2025-2026 UTSW

[wysdoc]

---

Members don't see this ad.

2025-2026 UTSW Secondary Essay Prompts: (Question 3 wording has changed from last year)

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? (2500 Characters)

2. Describe a time that you have witnessed someone acting unethically or dishonestly, or experienced a behavior of harassment or discrimination. What did you do? Describe your reaction. Is there anything you might do differently now in retrospect. (2500 Characters)

3. As a healthcare provider, it is expected that you are able to deliver excellent care to all patients. Describe an experience that has led you to understand the needs of people who differ from you? (2500 characters)

Questions 4 and 5 are truly optional. Answer only 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. (2500 characters)

5. (OPTIONAL) Please explain any academic discrepancies or extenuating circumstances that you feel the Admissions Committee should know. (2500 characters)
____________________________________
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 ---------?



Good luck to all applying!

Interview Feedback:

University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Medical School Interview Feedback

Review of University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Medical School Interview Feedback. Get the latest information, opinions of fellow students, and LizzyM and SDN Rankings.

www.studentdoctor.net

 

[stere0psis]

Soon to be MS2 here, happy to answer any questions y'all have. Good luck!

 

[BigBroBeans23]

Incoming MS1, just finished applying so everything is semi-fresh on my mind. hmu with any questions!

 

[itsonlyrobert]

rising MS3, pray for us...jk, happy to help anyone!

 

[dionysusofhealth]

incoming ms1 fresh out of the app cycle. dm me with any questions!

 

[dionysusofhealth]

or ask them here whatever you want lol

 

[currykabob]

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? (2500 Characters)

2. Describe a time that you have witnessed someone acting unethically or dishonestly, or experienced a behavior of harassment or discrimination. What did you do? Describe your reaction. Is there anything you might do differently now in retrospect. (2500 Characters)

3. As a healthcare provider, it is expected that you are able to deliver excellent care to all patients. Describe an experience that has led you to understand the needs of people who differ from you? (2500 characters)

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) (2500 characters)

5. Please explain any academic discrepancies or extenuating circumstances that you feel the Admissions Committee should know. (Optional) (2500 characters)

@wysdoc

 

[matchaboba]

I know UTSW is very research-heavy/focused. Do you think it's important to mention some kind of research activity in our secondaries?

 

[wysdoc]

I know UTSW is very research-heavy/focused. Do you think it's important to mention some kind of research activity in our secondaries?

see the questions for the secondaries above. If your research experience fits one of the prompts, you could.

 

[klin112]

Is question 4 asking for any community service done for over a year in general or specific programs like the ones they listed?

 

[wysdoc]

Is question 4 asking for any community service done for over a year in general or specific programs like the ones they listed?

Just those kinds of all-encompassing ones with a long time commitment. I estimate most people don’t answer that question

 

[picornaviridaeluvr]

If I got an interview last cycle, would it be wise to completely rewrite all secondary essays above or edit my original ones to the best of my ability? Thanks in advance! 🙂

 

[texasvandy]

If I got an interview last cycle, would it be wise to completely rewrite all secondary essays above or edit my original ones to the best of my ability? Thanks in advance! 🙂

Its always good to rethink your essays so they dont come across as having been read before. Whether you want to rewrite your essays with different focus - you might want someone you know tell you this, i.e., if your original essay topic is better or worse than the new one.

 

[wysdoc]

How bad is forgetting a period at the end of your app? This might sound neurotic but I was reading through my secondary and realized I submitted a prompt and forgot a "." at the very end sentence - now freaking out but not sure if there's anything I can even do.

Now that you have turned it in, stop proofreading it for heaven's sake!
Nobody will notice something like that.

 

[stere0psis]

Now that you have turned it in, stop proofreading it for heaven's sake!
Nobody will notice something like that.

I didn't look at my application except right before an interview, even then re-reading it stressed me out lol

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Podcast

Episode 56: The University of Texas Southwestern Medical School | MD University Program | Case Western Reserve University

Director Schouten-Kresser Dr. Rubin Dr. Mihalic Hear from three prominent members of the Admissions and Student Affairs team at the lar...

case.edu

 

[BigDawg101]

I got into UTSW as an OOS-applicant with no ties last cycle. I am happy to offer any advice to applicants about the process, especially those OOS. Best of luck for this application cycle! 🙂

 

[bojanglesss]

I got into UTSW as an OOS-applicant with no ties last cycle. I am happy to offer any advice to applicants about the process, especially those OOS. Best of luck for this application cycle! 🙂

I'm originally OOS then gained residency after spending the last 3 years of undergrad in Texas, so I am a TX resident but feel I might have to "prove" my Texas-ness more through my secondaries? Did you emphasize your desire to stay in Texas or anything like that throughout your application?

 

[wysdoc]

I'm originally OOS then gained residency after spending the last 3 years of undergrad in Texas, so I am a TX resident but feel I might have to "prove" my Texas-ness more through my secondaries? Did you emphasize your desire to stay in Texas or anything like that throughout your application?

you don't have to do that, more important to talk about the individual school in your secondary and why you want to attend.

