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30+ Medical Argumentative Essay Topics for College Students

by  Antony W

June 9, 2024

Medical argumentative essay topics give you some brilliant ideas that you can explore and defend depending on the research you’ve conducted.

As with any argumentative essay topic ,  a medical related essay also requires you to take a stance and use objective, verifiable, and reasonable evidence to defend your position.

However, the kinds of topics many students pick to explore in the medical field are often quite too common.

Think of type II diabetes, cardiovascular illness, breast cancer, and cirrhosis. These are topics you don’t want to cover for the simple reason that they are too common.

In this post, we give you a list of 30+ medical argumentative essay topics that aren’t too obvious.

These topic ideas should enable you to add a new spin to your work, so that you can write a medical essay that focuses on an issue that will capture the attention of your audience (reader) almost instantly.

30+ Medical Argumentative Essay Topics  

Below is a list of 30+ essay topics that you may find interesting for your medical argumentative essay assignment :

Controversial Medical Argumentative Essay Topics 

• The cost of healthcare in the United States of America is not justifiable
• Do homeless people deserve free healthcare simply because they don’t have money to pay medical bills?
• Unconventional medication should not be part of a state’s healthcare system
• There’s a strong link between poor health and poverty
• People should not turn to homeopathy because it isn’t more effective compared to seeking medical advice
• People with no health insurance cover deserve to get equal treatment at medical healthcare facilities
• Should the government take action against unexpected errors in medical settings?
• Doctors should not have the right to endorse medical products until verified for safety and effectiveness
• Healthcare institutions should provide opt-out and opt-in donor system
• There’s no true justification for the rising cost of healthcare in the United States of America

In theory, areas such as genetic engineering, diagnostics, and medical research can be interesting to explore within the medical field.

However, the assignment requires hours of intensive research, proper structuring, writing, and editing.

If you don’t have the time for all that, you can get argumentative assignment help from one of our team of writers.

Health Practices Argumentative Essay Topics 

• The marijuana drug should be made legal worldwide
• TV shows on diet and weight loss don’t motivate people to improve their body image and self-esteem
• Is the state responsible for teaching people how to lead a healthy lifestyle?
• Communication authorities should impose an indefinite ban on TV shows that promote cosmetic surgery
• TV commercials that promote fast foods and alcohol should not be banned.
• It’s a waste of time to impose state regulation on fast food chains and alcohol sales as it undermines people’s freewill to food choices.
• Should we allow and encourage teenagers to use birth control pills?
• The state should not encourage the use of products manufactured at the cost of another person’s well-being.
• Exercise alone can’t improve your health
• Doctors should not ask for medical consent if they know they can save a patient from a particular illness

Medical Laws and Policies Argumentative Essay Topics 

• Should the government declare euthanasia illegal?
• Doctors should not insist on providing medical treatment to minors if their parents are against such treatments.
• The vaccination of children against illnesses should be voluntary
• An organ transplantation committee should not consider an individual’s accomplishment to determine if they can receive an organ
• Patients should decide if they would like to use surrogate pregnancy for health reasons or on demand
• Is doctor-patient confidentially necessary anymore?
• There’s no concrete evidence that living a sedentary and lavish lifestyle is the number one cause of weight gain
• Should we support the legalization of abortion ?
• Should patients with mental health conditions receive treatment in or outside of their community?
• People should not accept organ transplantation because of leading an unhealthy life

You may click here to place your order , and one of our writers who has experience in writing medical related essays will help you get the paper completed on time. Since we focus on custom writing, you don’t have to worry about plagiarism at all.

Argumentative Essay Topics on Medical Research 

• Genetic engineering is humanly unethical and morally wrong and should therefore not be allowed
• Are there effective means to mitigate threats posed by medical research?
• There is no reasonable evidence that the Covid-19 global pandemic originated from a lab I Wuhan, China
• Medics should not use animals to test the effective of drugs on humans
• Computers used in medical research and diagnostic cannot replace doctors no matter how sophisticated they become.
• Should human beings be subject to mandatory medical testing without their consent?
• Should the federal government and health organizations, such as the UN and CDC, finance practical medical research?
• Do we need to have limits when subjecting human beings to absolutely necessary medical tests?
• The Corona virus is a biochemical weapon built in the lab to wipe out the human race
• There’s no sufficient evidence to prove that pills that delay aging can make the human race immortal

Medical Argumentative Essay Topics on Healthcare Management 

• Is healthcare management doing enough to maintain the right standards in healthcare facilities?
• Are privately owned hospitals managed better than public hospitals?
• Registered nurses should not assume the role of a physician even in the event of a serious medical emergency
• Human Resource Management (HR) isn’t doing enough to improve and protect the quality of healthcare
• Do surgeons play an important role outside their medical capacities?
• Are healthcare institutions responsible for the protection of the environment?
• The relationship between and among medical staff can affect the quality of patients of different illnesses.
• There’s no relationship between a patient’s medical results and a hospital’s revenue.
• It’s easy to improve the relationship among staff members in a healthcare facility
• Should medical management allow and encourage intimate relationships among the staff members?

General Medical Argumentative Essay Topics 

• Has the American government invested enough funds to improve healthcare service for its residents?
• There should be as many male nurses as there are female nurses
• Are data management systems in hospitals accurate and safe against breach?
• Do prisoners have the right to access quality healthcare?
• Electronic health record systems have more limitations than benefits.

related resources

• Argumentative Essay Topics on Racism
• Argumentative Essay Topics About Animals
• Music Argumentative Essay Topics
• Social Media Argumentative Essay Topics
• Technology Argumentative Essay Topics

About the author 

Antony W is a professional writer and coach at Help for Assessment. He spends countless hours every day researching and writing great content filled with expert advice on how to write engaging essays, research papers, and assignments.

289 Medical Argumentative Essay Topics & Ideas

• Icon Calendar 18 May 2024
• Icon Page 2612 words
• Icon Clock 12 min read

Medical argumentative essay topics revolve around debatable issues in the healthcare sector. They aim to challenge readers and writers to ponder ethical, moral, technical, and policy-related questions in medicine. Topics might include vaccination mandates, euthanasia rights, health insurance policies, the role of technology in healthcare, mental health treatments, and others. These subjects seek to encourage rigorous investigation and thoughtful discourse, necessitating both extensive research and empathetic understanding of diverse viewpoints. Such debates are vital to the evolution of medical practices and policies, inviting all stakeholders to weigh the potential benefits and drawbacks of specific approaches to health and wellness. Ultimately, medical argumentative essay topics stimulate critical thinking and foster insightful conversations about health care’s past, present, and future.

Best Medical Argumentative Essay Topics

• The Ethical Implications of Gene Editing: A Paradigm Shift in Medicine
• Mandatory Vaccinations: A Public Health Necessity or Personal Liberty Infringement?
• Exploring Alternative Medicine: Should Insurance Cover Holistic Treatments?
• Regulation of Stem Cell Research: Ethical Concerns and Medical Breakthroughs
• End-of-Life Care: The Controversial Argument for Assisted Suicide
• Impact of Telemedicine: An Improvement or Deterioration in Patient Care?
• Advanced AI in Healthcare: Potential Risks and Unprecedented Benefits
• Psychotherapy vs. Medication: Best Approach for Mental Health Issues
• Animal Experimentation in Medicine: Necessary Evil or Inhumane Practice?
• Health Implications of GMO Foods: A Matter of Safety or Fear-Mongering?
• Price Transparency in Healthcare: A Solution to Exorbitant Costs or a Pandora’s Box?
• Debate Surrounding Childhood Obesity: Who Bears the Responsibility?
• Cosmetic Surgery: A Matter of Personal Choice or Social Pressure?
• Implementation of Universal Healthcare: Boon or Burden?
• Repercussions of Antibiotic Overuse: Superbugs and the Threat to Public Health
• Vegetarianism and Veganism: Health Benefits or Nutritional Deficiencies?
• Euthanasia: An Act of Compassion or a Slippery Slope?
• Organ Donation: Should It Be Compulsory or Remain Voluntary?
• Long-term Effects of Prenatal Substance Exposure: Understanding the Consequences
• Physician-Assisted Suicide: Ethical Compass or A Bridge Too Far?
• Right to Try Experimental Drugs: Humanitarian Act or Risky Business?
• Chronic Pain Management: Opioid Dependency vs. Patient Autonomy
• Transgender Health Rights: The Importance of Inclusive Medical Services
• Vaccine Hesitancy: Understanding the Anti-Vax Movement

Easy Medical Argumentative Essay Topics

• Legalization of Medical Marijuana: Miracle Drug or Gateway Substance?
• Nanotechnology in Medicine: Pioneering Innovations or Ethical Minefield?
• Childhood Vaccinations and Autism: Debunking the Misinformation
• Genetically Modified Organisms: Lifesavers or Health Hazards?
• Allocation of Scarce Medical Resources: A Matter of Justice or Efficiency?
• Mental Health Stigma: Does It Hinder Access to Quality Care?
• Maternal Mortality Rates: Societal Factors and Public Health Strategies
• Roles of Big Pharma: Medicine Accessibility vs. Profitability
• Nutritional Guidelines: Science-Based Recommendations or Influenced by Food Industry?
• Impact of Environmental Pollution on Human Health: A Silent Killer?
• Artificial Intelligence in Diagnostics: Efficiency vs. Human Judgment
• Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Testing: Empowerment or Privacy Concern?
• CRISPR Technology: A Revolution in Medicine or Unleashing Unknown Dangers?
• Right to Privacy vs. Public Health: Contact Tracing in Pandemic Response
• Medical Marijuana vs. Opioids: A Better Option for Pain Management?
• The Role of Probiotics in Gut Health: Fad or Fact?
• Decoding the Human Microbiome: Implications for Health and Disease
• Fast Food Consumption and Health: Unraveling the Direct Connection
• Does Screen Time Affect Children’s Mental Health?
• Artificial Sweeteners: Safe Alternatives or Hidden Dangers?
• Robotic Surgery: Innovation or Excessive Medicalization?
• Exploring Epigenetics: Influence of Lifestyle on Gene Expression
• Antibacterial Soaps: Do They Contribute to Antibiotic Resistance?
• Animal Assisted Therapy: Pseudoscience or Effective Treatment?
• Human Cloning: Ethical Dilemma in the Medical Field
• The Controversial Debate Around Gluten Sensitivity

Interesting Medical Argumentative Essay Topics

• Home Births vs. Hospital Births: Weighing the Risks and Benefits
• Is Functional Medicine the Future of Healthcare?
• Challenges and Possibilities in Personalized Medicine
• Implications of 3D Printed Organs: A New Era in Transplantation?
• Acupuncture in Modern Medicine: Anecdotal Belief or Scientifically Proven?
• Detox Diets: Health Benefits or Nutritional Risk?
• Addressing Health Inequality: Is it a Medical or Social Responsibility?
• Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine: Hopeful Promises or Unrealistic Expectations?
• Evaluating the Efficacy of Chiropractic Care
• The Health Impact of Air Pollution: An Underestimated Threat?
• Designer Babies: A Step Too Far in Genetic Engineering?
• Health Consequences of Sleep Deprivation: A Growing Concern
• Ethical Issues Surrounding Surrogacy and Assisted Reproductive Technologies
• Sugar Tax: Effective Public Health Measure or Unjust Policy?
• The Future of Virtual Reality in Healthcare
• The Truth about Processed Foods: Are They Really That Bad?
• Can Meditation Influence Physical Health?
• Does a Universal Blood Donor Type Really Exist?
• Antibiotic-Free Meat: Health Consciousness or Marketing Ploy?
• The Debate Around Prophylactic Mastectomy
• Exploring the Impact of Music Therapy on Mental Health
• Are Digital Health Records a Security Risk?
• Antidepressants and Teenagers: Are We Overprescribing?
• The Controversy Over Electronic Cigarettes: Health Savior or Stealthy Killer?
• Should Life-Saving Medication Be Exempt From Patents?

