The Ohio State University College of Medicine secondary application reflects the school’s mission in recruiting a diverse and compassionate medical school class. From our experience, the Ohio State University College of Medicine Admissions committee values strong clinical experience and research. There is an option to apply into the Ohio State University College of Medicine three year primary care track too, specifically if you are interested in family medicine. The Ohio State secondaries are not too long and the questions do not change year after year. This would be a great secondary to pre-write. Read below for more Ohio State secondary tips!
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Ohio State University College of Medicine Secondary Application Essay Prompts: 2025 – 2026
Ohio State Secondary Essay Prompts – All M.D. Applications
- The mission statement of The Ohio State University College of Medicine is to “improve people’s lives” through innovation in research, medical education, and patient care. Please describe how your past experiences predict your potential to contribute in two of these three areas. (250 words max)
- Provide examples of factors contributing to health inequities that exist in the United States. (250 words max)
- Please indicate any affiliations with Ohio or Ohio State University that would not otherwise be apparent from your application. (unsure of word count)
- Complete this section only if you are a reapplicant. Please list any medical schools you have previously applied to (up to 25): School and Year of Application.
Tips to Answer Ohio State Secondary Essays
Ohio State secondaries Pre-Writing Guidance: We strongly suggest that you should pre-write this secondary and submit it early.
- Download our Cracking Med Secondary Essay Workbook and Examples.
Ohio State Medical School Secondary Application Tip #1: What is the Ohio State University College of Medicine Admissions Committee looking for? From our experience in helping students get accepted to OSU, we have seen that emphasizing your clinical experience and research are important to stand out among other applicants.
>> If you want to work with us on your secondary essays, Contact us below and take a look at our secondary essay packages.
Ohio State Medical School Secondary Application Tip #2: The strongest Ohio State University College of Medicine secondary applications we have read are ones in which the applicant tells stories. For example, you can easily weave in stories in essay #1, essay #2, and both optional essays. If applicable, write stories about patient care.
Ohio State Medical School Secondary Application Tip #3: Ohio State University College of Medicine favors students who have lived or had experiences in the state of Ohio and more generally, the Midwestern U.S.. Write about your affiliations with Ohio! If you have not lived in the state of Ohio, then you can talk about family who live in the vicinity or any visits you made to Midwest.
Ohio State Medical School Secondary Application Tip #4: Furthermore, highlight why OSU Medical School throughout your secondary essays. The question, “Please use the space below to communicate anything you would like to share with the admissions committee related to the pandemic. Possible topics might include, for example: your biggest lessons and insights from the pandemic; creative ways in which you were able to serve your community during the crisis; or hardships you may have faced as a result of the virus or quarantine” is the best place to answer “Why Ohio State.”
- Read our HIGH-YIELD blog post Why this Medical School? Secondary Essay Example for more tips on how to answer “Why Ohio State University College of Medicine.”
- We would emphasize your commitment to improving the local Columbus, Ohio community.
Ohio State Medical School Secondary Application Tip #5: For the Ohio State primary care track essay, it is important to discuss your experiences and aspirations in primary care settings. Why do you want to do family medicine? What experiences do you have with family medicine? In your opinion, what makes a great primary care physician? You can reflect on those questions. We have seen the strongest essays include stories where the applicant interacts with patients.
Ohio State Medical School Secondary Application Tip #6: Remember, diversity does not necessarily mean your ethnic diversity. We recommend students write about their strengths, including exceptional extracurricular activity endeavors.
[ Read Other Secondary Essay Tips: University of Cincinnati College of Medicine , Michigan State University, University of Michigan Medical School ]
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Ohio State University College of Medicine Secondary Application Essay Prompts: 2024 – 2025
Ohio State Secondary Essay Prompts – All M.D. Applications
- The mission statement of The Ohio State University College of Medicine is to “improve people’s lives” through innovation in research, medical education, and patient care. Please describe how your past experiences predict your potential to contribute in two of these three areas. (250 words max)
- Provide examples of factors contributing to health inequities that exist in the United States. (250 words max)
Ohio State Secondary Essay Prompts – Primary Care Track
- How do you feel ready to choose a career in family medicine? Please provide any examples of exposure and/or experiences not already mentioned in your application. (250 words max)
- Describe your rationale for wanting to pursue an accelerated curriculum in preparation for a career in family medicine. (250 words max)
Ohio State Secondary Essay Prompts – Community Medicine Track
- Describe your rationale for wanting to pursue an accelerated curriculum in preparation for a career in family medicine. (250 words max)
- Why are you interested in training in a smaller community, and what is the impact you hope to have by training in this setting? (250 words max)
Ohio State University College of Medicine Secondary Application Essay Prompts: 2023 – 2024
Ohio State Secondary Essay Prompts – All M.D. Applications
- The mission statement of The Ohio State University College of Medicine is to “improve people’s lives” through innovation in research, medical education, and patient care. Please describe how your past experiences predict your potential to contribute in two of these three areas. (250 words max)
- The OSU COM Admissions vision statement states that the admissions committee will assemble a class that displays “diversity in background and thought.” Why is “diversity in background and thought” a desirable characteristic for a medical school’s student body? (250 words max)
- Optional: Please use the space below to communicate anything you would like to share with the admissions committee related to the pandemic. Possible topics might include, for example: your biggest lessons and insights from the pandemic; creative ways in which you were able to serve your community during the crisis; or hardships you may have faced as a result of the virus or quarantine. (250 words max)
