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University of South Florida | USF’s 2023-24 Essay Prompts

Common app personal essay.

The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected topic and helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice. What do you want the readers of your application to know about you apart from courses, grades, and test scores? Choose the option that best helps you answer that question and write an essay of no more than 650 words, using the prompt to inspire and structure your response. Remember: 650 words is your limit, not your goal. Use the full range if you need it, but don‘t feel obligated to do so.

Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?

Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you‘ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

What will first-time readers think of your college essay?

University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine: USF Secondary Application Tips & Essay Prompts

• Cracking Med School Admissions

The USF Morsani Medical School secondary application with several medium-length essays. The USF medical school admissions committee wants to understand you as a holistic person.  It wants to recruit a diverse, culturally competent, and socially aware class. Read our University of South Florida Medical School secondary application tips below so you can learn how to stand out question by question!

**Important to note: As of early 2024, the USF SELECT program may no longer be accepting students**

Drs. Rachel Rizal and Rishi Mediratta have a track record of helping our mentees receive acceptances to University of South Florida Morsani and other Florida medical schools year after year. Submitting a strong secondary application is critical in getting accepted. Stand out on your USF Morsani Medical School secondary application with our secondary essay editing packages !

• Personally Tailored Essays
• Edits by Stanford & Harvard-trained Doctors
• We study your application strengths to see what unique attributes we’ll bring to the medical school

USF Morsani Medical School Secondary Application Questions: 2023 – 2024

• Do you believe the competitiveness (i.e. course requirements, experiences, academic performance, etc.) of your application for medical school has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic? If yes, please provide specifics as to how your competitiveness was impacted. If no, type “N/A”. (1,500 characters max)
• What do you see as the most likely practice scenario for your future medical career? (Private Practice, Academic Medicine, Public Health, Health Care Administration, Health Policy, Other)  Describe the knowledge, skills, and attributes you have developed in preparation for the career path you have chosen in the previous question. (1,500 characters max)
• The USF Morsani College of Medicine’s Scholarly Concentrations program aims to support the educational development of medical students by providing opportunities for academic endeavors in areas of special interest. This program facilitates self-directed learning, enhances interactions between students and fosters relationships between students and faculty. Scholarly concentrations provide a forum where diversity of ideas and perspectives are valued. Each concentration includes elements of course work, practical application and scholarly presentation. Please review our Scholarly Concentrations website to determine which concentration would be of interest to you and answer the following question: ( Scholarly Concentrations Program | USF Health ) A. How would the USF Morsani College of Medicine’s Scholarly Concentrations Program help your personal career goals? (1,500 characters max)
• The USF Morsani College of Medicine strives to educate a very diverse set of students who bring a variety of strengths and interests to the field of medicine. The definition of diversity is broad and includes (but is not limited to) lifestyle, race/ethnicity, geography, socioeconomic status and distance traveled through life. The definition of strength is also broad and includes (but is not limited to) humanism, scholarship, intellectual curiosity, research, and leadership. How do you feel your particular experiences, interests, and passions will add to the strength and diversity of the USF class and ultimately to the field of medicine? (2,000 characters max)
• If you have experienced academic difficulties, please explain the situation and how it was resolved. (Please explain all grades less than a “B”, including B-, or any “withdrawal” on your transcripts). (2,000 characters max)
• Please choose one of the following options. For more information, copy and paste the corresponding URL which will bring you to a new webpage. You can find more information on the programs here: Educational Programs | USF Health Please select the MD program for which you would like to be considered: Core program, SELECT program, or Core and SELECT Program.

Tips to Answer USF Morsani Secondary Application Essays

USF Morsani Secondaries Pre-Writing Guidance: Overall, we think this is a GREAT application to pre-write. Many of our in-state and out-of-state students apply and receive official secondary applications each year. 

** If you are applying as a 2024-2025 applicant, do not pre-write the SELECT essay (last essay prompt). The SELECT program may no longer be accepting students**

• Download  all  our HIGH-YIELD tips for secondary essays:  Cracking Med School Admissions Secondary Essay Guide

USF Secondary Application Tip #1: For the question about USF Morsani College of Medicine’s Scholarly Concentrations:

• Choose a Scholarly Concentration that fits your interests and your background. For example, if you conducted biomedical sciences research in college, you should choose the “biomedical research” scholarly concentration. The most popular scholarly concentrations our students pick are: health disparities, medical humanities, and public health. However, Dr. Mediratta and Dr. Rizal have helped students who have chosen virtually every scholarly concentration. Contact us below if you have questions about USF’s secondary or the application process in general! 
• Discuss specific opportunities within the Scholarly Concentration you want to pursue. For example, discuss specific research and professors you want to work with. All the activities you choose should complement and make sense given the activities you wrote about in your AMCAS primary application. 
• Link the Scholarly Concentration and activities that you discuss with how you see your career in medicine. For example, you can state that you want to be a primary care physician in underserved communities if you pick a Scholarly Concentration in health disparities. Or, you can discuss how you will research or incorporate nutrition if you choose the Scholarly Concentration in “Nutrition Research & Health.” 

USF Secondary Application Tip #2: For the COVID-19 question, incorporate your personal experiences as well as healthcare current issues you noticed throughout the COVID pandemic. We have an entire  healthcare current events  blog post here, where you can read more about healthcare disparities and COVID-19.

USF Secondary Application Tip #3: For the USF secondary application diversity question, “The USF Morsani College of Medicine strives to educate a very diverse set of students who bring a variety of strengths and interests to the field of medicine. The definition of diversity is broad and includes (but is not limited to) lifestyle, race/ethnicity, geography, socioeconomic status and distance traveled through life. The definition of strength is also broad and includes (but is not limited to) humanism, scholarship, intellectual curiosity, research, and leadership. How do you feel your particular experiences, interests, and passions will add to the strength and diversity of the USF class and ultimately to the field of medicine? ” remember that diversity does not necessarily mean your ethnic diversity. We recommend students write about their strengths, including exceptional extracurricular activity endeavors. 

Our students have talked about the following topics:

• Immigrant background and their cultural values and experiences
• Community service work around Florida
• Underserved patients they took care of and insights about the inequities of the healthcare system

USF Secondary Application Tip #4: Talk about Florida, particularly any experiences in South Florida. If you have lived in southern Florida, discuss ways in which you have already been involved with the community. If you are interested in community health during medical school, write specific organizations you want to work with or research projects you want to conduct. 

USF Secondary Application Tip #5: Don’t forget to incorporate a little bit about “Why USF Morsani” throughout the USF Morsani Medical School secondary application questions. 

• Write why you are interested in attending USF Morsani. Write specific reasons. You definitely need great reasons if you are an out-of-state applicant – it’s your job to convince the Admissions Committee that they should interview you as an out-of-state applicant. 
• Talk about clinical opportunities and mentorship opportunities you will pursue at USF Morsani.
• Discuss any community projects you want to pursue in South Florida. 
• Read our blog post why this medical school to gain insights on how to incorporate a strong “Why USF Morsani Medical School” to help you craft a STRONG essay and stand out!

USF Secondary Application Tip #6: Get our help to edit your USF Morsani Medical School secondary application essays. We can help you through our secondary essay packages . Have questions about how you can stand out? Contact us below.

USF Secondary Application Tip #7: If there are optional questions, you should answer as many optional questions as you can.

USF Morsani Tip:  Many of our out-of-state students receive interview invitations! Start prepping for medical school interview questions: How To Answer “Tell Me About Yourself” and Common Interview Questions

[ Read more secondary essay tips: Florida State University College of Medicine, Florida International University, Florida Atlantic University ]

Your medical school application Coaches, Mentors, & Cheerleaders

We Personally Advise Every Student We Work With.

Rachel Rizal, M.D.

Changing the trajectory of people’s lives.

Undergraduate Princeton University, cum laude

Medical School Stanford School of Medicine

Residency Harvard, Emergency Medicine

Awards & Scholarships Fulbright Scholar USA Today Academic First Team Tylenol Scholarship

Rishi Mediratta, M.D., M.Sc., M.A.

Advising students to attend their dream schools.

Undergraduate Johns Hopkins University, Phi Beta Kappa

Residency Stanford, Pediatrics

Awards & Scholarships Marshall Scholar Tylenol Scholarship Global Health Scholar

stand out from other applicants with our secondary essay edit packages

Download your secondary essay guide.

Use this essay guide and workbook to write standout secondaries.

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USF Morsani Medical School Secondary Application Questions: 2022 – 2023

• (Optional) The USF Morsani College of Medicine’s Scholarly Concentrations program aims to support the educational development of medical students by providing opportunities for academic endeavors in areas of special interest. This program facilitates self-directed learning, enhances interactions between students and fosters relationships between students and faculty. Scholarly concentrations provide a forum where diversity of ideas and perspectives are valued. Each concentration includes elements of course work, practical application and scholarly presentation. Please review our Scholarly Concentrations website to determine which concentration would be of interest to you and answer the following question: ( Scholarly Concentrations Program | USF Health ) A. How would the USF Morsani College of Medicine’s Scholarly Concentrations Program help your personal career goals? (1,500 characters max)
• What do you see as the most likely practice scenario for your future medical career? Private Practice, Academic Medicine, Public Health, Health Care Administration, Health Policy, or Other. Describe the knowledge, skills, and attributes you have developed in preparation for the career path you have chosen in the previous question. (1,500 characters max)
• If you have chosen the SELECT program or BOTH, please explain how your experiences and career goals match with the mission of the SELECT program. ( MD SELECT Program | USF Health ) (1,500 characters max)

USF Morsani Medical School Secondary Application Questions: 2021 – 2022

Usf morsani medical school secondary application questions: 2020 - 2021.

