2025-2026 Arizona- Phoenix Secondary Essay Prompts: (some changes from last year)
1000 characters each essay
1. Have you previously applied to any medical school (select yes if you submitted a primary or secondary application)? Yes/No
If yes, please reflect upon your prior application. In what ways have you grown personally, academically, and professionally, and how do these changes make you a stronger applicant this cycle? Optional
2. What about yourself are you most proud of? How will this shape the way you care for others and contribute to the well-being of the communities you serve?
3. Describe an experience that challenged the way you see the world. How did it influence your ability to understand others and meet them where they are?
4. Servant Leadership is a core value and attribute we deem essential for our students to possess. Share an example where you took initiative to support others while putting their needs ahead of your own. What personal values guided your actions, and how will those values shape the way you care for patients?
5. As you consider your future in medicine, what aspects of the UA College of Medicine – Phoenix mission, values, and community culture resonate most with you? How do you see these elements contributing to your development as a physician, and in what ways do you hope to add to and strengthen this community?
6. [OPTIONAL] One of the core missions of the UA College of Medicine – Phoenix is to train physicians who will serve the people and communities of Arizona. Please share your connection to the state—or, if you do not have one, what draws you to care for patients here. How do you envision contributing to the health and well-being of Arizona’s communities as a future physician?
7. [OPTIONAL] We understand that an application may not fully capture everything that makes a candidate unique. We invite you to use this space to share something not already addressed in your primary or secondary application that you believe would help the Admissions Committee better understand you as an applicant. This may include gaps in your education, personal or academic achievements, or challenges you have overcome.
8. [OPTIONAL] As part of our commitment to evaluating and strengthening our outreach efforts, we ask applicants to share any involvement in formal pipeline or preparatory programs hosted by the UA College of Medicine – Phoenix. Participation in these programs is not required and will not impact your application review. If you participated in any of the following—Summer Scrubs, Saturday Scrubs, Pre-Med Academy, Pre-Med Summer School, InstaMed, Cardiology Academy, or the Flinn Scholars program—please list each program and describe your role or level of involvement.
2024-2025
(1000 characters each)
1. What achievement are you most proud of in your life? What aspect(s) of this achievement will you bring to our medical school?
2. The UA College of Medicine – Phoenix practices Inclusive Excellence, which celebrates the differences, talents, and unique qualities of all individuals. Please describe how you will pursue Inclusive Excellence in your studies while contributing to the collaborative environment at the College of Medicine – Phoenix.
3. Servant Leadership is a Core Value and Attribute we deem essential for our students to possess. To us, it is service to others where one possesses personal humility along with a strong professional will. Describe a time where you have practiced this skill or have seen this in another. What traits were exemplified, and how will you apply these traits to your career in medicine?
4. Throughout your application you have given us a sense of how you intend to contribute to the UA College of Medicine – Phoenix. We would now like to know about how you anticipate the UA College of Medicine – Phoenix will contribute to your goals and passion for medicine. What aspects of our program and community appeals most to you, and how do you plan to make use of specific resources and opportunities here?
5. Please reflect on your entire application, is there anything you would like to further share with the Admissions Committee? Items to consider: connection(s) to Phoenix and/or our medical community, your plan during this application season, gap(s) in your education, personal, academic, or COVID-related challenges. Do not repeat any information already mentioned in the primary or secondary applications.
2023-2024
1. I previously applied to any medical school yes/no (select yes if you submitted a primary or secondary application).
If yes, please provide specific examples that illustrate how you are a stronger applicant this cycle. (1000 characters)
2. What achievement are you most proud of in your life? What aspect(s) of this achievement will you bring to our medical school? (1000 characters)
3. The UA College of Medicine – Phoenix practices Inclusive Excellence, which celebrates the differences, talents, and unique qualities of all individuals. Please describe how you will pursue Inclusive Excellence in your studies while contributing to the collaborative environment at the College of Medicine – Phoenix. (1000 characters)
4. Servant Leadership is a Core Value and Attribute we deem essential for our students to possess. To us, it is service to others where one possesses personal humility along with a strong professional will. Describe a time where you have practiced this skill or have seen this in another. What traits were exemplified, and how will you apply these traits to your career in medicine? (1000 characters)
5. Throughout your application you have given us a sense of how you intend to contribute to the UA College of Medicine – Phoenix. We would now like to know about how you anticipate the UA College of Medicine – Phoenix will contribute to your goals and passion for medicine. What aspects of our program and community appeals most to you, and how do you plan to make use of specific resources and opportunities here? (1000 characters)
6. Please reflect on your entire application, is there anything you would like to further share with the Admissions Committee? Items to consider: connection(s) to Phoenix and/or our medical community, your plan during this application season, gap(s) in your education, personal, academic, or COVID-related challenges. Do not repeat any information already mentioned in the primary or secondary applications. (1000 characters)
2022-2023
- What achievement are you most proud of in your life? What aspect(s) of this achievement will you bring to our medical school? (1000 characters)
- The UA College of Medicine – Phoenix practices Inclusive Excellence, which celebrates the differences, talents, and unique qualities of all individuals. Please describe how you will pursue Inclusive Excellence in your studies while contributing to the collaborative environment at the College of Medicine – Phoenix. (1000 characters)
- Servant Leadership is a Core Value and Attribute we deem essential for our students to possess. To us, it is service to others where one possesses personal humility along with a strong professional will. Describe a time where you have practiced this skill or have seen this in another. What traits were exemplified, and how will you apply these traits to your career in medicine? (1000 characters)
- Throughout your application you have given us a sense of how you intend to contribute to the UA College of Medicine – Phoenix. We would now like to know about how you anticipate the UA College of Medicine – Phoenix will contribute to your goals and passion for medicine. What aspects of our program and community appeals most to you, and how do you plan to make use of specific resources and opportunities here? (1000 characters)
- Were there any significant disruptions in your academic, volunteer, work, or personal life related to COVID-19 that you would like to bring to the attention of the Admissions Committee? (optional, 1000 characters)
- Please reflect on your entire application, is there anything you would like to further share with the Admissions Committee? Items to consider: connection(s) to Phoenix and/or our medical community, your plan during this application season, gap(s) in your education, personal and/or academic challenges. Do not repeat any information already mentioned in the primary or secondary applications. (optional, 1000 characters)
- I previously applied to any medical school (select yes if you submitted a primary or secondary application). (Yes/No)
If yes, please provide specific examples that illustrate how you are a stronger applicant this cycle. (optional, 1000 characters)
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