Controversial Medical Argumentative Essay Topics

• Mandatory Vaccinations: Public Health vs. Personal Freedom
• Justification of Animal Testing in Medical Research
• The Morality of Assisted Suicide: Patients’ Rights and Medical Ethics
• Embryonic Stem Cell Research: Unethical Practice or Medical Breakthrough?
• Allocation of Scarce Medical Resources: Whom Should We Prioritize?
• Transgender Medicine: Necessity of Hormone Therapy and Surgical Procedures
• Roles of Alternative Medicine in Modern Healthcare: Validity and Effectiveness
• Antidepressants and Teenagers: Overdiagnosis or Appropriate Treatment?
• Cosmetic Surgery: Medical Necessity or Vanity?
• Use of Placebos in Clinical Trials: Ethical Considerations
• Mental Health Disorders: The Controversy Over Diagnosis and Treatment
• Genetic Testing: Right to Know or Ignorance Is Bliss?
• Telemedicine: Risks, Benefits, and Ethical Implications
• Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Healthcare: Solutions and Challenges
• Nanotechnology in Medicine: Potential Risks and Ethical Issues
• Diet and Nutrition: The Controversial Role in Preventive Medicine
• Prescription Drug Abuse: A Crisis or Misunderstood Issue?
• Fertility Treatments: Ethical Implications and Potential Abuses
• Regulating Digital Health Applications: Necessity or Invasion of Privacy?
• Roles of AI in Healthcare: Are Doctors Becoming Obsolete?
• Human Cloning: Science Fiction or Future Reality?
• Childhood Obesity: Parental Neglect or Societal Failure?
• Euthanasia: Compassionate Care or Ethical Dilemma?
• Human Genome Editing: Future Potential and Ethical Concerns
• Internet and Health Information: Self-Diagnosis or Health Anxiety?
• Physician Burnout: An Occupational Hazard or Systemic Issue?
• Access to Experimental Treatments: Patient’s Right or Ethical Quandary?

Compare and Contrast Medical Argumentative Essay Topics

• Traditional Medicine vs. Modern Medicine: Is Old Always Gold?
• Allopathic Treatment Approaches Compared to Homeopathic Techniques: Which Is More Beneficial?
• Palliative Care and Hospice Care: Examining Similarities and Differences
• Vaccination Advocacy vs. Anti-Vaccination Stance: A Comprehensive Analysis
• Medical Marijuana and Pharmaceutical Drugs: Evaluating Benefits and Drawbacks
• Psychiatric Treatment: Psychotherapy vs. Medication
• Roles of Artificial Intelligence in Medical Diagnosis vs. Human Expertise
• Benefits of Telemedicine Compared with Traditional In-Person Consultations
• Dietary Management vs. Medication in Diabetes Control: What Works Best?
• Integrative Medicine and Conventional Medicine: A Comparative Study
• Advantages of Robotic Surgery vs. Conventional Surgical Methods
• Eastern Medicine Philosophies vs. Western Medical Practices: Contrasting Approaches
• Health Benefits of Organic Foods vs. Genetically Modified Foods: A Scientific Analysis
• Chiropractic Healing Compared With Physical Therapy: Effectiveness in Pain Management
• Private Healthcare and Public Healthcare: Analyzing Quality and Accessibility
• Prenatal Screening vs. Postnatal Screening: Impacts on Early Disease Detection
• Prosthetic Advancements and Natural Limb Capabilities: A Comparison Study
• The Debate Between Antibiotics and Probiotics: Examining Long-Term Health Effects
• Stem Cell Research vs. Traditional Medical Research: Ethical and Practical Considerations
• Invasive Surgeries vs. Non-Invasive Procedures: Comparing Risks and Benefits
• Pediatric Care vs. Adult Healthcare: Differences in Treatment Approaches
• Animal Testing and In Vitro Testing: Evaluating Ethical and Scientific Standpoints
• Fitness Regimens vs. Medication: Approaches to Cardiovascular Health Improvement
• Holistic Nursing vs. Specialized Nursing: Diverse Perspectives on Patient Care
• Laser Treatments vs. Surgical Treatments: Examining Efficiency and Side Effects
• Roles of Meditation in Stress Relief vs. Pharmaceutical Interventions

Healthcare Argumentative Essay Topics

• Balancing Public Health and Individual Freedom: A Tightrope Walk
• Is Mandatory Vaccination for Adults a Necessity?
• The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Improving Healthcare Delivery
• Should Be Assisted Suicide Legalized Globally or Not?
• Analyzing the Impact of Telemedicine on Traditional Healthcare Services
• Effectiveness of Holistic and Alternative Medicine: Myth or Reality?
• Are Pharmaceutical Companies Exploiting the Sick for Profits?
• Weighing the Pros and Cons of Single-Payer Healthcare Systems
• Evaluating the Implications of Genetic Engineering in Healthcare
• Compulsory Organ Donation: An Ethical Solution to Organ Shortage?
• Antibiotic Resistance: Should We Curb Over-the-Counter Availability?
• Is Homeopathy a Valid Treatment Option or Pseudoscience?
• Assessing the Effects of Medical Tourism on Domestic Healthcare Systems
• Should Health Insurance Coverage Be a Universal Right?
• Do Digital Health Records Infringe Upon Patient Privacy?
• Promoting Preventive Medicine Over Reactive Treatments: A Policy Change?
• Do Patients Understand the Full Implications of Informed Consent?
• Does Medical Advertising Mislead Patients?
• Fast Food Industry’s Responsibility for Rising Obesity Rates
• Are Price Controls Necessary for Prescription Drugs?
• Mandatory Physical Education in Schools: An Answer to Childhood Obesity?
• Assessing the Viability of Medicare for All People
• Can Animal Testing Be Justified in the Era of Advanced Technology?
• Discussing the Ethics of Cosmetic Surgery: Is It Justifiable?
• Should Substance Abuse Treatment Be Favored Over Incarceration?
• Is Personalized Medicine the Future of Healthcare?
• Potential Health Hazards of Genetically Modified Foods: A Legitimate Concern?

Medical Argumentative Essay Topics for High School

• Effectiveness of Vaccines in Preventing Infectious Diseases
• Integrating Holistic Medicine into Traditional Healthcare
• Impacts of Mental Health on Physical Well-Being
• Importance of Sex Education in High Schools
• Debate on Abortion: Ethical Perspectives
• Medical Marijuana: Risks vs. Benefits
• Ethics of Animal Testing in Medical Research
• Impacts of Nutrition on Chronic Illness Management
• Consequences of Sleep Deprivation on Teenagers
• Roles of Telemedicine in Modern Healthcare
• Possibility of Human Cloning: Ethical Concerns
• Dangers of Cosmetic Surgery: Vanity or Necessity
• Advances in Neonatal Care: Ethical Dilemmas
• Roles of Regular Exercise in Preventing Disease
• Issues Surrounding Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide
• Health Risks Associated with Sedentary Lifestyles
• Medical Ethics: The Case for Patient Confidentiality
• Technology’s Impact on Patient Care Quality
• Genetic Testing: A Blessing or Curse?
• Efficacy of Alternative Medicine: Myths and Facts
• Implications of Stem Cell Research: Ethical Perspective
• Crisis in Mental Health Services: Solutions and Challenges
• Use of Antidepressants in Children: Safety and Efficacy
• Roles of Medical Professionals in Tackling Substance Abuse

Medical Argumentative Essay Topics for Middle School

• Debate on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs): Health Benefits and Risks
• Power of the Placebo Effect: Psychological and Biological Factors
• Controversy over Childhood Obesity and the Responsibility of Food Companies
• Ethics of Organ Donation and Transplants
• Legalizing Assisted Suicide: Human Right or Ethical Dilemma?
• Roles of Sports in Maintaining Mental Health
• Ethics Surrounding Prenatal Genetic Testing
• Consequences of Antibiotic Overuse and Resistance
• Controversy Around ADHD Medication for Children
• Importance of Preventive Care in Healthcare Systems
• Potential Health Risks of Wireless Technology
• Dangers of Non-Prescription Drug Use Among Teenagers
• Exploring the Psychological Impact of Chronic Pain
• Understanding the Ethics of Gene Editing Technologies
• Legalizing Psychedelics for Therapeutic Use: Risks and Benefits
• Challenging Stigmas Attached to Mental Health Disorders
• Advancements in Prosthetic Technology: Ethical Considerations
• Impacts of Air Pollution on Respiratory Diseases
• Necessity of Immunizations: Public Health vs. Personal Choice
• The Ethics of Using AI in Medical Diagnostics
• Obesity Epidemic: Role of Fast Food Industry
• Investigation of Homeopathic Medicine Effectiveness
• Risks of Prolonged Screen Time on Youth Eye Health
• Consequences of Performance-Enhancing Drugs in Sports
• Roles of Animal-Assisted Therapy in Mental Health Treatments

Medical Argumentative Essay Topics for College Students

• Justification for Mandatory Vaccinations in Higher Education
• Incorporation of Alternative Medicine in Mainstream Healthcare
• Efficacy of Telemedicine in Today’s Technological Age
• Consideration of Mental Health as Significant as Physical Health
• Role of Antibiotics: Overuse and Its Consequences
• Importance of Stem Cell Research: Ethical Boundaries
• Usage of Animal Testing in Medical Research: Right or Wrong?
• Pros and Cons of Assisted Suicide for Terminal Illnesses
• Impacts of Regular Health Check-Ups on Overall Wellness
• Examination of the Placebo Effect: Psychological or Physiological?
• Discussion on the Right to Health: Universal Healthcare
• Balancing Patient Confidentiality With Public Safety
• Necessity of Sex Education in Schools and Colleges
• Analysis of the Obesity Epidemic: Medical or Societal Issue?
• Alcohol and Drug Abuse: Prevention Strategies and Their Effectiveness
• Ethical Considerations in Organ Transplantation and Donation
• Influence of Diet on Chronic Diseases: Are Doctors Trained Enough?
• Influence of Technological Advancements on Surgical Procedures
• Discrepancies in Health Care Coverage: A Social Injustice
• Roles of Nutrition in Maintaining Mental Health
• Assessment of Artificial Intelligence in Medical Diagnostics
• Cosmetic Surgery: Vanity or Medical Necessity?
• Value of Biomedical Research in Pandemic Preparedness
• Impact of Prenatal Genetic Testing on Parental Decisions
• Comparing Traditional and Modern Approaches to Pain Management
• Childhood Vaccination: Parental Rights vs. Public Health
• Links Between Environmental Pollution and Rising Health Issues

Medical Argumentative Essay Topics for University

• Efficacy of Stem Cell Research in Addressing Degenerative Diseases
• Mandatory Vaccination Policies: Are They Ethical?
• Genetically Modified Organisms: Threat or Salvation to Global Food Security?
• Animal Testing: Ethical Implications vs. Scientific Progress
• Nanotechnology in Medicine: A Leap Forward or a Potential Risk?
• Dissecting the Impact of Antibiotic Overuse on Public Health
• Disparity in Healthcare Services: A Global Analysis
• Telemedicine: Innovation or Threat to Traditional Healthcare Practice?
• Effectiveness of Alternative Medicine: A Comprehensive Review
• Childhood Obesity: Prevention Strategies and Health Implications
• Dangers of Prolonged Screen Time on Children’s Health
• Public Health Policies and Their Impact on Pandemic Management
• The Ethics of Organ Transplantation: Who Should Be Prioritized?
• Mandatory Mental Health Screenings in Schools: Are They Necessary?
• Opioid Crisis: Who Bears the Responsibility?
• Benefits and Risks of Artificial Intelligence in Medicine
• Analyzing the Effectiveness of Universal Healthcare Models
• Roles of Diet in Preventing Chronic Diseases
• Impacts of Sleep Deprivation on Physical and Mental Health
• Benefits and Dangers of Medical Marijuana Usage
• Analysis of Drug Pricing: Ethical and Economic Perspectives
• Pros and Cons of Genomic Sequencing in Newborns
• Medical Ethics in the Era of Personalized Medicine
• Addressing Mental Health Stigma in Society
• Link Between Environmental Pollution and Health Disorders
• Nutritional Supplements: Necessity or Marketing Strategy?
• The Implication of Big Data in Healthcare: Privacy vs. Progress
• Comparative Study of Eastern and Western Medical Practices

Medical Argumentative Essay Topics for Master’s & Ph.D.

