University of Colorado Secondary Application Essay Prompts by Year
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The University of Colorado secondary application is short, so you can work on this quickly and submit it soon after you receive the official secondary application. The University of Colorado School of Medicine has several tracks for medical school. Most of our students apply to the general MD program, but some students select to also apply to the Fort Collins and Rural program. Make sure to read about each program before applying.
Whichever program you choose, it is important to highlight WHY you want to go to the University of Colorado. Read our other Cracking Med School Admissions University of Colorado secondary application tips down below!
Contact us if you have any questions about how to stand out in this secondary application.
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University of Colorado School of Medicine Secondary Application Essay Prompts: 2025 – 2026
University of Colorado Secondary Application Essay Prompts – MD Program (For All Applicants)
- The pillars of our curriculum are Leadership, Curiosity, and Commitment. Tell us about how you have embodied one or more of these attributes in your path to medicine thus far. In which of these areas do you see the most opportunity for personal growth and why? (1,000 words max)
- Please describe how your background and/or your unique lived experiences contribute to our culture of inclusive excellence. (300 words max)
University of Colorado Secondary Application Essay Prompts – Fort Collins Program
*MSTP Applicants CANNOT apply to this program
- Please tell us why you are interested in being a part of the 4-year CUSOM at CSU (Fort Collins Branch campus)? With the background that FCB’s smaller class sizes and unique structure lead to a highly interactive curriculum, please tell us how this campus matches your learning style and personal philosophy. (300 words max)
University of Colorado Secondary Application Essay Prompts – Rural Program
*MSTP Applicants CANNOT apply to this program
- Why are you interested in being a rural physician? How will rural life and work fit your personal goals? You may include your past experiences and ties or interest to rural Colorado. (300 words max)
University of Colorado Secondary Application Essay Prompts – Colorado Springs Program
- Please submit a short statement regarding your interest in the Colorado Springs Branch. You may address characteristics of the Branch that would be a fit for your strengths, experiences, and/or career plans. You may also note your ties to or interest in Colorado Springs or other similar communities. Limit the essay to 1500 characters, including spaces (300 words max).
University of Colorado Secondary Application Essay Prompts – Aerospace Engineering Dual Degree Program
- Describe your career path up to this point and how that has led to your interest in human spaceflight. What is your motivation for seeking a dual degree in Aerospace Engineering and how does this fit into your vision for your career.
Tips to Answer University of Colorado Secondary Application Essays
University of Colorado Secondaries Pre-Writing Guidance: We would definitely pre-write the University of Colorado secondaries, especially if you are an in-state applicant! There is one question that has a 1,000 word limit, which is longer than a personal statement! So start this secondary early.
- Learn how to stand out to the Admissions Committee by downloading our FREE and HIGH-YIELD Cracking Med School Secondary Essays Guide
University of Colorado Secondary Application Tip #1: One thing that will make you a favorable medical school applicant is if you have ties to Colorado. If you have lived in Colorado, conducted community service, or completed any clinical experiences in Colorado, make sure to mention them! Additionally, make sure you discuss “Why University of Colorado School of Medicine.”
Resources:
- For more information on how to answer “Why University of Colorado?” read our informative blog post Why this Medical School? Secondary Essay Example.
University of Colorado Secondary Application Tip #2: For the University of Colorado secondary application question, “Tell us about how you have embodied one or more of these attributes in your path to medicine thus far. In which of these areas do you see the most opportunity for personal growth and why? ” students often write 1 story per pillar. Contact us if you want to brainstorm or check whether your stories for leadership, curiosity, and commitment will help you stand out!
University of Colorado Secondary Application Tip #3: If you are going to apply to a specific track, make sure you talk about your experiences in rural medicine or urban medicine. Specifically, if you have lived or worked in rural / urban Colorado, that would be a great fact to mention! Then, talk about how these tracks will help you in your journey towards practicing in urban or rural areas.
University of Colorado Secondary Application Tip #4: Have questions about how you can stand out? Contact us below. Need editing help on your secondary? We can help you through our secondary essay packages.
University of Colorado Secondary Application Tip #5: For the re-applicant essay, it is important to discuss the following.
- Reflections about why your application was not as strong last cycle.
