For the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine secondary application, it is extremely important to write why you specifically are interested in Carver College of Medicine at University of Iowa. In fact, the first essay on the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine secondary application asks, “We understand you may be applying to multiple medical schools. Please explain your reasons for applying to the Carver College of Medicine.” The Carver College of Medicine secondary essay questions have not changed in the past several years, so this is a great secondary application to pre-write.
Read more tips below on how to stand out on your University of Iowa College of Medicine secondary essays!
Our Cracking Med School Admissions team has a track record of helping our mentees receive acceptances to Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa School of Medicine. Read our tips below for your University of Iowa medical school secondary application essays!
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University of Iowa Medical School Secondary Application Essay Prompts: 2025 – 2026
- We understand you may be applying to multiple medical schools. Please explain your reasons for applying to the Carver College of Medicine. (1,500 characters)
- Describe any unique personal characteristics or obstacles you may have overcome that will influence your contribution to a diverse healthcare system. (1,500 characters)
- Please list and briefly describe all medically related experiences (paid/volunteer) you have completed during the past 5 years. Do NOT forecast future hours. Please include experiences listed on your AMCAS and also provide any additional experiences NOT listed on your AMCAS. (1,500 characters)
- (Optional) If you are a re-applicant to the Carver College of Medicine, how have you strengthened your application? (1,500 characters)
- (Optional) If you are not currently in a degree-seeking program, please indicate what you will be doing from the time you complete this secondary application to the start of medical school. (1,500 characters)
Tips to Answer University of Iowa
Secondary Application Essays
University of Iowa Secondary Pre-Writing Guidance: We think you should definitely pre-write this secondary application! The Carver essay prompts have not changed for the past several years, and you should submit this in the earlier side of the summer (aim for end of July).
- Download our Cracking Med Secondary Essay Workbook and Examples to get all our tips.
University of Iowa Medical School Secondary Application Tip #1: It is extremely important to convey Why Carver College of Medicine in your secondary application. That’s why it’s the University of Iowa Medical School Secondary Application’s essay #1!
- Read our HIGH-YIELD blog post Why this Medical School? Secondary Essay Example for more tips on how to answer “Why Carver College of Medicine.”
University of Iowa Medical School Secondary Application Tip #2: If you have affiliations with Iowa or Carver, mention them. If you intend to practice in the Midwest, you should mention that as well. The best essay to include these Iowa affiliations is, “We understand you may be applying to multiple medical schools. Please explain your reasons for applying to the Carver College of Medicine. “
- Read our HIGH-YIELD blog post: Medical School Diversity Essay Examples and Tips
Examples we would recommend for your diversity essay:
- Unique in clinical settings
- Influential patient care stories
- Unique aspects of your background and how it’s shaped you
- Research
Contact Dr. Rachel Rizal and Dr. Rishi Mediratta below if you have any questions about what to write about on your University of Iowa secondaries!
University of Iowa Medical School Secondary Application Tip #3: The question, “Describe any unique personal characteristics or obstacles you may have overcome that will influence your contribution to a diverse healthcare system” is like a diversity essay. Remember, diversity does not necessarily mean your ethnic diversity. Challenges can include personal challenges related to school or family circumstances. But, obstacles can also include challenges in your research.
University of Iowa Medical School Secondary Application Tip #4: If you are a re-applicant, it is important to discuss how your application has changed from the first time you applied to this current time you are applying.
- First, identify weaknesses in your previous application. Make sure to discuss how you have improved on those weaknesses.
- Then, if you have other significant extra-curricular activities or new work experiences, you should mention them.
- Make sure to emphasize clinical experiences since your last application.
- Make sure to emphasize any ties or experiences in Iowa since your last application.
University of Iowa Medical School Secondary Application Tip #5: For the question, “If you are not currently in a degree-seeking program, please indicate what you will be doing from the time you complete this secondary application to the start of medical school,” many students undersell what they will be doing in the upcoming year. Don’t forget to write both clinical and non-clinical activities. For example, if you will be volunteering in your community, that’s important to include!
University of Iowa Medical School Secondary Application Tip #6: Have questions about how you can stand out? Contact us below. Need editing help on your secondary? We can help you through our secondary essay packages. We’ve helped students get interviews and acceptances to the University of Iowa!
