Essay Topics (2024 - 2025)

A. Personal Background. (500 word limit for all).

1. Please provide a description of your family.

2. Please provide a description of where you grew up (i.e. rural area, large city, etc.)

3. Indicate what you do for fun and diversion (hobbies, special interests, etc.).

4. What is a unique trait, experience, or interest that we would not normally learn about you?

5. If there is an important aspect of your personal background or identity, not addressed elsewhere in the application, that you are comfortable voluntarily sharing with the Committee, we invite you to do so here. Many applicants will not need to answer this question. Examples might include significant challenges in access to education, unusual socioeconomic factors, identification with a minority culture, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender identity. Briefly explain how such factors have influenced your motivation for a career in medicine.

‍All of the above questions are optional.

‍B. Academic Background and Pre-Medical Course Requirements ​

Choose the appropriate response for each required prerequisite. As a reminder: All prerequisites must be completed with a “C” or better and BEFORE matriculating at the FSU COM.(there is a list of questions about pre-reqs and whether you attended or applied to FSU college (undergrad)

C. Self-Critical Analysis (500 word limit for all).

1. Why are you choosing to apply to the FSU College of Medicine? Please be specific describing what is particularly attractive about FSU COM.

2. What do you feel are your personal and scholastic qualifications for the study of medicine? (optional)

3. If you have previously interviewed or applied to the College of Medicine, what steps have you taken to improve your application? (optional)

D. Additional Questions.

1. In what field/specialty of medicine do you envision yourself working ten years from now? Please LIST no more than three (3) specialties. (500 character limit)

2. Write a short statement describing how you envision using the specialty/ies you listed above to advance our unique mission and contribute to the success of the FSU College of Medicine. (9999 character limit)

‍

Essay Topics (’23 – ’24)‍

A. Personal Background (500 words)​

1. Please provide a description of your family. (Optional)
2. Please provide a description of where you grew up (i.e. rural area, large city, etc.) (Optional)
3. Indicate what you do for fun and diversion (hobbies, special interests, etc.). (Optional)
4. What is a unique trait, experience, or interest that we would not normally learn about you? (Optional)
5. If there is an important aspect of your personal background or identity, not addressed elsewhere in the application, that you are comfortable voluntarily sharing with the Committee, we invite you to do so here. Many applicants will not need to answer this question. Examples might include significant challenges in access to education, unusual socioeconomic factors, identification with a minority culture, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender identity. Briefly explain how such factors have influenced your motivation for a career in medicine. (Optional)

B. Self Critical Analysis (500 words)​

1. Why are you choosing to apply to the FSU College of Medicine? Please be specific describing what is particularly attractive about FSU COM.
2. What do you feel are your personal and scholastic qualifications for the study of medicine? (Optional)
3. If you have previously interviewed or applied to the College of Medicine, what steps have you taken to improve your application? (Optional)

C. Additional Questions (500 words)​

1. In what field/specialty of medicine do you envision yourself working ten years from now? Please list no more than three (3) specialties.
2. Write a short statement describing how you envision using the specialty/ties you listed above to advance our mission.
3. The Admissions Committee understands that the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted applicants in various ways. If you wish to inform the committee as to how these events have affected you and have not already done so elsewhere in your application, please use this space to do so. (Optional)

D. Florida Resident (200 characters)​

1. The Florida State University College of Medicine accepts very few out-of-state applicants. Except under rare circumstances, out of state applicants are considered for admission only if their county of residence is geographically contiguous with the State of Florida, or if they can demonstrate significant ties to the State of Florida.
2. Is Florida currently your legal State of residence? (Yes/No)
3. Has it ever been your legal state of residence? (Yes/No)
4. If “yes,” please briefly explain: (Optional)
5. If you have never been a Florida resident or are not currently residing in Florida
   (answered “no” to both questions above), please briefly describe any significant ties that you have to the State of Florida (Examples of significant ties include- but are not limited to- attending college within Florida; having strong family ties to Florida, owning property in Florida, etc.) (Optional)

