For the University of Cincinnati School of Medicine secondary application, it is extremely important to write why you are specifically interested in the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and how your experiences reflect University of Cincinnati’s mission/values. Read all our tips below for the values of Cinci + tips for all the University of Cincinnati secondary essays!
The University of Cincinnati School of Medicine Admissions Committee changed the Cinci secondary prompts last year. We would not recommend pre-writing this secondary.
Drs. Rachel Rizal and Rishi Mediratta have a track record of helping our mentees receive acceptances to the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. Get started and read our University of Cincinnati medical school secondary application tips below. To get our help with editing your essays, check out our secondary essay editing packages.
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University of Cincinnati College of Medicine Secondary Application Questions: 2025 – 2026
University of Cincinnati Medical School Secondary – MD Essay Prompts:
- (If you are not currently a full time student) Provide a thorough explanation of all activities planned between now and your matriculation into medical school. (1,000 characters max)
- Are you a UCCOM re-applicant? Explain how you and your application have changed since your previous submission, and tell us what you have learned along the way. (2,000 characters max)
- Discuss any elements of your application that you feel might be concerning to the Admissions Committee. (This could include explanation of metric trends, institutional actions, legal violations, etc.). Please enter N/A if you have no concerns to report. (2,000 characters max)
- What is your specific interest in the UCCOM program? What opportunities would you take advantage of as a student here? Why? (2,000 characters max)
- Do you have a personal connection to Ohio? If ‘yes’ Please describe. (2,000 characters max)
Tips to Answer University of Cincinnati Secondary Essays
Cinci Medical School Secondary Pre-Writing Guidance: Cinci changed its secondaries last year so we would not pre-write this. However, work on the University of Cincinnati Medical School secondary application essays as soon as you receive them!
- Learn how to stand out on all your secondary essays by downloading our FREE and HIGH-YIELD Cracking Med School Secondary Essays Guide
University of Cincinnati Medical School Secondary Application Tip #1: From our experience, here are elements we have seen to be successful in receiving an interview invite to the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine:
- Ample patient experience and clinical experience – the best way to show this is through patient stories throughout your Cinci secondaries.
- Research
- Experiences in working with diverse individuals – the best way to show this is through stories.
University of Cincinnati Medical School Secondary Application Tip #2: We want to emphasize again – it is extremely important to convey Why University of Cincinnati School of Medicine in your secondary application essays. You can incorporate “Why Cinci” throughout almost all the Cinci secondary essays.
- Read our HIGH-YIELD blog post Why this Medical School? Secondary Essay Example for more tips on how to answer “Why University of Cincinnati School of Medicine.”
Additionally, if you have affiliations with Cincinnati city, Ohio, or the University of Cincinnati, mention these affiliations. If you intend to practice in the Midwest, you should mention that as well. Our students who have received interviews or acceptances at the University of Cincinnati School of Medicine typically have some type of affiliation with the locality.
University of Cincinnati Medical School Secondary Application Tip #3: Highlight your leadership, passion to change healthcare, and impact on society. Additionally, write how the opportunities at the University of Cincinnati School of Medicine will help you accomplish these aspirations.
University of Cincinnati Medical School Secondary Application Tip #4: Remember, diversity does not necessarily mean your ethnic diversity. We recommend students write about their strengths, including exceptional extracurricular activity endeavors. For example, some of our students have discussed their research endeavors for their diversity essays.
- Read our helpful blog post: How To Write Medical School Diversity Essays
- Download all our secondary essay tips: Secondary essay guide
University of Cincinnati Medical School Secondary Application Tip #5: Answer the optional essays. They are an opportunity to shine and stand out on this secondary application!
University of Cincinnati Medical School Secondary Application Tip #6: For the COVID-19 questions, incorporate your personal experiences as well as healthcare current issues you noticed throughout the COVID pandemic.
- Read our COVID essay blog post: COVID-19 Essay Medical School Example & Tips To Stand Out
University of Cincinnati Medical School Secondary Application Tip #7: Get our help to edit your University of Cincinnati medical school secondary application essays. We can help you through our secondary essay packages. Have questions about how you can stand out? Contact us below.
[ Read Other Secondary Essay Tips: Ohio State University, Michigan State University, University of Michigan Medical School ]
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University of Cincinnati College of Medicine Secondary Application Questions: 2024 – 2025
University of Cincinnati Medical School Secondary – MD Essay Prompts:
The Cinci secondary application prompts changed from last year’s application.