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Use this essay guide and workbook to write standout secondaries.
University of Iowa Medical School Secondary Application Essay Prompts: 2024 – 2025
- We understand you may be applying to multiple medical schools. Please explain your reasons for applying to the Carver College of Medicine. (1,500 characters)
- Describe any unique personal characteristics or obstacles you may have overcome that will influence your contribution to a diverse healthcare system. (1,500 characters)
- Please list and briefly describe all medically related experiences (paid/volunteer) you have completed during the past 5 years. Do NOT forecast future hours. Please include experiences listed on your AMCAS and also provide any additional experiences NOT listed on your AMCAS. (1,500 characters)
- (Optional) If you are a re-applicant to the Carver College of Medicine, how have you strengthened your application? (1,500 characters)
- (Optional) If you are not currently in a degree-seeking program, please indicate what you will be doing from the time you complete this secondary application to the start of medical school. (1,500 characters)
University of Iowa Medical School Secondary Application Essay Prompts: 2023 – 2024
- We understand you may be applying to multiple medical schools. Please explain your reasons for applying to the Carver College of Medicine. (1500 characters)
- Describe any unique personal characteristics or obstacles you may have overcome that will influence your contribution to a diverse healthcare system. (1500 characters)
- Please list and briefly describe all medically related experiences (paid/volunteer) you have completed during the past 5 years. Do NOT forecast future hours. Please include experiences listed on your AMCAS and also provide any additional experiences NOT listed on your AMCAS. (1500 characters)
- If you are a re-applicant to the Carver College of Medicine, how have you strengthened your application? (1500 characters)
- If you are not currently in a degree-seeking program, please indicate what you will be doing from the time you complete this secondary application to the start of medical school. (1500 characters)
University of Iowa Medical School Secondary Application Essay Prompts: 2022 – 2023
- We understand you may be applying to multiple medical schools. Please explain your reasons for applying to the Carver College of Medicine. (1500 characters)
- Describe any unique personal characteristics or obstacles you may have overcome that will influence your contribution to a diverse healthcare system. (1500 characters)
- Please list and briefly describe all medically related experiences (paid/volunteer) you have completed during the past 5 years. Do NOT forecast future hours. Please include experiences listed on your AMCAS and also provide any additional experiences NOT listed on your AMCAS. (1500 characters)
- If you are a re-applicant to the Carver College of Medicine, how have you strengthened your application? (1500 characters)
- If you are not currently in a degree-seeking program, please indicate what you will be doing from the time you complete this secondary application to the start of medical school. (1500 characters)
University of Iowa Medical School Secondary Application Essay Prompts: 2021 – 2022
- We understand you may be applying to multiple medical schools. Please explain your reasons for applying to the Carver College of Medicine. (1500 characters)
- Describe any unique personal characteristics or obstacles you may have overcome that will influence your contribution to a diverse healthcare system. (1500 characters)
- Please list and briefly describe all medically related experiences (paid/volunteer) you have completed during the past 5 years. Do NOT forecast future hours. Please include experiences listed on your AMCAS and also provide any additional experiences NOT listed on your AMCAS. (1500 characters)
- If you are a re-applicant to the Carver College of Medicine, how have you strengthened your application? (1500 characters)
- If you are not currently in a degree-seeking program, please indicate what you will be doing from the time you complete this secondary application to the start of medical school. (1500 characters)
University of Iowa Medical School Secondary Application Essay Prompts: 2020 – 2021
- We understand you may be applying to multiple medical schools. Please explain your reasons for applying to the Carver College of Medicine. (1500 characters)
- Describe any unique personal characteristics and obstacles you may have overcome that will contribute to the diversity of, and bring educational benefits to, the entering class. (1500 characters)
- Please list and briefly describe all medically related experiences (paid/volunteer) you have completed during the past 5 years. Do NOT forecast future hours. Please include experiences listed on your AMCAS and also provide any additional experiences NOT listed on your AMCAS. (1500 characters)
- If you are a re-applicant to the Carver College of Medicine, how have you strengthened your application? (1500 characters)
- If you are not currently in a degree-seeking program, please indicate what you will be doing from the time you complete this secondary application to the start of medical school. (1500 characters)
