2025-2026 McGovern (UT Health Houston)

[wysdoc]

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2025-2026 McGovern Secondary Essay prompts (question # 4 is different than last year)

1. Please discuss one of the following (2500 char):
* A challenging situation or obstacle you have faced in the past
* Any academic road bumps in your academic career (low academic performance, failing course, dropping/retaking of courses)
In your answer include: Why was it challenging? How did you handle it? Knowing what you know now, would you do anything differently? What did you learn?

2. Describe a time or situation where you have been unsuccessful or failed. What did you learn from this experience and how have you applied this learning to your work and/or life? (2500 char)

3. From what you understand about the rigors of medical school, what do you think will be the biggest challenge for you? How do you think you are prepared for these challenges? (2500 char)

4. What advice would you give to a friend who is falling behind academically? (2500 char)

**McGovern has added a video-response portion to their process: a link will be sent ONLY to those selected for an interview and should be completed before your interview day.**

Good luck to all applying!

Interview Feedback:

University of Texas Medical School - McGovern (Houston) Interview Feedback

Review of University of Texas Medical School - McGovern (Houston) Interview Feedback. Get the latest information, opinions of fellow students, and LizzyM and SDN Rankings.

www.studentdoctor.net

 

[etxaccepted36]

Best of luck to all upcoming applicants!! Looking forward to meeting many of you at interview days and open houses for this awesome school.

Once we get into foundations I’ll make some updates here on what the day-to-day is like and hopefully get you all to rank McGovern at the top of your list 😉

 

[Rite1234]

Incoming MS2 here! Excited for the cycle and feel free to let me know if you have any questions.

 

[premedmom2026]

@wysdoc doc Son just received his secondary. Looks like #3 and #4 have changed
1. Please discuss one of the following (2500 char):

• A challenging situation or obstacle you have faced in the past
• Any academic road bumps in your academic career (low academic performance, failing course, dropping/retaking of courses)

Why was it challenging? How did you handle it? Knowing what you know now, would you do anything differently? What did you learn?

2. Describe a time or situation where you have been unsuccessful or failed. What did you learn from this experience and how have you applied this learning to your work and/or life?

3. From what you understand about the rigors of medical school, what do you think will be the biggest challenge for you? How do you think you are prepared for these challenges?

4. What advice would you give to a friend who is falling behind academically?

 

[wysdoc]

@wysdoc doc Son just received his secondary. Looks like #3 and #4 have changed
1. Please discuss one of the following (2500 char):

• A challenging situation or obstacle you have faced in the past
• Any academic road bumps in your academic career (low academic performance, failing course, dropping/retaking of courses)

Why was it challenging? How did you handle it? Knowing what you know now, would you do anything differently? What did you learn?

2. Describe a time or situation where you have been unsuccessful or failed. What did you learn from this experience and how have you applied this learning to your work and/or life?

3. From what you understand about the rigors of medical school, what do you think will be the biggest challenge for you? How do you think you are prepared for these challenges?

4. What advice would you give to a friend who is falling behind academically?

Thank you

Can someone else also verify that these are the complete essay prompts and that they are quoted exactly?

Also, is there any mention of a video-response question that will be answered only by those selected to interview, later? It was a new feature they used last cycle.

 

[premedmom2026]

Thank you

Can someone else also verify that these are the complete essay prompts and that they are quoted exactly?

Also, is there any mention of a video-response question that will be answered only by those selected to interview, later? It was a new feature they used last cycle.

They mention Kira video interview prior to interview date - but that’s for candidates selected for interview

For app to be considered complete:
TMDSAS application (AMCAS application for MD/PhD applicants)
-- Letters of evaluation indicated on application
--Official MCAT scores
--Completed secondary application
--CASPer Score
--$90.00 secondary application fee (non-refundable)

 

[Minky Mushroom]

@wysdoc doc Son just received his secondary. Looks like #3 and #4 have changed
1. Please discuss one of the following (2500 char):

• A challenging situation or obstacle you have faced in the past
• Any academic road bumps in your academic career (low academic performance, failing course, dropping/retaking of courses)

Why was it challenging? How did you handle it? Knowing what you know now, would you do anything differently? What did you learn?

2. Describe a time or situation where you have been unsuccessful or failed. What did you learn from this experience and how have you applied this learning to your work and/or life?

3. From what you understand about the rigors of medical school, what do you think will be the biggest challenge for you? How do you think you are prepared for these challenges?

4. What advice would you give to a friend who is falling behind academically?

When did your son submit primary? Yet to receive secondary for McGovern

 

[PGdoc]

When did your son submit primary? Yet to receive secondary for McGovern

I submitted at 8 AM on May 15th when it opened and just received my secondary yesterday morning.

 

[premedmom2026]

When did your son submit primary? Yet to receive secondary for McGovern

8 AM 5/15

 

[TXTripleDore]

+1 IS Secondary Just Now, Submitted 5/15 10:45a. Slow and steady!

 

[texco23]

Got my secondary after submitting 5/15 6 minutes after opening. (IS)