Essay Topics (2024 - 2025)

1. The mission of the UCR School of Medicine is to improve the health of the people of California and, especially, to serve Inland Southern California by training a diverse workforce of physicians and by developing innovative research and health care delivery programs that will improve the health of the medically underserved in the region and become models to be emulated throughout the state and nation. What experiences, skills, and abilities will you bring to the class to fulfill this mission? (250 words)

2. The values of the UCR SOM are integrity, innovation, inclusion, excellence, accountability and respect. Please choose one of the values and tell us how you have personally experienced it or have seen it emulated in a clinical setting. (250 words)

3. In what type of healthcare setting do you see yourself practicing medicine? (250 words)

4. Tell us about a personal challenge you have faced in your life thus far and how you demonstrated resilience and grit to overcome it. (250 words)

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Essay Topics ('23 - '24)

1. The mission of the UCR School of Medicine is to improve the health of the people of California and, especially, to serve Inland Southern California by training a diverse workforce of physicians and by developing innovative research and health care delivery programs that will improve the health of the medically underserved in the region and become models to be emulated throughout the state and nation. What experiences, skills, and abilities will you bring to the class to fulfill this mission?

2. The values of the UCR SOM are integrity, innovation, inclusion, excellence, accountability and respect. Please choose one of the values and tell us how you have personally experienced it or have seen it emulated in a clinical setting.

3. In what type of healthcare setting do you see yourself practicing medicine?

4. Tell us about a personal challenge you have faced in your life thus far and how you demonstrated resilience and grit to overcome it.

5. (Optional) If there is anything you would like the committee to consider about your candidacy that is not explained elsewhere in your application, please use this space to tell us.

6. (only if you are non-California resident) If you answered Yes, please explain your connection to Inland Southern California and the mission of the UC Riverside School of Medicine

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Essay Topics ('22 - '23)

1. The mission of the UCR School of Medicine is to improve the health of the people of California and, especially, to serve Inland Southern California by training a diverse workforce of physicians and by developing innovative research and health care delivery programs that will improve the health of the medically underserved in the region and become models to be emulated throughout the state and nation. What experiences, skills, and abilities will you bring to the class to fulfill this mission? (250 words)

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2. The values of the UCR SOM are integrity, innovation, inclusion, excellence, accountability and respect. Please choose one of the values and tell us how you have personally experienced it or have seen it emulated in a clinical setting. (250 words)

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3. In what type of healthcare setting do you see yourself practicing medicine? (250 words)

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4. Tell us about a personal challenge you have faced in your life thus far and how you demonstrated resilience and grit to overcome it. [Please do not write about studying for or taking the MCAT.] (250 words)

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5. (Optional) If there is anything you would like the committee to consider about your candidacy that is not explained elsewhere in your application, please use this space to tell us. (250 words)

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6. If you answered Yes, please explain your connection to Inland Southern California and the mission of the UC Riverside School of Medicine (100 words)

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Essay Topics ('21 - '22)

1. The mission of the UCR School of Medicine is to improve the health of the people of California and, especially, to serve Inland Southern California by training a diverse workforce of physicians and by developing innovative research and health care delivery programs that will improve the health of the medically underserved in the region and become models to be emulated throughout the state and nation. What experiences, skills, and abilities will you bring to the class to fulfill this mission? (250 words)

2. The values of the UCR SOM are integrity, innovation, inclusion, excellence, accountability and respect. Please choose one of the values and tell us how you have personally experienced it or have seen it emulated in a clinical setting. (250 words)

3. In what type of healthcare setting do you see yourself practicing medicine? (250 words)

4. Tell us about a personal challenge you have faced in your life thus far and how you demonstrated resilience and grit to overcome it. [Please do not write about studying for or taking the MCAT.] (250 words)

OPTIONAL QUESTION

1. If there is anything you would like the committee to consider about your candidacy that is not explained elsewhere in your application, please use this space to tell us. (250 words)

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‍Essay Topics (’20 – ’21)

1. The mission of the UCR School of Medicine is to improve the health of the people of California and, especially, to serve Inland Southern California by training a diverse workforce of physicians and by developing innovative research and health care delivery programs that will improve the health of the medically underserved in the region and become models to be emulated throughout the state and nation. What experiences, skills, and abilities will you bring to the class to fulfill this mission?

