George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences cares deeply about serving its community. They want to recruit students who are passionate about improving community health, which is why the George Washington School of Medicine secondary application has a question about public health. The GW secondary application character limits DO NOT include spaces. Make sure you maximize the character count! Read more George Washington secondary tips below!
The George Washington Medical School secondary essay questions have not changed in the past few years. However, because there is a new GW School of Medicine campus, there are new questions related to your campus location preference. We highly recommend you pre-write this short secondary application so that you can submit it sooner.
Our Cracking Med School Admissions team has a track record of helping our mentees receive acceptances to George Washington School of Medicine year after year. Get our help with writing George Washington secondaries that stand out with our secondary essay editing packages.
[ Read more secondary essay tips: Chicago Medical School (Rosalind Franklin), University of Arizona College of Medicine, Georgetown, Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine (FIU) ]
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George Washington School of Medicine Secondary Application Questions: 2025 - 2026
- Application Fee Payment Code (not a question)
- Have you ever registered at an institution under a different name? (Yes/No) If YES, please enter your name
- Have you ever been convicted of, plead guilty, or plead no lo contendere (i.e., no contest, I do not wish to contend) to a criminal offense? Have you ever been arrested for a felony or misdemeanor? (Yes/No)
If YES, please provide a description (500 characters) - Did you indicate that you were the recipient of any institutional action on your AMCAS application? (Yes/No)
If YES, please provide a description (500 characters) - With the Development of AAMC/HHMI scientific and personal competencies the George Washington University Committee on Admissions for MD Programs has moved from strict premedical requirements to competency-based recommendations. Mastery of these competencies should be reflected in strong academic performance, MCATs, experiences and letter(s) of reference. Please see minimum eligibility information here: Minimum Eligibility & Recommendations for the 2025 Cycle
The Committee on Admissions requires completion of an undergraduate degree from a U.S. or Canadian college or university prior to matriculation. The following pre-requisite competencies are required prior to matriculation: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Laboratory Experience, English, and Social/Behavioral Science.
(AP/IB is accepted except for Biology if present on undergraduate transcripts. Transfer credits from foreign institutions are not accepted unless part of a formal study abroad program accepted by your degree-granting institution.)
Do you understand you need to complete these recommendations prior to matriculation? (Yes/No) - Select the campus you prefer (main campus preferred, regional medical campus preferred, main campus only, regional medical campus only)
- If you selected regional medical campus preferred or regional medical campus only in question 6, please explain in detail your interest in regional medical campus and how it will be a good fit for your clinical education.? (1750 characters)
- Please provide the Admissions Committee with a brief summary of your activities, academics, employment or other occupations to account for full-time activity (approx. 30-40 hours/week) from the point of application through matriculation in 2025. (750 characters)
- The MD Program includes substantial content in Clinical Public Health (population health, health systems science, health policy, and community health) to prepare GW graduates for an expanded scope of practice required to be successful 21st century physicians. What are your specific interests and experiences related to that aspect of the MD Program? (350 characters)
- What makes you a unique individual? What challenges have you faced? What have you learned from your experiences? (750 characters)
- What is your specific interest in the MD Program at GW? What opportunities would you take advantage of as a student here? Why? (1750 characters)
- Have you previously interacted directly with the MD Admissions Office through events, tours, fairs, webinars, or interviews? (Yes/No) If YES, please explain: (250 characters)
Do you want to pursue the joint MD/MPH program? (Yes/No) If YES, then please describe why you want to pursue the MD/MPH program and how the combined degree would fit into your career goals (1500 Characters).
Tips to Answer George Washington Medical School Secondary Application Essays
GW Secondary Application Pre-Writing Guidance: The George Washington School of Medicine secondary essay questions have not changed in the past couple of years. We highly recommend you pre-write this short secondary application so that you can submit it sooner.
George Washington Secondary Application Tip #1: From our experience in helping students get accepted to GW, we have noticed that students who receive interviews have niche interests in healthcare. For example, one applicant had an interest in deaf individuals while another applicant had an interest in increasing access to healthcare among refugees. Therefore, we advise students to be specific in how they want to improve healthcare. Because GW is situated in Washington D.C., we advise students to incorporate public policy and advocacy into their responses!
