Essay Topics (2024 - 2025)

1. Feinberg’s mission is to train future leaders who will serve their patients, communities and society. Describe one specific aspect of the FSM integrated curriculum that will help you achieve your future goals within medicine and how FSM, located in Chicago, will help you achieve this professional goal. (200 word max)

2. Describe specific steps you take to manage your stress while balancing personal, educational and professional responsibilities. (200 word max)

3. POST-UNDERGRADUATE EXPERIENCES (if applicable): If you have one year or more between college graduation and medical school matriculation, describe both your completed activities and anticipated plans. (200 word max)

4. REAPPLICANT (if applicable): If you are reapplying to medical school, please address steps taken to enhance your application. (200 word max)

5. Do you or an immediate family member have an existing relationship with the Feinberg School of Medicine?

6. The Feinberg School of Medicine values the totality of our students’ experiences. As everyone has their own narrative, please describe how your unique experiences would enrich the Northwestern community. (200 word max)

MD/PhD Secondary

1. Why did you choose your undergraduate major? How does the subject appeal to you? (200 word max)

2. Name a scientific paper that you have read recently that had a strong impact on you and describe what impact it had. (200 word max)

3. Discuss a current unanswered question in biomedical research that you find particularly interesting and what research you would like to see done to address it. (200 word max)

4. If you have (or expect to have) a year or more between college graduation and medical school matriculation, describe both your completed activities and anticipated plans. (200 word max)

5. If you are reapplying this cycle, please address steps taken to enhance your application. If not a reapplicant, please enter "N/A" (200 words max)

6. What is the most gratifying research experience you have had to date and why? What was the greatest obstacle you had to overcome in research and how did you overcome it? (200 word max)

7. Do you or an immediate family member have an existing relationship with Feinberg School of Medicine? (Yes/No question; If the answer to the question is YES, please provide details. Please leave blank if not applicable. (50 word max))

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Essay Topics ('23 - '24)

(200 word max limits)

‍1. FEINBERG CURRICULUM: Describe which part (s) of Feinberg’s integrated curriculum you are most excited to engage in and best align with your learning style.

2. COPING STRATEGIES: Describe specific steps you take to manage your stress and maintain wellness while balancing personal, educational, and professional responsibilities.

3. FUTURE CAREER PLANS: Feinberg’s mission is to train future leaders in medicine who will serve their patients, communities and society. Describe one specific goal within medicine and how FSM, located in Chicago, will help you achieve this professional goal.

4. POST-UNDERGRADUATE EXPERIENCES (if applicable): If you have one year or more between college graduation and medical school matriculation, describe both your completed activities and future plans during the gap period.

5. REAPPLICANT (if applicable): If you are reapplying to medical school, please address steps taken to improve your application.

6. FEINBERG SCHOOL OF MEDICINE RELATIONSHIPDo you or an immediate family member have an existing relationship with Feinberg School of Medicine?

7. Personal Narrative: The Feinberg School of Medicine values the totality of our students’ experiences. As everyone has their own narrative, please provide more detail about how your unique experiences would enrich the Northwestern community.

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Essay Topics ('22-'23)

1. PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS: Given the distinctive educational philosophy and integrated curriculum at FSM, describe how your personal characteristics and learning style would align with the institution. (200 word max)

‍2. COPING SKILLS: Describe specific steps you take to manage your stress and maintain wellness while balancing personal, educational, and professional responsibilities. (200 word max)

‍3. FUTURE CAREER PLANS: Feinberg’s mission is to train future leaders in medicine who will serve their patients, communities and society. Describe one specific goal within medicine and how FSM, located in Chicago which is one of the most culturally diverse cities in the country, will help you achieve this professional goal. (200 word max)

‍4. COVID-19 IMPACT: Describe how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted your pathway to medical school. Include any academic, personal, financial or professional challenges, as well as any other relevant information. (200 word max)

‍5. POST-UNDERGRADUATE EXPERIENCES (if applicable): If you have a year or more between college graduation and medical school matriculation, describe both your completed activities and future plans during the gap period. (200 word max)

‍6. REAPPLICANT (if applicable): If you are a reapplicant this cycle, please address steps taken to improve your application for medical school. (200 word max)