• Addressing the Ethical Implications of Genetic Engineering in Modern Medicine
• Analyzing the Efficacy of Alternative Medicine: Evidence-Based Discussion
• The Impact of Big Data on Medical Research: Benefits and Drawbacks
• Roles of Telemedicine in Delivering Equitable Healthcare: A Global Perspective
• Mandatory Vaccinations: A Necessary Approach or an Invasion of Personal Liberty?
• Evaluating the Psychological Consequences of Chronic Illness
• Potential Risks and Benefits of Experimental Treatments in Terminal Illnesses
• Medical Artificial Intelligence: Enhancing Patient Care or Dehumanizing the Practice?
• Integrating Mental Health Services into Primary Healthcare: Pros and Cons
• Contemplating the Impact of Physician-Assisted Suicide on Medical Ethics
• Right to Die: Examining the Legal and Ethical Framework of Euthanasia
• Universal Healthcare: A Sustainable Model or an Unrealistic Dream?
• Roles of Big Pharma in Shaping Healthcare Policies: A Critical Examination
• Medical Professional Burnout: Consequences and Possible Solutions
• Personalized Medicine: A Revolution in Patient Care or an Invitation to Discrimination?
• Biomedical Research on Animals: An Ethical Dilemma
• Clinical Trials in Developing Countries: Exploitation or Cooperation?
• Antibiotic Resistance: Analyzing Causes and Formulating Solutions
• Informed Consent in Medical Research: Current Issues and Future Directions
• Health Disparities in Ethnic Minorities: Societal Factors and Solutions
• Examining the Impact of Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Testing on Public Health
• Stem Cell Research: Balancing Scientific Progress With Ethical Concerns
• Obesity Epidemic: Examining the Role of Fast Food Industry and Government Regulations
• Plastic Surgery for Cosmetic Purposes: A Matter of Choice or Social Pressure?
• Mitigating the Impact of Pandemics: Learning From COVID-19 Experience
• Analyzing the Long-Term Impacts of Electronic Health Records on Patient Privacy
• Use of Predictive Analytics in Healthcare: Opportunities and Risks
• Assessment of the Role of Health Insurance Companies in Medical Decision-Making
• Quality of Life vs. Length of Life: The Ethical Dilemma in Palliative Care
• Discussing the Potential Implications of 3D-Printed Organs in Transplant Medicine

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Table of contents

• 1 How to Choose Medical Research Paper Topics
• 2 New Medical Research Paper Topics
• 3 Medical Research Topics for College Students
• 4 Controversial Medical Topics for Research Paper
• 5 Health Research Topics
• 6 Medicine Research Topics
• 7 Healthcare Research Topics
• 8 Public Health Research Topics
• 9 Mental Health Research Paper Topics
• 10 Anatomy Research Topics
• 11 Biomedical Research Topics
• 12 Bioethics Research Topics
• 13 Cancer Research Topics
• 14 Clinical Research Topics
• 15 Critical Care Research Topics
• 16 Pediatric Research Topics
• 17 Dental Research Topics Ideas
• 18 Dermatology Research Topics
• 19 Primary Care Research Topics
• 20 Pharmaceutical Research Topics
• 21 Medical Anthropology Research Topics
• 22 Paramedic Research Paper Topics
• 23 Surgery Research Topics
• 24 Radiology Research Paper Topics
• 25 Anatomy and Physiology Research Paper Topics
• 26 Healthcare Management Research Paper Topics
• 27 Medical Ethics Research Paper Topics
• 28 Environmental Health and Pollution Research Paper Topics
• 29 Conclusion

Writing an original and compelling research paper is a daunting task in such a complex and broad field as medicine. Each student decides where his interests lie, from investigating public care concerns to cancer treatment studies. We aim to help students find new angles to study and focus on relevant topics. With our resources, you can write an engaging and rigorous paper.

How to Choose Medical Research Paper Topics

Choosing good research paper topics is often more challenging than the writing process itself. You need to select a captivating subject matter that will grab the reader’s attention, showcase your knowledge of a specific field, help you progress in your studies, and perhaps even inspire future research.

To accomplish that, you need to start with brainstorming, followed by thorough research. Here are some great tips to follow:

• Pick an interesting topic – The key is to pick something that you find interesting, and yet make sure it’s not too general or too narrow. It should allow you to delve deep into the subject matter and show that you’re a professional who is ready to take on a challenge when it comes to your chosen field of medicine.
• Narrow down your focus – Once you have a list of potential topics, sift through recent medical research papers to get up-to-date with the latest trends, developments, and issues in medicine and healthcare. Check out textbooks, news articles, and other relevant sources for more information related to your potential topics. If a particular condition or disease interests you (perhaps something that drew you to a career in medicine), there’s your cue for narrowing down your topic.
• Pinpoint the “why,” “how,” and “what” – Whether you are looking into nutrition research paper topics , controversial medical topics, nursing research topics, or anything in-between, ask yourself why each of them is important. How could they contribute to the available medical studies, if any? What new information could they bring to improve the future of medicine? Asking these questions will help you pick the right medical research paper topic that suits you and helps you move forward and reach your aspirations.

To help you on that quest, we’ve compiled a list of topics that you could use or that might inspire you to come up with something unique. Let’s dive in.

New Medical Research Paper Topics

Are you interested in the newest and most interesting developments in medicine? We put hours of effort into identifying the current trends in health research so we could provide you with these examples of topics. Whether you hire a research paper writing service for students or write a paper by yourself, you need an appealing topic to focus on.

• Epidemics versus pandemics
• Child health care
• Medical humanitarian missions in the developing world
• Effectiveness of mobile health clinics in rural Africa
• Homeopathic medicines – the placebo effect
• Comparative study of the efficacy of homeopathic treatments and conventional medicine in managing chronic pain
• Virus infections – causes and treatment
• Trends in COVID-19 vaccine uptake
• Advancements in the treatment of influenza
• Is medical research on animals ethical
• Vaccination – dangers versus benefits
• Artificial tissues and organs
• Rare genetic diseases
• Brain injuries
• Long-Term Effects of COVID-19
• Social behavior shifts due to COVID-19

Medical Research Topics for College Students

You don’t know where to start with your medical research paper? There are so many things you could write about that the greatest challenge is to narrow them down. This is why we decided to help.

• Antibiotics treatments
• Efficacy of mRNA vaccines against viral diseases
• Viability and function of 3D printed tissues
• Chronic diseases
• Palliative treatment
• Battling Alzheimer’s disease
• How modern lifestyle affects public health
• Professional diseases
• Sleep disorders
• Changes in physical and mental health due to aging
• Eating disorders
• Terminal diseases

Controversial Medical Topics for Research Paper

In healthcare, new discoveries can change people’s lives in the blink of an eye. This is also the reason why there are so many controversial topics in medicine, which involve anything from religion to ethics or social responsibility. Read on to discover our top controversial research topics.

• Ethical debates on artificial tissue engineering
• Public opinions on vaccination safety
• Implementing food standards
• Telehealth’s Role in Chronic Illness Management
• Gluten allergy
• Assisted suicide for terminal patients
• Testing vaccines on animals – ethical concerns
• Moral responsibilities regarding cloning
• Marijuana legalization for medical purposes
• Abortion – medical approaches
• Vegan diets – benefits and dangers
• Increased life expectancy: a burden on the healthcare system?
• Circumcision effects

Health Research Topics

Students conducting health research struggle with finding good ideas related to their medical interests. If you want to write interesting college papers, you can select a good topic for our list.

• Impact of location, ethnicity, or age on vaccination rates
• Uses of biomaterials in vaccination technology
• Deafness: communication disorders
• Household air pollution
• Diabetes – a public danger
• Coronaviruses
• Oral health assessment
• Tobacco and alcohol control
• Diseases caused by lack of physical exercise
• How urban pollution affects respiratory diseases
• Healthy diets

Medicine Research Topics

Regardless of the requirements in your research assignment, you can write about something that is both engaging and useful in your future career. Choose a topic from below.

• Causes for the increasing cancer cases
• Insulin resistance
• How terrorism affects mental health
• AIDS/HIV – latest developments
• Treating pregnant women versus non-pregnant women
• Latest innovations in medical instruments
• Genetic engineering
• Successful treatment of mental diseases
• Is autism a disease
• Natural coma versus artificial coma
• Treatments for sleep disorders and their effectiveness
• Role of melatonin supplements in sleep quality

Healthcare Research Topics

Healthcare research includes political and social aspects, besides medical. For college students who want to explore how medicine is affected by society’s values or principles, we provide examples of topics for papers. Select yours from the list below.

• Government investment in healthcare services in the EU versus the USA
• Inequalities in healthcare assistance and services
• Electronic health records systems – pros and cons
• Can asylums treat mental issues
• Health care for prison inmates
• Equipment for improving the treatment of AIDS
• Correlation between economic development and health care services across countries
• Impact of smoking on organs
• Heart attacks – causes and effects
• Breast cancer – recent developments
• Materials used in artificial tissue and their impacts

Public Health Research Topics

For current examples of public health topics, browse our list. We provide only original, researchable examples for which you can easily find supporting data and evidence.

• Public versus private hospitals
• Health Disparities in Diabetes Management Across Different Socioeconomic Groups
• Health care professionals – management principles
• Surgery failures – who is responsible
• What legal responsibilities has the hospital administration
• Patient service quality in public versus private hospitals
• What benefits do national health care systems have
• Estimated costs of cancer treatments
• Public health in developing countries
• Banning tobacco ads – importance for public health
• Government solutions to the anti-vaccine’s movement
• How the COVID-19 pandemic has changed public health regulations

Mental Health Research Paper Topics

Mental health is one of the most complex areas of medicine, where things are never as clear as with other medical issues. This increases the research potential of the field with plenty of topics left for debate.

• Mental Health Impact of Social Media on American Teenagers
• Causes of anxiety disorders
• Bulimia versus anorexia
• Childhood trauma
• Mental health public policies
• Impact of Lifestyle Factors on the Progression of Dementia in the Elderly Population
• Postpartum Depression
• Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
• Seasonal Affective Disorder
• Schizophrenia
• Stress and its effects on sleep quality
• Insomnia and its relation to mental health disorders

Anatomy Research Topics

Anatomy covers everything about the human body and how it works. If you find that intriguing and want to pay for medical research paper, start by selecting a topic.

• Causes and treatments of virus infections
• Chemotherapy: how it affects the body
• Thyroid glands – functions in the body
• Human endocrine system
• Preventative Measures and Treatments for Common Liver Diseases
• Heart diseases
• How does the human muscular system develop
• Lymphatic system – importance
• Investigating genetic diseases
• Digestive system
• Role of the Spleen in the Human Immune System and Related Disorders

Biomedical Research Topics

Biology and medicine often work together. For the newest changes in the biomedical field, check our topics.

• Comparative Efficacy of Alternative Medicine Practices in Chronic Pain Management
• Alzheimer’s disease – paths for treatment
• Vaccines and drug development in the treatment of Ebola
• Antibiotic resistance
• Biological effects caused by aging
• Air pollution effects on health
• Infectious disease past versus present
• Regenerative medicine
• Biomedical diagnostics
• Biomedical technology
• Advanced biomaterials for vaccine delivery

Bioethics Research Topics

A controversial area of medicine, bioethics is where you get the chance to add personal input to a research topic and come up with new insights. You could consider these subjects.

• Organ donation
• Alternative or complementary medicine
• Assisted suicide or the right to die
• Artificial insemination or surrogacy
• Chemical and biological warfare
• Contraception
• Environmental bioethics
• In Vitro Fertilization
• Ethical considerations in medical research on animals

Cancer Research Topics

Are you writing a paper related to cancer causes, diagnosis, treatment or effects? Look below for a hot topic that it’s easy to research and important for medical advance.

• The ability of immune system cells to fight cancer
• Computational oncology
• Metastasis affected by drug resistance
• Stem cells – applications for cancer treatment
• Tumor microenvironment
• Obesity and age in cancer occurrence
• Early cancer detection – benefits
• Artificial intelligence predicting cancer
• Hematologic malignancies
• Pathogen-related cancers
• Impact of COVID-19 on cancer treatment studies

Clinical Research Topics

Learn more about clinical medicine by conducting more in-depth research. We prepared for you a list of relevant issues to touch upon.

• Ethical concerns regarding research on human subjects
• Subject recruitment
• Budget preparation
• Human subject protection
• Clinical trials – financial support
• Clinical practices for health professionals
• Using vulnerable populations in clinical research
• Quality assurance in clinical research
• Academic clinical trials versus clinical trials units
• Data collection and management
• Evolution of clinical symptoms in COVID-19 patients

Critical Care Research Topics

Critical care is a key area in medical studies. Explore these topics in your research paper to gain more valuable knowledge in this field. You can also get in contact with nursing research paper writers .