E. Disclosures (500 characters)​

1. Have you ever been charged with a violation of the law which resulted in, or is still pending could result in, probation, community service, a jail sentence, or the revocation or suspension of your driver's license (including traffic violations which resulted in a fine of $200 or more)? If "yes", please explain. (Optional)
2. Have you ever been or are you now under investigation for any academic or legal/conduct problems at any undergraduate or graduate institution? If "yes", please explain. (Optional)

‍

Essay Topics ('22 - '23)

(500 word limit each)

‍1. Please provide a description of your family. (Optional)

2. Please provide a description of where you grew up (i.e. rural area, large city, etc.) (Optional)

3. Indicate what you do for fun and diversion (hobbies, special interests, etc.). (Optional)

4. What is a unique trait, experience, or interest that we would not normally learn about you? (Optional)

5. If there is an important aspect of your personal background or identity, not addressed elsewhere in the application, that you are comfortable voluntarily sharing with the Committee, we invite you to do so here. Many applicants will not need to answer this question. Examples might include significant challenges in access to education, unusual socioeconomic factors, identification with a minority culture, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender identity. Briefly explain how such factors have influenced your motivation for a career in medicine. (Optional)

6. Why are you choosing to apply to the FSU College of Medicine? Please be specific describing what is particularly attractive about FSU COM.

7. What do you feel are your personal and scholastic qualifications for the study of medicine? (Optional)

8. How do you feel you will contribute to the success of the FSU College of Medicine and our unique mission? (Optional)

9. If you have previously interviewed or applied to the College of Medicine, what steps have you taken to improve your application? (Optional)

10. In what field/specialty of medicine do you envision yourself working ten years from now? Please list no more than three (3) specialties.

11. Write a short statement describing how you envision using the specialty/ies you listed above to advance our mission.

12. COVID-19: The Admissions Committee understands that the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted applicants in various ways. If you wish to inform the committee as to how these events have affected you and have not already done so elsewhere in your application, please use this space to do so. (Optional)

13. If FL has previously been your state of residence but it is not your current state of residence, explain (Optional)

14. If you were never a FL resident, explain ties to FL (Optional)

15. Criminal/academic discipline question (Optional)

‍

Essay Topics ('21 - '22)

1. Why are you choosing to apply to the FSU College of Medicine? Please be specific describing what is particularly attractive about FSU COM. (500 words)

2. In what field/specialty of medicine do you envision yourself working ten years from now? Please list no more than three (3) specialties.

3. Write a short statement describing how you envision using the specialty/ies you listed above to advance our mission.

4. Choose the appropriate response for each required prerequisite. As a reminder: All prerequisites must be completed with a “C” or better and BEFORE matriculating at the FSU COM.

- English (or other writing intensive course): 6 credit hours

- College Mathematics (Statistics is recommended): 6 credit hours

- Biology with Lab: 8 credit hours

- Organic Chemistry with Lab: 4 credit hours

- Physics with Lab: 8 credit hours

- Biochemistry (MUST require at least one Organic Chemistry course as a per-requisite; lab is recommended): 3 credit hours

5. The Florida State University College of Medicine accepts very few out-of-state applicants. Except under rare circumstances, out of state applicants are considered for admission only if their county of residence is geographically contiguous with the State of Florida, or if they can demonstrate significant ties to the State of Florida.