• Do you believe the competitiveness (i.e. course requirements, experiences, academic performance, etc.) of your application for medical school has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic? If yes , please provide specifics as to how your competitiveness was impacted. If no, type “N/A”. (1,500 characters max)
• Private Practice
• Academic Medicine
• Public Health
• Health Care Administration
• Health Policy
• Describe the knowledge, skills, and attributes you have developed in preparation for the career path you have chosen in the previous question. (1,500 characters max)
• The University of South Florida, Morsani College of Medicine strives to educate a very diverse set of students who bring a variety of strengths and interests to the field of medicine. The definition of diversity is broad and includes (but is not limited to) lifestyle, race/ethnicity, geography, socioeconomic status and distance traveled through life. The definition of strength is also broad and includes (but not limited to) humanism, scholarship, intellectual curiosity, research and leadership. How do you feel your particular experiences, interests, and passions will add to the strength and diversity of the USF class and ultimately to the field of medicine? (2,000 characters max)

USF Morsani Medical School Secondary Application Questions: 2019 – 2020

• Describe the knowledge, skills, and attributes you have developed in preparation for the career path you have chosen in the previous question. (1,000 characters max)
• If you have chosen the SELECT program or BOTH, please explain how your experiences and career goals match with the mission of the SELECT program. ( MD SELECT Program | USF Health ) (1,000 characters max)

USF Morsani Medical School Secondary Application Questions: 2018 – 2019

• Describe the knowledge, skills, and attributes you have developed in preparation for the career path you have chosen in the previous question. (2,000 characters max)
• Describe your ideas about how the medical profession can best respond to disparities in healthcare. (2,000 characters max)
• There are also various questions about participating in SMPs or Post Baccs, crimes, and IAs that you have to answer if applicable. (All 2,000 characters max)

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USF Morsani Medical School Secondary Application Questions: 2017 – 2018

University of south florida secondary application questions: 2016 – 2017.

• (Optional) Please describe your disadvantaged circumstances and/or life obstacles and how they affected your academic performance (positively and/or negatively). Please be specific. (2,000 characters max)

USF Morsani Medical School Secondary Application Questions: 2015 – 2016

• Why do you feel you are particularly suited for this practice scenario? What knowledge, skills and attitudes have you developed that have prepared you for this career path? (2,000 characters max)

USF Morsani Medical School Secondary Application Questions: 2014 – 2015

• Why do you feel you are particularly suited for this practice scenario? What knowledge, skills and attitudes have you developed that have prepared you for this career path? (2,000 character limit)
• (Optional) The USF Morsani College of Medicine’s Scholarly Concentrations program aims to support the educational development of medical students by providing opportunities for academic endeavors in areas of special interest. This program facilitates self-directed learning, enhances interactions between students and fosters relationships between students and faculty. Scholarly concentrations provide a forum where diversity of ideas and perspectives are valued. Each concentration includes elements of course work, practical application and scholarly presentation. Please review our Scholarly Concentrations website to determine which concentration would be of interest to you and answer the following question: ( Scholarly Concentrations Program | USF Health ) A. How would the USF Morsani College of Medicine’s Scholarly Concentrations Program help your personal career goals? (1,500 character limit)
• Describe a time in your life when you felt you were “at your best.” Why did you choose this event, and how does it reflect your potential as a physician?
• Who is the best leader you have known in your life? Describe what made her or him so effective and how they made you feel when you were around them.
• The University of South Florida, Morsani College of Medicine strives to educate a very diverse set of students who bring a variety of strengths and interests to the field of medicine. The definition of diversity is broad and includes (but is not limited to) lifestyle, race/ethnicity, geography, socioeconomic status and distance traveled through life. The definition of strength is also broad and includes (but not limited to) humanism, scholarship, intellectual curiosity, research and leadership. How do you feel your particular experiences, interests, and passions will add to the strength and diversity of the USF class and ultimately to the field of medicine? (2,000 character limit)
• Describe your ideas about how the medical profession can best respond to disparities in healthcare. (2,000 character limit)

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OTHER SCHOOLS

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University of South Florida College of Medicine Secondary Essay Prompts

These are the secondary application essay prompts for University of South Florida College of Medicine. To put your best foot forward and maximize your chance of an interview invitation, visit our secondary application editing page .

About University of South Florida College of Medicine

Secondary Deadline :  Secondary Fee :  FAP Waiver :  CASPer Required :  Screens Applications :  Accepts Application Updates : 

The mission of the Morsani College of Medicine at the University of South Florida is to provide for the education of students and professionals of the health and biomedical sciences through the creation of a scholarly environment that fosters excellence in the lifelong goals of education, research activity and compassionate patient care.

We promise aspiring, passionate students an open culture of accessibility to faculty, patients and technology through a challenging curriculum with diverse educational experiences. Transcending old paradigms, we are empowered by a fresh perspective on learning. We foster an environment where students realize their own creativity and innovation to make a difference in the lives of patient and their community. Upon graduation, our students will possess the skills and confidence as leaders in the ever-changing business of healthcare without ever sacrificing their initial inspiration to care for patients.

High Standards Respect for Individuals Advancing Knowledge Personal Development and Leadership Commitment to Health

1. Do you believe the competitiveness (i.e. course requirements, experiences, academic performance, etc.) of your application for medical school has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic? (1500 character max)

2. What do you see as the most likely practice scenario for your future medical career (Private Practice, Academic Medicine, Public Health, Health Care Administration, Health Policy, or Other)? Describe the knowledge, skills, and attributes you have developed in preparation for the career path you have chosen in the previous question. (1500 character max)

3. (optional) The USF Morsani College of Medicine’s Scholarly Concentrations program aims to support the educational development of medical students by providing opportunities for academic endeavors in areas of special interest. This program facilitates self-directed learning, enhances interactions between students and fosters relationships between students and faculty. Scholarly concentrations provide a forum where diversity of ideas and perspectives are valued. Each concentration includes elements of course work, practical application and scholarly presentation. Please review our Scholarly Concentrations website to determine which concentration would be of interest to you and answer the following question: ( Scholarly Concentrations Program | USF Health ) a. How would the USF Morsani College of Medicine’s Scholarly Concentrations Program help your personal career goals? (1500 characters)

4. The USF Morsani College of Medicine strives to educate a very diverse set of students who bring a variety of strengths and interests to the field of medicine. The definition of diversity is broad and includes (but is not limited to) lifestyle, race/ethnicity, geography, socioeconomic status and distance traveled through life. The definition of strength is also broad and includes (but is not limited to) humanism, scholarship, intellectual curiosity, research, and leadership. How do you feel your particular experiences, interests, and passions will add to the strength and diversity of the USF class and ultimately to the field of medicine? (2000 characters)

5. If you have experienced academic difficulties, please explain the situation and how it was resolved. (Please explain all grades less than a “B”, including B-, or any “withdrawal” on your transcripts). (2000 characters)

6. If you have chosen the SELECT program or BOTH, please explain how your experiences and career goals match with the mission of the SELECT program. ( MD SELECT Program | USF Health ) (1500 characters)

1. Do you believe the competitiveness (i.e. course requirements, experiences, academic performance, etc.) of your application for medical school has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic? If yes, please provide specifics as to how your competitiveness was impacted. If no, type “N/A”. (1500 characters)

2. The USF Morsani College of Medicine’s Scholarly Concentrations program aims to support the educational development of medical students by providing opportunities for academic endeavors in areas of special interest. This program facilitates self-directed learning, enhances interactions between students and fosters relationships between students and faculty. Scholarly concentrations provide a forum where diversity of ideas and perspectives are valued. Each concentration includes elements of course work, practical application and scholarly presentation. Please review our Scholarly Concentrations website to determine which concentration would be of interest to you and answer the following question: ( Scholarly Concentrations Program | USF Health ) a. How would the USF Morsani College of Medicine’s Scholarly Concentrations Program help your personal career goals? (1500 characters, optional)

3. The USF Morsani College of Medicine strives to educate a very diverse set of students who bring a variety of strengths and interests to the field of medicine. The definition of diversity is broad and includes (but is not limited to) lifestyle, race/ethnicity, geography, socioeconomic status and distance traveled through life. The definition of strength is also broad and includes (but is not limited to) humanism, scholarship, intellectual curiosity, research, and leadership. How do you feel your particular experiences, interests, and passions will add to the strength and diversity of the USF class and ultimately to the field of medicine? (2000 characters

4. What do you see as the most likely practice scenario for your future medical career? Private Practice, Academic Medicine, Public Health, Health Care Administration, Health Policy, or Other. Describe the knowledge, skills, and attributes you have developed in preparation for the career path you have chosen in the previous question. (1,500 characters)

6. Please choose one of the following options. For more information, copy and paste the corresponding URL which will bring you to a new webpage. You can find more information on the programs here: Educational Programs | USF Health . Please select the MD program for which you would like to be considered.