• Obesity and asthma – clinical manifestations
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• Rhythm analysis for cardiac arrest
• Traumatic brain injury – fluid resuscitation
• Hydrocortisone for multiple trauma patients
• Care and nutrition for critically ill adults
• Diagnosis of hypersensitivity pneumonitis
• Coma and sedation scales
• Artificial airways suctioning
• Arterial puncture and arterial line
• Long-term cardiac and respiratory effects of COVID-19

Pediatric Research Topics

Any topic that refers to health care for children, pregnant women, mothers, and adolescents goes under pediatric care.

• Early Intervention Methods for Children Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Preventive healthcare strategies for children
• Impact of early childhood nutrition on long-term health
• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Congenital heart disease in newborns
• Adolescent medicine
• Neonatal medicine
• Rare diseases in children and teenagers
• Obesity and weight fluctuations
• Behavioral sleep problems in children
• Children with anemia
• Child healthcare enhancements and innovations

Dental Research Topics Ideas

Choose a topic on oral health or dental care from this list of the most interesting topics in the field.

• How smoking affects oral health
• Children’s risk for dental caries
• Causes of Dental Anxiety and Effective Interventions for Reducing Fear in Patients
• Types of dental materials – new advances
• Bad breath bacteria
• How diabetes affects oral health
• Oral cancer
• Dental pain – types, causes
• Dental implants
• Oral health-related quality of life
• Advancements in treatments for virus infections

Dermatology Research Topics

Find the best research topic for your dermatology paper among our examples.

• Atopic dermatitis
• Contact dermatitis
• Epidemiology behind uncommon skin disorders
• Cutaneous aging
• Risk factors of melanoma skin cancer
• Acne versus rosacea
• Genetic testing for skin conditions
• Effects of cosmetic agents on skin health
• Improving skin barrier with pharmaceutical agents
• Skin manifestations of autoimmune disorders
• Study of virus effects on skin health

Primary Care Research Topics

Write a primary care paper that can demonstrate your research skills and interest in powerful scientific findings.

• Primary care for vulnerable/uninsured populations
• Interpersonal continuity in care treatment
• How primary care contributes to health systems
• Primary care delivery models
• Developments in family medicine
• Occupational/environmental health
• Pharmacotherapy approaches
• Formal allergy testing
• Oral contraception side effects
• Dietary or behavioral interventions for obesity management

Pharmaceutical Research Topics

Pharma students who need paper topics can use one from our list. We include all things related to pharmacy life.

• Drugs that can treat cancer
• Drug excretion
• Elimination rate constant
• Inflammatory stress drug treatment
• Aspirin poising
• Ibuprofen – dangers versus benefits
• Toxicodynamics
• Opioid use disorder
• Pharmacotherapy for schizophrenia
• Ketamine in depression treatment

Medical Anthropology Research Topics

Medical anthropology unites different areas of human knowledge. Find powerful ideas for a paper below.

• Cultural contexts regarding reproductive health
• Women sexuality
• Anthropological aspects of health care
• Contributions of social sciences to public health
• Euthanasia and medical ethics across cultures
• Health-related behavior in adults across cultures
• Transcultural nursing
• Forensic psychiatry
• Symptoms of Celiac Disease – a disease with no symptoms
• Nursing ethics

Paramedic Research Paper Topics

Topics for paramedic research must be based on evidence, data, statistics, or practical experience. Just like ours.

• Trends and statistics in EMS
• Disaster medicine
• Mass casualties
• Pandemics and epidemics
• Infection control
• Basic versus advanced life support
• Scene safety in EMS
• Shock management
• Motor vehicle accidents
• Challenges in medical humanitarian missions during pandemics

Surgery Research Topics

Discover all the intricacies of surgeries that save lives by writing about our topics.

• Medical malpractice and legal issues
• Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
• Early Detection and Management Strategies for Sepsis in Hospital Settings
• Pain management
• Perioperative nursing
• Wound management
• Colorectal cancer surgery
• Breast cancer surgery
• Minimally invasive surgeries
• Vascular disease
• Changes in surgical practices during pandemics

Radiology Research Paper Topics

Find a radiology topic related to your academic interests to write a successful paper.

• Using MRI to diagnose hepatic focal lesions
• Multidetector computer tomography
• Ultrasound elastography in breast cancer
• Assessing traumatic spinal cord injuries with MRI diffusion tensor imaging
• Sonographic imaging to detect male infertility
• Role of tomography in diagnosing cancer
• Brain tumor surgery with magnetic resonance imaging
• Bacterial meningitis imaging
• Advanced imaging techniques for virus infection detection

Anatomy and Physiology Research Paper Topics

Any ideas for a medical research paper? We have included the most important topics for an anatomy and physiology paper.

• What role has the endocrine system
• Staphylococcus aureus
• Environmental factors that affect development of human muscular system
• What role has the lymphatic system
• An investigation of genetic diseases
• Explaining the aging process
• The digestive tract
• Effects of stress on cells and muscles
• Evolution of the human nervous system
• What role has the cardiovascular system
• Impact of viruses on respiratory health in urban settings

Healthcare Management Research Paper Topics

There are numerous topics you could write about when it comes to healthcare management. There’s a wide range of options to pick, from infrastructure, staff, and financial management to HR and patient management. Here are some of the top healthcare management research paper options.

Medical Ethics Research Paper Topics

Medical ethics is a field that opens the door to numerous compelling topics for research papers. Here are some of the most appealing ones you could tackle.

• Clinical research on humans
• Vaccines and immunization
• Religious beliefs in healthcare
• Euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide
• Ethical issues across cultures
• Amniocentesis or prenatal birth defect testing
• Medical malpractice and going back to work
• Racial and ethnic preferences and perceptions in organ donations
• Racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare
• Ethical concerns of AI in healthcare
• Debates on animal ethics in medical research
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• Accurate results
• Intuitive interface

Environmental Health and Pollution Research Paper Topics

• Environmental Pollutants and Respiratory Health in Urban Areas of the USA
• How environmental changes affect human health
• Long-Term Impact of PM2.5 Exposure on Lung, Heart, and Brain Function
• Health Risks of Air Pollution Across Different Life Stages
• Hospital Admissions and Air Quality in the USA
• Risk Reduction Strategies for Indoor Air Pollution from Gas Stoves
• Impact of Air Pollution on Cognitive Development and Socioeconomic Achievements
• Long-Term Health Effects of Early Childhood Exposure to Air Pollution
• Impact of Traffic Noise on Cardiovascular Health

Selecting the right medical research topic is essential, but the writing process can be equally challenging. If you’re seeking expert help, professional research paper writing services can assist in crafting a well-researched and meticulously written paper.

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10 Successful Medical School Essays

Sponsored by.

-- Accepted to: Harvard Medical School GPA: 4.0 MCAT: 522

Sponsored by A ccepted.com : Great stats don’t assure acceptance to elite medical schools. The personal statement, most meaningful activities, activity descriptions, secondaries and interviews can determine acceptance or rejection. Since 1994, Accepted.com has guided medical applicants just like you to present compelling medical school applications. Get Accepted !

I started writing in 8th grade when a friend showed me her poetry about self-discovery and finding a voice. I was captivated by the way she used language to bring her experiences to life. We began writing together in our free time, trying to better understand ourselves by putting a pen to paper and attempting to paint a picture with words. I felt my style shift over time as I grappled with challenges that seemed to defy language. My poems became unstructured narratives, where I would use stories of events happening around me to convey my thoughts and emotions. In one of my earliest pieces, I wrote about a local boy’s suicide to try to better understand my visceral response. I discussed my frustration with the teenage social hierarchy, reflecting upon my social interactions while exploring the harms of peer pressure.

In college, as I continued to experiment with this narrative form, I discovered medical narratives. I have read everything from Manheimer’s Bellevue to Gawande’s Checklist and from Nuland’s observations about the way we die, to Kalanithi’s struggle with his own decline. I even experimented with this approach recently, writing a piece about my grandfather’s emphysema. Writing allowed me to move beyond the content of our relationship and attempt to investigate the ways time and youth distort our memories of the ones we love. I have augmented these narrative excursions with a clinical bioethics internship. In working with an interdisciplinary team of ethics consultants, I have learned by doing by participating in care team meetings, synthesizing discussions and paths forward in patient charts, and contributing to an ongoing legislative debate addressing the challenges of end of life care. I have also seen the ways ineffective intra-team communication and inter-personal conflicts of beliefs can compromise patient care.

Writing allowed me to move beyond the content of our relationship and attempt to investigate the ways time and youth distort our memories of the ones we love.

By assessing these difficult situations from all relevant perspectives and working to integrate the knowledge I’ve gained from exploring narratives, I have begun to reflect upon the impact the humanities can have on medical care. In a world that has become increasingly data driven, where patients can so easily devolve into lists of numbers and be forced into algorithmic boxes in search of an exact diagnosis, my synergistic narrative and bioethical backgrounds have taught me the importance of considering the many dimensions of the human condition. I am driven to become a physician who deeply considers a patient’s goal of care and goals of life. I want to learn to build and lead patient care teams that are oriented toward fulfilling these goals, creating an environment where family and clinician conflict can be addressed efficiently and respectfully. Above all, I look forward to using these approaches to keep the person beneath my patients in focus at each stage of my medical training, as I begin the task of translating complex basic science into excellent clinical care.

In her essay for medical school, Morgan pitches herself as a future physician with an interdisciplinary approach, given her appreciation of how the humanities can enable her to better understand her patients. Her narrative takes the form of an origin story, showing how a childhood interest in poetry grew into a larger mindset to keep a patient’s humanity at the center of her approach to clinical care.

This narrative distinguishes Morgan as a candidate for medical school effectively, as she provides specific examples of how her passions intersect with medicine. She first discusses how she used poetry to process her emotional response to a local boy’s suicide and ties in concern about teenage mental health. Then, she discusses more philosophical questions she encountered through reading medical narratives, which demonstrates her direct interest in applying writing and the humanities to medicine. By making the connection from this larger theme to her own reflections on her grandfather, Morgan provides a personal insight that will give an admissions officer a window into her character. This demonstrates her empathy for her future patients and commitment to their care.

Her narrative takes the form of an origin story, showing how a childhood interest in poetry grew into a larger mindset to keep a patient's humanity at the center of her approach to clinical care.

Furthermore, it is important to note that Morgan’s essay does not repeat anything in-depth that would otherwise be on her resume. She makes a reference to her work in care team meetings through a clinical bioethics internship, but does not focus on this because there are other places on her application where this internship can be discussed. Instead, she offers a more reflection-based perspective on the internship that goes more in-depth than a resume or CV could. This enables her to explain the reasons for interdisciplinary approach to medicine with tangible examples that range from personal to professional experiences — an approach that presents her as a well-rounded candidate for medical school.

Disclaimer: With exception of the removal of identifying details, essays are reproduced as originally submitted in applications; any errors in submissions are maintained to preserve the integrity of the piece. The Crimson's news and opinion teams—including writers, editors, photographers, and designers—were not involved in the production of this article.

-- Accepted To: A medical school in New Jersey with a 3% acceptance rate. GPA: 3.80 MCAT: 502 and 504

Sponsored by E fiie Consulting Group : “ EFIIE ” boasts 100% match rate for all premedical and predental registered students. Not all students are accepted unto their pre-health student roster. Considered the most elite in the industry and assists from start to end – premed to residency. EFIIE is a one-stop-full-service education firm.

"To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded." – Ralph Waldo Emerson.

The tribulations I've overcome in my life have manifested in the compassion, curiosity, and courage that is embedded in my personality. Even a horrific mishap in my life has not changed my core beliefs and has only added fuel to my intense desire to become a doctor. My extensive service at an animal hospital, a harrowing personal experience, and volunteering as an EMT have increased my appreciation and admiration for the medical field.

At thirteen, I accompanied my father to the Park Home Animal Hospital with our eleven-year-old dog, Brendan. He was experiencing severe pain due to an osteosarcoma, which ultimately led to the difficult decision to put him to sleep. That experience brought to light many questions regarding the idea of what constitutes a "quality of life" for an animal and what importance "dignity" plays to an animal and how that differs from owner to owner and pet to pet. Noting my curiosity and my relative maturity in the matter, the owner of the animal hospital invited me to shadow the professional staff. Ten years later, I am still part of the team, having made the transition from volunteer to veterinarian technician. Saving a life, relieving pain, sharing in the euphoria of animal and owner reuniting after a procedure, to understanding the emotions of losing a loved one – my life was forever altered from the moment I stepped into that animal hospital.