‍7. Personal Narrative: The Feinberg School of Medicine values diversity as a measure of excellence. We define diversity as the totality of the characteristics and experiences of our students. We believe that a diverse student body improves the educational environment and the ability of our graduates to serve an increasingly diverse patient population. Everyone has their own narrative. Please provide more detail about how your experiences would enrich the Northwestern community. (200 word max)

Essay Topics (21' - '22)

1. Given the distinctive educational philosophy and integrated curriculum at FSM, describe how your personal characteristics and learning style would align with the institution. (200 words)

2. Describe specific steps you take to manage your stress and maintain wellness while balancing personal, educational, and professional responsibilities. (200 words)

3. Feinberg’s mission is to train future leaders in medicine who will serve their patients, communities and society. Describe one specific interest in medicine and how FSM, located in Chicago which is one of the most culturally diverse cities in the country, will help you achieve this professional goal. (200 words)

4. Describe how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted your pathway to medical school. Include any academic, personal, financial, or professional barriers, as well as any other relevant information. (200 words)

5. For applicants with interrupted training: If you have a year or more between college graduation and medical school matriculation, describe both your completed activities and future plans during the gap period. (200 words)

6. For reapplicants: Please also address steps taken to improve your application for medical school. (200 words)

7. The Feinberg School of Medicine values diversity as a measure of excellence. We define diversity as the totality of the characteristics and experiences of our students. We believe that a diverse student body improves the educational environment and the ability of our graduates to serve an increasingly diverse patient population. Narrative Descriptions: Everyone has their own narrative. Please provide more detail about how your experiences would enrich the Northwestern community. (200 word max)

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Essay Topics (’20 – ’21)

1. Given the distinctive educational philosophy and integrated curriculum at FSM, describe how your personal characteristics and learning style would fit the institution, and how Feinberg School of Medicine will help you achieve your professional goals. (200 words)

2. Describe the steps you take to manage your personal stress when confronted with difficult situations. (200 words)

3. Feinberg's mission is to impact the practice of medicine through discovery and education. With consideration of FSM's goal to train future leaders in medicine, please describe your career plans and goals. Be as specific as your current thinking will allow. (200 words)

4. (if applicable): If you have (or expect to have) a year or more between college graduation and medical school matriculation, describe your activities and/or plans.  (200 words)

5. For REAPPLICANTS: Please also address steps taken to improve your application for medical school. (200 words)

6. Everyone has their own narrative. Please provide more detail about how your experiences would enrich the Northwestern community. (200 words)

7. Describe how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted your pathway to medical school. Include any academic, personal, financial or professional barriers, as well as any other relevant information. (200 words)

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Essay Topics ('19 - '20)

Given the distinctive educational philosophy and integrated curriculum at FSM, describe how your personal characteristics and learning style would fit the institution, and how Feinberg School of Medicine will help you achieve your professional goals. (200 words)

Describe the steps you take to manage your personal stress when confronted with difficult situations. (200 words)

Feinberg's mission is to impact the practice of medicine through discovery and education. With consideration of FSM's goal to train future leaders in medicine, please describe your career plans and goals. Be as specific as your current thinking will allow. (200 words)

(if applicable): If you have (or expect to have) a year or more between college graduation and medical school matriculation, describe your activities and/or plans.

For REAPPLICANTS: Please also address steps taken to improve your application for medical school. (200 words)

The Feinberg School of Medicine values diversity as a measure of excellence. We define diversity as the totality of the characteristics and experiences of our students. We believe that a diverse student body improves the educational environment and the ability of our graduates to serve an increasingly diverse patient population. Everyone has their own narrative. Please provide more detail about how your experiences would enrich the Northwestern community. (200 words)

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Essay Topics ('18 - '19)

1. Given the distinctive educational philosophy and integrated curriculum at FSM, describe how your personal characteristics and learning style would fit the institution.(Limit your response to 200 words)

2. Describe the steps you take to reduce your personal stress when confronted with difficult situations.(Limit your response to 200 words)

3. Feinbergs mission is to impact the practice of medicine through discovery and education. With consideration of FSMs goal to train future leaders in medicine, please describe your career plans and goals. Be as specific as your current thinking will allow.(Limit your response to 200 words)

