2025-2026 Penn State

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chilly_md

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2025-2026 Penn State Secondary Essay Prompts

1. If not currently enrolled in a full-time academic program, please summarize your activities from the time of graduation from your baccalaureate program through the time of this application, as well as your plans between now and your matriculation to medical school. (Maximum 75 words)

2. Is there a unique aspect of your application that should be considered by the admissions committee? (Maximum 75 words)

3. Explain why you decided to apply to the Penn State College of Medicine. (Maximum 75 words)

4. Write a short paragraph describing a significant experience you have had working in a team setting. (Maximum 250 words)

5. Write a short statement describing how you envision using your medical education to advance care for under-resourced communities or groups that have been historically marginalized or made vulnerable. (Maximum 250 words)

Good luck to all applying!

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Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine - Admission, Tuition, Ranking & Overview | Student Doctor Network

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This is one of the only schools I've pre-written secondaries for 😬 I know they had to standardize the curriculum recently, so I was trying to find the big differences between their two tracks: UP and Hershey. All I've come up with so far is the UP class is up to twelve students. Does anyone know other differences?
 
likeits1978 said:
This is one of the only schools I've pre-written secondaries for 😬 I know they had to standardize the curriculum recently, so I was trying to find the big differences between their two tracks: UP and Hershey. All I've come up with so far is the UP class is up to twelve students. Does anyone know other differences?
Click to expand...
I go to penn state undergrad and got to visit the hershey campus. We had an info session beforehand, and from that I took away 3 major points that were unique to the UP campus.
1) The student-to-faculty ratio is much lower than almost any other school, so u get the small classroom feel, which is appealing to many. You also would have a tighter group of students.

2) Since it is at UP (the campus of Penn State undergrad), you have access to a ton of research labs and faculty. So if research is a major focus for you, this would be beneficial.

3) Rural focus, pretty straight forward.

Hope this helped!
 
ryguy21 said:
I go to penn state undergrad and got to visit the hershey campus. We had an info session beforehand, and from that I took away 3 major points that were unique to the UP campus.
1) The student-to-faculty ratio is much lower than almost any other school, so u get the small classroom feel, which is appealing to many. You also would have a tighter group of students.

2) Since it is at UP (the campus of Penn State undergrad), you have access to a ton of research labs and faculty. So if research is a major focus for you, this would be beneficial.

3) Rural focus, pretty straight forward.

Hope this helped!
Click to expand...
This does help, thank you!
 
1. If not currently enrolled in a full-time academic program, please summarize your activities from the time of graduation from your baccalaureate program through the time of this application, as well as your plans between now and your matriculation to medical school. (Maximum 75 words)
2. Is there a unique aspect of your application that should be considered by the admissions committee? (Maximum 75 words)
3. Explain why you decided to apply to the Penn State College of Medicine. (Maximum 75 words)
4. Write a short paragraph describing a significant experience you have had working in a team setting. (Maximum 250 words)
5. Write a short statement describing how you envision using your medical education to advance care for under-resourced communities or groups that have been historically marginalized or made vulnerable. (Maximum 250 words)
 
mustravel2016 said:
1. If not currently enrolled in a full-time academic program, please summarize your activities from the time of graduation from your baccalaureate program through the time of this application, as well as your plans between now and your matriculation to medical school. (Maximum 75 words)
2. Is there a unique aspect of your application that should be considered by the admissions committee? (Maximum 75 words)
3. Explain why you decided to apply to the Penn State College of Medicine. (Maximum 75 words)
4. Write a short paragraph describing a significant experience you have had working in a team setting. (Maximum 250 words)
5. Write a short statement describing how you envision using your medical education to advance care for under-resourced communities or groups that have been historically marginalized or made vulnerable. (Maximum 250 words)
Click to expand...
@chilly_md
 
I still haven't received one and am in state and go to penn state. Has anyone else not gotten it yet?
 
ryguy21 said:
I still haven't received one and am in state and go to penn state. Has anyone else not gotten it yet?
Click to expand...
The person right above you barely got it last night. The first ones were sent out only a few days ago. Please wait as they will likely take a few weeks to send them out to all applicants. Being in state and attending Penn State does not necessarily impact how the backend system operates.
 
What do we even write for "is there a unique aspect of your application"? Is it optional? I have no idea what I would even put here
 
mynamejef said:
What do we even write for "is there a unique aspect of your application"? Is it optional? I have no idea what I would even put here
Click to expand...
I'd almost treat this like a diversity essay. Or! Talk about any summer programming, research labs/projects, any cool volunteering you were a part of, etc.
 
catalyst1000 said:
Literally no aspect of your application is noteworthy or unique? Even in a small way?
Click to expand...
I guess i was confused by the wording, I have lots of unique things about myself but thought it meant like ... unique aspects of the application itself lol. Like if I had any things that affected my application process or something idk. but i now see that its just asking about myself lol. thx
 
AlliesStardust said:
I'd almost treat this like a diversity essay. Or! Talk about any summer programming, research labs/projects, any cool volunteering you were a part of, etc.
Click to expand...
thanks! i now just see my interpretation of the prompt was wrong haha. I appreciate your feedback!
 
So I have had a full time job after college, but am not able to tell my job I am leaving to pursue medical school (job is in a different discipline) so I don’t have a letter. Should I reach out and ask about this or is it not worth applying
 
irishforever182 said:
So I have had a full time job after college, but am not able to tell my job I am leaving to pursue medical school (job is in a different discipline) so I don’t have a letter. Should I reach out and ask about this or is it not worth applying
Click to expand...
You can ask them to see, but if you haven't worked there for a full year, you likely don't need it
 
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