The Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University is located in Greenville, North Carolina and states its mission is to improve the health of the region and state. Therefore, it is extremely important in your Brody School of Medicine secondary application to highlight your affiliations with North Carolina.
Unfortunately, the Brody secondary essay prompts have changed in the past year, and we would not recommend medical school applicants to pre-write this secondary because the essays may change. However, once you receive the official ECU Brody School of Medicine secondary, we strongly recommend to start early. This secondary application is like writing another several new personal statements.
Work with Dr. Rachel Rizal and Dr. Rishi Mediratta with writing your Brody Medical School secondary application essays so that you stand out from other applicants through our secondary essay editing packages. If you have questions about our team or about your application, don’t hesitate to reach out!
Brody School of Medicine Secondary Application Questions: 2025 – 2026
(New)
- Describe the key motivational factors in your decision to apply to the Brody School of Medicine. (250 words maximum)
- At the Brody School of Medicine, our mission places a strong emphasis on serving the community—both within Brody and throughout Eastern North Carolina and the state. Can you describe a meaningful experience from your past that reflects your commitment to service, and how it shaped your understanding of its importance in healthcare? (250 words maximum)
- Can you describe any interactions or experiences you’ve had with individuals from rural communities? In what ways have these experiences influenced your understanding of the unique challenges and needs they face? (250 words maximum)
- Describe your future career goal(s) including your specialty(ies) of interest and the location where you hope to practice. How do you envision using the specialty(ies) you listed to advance the mission of Brody? (250 words maximum)
Tips to Answer ECU Brody School of Medicine Secondary Essays
East Carolina Brody Pre-Writing Guidance: Note by looking at the ECU Brody 2022-2023 prompts vs. the ECU Brody 2023-2024 prompts that there are more essays in the last application cycle! Even if the essays have changed, we strongly recommend to start early because this secondary application is like writing several NEW personal statements.
Download our Cracking Med Secondary Essay Workbook and Examples.
East Carolina Brody School of Medicine Secondary Application Tip #1: The biggest way to stand out on your this ECU Brody School of Medicine secondary application is to write a lot of stories. You have lots of space to answer the questions, and the strongest application will have stories. For example, when you write about a challenge, articulate stories. When you write about service, write a story of a specific individual you helped. Writing a specific story of an individual you helped at a soup kitchen versus writing more generally about volunteering at a soup kitchen will allow the reader to envision you in action.
East Carolina Brody School of Medicine Secondary Application Tip #2: For the essay about your future career, it is not necessary to choose what specific specialty you want to practice, especially if you are not sure right now. However, if you know that you generally want to be a primary care doctor, you should write about it. If you want to practice in the state of North Carolina, you should definitely emphasize it.
East Carolina Brody School of Medicine Secondary Application Tip #3: For all essays, give stories about individuals / patients you have served in North Carolina. Link as many essays as possible to North Carolina.
East Carolina Brody School of Medicine Secondary Application Tip #4: For the essay about challenges and barriers, be detailed when explaining how you handle stress and what drives your motivation. Based on what we said above in Tip #1, make sure to include a story! In the best essays our Dr. Rizal and Dr. Mediratta have read, we can literally visualize how somebody handles time management & stressful situations. Contact us below if you have questions or you need our help with editing your Brody secondary essays.
East Carolina Brody School of Medicine Secondary Application Tip #5: Don’t forget to incorporate “Why ECU Brody School of Medicine” throughout the ECU Brody School of Medicine secondary application responses. How will East Carolina train you to be the physician you envision yourself becoming?
- Read our blog post why this medical school to gain insights on how to incorporate a strong “Why Brody School of Medicine.”
- Download our Cracking Med School Admissions secondary essay guide to read all our tips!
East Carolina Brody School of Medicine Secondary Application Tip #6: Get our help to edit your East Carolina Brody School of Medicine secondary application essays. We can help you through our secondary essay packages. Have questions about how you can stand out? Contact us below.
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
Medical School
Stanford School of Medicine
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.
Brody School of Medicine Secondary Application Questions: 2024 – 2025
Instructions: Please complete this section using the prompt given. Your essay should be limited to 250-300 words and it is strongly recommended that you not copy and paste your AMCAS application essay.