4. (if applicable): If you have (or expect to have) a year or more between college graduation and medical school matriculation, describe your activities and/or plans. For REAPPLICANTS: Please also address steps taken to improve your application for medical school.(Limit your response to 200 words)

5.Everyone has their own narrative. Please provide more detail about your selections above and how you would enrich the Northwestern community.(Limit your response to 200 words)

MSTP

Why did you choose your undergraduate major? How does the subject appeal to you? (200 W)

Name a scientific paper that you have read recently that had a strong impact on you and describe what impact it had. (200 W)

Discuss a current unanswered question in biomedical research that you find particularly interesting and what research you would like to see done to address it. (200 W)

What is the most gratifying research experience you have had to date and why? What was the greatest obstacle you had to overcome in research and how did you overcome it? (200 W)

Everyone has their own narrative. Please provide more detail about your selections above and how you would enrich the Northwestern community. (200 W)

How do you envision your career after you complete your training, including residency and fellowship? What aspects of your life and career will be most satisfying? What frustrations can you envision in your future career, and how do you hope to handle them? (200 W)

Please describe your current research interest as you plan your research training. (200 W)

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Essay Topics ('17 - '18)

Given the distinctive educational philosophy and curriculum at FSM, describe how your personal characteristics and learning style would fit the institution. (Limit your response to 200 words).

Describe the steps you take to reduce your personal stress when confronted with difficult situations. (Limit your response to 200 words)

Feinberg's mission is to impact the practice of medicine through discovery and education. With consideration of FSM's goal to train future leaders in medicine, please describe your career plans and goals. Be as specific as your current thinking will allow. (Limit your response to 200 words).

(if applicable): If you have (or expect to have) a year or more between college graduation and medical school matriculation, describe your activities and/or plans. (Limit your response to 200 words).

Everyone has their own narrative. Please provide more detail about your selections above and how you would enrich the Northwestern community. (Limit your response to 200 words).

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Essay Topics ('16 - '17)

1. Given the distinctive educational philosophy and curriculum at FSM, describe how your personal characteristics and learning style would fit the institution. (200 words)

2. Describe the coping skills (not problem solving skills) you use when confronted with difficult situations. (200 words)

Describe your career plans and goals. Be as specific as your current thinking will allow. (200 words)

(if applicable): If you have (or expect to have) a year or more between college graduation and medical school matriculation, describe your activities and/or plans. (200 words)

A section about diversity with check boxes then:

If you wish, use this space to provide more detail about your selections above and how you would bring diversity to the Northwestern community.

(Limit your response to 200 words)

Do you or an immediate family member have an existing relationship with the Feinberg School of Medicine? Yes No

If the answer to the question is YES, please provide details. (Limit your response to 75 words)

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Essay Topics ('15 - '16)

Given the distinctive educational philosophy and curriculum at FSM, describe how your personal characteristics and learning style would fit the institution. (250 words)

Describe the coping skills (not problem solving skills) you use when confronted with difficult situations. (250 words)

Describe your career plans and goals. Be as specific as your current thinking will allow. (250 words)

If you have (or expect to have) a year or more between college graduation and Medical school matriculation, describe your activities and/or plans. (if applicable) (250 words)

If you wish, use this space to provide more detail about your selections [note: this is about your racial background, sexual identity, and social background] above and how you would bring diversity to the Northwestern community. (250 words)

Essay Topics ('14 - '15)

Each essay is limited to 250 words

Essay 1: Given the distinctive educational philosophy and curriculum at FSM, describe how your personal characteristics and learning style would fit the institution.

Essay 2: Describe the coping skills (not problem solving skills) you use when confronted with difficult situations

Essay 3: Describe your career plans and goals. Be as specific as your current thinking will allow.

Essay 4: (if applicable): If you have (or expect to have) a year or more between college graduation and Medical school matriculation, describe your activities and/or plans.

Essay 5 (on the diversity page): If you wish, use this space to provide more detail about your selections [note: this is about your racial background, sexual identity, and social background] above and how you would bring diversity to the Northwestern community.

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Essay Topics ('13 - '14)

Essay 1: Given the distinctive educational philosophy and curriculum at FSM, describe how your personal characteristics and learning style would fit the institution.