- Optional: We understand students were affected academically over the past year. Many schools allowed or mandated pass/fail coursework for the Spring 2020 term and beyond. If you have taken pre-requisite courses pass/fail after Spring 2020 please provide details so we can better understand your situation. (250 words max)
Ohio State Secondary Essay Prompts – Primary Care Track
- How do you feel ready to choose a career in family medicine? Please provide any examples of exposure and/or experiences not already mentioned in your application. (250 words max)
- “Health is Primary” is a communications campaign to advocate for the values of family medicine, demonstrate the benefits of primary care, and engage patients in our healthcare system. The aim is to build a primary care system that reflects the values of family medicine, puts patients at the center of their care, and improves the health of all Americans. How do you plan to reflect the values of Family Medicine in your future career? (250 words max)
Ohio State University College of Medicine Secondary Application Essay Prompts: 2022 – 2023
Ohio State Secondary Essay Prompts – All M.D. Applications
- The mission statement of The Ohio State University College of Medicine is to “improve people’s lives” through innovation in research, medical education, and patient care. Please describe how your past experiences predict your potential to contribute in two of these three areas. (250 words max)
- The OSU COM Admissions vision statement states that the admissions committee will assemble a class that displays “diversity in background and thought.” Why is “diversity in background and thought” a desirable characteristic for a medical school’s student body? (250 words max)
- Optional: Please use the space below to communicate anything you would like to share with the admissions committee related to the pandemic. Possible topics might include, for example: your biggest lessons and insights from the pandemic; creative ways in which you were able to serve your community during the crisis; or hardships you may have faced as a result of the virus or quarantine. (250 words max)
- Optional: We understand students were affected academically over the past year. Many schools allowed or mandated pass/fail coursework for the Spring 2020 term and beyond. If you have taken pre-requisite courses pass/fail after Spring 2020 please provide details so we can better understand your situation. (250 words max)
Ohio State Secondary Essay Prompts – Primary Care Track
- How do you feel ready to choose a career in family medicine? Please provide any examples of exposure and/or experiences not already mentioned in your application. (250 words max)
- “Health is Primary” is a communications campaign to advocate for the values of family medicine, demonstrate the benefits of primary care, and engage patients in our healthcare system. The aim is to build a primary care system that reflects the values of family medicine, puts patients at the center of their care, and improves the health of all Americans. How do you plan to reflect the values of Family Medicine in your future career? (250 words max)
Ohio State University College of Medicine Secondary Application Essay Prompts: 2021 – 2022
Ohio State Secondary Essay Prompts – All M.D. Applications
- The mission statement of The Ohio State University College of Medicine is to “improve people’s lives” through innovation in research, medical education, and patient care. Please describe how your past experiences predict your potential to contribute in two of these three areas. (250 words max)
- The OSU COM Admissions vision statement states that the admissions committee will assemble a class that displays “diversity in background and thought.” Why is “diversity in background and thought” a desirable characteristic for a medical school’s student body? (250 words max)
- Optional: Please use the space below to communicate anything you would like to share with the admissions committee related to the pandemic. Possible topics might include, for example: your biggest lessons and insights from the pandemic; creative ways in which you were able to serve your community during the crisis; or hardships you may have faced as a result of the virus or quarantine. (250 words max)
- Optional: We understand students were affected academically over the past year. Many schools allowed or mandated pass/fail coursework for the Spring 2020 term and beyond. If you have taken pre-requisite courses pass/fail after Spring 2020 please provide details so we can better understand your situation. (250 words max)
Ohio State Secondary Essay Prompts – Primary Care Track
- How do you feel ready to choose a career in family medicine? Please provide any examples of exposure and/or experiences not already mentioned in your application. (250 words max)
- “Health is Primary” is a communications campaign to advocate for the values of family medicine, demonstrate the benefits of primary care, and engage patients in our healthcare system. The aim is to build a primary care system that reflects the values of family medicine, puts patients at the center of their care, and improves the health of all Americans. How do you plan to reflect the values of Family Medicine in your future career? (250 words max)
Ohio State University College of Medicine Secondary Application Essay Prompts: 2020 – 2021
Ohio State Secondary Essay Prompts – All M.D. Applications
- The mission statement of The Ohio State University College of Medicine is to “improve people’s lives” through innovation in research, medical education, and patient care. Please describe how your past experiences predict your potential to contribute in two of these three areas. (250 words max)
- The OSU COM Admissions vision statement states that the admissions committee will assemble a class that displays “diversity in background and thought.” Why is “diversity in background and thought” a desirable characteristic for a medical school’s student body? (250 words max)
Ohio State Secondary Essay Prompts – Primary Care Track
- Describe the experiences you have had and any additional influences on your decision to apply to the OSU Primary Care Track three year program. (250 words max)
- “Health is Primary” is a communications campaign to advocate for the values of family medicine, demonstrate the benefits of primary care, and engage patients in our healthcare system. The aim is to build a primary care system that reflects the values of family medicine, puts patients at the center of their care, and improves the health of all Americans. How do you plan to reflect the values of Family Medicine in your future career? (250 words or less)
Ohio State Secondary Essay Prompts – Regular M.D., M.D./PhD & Primary Care Track
- The OSUCOM Admissions Committee understands that everyone may have been impacted by the COVID 19 public health crisis. Please use the space below to communicate anything you would like to share with the admissions committee related to the pandemic. Possible topics might include, for example: your biggest lessons and insights from the pandemic; creative ways in which you were able to serve your community during the crisis; or hardships you may have faced as a result of the virus or quarantine.