- How you addressed the weaknesses.
- Clinical opportunities you’ve improved. Reflect on what you learned about patient care.
- For the University of Colorado Medical School secondary application, any activities you’ve had in to Colorado will be a huge plus, especially patient care experiences!
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Q: Do I need to use the 1,000 words in the Colorado medical school secondary application essay #1? You should optimize the space. We recommend using at least 500 words. This is a tough secondary because you have so much space, so contact us if you need help with editing this essay! Make sure your essays complement your primary application personal statement. We are successful in helping students get interview invites and acceptances!
- Q: Can you tell me more about the Fort Collins program and the University of Colorado School of Medicine rural track? Read more about the rural track here and the Fort Collins branch here. The Fort Collins track started in 2021 and medical students receive clinical training in Northern Colorado. The University of Colorado rural track started in 2005 and focuses its clinical training and clinical experience in rural medicine. As stated on the University of Colorado website, “Students in the Rural Program spend the year at dispersed sites in one rural Colorado community or several neighboring towns. Each site typically has one or two learners, so our students have extensive opportunities for hands-on experiences and participation in procedures.”
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University of Colorado School of Medicine Secondary Application Essay Prompts: 2024 – 2025
University of Colorado Secondary Application Essay Prompts – MD Program (For All Applicants)
- The pillars of our curriculum are Leadership, Curiosity, and Commitment. Tell us about how you have embodied one or more of these attributes in your path to medicine thus far. In which of these areas do you see the most opportunity for personal growth and why? (1,000 words max)
- Please describe how your background and/or your unique lived experiences contribute to our culture of inclusive excellence. (300 words max)
University of Colorado Secondary Application Essay Prompts – Fort Collins Program
*MSTP Applicants CANNOT apply to this program
- Please tell us why you are interested in being a part of the 4-year CUSOM at CSU (Fort Collins Branch campus)? With the background that FCB’s smaller class sizes and unique structure lead to a highly interactive curriculum, please tell us how this campus matches your learning style and personal philosophy. (300 words max)
University of Colorado Secondary Application Essay Prompts – Rural Program
*MSTP Applicants CANNOT apply to this program
- Why are you interested in being a rural physician? How will rural life and work fit your personal goals? You may include your past experiences and ties or interest to rural Colorado. (300 words max)
University of Colorado Secondary Application Essay Prompts – Colorado Springs Program
- Please submit a short statement regarding your interest in the Colorado Springs Branch. You may address characteristics of the Branch that would be a fit for your strengths, experiences, and/or career plans. You may also note your ties to or interest in Colorado Springs or other similar communities. Limit the essay to 1500 characters, including spaces (300 words max).
University of Colorado Secondary Application Essay Prompts – Aerospace Engineering Dual Degree Program
- Describe your career path up to this point and how that has led to your interest in human spaceflight. What is your motivation for seeking a dual degree in Aerospace Engineering and how does this fit into your vision for your career.
University of Colorado School of Medicine Secondary Application Essay Prompts: 2023 – 2024
University of Colorado Secondary Application Essay Prompts – MD Program (For All Applicants)
- The pillars of our curriculum are Leadership, Curiosity, and Commitment. Tell us about how you have embodied one or more of these attributes in your path to medicine thus far. In which of these areas do you see the most opportunity for personal growth and why? (1,000 words max)
- Please describe how your background and/or your unique lived experiences contribute to our culture of inclusive excellence. (300 words max)
- Please explain how you and your application has changed since your previous submission. (1,500 characters max)
University of Colorado Secondary Application Essay Prompts – Fort Collins Program
*MSTP Applicants CANNOT apply to this program
- Please tell us why you are interested in being a part of the 4-year CUSOM at CSU (Fort Collins Branch campus)? With the background that FCB’s smaller class sizes and unique structure lead to a highly interactive curriculum, please tell us how this campus matches your learning style and personal philosophy. (300 words max)
University of Colorado Secondary Application Essay Prompts – Rural Program
*MSTP Applicants CANNOT apply to this program
- Describe your personal and professional goals in becoming a rural physician. In particular, describe your interest and ability to spend your clinical year in a rural community. You may also include how past experiences living and/or working in a rural area and your ties to or interest in rural Colorado communities aligns with your goals. (300 words max)
University of Colorado School of Medicine Secondary Application Essay Prompts: 2022 – 2023