Essay 2: Describe the coping skills (not problem solving skills) you use when confronted with difficult situations

Essay 3: Describe your career plans and goals. Be as specific as your current thinking will allow.

Essay 4: (if applicable): If you have (or expect to have) a year or more between college graduation and Medical school matriculation, describe your activities and/or plans.

Essay 5 (on the diversity page): If you wish, use this space to provide more detail about your selections [note: this is about your racial background, sexual identity, and social background. Gotta love these when you are a white, heterosexual, middle class male] above and how you would bring diversity to the Northwestern community.

Each essay is limited to 250 words

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Essay Topics ('11 - '12)

ESSAY 1 - PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS Describe your personality and personal characteristics and how you expect that they will lead to success in the specific curriculum and learning environment of FSM. (Limit your response to 400 words)

ESSAY 2 - COPING SKILLS Describe the coping strategies that you employ when confronted with a difficult (non-academic) situation. (Limit your response to 400 words)

ESSAY 3 - OTHER PURSUITS Describe any experiences away from traditional educational pursuits (such as travel, or time in the workplace other than summer jobs). Specify the timeframe and the impact that the activity has had upon you. If you have been in school continuously, then describe a non-academic activity which as been formative. (Limit your response to 400 words)

ESSAY 4-FUTURE PROFESSIONAL PLANS Based on your experience to date, describe the medical career that you envision. (Limit your response to 200 words)

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Essay Topics ('10 - '11)

Essay 1 - Personal Characteristics

Describe your personality and personal characteristics and how you expect that they will lead to success in the specific curriculum and learning environment of FSM. (Limit your response to 400 words)

Essay 2 - Coping Skills

Describe the coping strategies that you employ when confronted with a difficult (non-academic) situation. (Limit your response to 400 words)

Essay 3 - Other Pursuits

Describe any experiences away from traditional educational pursuits (such as travel, or time in the workplace other than summer jobs). Specify the timeframe and the impact that the activity has had upon you. If you have been in school continuously, then describe a non-academic activity which as been formative. (Limit your response to 400 words)

Essay 4-Future Professional Plans

Based on your experience to date, describe the medical career that you envision. (Limit your response to 200 words)

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Essay Topics ('09 - '10)

Essay 1 - Personal Characteristics

Describe the personal characteristics that distinguish you from other applicants and tell us how they predict success as a Feinberg School of Medicine medical student and as a future physician.

(Limit your response to about 400 words)

Essay 2 - Coping Skills

Describe how you coped when confronted with a difficult personal (non-academic) situation.

(Limit your response to this space or about 400 words.)

Essay 3 - Other Pursuits

Describe your experiences away from traditional educational pursuits, such as travel or time spent in the work force (other than summer or part-time employment). Specify the time frame. If you have been in school continuously, then describe a non-academic activity which has been formative.

(Limit your response to about 400 words.)

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Essay Topics ('08 - '09)

Describe the personal characteristics that distinguish you from other applicants and tell us how they predict success as a Feinberg School of Medicine medical student and as a future physician. (Limit your response to about 400 words)

Describe how you coped when confronted with a difficult personal (non-academic) situation. (Limit your response to this space or about 400 words.)

Describe your experiences away from traditional educational pursuits, such as travel or time spent in the work force (other than summer or part-time employment). Specify the time frame. If you have been in school continuously, then describe a non-academic activity which has been formative. (Limit your response to about 400 words.)

Admissions resources:

http://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/about/history.htmlHistory

http://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/depts/index.htmlDepartments, Centers, Institutes, and Programs

http://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/directory/centers.htmlCenters

http://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/research/core-facilities-listCore Facilities

http://bioethics.northwestern.edu/masters/feinbergma.htmlCombined MD/MA Program

http://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/education/curriculum/index.htmlMedical Curriculum and Course Descriptions

http://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/clinical-services/mcgaw.htmlAffiliations

http://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/research/lurie/index.htmlMedical Research Center

http://www.gochicago.com/museums/museum-historyculture.aspxChicago History and Culture

http://www.gochicago.com/recreation/rec-parkzoo.aspxParks

Letters of Recommendation Requirement