George Washington Secondary Application Tip #2: Remember, diversity does not necessarily mean your ethnic diversity. We recommend students write about their strengths, including exceptional extracurricular activity endeavors. This is especially important to remember for the question “What makes you a unique individual? What challenges have you faced? How will these factors help you contribute to the diversity of the student body at GW?“
- Read our HIGH-YIELD blog post: Medical School Diversity Essay Examples and Tips
George Washington School of Medicine and Health Sciences wants to recruit a class of medical students who are committed to improving community health, not just clinical medicine & research.
George Washington Secondary Application Tip #3: Highlight your leadership, passion to change healthcare, and impact on society. After reading your entire George Washington School of Medicine secondary application, the GW admissions committee reader should understand: what is your vision to improve healthcare?
George Washington Secondary Application Tip #4: Tell stories to convey your impact and leadership, specifically when working in your community.
George Washington Secondary Application Tip #5: For the question, “What are your specific interests and experiences related to that aspect of the MD Program?,”
- First, do your research on the George Washington School of Medicine curriculum. What makes it unique?
- Second, write specific aspects that you like about the George Washington Medical School curriculum.
- Third, integrate GW’s culture and curriculum into the essay. Learn more about how to integrate George Washington School of Medicine’s curriculum into your secondary essays by reading “How to Answer Why This Medical School?”
George Washington Secondary Application Tip #6: For the George Washington secondaries question, “The MD Program includes substantial content in Clinical Public Health (population health, health systems science, health policy, and community health) to prepare GW graduates for an expanded scope of practice required to be successful 21st century physicians. What are your specific interests and experiences related to that aspect of the MD Program,” being more specific is better. The most generic and overused answer that Dr. Rishi Mediratta and Dr. Rachel Rizal read is “I want to help underserved populations.” Be more specific. HOW do you want to help underserved populations? Additionally, successful applicants to GW School of Medicine link their response to this answer to interests they conveyed in their primary application AMCAS primary application activities and personal statement. If you have questions about your response, contact us below or email us at info@crackingmedadmissions.com!
George Washington Secondary Application Tip #7: Get our help to tailor your George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences secondary application essays around community health and George Washington University School of Medicine’s mission. Our Cracking Med School Admissions team can help you through our secondary essay packages. Have questions about how you can stand out? Contact us below.
George Washington Secondary Application Tip #8: In recent application cycles, the GW secondary application character counts do not include spaces. Read the directions carefully and make sure to maximize the space given to you!
George Washington Secondary Application Tip #9: George Washington medical school added a new campus recently! The new GW School of Medicine campus is located in Baltimore. Read more here.
Here’s a synopsis from the website: The Regional Medical Campus in Baltimore is designed for medical students who desire to train in a clinical environment of an integrated healthcare delivery system committed to population health. The Regional Medical campus is located at Sinai Hospital of Baltimore, part of the LifeBridge Health system. LifeBridge Health provides the full spectrum of outpatient and inpatient healthcare under one organization and partners with others to identify and address the social determinants of health impacting the communities it serves.
If you choose to prioritize matriculating to the Baltimore campus, discuss why you want to be one of the medical students at the Regional Medical Campus. Conversely, if you want to matriculate with the medical students in the main, Washington D.C. campus, then give your rationale! In the past application cycle, students mainly talk about the extracurricular activities and patient populations in each location.
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George Washington School of Medicine Secondary Application Questions: 2024 - 2025
- Application Fee Payment Code (not a question)
- Have you ever registered at an institution under a different name? (Yes/No) If YES, please enter your name
- Have you ever been convicted of, plead guilty, or plead no lo contendere (i.e., no contest, I do not wish to contend) to a criminal offense? Have you ever been arrested for a felony or misdemeanor? (Yes/No)
If YES, please provide a description (500 characters) - Did you indicate that you were the recipient of any institutional action on your AMCAS application? (Yes/No)
If YES, please provide a description (500 characters) - With the Development of AAMC/HHMI scientific and personal competencies the George Washington University Committee on Admissions for MD Programs has moved from strict premedical requirements to competency-based recommendations. Mastery of these competencies should be reflected in strong academic performance, MCATs, experiences and letter(s) of reference. Please see minimum eligibility information here: Minimum Eligibility & Recommendations for the 2025 Cycle
The Committee on Admissions requires completion of an undergraduate degree from a U.S. or Canadian college or university prior to matriculation. The following pre-requisite competencies are required prior to matriculation: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Laboratory Experience, English, and Social/Behavioral Science.