2. The values of the UCR SOM are integrity, innovation, inclusion, excellence, accountability and respect. Please choose one of these values and tell us about a time that you demonstrated it.

3. In what medical specialty or specialties are you interested? What experiences have created the foundation for this interest?

4. Tell us about a personal challenge you have faced in your life thus far and how you demonstrated resilience and grit to overcome it. [Please do not write about studying for or taking the MCAT.]

5. (Optional) If there is anything you would like the committee to consider about your candidacy that is not explained elsewhere in your application, please use this space to tell us.

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Essay Topics ('19 - '20)

The mission of the UCR SOM is to train a diverse physician workforce to meet the needs of underserved communities in Inland Southern California. What experiences, skills, and abilities will you bring to the class to fulfill this mission?

The values of the UCR SOM are integrity, innovation, inclusion, excellence, accountability and respect. Please choose one of these values and tell us about a time that you demonstrated it.

In what medical specialty or specialties are you interested? What experiences have created the foundation for this interest?

Tell us about a personal challenge you have faced in your life thus far and how you demonstrated resilience and grit to overcome it. [Please do not write about studying for or taking the MCAT.]

If there is anything you would like the committee to consider about your candidacy that is not explained elsewhere in your application, please use this space to tell us. [You are not required to use this space. You will not be penalized for leaving blank.]

There is a 500 character limit for each.

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Essay Topics ('18 - '19)

1. Describe the single MOST important event or non-academic activity in your life and explain why its significant.

2. What activity or accomplishment are you MOST proud of?

3. What experiences or activities have prepared you to work with medically underserved communities?

4. Please list any Scholastic Activities that you have been involved with (including honors and awards)

5. Describe a major problem you have had to deal with at some time in your life. Include how you dealt with it and how it influenced your growth.

6. Is there any specific hardship to which you would like the committee to give special attention in evaluating your application? Please briefly explain below. (Include any geographic, language, economic, academic, physical, or mental factors.)

7. What kind of health care setting do you envision yourself working in?

8. How do you see yourself contributing to the mission of the UCR School of Medicine?

9. PERSONAL STATEMENT: Your personal statement from the AMCAS application will be used in our admissions process. You do not need to duplicate it here. At your option, you may use this space to provide any further information you may want us to consider in addition to the AMCAS personal statement. THIS IS NOT MANDATORY.

10. If you click Yes for disadvantaged student -> Describe the manner in which your experiences demonstrate your understanding of, and commitment to, underserved communities . Please limit your response to 250 words

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Essay Topics ('17 - '18)

All of the prompts are 250 word limit

Has your education been continuous since graduation from high school? (yes or no, explanation if no)

Activities:

Describe the single MOST important event or non-academic activity in your life and explain why its significant.

What activity or accomplishment are you MOST proud of?

What experiences or activities have prepared you to work with medically underserved communities?

Please list any Scholastic Activities that you have been involved with (including honors and awards)

Personal:

Describe a major problem you have had to deal with at some time in your life. Include how you dealt with it and how it influenced your growth.

Is there any specific hardship to which you would like the committee to give special attention in evaluating your application? Please briefly explain below. (Include any geographic, language, economic, academic, physical, or mental factors.)

What kind of health care setting do you envision yourself working in?

How do you see yourself contributing to the mission of the UCR School of Medicine?

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Essay Topics ('16 - '17)

Describe the single MOST important event or non-academic activity in your life and explain why its significant. (250 words)

What has been the single MOST unique leadership, entrepreneurial, or creative activity in which you participated? (250 words)

What has been the single MOST important volunteer work you have done and why was it meaningful? (250 words)

Have you received any honors while in college? (250 words)

What is the MOST important honor (one) you have received? Why do you view this as important? (250 words)

What has been your MOST scholarly project (thesis, research, or field of study in basic or clinical sciences or in the humanities)? Describe one and give number of hours, dates, and advisor(s). (250 words)

Describe a major problem you have had to deal with at some time in your life. Include how you dealt with it and how it influenced your growth. (250 words)

Is there any specific hardship to which you would like the committee to give special attention in evaluating your application? Please briefly explain below. (Include any geographic, language, economic, academic, physical, or mental factors.) (250 words)

Where do you see yourself in 10 years? What experiences have led you to this goal? (250 words) What kind of health care setting do you envision yourself working in?

