Essay Toics (2024 - 2025)

Please complete the below essay questions. Please note that it is possible some questions may not apply to you. When this is the case, please indicate as such with NA.

‍1. RWJMS has identified the core values below as critical to our mission and vision. We strive to matriculate learners who embody these values.

R -- Respect, dignity and humanism for the diverse population we serve

W -- Wellness and resilience

J -- Joining learners hand in hand with care delivery

M -- Making patients first with safe, compassionate, high-quality care

S -- Science to advance human health

In two paragraphs or less, identify which value you selected and reflect on one of your experiences to discuss how you have built a foundation for this value. (No limit)

2. RWJMS strives to matriculate a student body that supports and enriches each other and the learning environment. Please share a life experience, personal attribute, and/or perspective that will help contribute to this learning environment. (250 words or less)

3. Discuss a difficult or challenging situation you have encountered and how you dealt with it. Be sure to include the skills you called upon to resolve the dilemma, and the support person(s) from whom you sought advice. (Please keep this under 250 words)

4. Are you interested in applying for PACCE? (Yes/Maybe/No) If yes/maybe (No limits) 1. What are the factors that drive your interest in primary care? 2. Provide examples, experiences, or critical incidents that informed you about either the family medicine or pediatric specialty.

5. Please feel free to comment on any course grades, GPA trends, or MCAT scores and what you have learned about yourself. (No limit)6. Please use this space if you would like to provide additional information to the admissions committee. (No limit)

‍

Essay Topics ('23 – '24)

1. RWJMS has identified the core values below as critical to our mission and vision. We strive to matriculate learners who embody these values.

R -- Respect, dignity and humanism for the diverse population we serve

W -- Wellness and resilience

J -- Joining learners hand in hand with care delivery

M -- Making patients first with safe, compassionate, high-quality care

S -- Science to advance human health

Please select a RWJMS core value that resonates the most with you. In two paragraphs or less, reflect on one of your experiences to discuss how you have built a foundation for this value and how it will contribute to our community of learners. (No Word Limit)

2. Discuss a difficult or challenging situation you have encountered and how you dealt with it. Be sure to include the skills you called upon to resolve the dilemma, and the support person(s) from whom you sought advice. (250 words)

3. Please feel free to comment on any course grades, GPA trends, or MCAT scores and what you have learned about yourself. (No Word Limit)

4. Please use this space if you would like to provide additional information to the admissions committee. (No Word Limit)

‍

Essay Topics ('22 – '23)

1) Please use this space if you would like to provide additional information to the admissions committee. You may choose to elaborate on or clarify details you have previously provided.

‍

2) Prompt asking to describe interest in primary care if interested in PACCE

‍

3) Please feel free to comment on any course grades, GPA trends, or MCAT scores and what you have learned about yourself.

‍

4) If you are applying with a state of legal residence that is not NJ, please indicate your connection to NJ (mark all that apply) and explain this connection:

‍

‍

Essay Topics ('21 – '22)

1. More than a year after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, what do you believe are major needs in health care and how have your expectations for your role as a doctor changed? (250 words)

2. Discuss a time you tried to right a perceived wrong, felt moved to speak up for someone, or took a stand against a situation you felt was unjust. (250 words)

3. Were you, or are you, employed during the school year? If so please let us know the type of work, hours worked, etc. (no word limit)

4. If you have taken time off during your undergraduate training or if you have already graduated, please provide information to explain this time by providing a bulleted list of activities or explanation delineated by month/year to month/year.

5. Please let us know how you prepared for your most recent MCAT. If you have taken the MCAT more than once let us know if you prepared differently for prior tests.‍‍

OPTIONAL QUESTIONS:

1. If you would like, feel free to explain any impact that COVID-19 may have had on your educational/research/volunteering or employment plans.

2. If applicable, please comment on any science grade(s) listed on your application for which you received grades lower than a B. If applicable, please comment if there is a downward trend in your science and/or total grade point average (GPA).

‍

Essay Topics (’20 – ’21)‍

1. How has COVID 19 impacted your expectations for your medical education experience and your future work as a doctor?

2. Were you, or are you, employed during the school year? If so please let us know the type of work, hours worked, etc.

3. If you have taken time off during your undergraduate training or if you have already graduated, please provide information to explain this time by providing a bulleted list of activities or explanation delineated by month/year to month/year.

4. If you would like, feel free to explain any impact that COVID-19 may have had on your educational/research/volunteering or employment plans.

5. If applicable, please comment on any science grade(s) listed on your application for which you received grades lower than a B. If applicable, please comment if there is a downward trend in your science and/or total grade point average (GPA).

6. Please let us know how you prepared for your most recent MCAT. If you have taken the MCAT more than once let us know if you prepared differently for prior tests.

7. If you are applying with a state of legal residence that is not NJ, please indicate your connection to NJ (mark all that apply) and explain this connection: (checkbox and then a box to explain further)

8. Please indicate if you and/or your parents are/were employed by RWJMS or other connections to Rutgers University.

9. Have you ever been subjected to disciplinary action by any college or university? Have you ever been charged or convicted of a criminal offense? Are there any disciplinary or criminal charges pending against you? If the answer is yes, please specify the details.

