Essay Topics (2024 - 2025)
1. What particular qualities do you feel that you can bring to ATSU SOMA? (Please limit your response to 500 words or less. All information provided in this section must be the original work of the applicant and not from another author.)
2. Discuss a situation in which you had to persevere despite facing obstacles or setbacks. How did you maintain your motivation and keep moving forward towards your goals? (Please limit your response to 500 words or less. All information provided in this section must be the original work of the applicant and not from another author.)
Essay Topics ('23 – '24)
1. What do you feel you can contribute to ATSU-SOMA?
2. Describe when you had to persevere in a challenge or obstacle, and what keeps you motivated to keep going towards your goals?
3. Any info you would like to share to the admissions commitee?
Essay Topics ('22 - '23)
(Please limit your response to 500 words or less. All information provided in this section must be the original work of the applicant and not from another author.)
ATSU-SOMA’s osteopathic medical education model includes training at one of our partner Community Health Center (CHC) sites.
*Describe any previous CHC or free clinic experience that you have had. Describe how learning at a CHC will enhance your osteopathic medical school experience.
*Describe any gaps that lasted longer than three months that may have occurred during or following undergraduate/posttgraduate educational programs.
*ATSU-SOMA emphasizes self-directed learning in small group sessions. What experiences have you had that will help you be successful in this educational model?
*Describe any hrs/week of employment that may have coincided/impacted your academic work during each semester.
*Which field of osteopathic medicine are you interested in pursuing? Explain why you chose this field.
*Describe what you have learned from your experiences with osteopathic physicians. If you do not have any of the above, please explain why you are applying to an osteopathic medical school.
*Describe your understanding of SOMA by answering ONE of the following questions:
Essay Topics ('21 – '22)
1. At SOMA, you will spend three of your four years at a Community Health Center. Describe your experience with Community Health Centers or free clinics. Explain how well you will learn in this environment. (500 words)
2. The SOMA curriculum strives to create self-directed learners. Describe your activities during any gaps longer than 3 months in your college or postgraduate program. Do you feel you are ready to excel in the SOMA curriculum? (500 words)
3. Describe any hrs/week of employment that may have coincided/impacted your academic work during each semester. (500 words)
4. Describe your method of preparation for the MCAT exam (500 words)
5. Describe what you have learned from your experiences with osteopathic physicians. If you do not have any of the above, please explain why you are applying to an osteopathic medical school. (500 words)
6. Describe your understanding of SOMA by answering ONE of the following questions:
a. What unique feature of SOMA appeals to you? What specific feature of SOMA concerns you?
b. What would be your strongest attribute as a SOMA student? What would be your weakest?
c. How do you plan to be involved with medically underserved populations in your medical career? How have your past volunteer experiences influenced your plans?
7. Please list any changes or updates to your AACOMAS application. This section may be left blank if your AACOMAS application is complete and accurate.
Essay Topics ('20 – '21)
1. Describe your experience with Community Health Centers or free clinics (500 words or less).
2. Describe your activities during any gaps longer than 3 months in your college or postgraduate record. (Please limit your response to 500 words or less. All information provided in this section must be the original work of the applicant and not from another author.)
3. Describe your experiences with osteopathic physicians. Have you ever shadowed a DO, if not explain why? Do you have a letter of recommendation from a DO, if not explain why? (Please limit your response to 500 words or less. All information provided in this section must be the original work of the applicant and not from another author.)
4. Describe your understanding of SOMA by answering one of the following questions: (Please limit your response to 500 words or less. All information provided in this section must be the original work of the applicant and not from another author.)
a. What unique feature of SOMA appeals to you? What specific feature of SOMA concerns you?
b. What would be your strongest attribute as a SOMA student? What would be your weakest?
c. How do you plan to be involved with medically underserved populations in your medical career? How have your past volunteer experiences influenced your plans?
Essay Topics ('19 – '20)
1. Describe your activities during any gaps longer than 3 months in your college or postgraduate record. (Please limit your response to 500 words or less. All information provided in this section must be the original work of the applicant and not from another author.)
2. Describe your experiences with osteopathic physicians. Have you ever shadowed a DO, if not explain why? Do you have a letter of recommendation from a DO, if not explain why? (Please limit your response to 500 words or less. All information provided in this section must be the original work of the applicant and not from another author.)
