If you’re feeling stumped, staring at a blank page, tired of reading tips and articles on structure, you might try a new approach: perusing some UPenn medical school secondary essay examples. Studying expertly written essay examples will let you see how all the advice and tips on writing secondary essays get put into action.

There is always the question of how to make your medical school application stand out. This is exactly what your secondary essays are for, as they give you the opportunity to provide more details tailored to you and your school of choice. What better method can there be for how to prepare for your medical school application?

In this article, we will provide you with up-to-date prompts for the University of Pennsylvania’s secondary essays and examples for each prompt.

Disclaimer: Please note: although we have made every effort to provide the most accurate information, admissions information changes frequently. Therefore, we encourage you to verify these details with the official university admissions office. You are responsible for your own results. BeMo does not endorse nor affiliate with any official universities, colleges, or test administrators and vice versa.

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UPenn Secondary Essay Prompts

UPenn Secondary Essay 1

Were there challenges related to your academic professional and/or personal circumstances due to the COVID-19 pandemic that you would like to share with the committee? (Y/N) (500 characters if yes)

Example Response: Yes. The COVID-19 pandemic made my research lab close for six months, which pushed back the experiments I had planned. I started undertaking data analysis assignments I could do from home to get used to it, and I worked with my PI on a literature review that led to a publication. This experience taught me how to be more adaptable and made me even more determined to become a doctor, even though I know it won't be easy.

Characters: 421

UPenn Secondary Essay 2

During the Covid-19 pandemic, if you were offered an option to continue courses with a standard grading system or switch to Pass/Fail, and you elected Pass/Fail, please describe the reason(s) for your decision here. (500 characters)

Example Response: To ensure I could support my family during the pandemic, I chose the pass/fail option. This allowed me to balance family responsibilities with meaningful learning without compromising academic integrity. The decision helped me prioritize both my studies and my family’s safety while adapting to COVID-19 challenges. It also taught me the importance of self-awareness, adaptability, and making thoughtful choices in difficult circumstances.

Characters: 439

UPenn Secondary Essay 3

Have you taken or are you planning to take time off between college graduation and medical school matriculation? (Y/N) If yes, please describe your activities during this time in 500 characters or less.

Example Response: Yes, I want to use this opportunity to improve both my application and personal development. In order to learn better how to help patients, I do both research and clinical work.

Additionally, I contribute to my community by volunteering and engaging in activities that I enjoy, which helps me maintain balance in my life. These activities will help me mature, get stronger, and be more dedicated to helping patients when I go to medical school.

Characters: 443

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UPenn Secondary Essay 4

Have you participated in any global activities outside of the U.S. prior to submitting your AMCAS application? (Y/N) (1000 characters if yes)

Example Response: Yes, I worked as an intern this summer with a nonprofit in India that brought mobile health clinics to communities that didn't have enough health care. I also helped plan health education programs that taught individuals how to stay clean, eat well, and stay healthy. I learned about problems that aren't common in the U.S. on my trip, such as malaria and terrible starvation. It also showed me that cultural biases and not having enough resources can influence how people get therapy. While I was here, I learned how to adapt, get along with people from diverse cultures, and bounce back after a setback. The most important thing I learned is how health care is different in other nations. This made me even more eager to be a doctor so that everyone can get the care they need.

Characters: 779

UPenn Secondary Essay 5

How would your life experiences contribute to Perelman? Please explain and limit your response to 1,000 characters.

Example Response: My life experiences have made me strong and able to get along with people from all walks of life. Living in a place with individuals from various cultures helped me learn to understand other people's points of view and adapt to new situations. I applied these talents when I went to college and worked with youngsters from all over the world. When I helped at a free clinic for immigrant families, I became more open-minded about different cultures and more committed to health equity. Learning about health disparities also helped me understand the systemic issues that patients face, which made me want to improve care. I believe that these events are in line with Perelman's goal of making treatment better by being open to new ideas and providing excellent service. I would be a wonderful addition to Penn's community of future physician-leaders because I care about people who don't receive enough care, want to engage with others to help both patients and peers, and have a global perspective.

Characters: 999

UPenn Secondary Essay 6

We are all navigating through challenging times at home and abroad, and physicians and physician-scientists must contend with many instances of uncertainty. Please describe a time when you faced a situation that was ambiguous, confusing, or uncertain, and how you navigated making a decision without complete information. (3000 characters)

Example Response: I helped out at a health fair in my neighborhood when I was a sophomore. At the fair, people who couldn't access screenings or information on their own got them for free. A woman in her 40s ran up to me in a panic midway through the event, clutching her chest. She didn't speak English very well and kept saying she was "fine," but she looked pale, was shaking, and was having trouble breathing. At that point, I didn't know what to do. I wasn't a doctor, so I didn't know if this was a serious cardiac problem or just a small anxiety attack.

I rapidly went over my choices. I understood why she didn't want aid, but that meant I might miss an emergency that could have killed her. Alternatively, I might worsen the situation by seeking medical help immediately, despite my uncertainty and fear of overreacting. I remembered what I knew in those few seconds: be careful, put safety first, and ask others who know more than I do for aid.