(AP/IB is accepted except for Biology if present on undergraduate transcripts. Transfer credits from foreign institutions are not accepted unless part of a formal study abroad program accepted by your degree-granting institution.)
Do you understand you need to complete these recommendations prior to matriculation? (Yes/No) - Select the campus you prefer (main campus preferred, regional medical campus preferred, main campus only, regional medical campus only)
- If you selected regional medical campus preferred or regional medical campus only in question 6, please explain in detail your interest in regional medical campus and how it will be a good fit for your clinical education.? (1750 characters)
- Please provide the Admissions Committee with a brief summary of your activities, academics, employment or other occupations to account for full-time activity (approx. 30-40 hours/week) from the point of application through matriculation in 2025. (750 characters)
- The MD Program includes substantial content in Clinical Public Health (population health, health systems science, health policy, and community health) to prepare GW graduates for an expanded scope of practice required to be successful 21st century physicians. What are your specific interests and experiences related to that aspect of the MD Program? (350 characters)
- What makes you a unique individual? What challenges have you faced? What have you learned from your experiences? (750 characters)
- What is your specific interest in the MD Program at GW? What opportunities would you take advantage of as a student here? Why? (1750 characters)
- Have you previously interacted directly with the MD Admissions Office through events, tours, fairs, webinars, or interviews? (Yes/No) If YES, please explain: (250 characters)
Do you want to pursue the joint MD/MPH program? (Yes/No) If YES, then please describe why you want to pursue the MD/MPH program and how the combined degree would fit into your career goals (1500 Characters).
George Washington School of Medicine Secondary Application Questions: 2023 - 2024
- Select the campus you prefer (main campus preferred, regional medical campus preferred, main campus only, regional medical campus only)
- If you selected regional medical campus preferred or regional medical campus only, please explain in detail your interest in regional medical campus and how it will be a good fit for your clinical education? (1,750 characters NOT including spaces) New Question
- Please provide the Admissions Committee with a brief summary of your activities, academics, employment or other occupations to account for full-time activity (approx. 30-40 hours/week) from the point of application through matriculation in 2022. (750 characters max NOT INCLUDING SPACES)
- The MD Program includes substantial content in Clinical Public Health (population health, health systems science, health policy, and community health) to prepare GW graduates for an expanded scope of practice required to be successful 21st century physicians. What are your specific interests and experiences related to that aspect of the MD Program? (350 characters max NOT INCLUDING SPACES)
- What is your most meaningful clinical experience to date, involving direct patient contact? (350 characters max NOT INCLUDING SPACES)
- What makes you a unique individual? What challenges have you faced? How will these factors help you contribute to the diversity of the student body at GW? (1,000 characters max NOT INCLUDING SPACES)
- What is your specific interest in the MD Program at GW? What opportunities would you take advantage of as a student here? Why? (2,000 characters max NOT INCLUDING SPACES)
George Washington School of Medicine Secondary Application Questions: 2022 – 2023
- Please provide the Admissions Committee with a brief summary of your activities, academics, employment or other occupations to account for full-time activity (approx. 30-40 hours/week) from the point of application through matriculation in 2022. (750 characters max NOT INCLUDING SPACES)
- The MD Program includes substantial content in Clinical Public Health (population health, health systems science, health policy, and community health) to prepare GW graduates for an expanded scope of practice required to be successful 21st century physicians. What are your specific interests and experiences related to that aspect of the MD Program? (350 characters max NOT INCLUDING SPACES)
- What is your most meaningful clinical experience to date, involving direct patient contact? (350 characters max NOT INCLUDING SPACES)
- What makes you a unique individual? What challenges have you faced? How will these factors help you contribute to the diversity of the student body at GW? (1,000 characters max NOT INCLUDING SPACES)
- What is your specific interest in the MD Program at GW? What opportunities would you take advantage of as a student here? Why? (2,000 characters max NOT INCLUDING SPACES)
George Washington School of Medicine Secondary Application Questions: 2021 – 2022