3. Describe your understanding of SOMA by answering one of the following questions (Please limit your response to 500 words or less. All information provided in this section must be the original work of the applicant and not from another author.):
a. What unique feature of SOMA appeals to you? What specific feature of SOMA concerns you?
b. What would be your strongest attribute as a SOMA student? What would be your weakest?
c. How do you plan to be involved with medically underserved populations in your medical career? How have your past volunteer experiences influenced your plans?
4. Please list any changes or updates to your AACOMAS application. This section may be left blank if your AACOMAS application is complete and accurate.
Essay Topics ('18 – '19)
1. Describe your activities during any gaps longer than 3 months in your college or postgraduate record. (Please limit your response to 500 words or less. All information provided in this section must be the original work of the applicant and not from another author.)
2. Describe your experiences with osteopathic physicians. Have you ever shadowed a DO, if not explain why? Do you have a letter of recommendation from a DO, if not explain why? (Please limit your response to 500 words or less. All information provided in this section must be the original work of the applicant and not from another author.)
3. Describe your understanding of SOMA by answering one of the following questions (Please limit your response to 500 words or less. All information provided in this section must be the original work of the applicant and not from another author.):
a. What unique feature of SOMA appeals to you? What specific feature of SOMA concerns you?
b. What would be your strongest attribute as a SOMA student? What would be your weakest?
c. How do you plan to be involved with medically underserved populations in your medical career? How have your past volunteer experiences influenced your plans?
4. Please list any changes or updates to your AACOMAS application. This section may be left blank if your AACOMAS application is complete and accurate. (No character limit)
Essay Topics ('17 – '18)
1. Describe your activities during any gaps longer than 3 months in your college or postgraduate record. (Please limit your response to 500 words or less. All information provided in this section must be the original work of the applicant and not from another author.)
2. Describe your academic readiness for medical school by answering one of the following questions (Please limit your response to 500 words or less. All information provided in this section must be the original work of the applicant and not from another author.):
a. Describe your learning strategy and how this strategy will help you become a successful student at SOMA.
b. Describe any academic performance issues you have experienced and how you got back on course
3. Describe your understanding of a career as a osteopathic physician by answering one of the following questions:
a. Describe the essential traits of an osteopathic physician. Which one of your past experiences had the greatest influence on your choice of traits?
b. Of the following characteristics found in successful medical students, choose one that is important to you and explain why? Confidence, Empathy, Discipline, Resilience, Integrity, Intelligence, Maturity
4. Describe your understanding of a career as an osteopathic physician by answering one of the following questions:
a. Describe your experiences with osteopathic physicians. Have you ever shadowed a DO, if not explain why? Do you have a letter of recommendation from a DO, if not explain why?
b. Which one of the osteopathic tenets do you most identify with at this point in your life? Explain why.
c. How do you envision incorporating osteopathic philosophy and practice as a physician?
5. Describe your understanding of SOMA by answering one of the following questions:
a. What unique feature of SOMA appeals to you? What specific feature of SOMA concerns you?
b. What would be your strongest attribute as a SOMA student? What would be your weakest?
c. How do you plan to be involved with medically underserved populations in your medical career? How have your past volunteer experiences influenced your plans?
Essay Topics ('16 – '17)
1. Describe your activities during any gaps longer than 3 months in your college or postgraduate record. (Please limit your response to 500 words or less. All information provided in this section must be the original work of the applicant and not from another author.)
2. Describe your academic readiness for medical school by answering one of the following questions (Please limit your response to 500 words or less. All information provided in this section must be the original work of the applicant and not from another author.):
a. Describe your learning strategy and how this strategy will help you become a successful student at SOMA.
b. Describe any academic performance issues you have experienced and how you got back on course.