• Core program
• SELECT program
• Core and SELECT Program

7. If you have chosen the SELECT program or BOTH, please explain how your experiences and career goals match with the mission of the SELECT program. ( MD SELECT Program | USF Health ) (1500 characters)

1. Do you believe the competitiveness (i.e. course requirements, experiences, academic performance, etc.) of your application for medical school has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic? If yes, please provide specifics as to how your competitiveness was impacted. If no, type “N/A”. (1,500 characters max)

2. What do you see as the most likely practice scenario for your future medical career?

• Private Practice
• Academic Medicine
• Public Health
• Health Care Administration
• Health Policy

3. Describe the knowledge, skills, and attributes you have developed in preparation for the career path you have chosen in the previous question. (1,500 characters max)

4. (Optional) The USF Morsani College of Medicine’s Scholarly Concentrations program aims to support the educational development of medical students by providing opportunities for academic endeavors in areas of special interest. This program facilitates self-directed learning, enhances interactions between students and fosters relationships between students and faculty. Scholarly concentrations provide a forum where diversity of ideas and perspectives are valued. Each concentration includes elements of course work, practical application and scholarly presentation. Please review our Scholarly Concentrations website to determine which concentration would be of interest to you and answer the following question: ( Scholarly Concentrations Program | USF Health ) A. How would the USF Morsani College of Medicine’s Scholarly Concentrations Program help your personal career goals? (1,500 characters max)

5. The University of South Florida, Morsani College of Medicine strives to educate a very diverse set of students who bring a variety of strengths and interests to the field of medicine. The definition of diversity is broad and includes (but is not limited to) lifestyle, race/ethnicity, geography, socioeconomic status and distance traveled through life. The definition of strength is also broad and includes (but not limited to) humanism, scholarship, intellectual curiosity, research and leadership. How do you feel your particular experiences, interests, and passions will add to the strength and diversity of the USF class and ultimately to the field of medicine? (2,000 characters max)

6. If you have experienced academic difficulties, please explain the situation and how it was resolved. (Please explain all grades less than a “B”, including B-, or any “withdrawal” on your transcripts). (2,000 characters max)

7. If you have chosen the SELECT program or BOTH, please explain how your experiences and career goals match with the mission of the SELECT program. ( MD SELECT Program | USF Health ) (1,500 characters max)

1. What do you see as the most likely practice scenario for your future medical career?

You will need to introspect in order to answer this question. Consider your career goals. Do you plan to be a full-time clinician or do some research as well? Are you interested in global health and medical work abroad? Do you see yourself performing community outreach here in the US? Be realistic but optimistic. You are not bound to your answer, so it is ok to have reasonable but lofty goals. Make sure to focus on your career in medicine. Detailing your goals in other professional spheres (if you have them) does not necessarily show your strength as a potential doctor and will not specifically answer this question.

a. Please choose the single answer that best describes your career goals: Private Practice Academic Medicine Public Health Health Care Administration Health Policy Other

Choose as appropriate based on your preferences.

b. Describe the knowledge, skills, and attributes you have developed in preparation for the career path you have chosen in question 4a. (2000 Characters)

Based on your answer above, create a cohesive overview of the attributes which make you a qualified candidate to realize that goal. The challenge here is to not repeat experiences discussed on your primary application. This will likely be inevitable, but when touching on those experiences, discuss a new aspect and approach them from a different angle. Think specifically about which traits you want to highlight. Create an outline prior to writing. Consider using anecdotes and stories from those experiences so that you can shine a new light and not be repetitive.

2. (Optional) The USF Morsani College of Medicine’s Scholarly Concentrations program aims to support the educational development of medical students by providing opportunities for academic endeavors in areas of special interest. This program facilitates self-directed learning, enhances interactions between students and fosters relationships between students and faculty. Scholarly concentrations provide a forum where diversity of ideas and perspectives are valued. Each concentration includes elements of course work, practical application and scholarly presentation.

Please review our Scholarly Concentrations website to determine which concentration would be of interest to you and answer the following question. ( Scholarly Concentrations Program | USF Health )

a. How would the USF Morsani College of Medicine’s Scholarly Concentrations Program help your personal career goals? (2000 characters)

The first step is to review the available concentrations on the program website, of which there are 11. Next, reflect on your personal goals and aspirations. If applicable to you, discuss how one of these concentrations would help you achieve your career goals. What specific skills would you gain that would allow you to advance your career toward your goals. Be specific in this answer.

3. The University of South Florida, College of Medicine strives to educate a very diverse set of students who bring a variety of strengths and interests to the field of medicine. The definition of diversity is broad and includes (but is not limited to) lifestyle, race/ethnicity, geography, socioeconomic status and distance traveled through life. The definition of strength is also broad and includes (but not limited to) humanism, scholarship, intellectual curiosity, research and leadership. How do you feel your particular experiences, interests, and passions will add to the strength and diversity of the USF class and ultimately to the field of medicine? (2000 characters)

Start by brainstorming what is unique about you and your background. Is it your place of birth, your family, your culture, or you path to medicine? Also consider prior adversity you have had to overcome and how that has shaped your values. Next consider your personal strengths and attributes. Consider 1-2 of these characteristics to focus on. Discuss them in detail, providing specific examples as to how you demonstrate these qualities. Weave a story which shows how your unique characteristics will contribute to your medical school class. Consider the effect you might have on your peers, professors and patients.

4. Describe your ideas about how the medical profession can best respond to disparities in healthcare (2000 characters)

This question will require some creativity, as this is a dilemma which is not easy to fix. The most basic part of this prompt is acknowledging that significant disparities in healthcare exist and it is our duty as physicians to try to bridge these gaps. Consider focusing on the following themes: empowering underserved populations through education, sustainable strategies to provide more medical care to the underserved, preventative medicine to help reduce the burden of chronic disease which occurs in patients who do not have access to medical care which can prevent the development of such diseases.

5. If you have experienced academic difficulties, please explain the situation and how it was resolved. (Please explain all grades less than a “B” (including B-) or any “withdrawal” on your transcripts). (2000 characters)

Do not feel compelled to answer this question, but if there is a portion of the application which needs clarification it is reasonable to do so. Be sure to not sound like a victim and not to make excuses, but be honest in description of the circumstances and reasons for this academic issue. One possible example is if you had any health issues requiring you to withdraw from a class and receive an incomplete. State what you learned from the experience and how you improved upon it thereafter. The prompt specifically ask for explanation of all grades lower than B, so be sure sure to follow this.

There are also various questions about participating in SMPs or Post Baccs, crimes, and IAs that you have to answer if applicable. All 2000 characters

Answer these questions as applicable to your prior history.

b. Describe the knowledge, skills, and attributes you have developed in preparation for the career path you have chosen in question (2000 character count)

2. OPTIONAL: The USF Morsani College of Medicine’s Scholarly Concentrations program aims to support the educational development of medical students by providing opportunities for academic endeavors in areas of special interest. This program facilitates self-directed learning, enhances interactions between students and fosters relationships between students and faculty. Scholarly concentrations provide a forum where diversity of ideas and perspectives are valued. Each concentration includes elements of course work, practical application and scholarly presentation.

3. Please review our Scholarly Concentrations website to determine which concentration would be of interest to you and answer the following question.

4. How would the USF Morsani College of Medicine’s Scholarly Concentrations Program help your personal career goals? (2000 character count)

(2000 character count for these as well) 1. The University of South Florida, College of Medicine strives to educate a very diverse set of students who bring a variety of strengths and interests to the field of medicine. The definition of diversity is broad and includes (but is not limited to) lifestyle, race/ethnicity, geography, socioeconomic status and distance traveled through life. The definition of strength is also broad and includes (but not limited to) humanism, scholarship, intellectual curiosity, research and leadership. How do you feel your particular experiences, interests, and passions will add to the strength and diversity of the USF class and ultimately to the field of medicine?

2. Describe your ideas about how the medical profession can best respond to disparities in healthcare.

3. If you have experienced academic difficulties, please explain the situation and how it was resolved. (Please explain all grades less than a “B” (including B-) or any “withdrawal” on your transcripts).

b. Describe the knowledge, skills, and attributes you have developed in preparation for the career path you have chosen in the previous question. (2000 character count)

2. The USF Morsani College of Medicine’s Scholarly Concentrations program aims to support the educational development of medical students by providing opportunities for academic endeavors in areas of special interest. This program facilitates self-directed learning, enhances interactions between students and fosters relationships between students and faculty. Scholarly concentrations provide a forum where diversity of ideas and perspectives are valued. Each concentration includes elements of course work, practical application and scholarly presentation.

Please review our Scholarly Concentrations website to determine which concentration would be of interest to you and answer the following question. (http://health.usf.edu/medicine/mdprogram/scp/index.htm)

a. How would the USF Morsani College of Medicine’s Scholarly Concentrations Program help your personal career goals?(2000 character count)

3. The University of South Florida, College of Medicine strives to educate a very diverse set of students who bring a variety of strengths and interests to the field of medicine. The definition of diversity is broad and includes (but is not limited to) lifestyle, race/ethnicity, geography, socioeconomic status and distance traveled through life. The definition of strength is also broad and includes (but not limited to) humanism, scholarship, intellectual curiosity, research and leadership. How do you feel your particular experiences, interests, and passions will add to the strength and diversity of the USF class and ultimately to the field of medicine? (2000 character count)

4. Describe your ideas about how the medical profession can best respond to disparities in healthcare. (2000 character count)

5. Please describe your disadvantaged circumstances and/or life obstacles and how they affected your academic performance (positively and/or negatively). Please be specific. (2000 character count) (Optional)

6. If you have experienced academic difficulties, please explain the situation and how it was resolved. (Please explain all grades less than a “B” (including B-) or any “withdrawal” on your transcripts). (2000 character count)

Disclaimer: The information on this page was shared by students and/or can be found on the medical school’s website. Med School Insiders does not guarantee the accuracy of the information on this page.

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The secondary application is just as important as the primary. We'll make sure you get it right.

Secondary Deadline : January 4, 2019 Secondary Fee : $30 FAP Waiver : Full Fee Waived CASPer Required : No Screens Applications : No Accepts Application Updates : Yes Post Interview

1. What do you see as the most likely practice scenario for your future medical career? Select One.

2. Describe the knowledge, skills, and attributes you have developed in preparation for the career path you have chosen in question (2000 Characters).

