Essay Topics (2024 - 2025)
"MD applicants must answer questions 1, 2, 4 and 6 while MD/PhD applicants must also answer question 7 in addition to 1,2, 4 and 6. Questions 3 and 5 are options but should be answered if you participated in a UMass Chan Medical/Baystate sponsored program and if you are taking/took gap time respectively."
Q1) We would like to learn how you developed and demonstrated core professionalism competencies that are required of entering medical students. Please respond to the first prompt (#1; Diversity). Then select three of the other six prompts (#2-#7). Each response should be 150-200 words. Use the text box below for your answer. Separate each of your four responses by writing the competency above/before your response (example: Teamwork - All teams have their struggles, but they can be overcome...).
Q2) Please discuss any part of your application that you feel requires further explanation. For example, discuss grades or MCAT scores that do not reflect your true ability, and/or a gap in time that is not explained elsewhere in your application. Discuss any impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on your academic, service, extracurricular or employment experiences. If you are reapplying to T.H. Chan SOM, highlight how you have strengthened your application.(250 word limit)
Q3) If you have participated in T.H. Chan SOM or UMass Memorial Health Care, or UMass Chan Medical-Baystate sponsored programs (SEP, Summer Research Program, Worcester Pipeline Collaborative, AHEC, BaccMD, HSPP, Academic Internships, BSEP, Summer Scholars) please describe how these programs helped you decide to apply to T.H. Chan SOM. (200 word limit)
Q4) Why did you apply to T.H. Chan SOM? (200 word limit)
Q5) If you are currently taking a gap year, in what activities are you engaged? (200 word limit)Q6) Please describe an example of your personal and/or professional experience with and understanding of systemic inequity, exclusion, or lack of representation in health care in the United States. How did you arrive at this understanding? (200 word limit)
Track specific-questions:
Purch - Please describe how a focus on population health and healthcare disparities will benefit you in your training and/or career? Please limit your response to less than or equal to 500 words.
LEAD@Lahey - Based on your interests and life experiences, please describe how you might be a good fit for the LEAD@Lahey Pathway at UMass Chan Medical School? What unique experiences and perspectives might you bring to the class? Please limit your response to 250 words or less
Essay Topics (’23 – ’24)
"MD applicants must answer questions 1, 2, 4 and 6 while MD/PhD applicants must also answer question 7 in addition to 1,2, 4 and 6. Questions 3 and 5 are options but should be answered if you participated in a UMass Chan Medical/Baystate sponsored program and if you are taking/took gap time respectively."
Q1) We would like to learn how you developed and demonstrated core professionalism competencies that are required of entering medical students. Please respond to the first prompt (#1; Diversity). Then select three of the other six prompts (#2-#7). Each response should be 150-200 words. Use the text box below for your answer. Separate each of your four responses by writing the competency above/before your response (example: Teamwork - All teams have their struggles, but they can be overcome...).
Q2) Please discuss any part of your application that you feel requires further explanation. For example, discuss grades or MCAT scores that do not reflect your true ability, and/or a gap in time that is not explained elsewhere in your application. Discuss any impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on your academic, service, extracurricular or employment experiences. If you are reapplying to T.H. Chan SOM, highlight how you have strengthened your application.(250 word limit)
Q3) If you have participated in T.H. Chan SOM or UMass Memorial Health Care, or UMass Chan Medical-Baystate sponsored programs (SEP, Summer Research Program, Worcester Pipeline Collaborative, AHEC, BaccMD, HSPP, Academic Internships, BSEP, Summer Scholars) please describe how these programs helped you decide to apply to T.H. Chan SOM. (200 word limit)
Q4) Why did you apply to T.H. Chan SOM? (200 word limit)
Q5) If you are currently taking a gap year, in what activities are you engaged? (200 word limit)Q6) Please describe an example of your personal and/or professional experience with and understanding of systemic inequity, exclusion, or lack of representation in health care in the United States. How did you arrive at this understanding? (200 word limit)
Track specific-questions:
Purch - Please describe how a focus on population health and healthcare disparities will benefit you in your training and/or career? Please limit your response to less than or equal to 500 words.