Ohio State University College of Medicine Secondary Application Essay Prompts: 2019 – 2020
Ohio State Secondary Essay Prompts – All M.D. Applications
- The mission statement of The Ohio State University College of Medicine is to “improve people’s lives” through innovation in research, medical education, and patient care. Please describe how your past experiences predict your potential to contribute in two of these three areas. (250 words max)
- The OSU COM Admissions vision statement states that the admissions committee will assemble a class that displays “diversity in background and thought.” Why is “diversity in background and thought” a desirable characteristic for a medical school’s student body? (250 words max)
Ohio State Secondary Essay Prompts – Primary Care Track
- Describe the experiences you have had and any additional influences on your decision to apply to the OSU Primary Care Track three year program. (250 words max)
- Why are you interested in a Family Medicine specific accelerated program? (250 words max)
Ohio State University College of Medicine Secondary Application Essay Prompts: 2018 – 2019
Ohio State Secondary Essay Prompts – All M.D. Applications
- The mission statement of The Ohio State University College of Medicine is to “improve people’s lives” through innovation in research, medical education, and patient care. Please describe how your past experiences predict your potential to contribute in two of these three areas. (250 words max)
- The OSU COM Admissions vision statement states that the admissions committee will assemble a class that displays “diversity in background and thought.” Why is “diversity in background and thought” a desirable characteristic for a medical school’s student body? (250 words max)
Ohio State Secondary Essay Prompts – Primary Care Track
- Describe past experiences that have shaped your decision to choose a Family Medicine specific accelerated training track. (250 words max)
- “Health is Primary” is a communications campaign to advocate for the values of family medicine, demonstrate the benefits of primary care, and engage patients in our healthcare system. The aim is to build a primary care system that reflects the values of family medicine, puts patients at the center of their care, and improves the health of all Americans. How do you plan to reflect the values of Family Medicine in your future career? (250 words max)
- Optional: Please use the space below to communicate anything you would like to share with the admissions committee related to the pandemic. Possible topics might include, for example: your biggest lessons and insights from the pandemic; creative ways in which you were able to serve your community during the crisis; or hardships you may have faced as a result of the virus or quarantine. (250 words max)
- Optional: We understand students were affected academically over the past year. Many schools allowed or mandated pass/fail coursework for the Spring 2020 term and beyond. If you have taken pre-requisite courses pass/fail after Spring 2020 please provide details so we can better understand your situation. (250 words max)
Ohio State Secondary Essay Prompts – All M.D. Applications
- The mission statement of The Ohio State University College of Medicine is to “improve people’s lives” through innovation in research, medical education, and patient care. Please describe how your past experiences predict your potential to contribute in two of these three areas. (250 words max)
- The OSU COM Admissions vision statement states that the admissions committee will assemble a class that displays “diversity in background and thought.” Why is “diversity in background and thought” a desirable characteristic for a medical school’s student body? (250 words max)
Ohio State University College of Medicine Secondary Application Essay Prompts: 2017 – 2018
Ohio State Secondary Essay Prompts – All M.D. Applications
- The mission statement of The Ohio State University College of Medicine is to “improve people’s lives” through innovation in research, medical education, and patient care. Please describe how your past experiences predict your potential to contribute in two of these three areas. (250 words max)
- The OSU COM Admissions vision statement states that the admissions committee will assemble a class that displays “diversity in background and thought.” Why is “diversity in background and thought” a desirable characteristic for a medical school’s student body? (250 words max)
Ohio State University College of Medicine Secondary Application Essay Prompts: 2016 – 2017
Ohio State Secondary Essay Prompts – All M.D. Applications
- The Ohio State University College of Medicine’s mission is to “improve people’s lives through innovation in research, education and patient care.” Briefly describe how you aspire to further this mission, in whole or in part, as a medical student or as an alumnus of this College. (250 words max)
- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr made the following statement: “Of all the injustices in the world, injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhumane.” Describe how you would like to contribute to ensuring quality healthcare for all people. (250 words max)