Boston University Medical School Secondary Application Essay Prompts by Year
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Getting accepted to Boston University School of Medicine is tough. It is one of the most applied medical schools in America, and it has one of the lowest acceptance rates. Boston University has a Direct Med (7 or 8 year med program), so some of the spots for each incoming medical school class is already allocated to these students. Submitting an OUTSTANDING Boston University secondary application is vital to receiving an interview invite, which ultimately can lead to an acceptance. Boston University cares greatly about helping the underserved, as Boston Medical Center is centered on helping the underserved communities of Boston. To learn more specific tips to help with your Boston University secondaries, read more tips below!
Because this secondary does not change much year after year, we encourage students to pre-write this secondary application.
Our Cracking Med School Admissions team has a track record of helping several of our mentees receive acceptances to Boston University School of Medicine. We are excited to help you receive the next acceptance! Get our help through our secondary essay editing packages.
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Boston University Medical School Secondary Application Essay Prompts: 2025 – 2026
- Do you hope to attend medical school immediately after earning your undergraduate degree? If no, describe how you’ve spent your time leading up to applying to medical school. This may include attending a post-baccalaureate program or other education, gap year activities such as employment or travel, or other relevant pursuits. (300 words)
- Provide a timeline or narrative highlighting any notable aspects of your educational journey that you believe are especially relevant or significant to us better understanding who you are. Section not required but…this is an opportunity to describe any learning experience(s) that are not covered in other sections of your supplemental application or AMCAS application. For example, have you lived in another country or experienced a culture unlike your own? Worked in a field that contributed to your understanding of people unlike yourself? Do you have advanced training in art, music, or sports, etc.?
You may also use this section to explain any impacts that COVID-19 may have had on your educational/research/clinical/volunteering or employment plans. (300 words)
- Why BU Chobanian & Avedisian SOM? Boston Medical Center is the largest safety net hospital in New England, serving primarily people who are publicly insured, people of color, immigrants, and low-income people in the Greater Boston Area. Why are you specifically interested in beginning your medical education in this environment, and how do you feel that your previous experiences will prepare you for this unique learning environment? (300 words)
- (Optional) Use this space to provide any additional information you feel will provide us with a comprehensive understanding of your strengths as a candidate for a career in medicine. Do not include information already provided in your AMCAS application or other sections of the supplemental application. Most students leave this blank. (300 words)
- (If Reapplicant) Use this space to highlight aspects of your application that have changed since your last application. (300 words)
Tips to Answer Boston University Secondaries
Boston University Secondary Application Pre-Writing Guidance: This secondary is long and it is hard to ace. We strongly suggest that students pre-write BU’s secondary essay.
Download our Cracking Med Secondary Essay Workbook and Secondary Essay Examples.
Boston University Medical School Secondary Application Tip #1: Answer the optional essay question. Typically, our students who work with us through the application packages or secondary essay editing packages will discuss more stories and experiences from their extra-curricular activities and clinical experiences. For example, many of our students have patient care stories they were not able to add in their AMCAS most meaningful activity descriptions or medical school personal statement. If you have questions or need our help with your BU secondary application essays, contact us below!
Boston University Medical School Secondary Application Tip #2: Highlight your leadership, passion to change healthcare, and impact on society. Specifically, in the “Why BUSM” question, you should discuss your interests in urban health, community health, and healthcare disparities. Medical students at Boston University primarily work at Boston Medical Center, serving the underserved patient populations of Boston.
We have an entire healthcare current events blog post here, where you can read more about healthcare disparities and COVID-19.
Boston University Medical School Secondary Application Tip #3: If you have done meaningful and impactful work in Northeastern United States, specifically in the city of Boston, talk about this work in your BU medical school secondary application. You can add specific clinical experiences and patient stories to show that you have worked with patients around Boston.
Boston University Medical School Secondary Application Tip #4: The question, “Please provide a narrative or timeline to describe any features of your educational history that you think may be of particular interest to us” has many similarities with autobiography prompts. Focus on relevant personal experiences that showcase why you care about helping underserved patients.
Read our team’s tips about How To Write An Autobiography For Medical School
Boston University Medical School Secondary Application Tip #5: It is important to highlight your commitment to Boston’s underserved application throughout your Boston University secondaries. Give specific examples of how you want to be involved in serving the Boston community as a medical student. Learn more about Boston culture, the BU School of Medicine curriculum & academic program, the importance of Boston Medical Center, and other interesting facts Boston University in our blog post Cracking Boston University Medical School Admissions.
Boston University Medical School Secondary Application Tip #6: Have questions about how you can stand out? Contact us below. Need editing help on your Boston University secondary application? We can help you through our secondary essay packages.