University of Colorado Secondary Application Essay Prompts – MD Program (For All Applicants)
- The pillars of our curriculum are Leadership, Curiosity, and Commitment. Tell us about how you have embodied one or more of these attributes in your path to medicine thus far. In which of these areas do you see the most opportunity for personal growth and why? (1,000 words max)
- Please explain how you and your application has changed since your previous submission. (1,500 characters max)
University of Colorado Secondary Application Essay Prompts – Fort Collins Program
*MSTP Applicants CANNOT apply to these programs
- Please tell us why you are interested in being a part of the 4-year CUSOM at CSU (Fort Collins Branch campus)? With the background that FCB’s smaller class sizes and unique structure lead to a highly interactive curriculum, please tell us how this campus matches your learning style and personal philosophy. (300 words max)
University of Colorado Secondary Application Essay Prompts – Rural Program
*MSTP Applicants CANNOT apply to these programs
- Describe your personal and professional goals in becoming a rural physician. In particular, describe your interest and ability to spend your clinical year in a rural community. You may also include how past experiences living and/or working in a rural area and your ties to or interest in rural Colorado communities aligns with your goals. (300 words max)
University of Colorado School of Medicine Secondary Application Essay Prompts: 2021 – 2022
University of Colorado Secondary Application Essay Prompts – MD Program (For All Applicants)
- The pillars of our curriculum are Leadership, Curiosity, and Commitment. Tell us about how you have embodied one or more of these attributes in your path to medicine thus far. In which of these areas do you see the most opportunity for personal growth and why? (1,000 words max)
University of Colorado Secondary Application Essay Prompts – Fort Collins Program
*MSTP Applicants CANNOT apply to these programs
- Please tell us why you are interested in being a part of the 4-year CUSOM at CSU (Fort Collins Branch campus)? With the background that FCB’s smaller class sizes and unique structure lead to a highly interactive curriculum, please tell us how this campus matches your learning style and personal philosophy. (300 words max)
University of Colorado Secondary Application Essay Prompts – Rural Program
*MSTP Applicants CANNOT apply to these programs
- Describe your personal and professional goals in becoming a rural physician. In particular, describe your interest and ability to spend your clinical year in a rural community. You may also include how past experiences living and/or working in a rural area and your ties to or interest in rural Colorado communities aligns with your goals. (300 words max)
University of Colorado School of Medicine Secondary Application Essay Prompts: 2020 – 2021
University of Colorado Secondary Application Essay Prompts – MD Program (For All Applicants)
- The School of Medicine regards the diversity of an entering class as an important factor in serving the educational mission of the school. Please write about things in your background that have been important to your development or that have been challenging to you on your path to a career in medicine. These could include your socioeconomic status, culture, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, sexual identity, and work or life experiences. Explain how these have influenced your goals and preparation for a career in medicine. (300 words max)
- Please write about the “fit” between your experiences and goals and the University of Colorado School of Medicine. (300 words max)
University of Colorado School of Medicine Secondary Application Essay Prompts: 2019 – 2020
University of Colorado Secondary Application Essay Prompts – MD Program (For All Applicants)
- The School of Medicine regards the diversity of an entering class as an important factor in serving the educational mission of the school. Please write about things in your background that have been important to your development or that have been challenging to you on your path to a career in medicine. These could include your socioeconomic status, culture, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, sexual identity, and work or life experiences. Explain how these have influenced your goals and preparation for a career in medicine. (300 words max)
- Please write about the “fit” between your experiences and goals and the University of Colorado School of Medicine. (300 words max)
University of Colorado School of Medicine Secondary Application Essay Prompts: 2018 – 2019
University of Colorado Secondary Application Essay Prompts – MD Program (For All Applicants)
- Please answer both parts in this single essay. Limit the essay to 1,500 characters, including spaces (approximately 300 words).
- Part A. The School of Medicine regards the diversity of an entering class as an important factor in serving the educational mission of the school. Please write about things in your background that have been important to your development or that have been challenging to you on your path to a career in medicine. These could include your socioeconomic status, culture, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, sexual identity, and work or life experiences. Explain how these have influenced your goals and preparation for a career in medicine.