As my appreciation for medical professionals continued to grow, a horrible accident created an indelible moment in my life. It was a warm summer day as I jumped onto a small boat captained by my grandfather. He was on his way to refill the boat's gas tank at the local marina, and as he pulled into the dock, I proceeded to make a dire mistake. As the line was thrown from the dock, I attempted to cleat the bowline prematurely, and some of the most intense pain I've ever felt in my life ensued.

Saving a life, relieving pain, sharing in the euphoria of animal and owner reuniting after a procedure, to understanding the emotions of losing a loved one – my life was forever altered from the moment I stepped into that animal hospital.

"Call 911!" I screamed, half-dazed as I witnessed blood gushing out of my open wounds, splashing onto the white fiberglass deck of the boat, forming a small puddle beneath my feet. I was instructed to raise my hand to reduce the bleeding, while someone wrapped an icy towel around the wound. The EMTs arrived shortly after and quickly drove me to an open field a short distance away, where a helicopter seemed to instantaneously appear.

The medevac landed on the roof of Stony Brook Hospital before I was expeditiously wheeled into the operating room for a seven-hour surgery to reattach my severed fingers. The distal phalanges of my 3rd and 4th fingers on my left hand had been torn off by the rope tightening on the cleat. I distinctly remember the chill from the cold metal table, the bright lights of the OR, and multiple doctors and nurses scurrying around. The skill and knowledge required to execute multiple skin graft surgeries were impressive and eye-opening. My shortened fingers often raise questions by others; however, they do not impair my self-confidence or physical abilities. The positive outcome of this trial was the realization of my intense desire to become a medical professional.

Despite being the patient, I was extremely impressed with the dedication, competence, and cohesiveness of the medical team. I felt proud to be a critical member of such a skilled group. To this day, I still cannot explain the dichotomy of experiencing being the patient, and concurrently one on the professional team, committed to saving the patient. Certainly, this experience was a defining part of my life and one of the key contributors to why I became an EMT and a volunteer member of the Sample Volunteer Ambulance Corps. The startling ring of the pager, whether it is to respond to an inebriated alcoholic who is emotionally distraught or to help bring breath to a pulseless person who has been pulled from the family swimming pool, I am committed to EMS. All of these events engender the same call to action and must be reacted to with the same seriousness, intensity, and magnanimity. It may be some routine matter or a dire emergency; this is a role filled with uncertainty and ambiguity, but that is how I choose to spend my days. My motives to become a physician are deeply seeded. They permeate my personality and emanate from my desire to respond to the needs of others. Through a traumatic personal event and my experiences as both a professional and volunteer, I have witnessed firsthand the power to heal the wounded and offer hope. Each person defines success in different ways. To know even one life has been improved by my actions affords me immense gratification and meaning. That is success to me and why I want to be a doctor.

This review is provided by EFIIE Consulting Group’s Pre-Health Senior Consultant Jude Chan

This student was a joy to work with — she was also the lowest MCAT profile I ever accepted onto my roster. At 504 on the second attempt (502 on her first) it would seem impossible and unlikely to most that she would be accepted into an allopathic medical school. Even for an osteopathic medical school this score could be too low. Additionally, the student’s GPA was considered competitive at 3.80, but it was from a lower ranked, less known college, so naturally most advisors would tell this student to go on and complete a master’s or postbaccalaureate program to show that she could manage upper level science classes. Further, she needed to retake the MCAT a third time.

However, I saw many other facets to this student’s history and life that spoke volumes about the type of student she was, and this was the positioning strategy I used for her file. Students who read her personal statement should know that acceptance is contingent on so much more than just an essay and MCAT score or GPA. Although many students have greater MCAT scores than 504 and higher GPAs than 3.80, I have helped students with lower scores and still maintained our 100% match rate. You are competing with thousands of candidates. Not every student out there requires our services and we are actually grateful that we can focus on a limited amount out of the tens of thousands that do. We are also here for the students who wish to focus on learning well the organic chemistry courses and physics courses and who want to focus on their research and shadowing opportunities rather than waste time deciphering the next step in this complex process. We tailor a pathway for each student dependent on their health care career goals, and our partnerships with non-profit organizations, hospitals, physicians and research labs allow our students to focus on what matters most — the building up of their basic science knowledge and their exposure to patients and patient care.

Students who read her personal statement should know that acceptance is contingent on so much more than just an essay and MCAT score or GPA.

Even students who believe that their struggle somehow disqualifies them from their dream career in health care can be redeemed if they are willing to work for it, just like this student with 502 and 504 MCAT scores. After our first consult, I saw a way to position her to still be accepted into an MD school in the US — I would not have recommended she register to our roster if I did not believe we could make a difference. Our rosters have a waitlist each semester, and it is in our best interest to be transparent with our students and protect our 100% record — something I consider a win-win. It is unethical to ever guarantee acceptance in admissions as we simply do not control these decisions. However, we respect it, play by the rules, and help our students stay one step ahead by creating an applicant profile that would be hard for the schools to ignore.

This may be the doctor I go to one day. Or the nurse or dentist my children or my grandchildren goes to one day. That is why it is much more than gaining acceptance — it is about properly matching the student to the best options for their education. Gaining an acceptance and being incapable of getting through the next 4 or 8 years (for my MD/PhD-MSTP students) is nonsensical.

-- Accepted To: Imperial College London UCAT Score: 2740 BMAT Score: 3.9, 5.4, 3.5A

My motivation to study Medicine stems from wishing to be a cog in the remarkable machine that is universal healthcare: a system which I saw first-hand when observing surgery in both the UK and Sri Lanka. Despite the differences in sanitation and technology, the universality of compassion became evident. When volunteering at OSCE training days, I spoke to many medical students, who emphasised the importance of a genuine interest in the sciences when studying Medicine. As such, I have kept myself informed of promising developments, such as the use of monoclonal antibodies in cancer therapy. After learning about the role of HeLa cells in the development of the polio vaccine in Biology, I read 'The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks' to find out more. Furthermore, I read that surface protein CD4 can be added to HeLa cells, allowing them to be infected with HIV, opening the possibility of these cells being used in HIV research to produce more life-changing drugs, such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PreP). Following my BioGrad laboratory experience in HIV testing, and time collating data for research into inflammatory markers in lung cancer, I am also interested in pursuing a career in medical research. However, during a consultation between an ENT surgeon and a thyroid cancer patient, I learnt that practising medicine needs more than a scientific aptitude. As the surgeon explained that the cancer had metastasised to her liver, I watched him empathetically tailor his language for the patient - he avoided medical jargon and instead gave her time to come to terms with this. I have been developing my communication skills by volunteering weekly at care homes for 3 years, which has improved my ability to read body language and structure conversations to engage with the residents, most of whom have dementia.

However, during a consultation between an ENT surgeon and a thyroid cancer patient, I learnt that practising medicine needs more than a scientific aptitude.

Jude’s essay provides a very matter-of-fact account of their experience as a pre-medical student. However, they deepen this narrative by merging two distinct cultures through some common ground: a universality of compassion. Using clear, concise language and a logical succession of events — much like a doctor must follow when speaking to patients — Jude shows their motivation to go into the medical field.

From their OSCE training days to their school’s Science society, Jude connects their analytical perspective — learning about HeLa cells — to something that is relatable and human, such as a poor farmer’s notable contribution to science. This approach provides a gateway into their moral compass without having to explicitly state it, highlighting their fervent desire to learn how to interact and communicate with others when in a position of authority.

Using clear, concise language and a logical succession of events — much like a doctor must follow when speaking to patients — Jude shows their motivation to go into the medical field.

Jude’s closing paragraph reminds the reader of the similarities between two countries like the UK and Sri Lanka, and the importance of having a universal healthcare system that centers around the just and “world-class” treatment of patients. Overall, this essay showcases Jude’s personal initiative to continue to learn more and do better for the people they serve.

While the essay could have benefited from better transitions to weave Jude’s experiences into a personal story, its strong grounding in Jude’s motivation makes for a compelling application essay.

-- Accepted to: Weill Cornell Medical College GPA: 3.98 MCAT: 521

Sponsored by E fie Consulting Group : “ EFIIE ” boasts 100% match rate for all premedical and predental registered students. Not all students are accepted unto their pre-health student roster. Considered the most elite in the industry and assists from start to end – premed to residency. EFIIE is a one-stop-full-service education firm.

Following the physician’s unexpected request, we waited outside, anxiously waiting to hear the latest update on my father’s condition. It was early on in my father’s cancer progression – a change that had shaken our entire way of life overnight. During those 18 months, while my mother spent countless nights at the hospital, I took on the responsibility of caring for my brother. My social life became of minimal concern, and the majority of my studying for upcoming 12th- grade exams was done at the hospital. We were allowed back into the room as the physician walked out, and my parents updated us on the situation. Though we were a tight-knit family and my father wanted us to be present throughout his treatment, what this physician did was give my father a choice. Without making assumptions about who my father wanted in the room, he empowered him to make that choice independently in private. It was this respect directed towards my father, the subsequent efforts at caring for him, and the personal relationship of understanding they formed, that made the largest impact on him. Though my decision to pursue medicine came more than a year later, I deeply valued what these physicians were doing for my father, and I aspired to make a similar impact on people in the future.

It was during this period that I became curious about the human body, as we began to learn physiology in more depth at school. In previous years, the problem-based approach I could take while learning math and chemistry were primarily what sparked my interest. However, I became intrigued by how molecular interactions translated into large-scale organ function, and how these organ systems integrated together to generate the extraordinary physiological functions we tend to under-appreciate. I began my undergraduate studies with the goal of pursuing these interests, whilst leaning towards a career in medicine. While I was surprised to find that there were upwards of 40 programs within the life sciences that I could pursue, it broadened my perspective and challenged me to explore my options within science and healthcare. I chose to study pathobiology and explore my interests through hospital volunteering and research at the end of my first year.

Though my decision to pursue medicine came more than a year later, I deeply valued what these physicians were doing for my father, and I aspired to make a similar impact on people in the future.

While conducting research at St. Michael’s Hospital, I began to understand methods of data collection and analysis, and the thought process of scientific inquiry. I became acquainted with the scientific literature, and the experience transformed how I thought about the concepts I was learning in lecture. However, what stood out to me that summer was the time spent shadowing my supervisor in the neurosurgery clinic. It was where I began to fully understand what life would be like as a physician, and where the career began to truly appeal to me. What appealed to me most was the patient-oriented collaboration and discussions between my supervisor and his fellow; the physician-patient relationship that went far beyond diagnoses and treatments; and the problem solving that I experienced first-hand while being questioned on disease cases.

The day spent shadowing in the clinic was also the first time I developed a relationship with a patient. We were instructed to administer the Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) test to patients as they awaited the neurosurgeon. My task was to convey the instructions as clearly as possible and score each section. I did this as best I could, adapting my explanation to each patient, and paying close attention to their responses to ensure I was understood. The last patient was a challenging case, given a language barrier combined with his severe hydrocephalus. It was an emotional time for his family, seeing their father/husband struggle to complete simple tasks and subsequently give up. I encouraged him to continue trying. But I also knew my words would not remedy the condition underlying his struggles. All I could do was make attempts at lightening the atmosphere as I got to know him and his family better. Hours later, as I saw his remarkable improvement following a lumbar puncture, and the joy on his and his family’s faces at his renewed ability to walk independently, I got a glimpse of how rewarding it would be to have the ability and privilege to care for such patients. By this point, I knew I wanted to commit to a life in medicine. Two years of weekly hospital volunteering have allowed me to make a small difference in patients’ lives by keeping them company through difficult times, and listening to their concerns while striving to help in the limited way that I could. I want to have the ability to provide care and treatment on a daily basis as a physician. Moreover, my hope is that the breadth of medicine will provide me with the opportunity to make an impact on a larger scale. Whilst attending conferences on neuroscience and surgical technology, I became aware of the potential to make a difference through healthcare, and I look forward to developing the skills necessary to do so through a Master’s in Global Health. Whether through research, health innovation, or public health, I hope not only to care for patients with the same compassion with which physicians cared for my father, but to add to the daily impact I can have by tackling large-scale issues in health.