[Read more secondary essay tips: Harvard Medical School, Yale School of Medicine, Drexel School of Medicine, George Washington School of Medicine ]
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Boston University Medical School Secondary Application Essay Prompts: 2024 – 2025
- Did you go on to college directly after high school? (1,400 characters)
- Are you expecting to go on to medical school directly after completing your undergraduate degree?
(Post bac work is NOT considered undergraduate. If attending a post bac program prior to entering medical school, the answer is NO and should be explained.)
If you took a gap year(s), please use this space to explain what you have been doing prior to applying to medical school. (1,400 characters max) - If you have spent more than 4 years as an undergraduate, please explain below. (You may skip this question if you have graduated within 4 years.) (1,400 characters max)
- Please provide a narrative or timeline to describe any features of your educational history that you think may be of particular interest to us. (2,000 characters max)
- For example, have you lived in another country or experienced a culture unlike your own, or worked in a field that contributed to your understanding of people unlike yourself? Or, have you experienced advanced training in any area, including the fields of art, music, or sports? This is an opportunity to describe learning experiences that may not be covered in other areas of this application or your AMCAS application. It is not necessary to write anything in this section. Also, use this section to explain any impact that COVID-19 may have had on your educational/research/volunteering or employment plans.
- Core Competencies: Explain in each box below, how your coursework exemplifies knowledge competency in each subject area. These are broad subject areas. You should list courses, and other pertinent information. (For example, Biology: Intro Bio 101, Intro Bio lab 102, Anatomy 201, summer research in cell biology with Professor Smith; Humanities: Freshman English, History of Civilization, Philosophy 101, English writing tutor 2 semesters). Add text to explain your entries if necessary.
- Include courses that you have completed or anticipate completing prior to matriculation.
- For sciences, include both lectures and labs.
- We will accept your school’s definition of lab experience for Chemistry, Organic Chemistry and Biological Sciences.
- Use your transcript and university course classifications as a guide. Courses may be listed more than once if the subject matter falls into more than one core competency.
- Non U.S. or non-Canadian educated applicant must have completed a minimum of (2) two years of academic work at an institution accredited by and located in the U.S. or Canada, which should include study in the core competencies listed.
- There is no right or wrong answer here. You will be contacted if the Committee on Admissions has any questions regarding your answers.
- If you have nothing to list under a particular category, write N/A. (600 characters max each)
- Biology:
- Chemistry:
- Physics:
- Mathematics:
- Humanities (including English)
- Why BU Chobanian & Avedisian SOM? Boston Medical Center is the largest safety net hospital in New England, serving primarily people who are publicly insured, people of color, immigrants, and low-income people in the Greater Boston Area. Why are you specifically interested in beginning your medical education in this environment, and how do you feel that your previous experiences will prepare you for this unique learning environment? (3,000 characters max)
- (Optional) Use the space below to provide additional information you feel will provide us with a comprehensive understanding of your strengths as a candidate for a career in medicine. This should include only information NOT already included in your AMCAS or other sections of the Chobanian & Avedisian SOM Supplemental Application. (3,000 characters max)
Boston University Medical School Secondary Application Essay Prompts: 2023 – 2024
- Did you go on to college directly after high school? (1,400 characters)
- Are you expecting to go on to medical school directly after completing your undergraduate degree?
(Post bac work is NOT considered undergraduate. If attending a post bac program prior to entering medical school, the answer is NO and should be explained.)
If you took a gap year(s), please use this space to explain what you have been doing prior to applying to medical school. (1,400 characters max) - If you have spent more than 4 years as an undergraduate, please explain below. (You may skip this question if you have graduated within 4 years.) (1,400 characters max)
- Please provide a narrative or timeline to describe any features of your educational history that you think may be of particular interest to us. (2,000 characters max)
- For example, have you lived in another country or experienced a culture unlike your own, or worked in a field that contributed to your understanding of people unlike yourself? Or, have you experienced advanced training in any area, including the fields of art, music, or sports? This is an opportunity to describe learning experiences that may not be covered in other areas of this application or your AMCAS application. It is not necessary to write anything in this section. Also, use this section to explain any impact that COVID-19 may have had on your educational/research/volunteering or employment plans.
- Why BUSM? Boston Medical Center is the largest safety-net hospital in New England, serving primarily people who are publicly insured, people of color, immigrants, and low-income people in the Greater Boston Area. Why are you specifically interested in beginning your medical education in this environment, and how do you feel that your previous experiences will prepare you for this unique learning environment? (3,000 characters max)
- Optional: Use the space below to provide additional information you feel will provide us with a comprehensive understanding of your strengths as a candidate for a career in medicine. This should include only information NOT already included in your AMCAS or other sections of the BUSM Supplemental Application. (3,000 characters max)
- Question for re-applicants: This section may be used by re-applicants who wish to highlight specific areas of their application or to outline specific changes since their last application. (3,000 characters)
Boston University Medical School Secondary Application Essay Prompts: 2022 – 2023
- Are you expecting to go on to medical school directly after completing your undergraduate degree?