LEAD@Lahey - Based on your interests and life experiences, please describe how you might be a good fit for the LEAD@Lahey Pathway at UMass Chan Medical School? What unique experiences and perspectives might you bring to the class? Please limit your response to 250 words or less
Essay Topics ('22 - '23)
Q1) We would like to learn how you developed and demonstrated core professionalism competencies that are required of entering medical students. Please respond to the first prompt (#1; Diversity). Then select three of the other six prompts (#2-#7). Each response should be 150-200 words. Use the text box below for your answer. Separate each of your four responses by writing the competency above/before your response (example: Teamwork - All teams have their struggles, but they can be overcome...).
Q2) Please discuss any part of your application that you feel requires further explanation. For example, discuss grades or MCAT scores that do not reflect your true ability, and/or a gap in time that is not explained elsewhere in your application. Discuss any impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on your academic, service, extracurricular or employment experiences.If you are reapplying to T.H. Chan SOM, highlight how you have strengthened your application. (250 word limit)
Q3) If you have participated in T.H. Chan SOM or UMass Memorial Health Care, or UMass Chan Medical-Baystate sponsored programs (SEP, Summer Research Program, Worcester Pipeline Collaborative, AHEC, BaccMD, HSPP, Academic Internships, BSEP, Summer Scholars) please describe how these programs helped you decide to apply to T.H. Chan SOM. (200 word limit)
Q4) Why did you apply to T.H. Chan SOM? (200 word limit)
Q5) If you are currently taking a gap year, in what activities are you engaged? (200 word limit)
Essay Topics ('21 - '22)
1. We would like to learn how you developed and demonstrated core professionalism competencies that are required of entering medical students. Please respond to the first prompt (#1; Diversity). Then select three of the other six prompts (#2-#7). Each response should be 150-200 words. Use the text box below for your answer. Separate each of your four responses by writing the competency above/before your response (example: Teamwork - All teams have their struggles, but they can be overcome...).
a) UMass Medical School strives to be a diverse academic community mindful of the fact that diversity makes our community stronger and benefits the patients we serve. Share your definition of diversity. Describe an example where you contributed to the diversity of a group, team or class. Connect this to how you will contribute to the diversity of the UMass Medical School community. (Diversity)
b) Describe a time when you have made a decision that was not popular and how you handled this. (Leadership competency)
c) Describe a time when you were on a team that was dysfunctional in some regard. How did you address the situation? (Teamwork)
d) Describe a meaningful interaction you have had with a person whom you have helped at work, school or another activity. (Empathy/Compassion)
e) Have you ever been in the middle of a situation where there was poor communication? What did you do to improve it? (Communication)
f) Describe a time when you have "thought outside the box" to solve a problem. (Inquiry)
g) Describe a time when you suffered a setback. How did you respond to this challenge? (Persistence/Grit)
2) Please discuss any part of your application that you feel requires further explanation. For example, discuss grades or MCAT scores that do not reflect your true ability, and/or a gap in time that is not explained elsewhere in your application. Discuss any impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on your academic, service, extracurricular or employment experiences. If you are reapplying to UMass SOM, highlight how you have strengthened your application. (250 word limit)
3) If you have participated in UMass SOM or UMass Memorial Health Care, or UMass Medical-Baystate sponsored programs (SEP, Summer Research Program, Worcester Pipeline Collaborative, AHEC, BaccMD, HSPP, Academic Internships, BSEP, Summer Scholars) please describe how these programs helped you decide to apply to UMass SOM. (200 word limit)
4) Why did you apply to UMass SOM? (200 word limit)
5) If you are currently taking a gap year, in what activities are you engaged? (200 word limit)
Essay Topics (’20 – ’21)
Q1) You are asked to highlight specific examples of how you developed and demonstrated core professionalism competencies that are required of entering medical students. Please respond to the first prompt (#1; Diversity). Then select three of the other six prompts (#2-#7). Each response should be 150-200 words. Use the text box below for your answer. Separate each of your four responses by writing the competency above/before your response (example: Teamwork - All teams have their struggles, but they can be overcome...).