Taylor’s essay offers both a straightforward, in-depth narrative and a deep analysis of his experiences, which effectively reveals his passion and willingness to learn in the medical field. The anecdote of Taylor’s father gives the reader insight into an original instance of learning through experience and clearly articulates Taylor’s motivations for becoming a compassionate and respectful physician.

Taylor strikes an impeccable balance between discussing his accomplishments and his character. All of his life experiences — and the difficult challenges he overcame — introduce the reader to an important aspect of Taylor’s personality: his compassion, care for his family, and power of observation in reflecting on the decisions his father’s doctor makes. His description of his time volunteering at St. Michael’s Hospital is indicative of Taylor’s curiosity about medical research, but also of his recognition of the importance of the patient-physician relationship. Moreover, he shows how his volunteer work enabled him to see how medicine goes “beyond diagnoses and treatments” — an observation that also speaks to his compassion.

His description of his time volunteering at St. Michael's Hospital is indicative of Taylor's curiosity about medical research, but also of his recognition of the importance of the patient-physician relationship.

Finally, Taylor also tells the reader about his ambition and purpose, which is important when thinking about applying to medical school. He discusses his hope of tackling larger scale problems through any means possible in medicine. This notion of using self interest to better the world is imperative to a successful college essay, and it is nicely done here.

-- Accepted to: Washington University

Sponsored by A dmitRx : We are a group of Chicago-based medical students who realize how challenging medical school admissions can be, so we want to provide our future classmates with resources we wish we had. Our mission at AdmitRx is to provide pre-medical students with affordable, personalized, high-quality guidance towards becoming an admitted medical student.

Running has always been one of my greatest passions whether it be with friends or alone with my thoughts. My dad has always been my biggest role model and was the first to introduce me to the world of running. We entered races around the country, and one day he invited me on a run that changed my life forever. The St. Jude Run is an annual event that raises millions of dollars for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. My dad has led or our local team for as long as I can remember, and I had the privilege to join when I was 16. From the first step I knew this was the environment for me – people from all walks of life united with one goal of ending childhood cancer. I had an interest in medicine before the run, and with these experiences I began to consider oncology as a career. When this came up in conversations, I would invariably be faced with the question “Do you really think you could get used to working with dying kids?” My 16-year-old self responded with something noble but naïve like “It’s important work, so I’ll have to handle it”. I was 16 years young with my plan to become an oncologist at St. Jude.

As I transitioned into college my plans for oncology were alive and well. I began working in a biochemistry lab researching new anti-cancer drugs. It was a small start, but I was overjoyed to be a part of the process. I applied to work at a number of places for the summer, but the Pediatric Oncology Education program (POE) at St. Jude was my goal. One afternoon, I had just returned from class and there it was: an email listed as ‘POE Offer’. I was ecstatic and accepted the offer immediately. Finally, I could get a glimpse at what my future holds. My future PI, Dr. Q, specialized in solid tumor translational research and I couldn’t wait to get started.

I was 16 years young with my plan to become an oncologist at St. Jude.

Summer finally came, I moved to Memphis, and I was welcomed by the X lab. I loved translational research because the results are just around the corner from helping patients. We began a pre-clinical trial of a new chemotherapy regimen and the results were looking terrific. I was also able to accompany Dr. Q whenever she saw patients in the solid tumor division. Things started simple with rounds each morning before focusing on the higher risk cases. I was fortunate enough to get to know some of the patients quite well, and I could sometimes help them pass the time with a game or two on a slow afternoon between treatments. These experiences shined a very human light on a field I had previously seen only through a microscope in a lab.

I arrived one morning as usual, but Dr. Q pulled me aside before rounds. She said one of the patients we had been seeing passed away in the night. I held my composure in the moment, but I felt as though an anvil was crushing down on me. It was tragic but I knew loss was part of the job, so I told myself to push forward. A few days later, I had mostly come to terms with what happened, but then the anvil came crashing back down with the passing of another patient. I could scarcely hold back the tears this time. That moment, it didn’t matter how many miraculous successes were happening a few doors down. Nothing overshadowed the loss, and there was no way I could ‘get used to it’ as my younger self had hoped.

I was still carrying the weight of what had happened and it was showing, so I asked Dr. Q for help. How do you keep smiling each day? How do you get used to it? The questions in my head went on. What I heard next changed my perspective forever. She said you keep smiling because no matter what happened, you’re still hope for the next patient. It’s not about getting used to it. You never get used to it and you shouldn’t. Beating cancer takes lifetimes, and you can’t look passed a life’s worth of hardships. I realized that moving passed the loss of patients would never suffice, but I need to move forward with them. Through the successes and shortcomings, we constantly make progress. I like to imagine that in all our future endeavors, it is the hands of those who have gone before us that guide the way. That is why I want to attend medical school and become a physician. We may never end the sting of loss, but physicians are the bridge between the past and the future. No where else is there the chance to learn from tragedy and use that to shape a better future. If I can learn something from one loss, keep moving forward, and use that knowledge to help even a single person – save one life, bring a moment of joy, avoid a moment of pain—then that is how I want to spend my life.

The change wasn’t overnight. The next loss still brought pain, but I took solace in moving forward so that we might learn something to give hope to a future patient. I returned to campus in a new lab doing cancer research, and my passion for medicine continues to flourish. I still think about all the people I encountered at St. Jude, especially those we lost. It might be a stretch, but during the long hours at the lab bench I still picture their hands moving through mine each step of the way. I could never have foreseen where the first steps of the St. Jude Run would bring me. I’m not sure where the road to becoming a physician may lead, but with helping hands guiding the way, I won’t be running it alone.

This essay, a description of the applicant’s intellectual challenges, displays the hardships of tending to cancer patients as a milestone of experience and realization of what it takes to be a physician. The writer explores deeper ideas beyond medicine, such as dealing with patient deaths in a way to progress and improve as a professional. In this way, the applicant gives the reader some insight into the applicant’s mindset, and their ability to think beyond the surface for ways to become better at what they do.

However, the essay fails to zero in on the applicant’s character, instead elaborating on life events that weakly illustrate the applicant’s growth as a physician. The writer’s mantra (“keep moving forward”) is feebly projected, and seems unoriginal due to the lack of a personalized connection between the experience at St. Jude and how that led to the applicant’s growth and mindset changes.

The writer explores deeper ideas beyond medicine, such as dealing with patient deaths in a way to progress and improve as a professional.

The writer, by only focusing on grief brought from patient deaths at St. Jude, misses out on the opportunity to further describe his or her experience at the hospital and portray an original, well-rounded image of his or her strengths, weaknesses, and work ethic.

The applicant ends the essay by attempting to highlight the things they learned at St. Jude, but fails to organize the ideas into a cohesive, comprehensible section. These ideas are also too abstract, and are vague indicators of the applicant’s character that are difficult to grasp.

-- Accepted to: New York University School of Medicine

Sponsored by MedEdits : MedEdits Medical Admissions has been helping applicants get into medical schools like Harvard for more than ten years. Structured like an academic medical department, MedEdits has experts in admissions, writing, editing, medicine, and interview prep working with you collaboratively so you can earn the best admissions results possible.

“Is this the movie you were talking about Alice?” I said as I showed her the movie poster on my iPhone. “Oh my God, I haven’t seen that poster in over 70 years,” she said with her arms trembling in front of her. Immediately, I sat up straight and started to question further. We were talking for about 40 minutes, and the most exciting thing she brought up in that time was the new flavor of pudding she had for lunch. All of sudden, she’s back in 1940 talking about what it was like to see this movie after school for only 5¢ a ticket! After an engaging discussion about life in the 40’s, I knew I had to indulge her. Armed with a plethora of movie streaming sights, I went to work scouring the web. No luck. The movie, “My Son My Son,” was apparently not in high demand amongst torrenting teens. I had to entreat my older brother for his Amazon Prime account to get a working stream. However, breaking up the monotony and isolation felt at the nursing home with a simple movie was worth the pandering.

While I was glad to help a resident have some fun, I was partly motivated by how much Alice reminded me of my own grandfather. In accordance with custom, my grandfather was to stay in our house once my grandmother passed away. More specifically, he stayed in my room and my bed. Just like grandma’s passing, my sudden roommate was a rough transition. In 8th grade at the time, I considered myself to be a generally good guy. Maybe even good enough to be a doctor one day. I volunteered at the hospital, shadowed regularly, and had a genuine interest for science. However, my interest in medicine was mostly restricted to academia. To be honest, I never had a sustained exposure to the palliative side of medicine until the arrival of my new roommate.

The two years I slept on that creaky wooden bed with him was the first time my metal was tested. Sharing that room, I was the one to take care of him. I was the one to rub ointment on his back, to feed him when I came back from school, and to empty out his spittoon when it got full. It was far from glamorous, and frustrating most of the time. With 75 years separating us, and senile dementia setting in, he would often forget who I was or where he was. Having to remind him that I was his grandson threatened to erode at my resolve. Assured by my Syrian Orthodox faith, I even prayed about it; asking God for comfort and firmness on my end. Over time, I grew slow to speak and eager to listen as he started to ramble more and more about bits and pieces of the past. If I was lucky, I would be able to stich together a narrative that may or may have not been true. In any case, my patience started to bud beyond my age group.

Having to remind him that I was his grandson threatened to erode at my resolve.

Although I grew more patient with his disease, my curiosity never really quelled. Conversely, it developed further alongside my rapidly growing interest in the clinical side of medicine. Naturally, I became drawn to a neurology lab in college where I got to study pathologies ranging from atrophy associated with schizophrenia, and necrotic lesions post stroke. However, unlike my intro biology courses, my work at the neurology lab was rooted beyond the academics. Instead, I found myself driven by real people who could potentially benefit from our research. In particular, my shadowing experience with Dr. Dominger in the Veteran’s home made the patient more relevant in our research as I got to encounter geriatric patients with age related diseases, such as Alzhimer’s and Parkinson’s. Furthermore, I had the privilege of of talking to the families of a few of these patients to get an idea of the impact that these diseases had on the family structure. For me, the scut work in the lab meant a lot more with these families in mind than the tritium tracer we were using in the lab.

Despite my achievements in the lab and the classroom, my time with my grandfather still holds a special place in my life story. The more I think about him, the more confident I am in my decision to pursue a career where caring for people is just as important, if not more important, than excelling at academics. Although it was a lot of work, the years spent with him was critical in expanding my horizons both in my personal life and in the context of medicine. While I grew to be more patient around others, I also grew to appreciate medicine beyond the science. This more holistic understanding of medicine had a synergistic effect in my work as I gained a purpose behind the extra hours in the lab, sleepless nights in the library, and longer hours volunteering. I had a reason for what I was doing that may one day help me have long conversations with my own grandchildren about the price of popcorn in the 2000’s.

The most important thing to highlight in Avery’s essay is how he is able to create a duality between his interest in not only the clinical, more academic-based side of medicine, but also the field’s personal side.

He draws personal connections between working with Alice — a patient in a hospital or nursing home — and caring intensely for his grandfather. These two experiences build up the “synergistic” relationship between caring for people and studying the science behind medicine. In this way, he is able to clearly state his passions for medicine and explain his exact motives for entering the field. Furthermore, in his discussion of her grandfather, he effectively employs imagery (“rub ointment on his back,” “feed him when I came back from school,” etc.) to describe the actual work that he does, calling it initially as “far from glamorous, and frustrating most of the time.” By first mentioning his initial impression, then transitioning into how he grew to appreciate the experience, Avery is able to demonstrate a strength of character, sense of enormous responsibility and capability, and open-minded attitude.

He draws personal connections between working with Alice — a patient in a hospital or nursing home — and caring intensely for his grandfather.

Later in the essay, Avery is also able to relate his time caring for his grandfather to his work with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s patients, showcasing the social impact of his work, as the reader is likely already familiar with the biological impact of the work. This takes Avery’s essay full circle, bringing it back to how a discussion with an elderly patient about the movies reminds him of why he chose to pursue medicine.

That said, the essay does feel rushed near the end, as the writer was likely trying to remain within the word count. There could be a more developed transition before Avery introduces the last sentence about “conversations with my own grandchildren,” especially as a strong essay ending is always recommended.