- Please provide the Admissions Committee with a brief summary of your activities, academics, employment or other occupations to account for full-time activity (approx. 30-40 hours/week) from the point of application through matriculation in 2022. (750 characters max)
- The MD Program includes substantial content in Clinical Public Health (population health, health systems science, health policy, and community health) to prepare GW graduates for an expanded scope of practice required to be successful 21st century physicians. What are your specific interests and experiences related to that aspect of the MD Program? (350 characters max)
- What is your most meaningful clinical experience to date, involving direct patient contact? (350 characters max)
- What makes you a unique individual? What challenges have you faced? How will these factors help you contribute to the diversity of the student body at GW? (1,000 characters max)
- What is your specific interest in the MD Program at GW? What opportunities would you take advantage of as a student here? Why? (2,000 characters max)
George Washington School of Medicine Secondary Application Questions: 2020 - 2021
- Please provide the Admissions Committee with a brief summary of your activities, academics, employment or other occupations to account for full-time activity (approx. 30-40 hours/week) from the point of application through matriculation in 2022. (750 characters max)
- The MD Program includes substantial content in Clinical Public Health (population health, health systems science, health policy, and community health) to prepare GW graduates for an expanded scope of practice required to be successful 21st century physicians. What are your specific interests and experiences related to that aspect of the MD Program? (350 characters max)
- What is your most meaningful clinical experience to date, involving direct patient contact? (350 characters max)
- What makes you a unique individual? What challenges have you faced? How will these factors help you contribute to the diversity of the student body at GW? (1,000 characters max)
- What is your specific interest in the MD Program at GW? What opportunities would you take advantage of as a student here? Why? (2,000 characters max)
George Washington School of Medicine Secondary Application Questions: 2019 – 2020
- Please provide the Admissions Committee with a brief summary of your activities, academics, employment or other occupations to account for full-time activity (approx. 30-40 hours/week) from the point of application through matriculation in 2022. (750 characters max)
- The MD Program includes substantial content in Clinical Public Health (population health, health systems science, health policy, and community health) to prepare GW graduates for an expanded scope of practice required to be successful 21st century physicians. What are your specific interests and experiences related to that aspect of the MD Program? (350 characters max)
- What is your most meaningful clinical experience to date, involving direct patient contact? (350 characters max)
- What makes you a unique individual? What challenges have you faced? How will these factors help you contribute to the diversity of the student body at GW? (1,000 characters max)
- What is your specific interest in the MD Program at GW? What opportunities would you take advantage of as a student here? Why? (2,000 characters max)
George Washington School of Medicine Secondary Application Questions: 2018 – 2019
- Please provide the Admissions Committee with a brief summary of your activities, academics, employment or other occupations to account for full-time activity (approx. 30-40 hours/week) from the point of application through matriculation in 2022. (750 characters max)
- What is your most meaningful community service experience to date? (350 characters max)
- What is your most meaningful clinical experience to date, involving direct patient contact? (350 characters max)
- What makes you a unique individual? What challenges have you faced? How will these factors help you contribute to the diversity of the student body at GW? (1,000 characters max)
- What is your specific interest in the MD Program at GW? What opportunities would you take advantage of as a student here? Why? (2,000 characters max)
George Washington School of Medicine Secondary Application Questions: 2017 – 2018
- Please provide the Admissions Committee with a brief summary of your activities, academics, employment or other occupations to account for full-time activity (approx. 30-40 hours/week) from the point of application through matriculation in 2022. (750 characters max)
- What is your most meaningful community service experience to date? (350 characters max)
- What is your most meaningful clinical experience to date, involving direct patient contact? (350 characters max)
- What makes you a unique individual? What challenges have you faced? How will these factors help you contribute to the diversity of the student body at GW? (1,000 characters max)