10. Is there anything you would like to share or anything you would like to clarify on your application?

‍

‍Essay Topics ('19 – '20)‍

1. We are offering a primary care track called PACCE that provides extensive mentoring and longitudinal care experiences in your third year of medical school. We will be conducting an additional interview for applicants interested in this track. For accepted students selected for PACCE, First and second year medical school experiences, placement in PACCE practices, and primary care advisement will be available.

Are you interested in participating in PACCE? (if yes or maybe, then: If yes or maybe, please provide a short paragraph explaining how you know a primary care focused specialty is your preference)

2. If applicable, please comment on any science grade(s) listed on your application for which you received grades lower than a B. If applicable, please comment if there is a downward trend in your science and/or total grade point average (GPA).

3. Please let us know how you prepared for your most recent MCAT. If you have taken the MCAT more than once let us know if you prepared differently for prior tests.

4. If you have taken time off during your undergraduate training or if you have already graduated, please provide information to explain this time by providing a line-by-line description of activities or explanation delineated by month/year to month/year.

5. Were you, or are you, employed during the school year? If so please let us know the type of work, hours worked, etc. In addition, please indicate if you and/or your parents are/were employed by RWJMS.

6. Please explain your connection to NJ: (it has options from a drop-down list)

7. Please indicate if you and/or your parents are/were employed by RWJMS or other connections to Rutgers University.

8. Is there anything you would like to share to clarify your application?

‍

‍Essay Topics ('18 – '19)‍

1. If applicable, please comment on any science grade(s) listed on your application for which you received grades lower than a B. If applicable, please comment if there is a downward trend in your science and/or total grade point average (GPA). (optional) (250 char)

2. Please let us know how you prepared for your most recent MCAT. If you have taken the MCAT more than once let us know if you prepared differently for prior tests. (optional) (250 char)

3. Provide a very short reflection of what you have learned about your preferred strategies for pursuing knowledge in areas of interest to yourself. (250 char)

4. If you have taken time off during your undergraduate training or if you have already graduated, please provide information to explain this time by providing a line-by-line description of activities or explanation delineated by month/year to month/year. (optional) (500 char)

5. Were you, or are you, employed during the school year? If so please let us know the type of work, hours worked, etc.(optional) (500 char)

6. Is there anything you would like to share to clarify your application? (optional) (500 char)

‍

‍Essay Topics ('17 – '18)

1. If applicable, please comment on any science grade(s) listed on your application for which you received grades lower than a B. If applicable, please comment if there is a downward trend in your science and/or total grade point average (GPA).

2. If you have taken time off during your undergraduate training or if you have already graduated, please provide information to explain this time by providing a line-by- line description of activities or explanation delineated by month/year to month/year.

3. If you applied as a non-resident (i.e., your legal residency is a state other than NJ), please let us know if you grew up in NJ, attended school in NJ, have parents who reside in NJ, work in NJ, etc.

4. Please let us know how you prepared for your most recent MCAT. If you have taken the MCAT more than once let us know if you prepared differently for prior tests.

5. Were you, or are you, employed during the school year? If so please let us know the type of work, hours worked, etc. In addition, please indicate if you and/or your parents are/were employed by RWJMS.

6. Is there anything you would like to share to clarify your application?

7. Take CASPer OR in the next series of prompts, you will reflect upon experiences, activities or accomplishments that demonstrate each of the indicated pre-professional competencies.
Your response should be limited to one paragraph and include: The situation where you demonstrated the competency,Your actions and the resulting consequence, and What you learned as a result of your experience(s).

Pre-professional Competencies:

Integrity and Ethics

Reliability and

Dependability

Desire to Learn

Commitment to serving others/volunteering

Social Interpersonal and Teamwork Skills

Cultural Competence

Resilience and Adaptability

‍

‍Essay Topics ('16 – '17)‍

1. If applicable, please comment on any science grade(s) listed on your application for which you received grades lower than a B. If applicable, please comment if there is a downward trend in your science and/or total grade point average (GPA).

2. If you have taken time off during your undergraduate training or if you have already graduated, please provide information to explain this time by providing a line-by- line description of activities or explanation delineated by month/year to month/year.

3. If you applied as a non-resident (i.e., your legal residency is a state other than NJ), please let us know if you grew up in NJ, attended school in NJ, have parents who reside in NJ, work in NJ, etc.

4. Please let us know how you prepared for your most recent MCAT. If you have taken the MCAT more than once let us know if you prepared differently for prior tests.

5. Were you, or are you, employed during the school year? If so please let us know the type of work, hours worked, etc. In addition, please indicate if you and/or your parents are/were employed by RWJMS.