- Part B. Please write about the “fit” between your experiences and goals and the University of Colorado School of Medicine. If you are a reapplicant, please include information on how your application has changed.
- If you are a re-applicant, please explain how you and your application has changed since your previous submission. (1,500 characters max – including spaces)
University of Colorado Secondary Application Essay Prompts – Urban Track
*Only if you selected this optional track
- Please answer each of the questions below separately. This statement should not exceed 4,500 characters, including spaces (approximately 750 words). Do not repeat the content from your AMCAS or Colorado Secondary Application essays.
- A. Describe the type of urban community health project that would be of greatest interest to you. Try to be as specific as possible regarding a particular culture or population of patients you are interested in and a topic you would like to study.
- 1. Reasons for your interest in the CU-UNITE Urban Underserved track.
- 2. If you have had a prior experience in an urban underserved community either volunteer, work-related, and/or personal, describe how this has impacted your decision to apply to this track.
- B. Describe how you plan to incorporate urban underserved health care into your career following completion of your schooling.
- C. You are a student spending your first summer working in an urban-underserved, uninsured community in Denver. You are on a field visit and notice a car that appears to be abandoned, but then on closer observation you notice that there are small children asleep in the back seat wearing dirty clothes with left over fast food on the floor boards. You notice a strong odor of urine and feces coming from the car. A woman is sitting under a tree nearby and is also poorly dressed and unkempt and appears to be in her last trimester of pregnancy. She has visible lesions on her legs and arms. Identify the needs that you see in this family from the perspective of a student working with urban underserved uninsured populations. Please describe how you would attempt to address the needs of this family both in context of their potential health issues and social situation.
- A. Describe the type of urban community health project that would be of greatest interest to you. Try to be as specific as possible regarding a particular culture or population of patients you are interested in and a topic you would like to study.
University of Colorado Secondary Application Essay Prompts – Rural Track
*Only if you selected this optional track
- Describe your experience in and commitment to rural Colorado and your vision of working as a primary care physician in rural Colorado. Please limit your rural track essay to 1500 characters or less. (300 words max)
University of Colorado School of Medicine Secondary Application Essay Prompts: 2017 – 2018
University of Colorado Secondary Application Essay Prompts – MD Program (For All Applicants)
- Please answer both parts in this single essay. Limit the essay to 1,500 characters, including spaces (approximately 300 words).
- Part A. The School of Medicine regards the diversity of an entering class as an important factor in serving the educational mission of the school. Please write about things in your background that have been important to your development or that have been challenging to you on your path to a career in medicine. These could include your socioeconomic status, culture, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, sexual identity, and work or life experiences. Explain how these have influenced your goals and preparation for a career in medicine.
- Part B. Please write about the “fit” between your experiences and goals and the University of Colorado School of Medicine. If you are a reapplicant, please include information on how your application has changed.
- If you are a re-applicant, please explain how you and your application has changed since your previous submission. (1,500 characters max – including spaces)
University of Colorado Secondary Application Essay Prompts – Urban Track
*Only if you selected this optional track
- Please answer each of the questions below separately. This statement should not exceed 4,500 characters, including spaces (approximately 750 words). Do not repeat the content from your AMCAS or Colorado Secondary Application essays.
- A. Describe the type of urban community health project that would be of greatest interest to you. Try to be as specific as possible regarding a particular culture or population of patients you are interested in and a topic you would like to study.
- 1. Reasons for your interest in the CU-UNITE Urban Underserved track.
- 2. If you have had a prior experience in an urban underserved community either volunteer, work-related, and/or personal, describe how this has impacted your decision to apply to this track.
- B. Describe how you plan to incorporate urban underserved health care into your career following completion of your schooling.
- C. You are a student spending your first summer working in an urban-underserved, uninsured community in Denver. You are on a field visit and notice a car that appears to be abandoned, but then on closer observation you notice that there are small children asleep in the back seat wearing dirty clothes with left over fast food on the floor boards. You notice a strong odor of urine and feces coming from the car. A woman is sitting under a tree nearby and is also poorly dressed and unkempt and appears to be in her last trimester of pregnancy. She has visible lesions on her legs and arms. Identify the needs that you see in this family from the perspective of a student working with urban underserved uninsured populations. Please describe how you would attempt to address the needs of this family both in context of their potential health issues and social situation.