- What is your specific interest in the MD Program at GW? What opportunities would you take advantage of as a student here? Why? (2,000 characters max)
George Washington School of Medicine Secondary Application Questions: 2016 – 2017
- Have you ever been convicted of, plead guilty, or plead no lo contendere (i.e., no contest, I do not wish to contend) to a criminal offense? Have you ever been arrested for a felony or misdemeanor? (If yes, explain) (500 characters max)
- Did you indicate that you were the recipient of any institutional action on your AMCAS application? (500 characters max)
- Please provide the Admissions Committee with a brief summary of your activities, academics, employment or other occupations to account for full-time activity (approx. 30-40 hours/week) for the 2016-2017 application cycle, or from the point of application through matriculation in 2017. (750 characters max)
- What is your most meaningful community service experience to date? (350 characters max)
- What is your most meaningful clinical experience to date, involving direct patient contact? (350 characters max)
- What makes you a unique individual? What challenges have you faced? How will these factors help you contribute to the diversity of the student body at GW? (1,000 characters max)
- What is your specific interest in the MD Program at GW? What opportunities would you take advantage of as a student here? Why? (2,000 characters max)
George Washington School of Medicine Secondary Application Questions: 2015 – 2016
- Have you ever been convicted of, plead guilty, or plead no lo contendere (i.e., no contest, I do not wish to contend) to a criminal offense? Have you ever been arrested for a felony or misdemeanor? (If yes, explain) (500 characters max)
- Did you indicate that you were the recipient of any institutional action on your AMCAS application? (500 characters max)
- Please provide the Admissions Committee with a brief summary of your activities, academics, employment or other occupations to account for full-time activity (approx. 30-40 hours/week) for the 2015-2016 application cycle, or from the point of application through matriculation in 2016. (750 characters max)
- What is your most meaningful community service experience to date? (350 characters max)
- What is your most meaningful clinical experience to date, involving direct patient contact? (350 characters max)
- What makes you a unique individual? What challenges have you faced? How will these factors help you contribute to the diversity of the student body at GW? (1,000 characters max)
- What is your specific interest in the MD Program at GW? What opportunities would you take advantage of as a student here? Why? (2,000 characters max)
George Washington School of Medicine Secondary Application Questions: 2014 – 2015
- Have you ever been convicted of, plead guilty, or plead no lo contendere (i.e., no contest, I do not wish to contend) to a criminal offense? Have you ever been arrested for a felony or misdemeanor? (If yes, explain) (500 characters max)
- Did you indicate that you were the recipient of any institutional action on your AMCAS application? (500 characters max)
- For the 2014-2015 application cycle (Summer 2014 through Summer 2015), please indicate activities, academics, employment, or other occupations to account for full-time activity (approx. 30-40 hours per week) (750 characters max)
- What is your most significant achievement outside the classroom? (750 characters max)
- What makes you a unique individual? What challenges have you faced? How will these factors help you contribute to the diversity of the student body at GW? (1,000 characters max)
- What is your specific interest in the MD Program at GW? What opportunities would you take advantage of as a student here? Why? (2,000 characters max)
George Washington School of Medicine Secondary Application Questions: 2013 – 2014
- Have you ever been convicted of, plead guilty, or plead no lo contendere (i.e., no contest, I do not wish to contend) to a criminal offense? Have you ever been arrested for a felony or misdemeanor? (If yes, explain) (500 characters max)
- Did you indicate that you were the recipient of any institutional action on your AMCAS application? (500 characters max)
- For the 2013-2014 application cycle (Summer 2013 through Summer 2014), please indicate activities, academics, employment, or other occupations to account for full-time activity (approx. 30-40 hours per week) (750 characters max)
- What is your most significant achievement outside the classroom? (750 characters max)
- What makes you a unique individual? What challenges have you faced? How will these factors help you contribute to the diversity of the student body at GW? (1,000 characters max)
- What is your specific interest in the MD Program at GW? What opportunities would you take advantage of as a student here? Why? (2,000 characters max)