-- Accepted To: Saint Louis University Medical School Direct Admission Medical Program

Sponsored by Atlas Admissions : Atlas Admissions provides expert medical school admissions consulting and test preparation services. Their experienced, physician-driven team consistently delivers top results by designing comprehensive, personalized strategies to optimize applications. Atlas Admissions is based in Boston, MA and is trusted by clients worldwide.

The tension in the office was tangible. The entire team sat silently sifting through papers as Dr. L introduced Adam, a 60-year-old morbidly obese man recently admitted for a large open wound along his chest. As Dr. L reviewed the details of the case, his prognosis became even bleaker: hypertension, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, cardiomyopathy, hyperlipidemia; the list went on and on. As the humdrum of the side-conversations came to a halt, and the shuffle of papers softened, the reality of Adam’s situation became apparent. Adam had a few months to live at best, a few days at worst. To make matters worse, Adam’s insurance would not cover his treatment costs. With no job, family, or friends, he was dying poor and alone.

I followed Dr. L out of the conference room, unsure what would happen next. “Well,” she muttered hesitantly, “We need to make sure that Adam is on the same page as us.” It’s one thing to hear bad news, and another to hear it utterly alone. Dr. L frantically reviewed all of Adam’s paperwork desperately looking for someone to console him, someone to be at his side. As she began to make calls, I saw that being a physician calls for more than good grades and an aptitude for science: it requires maturity, sacrifice, and most of all, empathy. That empathy is exactly what I saw in Dr. L as she went out of her way to comfort a patient she met hardly 20 minutes prior.

Since high school, I’ve been fascinated by technology’s potential to improve healthcare. As a volunteer in [the] Student Ambassador program, I was fortunate enough to watch an open-heart surgery. Intrigued by the confluence of technology and medicine, I chose to study biomedical engineering. At [school], I wanted to help expand this interface, so I became involved with research through Dr. P’s lab by studying the applications of electrospun scaffolds for dermal wound healing. While still in the preliminary stages of research, I learned about the Disability Service Club (DSC) and decided to try something new by volunteering at a bowling outing.

As she began to make calls, I saw that being a physician calls for more than good grades and an aptitude for science: it requires maturity, sacrifice, and most of all, empathy.

The DSC promotes awareness of cognitive disabilities in the community and seeks to alleviate difficulties for the disabled. During one outing, I collaborated with Arc, a local organization with a similar mission. Walking in, I was told that my role was to support the participants by providing encouragement. I decided to help a relatively quiet group of individuals assisted by only one volunteer, Mary. Mary informed me that many individuals with whom I was working were diagnosed with ASD. Suddenly, she started cheering, as one of the members of the group bowled a strike. The group went wild. Everyone was dancing, singing, and rejoicing. Then I noticed one gentleman sitting at our table, solemn-faced. I tried to start a conversation with him, but he remained unresponsive. I sat with him for the rest of the game, trying my hardest to think of questions that would elicit more than a monosyllabic response, but to no avail. As the game ended, I stood up to say bye when he mumbled, “Thanks for talking.” Then he quickly turned his head away. I walked away beaming. Although I was unable to draw out a smile or even sustain a conversation, at the end of the day, the fact that this gentleman appreciated my mere effort completely overshadowed the awkwardness of our time together. Later that day, I realized that as much as I enjoyed the thrill of research and its applications, helping other people was what I was most passionate about.

When it finally came time to tell Adam about his deteriorating condition, I was not sure how he would react. Dr. L gently greeted him and slowly let reality take its toll. He stoically turned towards Dr. L and groaned, “I don’t really care. Just leave me alone.” Dr. L gave him a concerned nod and gradually left the room. We walked to the next room where we met with a pastor from Adam’s church.

“Adam’s always been like that,” remarked the pastor, “he’s never been one to express emotion.” We sat with his pastor for over an hour discussing how we could console Adam. It turned out that Adam was part of a motorcycle club, but recently quit because of his health. So, Dr. L arranged for motorcycle pictures and other small bike trinkets to be brought to his room as a reminder of better times.

Dr. L’s simple gesture reminded me of why I want to pursue medicine. There is something sacred, empowering, about providing support when people need it the most; whether it be simple as starting a conversation, or providing support during the most trying of times. My time spent conducting research kindled my interest in the science of medicine, and my service as a volunteer allowed me to realize how much I valued human interaction. Science and technology form the foundation of medicine, but to me, empathy is the essence. It is my combined interest in science and service that inspires me to pursue medicine. It is that combined interest that makes me aspire to be a physician.

Parker’s essay focuses on one central narrative with a governing theme of compassionate and attentive care for patients, which is the key motivator for her application to medical school. Parker’s story focuses on her volunteer experience shadowing of Dr. L who went the extra mile for Adam, which sets Dr. L up as a role model for Parker as she enters the medical field. This effectively demonstrates to the reader what kind of doctor Parker wants to be in the future.

Parker’s narrative has a clear beginning, middle, and end, making it easy for the reader to follow. She intersperses the main narrative about Adam with experiences she has with other patients and reflects upon her values as she contemplates pursuing medicine as a career. Her anecdote about bowling with the patients diagnosed with ASD is another instance where she uses a story to tell the reader why she values helping people through medicine and attentive patient care, especially as she focuses on the impact her work made on one man at the event.

Parker's story focuses on her volunteer experience shadowing of Dr. L who went the extra mile for Adam, which sets Dr. L up as a role model for Parker as she enters the medical field.

All throughout the essay, the writing is engaging and Parker incorporates excellent imagery, which goes well with her varied sentence structure. The essay is also strong because it comes back full circle at its conclusion, tying the overall narrative back to the story of Dr. L and Adam, which speaks to Parker’s motives for going to medical school.

-- Accepted To: Emory School of Medicine

Growing up, I enjoyed visiting my grandparents. My grandfather was an established doctor, helping the sick and elderly in rural Taiwan until two weeks before he died at 91 years old. His clinic was located on the first floor of the residency with an exam room, treatment room, X-ray room, and small pharmacy. Curious about his work, I would follow him to see his patients. Grandpa often asked me if I want to be a doctor just like him. I always smiled, but was more interested in how to beat the latest Pokémon game. I was in 8th grade when my grandfather passed away. I flew back to Taiwan to attend his funeral. It was a gloomy day and the only street in the small village became a mourning place for the villagers. Flowers filled the streets and people came to pay their respects. An old man told me a story: 60 years ago, a village woman was in a difficult labor. My grandfather rushed into the house and delivered a baby boy. That boy was the old man and he was forever grateful. Stories of grandpa saving lives and bringing happiness to families were told during the ceremony. At that moment, I realized why my grandfather worked so tirelessly up until his death as a physician. He did it for the reward of knowing that he kept a family together and saved a life. The ability for a doctor to heal and bring happiness is the reason why I want to study medicine. Medical school is the first step on a lifelong journey of learning, but I feel that my journey leading up to now has taught me some things of what it means to be an effective physician.

With a newfound purpose, I began volunteering and shadowing at my local hospital. One situation stood out when I was a volunteer in the cardiac stress lab. As I attached EKG leads onto a patient, suddenly the patient collapsed and started gasping for air. His face turned pale, then slightly blue. The charge nurse triggered “Code Blue” and started CPR. A team of doctors and nurses came, rushing in with a defibrillator to treat and stabilize the patient. What I noticed was that medicine was not only about one individual acting as a superhero to save a life, but that it takes a team of individuals with an effective leader, working together to deliver the best care. I want to be a leader as well as part of a team that can make a difference in a person’s life. I have refined these lessons about teamwork and leadership to my activities. In high school I was an 8 time varsity letter winner for swimming and tennis and captain of both of those teams. In college I have participated in many activities, but notably serving as assistant principle cellist in my school symphony as well as being a co-founding member of a quartet. From both my athletic experiences and my music experiences I learned what it was like to not only assert my position as a leader and to effectively communicate my views, but equally as important I learned how to compromise and listen to the opinions of others. Many physicians that I have observed show a unique blend of confidence and humility.

What I noticed was that medicine was not only about one individual acting as a superhero to save a life, but that it takes a team of individuals with an effective leader, working together to deliver the best care.

College opened me up to new perspectives on what makes a complete physician. A concept that was preached in the Guaranteed Professional Program Admissions in Medicine (GPPA) was that medicine is both an art and a science. The art of medicine deals with a variety of aspects including patient relationships as well as ethics. Besides my strong affinity for the sciences and mathematics, I always have had interest in history. I took courses in both German literature and history, which influenced me to take a class focusing on Nazi neuroscientists. It was the ideology of seeing the disabled and different races as test subjects rather than people that led to devastating lapses in medical ethics. The most surprising fact for me was that doctors who were respected and leaders in their field disregarded the humanity of patient and rather focused on getting results from their research. Speaking with Dr. Zeidman, the professor for this course, influenced me to start my research which deals with the ethical qualms of using data derived from unethical Nazi experimentation such as the brains derived from the adult and child euthanasia programs. Today, science is so result driven, it is important to keep in mind the ethics behind research and clinical practice. Also the development of personalized genomic medicine brings into question about potential privacy violations and on the extreme end discrimination. The study of ethics no matter the time period is paramount in the medical field. The end goal should always be to put the patient first.

Teaching experiences in college inspired me to become a physician educator if I become a doctor. Post-MCAT, I was offered a job by Next Step Test Prep as a tutor to help students one on one for the MCAT. I had a student who stated he was doing well during practice, but couldn’t get the correct answer during practice tests. Working with the student, I pointed out his lack of understanding concepts and this realization helped him and improves his MCAT score. Having the ability to educate the next generation of doctors is not only necessary, but also a rewarding experience.

My experiences volunteering and shadowing doctors in the hospital as well as my understanding of what it means to be a complete physician will make me a good candidate as a medical school student. It is my goal to provide the best care to patients and to put a smile on a family’s face just as my grandfather once had. Achieving this goal does not take a special miracle, but rather hard work, dedication, and an understanding of what it means to be an effective physician.

Through reflecting on various stages of life, Quinn expresses how they found purpose in pursuing medicine. Starting as a child more interested in Pokemon than their grandfather’s patients, Quinn exhibits personal growth through recognizing the importance of their grandfather’s work saving lives and eventually gaining the maturity to work towards this goal as part of a team.

This essay opens with abundant imagery — of the grandfather’s clinic, flowers filling the streets, and the village woman’s difficult labor — which grounds Quinn’s story in their family roots. Yet, the transition from shadowing in hospitals to pursuing leadership positions in high schools is jarring, and the list of athletic and musical accomplishments reads like a laundry list of accomplishments until Quinn neatly wraps them up as evidence of leadership and teamwork skills. Similarly, the section about tutoring, while intended to demonstrate Quinn’s desire to educate future physicians, lacks the emotional resonance necessary to elevate it from another line lifted from their resume.

This essay opens with abundant imagery — of the grandfather's clinic, flowers filling the streets, and the village woman's difficult labor — which grounds Quinn's story in their family roots.

The strongest point of Quinn’s essay is the focus on their unique arts and humanities background. This equips them with a unique perspective necessary to consider issues in medicine in a new light. Through detailing how history and literature coursework informed their unique research, Quinn sets their application apart from the multitude of STEM-focused narratives. Closing the essay with the desire to help others just as their grandfather had, Quinn ties the narrative back to their personal roots.

-- Accepted To: Edinburgh University UCAT Score: 2810 BMAT Score: 4.6, 4.2, 3.5A

Exposure to the medical career from an early age by my father, who would explain diseases of the human body, sparked my interest for Medicine and drove me to seek out work experience. I witnessed the contrast between use of bone saws and drills to gain access to the brain, with subsequent use of delicate instruments and microscopes in neurosurgery. The surgeon's care to remove the tumour, ensuring minimal damage to surrounding healthy brain and his commitment to achieve the best outcome for the patient was inspiring. The chance to have such a positive impact on a patient has motivated me to seek out a career in Medicine.

Whilst shadowing a surgical team in Texas, carrying out laparoscopic bariatric procedures, I appreciated the surgeon's dedication to continual professional development and research. I was inspired to carry out an Extended Project Qualification on whether bariatric surgery should be funded by the NHS. By researching current literature beyond my school curriculum, I learnt to assess papers for bias and use reliable sources to make a conclusion on a difficult ethical situation. I know that doctors are required to carry out research and make ethical decisions and so, I want to continue developing these skills during my time at medical school.