What is the most important health care issue confronting disadvantaged communities and what would be your first steps to address this issue? (250 words)

How do you see yourself contributing to the mission of the UCR School of Medicine?

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Essay Topics ('15 - '16)

Describe the single MOST important event or non-academic activity in your life and explain why its significant. (250 words)

What has been the single MOST unique leadership, entrepreneurial, or creative activity in which you participated? (250 words)

What has been the single MOST important volunteer work you have done and why was it meaningful? (250 words)

Have you received any honors while in college? (250 words)

What is the MOST important honor (one) you have received? Why do you view this as important? (250 words)

What has been your MOST scholarly project (thesis, research, or field of study in basic or clinical sciences or in the humanities)? Describe one and give number of hours, dates, and advisor(s). (250 words)

Describe a major problem you have had to deal with at some time in your life. Include how you dealt with it and how it influenced your growth. (250 words)

Is there any specific hardship to which you would like the committee to give special attention in evaluating your application? Please briefly explain below. (Include any geographic, language, economic, academic, physical, or mental factors.) (250 words)

Where do you see yourself in 10 years? What experiences have led you to this goal? (250 words)

What is the most important health care issue confronting disadvantaged communities and what would be your first steps to address this issue? (250 words)

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Essay Topics ('14 - '15)

Describe the single MOST important event or non-academic activity in your life and explain why its significant. (250 words)

What has been the single MOST unique leadership, entrepreneurial, or creative activity in which you participated? (250 words)

What has been the single MOST important volunteer work you have done and why was it meaningful? (250 words)

Have you received any honors while in college? (250 words)

What is the MOST important honor (one) you have received? Why do you view this as important? (250 words)

What has been your MOST scholarly project (thesis, research, or field of study in basic or clinical sciences or in the humanities)? Describe one and give number of hours, dates, and advisor(s). (250 words)

Describe a major problem you have had to deal with at some time in your life. Include how you dealt with it and how it influenced your growth. (250 words)

Is there any specific hardship to which you would like the committee to give special attention in evaluating your application? Please briefly explain below. (Include any geographic, language, economic, academic, physical, or mental factors.) (250 words)

Where do you see yourself in 10 years? What experiences have led you to this goal? (250 words)

What is the most important health care issue confronting disadvantaged communities and what would be your first steps to address this issue? (250 words)

IF you think youre disadvantaged,

Describe the manner in which your experiences demonstrate your understanding of, and commitment to, underserved communities . Please limit your response to 250 words (250 words)

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Essay Topics ('13 - '14)

-Describe the single MOST important event or non-academic activity in your life and explain why it’s significant. (250 words)

-What has been the single MOST unique leadership, entrepreneurial, or creative activity in which you participated? (250 words)

-What has been the single MOST important volunteer work you have done and why was it meaningful? (250 words)

-What is the MOST important honor (one) you have received? Why do you view this as important? (250 words)

-What has been your MOST scholarly project (thesis, research, or field of study in basic or clinical sciences or in the humanities)? Describe one and give number of hours, dates, and advisor(s). (250 words)

-Describe a major problem you have had to deal with at some time in your life. Include how you dealt with it and how it influenced your growth. (250 words)

-Is there any specific hardship to which you would like the committee to give special attention in evaluating your application? Please briefly explain below. (Include any geographic, language, economic, academic, physical, or mental factors.) (250 words)

-Where do you see yourself in 10 years? What experiences have led you to this goal? (250 words)

-What is the most important health care issue confronting disadvantaged communities and what would be your first steps to address this issue? (250 words)

-PERSONAL STATEMENT: Your personal statement from the AMCAS application will be used in our admissions process. You do not need to duplicate it here. At your option, you may use this space to provide any further information you may want us to consider in addition to the AMCAS personal statement. THIS IS NOT MANDATORY.