1) UMass Medical School strives to be a diverse community mindful that diversity makes our community stronger and benefits the patients we serve. Each person in our community brings a unique set of strengths, experiences and perspectives. Describe an example where you contributed to the diversity of a group, team or class. Connect this to how you will contribute to the diversity of the UMMS community. (Diversity)
2) Describe a time when you have made a decision that was not popular and how you handled this. (Leadership competency)
3) Describe a time when you were on a team that was dysfunctional in some regard. How did you address the situation? (Teamwork)
4) Describe a meaningful interaction you have had with a person whom you have helped at work, school or another activity. (Empathy/Compassion)
5) Describe a situation where poor communication had a negative impact. What did you do to improve it? (Communication)
6) Describe a time when you have used your ingenuity to solve a problem. (Inquiry)
7) Describe a time when you suffered a setback. How did you respond to this challenge? (Persistence/Grit)
Q2) Please discuss any part of your application that you feel requires further explanation. For example, discuss grades or MCAT scores that do not reflect your true ability, and/or a gap in time that is not explained elsewhere in your application. Discuss any impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on your academic, service, extracurricular or employment experiences.If you are reapplying to UMass SOM, highlight how you have strengthened your application.(250 word limit)
Q3) If you have participated in UMass SOM or UMass Memorial Health Care, or UMMS Baystate sponsored programs (SEP, Summer Research Program, Worcester Pipeline Collaborative, AHEC, BaccMD, HSPP, Academic Internships, BSEP, Summer Scholars) please describe how these programs helped you decide to apply to UMass SOM. (200 word limit)
Q4) What is your greatest strength? What are you going to contribute to the UMMS community?
Q5) If you are currently taking a gap year, in what activities are you engaged? (200 word limit)
Essay Topics ('19 - '20)
Q1) You are asked to highlight specific examples of how you developed and demonstrated core professionalism competencies that are required of entering medical students. Please respond to the first prompt (#1; Diversity). Then select three of the other six prompts (#2-#7). Each response should be 150-200 words. Use the text box below for your answer. Separate each of your four responses by writing the competency above/before your response (example: Teamwork - All teams have their struggles, but they can be overcome...).
1) UMass Medical School strives to be a diverse academic community mindful of the fact that diversity makes our community stronger and benefits the patients we serve. Each person in our community brings a unique set of strengths, experiences and perspectives. Describe an example where you contributed to the diversity of a group, team or class. Connect this to how you will contribute to the diversity of the UMMS community. (Diversity)
2) Describe a time when you have made a decision that was not popular and how you handled this. (Leadership competency)
3) Describe a time when you were on a team that was dysfunctional in some regard. How did you address the situation? (TeamworK
4) Describe a meaningful interaction you have had with a person whom you have helped at work, school or another activity. (Empathy/Compassion)
5) Have you ever been in the middle of a situation where there was poor communication? What did you do to improve it? (Communication)
6) Describe a time when you have "thought outside the box" to solve a problem. (Inquiry)
7) Describe a time when you suffered a setback. How did you respond to this challenge? (Persistence/Grit)
Q2) Please discuss any part of your application that you feel requires further explanation - for example, grades or MCAT scores that do not reflect your true ability, a gap in time that is not explained elsewhere in your application. If you are reapplying to UMass SOM, highlight how you have strengthened your application. (250 word limit)
Q3) If you have participated in UMass SOM or UMass Memorial Health Care, or UMMS Baystate sponsored programs (SEP, Summer Research Program, Worcester Pipeline Collaborative, AHEC, BaccMD, HSPP, Academic Internships, BSEP, Summer Scholars) please describe how these programs helped you decide to apply to UMass SOM. (200 word limit)
Q4) Why are you interested in UMass SOM? What will you bring to your class and the SOM community? (200 word limit)
Q5) If you are currently taking a gap year, in what activities are you engaged? (200 word limit)
MD-PhD
Q6) Please describe why the UMMS MD/PhD program is your choice for training as a physician and a scientist. (200 word limit)
Essay Topics ('18 - '19)
Q1) Please respond to four of the following seven prompts related to competencies that are important for a physician to possess. (150 words/item, 600 words/total; please use the text box below for your answer, separate each of your four responses by writing the competency above/before your response; example: Teamwork “ All teams have their struggles but they can be overcome¦)
1) Describe a time when you have made a decision that was not popular and how you handled this. (Leadership competency)