Have you ever been convicted of or pled guilty or no contest to, any moving traffic violations (moving violations include speeding tickets)? If yes, please explain fully below (include information even if charges were dropped, dismissed, or otherwise mitigated). (750 characters max)
If you choose: I will NOT be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program (e.g., you are on a gap year for educational purposes or employed after the completion of your studies) between August 2024 and July 2025.
Provide a thorough explanation of all activities planned between now and your matriculation into medical school (Fall 2025). (1,000 characters max)
Cincinnati is a vibrant and multicultural city. You will be exposed to cultures and languages different than your own while living and studying in this city. Given our mission to improve health and well-being through compassionate, patient-centered care, consider an experience in which you collaborated or were exposed to diverse backgrounds that would inform your own vision for patient-centered care. Please describe the impact the experience had on you. (2,000 characters max)
Teamwork is important, and each member of a team has a unique role to play. What does ‘teamwork’ mean to you? What teamwork experiences have you had? How do you navigate your role and the role of other team members? (2,000 characters max)
Discuss any elements of your application that you feel might be concerning to the Admissions Committee. (This could include explanation of metric trends, institutional actions, legal violations, etc.). Please enter N/A if you have no concerns to report. (2,000 characters max)
What is your specific interest in the UCCOM program? What opportunities would you take advantage of as a student here? Why? (2,000 characters max)
How has your academic work beyond the traditional pre-medical requirements (i.e., introductory biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, and introductory physics) prepared you for medical school and for a career in medicine? Please highlight any service-learning activities that you have done. (2,000 characters max)
Cincinnati Medicine is preparing for a hybrid interview season (both in-person and virtual interviews will be available). Should you be invited to interview with Cincinnati Medicine, we ask that you indicate your interview preference below:
- In Person
- Virtual
- No preference
Please provide a brief explanation for your interview preference: (150 characters max)
University of Cincinnati College of Medicine Secondary Application Questions: 2022 – 2023
- Please explain both of the following (2,000 characters max):
- The specific reason(s) you have chosen to apply to the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
- How you will utilize the unique features of our curriculum, institution, city, and/or our mission to achieve your career goals.
- Please describe the reasons that you have chosen to specifically apply your skills to the career of a physician and what specific ways your personality, talents, attributes, etc. will contribute to the practice of clinical medicine. (2,000 characters max)
- The University of Cincinnati is highly committed to selecting and cultivating students who can transform the field of medicine through the use of their distinct talents and attributes. Please tell us how you offer “diversity of thought” to our incoming class. Please also consider sharing unique, personally important, and/or challenging factors in your background that represent the diversity that you bring. (2,000 characters max)
- (Optional) Please explain, if applicable, any ways in which the COVID-19 pandemic specifically and negatively impacted and/or caused significant hardship for your academic performance between the months of March 2020 and September, 2021. (2,000 characters max)
- (Optional) We understand that all applicants have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Please use the space below to describe any personal (ie, non-academic) life-altering experiences or changes to your plans related to the pandemic between March 2020 and September 2021. (2,000 characters max)
University of Cincinnati College of Medicine Secondary Application Questions: 2023 – 2024
University of Cincinnati Medical School Secondary – MD Essay Prompts:
The Cinci secondary application prompts changed from last year’s application.
- The University of Cincinnati’s Next Lives Here initiative includes three platforms:
- Inclusion: Intentionally engaging people and the contribution of diverse ideas.
- Innovation: Challenging existing practices and paradigms and discovering the unknown.
- Impact: Positively transforming our community and society in measurable ways.
- We work together in a spirit of collaboration, inclusion, and service: To educate and train the physicians, scientists, and health professionals of tomorrow; To advance knowledge through impactful, innovative research; To improve health and well-being through compassionate, patient-centered care. Considering the UCCOM mission, tell us why you’re applying here and how our mission aligns with your own. Your response is limited to 2000 characters. (2,000 characters max)
- We are committed to excellence, diversity, and integrity in our students, faculty, staff, and all of our activities. We provide an inclusive environment where innovation and freedom of intellectual inquiry flourish.