- Is Florida currently your legal State of residence? (Y/N)

- Has it ever been your legal state of residence? (Y/N)

OPTIONAL QUESTIONS:

1. Please provide a description of your family. (500 words)

2. Please provide a description of where you grew up (i.e. rural area, large city, etc.) (500 words)

3. Indicate what you do for fun and diversion (hobbies, special interests, etc.) (500 words)

4. What is a unique trait, experience, or interest that we would not normally learn about you? (500 words)

5. If there is an important aspect of your personal background or identity, not addressed elsewhere in the application, that you are comfortable voluntarily sharing with the Committee, we invite you to do so here. Many applicants will not need to answer this question. Examples might include significant challenges in access to education, unusual socioeconomic factors, identification with a minority culture, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender identity. Briefly explain how such factors have influenced your motivation for a career in medicine. (500 words)

6. Please enter your ACT and or SAT scores if you have taken these exams.

7. Have you previously attended FSU or applied for admission? (Not to the College of Medicine)

8. What do you feel are your personal and scholastic qualifications for the study of medicine? (500 words)

9. How do you feel you will contribute to the success of the FSU College of Medicine and our unique mission? (500 words)

10. If you have previously interviewed or applied to the College of Medicine, what steps have you taken to improve your application? (500 words)

11. COVID-19: The Admissions Committee understands that thE COVID-19 pandemic has impacted applicants in various ways. If you wish to inform the committee as to how these events have affected you and have not already done so elsewhere in your application, please use this space to do so.

12. If you have never been a Florida resident or are not currently residing in Florida (answered “no” to both questions above), please briefly describe any significant ties that you have to the State of Florida (Examples of significant ties include- but are not limited to- attending college within Florida; having strong family ties to Florida, owning property in Florida, etc.)

‍

Essay Topics (’20 – ’21)‍

1. Write a critical analysis of your personal and scholastic qualifications for the study of medicine, the realization of your professional ambitions, and why you are choosing to apply to the FSU COM. (500 words)

OPTIONAL QUESTIONS:

1. Indicate your significant travel experiences and include the circumstances. (500 words)

2. Fun and Diversion: Indicate what you do for fun and diversion (hobbies, special interests, etc.) (500 words)

3. Identify any other traits, habits, experiences, interests, etc., that a professor advisor would not normally learn about you. (500 words)

4. Please provide a brief description of your parents. (500 words)

5. Please provide a brief description of your siblings. (500 words)

6. In what field of medicine do you envision yourself working ten years from now? (500 words)

7. Please enter your ACT and SAT scores if you have taken these exams. (500 words)

8. The Florida State University College of Medicine accepts very few out-of-state applicants. Except under rare circumstances, out of state applicants are considered for admission only if their county of residence is geographically contiguous with the State of Florida, or if they can demonstrate significant ties to the State of Florida. Is Florida currently your legal State of residence? If Florida is not currently your legal State of residence, has it ever been your legal state of residence? If yes, please briefly explain. If no, please briefly describe any significant ties that you have to the State of Florida (Examples of significant ties include- but are not limited to- attending college within Florida; having close relatives who are residents of Florida; spending substantial amounts of time in Florida) (200 words)

‍

Essay Topics ('19-'20)

Indicate your significant travel experiences and include the circumstances.

Indicate what you do for fun and diversion (hobbies, special interests, etc.)

Identify any other traits, habits, experiences, interests, etc., that a professor advisor would not normally learn about you.

Please provide a brief description of your parents

Please provide a brief description of your siblings.

In what field of medicine do you envision yourself working ten years from now?

Please enter your ACT and SAT scores if you have taken these exams.

‍

Essay Topics ('18-'19)‍

1. Indicate your significant travel experiences and include the circumstances.

2. Indicate what you do for fun and diversion (hobbies, special interests, etc.)

3. Identify any other traits, habits, experiences, interests, etc., that a professor or advisor would not normally learn about you.

4. For both mother and father, give the following:

- Where they were raised

- 4-5 traits that would describe him/her to a stranger

- Traits you get from him/her

- Your rapport with him/her

- His/her hobbies or interests

5. Give names, ages and a few brief comments about your brothers and sisters.

6. In what field of medicine do you envision yourself working ten years from now?

7. Please enter your ACT and SAT scores if you have taken these tests.

8. Write a critical analysis of your personal and scholastic qualifications for the study of medicine and the realization of your professional ambitions.