3. Describe your understanding of a career as an osteopathic physician by answering one of the following questions (Please limit your response to 500 words or less. All information provided in this section must be the original work of the applicant and not from another author.):
a. Describe the essential traits of an osteopathic physician. Which one of your past experiences had the greatest influence on your choice of traits?
b. Of the following characteristics found in successful medical students, choose one that is important to you and explain why? Confidence, Empathy, Discipline, Resilience, Integrity, Intelligence, Maturity
4. Describe your understanding of a career as an osteopathic physician by answering one of the following questions (Please limit your response to 500 words or less. All information provided in this section must be the original work of the applicant and not from another author.):
a. Describe your experiences with osteopathic physicians. Have you ever shadowed a DO, if not explain why? Do you have a letter of recommendation from a DO, if not explain why?
b. Which one of the osteopathic tenets do you most identify with at this point in your life? Explain why.
c. How do you envision incorporating osteopathic philosophy and practice as a physician?
5. Describe your understanding of SOMA by answering one of the following questions (Please limit your response to 500 words or less. All information provided in this section must be the original work of the applicant and not from another author.):
a. What unique feature of SOMA appeals to you? What specific feature of SOMA concerns you?
b. What would be your strongest attribute as a SOMA student? What would be your weakest?
c. How do you plan to be involved with medically underserved populations in your medical career? How have your past volunteer experiences influenced your plans?
Essay Topics ('15 – '16)
1. Describe your activities during any gaps longer than 3 months in your college or postgraduate record.
2. Describe your academic readiness for medical school by answering one of the following questions:
a. Describe your learning strategy and how this strategy will help you become a successful student at SOMA.
b. Describe any academic performance issues you have experienced and how you got back on course.
3. Describe your understanding of a career as a physician by answering one of the following questions:
a. Describe the essential traits of a physician. Which one of your past experiences had the greatest influence on your choice of traits?
b. Of the following characteristics found in successful medical students, choose one that is important to you and explain why? Confidence, Empathy, Discipline, Resilience, Integrity, Intelligence, Maturity
4. Describe your understanding of a career as an osteopathic physician by answering one of the following questions:
a. Describe your experiences with DOs.Have you ever shadowed a DO, if not explain why? Do you have a letter of recommendation from a DO, if not explain why?
b. Which one of the osteopathic tenets do you most identify with at this point in your life? Explain why.
c. How do you envision incorporating osteopathic philosophy and practice as a physician?
5. Describe your understanding of SOMA by answering one of the following questions:
a. What unique feature of SOMA appeals to you? What specific feature of SOMA concerns you?
b. What would be your strongest attribute as a SOMA student? What would be your weakest?
c. How do you plan to be involved with medically underserved populations in your medical career? How have your past volunteer experiences influenced your plans?
Essay Topics ('14 – '15)
1. Explain any prolonged periods of non-academic activity during or after full-time enrollment in formal coursework. (Please limit your response to 500 words or less. All information provided in this section must be the original work of the applicant and not from another author.)
2. If you are currently not enrolled in courses, explain how your current activities will prepare you for the academic rigor of a medical school curriculum. (Please limit your response to 500 words or less. All information provided in this section must be the original work of the applicant and not from another author.)
3. In your future role as an osteopathic physician, how do you envision incorporating osteopathic philosophy and practice? (Please limit your response to 500 words or less. All information provided in this section must be the original work of the applicant and not from another author.)
4. Which one of your past volunteer experiences is the best indicator of your intent to serve an underserved population at some point in your medical career? Explain why. (Please limit your response to 500 words or less. All information provided in this section must be the original work of the applicant and not from another author.)
5. Which one of your past experiences taught you the character traits that are essential for a physician? What did you learn? (Please limit your response to 500 words or less. All information provided in this section must be the original work of the applicant and not from another author.)
6. Describe any work-experiences or courses that have helped prepare you to be an independent and self-motivated student. For example, how do you know that you are an "adult learner"? How do you plan to be successful in the SOMA curriculum? (Please limit your response to 500 words or less. All information provided in this section must be the original work of the applicant and not from another author.)
Essay Topics ('13 – '14)
1. Explain any prolonged periods of non-academic activity during or after full-time enrollment in formal coursework. (500 words or less)
2. What aspects of the Osteopathic Philosophy and Practice have had the greatest influence on your decision to seek a career in Osteopathic Medicine. Please specify any experience(s) and/or shadowing with an osteopathic physician(s). (500 words or less)
3. How does your character, motivation and experience distinguish your ability and resolve to serve in an underserved community? Describe how any of your experiences have influenced you. (500 words or less)
4. Describe any work-experiences or courses that have helped prepare you to be an independent and self-motivated student. (500 words or less)
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