Other than a strong academic performance (strong GPA, strong MCAT score, and strong letters of recommendation), the way to differentiate yourself is through submitting phenomenal Rutgers New Jersey Medical School secondary application essays. Rutgers New Jersey Medical School wants to recruit medical students who want to serve the New Jersey community in the future. Additionally, they want to recruit students who strive to give quality healthcare to all residents. Read all our Rutgers secondary application tips below.
The Rutgers Medical School secondary has not changed in the past couple of years. Therefore, we think this is a great secondary to pre-write! It is EXTREMELY to submit your secondary early. In our opinion, the Rutgers secondary application should be one of the first secondaries you submit during the secondaries application process.
Our Cracking Med School Admissions team has a track record of helping our mentees receive acceptances to both Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School each year. We do this by helping students tailor their Rutgers secondaries and ace their medical school interviews. Contact us if you want help with your secondary essay edits and mock interviews.
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Rutgers New Jersey Medical School Secondary Application Questions: 2023 – 2024
- We are committed to an environment which fosters collaboration, humanism, equity and social justice. With this in mind, how will you contribute to the NJMS community? (1,500 characters max)
- We seek students who are self-aware, resilient and adaptable. Discuss a personal or professional challenge you’ve experienced and how you resolved it. Please include insight on what you learned about yourself as a result. (1,500 characters max)
- (If applicable) If you will not be a full time student between June 2023 and August 2024, please describe in detail your planned activities, including projected time commitment for each activity. (1,500 characters max)
- (If applicable) If you chose to pursue one or more growth years prior to applying to medical school, please share insight on your decision. (1,500 characters max)
- (If applicable) If you are a re-applicant, please share what you have done to enhance your candidacy and re-application? (1,500 characters max)
- Please elaborate on challenges not thoroughly addressed anywhere else in your application (Please feel free to address any or all of the following if applicable: impact of COVID, institutional actions, academics, MCAT, personal difficulties, etc.). (1,500 characters max)
- Please discuss any additional information you feel may help us in our review of your candidacy. (1,500 characters max)
Tips to Answer RutgersNJMS Secondary Application Essays
Rutgers NJMS Secondaries Pre-Writing Guidance: The Rutgers Medical School secondary has not changed in the past couple of years. Therefore, we think this is a great secondary to pre-write! It is EXTREMELY to submit your secondary early. In our opinion, the Rutgers secondary application should be one of the first secondaries you submit during the summer application cycle.
- Download our Cracking Med Secondary Essay Workbook and Examples.
Rutgers New Jersey Medical School Secondary Application Tip #1: The NJMS Admissions Committee values medical students who have: ample direct patient care & clinical experience; research experience and exhibit critical thinking skills; and a commitment to New Jersey residents. Talk about how you want to serve New Jersey in your future career as a physician. Additionally, if you have experiences in New Jersey, you should mention them throughout your NJMS secondary application! For example, our accepted students have written about doing community service work or clinical work on 2 or more of the essays.
Rutgers New Jersey Medical School Secondary Application Tip #2: Answer as many questions as possible on the Rutgers secondary application. And, make sure you answer the questions thoroughly. For example, for the Rutgers New Jersey Medical School secondary application essay, “If you chose to pursue one or more growth years prior to applying to medical school, please share insight on your decision,” use all the space to discuss everything you’ve been doing in your gap year(s). Don’t forget to add both clinical and non-clinical activities.
Rutgers New Jersey Medical School Secondary Application Tip #3: Do you need to answer the optional question? YES! You always want to “sell” yourself as a strong applicant, and one way to do that is to write as many excellent secondary application essays, which show various perspectives about you. You can literally write about anything and we suggest that if you have no extenuating circumstances that you want to mention, then talk about an activity or passion that is important to you.
For the question, “Please discuss any additional information you feel may help us in our review of your candidacy,” we tell our medical school application advisees to write about their strengths. For example, if a medical school applicant was not able to discuss his or her research in the other Rutgers secondary essays or extensively in your AMCAS primary application, then you should write about it in the last essay.
Rutgers New Jersey Medical School Secondary Application Tip #4: Don’t forget to incorporate a little bit about “Why Rutgers New Jersey Medical School” throughout the Rutgers secondary application. Talk about projects and research you want to do at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School.
- Read our HIGH-YIELD blog post: Why this Medical School? Secondary Essay Example
Rutgers New Jersey Medical School Secondary Application Tip #5: Get our help to edit your Rutgers Medical School secondary application. We can help you through our secondary essay packages, and we can help you tailor your essays towards each medical school and personalize your responses based on your strengths. Have questions about how you can stand out to the admissions committee? Contact us below
Rutgers New Jersey Medical School Secondary Application Tip #6: The Rutgers New Jersey Medical School Admissions Committee appreciates it when medical school applicants reflect on broader healthcare issues (like COVID-19) and how these healthcare issues affect New Jersey communities specifically. For example, if you read about healthcare disparities, you should think about what healthcare disparities there are in New Jersey.