- A. Describe the type of urban community health project that would be of greatest interest to you. Try to be as specific as possible regarding a particular culture or population of patients you are interested in and a topic you would like to study.
University of Colorado Secondary Application Essay Prompts – Rural Track
*Only if you selected this optional track
- Describe your experience in and commitment to rural Colorado and your vision of working as a primary care physician in rural Colorado. Please limit your rural track essay to 1500 characters or less. (300 words max)
University of Colorado Secondary Application Essay Prompts –
University of Colorado School of Medicine Secondary Application Essay Prompts: 2016 – 2017
University of Colorado Secondary Application Essay Prompts – MD Program (For All Applicants)
- Please answer both parts in this single essay. Limit the essay to 1,500 characters, including spaces (approximately 300 words).
- Part A. The School of Medicine regards the diversity of an entering class as an important factor in serving the educational mission of the school. Please write about things in your background that have been important to your development or that have been challenging to you on your path to a career in medicine. These could include your socioeconomic status, culture, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, sexual identity, and work or life experiences. Explain how these have influenced your goals and preparation for a career in medicine.
- Part B. Please write about the “fit” between your experiences and goals and the University of Colorado School of Medicine. If you are a reapplicant, please include information on how your application has changed.
- If you are a re-applicant, please explain how you and your application has changed since your previous submission. (1,500 characters max – including spaces)
- (Optional) If after reviewing the information for these optional tracks you would like to apply to one of them, complete the essay for the track you wish to apply to in the appropriate box below. (1,500 characters max – including spaces)
University of Colorado Secondary Application Essay Prompts – Colorado Springs
- Please submit a short statement regarding your interest in the Colorado Springs Branch. You may address characteristics of the Branch that would be a fit for your strengths, experiences, and/or career plans. You may also note your ties to or interest in Colorado Springs or other similar communities. (1,500 characters max – including spaces)
University of Colorado School of Medicine Secondary Application Essay Prompts: 2015 – 2016
University of Colorado Secondary Application Essay Prompts – MD Program (For All Applicants)
- Please answer both parts in this single essay. Limit the essay to 1,500 characters, including spaces (approximately 300 words).
- Part A. The School of Medicine Admissions Committee regards the diversity of an entering class as an important factor in serving the educational mission of the school. Please write about things in your background that have been important to your development or that have been challenging to you on your path to a career in medicine. These could include your socioeconomic status, culture, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, sexual identity, and work or life experiences. Explain how these have influenced your goals and preparation for a career in medicine.
- Part B. Please write about the “fit” between your experiences and goals and the University of Colorado School of Medicine. If you are a reapplicant, please include information on how your application has changed.
University of Colorado Secondary Application Essay Prompts – Colorado Springs
- Please submit a short statement regarding your interest in the Colorado Springs Branch. You may address characteristics of the Branch that would be a fit for your strengths, experiences, and/or career plans. You may also note your ties to or interest in Colorado Springs or other similar communities. (1,500 characters max – including spaces)
University of Colorado School of Medicine Secondary Application Essay Prompts: 2014 – 2015
University of Colorado Secondary Application Essay Prompts – MD Program (For All Applicants)
- Please answer both parts in this single essay. Limit the essay to 2,000 characters, including spaces.
- Part A. The School of Medicine regards the diversity of an entering class as an important factor in serving the educational mission of the school. Please write about things in your background that have been important to your development or that have been challenging to you on your path to a career in medicine. These could include your socioeconomic status, culture, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, sexual identity, and work or life experiences. Explain how these have influenced your goals and preparation for a career in medicine.
- Part B. Please write about the “fit” between your experiences and goals and the University of Colorado School of Medicine. If you are a reapplicant, please include information on how your application has changed.
University of Colorado Secondary Application Essay Prompts – Colorado Springs
- Please submit a short statement regarding your interest in the Colorado Springs Branch. You may address characteristics of the Branch that would be a fit for your strengths, experiences, and/or career plans. You may also note your ties to or interest in Colorado Springs or other similar communities. (1,500 characters max – including spaces)