Medical School Headquarters
Check Out Our Free Events Go to Our Event Calendar
<
Virginia Commonwealth University Secondary Application

Virginia Commonwealth University Secondary Application Prompts

Prompts have been updated July 2025

Prompts

Clinical exposure can be separated into two distinct components: 1) physician observation; and 2) work/volunteerism in a clinical setting. Physician observation typically comes from three different types of experiences: shadowing a physician; scribing for a physician; assisting a physician while they are performing their duties with a patient. Physician observation always involves direct contact with a medical doctor. Work/volunteerism in a clinical setting is all the work performed in a clinical setting that does not involve physician observation. It can include working with and caring for patients, serving as an EMT, acting as an employee or volunteer in a hospital or clinic. Below, please clarify your time spent in these two distinct clinical exposure areas by first providing the total number of hours followed by a brief description of your activities.

(2,000 character limit)

Supplemental Essay #1 Using specific examples, discuss how your mission and values align with those of VCU School of Medicine.

(2,000 character limit)

Supplemental Essay #2 Describe a time you did something because it needed to be done even though it wasn't your responsibility.

(2,000 character limit)

Please briefly explain any lapses in your journey to medicine that are not explained in your application.

(2,000 character limit)

Please briefly explain any low GPAs or poor grades.

(2,000 character limit)

What will you be doing for the next twelve months during the application cycle?

(2,000 character limit)

About Virginia Commonwealth University

Mission

The mission of the School of Medicine is to provide preeminent education to physicians and scientists in order to improve the quality of health care for humanity. Through innovative, scholarly activity and a diverse educational context, the School seeks to create and apply new knowledge, and to provide and continuously improve systems of medical and science education. Furthermore, it is our mission to develop more effective health care practices to address the needs of the diverse populations we serve, and to provide distinguished leadership in the advancement of medicine and science.

Vision

The VCU School of Medicine will build on its excellence in the basic, clinical and behavioral sciences to improve human health by advancing the prevention and treatment of diseases. Training programs will incorporate commitment to diversity and the advancement of healthcare yielding a quality diverse workforce in a welcoming and accepting environment.

Important details​

Primary Deadline: Usually around Nov 1st
Secondary Deadline
: Usually Jan 30th
Secondary Fee: $80
FAP Waiver: Full Fee Waived
Casper Required: No
PREview Required: No
Screens Applications: Yes
Accepts Application Updates: No

Join Us in Keeping the Ultimate Med School Essay List

Current Help fellow premeds by sharing any new or updated secondary essay prompts you’ve encountered. Together, we can ensure this resource stays accurate and invaluable for every applicant!

Old essays

Medicine is a lifelong learning career where new understandings of diseases are constantly changing and new medications are continuously being added, yet motivating patients continues to be a stimulating challenge. Please discuss in 2000 characters or less ways physicians address this issue. You may use resources to answer this question, mention them but footnotes are not necessary.

(2000 characters or less ways)

You are living in a world experiencing the ravages of the Coronavirus which has impacted millions of people since December 2019. Please discuss how the COVID 19 pandemic has affected you personally. What have you learned from your experiences? Please discuss what you perceive may have been some realities that others may have experienced. How has COVID 19 experience influenced your desire to become a physician? Please briefly explain any lapses in your undergraduate education; include any in enrollment during your undergraduate education and/or any gaps between undergraduate education and applying to medical school. (For example – poor grades, multiple withdraws, health reasons, etc.)

(2000 characters)