 

[BigBroBeans23]

I'm originally OOS then gained residency after spending the last 3 years of undergrad in Texas, so I am a TX resident but feel I might have to "prove" my Texas-ness more through my secondaries? Did you emphasize your desire to stay in Texas or anything like that throughout your application?

You have to prove your Texas-ness by emailing ADCOM a picture of your boots

 

[BigDawg101]

I'm originally OOS then gained residency after spending the last 3 years of undergrad in Texas, so I am a TX resident but feel I might have to "prove" my Texas-ness more through my secondaries? Did you emphasize your desire to stay in Texas or anything like that throughout your application?

I had a strong focus on Spanish-speaking populations (medical Spanish interpreter), and how Dallas had a lot of that population.

 

[fatcammal1]

I just submitted my secondary, I hope to god I get into this school

 

[Diamond45123]

trying to prepare secondaries, are we supposed to also the answer questions of the normal MD app if I'm applying MD/PhD?

 

[TXTripleDore]

trying to prepare secondaries, are we supposed to also the answer questions of the normal MD app if I'm applying MD/PhD?

Per application instructions:

"Which program(s) do you wish to be considered for? (If applying to both the MD-only via TMDSAS and MST program via AMCAS, you will need to complete a secondary application for each program separately and check both boxes below. If you are only applying to ONE program (MD-only or MSTP) please only select the one checkbox that correlates with the program to which you have applied)."

 

[matchaboba]

do we need to submit CVs on the document upload page

 

[wysdoc]

do we need to submit CVs on the document upload page

No, that page is for later if they ask you for something
Your TMDSAS app with its activity list takes the role of a CV you would use for a job

 

[matchaboba]

No that page is for later if they ask you for something
Your TMDSAS app with its activity list takes the role of a CV you would use for a job

thank you!!

 

[twistedwizard123__]

2025-2026 UTSW Secondary Essay Prompts: (Question 3 wording has changed from last year)

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? (2500 Characters)

2. Describe a time that you have witnessed someone acting unethically or dishonestly, or experienced a behavior of harassment or discrimination. What did you do? Describe your reaction. Is there anything you might do differently now in retrospect. (2500 Characters)

3. As a healthcare provider, it is expected that you are able to deliver excellent care to all patients. Describe an experience that has led you to understand the needs of people who differ from you? (2500 characters)

Questions 4 and 5 are truly optional. Answer only 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. (2500 characters)

5. (OPTIONAL) Please explain any academic discrepancies or extenuating circumstances that you feel the Admissions Committee should know. (2500 characters)
____________________________________
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 ---------?



Good luck to all applying!

Interview Feedback:

University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Medical School Interview Feedback

Review of University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Medical School Interview Feedback. Get the latest information, opinions of fellow students, and LizzyM and SDN Rankings.

www.studentdoctor.net

do I need to answer prompt 5 if I already addressed my academic discrepancies in my unique life experience essay?

 

[texco23]

For prompt 3, I discuss an experience with a patient who differed in the aspect of being hesitant to medicine and not believing in medicine bascially. I feel like they would want me to discuss working with diverse populations which I did in other parts of my TMDSAS application (PS and other essays). Do you think this approach can hurt my application?

 

[stere0psis]

do I need to answer prompt 5 if I already addressed my academic discrepancies in my unique life experience essay?

If you feel like you've already addressed them to your satisfaction, than no

 

[wysdoc]

For prompt 3, I discuss an experience with a patient who differed in the aspect of being hesitant to medicine and not believing in medicine bascially. I feel like they would want me to discuss working with diverse populations which I did in other parts of my TMDSAS application (PS and other essays). Do you think this approach can hurt my application?

I think your essay fits as working with someone who differs from you

 

[Polyketide]

For the group project prompt, would it be considered a group project if it was only 2 individuals who worked on the team or should it be 3 people or more?

 

[texasvandy]

For the group project prompt, would it be considered a group project if it was only 2 individuals who worked on the team or should it be 3 people or more?

Group is great than one?

 

[Polyketide]

Group is great than one?

Yes, but the prompt did say "How did you get fellow group members", which made me question if a 2-person project would be stretching my experience for the prompt...

 

[carson16666]

for prompt 2, I have an idea but I'm not sure if it would come across well. Basically I was super mean online about my friend's gf, she was very upset, but we eventually made up and we're like best friends now. It was a really valuable lesson for me so I'd like to write about it, but im not sure if I would just seem evil lol

 

[texasvandy]

for prompt 2, I have an idea but I'm not sure if it would come across well. Basically I was super mean online about my friend's gf, she was very upset, but we eventually made up and we're like best friends now. It was a really valuable lesson for me so I'd like to write about it, but im not sure if I would just seem evil lol

you witnessed yourself?

 

[carson16666]

you witnessed yourself?

i mean, yeah

 

[texasvandy]

i mean, yeah

very risky in my opinion.

 

[carson16666]

very risky in my opinion.

fair enough, i'll think of something else

 

[twistedwizard123__]

for prompt 3, would it be fine to talk about two different experiences within the same activity?

 

[pirateb]

for prompt 2, can i talk about the time i witnessed a woman get harassed in public by a man and how I came in between and comforted her? I ask this because I'm not the one that was harassed or discriminated.