Please share your personal journey to a career in medicine and let us know how the UCCOM values align with your own. Your response is limited to 2000 characters. (2,000 characters max) - Please explain, if applicable, any ways in which the COVID-19 pandemic specifically and negatively impacted and/or caused significant hardship for your academic performance between the months of March 2020 and September 2022. Your response is limited to 2000 characters. (2,000 characters max)
- We understand that all applicants have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Please use the space below to describe anypersonal (ie, non-academic) life-altering experiences or changes to your plans related to the pandemic between March 2020 and September 2022. Your response is limited to 2000 characters. (2,000 characters max)
University of Cincinnati Medical School Secondary – MD/PhD Essay Prompts:
- Please summarize your past research experience(s). Discuss your role and contributions to the project(s). Explain how these experience(s) have prepared you for a career as a physician-scientist. (4,000 characters max)
- Please discuss your motivation and goals for joining an MD/PhD program. Elaborate on future career plans and how the University of Cincinnati MSTP will help you achieve those goals. (2,000 characters max)
- Please discuss your research interests and how these align with the research opportunities provided at the University of Cincinnati/Cincinnati Children’s. Discuss potential MSTP faculty mentors whose research is of interest to you. (2,000 characters max)
University of Cincinnati College of Medicine Secondary Application Questions: 2021 – 2022
- Please explain both of the following (2,000 characters max):
- The specific reason(s) you have chosen to apply to the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
- How you will utilize the unique features of our curriculum, institution, city, and/or our mission to achieve your career goals.
- Please describe the reasons that you have chosen to specifically apply your skills to the career of a physician and what specific ways your personality, talents, attributes, etc. will contribute to the practice of clinical medicine. (2,000 characters max)
- The University of Cincinnati is highly committed to selecting and cultivating students who can transform the field of medicine through the use of their distinct talents and attributes. Please tell us how you offer “diversity of thought” to our incoming class. Please also consider sharing unique, personally important, and/or challenging factors in your background that represent the diversity that you bring. (2,000 characters max)
- (Optional) Please explain, if applicable, any ways in which the COVID-19 pandemic specifically and negatively impacted and/or caused significant hardship for your academic performance between the months of March 2020 and September, 2021. (2,000 characters max)
- (Optional) We understand that all applicants have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Please use the space below to describe any personal (ie, non-academic) life-altering experiences or changes to your plans related to the pandemic between March 2020 and September 2021. (2,000 characters max)
University of Cincinnati College of Medicine Secondary Application Questions: 2020 - 2021
- Please explain both of the following (2,000 characters max):
- The specific reason(s) you have chosen to apply to the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
- How you will utilize the unique features of our curriculum, institution, city, and/or our mission to achieve your career goals.
- Please describe the reasons that you have chosen to specifically apply your skills to the career of a physician and what specific ways your personality, talents, attributes, etc. will contribute to the practice of clinical medicine. (2,000 characters max)
- The University of Cincinnati is highly committed to selecting and cultivating students who can transform the field of medicine through the use of their distinct talents and attributes. Please tell us how you offer “diversity of thought” to our incoming class. Please also consider sharing unique, personally important, and/or challenging factors in your background that represent the diversity that you bring. (2,000 characters max)
- (Optional) Please explain, if applicable, any ways in which the COVID-19 pandemic specifically and negatively impacted and/or caused significant hardship for your academic performance between the months of March 2020 and September, 2021. (2,000 characters max)
- (Optional) We understand that all applicants have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Please use the space below to describe any personal (ie, non-academic) life-altering experiences or changes to your plans related to the pandemic between March 2020 and September 2021. (2,000 characters max)
University of Cincinnati College of Medicine Secondary Application Questions: 2019 – 2020
- Briefly describe what specific resources or opportunities offered by the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine you intend to utilize as a medical student and explain how these are consistent with your own interests. Please consider the uniqueness of our opportunities, our institution, our city, or our mission. (2,000 characters max)
- The University of Cincinnati is highly committed to selecting and cultivating students who can transform the field of medicine through the use of their distinct talents and attributes. Please tell us how you offer “diversity of thought” to our incoming class. Please also consider sharing unique, personally important, and/or challenging factors in your background that represent the diversity that you bring. (2,000 characters max)
University of Cincinnati College of Medicine Secondary Application Questions: 2018 – 2019
- Briefly describe what specific resources or opportunities offered by the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine you intend to utilize as a medical student and explain how these are consistent with your own interests. Please consider the uniqueness of our opportunities, our institution, our city, and/or our mission. (2,000 characters max)