(Post bacc work is NOT considered undergraduate. If attending a post-bacc program prior to entering medical school, the answer is NO and should be explained.)
If you took a gap year(s), please use this space to explain what you have been doing prior to applying to medical school. (1,400 characters max) - If you have spent more than 4 years as an undergraduate, please explain below. (You may skip this question if you have graduated within 4 years.) (1,400 characters max)
- Please provide a narrative or timeline to describe any features of your educational history that you think may be of particular interest to us. (2,000 characters max)
- For example, have you lived in another country or experienced a culture unlike your own, or worked in a field that contributed to your understanding of people unlike yourself? Or, have you experienced advanced training in any area, including the fields of art, music, or sports? This is an opportunity to describe learning experiences that may not be covered in other areas of this application or your primary application. It is not necessary to write anything in this section. Also, use this section to explain any impact that COVID-19 may have had on your educational/research/volunteering or employment plans.
- Why BUSM? Boston Medical Center is the largest safety-net hospital in New England, serving primarily people who are publicly insured, people of color, immigrants, and low-income people in the Greater Boston Area. Why are you specifically interested in beginning your medical education in this environment, and how do you feel that your previous experiences will prepare you for this unique learning environment? (3,000 characters max)
- Optional: Use the space below to provide additional information you feel will provide us with a comprehensive understanding of your strengths as a candidate for a career in medicine. This should include only information NOT already included in your AMCAS or other sections of the BUSM Supplemental Application. (3,000 characters max)
- Question for re-applicants: This section may be used by re-applicants who wish to highlight specific areas of their application or to outline specific changes since their last application. (3,000 characters)
Boston University Medical School Secondary Application Essay Prompts: 2021 – 2022
- Are you expecting to go on to medical school directly after completing your undergraduate degree?*
(Post bacc work is NOT considered undergraduate. If attending a post-bacc program prior to entering medical school, the answer is NO and should be explained.)
If you took a gap year(s), please use this space to explain what you have been doing prior to applying to medical school. (1,400 characters max) - If you have spent more than 4 years as an undergraduate, please explain below. (You may skip this question if you have graduated within 4 years.) (1,400 characters max)
- Please provide a narrative or timeline to describe any features of your educational history that you think may be of particular interest to us. (2,000 characters max)
- For example, have you lived in another country or experienced a culture unlike your own, or worked in a field that contributed to your understanding of people unlike yourself? Or, have you experienced advanced training in any area, including the fields of art, music, or sports? This is an opportunity to describe learning experiences that may not be covered in other areas of this application or your primary application. It is not necessary to write anything in this section. Also, use this section to explain any impact that COVID-19 may have had on your educational/research/volunteering or employment plans.
- Why BUSM? Boston Medical Center is the largest safety-net hospital in New England, serving primarily people who are publicly insured, people of color, immigrants, and low-income people in the Greater Boston Area. Why are you specifically interested in beginning your medical education in this environment, and how do you feel that your previous experiences will prepare you for this unique learning environment? (3,000 characters max)
Boston University School of Medicine Secondary Application Optional Essays
- Use the space below to provide additional information you feel will provide us with a comprehensive understanding of your strengths as a candidate for a career in medicine. This should include only information NOT already included in your AMCAS or other sections of the BUSM Supplemental Application. (3,000 characters max)
Boston University Medical School Secondary Application Essay Prompts: 2020 – 2021
- Are you expecting to go on to medical school directly after completing your undergraduate degree? (1,400 characters max)
- If you have spent more than 4 years as an undergraduate, please explain below. (1,400 characters max)
- Please provide a narrative or timeline to describe any features of your educational history that you think may be of particular interest to us. For example, have you lived in another country or experienced a culture unlike your own, or worked in a field that contributed to your understanding of people unlike yourself? Or, have you experienced advanced training in any area, including the fields of art, music, or sports? This is an opportunity to describe learning experiences that may not be covered in other areas of this application or your AMCAS application. It is not necessary to write anything in this section. Also use this section to explain any impact that COVID-19 may have had on your educational/research/volunteering or employment plans. (2,000 characters max)
- Boston Medical Center is the largest safety net hospital in New England, serving primarily people who are publicly insured, people of color, immigrants, and low-income people in the Greater Boston Area. Why are you specifically interested in beginning your medical education in this environment, and how do you feel that your previous experiences will prepare you for this unique learning environment. (2,000 characters max)
Boston University School of Medicine Secondary Application Optional Essays
- Use the space below to provide additional information you feel will provide us with a comprehensive understanding of your strengths as a candidate for a career in medicine. This should include only information NOT already included in your AMCAS or other sections of the BUSM Supplemental Application. (3,000 characters max)