University of Iowa Medical School Secondary Application Essay Prompts: 2019 – 2020
- We understand you may be applying to multiple medical schools. Please explain your reasons for applying to the Carver College of Medicine. (1500 characters)
- Describe any unique personal characteristics and obstacles you may have overcome that will contribute to the diversity of, and bring educational benefits to, the entering class. (1500 characters)
- Please list and briefly describe all medically related experiences (paid/volunteer) you have completed during the past 5 years. Do NOT forecast future hours. Please include experiences listed on your AMCAS and also provide any additional experiences NOT listed on your AMCAS. (1500 characters)
- If you are a re-applicant to the Carver College of Medicine, how have you strengthened your application? (1500 characters)
- If you are not currently in a degree-seeking program, please indicate what you will be doing from the time you complete this secondary application to the start of medical school. (1500 characters)
University of Iowa Medical School Secondary Application Essay Prompts: 2018 – 2019
- We understand you may be applying to multiple medical schools. Please explain your reasons for applying to the Carver College of Medicine. (1500 characters)
- Describe any unique personal characteristics and obstacles you may have overcome that will contribute to the diversity of, and bring educational benefits to, the entering class. (1500 characters)
- Please list and briefly describe all medically related experiences (paid/volunteer) you have completed during the past 5 years. Do NOT forecast future hours. Please include experiences listed on your AMCAS and also provide any additional experiences NOT listed on your AMCAS. (15 entries max, 175 characters per entry)
- (Optional) If you are a re-applicant to the Carver College of Medicine, how have you strengthened your application? (1500 characters)
- (Optional) If you are not currently in a degree-seeking program, please indicate what you will be doing from the time you complete this secondary application to the start of medical school. (1500 characters)
University of Iowa Medical School Secondary Application Essay Prompts: 2017 – 2018
- We understand you may be applying to multiple medical schools. Please explain your reasons for applying to the Carver College of Medicine. (1500 characters)
- Describe any unique personal characteristics and obstacles you may have overcome that will contribute to the diversity of, and bring educational benefits to, the entering class. (1500 characters)
- Please list and briefly describe all medically related experiences (paid/volunteer) you have completed during the past 5 years. Do NOT forecast future hours. Please include experiences listed on your AMCAS and also provide any additional experiences NOT listed on your AMCAS. (1500 characters)
- If you are a re-applicant to the Carver College of Medicine, how have you strengthened your application? (1500 characters)
- If you are not currently in a degree-seeking program, please indicate what you will be doing from the time you complete this secondary application to the start of medical school. (1500 characters)
University of Iowa Medical School Secondary Application Essay Prompts: 2016 – 2017
- We understand you may be applying to multiple medical schools. Please explain your reasons for applying to the Carver College of Medicine. (1500 characters)
- Describe any unique personal characteristics and obstacles you may have overcome that will contribute to the diversity of, and bring educational benefits to, the entering class. (1500 characters)
- Provide a numbered list and very brief description of medically related experiences (paid or volunteer), including total hours, in which you have participated over the past 5 years. (3,000 characters max)
- If you are a re-applicant to the Carver College of Medicine, how have you strengthened your application? (1500 characters)
- If you are not currently in a degree-seeking program, please indicate what you will be doing from the time you complete this secondary application to the start of medical school. (1500 characters)
University of Iowa College of Medicine Secondary Application Essay Prompts: 2015 – 2016
- We understand you may be applying to multiple medical schools. Please explain your reasons for applying to the Carver College of Medicine. (1500 characters)
- Describe any unique personal characteristics and obstacles you may have overcome that will contribute to the diversity of, and bring educational benefits to, the entering class. (1500 characters)
- Provide a numbered list and very brief description of medically related experiences (paid or volunteer), including total hours, in which you have participated over the past 5 years. (3,000 characters max)
- If you are a re-applicant to the Carver College of Medicine, how have you strengthened your application? (1500 characters)
- If you are not currently in a degree-seeking program, please indicate what you will be doing from the time you complete this secondary application to the start of medical school. (1500 characters)