I asked her respectfully if I could take her to the medical tent and promised her that she wouldn't have to pay anything and that there would be people there who could help her understand. She didn't want to, but she did. A nurse checked her out and noted that she was showing early signs of angina. An ambulance took her to the hospital. Then a doctor said that my choice to act despite uncertainty may have prevented something worse.

This event showed me that medicine isn't always clear-cut. Doctors often have to deal with not having enough information, language challenges, or stories from patients that don't make sense. This taught me how important it is to establish a balance between being kind and taking action, as well as respecting people's freedom while yet knowing when to step in for safety. I learned that humility, or knowing when to listen to experts, is vital for future doctors.

Since then, I've had times when I wasn't sure about my schoolwork and volunteering that were comparable. For instance, this occurred when the numbers didn't add up or when patients at the free clinic reported having symptoms that were unusual. I convinced myself that not knowing what to do didn't mean I should give up. This implies I need to get additional information, weigh the probabilities, and make the best choice I can with what I have.

I understand that there will always be some ambiguity in my future work as a doctor, whether it's regarding a diagnosis, a research idea, or how to make the most of scarce healthcare resources. When things are unclear, I've learned to stay calm, take responsibility, and cooperate with others. At Perelman, I want to become even better at this skill by working on hard clinical cases and research problems where the answers aren't always clear straight away. There will always be some uncertainty in medicine, but I have learned that the most important thing is to be able to move forward with care, ethics, and the patient's best interests in mind.

Characters: 2927

UPenn Secondary Essay 7

Have you or your family experienced economic hardships, regardless of current income status? (Y/N) (1000 characters if yes)

Example Response: Yes. My family has had a lot of money problems, which made me stronger and more determined to become a doctor. We lived from salary to paycheck when I was a kid. Sometimes my parents had to choose between paying the bills and acquiring food. I remember studying by candlelight and helping my younger siblings with their homework when they couldn't afford to pay for a tutor. I worked part-time jobs when I was in high school and college to help my family and achieve well in school. These challenges made me feel bad, but they also taught me to be disciplined, creative, and kind to others who are going through the same things. They made me want to help even more people from poor communities who can't pay for care. These incidents taught me to be modest, see things from other people's points of view, and want to do well. I think these attributes will help me do well in medicine and connect with others who are having a challenging time.

Characters: 942

Have you started planning your Medical School Secondary Essays yet? Stay ahead of the curve with this helpful video!

UPenn Secondary Essay 8

Please share your reasons for applying to the Perelman School of Medicine. (note 1,000-character limit):

Example Response: The Perelman School of Medicine is great because it puts a lot of emphasis on community service, cutting-edge research, and great clinical training. I want to be a doctor and fight for health justice. I like that the program combines early clinical exposure and research opportunities. I am looking forward to working with the leaders at the Center for Global Health who are working to make health care better in the US and around the world. Perelman's office is in Philadelphia, a great place to learn humility and compassion for others due to the diverse patient population. The school's focus on working together in sectors like health, policy, and research is also in line with my goal of making it easier for people to get care. I think Perelman is the greatest place for me to get better in clinical work, do cutting-edge research, and become a better leader who wants to help everyone get healthier.

Characters: 906

Conclusion

Reading the expertly written essays above should give you excellent insight into how to form your own answers to the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine’s secondary essay prompts.

FAQs

1. Are these prompts the same from year to year?

Secondary essay prompts change, but not radically. You are almost guaranteed to come across a “Why this school?” essay, for instance. Most other prompts will remain fairly similar, as secondary essays are often focused on diversity, adversity, personal growth, and other similar qualities.

2. Are prompts also similar from institution to institution?

Yes, they are usually similar, although they will not be identical; don’t think you’ll be able to copy-paste essays from one school to the other.

3. Can I use anything from one school’s essays in another’s?

If a prompt is extremely similar and your answers will be similar, yes, you can use the same language for both responses.

However, do note that you need to be extra careful to eliminate any references to specific schools or programs. Take the time to tailor your responses to each school.

4. Are the character limits hard?

Yes. Not only are the character caps hard limits, but they also include spaces, so make sure you measure your essays accordingly.

Never exceed the limit by so much as one character. It is better to adopt a policy of brevity, anyway; say more with less whenever possible.

5. How much time should I spend writing my essays?

As soon as the prompt list is released, you should begin working on your essays at least a little bit each day. We recommend, if possible, to spend some time every day for 2–3 weeks working on your essays.

6. Are my essays graded?

Essentially, yes. You might not be getting a letter grade or score, but you are being evaluated. Treat these as though you are being graded.

7. Do spelling and grammar count?

Absolutely, yes. If you were an evaluator – a member of the admissions committee – and you came across an essay which was difficult to read due to frequent spelling and grammar errors, what would you think of the writer?

Linguistic errors might occur for many reasons – dyslexia or having English as a second language, for instance – and those are legitimate apologies for a certain number of errors. However, the committee is selecting students who will one day become medical doctors, with literal lives in their hands. If they are worried about your ability to communicate life-saving instructions, or understand important details, that will reflect negatively on your candidacy.

8. Should I write the optional essays or focus on perfecting the required ones?

Write all the essays. Each essay is an opportunity to improve your standing with the committee. Take advantage of every opportunity given. In this way, you will be as competitive as possible with your application.

To your success,

Your friends at BeMo