Essay Topics ('17 - '18)

1. Indicate your significant travel experiences and include the circumstances.

2. Indicate what you do for fun and diversion (hobbies, special interests, etc.)

3. Identify any other traits, habits, experiences, interests, etc., that a professor or advisor would not normally learn about you.

4. For both mother and father, give the following:

- Where they were raised

- 4-5 traits that would describe him/her to a stranger

- Traits you get from him/her

- Your rapport with him/her

- His/her hobbies or interests

5. Give names, ages and a few brief comments about your brothers and sisters.

6. In what field of medicine do you envision yourself working ten years from now?

7. Write a critical analysis of your personal and scholastic qualifications for the study of medicine and the realization of your professional ambitions.

Essay Topics ('16 - '17)‍

1. Indicate your significant travel experiences and include the circumstances. (500 words)

2. Indicate what you do for fun and diversion (hobbies, special interests, etc.) (500 words)

3. Identify any other traits, habits, experiences, interests, etc., that a professor or adviser would not normally learn about you. (500 words)

4. For both mother and father, give the following: Where they were raised, 4-5 traits that would describe him/her to a stranger, traits you get from him/her, your rapport with him/her, his/her hobbies or interests. (500 words)

5. Give names, ages and a few brief comments about your brothers and sisters. (500 words)

6. In what field of medicine do you envision yourself working ten years from now? (500 words)

7. Write a critical analysis of your personal and scholastic qualifications for the study of medicine and the realization of your professional ambitions (500 words)

Essay Topics ('15 - '16)

1. Indicate your significant travel experiences and include the circumstances. (500 words)

2. Indicate what you do for fun and diversion (hobbies, special interests, etc.) (500 words)

3. Identify any other traits, habits, experiences, interests, etc., that a professor or adviser would not normally learn about you. (500 words)

4. For both mother and father, give the following: Where they were raised, 4-5 traits that would describe him/her to a stranger, traits you get from him/her, your rapport with him/her, his/her hobbies or interests. (500 words)

5. Give names, ages and a few brief comments about your brothers and sisters. (500 words)

6. In what field of medicine do you envision yourself working ten years from now? (500 words)

7. Write a critical analysis of your personal and scholastic qualifications for the study of medicine and the realization of your professional ambitions (500 words)

Essay Topics ('14 - '15)

1. Indicate your significant travel experiences and include the circumstances. (500 words)

2. Indicate what you do for fun and diversion (hobbies, special interests, etc.) (500 words)

3. Identify any other traits, habits, experiences, interests, etc., that a professor or adviser would not normally learn about you. (500 words)

4. For both mother and father, give the following: Where they were raised, 4-5 traits that would describe him/her to a stranger, traits you get from him/her, your rapport with him/her, his/her hobbies or interests. (500 words)

5. Give names, ages and a few brief comments about your brothers and sisters. (500 words)

6. In what field of medicine do you envision yourself working ten years from now? (500 words)

7. Write a critical analysis of your personal and scholastic qualifications for the study of medicine and the realization of your professional ambitions (500 words)

Essay Topics ('13 - '14)

1. Indicate your significant travel experiences and include the circumstances. (500 words)

2. Indicate what you do for fun and diversion (hobbies, special interests, etc.) (500 words)

3. Identify any other traits, habits, experiences, interests, etc., that a professor or adviser would not normally learn about you. (500 words)

4. For both mother and father, give the following: Where they were raised, 4-5 traits that would describe him/her to a stranger, traits you get from him/her, your rapport with him/her, his/her hobbies or interests. (500 words)

5. Give names, ages and a few brief comments about your brothers and sisters. (500 words)

6. In what field of medicine do you envision yourself working ten years from now? (500 words)

7. Write a critical analysis of your personal and scholastic qualifications for the study of medicine and the realization of your professional ambitions (500 words)

‍