3. (Optional) The USF Morsani College of Medicine’s Scholarly Concentrations program aims to support the educational development of medical students by providing opportunities for academic endeavors in areas of special interest. This program facilitates self-directed learning, enhances interactions between students and fosters relationships between students and faculty. Scholarly concentrations provide a forum where diversity of ideas and perspectives are valued. Each concentration includes elements of course work, practical application and scholarly presentation. Please review our Scholarly Concentrations website to determine which concentration would be of interest to you and answer the following question. (Scholarly Concentrations Program | USF Health) How would the USF Morsani College of Medicine’s Scholarly Concentrations Program help your personal career goals? (2000 characters)

4. The University of South Florida, College of Medicine strives to educate a very diverse set of students who bring a variety of strengths and interests to the field of medicine. The definition of diversity is broad and includes (but is not limited to) lifestyle, race/ethnicity, geography, socioeconomic status and distance traveled through life. The definition of strength is also broad and includes (but not limited to) humanism, scholarship, intellectual curiosity, research and leadership. How do you feel your particular experiences, interests, and passions will add to the strength and diversity of the USF class and ultimately to the field of medicine? (2000 characters)

5. Describe your ideas about how the medical profession can best respond to disparities in healthcare (2000 characters).

6. If you have experienced academic difficulties, please explain the situation and how it was resolved. (Please explain all grades less than a “B” (including B-) or any “withdrawal” on your transcripts). (2000 characters)

3. Please review our Scholarly Concentrations website to determine which concentration would be of interest to you and answer the following question. (http://health.usf.edu/medicine/mdprogram/scp/index.htm)

4. How would the USF Morsani College of Medicine’s Scholarly Concentrations Program help your personal career goals?(2000 character count)

1. The University of South Florida, College of Medicine strives to educate a very diverse set of students who bring a variety of strengths and interests to the field of medicine. The definition of diversity is broad and includes (but is not limited to) lifestyle, race/ethnicity, geography, socioeconomic status and distance traveled through life. The definition of strength is also broad and includes (but not limited to) humanism, scholarship, intellectual curiosity, research and leadership. How do you feel your particular experiences, interests, and passions will add to the strength and diversity of the USF class and ultimately to the field of medicine? (2000 character count)

2. Describe your ideas about how the medical profession can best respond to disparities in healthcare. (2000 character count)

3. Please describe your disadvantaged circumstances and/or life obstacles and how they affected your academic performance (positively and/or negatively). Please be specific. (2000 character count) (Optional)

4. If you have experienced academic difficulties, please explain the situation and how it was resolved. (Please explain all grades less than a “B” (including B-) or any “withdrawal” on your transcripts). (2000 character count)

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Extracurriculars.

How to Write the University of Florida Essays 2023-2024

The University of Florida has one required prompt for all applicants that asks about your biggest commitment outside of the classroom. There are three prompts for all applicants that are only required if you answer “yes” to specific questions. It also has one required prompt for applicants to its Honors Program—this prompt asks about a subject or topic you find intellectually stimulating, and about how you think the program’s resources will support this interest.

Since UF receives thousands of applications from academically-strong students, your essays are your chance to stand out. In this post, we’ll discuss how to craft an engaging response to each of these options.

Read this UF essay example to inspire your own writing.

University of Florida Supplemental Essay Prompts

All applicants.

Prompt 1: Please provide more details on your most meaningful commitment outside of the classroom while in high school and explain why it was meaningful. This could be related to an extracurricular activity, work, volunteering, an academic activity, family responsibility, or any other non-classroom activity. (250 words)

Prompt 2: Do you have any employment or family obligations that limit your participation in extracurricular activities? If so, please describe. (250 words)

Prompt 3: Have you participated in or been assisted in your college preparation and search by programs outside of the classroom, such as Educational Talent Search, Take Stock in Children, Upward Bound, Boys and Girls Club, etc.? If so, please provide the name of the program, details/benefits of your involvement, and how long your experiences continued. (250 words)

Prompt 4: Is there any additional information or extenuating circumstances the Admissions Committee should know when reviewing your application? If so, please provide more information in less than 250 words.

Honors Program 

American novelist henry miller once said, “my hunger and curiosity drive me forward in all directions at once.” students in the university of florida honors program are known for pursuing multiple interests and passions., tell us about a subject or topic that you find intellectually stimulating and are curious to learn more about while in college. which direction(s) do you imagine your hunger for that subject or topic will take you while at uf how do you envision the honors program’s academic and extracurricular resources will support you along the way, please use a maximum of 400 words in your essay for full consideration., all applicants, prompt 1, please provide more details on your most meaningful commitment outside of the classroom while in high school and explain why it was meaningful. this could be related to an extracurricular activity, work, volunteering, an academic activity, family responsibility, or any other non-classroom activity. (250 words).

This prompt is a variation of the common Extracurricular Activity prompt since it’s asking you to write about a meaningful commitment you had outside of the classroom.

Brainstorming your topic:

First, you’ll need to narrow down your list of extracurricular activities to just one to write about. It’s important to choose an activity that you’re passionate about, that you’ve been involved in for a while, and that has helped shape you into the person you are today.

Here are some ideas of the types of topics you might write about:

• Activities where you’ve shown significant commitment
• Clubs or groups that you’ve created, or where you’ve had a leadership role
• Activities that have helped to shape a specific personal aspect of your life
• Experiences that relate to your future goals
• Unique extracurriculars that require an explanation for people to thoroughly understand them

Once you’ve chosen a topic, think about the following questions before you begin writing:

• What is the strongest emotion you feel about this activity?
• What do you think about when you participate in the activity?
• Has the activity helped you strengthen or develop any personality traits?
• Are there any specific skills you’ve developed from participating in this activity?
• How does this activity impact the rest of your life?

Tips for writing your essay:

A good response will explain what your activity, responsibility, or experience is, what it entails, and why it is important to you. Make sure to address each of these points, as they are either stated in or implied by the prompt.

Here’s an example of an excellent response to this prompt from Sara, a prospective entrepreneurship major:

“During my sophomore year, I started creating charcuterie boards for parties, events, and other occasions for my friends and family. I loved finding the perfect assortment of crackers, fruit, cheeses and jams to arrange into beautiful boards, but more importantly, I enjoyed networking with people at each event I worked.

After a few months, I began to receive so many referrals that I decided to start a small business. Managing my schoolwork, sports schedule, leadership roles, and my small business required me to develop excellent time management skills. I also learned about the financial aspects of running a business—managing cash flow, balancing costs, and paying taxes—and the marketing aspects of running a business—leveraging social media, paying for ad space, and utilizing other channels to promote my business.

Prior to my sophomore year, I had dreams of becoming a doctor. However, after starting my charcuterie business, I realized that my interests in finance, marketing, and business lent themselves to a future in entrepreneurship. I’m grateful for the opportunities my business has given me, and I’m excited to watch my business—and other businesses I might start—grow in the future!”

This example is strong because it very clearly states what the activity is. It then branches off into a discussion of the student’s business, something that was created as a result of the activity. The student also describes her roles in her activity/business throughout the essay, and then ends with a strong argument as to why this passion has become so meaningful to her.

Mistakes to avoid:

Choosing the wrong activity. Don’t choose to write about an extracurricular just because you think it sounds impressive, or even just because you’re skilled at it. This essay is a chance to write about an extracurricular that is meaningful to you, so it’s important that you select an activity you’re really passionate about!

Writing a shallow response. ​​It’s not effective to give a detailed history of your participation, or to tell an enticing story about the extracurricular you’ve chosen if you forget to explain how the activity has affected or changed you. It’s crucial to explain your personal development from participating in the activity.

Listing your accomplishments. Simply listing out your accomplishments with no elaboration will make for an unengaging response that reads like a laundry list. Instead, provide a unique perspective by sharing how the activity impacts your current life as well as your aspirations for the future.

A Note About Prompts 2-4

You are only required to respond to each of the following all applicants prompts if you choose the “Yes” option offered in the first half of each prompt, respectively. If any (or all) of the prompts don’t apply to you, you can choose the “No” option for that prompt, and will not need to respond to it.

All Applicants, Prompt 2

Do you have any employment or family obligations that limit your participation in extracurricular activities if so, please describe. (250 words, optional).

This question is similar to the Additional Information section listed in the Common App, as well as the exceptional personal circumstances prompt you might see during the application process. Check out the linked guides for tips for writing an essay like this!

One quick tip: Be sure to at least explain what the employment/obligation entailed, and why you had to take it on, as well as the results of you taking on this extra responsibility. Obligations you might write about include working to contribute financially to your family, taking care of an ill relative, or frequently babysitting younger siblings.

Consider the following example to see what a good response might include:

“Last year, my single mother was let go from her job at an insurance company when it was struggling financially and going through a period of transition. As a result, we both had to take on additional jobs to make ends meet, so I briefly left my school’s robotics team throughout the second semester and summer following junior year. Instead, I worked at a local grocery store after school and on the weekends, learning how to work efficiently under pressure while supporting my family.”

All Applicants, Prompt 3

Have you participated in or been assisted in your college preparation and search by programs outside of the classroom, such as educational talent search, take stock in children, upward bound, boys and girls club, etc. please provide the name of the program, details/benefits of your involvement, and how long your experiences continued. (250 words, optional).

This prompt is straightforward and simple. It requires you to list your involvement in programs that have helped you with your college search (outside of school), and it also asks you to list the details and benefits of your involvement in the program(s).

Here’s a sample response:

“During my junior and senior years of high school, I participated in the Take Stock in Children Program. While I was involved in the program, I was paired with a volunteer mentor and received frequent college readiness coaching. My mentor, James, was an undergraduate student at the University of Florida. Before participating in the Take Stock in Children program, I wasn’t interested in attending college, and I was planning to work at my local grocery store after high school to support my hobby, music production. James helped me understand the importance of college and he encouraged me to pursue a Bachelor of Music degree at the University of Florida. I am grateful for how my involvement with Take Stock in Children has impacted my future education and aspirations.”