- Read our Top 10 Current Events, updated by the Cracking Med School Admissions team each year!
Rutgers New Jersey Medical School Secondary Application Tip #7: 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. For example, if you faced academic challenges in the previous application cycle, then you can discussed how you improved your academic profile – did you re-take the MCAT? Take extra-courses? enroll in a postbacc program? Additionally and importantly, if you have other significant extra-curricular activities or new work experiences, you should mention them.
[Other Secondary Essay Tips: University of Pennsylvania Perelman (UPenn); Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School; Mount Sinai (Icahn); Cooper Medical School of Rowan University]
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Rutgers New Jersey Medical School Secondary Application Questions: 2022 – 2023
- We are committed to an environment which fosters collaboration, humanism, equity and social justice. With this in mind, how will you contribute to the NJMS community? (1,500 characters max)
- We seek students who are self-aware, resilient and adaptable. Discuss a personal or professional challenge you’ve experienced and how you resolved it. Please include insight on what you learned about yourself as a result. (1,500 characters max)
- If you will not be a full time student between June 2022 – August 2023, please describe in detail your planned activities, including projected time commitment for each activity. (1,500 characters max)
- If you chose to pursue one or more growth years prior to applying to medical school, please share insight on your decision. (1,500 characters max)
- If you are a re-applicant, please share what you have done to enhance your candidacy and re-application? (1,500 characters max)
- Please elaborate on challenges not thoroughly addressed anywhere else in your application (Please feel free to address any or all of the following if applicable: impact of COVID, institutional actions, academics, MCAT, personal difficulties, etc.). (1,500 characters max)
- Please discuss any additional information you feel may help us in our review of your candidacy. (1,500 characters max)
Rutgers New Jersey Medical School Secondary Application Questions: 2021 – 2022
- We are committed to an environment which fosters collaboration, humanism, equity and social justice. With this in mind, how will you contribute to the NJMS community? (1,500 characters max)
- We seek students who are self-aware, resilient and adaptable. Discuss a personal or professional challenge you’ve experienced and how you resolved it. Please include insight on what you learned about yourself as a result. (1,500 characters max)
- If you will not be a full time student between June 2021-August 2022, please describe in detail your planned activities, including projected time commitment for each activity. (1,500 characters max)
- If you chose to pursue one or more growth years prior to applying to medical school, please share insight on your decision. (1,500 characters max)
- If you are a re-applicant, please share what you have done to enhance your candidacy and re-application? (1,500 characters max)
- Please elaborate on challenges not thoroughly addressed anywhere else in your application (Please feel free to address any or all of the following if applicable: impact of COVID, institutional actions, academics, MCAT, personal difficulties, etc.). (1,500 characters max)
- Please discuss any additional information you feel may help us in our review of your candidacy. (1,500 characters max)
Rutgers New Jersey Medical School Secondary Application Questions: 2020 - 2021
- We are committed to an environment which fosters collaboration, humanism, equity and social justice. With this in mind, how will you contribute to the NJMS community? (1,500 characters max)
- We seek students who are self-aware, resilient and adaptable. Discuss a personal or professional challenge you’ve experienced and how you resolved it. Please include insight on what you learned about yourself as a result. (1,500 characters max)
- If you will not be a full-time student between June 2020-August 2021, please describe in detail your planned activities, including projected time commitment for each activity. (1,500 characters max)
- If you chose to pursue one or more growth years prior to applying to medical school, please share insight on your decision. (1,500 characters max)
- If you are a re-applicant, please share what you have done to enhance your candidacy and re-application? (1,500 characters max)
- Please elaborate on challenges not thoroughly addressed anywhere else in your application (Please feel free to address any or all of the following if applicable: impact of COVID, institutional actions, academics, MCAT, personal difficulties, etc.). (1,500 characters max)
- Please discuss any additional information you feel may help us in our review of your candidacy. (1,500 characters max)
Rutgers New Jersey Medical School Secondary Application Questions: 2019 – 2020
- If you have participated in any program(s) affiliated with NJMS (i.e. summer programs, research, high school programs, internships, volunteering, graduate school, etc.), please indicate below. Please provide name(s) and date(s) of program participation. (1,500 characters max)
- If you have any relatives currently enrolled or who have graduated from NJMS please provide name(s), relationship to you and graduation year in the space provided below. (1,500 characters max)
- If you have any other connections to NJMS, or Rutgers University, please provide details below. (1,500 characters max)
- If you previously applied to NJMS through AMCAS or an accelerated program, please provide the following: Program name(s) and Application year(s). (1,500 characters max)
- Please indicate below if you previously met with either Dr. Heinrich or Ms. Rivero (prior to July 1, 2019). With whom did you meet and date(s).