- There is no doubt the level of stress brought on by medical school can impact a student’s mental health and emotional well-being. Discuss the ways you plan to manage your health and well-being during medical school. (250-300 words)
- In the event you are accepted into two or more medical schools, what factors would be most important in determining which school would be the “best fit” for you? (250-300 words)
- Describe an experience that has given you a unique understanding of human suffering and what did you learn from this experience? (250-300 words)
- Describe your experience with primary care either as a patient, caregiver, visitor, staff, or volunteer. (250-300 words)
OTHER Questions:
1. RESIDENCY INFORMATION: Do you claim to be a North Carolina resident? *If you claim to be resident, you must complete the residency process with the Residency Determination Service (see direct link in Application Instructions). You will receive a Residency Certification Number (RCN) which should be entered onto your admissions application (next question) or provided directly to our office when available.
Yes-I claim to be North Carolina resident for tuition purposes.*
No-I do not claim North Carolina residency for tuition purposes. PLEASE refer back to the Application Instructions.
Enter your RCN (Residency Certification Number):
Enter the RCN (Residency Certification Number) expiration date.
2. ACADEMIC INFORMATION: Have you ever applied to medical school? (Yes/No)
Have you ever applied to the Brody School of Medicine? If yes, what year(s) did you apply?
(Optional) If this is not your first application to medical school, please select the additional qualifications you now possess.
Improved GPA
New MCAT scores
New medical experiences
New non-medical volunteer or service opportunities
Other (explanation in next question)
(Optional) If you selected “Other” in the previous question, please explain. (1,000 Characters)
3. BACKGROUND INFORMATION: These campus safety questions must be completed. Your “yes” answer to any of them will not necessarily preclude your being admitted; however, your failure to provide complete, accurate, and truthful information will be grounds to deny or withdraw your admissions, or dismiss you after enrollment. For the purpose of the following questions, “crime” or “criminal charge” refers to any crime other than a traffic related misdemeanor or an infraction. You must, however, include alcohol or drug offenses whether or not they are traffic related.
Have you ever been convicted of a crime? (Yes/No)
Have you ever entered a plea of guilty, a plea of no contest, a plea of nolo contendere, or an Alford plea, or have you received a deferred prosecution, or prayer for judgment continued, to a criminal charge? (Yes/No)
Have you otherwise accepted responsibility for the commission of a crime? (Yes/No)
Do you have any criminal charges pending against you? (Yes/No)
Have you ever been expelled, dismissed, suspended, placed on probation, or otherwise subject to any disciplinary sanction by any school, college, or university? (Yes/No)
If you have ever served in the military, did you receive any type of discharge other than an honorable discharge? (Never served/Yes/No/Currently Serving)
If you answered “yes” to any of the six questions above, please explain the circumstances. THIS QUESTION REQUIRES AN ANSWER-If you answered “no” to all questions, simply answer “N/A”. (1,500 characters)
4. SUPPLEMENTAL ESSAYS (see the 4 essay prompts in green above)
Please complete this section using the prompt given. Your essays should be limited to (250-300 words) (2500 max characters) each and it is strongly recommended that you not copy and paste your AMCAS application essay.
5. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Please indicate your citizenship:
U.S. Citizen
Permanent Resident (a photo of your Green Card must be submitted-“Upload Documents”)
Have you, your spouse, or either of your parents been in active military service within the past two years?
Yes (Please include copies of LES in the “Upload Documents” activity)
No
(Optional) Have you participated in the following programs or similar programs for health professions enrichment: ECU Brody School of Medicine Summer Program for Future Doctors (SPFD), ECU Brody School of Medicine Summer Biomedical Research Program (SBRP), Summer Health Professions Education Program (SHPEP), Medical Education Development (MED) Program at UNC, Pitt County Health Sciences Academy, Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Scholars, Medical Explorers, SNMA Pipeline Programs, Health Professions Readiness & Enrichment Program (HPREP), Youth Science Enrichment Program (YSEP). If yes, please list the activity and year(s) of participation. How did the program(s) prepare you as a future physician? (3,500 characters)
(Optional) Please use this area for more complete answers that required additional space, indicating the corresponding number of the question. Optional (3,500 Characters)
Brody School of Medicine Secondary Application Questions: 2023 – 2024
Instructions: Please complete this section using the prompt given. Your essay should be limited to 300-500 words and it is strongly recommended that you not copy and paste your AMCAS application essay.