This student does a great job at answering the prompt. He lists the program name (Take Stock in Children) and the duration (junior and senior year) that he participated in the program. He also includes the details of his involvement (volunteer mentor and college readiness coaching) and most importantly, the benefits of their involvement (how his relationship with James inspired him to apply for college as a music major).

All Applicants, Prompt 4

Is there any additional information or extenuating circumstances the admissions committee should know when reviewing your application (250 words, optional).

​​This also resembles the Additional Information section listed in the Common App and the exceptional personal circumstances prompt . This is essentially your shot to either explain a lapse in your performance somewhere or to introduce something new about yourself that isn’t evident elsewhere in your application. 

You may elaborate further upon an extracurricular activity you feel isn’t clearly explained throughout your application (For example, say you were a Head Designer for your town’s Environmental and Aesthetic Initiative, and admissions officers may not know what that is). You could also talk about a personal story or history that has affected you greatly. You may even discuss a previously unmentioned extracurricular activity that says a lot about you.

This is a wonderfully free space for you to dive into whichever information you feel will give the admissions team the most complete version of your identity. If you don’t think this space is necessary for you, that’s fine too! Just leave it blank.

Honors Program Applicants Prompt

This prompt is meant to gauge who you are beyond your grades and test scores. It’s primarily about a subject that interests you, but there are multiple parts of the prompt that you’ll need to address:

• Identifying the subject or topic of interest
• Describing the direction you imagine that interest taking at UF
• Detailing how you envision the honors program’s resources supporting the direction you just described

Before you begin writing, it’s important that you select a strong topic. Of course, you need to be sincere. Don’t write about a topic you’re not that interested in just because you think the admissions committee wants to read about it. Good essays are always about authentic topics rather than disingenuous ones. To help you think, make a list of your the subjects that are most interesting and meaningful to you, and consider the following questions:

1) Which subject on your list have you shown the most commitment to? Which has been most influential in your development?

2) What is the strongest emotion you feel about this subject?

• Why do you feel this emotion?
• Has that emotional response changed over time? If so, how and why?
• What emotions do you feel when you’re actively engaging with this subject?

3) What thoughts and feelings go through your mind when you’re actively studying or learning about this subject?

4) Have you developed or strengthened any personality traits as a result of your engagement with this subject? If so, what are they and how have they evolved over time?

5) Have you developed any skills while studying this subject? These can include soft skills such as critical thinking, public speaking, work ethic, and teamwork, or hard skills, which are specific to whatever domain your subject is a part of.

6) What impact has your interest in this subject had on the rest of your life (activities, social life, academics, etc.)?

Once you’ve chosen your topic, think about how you want to structure your essay. You have up to 400 words, and you’ll probably need that space to address each part of the prompt. The prompt specifically asks how you see the UF Honors Program fostering that interest, so you’ll definitely want to include a response to that question.

You have some flexibility in the way you respond to this prompt. There are a few ways to introduce the subject you’re interested in. You might explicitly state what you enjoy about the subject, or perhaps you’ll talk about some of the experiences or outcomes related to the subject that have brought you fulfillment. Consider the following examples of opener styles you might use:

• Stating the subject explicitly: “For the last three years, I have filled every moment of free time I’ve had with videos and books about psychology.”
• Beginning with an anecdote: “My eyes widened with fascination as the colors climbed my chromatography paper. This was my first chemistry lab, and a moment that would completely change my desired career path forever.”
• Describing an experience and delaying naming the subject: “ ‘So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.’ With that sentence, I finished The Great Gatsby, the fifth novel I read that month.”

Since you have some space to work with, you can be creative when describing the subject you’re writing about. Use imagery to your advantage, be specific when discussing your emotions, and try to describe your emotional response to the subject in a way that reveals something about your personality.

Next, you’ll want to describe the direction you imagine this interest taking at UF. There are really no wrong answers here, since you can’t exactly predict the future. Luckily for you, this question is less about what you actually imagine and more about what you plan. That’s where it ties into the third question, how you see the program’s resources supporting your interest.

To do this effectively, you need to do some research on UF and its Honors Program. To start, look around on the UF Honors Program website to find resources that are particularly appealing to you. These might include particular classes or professors, research groups, program traditions, and extracurricular opportunities or programs. Honors students also enjoy access to internships and research opportunities. For example, a student who is interested in homesteading might mention how they’re excited to take the Honors Program’s beekeeping classes to expand their knowledge and skills.

Everything just mentioned is a good way to establish a tangible connection to the program, but you might also try to establish an intangible connection as well. An intangible connection involves discussing how the program’s values might align with your own.

You want to craft an effective essay, so you should note a few common mistakes to avoid:

• Don’t pick the wrong topic! Bad subjects include: those you’ve already written about somewhere else in your application, impressive-sounding subjects you don’t actually have experience or an interest in, and subjects you haven’t actually put that much time into.
• Don’t just describe your interest without elaborating on its impact on you. You might get caught up in an anecdote when writing, but don’t forget to explain the subject’s significance.
• Don’t just list your accomplishments within the subject. You shouldn’t simply provide a list of things that make you look good superficially. You want to show your personal perspective and growth by discussing your emotional response to your chosen subject and the ways in which the subject impacts your life.
• Don’t forget to answer each part of the prompt. You are asked to discuss a subject that you’re curious about, the direction you see that interest going in at UF, and the ways in which UF’s Honors Program will help you along the way.

Structurally, take a reflective approach and really analyze your thoughts and feelings about the subject. You have 400 words to work with, so you can really get into detail about each part of the prompt. As long as you can provide a good reflection, describe your subject well, and detail the role the UF Honors Program will play in fostering your interest, you will be fine.

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University of Florida Supplemental Essays 2024-25 — Prompt & Advice

August 12, 2024

At the turn of the millennium, the University of Florida welcomed 63% of Gator applicants to Gainesville and functioned as a fairly accessible and highly affordable option for residents of the Sunshine State. However, by 2024, while still extremely affordable, the task of becoming a Gator has become far more difficult. They now receive over 67,000 applications and accept roughly 25% of those who apply. Incoming freshmen now possess an average unweighted GPA of 3.93 and SAT scores of 1320-1470. Another commonality amongst accepted students is that they write an excellent University of Florida supplemental essay.

 (Want to learn more about How to Get Into UF? Visit our blog entitled:  How to Get Into the University of Florida: Admissions Data and Strategies  for all of the most recent admissions data as well as tips for gaining acceptance.)

When applying to an institution like the University of Florida that rejects more than 7 of every 10 applicants, you’ll need to put maximum effort into every area of the application, including the Common App and supplemental essay. Below is the University of Florida’s required supplemental prompt for the 2024-25 admissions cycle along with our advice for composing a winning essay.

University of Florida Supplemental Essay – Required

Please provide more details on your most meaningful commitment outside of the classroom while in high school and explain why it was meaningful. This could be related to an extracurricular activity, work, volunteering, an academic activity, family responsibility, or any other non-classroom activity. (250 words)

The University of Florida is not necessarily asking you to write about the activity where you earned the most prestigious awards or held the highest position of leadership. The university is going to see all of your activities in that section of the Common App. As such, you want to ask yourself which of your entries is crying out for more explanation and detail. Which one is closest to your heart and most representative of your unique passions? Pick the option that will allow you to deliver additional detail that may be memorable to the admissions reader. Start this process by asking yourself, “What is the most interesting and consequential moment that I have experienced in one of my extracurricular activities?” If you can identify one clear-cut moment, that is likely the activity worth sharing with the UF admissions staff.

University of Florida Supplemental Essays (Continued)

At the core of this essay prompt, the UF admissions officers are really trying to figure out what you will bring to the Gainesville campus community . Again, what you achieved in a particular extracurricular activity will already be viewable in your Common App Activities Section and the Common App Honors Section , so you don’t want to make that the focus of this essay. Instead, you may want to touch on some of the following areas related to your role as a community member:

• How you function as a member of a team.
• Your leadership ability.
• Your passion, commitment, and drive.
• A commitment to social justice and equity.
• How you respond to challenges and obstacles.
• Illustrate how you have demonstrated maturity and dependability.

How important are the University of Florida supplemental essays?

The University of Florida lists six factors as being “very important” to the admissions committee. They are: GPA, standardized test scores, talent/ability, character/personal qualities, extracurricular activities, and the rigor of your secondary school record and most relevant to this blog—the application essay. It’s important to keep in mind that UF places both the essays and extracurricular involvement in the top tier of importance. Therefore, this essay is something of a two-for-one. Further, the essay is rated as being of greater importance than class rank, standardized test scores, or your state residency status.

Want personalized assistance?

If you are interested in working with one of College Transitions’ experienced and knowledgeable essay coaches as you craft your main Common App essay and University of Florida supplemental essay, we encourage you to get a quote  today.

Looking for additional writing resources? Consider checking out the following:

• Common App Essay Prompts
• 10 Instructive Common App Essay Examples
• College Application Essay Topics to Avoid
• How to Quickly Format Your Common App Essay
• Should I Complete Optional College Essays?
• How to Brainstorm a College Essay
• 25 Inspiring College Essay Topics
• “Why This College?” Essay Examples
• How to Write the Community Essay
• College Essay

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University of Central Florida 2024-25 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

Early Action: Oct 15

Regular Decision Deadline: May 1

University of Central Florida (UCF) 2024-25 Application Essay Question Explanations 

Requirements: 2 essays of 500 words each

Supplemental Essay Type(s):   Why , Community, Activity  

Why did you choose to apply to UCF? (250 words)

This is one of the most straightforward and common supplemental essay prompts out there. In order to impress admissions, do your research. Explore UCF’s offerings and be able to point to specific programs, departments, and/or organizations that are spurring you on to apply. If you can connect your interests and aspirations to your past pursuits, even better!

