JavaScript is disabled on your browser.

Please enable JavaScript or upgrade to a JavaScript-capable browser to use this site.

Virginia Commonwealth - Secondary Essay Prompts

Access our complete list of all Secondary Essay Prompts from Virginia Commonwealth in Richmond, VA for the 2019-2025 admissions cycles.

1 .Clinical exposure can be separated into two distinct components: 1) physician observation; and 2) work/volunteerism in a clinical setting. (250 characters each part) 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. Physician Observation (hours; description) Work/Volunteerism in a Clinical Setting (hours; description)

2025
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
Max 250 characters
Chance
33%

2 .Using specific examples, discuss how your mission and values align with those of VCU School of Medicine.

2025
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
Max 2000 characters
Chance
67%

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

2025
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
Max 2000 characters
Chance
33%

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

2025
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
Max 2000 characters
Chance
96%

5 .Please briefly explain any low GPAs or poor grades.

2025
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
Max 2000 characters
Chance
96%

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

2025
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
Max 2000 characters
Chance
33%