- The University of Cincinnati is highly committed to selecting and cultivating students who can transform the field of medicine through the use of their distinct talents and attributes. Please tell us how you offer “diversity of thought” to our incoming class. Please also consider sharing unique, personally important, and/or challenging factors in your background that represent the diversity that you bring. (2,000 characters max)
University of Cincinnati College of Medicine Secondary Application Questions: 2017 – 2018
- Briefly describe what specific resources or opportunities offered by the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine you intend to utilize as a medical student and explain how these are consistent with your own interests. Please consider the uniqueness of our opportunities, our institution, our city, or our mission. (2,000 characters max)
- The University of Cincinnati is highly committed to selecting and cultivating students who can transform the field of medicine through the use of their distinct talents and attributes. Please tell us how you offer “diversity of thought” to our incoming class. Please also consider sharing unique, personally important, and/or challenging factors in your background that represent the diversity that you bring. (2,000 characters max)
University of Cincinnati College of Medicine Secondary Application Questions: 2016 – 2017
- Were you ever the recipient of an institutional action (i,e. disciplined, probation, suspended, or dismissed) by any college, university, or medical school for unacceptable academic performance or conduct violation, even though such action may not have interrupted your enrollment or required you to withdraw? If yes, please explain fully below. (750 characters max)
- Have you ever participated in a pre-conviction program or been convicted of, pled guilty, or no contest to: a felony and/or criminal offense (include information even if charges have been dropped or dismissed)? If yes, please explain below. (1,000 characters max)
- Have you ever been convicted of or pled guilty or no contest to, any moving traffic violations (moving violations include speeding tickets)? If yes, please explain fully below. (750 characters max)
- Have you ever matriculated at or attended any medical school as a candidate for the M.D. degree? If yes, please explain below. (750 characters max)
- If you will NOT be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program (e.g., you are completing a gap year) between August 2016 and June 2017, please click the button below. Then, in 1,000 characters, provide a thorough explanation of all activities planned between now and your matriculation into medical school (Fall 2017).
- Briefly describe why you wish to enroll at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. If applicable, please include any personal connection that you have to the University of Cincinnati, our medical school, the Cincinnati area, or our academic health center. (1,000 characters max)
- If the healthcare profession did not exist and we did not need healthcare providers, what other occupation(s) would you find personally desirable and why? (1,500 characters max)
University of Cincinnati College of Medicine Secondary Application Questions: 2015 – 2016
- Were you ever the recipient of an institutional action (i,e. disciplined, probation, suspended, or dismissed) by any college, university, or medical school for unacceptable academic performance or conduct violation, even though such action may not have interrupted your enrollment or required you to withdraw? If yes, please explain fully below. (750 characters max)
- Have you ever participated in a pre-conviction program or been convicted of, pled guilty, or no contest to: a felony and/or criminal offense (include information even if charges have been dropped or dismissed)? If yes, please explain below. (1,000 characters max)
- Have you ever been convicted of or pled guilty or no contest to, any moving traffic violations (moving violations include speeding tickets)? If yes, please explain fully below. (750 characters max)
- Have you ever matriculated at or attended any medical school as a candidate for the M.D. degree? If yes, please explain below. (750 characters max)
- If you are NOT currently enrolled in a degree granting program, click on the button below, and please briefly describe your major activities, not listed on AMCAS. (1,000 characters max)
- Briefly describe why you wish to enroll at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. If applicable, please include any personal connection that you have to the University of Cincinnati, our medical school, the Cincinnati area, or our academic health center. (1,000 characters max)
- Imagine a world in which illness and injury do not exist; all medical facilities and schools have closed because there is no longer a need for these services. What would you choose to do with your life in such a world? (1,500 characters max)
University of Cincinnati College of Medicine Secondary Application Questions: 2014 – 2015
- Were you ever the recipient of an institutional action (i,e. disciplined, probation, suspended, or dismissed) by any college, university, or medical school for unacceptable academic performance or conduct violation, even though such action may not have interrupted your enrollment or required you to withdraw? If yes, please explain fully below. (750 characters max)
- Have you ever participated in a pre-conviction program or been convicted of, pled guilty, or no contest to: a felony and/or criminal offense (include information even if charges have been dropped or dismissed)? If yes, please explain below. (1,000 characters max)
- Have you ever been convicted of or pled guilty or no contest to, any moving traffic violations (moving violations include speeding tickets)? If yes, please explain fully below. (750 characters max)
- Have you ever matriculated at or attended any medical school as a candidate for the M.D. degree? If yes, please explain below. (750 characters max)
- If you are NOT currently enrolled in a degree granting program, click on the button below, and please briefly describe your major activities, not listed on AMCAS. (1,000 characters max)