2) Describe a time when you were on a team that was dysfunctional in some regard. How did you address the situation? (Teamwork)
3) Describe a meaningful interaction you have had with a person whom you have helped at work, school or another activity. (Empathy/Compassion)
4) Have you ever been in the middle of a situation where there was poor communication? What did you do to improve it? (Communication)
5) Describe a time when you have thought outside the box to solve a problem. (Inquiry)
6) Describe a time when you suffered a setback. How did you respond to this challenge? (Persistence/Grit)
7) Describe a challenging time when you advocated for someone. (Advocacy/Cultural Competence)
Q2) Please discuss any part of your application that you feel requires further explanation “ for example, grades or MCAT scores that do not reflect your true ability, a gap in time that is not explained elsewhere in your application. If you are reapplying to UMass SOM, highlight how you have strengthened your application. (250 word limit)
Q3) If you have participated in UMass SOM or UMass Memorial Health Care, or UMMS Baystate sponsored programs (SEP, Summer Research Program, Worcester Pipeline Collaborative, AHEC, BaccMD, HSPP, Academic Internships, BSEP, Summer Scholars) please describe how these programs helped you decide to apply to UMass SOM. (200 word limit)
Q4) Why are you interested in UMass SOM? What will you bring to your class and the SOM community? (200 word limit)
Q5) If you are currently taking a gap year, in what activities are you engaged? (200 word limit)
Essay Topics ('17 - '18)
Q1) Please respond to four of the following seven prompts related to competencies that are important for a physician to possess. (150 words/item, 600 words/total; please use the text box below for your answer, separate each of your four responses by writing the competency above/before your response; example: Teamwork - All teams have their struggles but they can be overcome...)
1) Describe a time when you have made a decision that was not popular and how you handled this. (Leadership competency)
2) Describe a time when you were on a team that was dysfunctional in some regard. How did you address the situation? (Teamwork)
3) Describe a meaningful interaction you have had with a person whom you have helped at work, school or another activity. (Empathy/Compassion)
4) Have you ever been in the middle of a situation where there was poor communication? What did you do to improve it? (Communication)
5) Describe a time when you have "thought outside the box" to solve a problem. (Inquiry)
6) Describe a time when you suffered a setback. How did you respond to this challenge? (Persistence/Grit)
7) Describe a challenging time when you advocated for someone. (Advocacy/Cultural Competence)
Q2) Please discuss any part of your application that you feel requires further explanation - for example, grades or MCAT scores that do not reflect your true ability, a gap in time that is not explained elsewhere in your application. If you are reapplying to UMass SOM, highlight how you have strengthened your application. (250 word limit)
Q3) If you have participated in UMass SOM or UMass Memorial Health Care, or UMMS Baystate sponsored programs (SEP, Summer Research Program, Worcester Pipeline Collaborative, AHEC, BaccMD, HSPP, Academic Internships, BSEP, Summer Scholars) please describe how these programs helped you decide to apply to UMass SOM. (200 word limit)
Q4) Why are you interested in UMass SOM? What will you bring to your class and the SOM community? (200 word limit)
PURCH Track Only:
Please describe how a focus on population health, healthcare disparities and the community as a patient will benefit you in your training and/or career? Please limit your response to less than or equal to 500 words.
Essay Topics ('16 - '17)
1) If you are reapplying to UMMS, please describe how you have strengthened your credentials since your last application. Limit your answer to 200 words.
2) Have you ever worked/volunteered or otherwise participated in any UMASS Medical School or UMASS Memorial Health Care sponsored activities/programs (Example: Area Health Education Center (AHEC), Pipeline Program, Summer Enrichment Program (SEP), Research) If Yes, please describe. A letter of recommendation from your program supervisor is strongly encouraged. Limit your answer to 200 words.
3) What are your future medical career plans? Please describe your hopes for your chosen medical specialty, type of practice, and size/type of practice community. Limit your answer to 200 words.
4) Please explain any grades:
o C+ or below in any prerequisite or science course
o Any semester where you feel your academic performance was not representative of your true abilities
Limit your answer to 200 words.
5) Were any of your science, biology, math, chemistry, physics or statistics courses taken on-line? If yes, please list and explain what portion of the course (all, part, lab) was taken on-line.
(Then, theres the big one: a 500-word essay. The instructions are actually longer than the essay.)
6) Please provide a description of a personal dilemma relating to ONE of the nine following personal compentencies that are important to success in medical education and physician practice. Limit your answer to 500 words. Any additional information beyond one page will not be evaluated.