Boston University Medical School Secondary Application Essay Prompts: 2019 – 2020
- Are you expecting to go on to medical school directly after completing your undergraduate degree? (1,400 characters max)
- If you have spent more than 4 years as an undergraduate, please explain below. (1,400 characters max)
- Please provide a narrative or timeline to describe any features of your educational history that you think may be of particular interest to us. For example, have you lived in another country or experienced a culture unlike your own, or worked in a field that contributed to your understanding of people unlike yourself? Or, have you experienced advanced training in any area, including the fields of art, music, or sports? This is an opportunity to describe learning experiences that may not be covered in other areas of this application or your AMCAS application. It is not necessary to write anything in this section. Also use this section to explain any impact that COVID-19 may have had on your educational/research/volunteering or employment plans. (2,000 characters max)
Boston University School of Medicine Secondary Application Optional Essays
- Use the space below to provide additional information you feel will provide us with a comprehensive understanding of your strengths as a candidate for a career in medicine. This should include only information NOT already included in your AMCAS or other sections of the BUSM Supplemental Application. (3,000 characters max)
Boston University Medical School Secondary Application Essay Prompts: 2018 – 2019
- Did you go on to college directly after high school?*
Yes or No? If no, explain. (1,400 characters max) - Are you expecting to go on to medical school directly after completing your undergraduate degree?*
(Post bac work is NOT considered undergraduate. If attending a post-bacc program prior to entering medical school, the answer is NO and should be explained.)
If you took a gap year(s), please use this space to explain what you have been doing prior to applying to medical school. (1,400 characters max) - Please provide a narrative or timeline to describe any features of your educational history that you think may be of particular interest to us. For example, have you lived in another country or experienced a culture unlike your own, or worked in a field that contributed to your understanding of people unlike yourself? Or, have you experienced advanced training in any area, including the fields of art, music, or sports? This is an opportunity to describe learning experiences that may not be covered in other areas of this application or your AMCAS application. It is not necessary to write anything in this section. (2,000 characters max)
Boston University School of Medicine Secondary Application Optional Essays
- Use the space below to provide additional information you feel will provide us with a comprehensive understanding of your strengths as a candidate for a career in medicine. This should include only information NOT already included in your AMCAS or other sections of the BUSM Supplemental Application. (3,000 characters max)
- Boston University School of Medicine/Boston Medical Center Connection: List any personal connection(s) you have at Boston University School of Medicine or Boston Medical Center, or any other part of Boston University. Please provide Name, Department, and Relationship below. (200 characters max)
Boston University Medical School Secondary Application Essay Prompts: 2017 – 2018
- Did you go on to college directly after high school? If no, explain. (1,400 characters max)
- Are you expecting to go on to medical school directly after completing your undergraduate degree? If no, explain. (1,400 characters max)
Boston University School of Medicine Secondary Application Optional Essays
- If you have spent more than 4 years as an undergraduate, please explain below. (1,400 characters max)
- Please provide a narrative or timeline to describe any features of your educational history that you think may be of particular interest to us. (2,000 characters max)
- Use the space below to provide additional information you feel will provide us with a comprehensive understanding of your strengths as a candidate for a career in medicine. (3,000 characters max)
- This section may be used by re-applicants who wish to highlight specific areas of their application or to outline specific changes since their last application. (3,000 characters max)
- You may explain lack of committee letter or substitute letters here. (2,000 characters max)
Boston University Medical School Secondary Application Essay Prompts: 2016 – 2017
- Did you go on to college directly after high school?*
Yes or No? If no, explain. (1,400 characters max) - Are you expecting to go on to medical school directly after completing your undergraduate degree?*
(Post bac work is NOT considered undergraduate. If attending a post-bacc program prior to entering medical school, the answer is NO and should be explained.)
If you took a gap year(s), please use this space to explain what you have been doing prior to applying to medical school. (1,400 characters max) - If you have spent more than 4 years as an undergraduate, please explain below. (1,400 characters max)
- Please provide a narrative or timeline to describe any features of your educational history that you think may be of particular interest to us. For example, have you lived in another country or experienced a culture unlike your own, or worked in a field that contributed to your understanding of people unlike yourself? Or, have you experienced advanced training in any area, including the fields of art, music, or sports? This is an opportunity to describe learning experiences that may not be covered in other areas of this application or your AMCAS application. It is not necessary to write anything in this section. (2,000 characters max)
Boston University School of Medicine Secondary Application Optional Essays
- Use the space below to provide additional information you feel will provide us with a comprehensive understanding of your strengths as a candidate for a career in medicine. This should include only information NOT already included in your AMCAS or other sections of the BUSM Supplemental Application. (3,000 character limits)