Boston University Secondary Application

Boston University Secondary Essay Prompts

(If you have updated prompts, please submit them at updatesecondaries.com)

Prompts have been updated November 2023. (Older essays, if available are below)

Prompts:

• Did you go on to college directly after high school? (1400 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 gap year(s), please use this space to explain what you have been doing prior to applying to medical school. (1400 characters)
• 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.) (1400 characters)
• 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. (2000 characters)

Primary Deadline: Usually around Nov 1st
Secondary Deadline: Usually around Dec 1st
Secondary Fee: $110
FAP Waiver: Full Fee Waived
Casper Required: Yes
PREview Required: No
Screens Applications: No
Accepts Application Updates: Yes

Boston University School of Medicine Mission:

Boston University School of Medicine is dedicated to the educational, intellectual, professional and personal development of a diverse group of exceptional students, trainees and faculty who are deeply committed to the study and practice of medicine, to biomedical research and to the health of our communities.

Boston University School of Medicine Vision:

BUSM will provide International leadership in biomedical education, research and patient care.

Boston University School of Medicine Values:

• Excellence
• Integrity
• Service
• Social justice
• Collegiality
• Equality of opportunity
• Interdisciplinary collaboration

Older Essays:

Educational History

• Did you go on to college directly after high school? Yes/No. If no, explain. (1400 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 gap year(s), please use this space to explain what you have been doing prior to applying to medical school. Yes/No. If no, explain: For example, attending post-bac or other graduate program, working, traveling, etc. (1400 characters)
  How to Write About Your Gap Years in Secondary Essays
  
• 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. (1400 characters)
  
• 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. (2000 Characters)

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. Most applicants leave this blank. (3000 characters)
• 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 (2-3 sentences). (200 characters)

Required

• 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 gap year(s), please use this space to explain what you have been doing prior to applying to medical school. (1400 characters)

• 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.) (1400 characters)

• 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. (2000 characters)

• 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? (3000 characters)

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. Most applicants leave this blank. Yes, it’s really optional. (3000 characters)