What qualities or unique characteristics do you possess that will allow you to contribute to the UCF community? (250 words)

By now, you’ve surely seen many versions of this question: UCF wants to know what makes you you and how you will impact their student body. What has shaped you as a person and how has that made your perspective unique? Is there anything you can teach your classmates or peers about your hometown, culture, religion, or identity that they might not already know? Maybe you learned Irish dance from your grandma and look forward to starting a club on campus. Perhaps you were struck by the homeless crisis in Pakistan when you went to visit your family there and hope to make a local impact on this global issue through Hearts for the Homeless Orlando. UCF wants to know how your personal perspectives, beliefs, and/or lived experiences will impact others on campus, so tell them a story that helps them to imagine the kind of student you’ll be. As always, make sure you do your research! Tell them in which specific clubs, organizations, or service opportunities you hope to make a difference. 

Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences. (250 words)

Activity essays like this one are more common than M.C. Escher posters in college dorm rooms. The most strenuous part is selecting the activity you want to write about. So, we return to our favorite mantra: Tell admissions something they couldn’t glean from anywhere else in your application. If you wrote your Common App essay about your time flipping burgers at your local fast food joint, focus on a different activity or work experience that reveals a new aspect of your personality. This can be a great opportunity to highlight your leadership skills and any accolades you may have received. Were you nominated as captain of your ultimate frisbee team? Were you tapped to manage a team of volunteers at the art collective? No matter what you choose, it should probably be something you’ve been involved in for a while, so you can demonstrate your growth and the impact that you have had on others.

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Do I need a personal essay to apply to USF?

See title. I've read online that a personal essay is not required and wouldn't be read by the Admissions Officers, but I really do not want to mess up my chances, and I'd want to know if improving my personal statement can increase my odds of getting in.

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2023-2024 Florida

• Thread starter wysdoc
• Start date Mar 23, 2023

Plain-spoken Texan

• Mar 23, 2023

“Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.” Click to expand...

“If there is a meaning in life at all, then there must be a meaning in suffering. Suffering is an ineradicable part of life, even as fate and death. Without suffering and death, human life cannot be complete.” Click to expand...

“A man who becomes conscious of the responsibility he bears toward a human being who affectionately waits for him, or to an unfinished work, will never be able to throw away his life. He knows the 'why' for his existence, and will be able to bear almost any 'how.'” Click to expand...

“Being human always points, and is directed, to something or someone, other than oneself - be it a meaning to fulfill or another human being to encounter. “ Click to expand...

ishouldnotbehere

Full member.

• Jun 23, 2023

Is anyone prewriting last year's secondary? How did you guys approach the second prompt about the students' reflections?  

scaredapplicant23

ishouldnotbehere said: Is anyone prewriting last year's secondary? How did you guys approach the second prompt about the students' reflections? Click to expand...

YodaPineapple

• Jun 24, 2023

UF is one of the few schools where I would not pre-write, as their prompts tend to change every year.  

scarletblaze

• Jul 15, 2023

Has anyone received secondaries yet?  

• Jul 16, 2023

scarletblaze said: Has anyone received secondaries yet? Click to expand...

• Jul 17, 2023

schools taking their sweet time to send secondaries this year💀  

BetterLateThanNever.

ishouldnotbehere said: Nope Click to expand...

• Jul 19, 2023

IS Received 7/18  

Xqcowadwo said: IS Received 7/18 Click to expand...

AnonymousAnt said: Can you share prompts please? I’m assuming they’re new from last year. Click to expand...

OreoLover365

Xqcowadwo said: Same prompts Click to expand...

dopaminedoc

IS received 7/19  

• Jul 20, 2023

dopaminedoc said: IS received 7/19 Click to expand...

Can you plz post the secondary instead of saying “same as last year” lol @Xqcowadwo  

Xqcowadwo said: 1) Please limit your response to 250-500 words If you are not a full-time student during this application cycle, in particular at any time between August 2023 and July 2024, please detail your current and planned activities below. 2) The medical profession is frequently described as being both a science and an art. One could summarize this by saying that patients must “be well cared for” (science) but they must also “feel well cared for” (art). We work to teach our students not only the scientific principles of medicine, but also the core values of medicine, often called “professionalism”. Toward this end we keep patients at the center of our education and often reflect on their stories with our students. The exciting advances in our understanding of the biological basis for disease have led to the emergence of a host of targeted therapies and amazing technologies improving the duration and quality of our patients’ lives. The better a physician knows his/her patient, the better decisions they will make together as they approach important healthcare related questions. This so-called shared decision-making model is one key feature of patient centered care. Practicing the art of medicine in this way yields a physician patient relationship (PPR) that is both therapeutic and mutually enriching. However, many of these same technologies have the unintended consequence of separating us from our patients, both literally and figuratively. In addition, the industrialization of medicine and use of electronic health records have led to a decrease in the time physicians spend with their patients further eroding the strength of the PPR. At the UFCOM, we have many strategies to equip our students to preserve their own humanity and that of their patients. One of the most important is the ability to make connections with and get to know their patients. Frequently such connections become the student’s first taste of the joy of medical practice. In fact, the UFCOM version of the Hippocratic Oath includes the following affirmation. “I will remember with gratitude and humility those whose illness or injury provided examples from which I learned, and, in their honor, I will continue the pursuit of knowledge.” In our polarized society, the importance of such virtues as humility and gratitude have perhaps never been greater. Over the last two decades, the Greater Good Science Center at the University of California Berkeley has offered strong scientific support for the importance of such virtues as gratitude and humility in human well-being. But it should also be remembered that philosophers and theologians have cherished these virtues for centuries. For example, when mounting a legal defense for a friend, Cicero observed, “while I wish to be adorned with every virtue, yet there is nothing which I can esteem more highly than the being and appearing grateful. For this one virtue is not only the greatest, but is also the parent of all the other virtues.” Offering a similar endorsement for the virtue of humility, Augustine of Hippo observed, “Humility is the foundation of all the other virtues hence, in the soul in which this virtue does not exist there cannot be any other virtue except in mere appearance.” Students at UFCOM regularly write about and discuss encounters with patients that shape their professional identity in important ways. In so doing, we all learn to become better physicians and human beings. Here are two such reflections, by our students, one a poem and the other an essay. Read and reflect on both and then choose one and describe how the writer grew from the experience. Consider the affirmation from the Hippocratic Oath in your response. 3) The profession of medicine has always had an explicit contract with society about our expertise and competence but it also includes an important affirmation. Namely, that we will subordinate self-interest to patient interest when the needs of our patients require us to do so. This does not mean we do not take care of ourselves and one another, but it does mean we willingly take on risks to ourselves that many others would not. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought this commitment to light as many medical professionals labored on the front lines caring for the sick despite the potential dangers. When we consider medical practice and hence, medical education, one could ask what sorts of virtues or character traits equip young medical professionals for such a noble calling. Many come to mind including courage, compassion, intellectual honesty and integrity. But recently attention has been given to the ability to stay with a task or course even when one is tired, discouraged and the work is daunting and laborious. Terms such as “resilience”, “endurance”, “perseverance”, “determination” or “grit” describe this character trait. Dr. Angela Duckworth has explored this in detail in her book “Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance” ( Angela Duckworth ). Cultivating this virtue, in ourselves and one another, offers a tangible means to lean against the depersonalizing and emotionally exhausting forces at work in healthcare. As physicians, we have the privilege of caring for people who are in the most difficult places of their lives. Being present during these times can be both a source of joy as we help our patients, but can also challenge our own emotional health and resilience. Struggling to make sense of suffering induced by disease, social forces and human agency has brought an occasion for growth among many of us who work in healthcare. As you grow into your new identity as a physician, you will come face to face with the suffering of other human beings. In fact, we will all have to face our own losses as we go through medical training and practice. Put simply, none of us is exempt from suffering. As the Nigerian novelist Chinua Achebe (1930-2013) once observed, “When suffering knocks at your door and you say there is no seat for him, he tells you not to worry because he has brought his own stool.” Holocaust survivor and renowned psychiatrist Viktor Frankl, (1905-1997) wrote an account of his time in the concentration camp called, “Man’s Search for Meaning”. It has sold more than 10 million copies in 24 languages and offers profound insights into how finding meaning in suffering sustains us during our darkest times. Below are several quotes from Dr. Frankl that deal with finding purpose and meaning in suffering. After reading and thinking about his insights, chose one or two and tell us about experiences where you have seen these principles at work either in your own life, or in the lives of others. Click to expand...

OreoLover365 said: Thank you @Xqcowadwo ! Is there no “additional information” question this year? Last year it was “ Optional: If you think there is any additional information that would help the admissions committee in its review of your application, including any disruptions in your academic/volunteer/work/personal life related to COVID-19, please use the space below.”(750 words). Click to expand...

spongebobdoc

• Jul 21, 2023

does the "please limit ur response to 250-500 words" apply to questions 2 and 3? also, we have to reply to only one prompt for question 2 right, bc it says reflect on both.  

• Jul 22, 2023

Anyone else get a secondary?  

ishouldnotbehere said: Anyone else get a secondary? Click to expand...

• Jul 23, 2023

IS verified 5/31 no secondary yet  

AnonymousAnt said: I don't mind these secondary questions at all but am I the only one who thinks they read more like an analytical english assignment rather than having anything to do with one's candidacy for medical school? Click to expand...

floridaresident said: does the "please limit ur response to 250-500 words" apply to questions 2 and 3? also, we have to reply to only one prompt for question 2 right, bc it says reflect on both. Click to expand...

lolitachiquita

IS, verified 7/13 still no secondary, I have completed and submitted every other FL school  

kaleidoscope1202

lolitachiquita said: IS, verified 7/13 still no secondary, I have completed and submitted every other FL school Click to expand...