6. Is there anything you would like to share to clarify your application?

7. Take CASPer OR in the next series of prompts, you will reflect upon experiences, activities or accomplishments that demonstrate each of the indicated pre-professional competencies.Your response should be limited to one paragraph and include: The situation where you demonstrated the competency,Your actions and the resulting consequence, and What you learned as a result of your experience(s).  

Pre-professional Competencies:  

Integrity and Ethics  

Reliability and  Dependability  

Desire to Learn  

Commitment to serving others/volunteering  

Social Interpersonal and Teamwork Skills  

Cultural Competence  

Resilience and Adaptability

‍

‍Essay Topics ('15 – '16)‍

1. If applicable please comment on any science grade(s) listed on your app for which you received grades lower than a B. If applicable comment if there is a downward trend in your science and/or total GPA.

2. If you have ever taken time off during your undergrad training or if you have already graduated, provide info to explain this time by providing a line-by-line description of activities or explanation delineated by month/year to month/year

3. If you applied as a non-resident (legal residency other than NJ), please let us know if you grew up in NJ, attended school in NJ, have parents who reside in NJ, work in NJ, etc.

4. Please let us know how you prepared for your most recent MCAT. if you have taken the MCAT more than once let us know if you prepared differently for prior tests.

5. Were you, or are you, employed during the school year? If so please tell us type of work, hours worked, etc. In addition, please indicate if you and/or your parents are/were employed by RWJMS.

6. Is there anything you would like to share to clarify your application?

7. In the next series of prompts, you will reflect upon experiences, activities or accomplishments that demonstrate each of the indicated pre-professional competencies. Your response should be limited to one paragraph and should include: the situation where you demonstrated the competency, your actions and the resulting consequence, and what you learned as a result.

Pre-professional Competencies:  

Integrity and Ethics  

Reliability and  Dependability  

Desire to Learn  

Commitment to serving others/volunteering  

Social Interpersonal and Teamwork Skills  

Cultural Competence  

Resilience and Adaptability

‍

‍Essay Topics ('14 – '15)‍

1. If applicable, please comment on any science grade(s) listed on your application for which you received grades lower than a B. If applicable, please comment if there is a downward trend in your science and/or total grade point average (GPA).

2. If your education has not been continuous, please provide information to explain the gap(s) by providing a line by line description to explain by month/year to month/year.

3. Have you ever been subjected to disciplinary action by any college or university? Have you ever been charged or convicted of a criminal offense? Are there any disciplinary or criminal charges pending against you? If the answer is yes, please specify the details.

4. If you applied as a non-resident (other than NJ), please let us know if you grew up in NJ, attended school in NJ, have parents who reside in NJ, work in NJ, etc.

5. Please let us know how you prepared for your most recent MCAT. If you have taken the MCAT more than once let us know if you prepared differently for prior tests.

6. Were you, or are you, employed during the school year? If so please let us know the type of work, hours worked, etc. In addition, please indicate if you and/or your parents are/were employed by RWJMS.

7. In the next series of questions, you will reflect upon experiences, activities or accomplishments that demonstrate each of these pre-professional competencies. Your responses will be limited to one paragraph and will include:

The situation where you demonstrated the competency,Your actions and the resulting consequence, and What you learned as a result of your experience(s).

Pre-professional Competencies:

Integrity and Ethics

Reliability and

Dependability

Desire to Learn

Commitment to serving others/volunteering

Social Interpersonal and Teamwork Skills

Cultural Competence

Resilience and Adaptability

8. Is there anything which you would like to share to clarify something in your application?

‍

‍Essay Topics ('13 – '14)‍

1. If applicable, please comment on any science grade(s) listed on your application for which you received grades lower than a B. If applicable, please comment if there is a downward trend in your science and/or total grade point average (GPA).

2. If your education has not been continuous, please provide information to explain the gap(s) by providing a line by line description to explain by month/year to month/year.

3. Have you ever been subjected to disciplinary action by any college or university? Have you ever been charged or convicted of a criminal offense? Are there any disciplinary or criminal charges pending against you? If the answer is yes, please specify the details.

4. If you applied as a non-resident (other than NJ), please let us know if you grew up in NJ, attended school in NJ, have parents who reside in NJ, work in NJ, etc.

5. Please let us know how you prepared for your most recent MCAT. If you have taken the MCAT more than once let us know if you prepared differently for prior tests.

6. Were you, or are you, employed during the school year? If so please let us know the type of work, hours worked, etc. In addition, please indicate if you and/or your parents are/were employed by RWJMS.

7. In the next series of questions, you will reflect upon experiences, activities or accomplishments that demonstrate each of these pre-professional competencies. Your responses will be limited to one paragraph and will include:

The situation where you demonstrated the competency,Your actions and the resulting consequence, and What you learned as a result of your experience(s).

Pre-professional Competencies:

Integrity and Ethics

Reliability and

Dependability

Desire to Learn

Commitment to serving others/volunteering

Social Interpersonal and Teamwork Skills

Cultural Competence

Resilience and Adaptability

8. Is there anything which you would like to share to clarify something in your application?