Please check the competency of your choice:
Integrity Ethics Competency:
Behaves in an honest and ethical manner; adheres to ethical principles and follows rules and procedures; resists peer pressure to engage in unethical behavior and encourages others to behave in honest and ethical ways.
Reliability Dependability:
Consistently fulfills obligations in a timely and satisfactory manner; takes responsibility for personal actions and performance.
Service Orientation:
Demonstrates a desire to help others and sensitivity to others' needs and feelings; demonstrates a desire to alleviate others' distress.
Social Interpersonal Skills:
Demonstrates an awareness of others' needs, goals, feelings, and the ways that social and behavioral cues affect peoples' interactions and behaviors; adjusts behaviors appropriately in response to these cues; and treats others with respect.
Capacity for Improvement:
Sets goals for continuous improvement and for learning new concepts and skills; engages in reflective practice for improvement; solicits and responds appropriately to feedback
Resilience and Adaptability
Demonstrates tolerance of stressful or changing environments or situations and adapts effectively to them; is persistent, even under difficult situations; recovers from setbacks.
Cultural Competence:
Demonstrates knowledge of social and cultural factors that affect interactions and behaviors; shows an appreciation and respect for multiple dimensions of diversity; recognizes and appropriately addresses bias in themselves and others; interacts effectively with people from diverse backgrounds.
Oral Communication:
Effectively conveys information to others using spoken words and sentences listens effectively; recognizes potential communication barriers and adjust approach or clarifies information as needed.
Teamwork:
Works collaboratively with others to achieve shared goals; shares information and knowledge with others and provides feedback; puts team goals ahead of individual goals.
The information below provides instructions on how you should write your description.
Step1: Review each competency
Carefully read each competency definition to be sure you understand what is important.
Carefully reflect on each competency and think about a dilemma you encountered in your activities, experiences, or accomplishments and relate that to it.
Step 2: Choose what you will write about for ONE competency
Choose one dilemma that best describes your demonstration of your chosen competency.
The dilemma may be specific, such as a challenging person, situation or assignment.
Alternately, it may be an example of a dilemma you witnessed, in which case your relay what your response would have been.
Step 3: Provide a narrative description of the dilemma
Essay Topics ('15 - '16)
1) If you are reapplying to UMMS, please describe how you have strengthened your credentials since your last application. Limit your answer to 200 words
2) Have you ever worked/volunteered or otherwise participated in any UMASS Medical School or UMASS Memorial Health Care sponsored activities/programs (Example: Area Health Education Center (AHEC), Pipeline Program, Summer Enrichment Program (SEP), Research) If Yes, please describe. A letter of recommendation from your program supervisor is strongly encouraged. Limit your answer to 200 words.
3) What are your future medical career plans? Please describe your hopes for your chosen medical specialty, type of practice, and size/type of practice community. Limit your answer to 200 words.
4) Please explain any grades: o Lower than a ˜B in any prerequisite or science course o Any semester where you feel your academic performance was not representative of your true abilities Limit your answer to 200 words.
5) How did you study for the MCAT exam? Limit your answer to 200 words.
6) Please provide a description of a personal dilemma relating to ONE of the nine following personal compentencies that are important to success in medical education and physician practice. Limit your answer to 500 words. Any additional information beyond one page will not be evaluated.
Please check the competency of your choice:
Integrity Ethics Competency
Behaves in an honest and ethical manner; adheres to ethical principles and follows rules and procedures; resists peer pressure to engage in unethical behavior and encourages others to behave in honest and ethical ways.
Reliability Dependability
Consistently fulfills obligations in a timely and satisfactory manner; takes responsibility for personal actions and performance.
Service Orientation
Demonstrates a desire to help others and sensitivity to others needs and feelings; demonstrates a desire to alleviate others distress.
Social Interpersonal Skills
Demonstrates an awareness of others needs, goals, feelings, and the ways that social and behavioral cues affect peoples interactions and behaviors; adjusts behaviors appropriately in response to these cues; and treats others with respect.
Capacity for Improvement
Sets goals for continuous improvement and for learning new concepts and skills; engages in reflective practice for improvement; solicits and responds appropriately to feedback
Resilience and Adaptability
Demonstrates tolerance of stressful or changing environments or situations and adapts effectively to them; is persistent, even under difficult situations; recovers from setbacks.