OOS reapplicant verified 6/27, still no secondary  

MusicalMangoMan

kaleidoscope1202 said: +1. I’m a re-applicant to this school and did my undergrad here. I have finished the secondaries for FSU, USF, FAU, UCF, and FIU. I don’t know what they’re doing Click to expand...

MusicalMangoMan said: Dang man, I'm not even verified yet and only barely started pre-writing. Do you think I could finish all FL schools (besides Miami) in under a week? In total I'm applying to 25 MD schools, but I want to prioritize my in state. Click to expand...

• Jul 24, 2023

+ 1 IS verified 6/13 finally  

+1 IS recieved, verified 7/18  

for the activities section, do we just include what we are currently doing or everything from our activities section? the form specifies what we're doing prior to attending UF, but the " University Admissions cannot see your AMCAS and they use this activity timeline for residency review " from the email makes it seem like they have access to none of our activities on our application  

thegazette said: for the activities section, do we just include what we are currently doing or everything from our activities section? the form specifies what we're doing prior to attending UF, but the " University Admissions cannot see your AMCAS and they use this activity timeline for residency review " from the email makes it seem like they have access to none of our activities on our application Click to expand...

OOS secondary received  

@wysdoc Here are some additional questions on the UFCOM secondary: 1. *REQUIRED If you are not a legal resident of Florida according to your AMCAS application, write a statement describing your association with the State of Florida below. This statement is required even if you have no ties to the State of Florida. (no apparent word count) 2. (optional) Reflect upon your life experiences, values and/or personal background. Do any or all of these help frame how you envision your future contributions to the health and wellbeing of others as a physician and if so, how? (500 words max) 3. There is a page for selecting introversion and extroversion traits/statements but no essay associated with it  

Purple&Gold8

Medical school applicant.

amdocahe said: OOS secondary received Click to expand...

IS, received this morning too  

So we just have to wait until we get our UFID# in 36-48 hours before we can submit our secondary application??  

SultanateIV

• Jul 25, 2023

For the extraversion / intraversion section, can you pick statements from both sides? Or are we limited to just picking from one side  

SultanateIV said: For the extraversion / intraversion section, can you pick statements from both sides? Or are we limited to just picking from one side Click to expand...

OreoLover365 said: I think you can pick statements from both sides. That's what I am going to do unless someone tells me otherwise Click to expand...

DougEFreshh

Is it pointless to apply as an OOS applicant with no ties to the state of Florida? I wanna know that im not wasting my time writing this lengthy secondary?  

Dougieb said: Is it pointless to apply as an OOS applicant with no ties to the state of Florida? I wanna know that im not wasting my time writing this lengthy secondary? Click to expand...

HopefullySomewhere

• Jul 26, 2023

AnonymousAnt said: If you have the 30$ and some time to spare, why not. But keep in mind they only interviewed 80 out of 2200 OOS applicants, and I’d bet that those 80 either went to UF or have connections to the state in other ways. Click to expand...

HopefullySomewhere said: Out of the new class only 2/120 were OOS. It’s basically pointless to apply to FSU as OOS with no ties Click to expand...

Has anyone gotten their UF ID?  

SultanateIV said: Has anyone gotten their UF ID? Click to expand...

OreoLover365 said: Yeah I got mine last night. Took about 36 hours Click to expand...

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Essay writing.

There are two types of essays for Health Profession Programs:

• The Personal Statement  (or sometimes called The Essay) which accompanies the primary application, commonly submitted through a centralized application system such as AMCAS, AADSAS, VMCAS, PTCAS, etc.
• The Admissions Essays  (sometimes called the Secondary Essays) which accompany secondary applications, if offered.

The Personal Statement (The Essay)

The intent of the essay is to give you the opportunity to explain why you are a good candidate for professional school. Remember that you are competing with hundreds and sometimes thousands of candidates. Your essay should focus on your unique qualities. It should give a reader a good sense of who you are and why you are interested in professional school. It is important that the essay be well written and interesting, and that it conforms to the space requirements. Good essays articulate why you what to be a healthcare provider and why they should pick you (over all others). They also tend to have the following characteristics:

• Reveal an understanding of your personality traits
• Focus on a few events or persons who have influenced you, especially in your decision to pursue a health profession
• Explain the effects of that influence
• Maintain the readers interest

View a recording of our Personal Statement Workshop for more information:

The Admissions Essays (The Secondary Essays)

Most secondary applications will include additional essays. These are likely to fall under one of the following categories:

• Essays about yourself and your activities
• Essays on why you are interested in a particular school
• Essays asking you to respond to a thought-provoking statement or contemporary problem

Use our resources to assist in the process of writing your personal statement or application essays. 

The Writing Process

The Process

A well-written essay requires thought and effort. The process outlined here is well established and worthwhile. In order to help you in your journey the Division of Health Professions Advising has developed the information below and encourages you to review all of the following PRIOR to starting your first draft:

• Interactive, Online Personal Statement Workshop (offered by the University of Minnesota at no cost)
• Pre-Recorded Workshops (see above)
• The information provided below.

Reflect and Assess

Consider the following questions:

• Have you fully researched your intended health profession? If not, what else do you need to know? If so, how holistically competitive are you (more than simply GPA and test scores)?
• How/why did you develop an interest in medicine (dentistry, pharmacy, etc.)?
• What is your motivation for pursuing medicine (dentistry, pharmacy, etc.)? Are they mature rather than pediatric? (pediatric reasons: because I like to help people, because I am good at science)
• What experiences helped you grow in your understanding of the field? How?
• How can you display you knowledge about the profession?
• What examples can you provide about your humanistic capacity?
• What is it specifically about medicine (dental, pharmacy, etc.) that will allow you to serve others?
• What skills/characteristics do you embody that make you a good fit? Do they align with the AAMC competencies?
• What goals and values are important to you in the successful practice of your profession?
• How is your personality suited for this profession?
• What sets you apart from other applicants (i.e. special talents, languages, hobbies, recognition)? Why will these activities make you a better healthcare provider?
• Does your GPA/test score reflect your academic potential? Why or why not?
• If needed, how do you explain incompletes, withdrawals, and repeated courses? (don’t make excuses)
• What is your vision for the future of your intended profession? How will you make a positive contribution?

Determine Your Theme

The personal statement should be YOUR story and, therefore, the theme YOU choose will be personal. There is no one “best” theme but you may wish to consider your relationships, experiences, and events as a guide. Additionally, some students may have more than one overarching theme.

Organizing Your Statement/Telling Your Story  

Now that you have your theme(s), you can begin to outline your story. Remember that all statements should have a strong opening (preferably with a hook), clear themes in the body, and a conclusion.

The opening should set the tone for the entire essay (written equivalent of a first impression), should be POSITIVE (no slug to butterfly stories) all while introducing the themes you will explore throughout your statement.

The body should consist of 3-5 key experiences or achievements you want to highlight that support the theme. For each paragraph consider using the P.E.E.L. technique, explained as such: 

The conclusion should tie together the themes you introduced in your introduction with the stories/examples provided in the body of your statement.

Write a draft of your essay. Let the questions you asked above guide your writing. Be sure to include your thoughts and emotions. Be vivid, and use good description.

• You do not have much space, so avoid “filler” in your sentences (Ex: “at this point in time” vs. “now”)
• You should know more than a lay-person about the medical field and this should come through in your statement. Ex:  Instead of saying “my shadowing experience taught me the importance of good doctor-patient communication,” explain what exactly you learned using relevant examples and reflection.  Break down medical concepts into your own specific observations. 
• In other words, demonstrate, rather than list, your personal attributes.
• Generally only include recent activities when describing extra-curriculars (college and beyond).
• Write from the viewpoint of an adult whose experiences and education have given you a mature and realistic understanding of the field, its nuances and its challenges.

Use active voice, use strong verbs, and vary your sentence structure.

• Lecturing your readers on what their job is
• Using shock value or overly dramatic language
• Criticism of the profession you are trying to join
• Using clichés, abstractions or generalities
• Grandiosity, negativity, humor, controversial topics, arrogance, excuses, assuming the role of the victim, lies, leading with a quote from someone else (they want to know what you have to say), an “epiphany into medicine” (the decision should be the result of thoughtful decisions), and/or that you have “always known” you would be a good physician.

Review and Rewrite

Once you have a draft written, ask the following questions:

• Did you answer the essay prompt provided (if applicable)?
• What 2-3 clear qualities/characteristics (about you) would a potential admissions committee identify? Are they quality? Some possibilities: maturity, passion, logic, commitment, ability to relate to diverse cultures, compassion/empathy, genuineness, leadership, enthusiasm, self-awareness, perseverance/commitment.
• Was humanism highlighted? In the words of Dr. Specter from the Morsani College of Medicine, “Patients don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”
• Did you support the assertions you make about yourself with examples?
• How was the flow? Did you get hung up on any words, sentences?
• Did you adhere to the word limit? If not, what changes can be made to do so?
• Does the introduction grab attention?
• Would dialogue or conversation help?
• Will the reader understand why/how you have been influenced?
• Were any irregularities in your academic record adequately explained?
• Did you conclude or just quit?

Then get to work on your next draft!

You should have multiple drafts- most quality statements have gone through at least 7 drafts over a period of many month! Hence, do not wait until the last minute! And remember, you cannot have enough proofreading!