- NJMS recognizes the importance of diversity in the medical profession. We understand that the applicant pool is multidimensional and as such we would like to learn more about you. (1,500 characters max)
- How do you self-identify Racially
- How do you self-identify Ethnically
- How do you self-identify Culturally
- Integrity is a core value at NJMS. Please share your thoughts on Integrity. Additionally, we seek students who are self-aware, resilient and adaptable. Discuss a personal or professional challenge you have experienced and how you resolved it. (1,500 characters max)
- NJMS is committed to fostering a collaborative and cohesive environment. With this in mind, how will you contribute to our medical school community? (1,500 characters max)
- Please discuss any additional information you feel may help us in our review of your candidacy. Feel free to elaborate on any gaps (educational or experiences), discrepancies in academic history, institutional actions, etc. (1,500 characters max)
Rutgers New Jersey Medical School Secondary Application Questions: 2018 – 2019
- If you have participated in any program(s) affiliated with NJMS (i.e. summer programs, research, high school programs, internships, volunteering, graduate school, etc.), please indicate below. Please provide name(s) and date(s) of program participation. (1,500 characters max)
- If you have any relatives currently enrolled or who have graduated from NJMS please provide name(s), relationship to you and graduation year in the space provided below. (1,500 characters max)
- If you have any other connections to NJMS, or Rutgers University, please provide details below. (1,500 characters max)
- If you previously applied to NJMS through AMCAS or an accelerated program, please provide the following: Program name(s) and Application year(s). (1,500 characters max)
- Please indicate below if you previously met with either Dr. Heinrich or Ms. Rivero (prior to July 1, 2018). With whom did you meet and date(s).
- NJMS recognizes the importance of diversity in the medical profession. We understand that the applicant pool is multidimensional and as such we would like to learn more about you. (1,500 characters max)
- How do you self-identify Racially
- How do you self-identify Ethnically
- How do you self-identify Culturally
- Integrity is a core value at NJMS. Please share your thoughts on Integrity. Additionally, we seek students who are self-aware, resilient and adaptable. Discuss a personal or professional challenge you have experienced and how you resolved it. (1,500 characters max)
- NJMS is committed to fostering a collaborative and cohesive environment. With this in mind, how will you contribute to our medical school community? (1,500 characters max)
- Please discuss any additional information you feel may help us in our review of your candidacy. Feel free to elaborate on any gaps (educational or experiences), discrepancies in academic history, institutional actions, etc. (1,500 characters max)
Rutgers New Jersey Medical School Secondary Application Questions: 2017 – 2018
- We value qualities of integrity, humanism, diversity, and cultural competency in our student body. What would you bring to our medical school community? (1,500 characters max)
- Please discuss additional information not addressed in your application that you feel is important for the screening committee to know in reviewing your application (i.e. personal experiences, examples of resilience, discrepancies in academic history, etc.). (1,500 characters max)
- If there is any other information you feel enriches your candidacy, please feel free to share it here. (1,500 characters max)
- If you don’t currently reside in NJ, please share connections (if any) you may have. (1,500 characters max)
- If you will not be a full-time student between June 2016-August 2017, please describe in detail your planned activities, including chronology and time commitment. (1,500 characters max)
Rutgers New Jersey Medical School Secondary Application Questions: 2016 – 2017
- We value qualities of integrity, humanism, diversity, and cultural competency in our student body. What would you bring to our medical school community? (1,500 characters max)
- Please discuss additional information not addressed in your application that you feel is important for the screening committee to know in reviewing your application (i.e. personal experiences, examples of resilience, discrepancies in academic history, etc.). (1,500 characters max)
- If there is any other information you feel enriches your candidacy, please feel free to share it here. (1,500 characters max)
- If you don’t currently reside in NJ, please share connections (if any) you may have. (1,500 characters max)
- If you will not be a full-time student between June 2016-August 2017, please describe in detail your planned activities, including chronology and time commitment. (1,500 characters max)
Rutgers New Jersey Medical School Secondary Application Questions: 2015 – 2016
- We value integrity, humanism, cultural competence in our student body. What would you bring to our school? (1,500 characters max)
- If your legal residence on your AMCAS application is not NJ, please discuss specific reasons you have applied to NJMS and include connections you may have (if any) to New Jersey. (1,500 characters max)
- Please discuss any additional information that you feel is important to your candidacy for medical school. (1,500 characters max)
- If you are not attending college/university full-time as of fall 2014 or during the rest of the academic year, please describe your planned activities from June 2015 – August 2016. (1,500 characters max)
Rutgers New Jersey Medical School Secondary Application Questions: 2014 – 2015
- Please discuss any personal characteristics that make you a good fit for medicine, as well as a good fit for NJMS. (1,500 characters max)
- If your legal residence on your AMCAS application is not NJ, please discuss specific reasons you have applied to NJMS and include connections you may have (if any) to New Jersey. (1,500 characters max)
- Please discuss any additional information that you feel is important to your candidacy for medical school. (1,500 characters max)
- If you are not attending college/university full-time as of fall 2014 or during the rest of the academic year, please describe your planned activities from June 2014 – August 2015. (1,500 characters max)