Cultural Competence
Demonstrates knowledge of social and cultural factors that affect interactions and behaviors; shows an appreciation and respect for multiple dimensions of diversity; recognizes and appropriately addresses bias in themselves and others; interacts effectively with people from diverse backgrounds.
Oral Communication
Effectively conveys information to others using spoken words and sentences listens effectively; recognizes potential communication barriers and adjust approach or clarifies information as needed.
Teamwork
Works collaboratively with others to achieve shared goals; shares information and knowledge with others and provides feedback; puts team goals ahead of individual goals.
The information below provides instructions on how you should write your description.
Step1: Review each competency Carefully read each competency definition to be sure you understand what is important. Carefully reflect on each competency and think about a dilemma you encountered in your activities, experiences, or accomplishments and relate that to it.
Step 2: Choose what you will write about for ONE competency Choose one dilemma that best describes your demonstration of your chosen competency. The dilemma may be specific, such as a challenging person, situation or assignment. Alternately, it may be an example of a dilemma you witnessed, in which case your relay what your response would have been.
Step 3: Provide a narrative description of the dilemma Carefully describe the dilemma you have selected. Your response should clearly reflect your individual experience or understanding of this dilemma related to that competency. Your description must reflect the quality of your understanding of the dilemma including how it relates to the specific competency and its scope and impact. Specifically, you should describe:
a) the situation in which the activity, experience or accomplishment occured;
b) actions you took and the resulting consequences of those actions;
c) what you learned from the experience
Essay Topics ('14 - '15)
1) If you are reapplying to UMMS, please describe how you have strengthened your credentials since your last application. Limit your answer to 200 words
2) Have you ever worked/volunteered or otherwise participated in any UMASS Medical School or UMASS Memorial Health Care sponsored activities/programs (Example: Area Health Education Center (AHEC), Pipeline Program, Summer Enrichment Program (SEP), Research) If Yes, please describe. A letter of recommendation from your program supervisor is strongly encouraged. Limit your answer to 200 words.
3) What are your future medical career plans? Please describe your hopes for your chosen medical specialty, type of practice, and size/type of practice community. Limit your answer to 200 words.
4) Please explain any grades:
o Lower than a 'B' in any prerequisite or science course
o Any semester where you feel your academic performance was not representative of your true abilities
Limit your answer to 200 words.
5) How did you study for the MCAT exam? Limit your answer to 200 words.
6) Please provide a description of a personal dilemma relating to ONE of the nine following personal compentencies that are important to success in medical education and physician practice. Limit your answer to 500 words. Any additional information beyond one page will not be evaluated.
Please check the competency of your choice:
Integrity Ethics Competency
Behaves in an honest and ethical manner; adheres to ethical principles and follows rules and procedures; resists peer pressure to engage in unethical behavior and encourages others to behave in honest and ethical ways.
Reliability Dependability
Consistently fulfills obligations in a timely and satisfactory manner; takes responsibility for personal actions and performance.
Demonstrates a desire to help others and sensitivity to others' needs and feelings; demonstrates a desire to alleviate others' distress.
Service Orientation
Demonstrates an awareness of others' needs, goals, feelings, and the ways that social and behavioral cues affect peoples' interactions and behaviors; adjusts behaviors appropriately in response to these cues; and treats others with respect.
Social Interpersonal Skills
Capacity for Improvement
Sets goals for continuous improvement and for learning new concepts and skills; engages in reflective practice for improvement; solicits and responds appropriately to feedback
Resilience and Adaptability
Demonstrates tolerance of stressful or changing environments or situations and adapts effectively to them; is persistent, even under difficult situations; recovers from setbacks.
Cultural Competence
Demonstrates knowledge of social and cultural factors that affect interactions and behaviors; shows an appreciation and respect for multiple dimensions of diversity; recognizes and appropriately addresses bias in themselves and others; interacts effectively with people from diverse backgrounds.
Oral Communication
Effectively conveys information to others using spoken words and sentences listens effectively; recognizes potential communication barriers and adjust approach or clarifies information as needed.
Teamwork
Works collaboratively with others to achieve shared goals; shares information and knowledge with others and provides feedback; puts team goals ahead of individual goals.
The information below provides instructions on how you should write your description.
Step1: Review each competency
Carefully read each competency definition to be sure you understand what is important. Carefully reflect on each competency and think about a dilemma you encountered in your activities, experiences, or accomplishments and relate that to it.
