please include experiences listed on your AMCAS and also provide any additional experiences NOT listed on your AMCAS. (15 entries, 175 characters each)
  4. If you are a reapplicant to the Carver College of Medicine, how have you strengthened your application? (1500 characters)
  5. If you are not currently in a degree-seeking program, please indicate what you will be doing from the time you complete this secondary application to the start of medical school. (1500 characters)

Good luck to all applying!

Interview Feedback:
 
Last edited:
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
Applied and interviewed here last year as an OOS student before an R last cycle... worth it to shoot my shot again given the new law? I love this school, its research, and I want to practice in the midwest.
 
Applied and interviewed here last year as an OOS student before an R last cycle... worth it to shoot my shot again given the new law? I love this school, its research, and I want to practice in the midwest.

I would say if you can really see yourself loving it here, go for it! Chances are never 0 and you got an interview last cycle so chin up!
 
thoughts on still applying here as a high stat OOS applicant given the new bill? Haven’t rewritten the secondaries yet for them and don’t want to waste money on yet another secondary if there’s really no chance
 
+1 OOS

@wysdoc

  1. We understand you may be applying to multiple medical schools. Please explain your reasons for applying to the Carver College of Medicine. (1500 characters)
  2. Describe a personal characteristic, challenge, or experience that makes you unique. How will this influence your contribution to a dynamic healthcare system that advocates for all peoples? (1500 characters)
  3. Please list and briefly describe all medically related experiences (paid/volunteer) you have completed during the past 5 years. Do NOT forecast future hours. Please include experiences listed on your AMCAS and also provide any additional experiences NOT listed on your AMCAS. (15 entries, 175 characters each)
  4. If you are a reapplicant to the Carver College of Medicine, how have you strengthened your application? (1500 characters)
  5. If you are not currently in a degree-seeking program, please indicate what you will be doing from the time you complete this secondary application to the start of medical school. (1500 characters)
 
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
thoughts on still applying here as a high stat OOS applicant given the new bill? Haven’t rewritten the secondaries yet for them and don’t want to waste money on yet another secondary if there’s really no chance
here are the facts. i read an article that said IS students currently make up 70% of their student body, and on their website, the 2024 entering class was 67% IS. going from 67% --> 80% means going from 103 to 122 IS students (out of 153 students), which is pretty sizeable.

personally, i am probably still going to send in a secondary (with no ties) because they do a lot of niche research that i am interested in, and have experience in. however, if they were just another OOS-friendly school that i had added to my list, i probably wouldn't do their secondary.
 
I recall hearing that Iowa interviews all IS applicants with a 505 or above. I believe it was on the Case Western podcast, which is a bit outdated at this point. Is this still the case?
 
I recall hearing that Iowa interviews all IS applicants with a 505 or above. I believe it was on the Case Western podcast, which is a bit outdated at this point. Is this still the case?
Yeah. All in state applicants that clear a threshold will receive an interview. What it exactly is, unknown. But it’s low 500’s probably. I would guess around 3.0 gpa, 3.2 sGpa, and 502 mcat.
 
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
+1 OOS II (ca resident)

Complete 7/10
Want to be excited about this, didn’t know about the new law though until today so don’t know how high my hopes should be.
 
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad