Essay Topics (2024 - 2025)

1. List of Y/N questions with room to explain if necessary, no limit for any
   
   1. Are you currently enrolled in an academic program? (Y/N) If you do not expect to spend the academic year enrolled in an academic program, please explain how you will use this time.
   2. Have you experienced academic difficulties, had any grades below "B minus," or any course withdrawals while in college? (Y/N)
   3. Are you currently or have you ever been subject to disciplinary action at a college or professional school that did NOT result in academic probation or dismissal? (Y/N)
   4. Have you ever been placed on academic probation, dismissed, or withdrawn from a college or professional program? (Y/N)
   5. Do you have any criminal charges pending or expected to be brought against you? (Y/N)
2. Medical school demands significant personal sacrifices, including long hours, emotional stress, and sometimes compromising personal time. Can you describe how you have prepared yourself for these sacrifices and how you plan to maintain a healthy work-life balance while managing the responsibilities of a medical student? (Limit 750 characters)
3. Can you please recount an experience from your academic or personal life where you actively collaborated with others to achieve a common goal? How do you anticipate applying this collaborative approach in your future medical education and practice, taking into account the diverse perspectives and expertise within healthcare teams? (Limit: 750 characters)
4. We often hear that students want to pursue medicine to help people. Why did you choose medicine and not some other field where you can help others, such as nursing, physical therapy, pharmacology, psychology, education, or social work? (Limit 750 characters)
5. Were you required to work during your college years? (Y/N). If yes, In this space, provide a brief description of why employment was necessary. Also, include the estimated weekly hours you were required to work. (no limit)
6. Tell us about something that is integral to understanding who you are as a person that we would not automatically know from reading your application. These may be things like qualities, characteristics, or events you feel are unique to your life experience. You could address personally important and/or challenging experiences in your background that have influenced your goals and preparation for a career in medicine and service to others. These may include experiences such as the quality of your early educational environment, socioeconomic status, cultural background, or other significant events or circumstances that you feel have shaped your character and defined you as an individual. (Limit 4000 characters)
7. Please share with the Admissions Committee why you are specifically interested in UCF COM. (500 characters)

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Essay Topics ('23 – '24)

(5) If you are NOT a Florida resident, please describe any connection to UCF COM, UCF, or Florida. (500 characters)

(7) If you do not expect to spend the academic year enrolled in an academic program, please explain how you will use this time. (500 characters)

(8.1) In this space, provide brief details regarding academic difficulties, grades below "B minus," or course withdrawals. (500 characters)

(13) What breakthrough in clinical or research medicine would you like to see occur within the span of your career in medicine? Why? (750 characters)

(14) The complexity of healthcare delivery increasingly requires interdisciplinary teamwork. What lessons have you learned from sports, music, business or other experiences have prepared you to succeed in this environment? (750 characters)

(15) We often hear that students want to pursue medicine to help people. Why did you choose medicine and not some other field where you can help others, such as nursing, physical therapy, pharmacology, psychology, education, or social work? (750 characters)

(16) Please share with the Admissions Committee why you are specifically interested in UCF COM. (750 characters)

(18) Please provide a short essay to help us understand who you are. This essay should be different from your AMCAS Personal Statement. UCF COM places great value on the broad diversity of our students within the classroom. We believe the diverse characteristics of each individual in the class are important factors in serving the educational missions of this school and of our community. Please discuss any unique, personally important and/or challenging experiences in your background that have influenced your goals and preparation for a career in medicine and service to others. These may include experiences such as the quality of your early educational environment, socioeconomic status, cultural background, or other significant events or circumstances that you feel have shaped your character and defined you as an individual. We are also interested on your thoughts about what you can contribute to your class and the medical profession in general. (Up to 4,000 characters)

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Essay Topics ('22 – '23)

1) Please list each course you have taken, or are projected to take, in an online environment. (500 characters)

2) If you are NOT a Florida resident, please describe any connection to UCF COM, UCF, or Florida. (500 characters)

3) If you do not expect to spend the academic year enrolled in an academic program, please explain how you will use this time. (500 characters)

4) In this space, provide brief details regarding academic difficulties, grades below "B minus," or course withdrawals. (500 characters)

5) What breakthrough in clinical or research medicine would you like to see occur within the span of your career in medicine? Why? (750 characters)

6) The complexity of healthcare delivery increasingly requires interdisciplinary teamwork. What lessons have you learned from sports, music, business or other experiences have prepared you to succeed in this environment? (750 characters)

7) We often hear that students want to pursue medicine to help people. Why did you choose medicine and not some other field where you can help others, such as nursing, physical therapy, pharmacology, psychology, education, or social work? (750 characters)

8) Please share with the Admissions Committee why you are specifically interested in UCF COM. (750 characters)

9) Please provide a short essay to help us understand who you are. This essay should be different from your AMCAS Personal Statement. UCF COM places great value on the broad diversity of our students within the classroom. We believe the diverse characteristics of each individual in the class are important factors in serving the educational missions of this school and of our community. Please discuss any unique, personally important and/or challenging experiences in your background that have influenced your goals and preparation for a career in medicine and service to others. These may include experiences such as the quality of your early educational environment, socioeconomic status, cultural background, or other significant events or circumstances that you feel have shaped your character and defined you as an individual. We are also interested on your thoughts about what you can contribute to your class and the medical profession in general. (4,000 character limit)

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Essay Topics ('21 – '22)‍

1. Please list each course you have taken, or are projected to take, in an online environment. We ask that you provide your answer in a string of 5 fields of information. (1) The first field of your answer will help us understand course content delivery and examinations. Please start a line with: ALL, if all course content was delivered online and exams were also completed online; start a line with TST, if all course content was delivered online and exams were proctored at a test facility or school; or start a line with CLS, if course content was delivered online, required in-class instruction at least three times and exams were proctored either in-class or in a university testing center. (2) Next, an abbreviated school name (e.g. UCF). (3) The course prefix and number (e.g. BIOL101). (4) The abbreviated course title (e.g. General Biology 1). (5) The credit/semester hours for the course (3.0). Here is an example of what your entry should look like: ALL, UCF, BIOL101, General Biology 1, 3.0. Finally, you many add a short comment at the end if there is something that you feel is important for us to know by way of explanation. This would include any courses that were transitioned to online because of the COVID-19 pandemic. (500 characters)

2. If you are NOT a Florida resident, please describe any connection to UCF COM, UCF, or Florida. (500 characters)

3. If you do not expect to spend the academic year enrolled in an academic program, please explain how you will use this time. (500 characters)

4. In this space, provide brief details regarding academic difficulties, grades below "B minus," or course withdrawals. (500 characters)

5. Please let us know, by way of a percentage, how you prepared yourself for the MCAT examination using the following three (3) methods. Your response should add up to 100%: A commercial test preparation service (Kaplan/Princeton Review, etc.); A review course created by an undergraduate institution; Self-study with books and or online resources (Khan Academy, AAMC, etc.)

7. What breakthrough in clinical or research medicine would you like to see occur within the span of your career in medicine? Why? (750 characters)

8. The complexity of healthcare delivery increasingly requires interdisciplinary teamwork. What lessons have you learned from sports, music, business or other experiences have prepared you to succeed in this environment? (750 characters)

9. What profession would you choose other than a medical doctor? Explain why. (750 characters)

10. Please use the space below for anything you might wish to discuss related to the COVID-19 public health crisis. Possible topics might include, for example: your biggest lessons and insights from the pandemic; creative ways in which you were able to serve your community during the crisis; academic or personal hardships you may have faced as a result of the virus or quarantine, etc. In what ways have you grown from these experiences? (750 characters)

11. Please share with the Admissions Committee why you are specifically interested in UCF COM. (750 characters)

12. Were you required to work during your college years? If you answered yes: In this space, provide a brief description of why employment was necessary. Also include an estimated hours per week that you were required to work. (750 characters)

13. Please provide a short essay to help us understand who you are. This essay should be different from your AMCAS Personal Statement. UCF COM places great value on the broad diversity of our students within the classroom. We believe the diverse characteristics of each individual in the class are important factors in serving the educational missions of this school and of our community. Please discuss any unique, personally important and/or challenging experiences in your background that have influenced your goals and preparation for a career in medicine and service to others. These may include experiences such as the quality of your early educational environment, socioeconomic status, cultural background, or other significant events or circumstances that you feel have shaped your character and defined you as an individual. We are also interested in your thoughts about what you can contribute to your class and the medical profession in general. (4000 characters)

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Essay Topics (’20 – ’21)‍

1. If you are NOT a Florida resident, please describe any connection to UCF COM, UCF, or Florida. (500 characters)

2. If you do not expect to spend the academic year enrolled in an academic program, please explain how you will use this time. (500 characters)

3. Have you experienced academic difficulties, had any grades below "B minus," or any course withdrawals while in college? (500 characters)

4. Please let us know, by way of a percentage, how you prepared yourself for the MCAT examination using the following three (3) methods. Your response should add up to 100%.(1) A commercial test preparation service (Kaplan/Princeton Review, etc.); (2) A review course created by an undergraduate institution; (3) Self-study with books and or online resources (Khan Academy, AAMC, etc.). *Your answer should look something like: 30/30/40 = 100% (500 characters)

5. What breakthrough in clinical or research medicine would you like to see occur within the span of your career in medicine? Why? (750 characters)

6. The complexity of healthcare delivery increasingly requires interdisciplinary teamwork. What lessons have you learned from sports, music, business or other experiences have prepared you to succeed in this environment? (750 characters)

7. What profession would you choose if not medicine? (750 characters)

8. Please use the space below for anything you might wish to discuss related to the COVID-19 public health crisis. Possible topics might include, for example: your biggest lessons and insights from the pandemic; creative ways in which you were able to serve your community during the crisis; academic or personal hardships you may have faced as a result of the virus or quarantine, etc. (750 characters)

9. Please share with the Admissions Committee why you are interested in UCF COM. (750 characters)

10. Please provide a short essay to help us understand who you are. This essay should be different from your AMCAS Personal Statement. UCF COM places great value on the broad diversity of our students within the classroom. We believe the diverse characteristics of each individual in the class are important factors in serving the educational missions of this school and of our community. Please discuss any unique, personally important and/or challenging experiences in your background that have influenced your goals and preparation for a career in medicine and service to others. These may include experiences such as the quality of your early educational environment, socioeconomic status, cultural background, or other significant events or circumstances that you feel have shaped your character and defined you as an individual. We are also interested on your thoughts about what you can contribute to your class and the medical profession in general. (No more than 2 pages)

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Essay Topics ('19 – '20)‍

1. What breakthrough in clinical or research medicine would you like to see occur within the span of your career in medicine? Why?

2. The complexity of healthcare delivery increasingly requires interdisciplinary teamwork. What lessons have you learned from sports, music, business or other experiences have prepared you to succeed in this environment?

3. What profession would you choose if not medicine?

4. Please share with the Admissions Committee why you are interested in UCF COM.

5. Please provide a short essay to help us understand who you are. This essay should be different from your AMCAS Personal Statement. UCF COM places great value on the broad diversity of our students within the classroom. We believe the diverse characteristics of each individual in the class are important factors in serving the educational missions of this school and of our community. Please discuss any unique, personally important and/or challenging experiences in your background that have influenced your goals and preparation for a career in medicine and service to others. These may include experiences such as the quality of your early educational environment, socioeconomic status, cultural background, or other significant events or circumstances that you feel have shaped your character and defined you as an individual. We are also interested on your thoughts about what you can contribute to your class and the medical profession in general.

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Essay Topics ('18 – '19)‍

1. In this space, describe your anticipated coursework for the academic year. (2000 char)

2. Do you have any information that you would like to share with the UCF COM Medical Student Admissions Committee that has not already been addressed in your AMCAS application? You may also use this section to include information about your family, hobbies, and travels, personal interests, interests in the UCF COM, or relationship to Florida, that have not already been discussed in your AMCAS application. (2000 char)

3. Please provide a short essay to help us understand who you are. This essay should be different from your AMCAS Personal Statement. UCF COM places great value on the broad diversity of our students within the classroom. We believe the diverse characteristics of each individual in the class are important factors in serving the educational missions of this school and of our community. Please discuss any unique, personally important and/or challenging experiences in your background that have influenced your goals and preparation for a career in medicine and service to others. These may include experiences such as the quality of your early educational environment, socioeconomic status, cultural background, or other significant events or circumstances that you feel have shaped your character and defined you as an individual. We are also interested on your thoughts about what you can contribute to your class and the medical profession in general. (2000 char)

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Essay Topics ('17 – '18)‍

1. In this space, describe your anticipated coursework for the academic year.

2. Do you have any information that you would like to share with the UCF COM Medical Student Admissions Committee that has not already been addressed in your AMCAS application? You may also use this section to include information about your family, hobbies, and travels, personal interests, interests in the UCF COM, or relationship to Florida, that have not already been discussed in your AMCAS application.

3. Please provide a short essay to help us understand who you are. This essay should be different from your AMCAS Personal Statement. UCF COM places great value on the broad diversity of our students within the classroom. We believe the diverse characteristics of each individual in the class are important factors in serving the educational missions of this school and of our community. Please discuss any unique, personally important and/or challenging experiences in your background that have influenced your goals and preparation for a career in medicine and service to others. These may include experiences such as the quality of your early educational environment, socioeconomic status, cultural background, or other significant events or circumstances that you feel have shaped your character and defined you as an individual. We are also interested on your thoughts about what you can contribute to your class and the medical profession in general.

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Essay Topics ('16 – '17)‍

1. If you do not expect to spend the academic year enrolled in an academic program, please explain how you will use this time.

2. Please provide details regarding academic difficulties, grades below “B minus”, or course withdrawals.

3. Do you have any information that you would like to share with the UCF COM Medical Student Admissions Committee that has not already been addressed in your AMCAS application? You may also use this section to include information about your family, personal interests, hobbies, and travels that have not already been discussed in your AMCAS application. Please provide details about NEW information for the Committee to consider to include information about your family, personal interests, hobbies, and travels that have not already been discussed on your AMCAS application.

4. Please provide a short essay to help us understand who you are. This essay should be different than you AMCAS Personal Statement. UCF COM places great value on the diversity of our students within the classroom and believe that the diverse characteristics of each individual in the class are important factors in serving the educational missions of this school and of our community. Please discuss any unique, personally important and/or challenging experiences in your background that have influenced your goals and preparation for a career in medicine and service to others. These may include experiences such as the quality of your early educational environment, socioeconomic status, cultural background, or other significant events or circumstances that you feel have shaped your character and defined you as an individual. We are also interested on your thoughts about what you can contribute to your class and the medical profession in general. (2 pages, single spaced)

5. Re-applicant: In this space, please briefly describe what you have done to strengthen your candidacy.

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Essay Topics ('15 – '16)‍

Secondaries not collected this cycle.

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Essay Topics ('14 – '15)‍

1. If you do not expect to spend the academic year enrolled in an academic program, please explain how you will use this time.

2. Please provide details regarding academic difficulties, grades below “B minus”, or course withdrawals.

3. Do you have any information that you would like to share with the UCF COM Medical Student Admissions Committee that has not already been addressed in your AMCAS application? You may also use this section to include information about your family, personal interests, hobbies, and travels that have not already been discussed in your AMCAS application. Please provide details about NEW information for the Committee to consider to include information about your family, personal interests, hobbies, and travels that have not already been discussed on your AMCAS application.

4. Please provide a short essay to help us understand who you are. This essay should be different than you AMCAS Personal Statement. UCF COM places great value on the diversity of our students within the classroom and believe that the diverse characteristics of each individual in the class are important factors in serving the educational missions of this school and of our community. Please discuss any unique, personally important and/or challenging experiences in your background that have influenced your goals and preparation for a career in medicine and service to others. These may include experiences such as the quality of your early educational environment, socioeconomic status, cultural background, or other significant events or circumstances that you feel have shaped your character and defined you as an individual. We are also interested on your thoughts about what you can contribute to your class and the medical profession in general. (2 pages, single spaced)

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Essay Topics ('13 – '14)‍

1. Please provide a short essay to help us understand who you are. This essay should be different than your AMCAS Personal Statement.

2. UCF COM places great value on the diversity of our students within the classroom and believe that the diverse characteristics of each individual in the class are important factors in serving the educational missions of this school and of our community. Please discuss any unique, personally important and/or challenging experiences in your background that have influenced your goals and preparation for a career in medicine and service to others. These may include experiences such as the quality of your early educational environment, socioeconomic status, cultural background, or other significant events or circumstances that you feel have shaped your character and defined you as an individual. We are also interested on your thoughts about what you can contribute to your class and the medical profession in general.