Step 2: Choose what you will write about for ONE competency
Choose one dilemma that best describes your demonstration of your chosen competency. The dilemma may be specific, such as a challenging person, situation or assignment. Alternately, it may be an example of a dilemma you witnessed, in which case your relay what your response would have been.
Step 3: Provide a narrative description of the dilemma
Carefully describe the dilemma you have selected. Your response should clearly reflect your individual experience or understanding of this dilemma related to that competency. Your description must reflect the quality of your understanding of the dilemma including how it relates to the specific competency and its scope and impact. Specifically, you should describe:
a) the situation in which the activity, experience or accomplishment occured;
b) actions you took and the resulting consequences of those actions;
c) what you learned from the experience
Essay Topics ('13 - '14)
If you are reapplying to UMMS, please describe how you have strengthened your credentials since your last application. Limit your answer to 200 words.Have you ever worked/volunteered or otherwise participated in any UMASS Medical School or UMASS Memorial Health Care sponsored activities/programs (Example: Area Health Education Center (AHEC), Pipeline Program, Summer Enrichment Program (SEP), Research) If Yes, please describe. A letter of recommendation from your program supervisor is strongly encouraged. Limit your answer to 200 words.
What are your future medical career plans? Please describe your hopes for your chosen medical specialty, type of practice, and size/type of practice community. Limit your answer to 200 words.
Please explain any grades:
o Lower than a 'B' in any prerequisite or science course
o Any semester where you feel your academic performance was not representative of your true abilities
Limit your answer to 200 words.
How did you study for the MCAT exam? Limit your answer to 200 words.
Please provide a description of a personal dilemma relating to ONE of the nine following personal compentencies that are important to success in medical education and physician practice. Limit your answer to 500 words. Any additional information beyond one page will not be evaluated.
Please check the competency of your choice:
Integrity Ethics Competency
Behaves in an honest and ethical manner; adheres to ethical principles and follows rules and procedures; resists peer pressure to engage in unethical behavior and encourages others to behave in honest and ethical ways.
Reliability Dependability
Consistently fulfills obligations in a timely and satisfactory manner; takes responsibility for personal actions and performance.
Service Orientation
Demonstrates a desire to help others and sensitivity to others' needs and feelings; demonstrates a desire to alleviate others' distress.
Social Interpersonal Skills
Demonstrates an awareness of others' needs, goals, feelings, and the ways that social and behavioral cues affect peoples' interactions and behaviors; adjusts behaviors appropriately in response to these cues; and treats others with respect.
Capacity for Improvement
Sets goals for continuous improvement and for learning new concepts and skills; engages in reflective practice for improvement; solicits and responds appropriately to feedback
Resilience and Adaptability
Demonstrates tolerance of stressful or changing environments or situations and adapts effectively to them; is persistent, even under difficult situations; recovers from setbacks.
Cultural Competence
Demonstrates knowledge of social and cultural factors that affect interactions and behaviors; shows an appreciation and respect for multiple dimensions of diversity; recognizes and appropriately addresses bias in themselves and others; interacts effectively with people from diverse backgrounds.
Oral Communication
Effectively conveys information to others using spoken words and sentences listens effectively; recognizes potential communication barriers and adjust approach or clarifies information as needed.
Teamwork
Works collaboratively with others to achieve shared goals; shares information and knowledge with others and provides feedback; puts team goals ahead of individual goals.
The information below provides instructions on how you should write your description.
Step1: Review each competency
Carefully read each competency definition to be sure you understand what is important. Carefully reflect on each competency and think about a dilemma you encountered in your activities, experiences, or accomplishments and relate that to it.
Step 2: Choose what you will write about for ONE competency
Choose one dilemma that best describes your demonstration of your chosen competency. The dilemma may be specific, such as a challenging person, situation or assignment. Alternately, it may be an example of a dilemma you witnessed, in which case your relay what your response would have been.
Step 3: Provide a narrative description of the dilemma
Carefully describe the dilemma you have selected. Your response should clearly reflect your individual experience or understanding of this dilemma related to that competency. Your description must reflect the quality of your understanding of the dilemma including how it relates to the specific competency and its scope and impact. Specifically, you should describe:
a) the situation in which the activity, experience or accomplishment occured;
b) actions you took and the resulting consequences of those actions;
c) what you learned from the experience
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