Proofread: Use the spell and grammar checker in your word-processing program. Have someone else read the essay for clarity and grammar. Have someone who does not know you well read the essay for content and interest. When you give the essay to someone for proofreading, give him or her a copy that is double-spaced so there is room to write. In proofreading, look for the following common problems:

• Grammar (appropriate use of words, sentence structure)
• Punctuation (especially commas, colons, and semi-colons)
• Mechanics (capital letters, spelling, hyphens)
• Word choice (appropriate, concise, apolitical)
• Syntax (word order)
• Vocabulary (if you use a thesaurus, be careful that you know what the word means)

Tips for Better Essays

• Accurately follow any instructions, including rules about font size and space.
• Use most or all of the space provided. A very short essay may suggest arrogance,
• overconfidence, or laziness.

Be sure that someone qualified reads the essay. Ask the reviewers to note the following:

• Grammar/spelling errors
• Readability/flow
• Maturity/professionalism
• What impression does the essay give?

Avoid gimmicks like quoting odd poetry. Avoid the overused "I want to help people."

If this is a re-application your essay should address progress you have made since the first application, significant changes in grades, test scores, or personal growth, and reasons you believe you are a better candidate this time around.

Personal Statement Reviews

USF Pre-Health Professions Advising

Once you have attended group advising, you can schedule an appointment with our office to review your application or personal statement. We offer 45 minute appointments all year long to review the big pieces of your application, like the personal statement and/or activities sections.

During the summer, we set aside days just for reviewing applications with more advisors. Look out for the announcements on BullsConnect, our calendar, and your major advisor's for more information.

USF Career Services

Students can make a Career Coach appointment for "Graduate School Preparation" in Handshake for personal statement support. 

They are also available for Career Chats in Library 257 & 258 on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1-3pm. 

USF Writing Studio

After you have reviewed all information above and written multiple drafts, you may wish to take your personal statement to the USF Writing Studio. USF Pre-Health Professions Advising has partnered with the USF Writing Studio to offer personal statement reviews specifically for pre-health students. Please contact the USF Writing Studio to schedule an appointment with one of their consultants.

Even More Help

There are also several internet companies that will read and evaluate your essay for a fee. Although we do not recommend any of these sites for their services, their websites also have examples of what to do – and not do – in a good essay:

• Accepted.com
• Admissionsessays.com
• Essayadvice.com
• Essayedge.com
• Ivyessays.com 

We offer Personal Statement Workshops every semester and application review appointments to review secondary applications! Feel free to email us at [email protected] if you have any further questions.

How To Tackle The Weirdest Supplemental Essay Prompts For This Application Cycle

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Writing the college essay

How do you write a letter to a friend that shows you’re a good candidate for the University of Pennsylvania? What reading list will help the Columbia University admissions committee understand your interdisciplinary interests? How can you convey your desire to attend Yale by inventing a course description for a topic you’re interested in studying?

These are the challenges students must overcome when writing their supplemental essays . Supplemental essays are a critical component of college applications—like the personal statement, they provide students with the opportunity to showcase their authentic voice and perspective beyond the quantitative elements of their applications. However, unlike the personal essay, supplemental essays allow colleges to read students’ responses to targeted prompts and evaluate their candidacy for their specific institution. For this reason, supplemental essay prompts are often abstract, requiring students to get creative, read between the lines, and ditch the traditional essay-writing format when crafting their responses.

While many schools simply want to know “why do you want to attend our school?” others break the mold, inviting students to think outside of the box and answer prompts that are original, head-scratching, or downright weird. This year, the following five colleges pushed students to get creative—if you’re struggling to rise to the challenge, here are some tips for tackling their unique prompts:

University of Chicago

Prompt: We’re all familiar with green-eyed envy or feeling blue, but what about being “caught purple-handed”? Or “tickled orange”? Give an old color-infused expression a new hue and tell us what it represents. – Inspired by Ramsey Bottorff, Class of 2026

What Makes it Unique: No discussion of unique supplemental essay prompts would be complete without mentioning the University of Chicago, a school notorious for its puzzling and original prompts (perhaps the most well-known of these has been the recurring prompt “Find x”). This prompt challenges you to invent a new color-based expression, encouraging both linguistic creativity and a deep dive into the emotional or cultural connotations of color. It’s a prompt that allows you to play with language, think abstractly, and show off your ability to forge connections between concepts that aren’t typically linked—all qualities that likewise demonstrate your preparedness for UChicago’s unique academic environment.

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How to Answer it: While it may be easy to get distracted by the open-ended nature of the prompt, remember that both the substance and structure of your response should give some insight into your personality, perspective, and characteristics. With this in mind, begin by considering the emotions, experiences, or ideas that most resonate with you. Then, use your imagination to consider how a specific color could represent that feeling or concept. Remember that the prompt is ultimately an opportunity to showcase your creativity and original way of looking at the world, so your explanation does not need to be unnecessarily deep or complex—if you have a playful personality, convey your playfulness in your response; if you are known for your sarcasm, consider how you can weave in your biting wit; if you are an amateur poet, consider how you might take inspiration from poetry as you write, or offer a response in the form of a poem.

The goal is to take a familiar concept and turn it into something new and meaningful through a creative lens. Use this essay to showcase your ability to think inventively and to draw surprising connections between language and life.

Harvard University

Prompt: Top 3 things your roommates might like to know about you.

What Makes it Unique: This prompt is unique in both form and substance—first, you only have 150 words to write about all 3 things. Consider using a form other than a traditional essay or short answer response, such as a bullet list or short letter. Additionally, note that the things your roommate might like to learn about you do not necessarily overlap with the things you would traditionally share with an admissions committee. The aim of the prompt is to get to know your quirks and foibles—who are you as a person and a friend? What distinguishes you outside of academics and accolades?

How to Answer it: First and foremost, feel free to get creative with your response to this prompt. While you are producing a supplemental essay and thus a professional piece of writing, the prompt invites you to share more personal qualities, and you should aim to demonstrate your unique characteristics in your own voice. Consider things such as: How would your friends describe you? What funny stories do your parents and siblings share that encapsulate your personality? Or, consider what someone might want to know about living with you: do you snore? Do you have a collection of vintage posters? Are you particularly fastidious? While these may seem like trivial things to mention, the true creativity is in how you connect these qualities to deeper truths about yourself—perhaps your sleepwalking is consistent with your reputation for being the first to raise your hand in class or speak up about a cause you’re passionate about. Perhaps your living conditions are a metaphor for how your brain works—though it looks like a mess to everyone else, you have a place for everything and know exactly where to find it. Whatever qualities you choose, embrace the opportunity to think outside of the box and showcase something that admissions officers won’t learn about anywhere else on your application.

University of Pennsylvania

Prompt: Write a short thank-you note to someone you have not yet thanked and would like to acknowledge.

What Makes it Unique: Breaking from the traditional essay format, this supplement invites you to write directly to a third party in the form of a 150-200 word long letter. The challenge in answering this distinct prompt is to remember that your letter should say as much about you, your unique qualities and what you value as it does about the recipient—all while not seeming overly boastful or contrived.

How to Answer it: As you select a recipient, consider the relationships that have been most formative in your high school experience—writing to someone who has played a large part in your story will allow the admissions committee some insight into your development and the meaningful relationships that guided you on your journey. Once you’ve identified the person, craft a thank-you note that is specific and heartfelt—unlike other essays, this prompt invites you to be sentimental and emotional, as long as doing so would authentically convey your feelings of gratitude. Describe the impact they’ve had on you, what you’ve learned from them, and how their influence has shaped your path. For example, if you’re thanking a teacher, don’t just say they helped you become a better student—explain how their encouragement gave you the confidence to pursue your passions. Keep the tone sincere and personal, avoid clichés and focus on the unique role this person has played in your life.

University of Notre Dame

Prompt: What compliment are you most proud of receiving, and why does it mean so much to you?

What Makes it Unique: This prompt is unique in that it invites students to share something about themselves by reflecting on someone else’s words in 50-100 words.

How to Answer it: The key to answering this prompt is to avoid focusing too much on the complement itself and instead focus on your response to receiving it and why it was so important to you. Note that this prompt is not an opportunity to brag about your achievements, but instead to showcase what truly matters to you. Select a compliment that truly speaks to who you are and what you value. It could be related to your character, work ethic, kindness, creativity, or any other quality that you hold in high regard. The compliment doesn’t have to be grand or come from someone with authority—it could be something small but significant that left a lasting impression on you, or it could have particular meaning for you because it came from someone you didn’t expect it to come from. Be brief in setting the stage and explaining the context of the compliment—what is most important is your reflection on its significance and how it shaped your understanding of yourself.

Stanford University

Prompt: List five things that are important to you.

What Makes it Unique: This prompt’s simplicity is what makes it so challenging. Stanford asks for a list, not an essay, which means you have very limited space (50 words) to convey something meaningful about yourself. Additionally, the prompt does not specify what these “things” must be—they could be a physical item, an idea, a concept, or even a pastime. Whatever you choose, these five items should add depth to your identity, values, and priorities.

How to Answer it: Start by brainstorming what matters most to you—these could be values, activities, people, places, or even abstract concepts. The key is to choose items or concepts that, when considered together, provide a comprehensive snapshot of who you are. For example, you might select something tangible and specific such as “an antique telescope gifted by my grandfather” alongside something conceptual such as “the willingness to admit when you’re wrong.” The beauty of this prompt is that it doesn’t require complex sentences or elaborate explanations—just a clear and honest reflection of what you hold dear. Be thoughtful in your selections, and use this prompt to showcase your creativity and core values.

While the supplemental essays should convey something meaningful about you, your values, and your unique qualifications for the university to which you are applying, the best essays are those that are playful, original, and unexpected. By starting early and taking the time to draft and revise their ideas, students can showcase their authentic personalities and distinguish themselves from other applicants through their supplemental essays.

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