- When you close your eyes and imagine your professional life 20 years from now, what do you see? (2500 characters)
- Tell us about a time where you felt that your persisted towards a goal or outcome you wanted even when there where challenges/barriers in the way. How did to you stay motivated to achieve your goal? Describe resources you used to overcome the challenge. (2500 characters)
- Medical school presents numerous emotional and professional challenges. Please share an instance where you faced a difficult academic situation and explain how you managed the situation. How did you promote your wellness during this situation? (2500 characters)
- East Carolina University’s motto is Servire- “To Serve.” Tell us about your most meaningful community service project or experience unrelated to patient care. (2500 characters)
Brody School of Medicine Secondary Application Questions: 2022 – 2023
Instructions: Please complete this section using the prompt given. Your essay should be limited to 300-500 words and it is strongly recommended that you not copy and paste your AMCAS application essay.
- (Optional) Reflect on your reasons for desiring to study medicine, your future professional aspirations, your most significant clinical experience, and also your most meaningful non-medical experience. (300-500 words)
- The COVID-19 pandemic has had a dramatic impact on everyday life across the world. From your perspective, reflect upon what you have learned or experienced during this time and how will this impact you going forward. Items to consider incorporating in your response may include but are not limited to: • Academic: Did Covid-19 interrupt your studies? Were you able to interact with your professors and classmates? Did your school require students to move to pass/fail grading systems? Did your MCAT exam get cancelled or delayed? • Clinical Experiences and Community Service Activities: Did you hold a job? Were you able to gain clinical experiences, either in employment or volunteerism? Did you pursue volunteer opportunities in response to community needs during the pandemic? • Personal: How did the pandemic affect you or those close to you? Did you face any personal challenges because of Covid-19? Has Covid-19 changed or challenged your perception of pursuing a career in medicine?
(300-500 words)
Brody School of Medicine Secondary Application Questions: 2021 – 2022
Instructions: Please complete this section using the prompt given. Your essay should be limited to 300-500 words and it is strongly recommended that you not copy and paste your AMCAS application essay.
- (Optional) Reflect on your reasons for desiring to study medicine, your future professional aspirations, your most significant clinical experience, and also your most meaningful non-medical experience. (300-500 words)
- The COVID-19 pandemic has had a dramatic impact on everyday life across the world. From your perspective, reflect upon what you have learned or experienced during this time and how will this impact you going forward. (300-500 words)
Brody School of Medicine Secondary Application Questions: 2020 - 2021
- Please complete this section using the prompt given. Your essay should be limited to 300-500 words and it is strongly recommended that you not copy and paste your AMCAS application essay.
- (Optional) Reflect on your reasons for desiring to study medicine, your future professional aspirations, your most significant clinical experience, and also your most meaningful non-medical experience. (300-500 words)
- The COVID-19 pandemic has had a dramatic impact on everyday life across the world. From your perspective, reflect upon what you have learned or experienced during this time and how will this impact you going forward. (300-500 words)
Brody School of Medicine Secondary Application Questions: 2019 – 2020
- Please complete this section using the prompt given. Your essay should be limited to 300-500 words and it is strongly recommended that you not copy and paste your AMCAS application essay.
- Reflect on your reasons for desiring to study medicine, your future professional aspirations, your most significant clinical experience, and also your most meaningful non-medical experience. (300-500 words)
Brody School of Medicine Secondary Application Questions: 2018 – 2019
- Please complete this section using the prompt given. Your essay should be limited to 300-500 words and it is strongly recommended that you not copy and paste your AMCAS application essay.
- Reflect on your reasons for desiring to study medicine, your future professional aspirations, your most significant clinical experience, and also your most meaningful non-medical experience. (300-500 words)
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Our students successfully receive interviews at their reach schools.
Brody School of Medicine Secondary Application Questions: 2017 – 2018
- Please complete this section using the prompt given. Your essay should be limited to 300-500 words and it is strongly recommended that you not copy and paste your AMCAS application essay.
- Reflect on your reasons for desiring to study medicine, your future professional aspirations, your most significant clinical experience, and also your most meaningful non-medical experience. (300-500 words)
Brody School of Medicine Secondary Application Questions: 2016 – 2017
- Please complete this section using the prompt given. Your essay should be limited to 300-500 words and it is strongly recommended that you not copy and paste your AMCAS application essay.
- Reflect on your reasons for desiring to study medicine, your future professional aspirations, your most significant clinical experience, and also your most meaningful non-medical experience. (300-500 words)