The chance to have such a positive impact on a patient has motivated me to seek out a career in Medicine.

Attending an Oncology multi-disciplinary team meeting showed me the importance of teamwork in medicine. I saw each team member, with specific areas of expertise, contributing to the discussion and actively listening, and together they formed a holistic plan of action for patients. During my Young Enterprise Award, I facilitated a brainstorm where everyone pitched a product idea. Each member offered a different perspective on the idea and then voted on a product to carry forward in the competition. As a result, we came runners up in the Regional Finals. Furthermore, I started developing my leadership skills, which I improved by doing Duke of Edinburgh Silver and attending a St. John Ambulance Leadership course. In one workshop, similar to the bariatric surgeon I shadowed, I communicated instructions and delegated roles to my team to successfully solve a puzzle. These experiences highlighted the crucial need for teamwork and leadership as a doctor.

Observing a GP, I identified the importance of compassion and empathy. During a consultation with a severely depressed patient, the GP came to the patient's eye level and used a calm, non-judgmental tone of voice, easing her anxieties and allowing her to disclose more information. While volunteering at a care home weekly for two years, I adapted my communication for a resident suffering with dementia who was disconnected from others. I would take her to a quiet environment, speak slowly and in a non-threatening manner, as such, she became talkative, engaged and happier. I recognised that communication and compassion allows doctors to build rapport, gain patients' trust and improve compliance. For two weeks, I shadowed a surgeon performing multiple craniotomies a day. I appreciated the challenges facing doctors including time and stress management needed to deliver high quality care. Organisation, by prioritising patients based on urgency and creating a timetable on the ward round, was key to running the theatre effectively. Similarly, I create to-do-lists and prioritise my academics and extra-curricular activities to maintain a good work-life balance: I am currently preparing for my Grade 8 in Singing, alongside my A-level exams. I also play tennis for the 1st team to relax and enable me to refocus. I wish to continue my hobbies at university, as ways to manage stress.

Through my work experiences and voluntary work, I have gained a realistic understanding of Medicine and its challenges. I have begun to display the necessary skills that I witnessed, such as empathy, leadership and teamwork. The combination of these skills with my fascination for the human body drives me to pursue a place at medical school and a career as a doctor.

This essay traces Alex's personal exploration of medicine through different stages of life, taking a fairly traditional path to the medical school application essay. From witnessing medical procedures to eventually pursuing leadership positions, this tale of personal progress argues that Alex's life has prepared him to become a doctor.

Alex details how experiences conducting research and working with medical teams have confirmed his interest in medicine. Although the breadth of experiences speaks to the applicant’s interest in medicine, the essay verges on being a regurgitation of the Alex's resume, which does not provide the admissions officer with any new insights or information and ultimately takes away from the essay as a whole. As such, the writing’s lack of voice or unique perspective puts the applicant at risk of sounding middle-of-the-road.

From witnessing medical procedures to eventually pursuing leadership positions, this tale of personal progress argues that Alex's life has prepared him to become a doctor.

The essay’s organization, however, is one of its strengths — each paragraph provides an example of personal growth through a new experience in medicine. Further, Alex demonstrates his compassion and diligence through detailed stories, which give a reader a glimpse into his values. Through recognizing important skills necessary to be a doctor, Alex demonstrates that he has the mature perspective necessary to embark upon this journey.

What this essay lacks in a unique voice, it makes up for in professionalism and organization. Alex's earnest desire to attend medical school is what makes this essay shine.

-- Accepted To: University of Toronto MCAT Scores: Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems - 128, Critical Analysis and Reading Skills - 127, Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems - 127, Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior - 130, Total - 512

Moment of brilliance.

Revelation.

These are all words one would use to describe their motivation by a higher calling to achieve something great. Such an experience is often cited as the reason for students to become physicians; I was not one of these students. Instead of waiting for an event like this, I chose to get involved in the activities that I found most invigorating. Slowly but surely, my interests, hobbies, and experiences inspired me to pursue medicine.

As a medical student, one must possess a solid academic foundation to facilitate an understanding of physical health and illness. Since high school, I found science courses the most appealing and tended to devote most of my time to their exploration. I also enjoyed learning about the music, food, literature, and language of other cultures through Latin and French class. I chose the Medical Sciences program because it allowed for flexibility in course selection. I have studied several scientific disciplines in depth like physiology and pathology while taking classes in sociology, psychology, and classical studies. Such a diverse academic portfolio has strengthened my ability to consider multiple viewpoints and attack problems from several angles. I hope to relate to patients from all walks of life as a physician and offer them personalized treatment.

I was motivated to travel as much as possible by learning about other cultures in school. Exposing myself to different environments offered me perspective on universal traits that render us human. I want to pursue medicine because I believe that this principle of commonality relates to medical practice in providing objective and compassionate care for all. Combined with my love for travel, this realization took me to Nepal with Volunteer Abroad (VA) to build a school for a local orphanage (4). The project’s demands required a group of us to work closely as a team to accomplish the task. Rooted in different backgrounds, we often had conflicting perspectives; even a simple task such as bricklaying could stir up an argument because each person had their own approach. However, we discussed why we came to Nepal and reached the conclusion that all we wanted was to build a place of education for the children. Our unifying goal allowed us to reach compromises and truly appreciate the value of teamwork. These skills are vital in a clinical setting, where physicians and other health care professionals need to collaborate as a multidisciplinary team to tackle patients’ physical, emotional, social, and psychological problems.

I hope to relate to patients from all walks of life as a physician and offer them personalized treatment.

The insight I gained from my Nepal excursion encouraged me to undertake and develop the role of VA campus representative (4). Unfortunately, many students are not equipped with the resources to volunteer abroad; I raised awareness about local initiatives so everyone had a chance to do their part. I tried to avoid pushing solely for international volunteerism for this reason and also because it can undermine the work of local skilled workers and foster dependency. Nevertheless, I took on this position with VA because I felt that the potential benefits were more significant than the disadvantages. Likewise, doctors must constantly weigh out the pros and cons of a situation to help a patient make the best choice. I tried to dispel fears of traveling abroad by sharing first-hand experiences so that students could make an informed decision. When people approached me regarding unfamiliar placements, I researched their questions and provided them with both answers and a sense of security. I found great fulfillment in addressing the concerns of individuals, and I believe that similar processes could prove invaluable in the practice of medicine.

As part of the Sickkids Summer Research Program, I began to appreciate the value of experimental investigation and evidence-based medicine (23). Responsible for initiating an infant nutrition study at a downtown clinic, I was required to explain the project’s implications and daily protocol to physicians, nurses and phlebotomists. I took anthropometric measurements and blood pressure of children aged 1-10 and asked parents about their and their child’s diet, television habits, physical exercise regimen, and sunlight exposure. On a few occasions, I analyzed and presented a small set of data to my superiors through oral presentations and written documents.

With continuous medical developments, physicians must participate in lifelong learning. More importantly, they can engage in research to further improve the lives of their patients. I encountered a young mother one day at the clinic struggling to complete the study’s questionnaires. After I asked her some questions, she began to open up to me as her anxiety subsided; she then told me that her child suffered from low iron. By talking with the physician and reading a few articles, I recommended a few supplements and iron-rich foods to help her child. This experience in particular helped me realize that I enjoy clinical research and strive to address the concerns of people with whom I interact.

Research is often impeded by a lack of government and private funding. My clinical placement motivated me to become more adept in budgeting, culminating in my role as founding Co-President of the UWO Commerce Club (ICCC) (9). Together, fellow club executives and I worked diligently to get the club ratified, a process that made me aware of the bureaucratic challenges facing new organizations. Although we had a small budget, we found ways of minimizing expenditure on advertising so that we were able to host more speakers who lectured about entrepreneurship and overcoming challenges. Considering the limited space available in hospitals and the rising cost of health care, physicians, too, are often forced to prioritize and manage the needs of their patients.

No one needs a grand revelation to pursue medicine. Although passion is vital, it is irrelevant whether this comes suddenly from a life-altering event or builds up progressively through experience. I enjoyed working in Nepal, managing resources, and being a part of clinical and research teams; medicine will allow me to combine all of these aspects into one wholesome career.

I know with certainty that this is the profession for me.

Jimmy opens this essay hinting that his essay will follow a well-worn path, describing the “big moment” that made him realize why he needed to become a physician. But Jimmy quickly turns the reader’s expectation on its head by stating that he did not have one of those moments. By doing this, Jimmy commands attention and has the reader waiting for an explanation. He soon provides the explanation that doubles as the “thesis” of his essay: Jimmy thinks passion can be built progressively, and Jimmy’s life progression has led him to the medical field.

Jimmy did not make the decision to pursue a career in medicine lightly. Instead he displays through anecdotes that his separate passions — helping others, exploring different walks of life, personal responsibility, and learning constantly, among others — helped Jimmy realize that being a physician was the career for him. By talking readers through his thought process, it is made clear that Jimmy is a critical thinker who can balance multiple different perspectives simultaneously. The ability to evaluate multiple options and make an informed, well-reasoned decision is one that bodes well for Jimmy’s medical career.

While in some cases this essay does a lot of “telling,” the comprehensive and decisive walkthrough indicates what Jimmy’s idea of a doctor is. To him, a doctor is someone who is genuinely interested in his work, someone who can empathize and related to his patients, someone who can make important decisions with a clear head, and someone who is always trying to learn more. Just like his decision to work at the VA, Jimmy has broken down the “problem” (what his career should be) and reached a sound conclusion.

By talking readers through his thought process, it is made clear that Jimmy is a critical thinker who can balance multiple different perspectives simultaneously.

Additionally, this essay communicates Jimmy’s care for others. While it is not always advisable to list one’s volunteer efforts, each activity Jimmy lists has a direct application to his essay. Further, the sheer amount of philanthropic work that Jimmy does speaks for itself: Jimmy would not have worked at VA, spent a summer with Sickkids, or founded the UWO finance club if he were not passionate about helping others through medicine. Like the VA story, the details of Jimmy’s participation in Sickkids and the UWO continue to show how he has thought about and embodied the principles that a physician needs to be successful.

Jimmy’s essay both breaks common tropes and lives up to them. By framing his “list” of activities with his passion-happens-slowly mindset, Jimmy injects purpose and interest into what could have been a boring and braggadocious essay if it were written differently. Overall, this essay lets the reader know that Jimmy is seriously dedicated to becoming a physician, and both his thoughts and his actions inspire confidence that he will give medical school his all.

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Best Medical Essay Topics for Students & Expert Writing Tips

#i',$content, -1); --> table of contents medical topics for essay: the essentials medical essay topics: how to choose a good one 15 strong medical argumentative essay topics some interesting medical ethics topics for essay the most relevant medical persuasive essay topics top medical research essay topics to save you time good medical assistant essay topics writing a modern medical education essay can be an effective way of communicating information, discussing research findings, or educating others about important topics related to health and healthcare. in this 5-minute read, we’ll go over the essentials to help you write a very organized and insightful nursing paper, as well as offer an extensive list of fresh medical essay topics that will make your paper outstanding. medical topics for essay: the essentials.

A nursing essay is an academic writing assignment that aims to demonstrate your knowledge throughout the application process for nursing school, a nursing program, or during your years as a medical student. Essay writing for nurses is also a great way to advance careers and emphasize critical issues or exceptional cases.

• Admission/Application Essay
• Admission Editing
• Admission Proofreading
• Annotated Bibliography
• Argumentative essay
• Article paraphrasing
• Article review
• Book Report/Review
• Business plan
• Capstone Project
• Concept map
• Concept paper
• Conference Paper
• Critical review
• Custom List of Topics
• Data analysis
• Defence Presentation
• Discussion Post
• Dissertation
• Dissertation Chapter - Abstract
• Dissertation Chapter - Discussion
• Dissertation Chapter - Introduction Chapter
• Dissertation Chapter - Literature Review
• Dissertation Chapter - Methodology
• Dissertation Chapter - Results
• Dissertation revision
• Evidence-based practice paper
• Exam Answers
• Grant proposal
• Interview essay
• Letter of recommendation
• Literature review
• Literature review outline
• Marketing plan
• Math Problem
• Multiple Choice Questions
• Non-word assignment
• Nursing care plan
• Nursing teaching plan
• Paraphrasing
• Personal Statement
• PICO/PICOT Questions
• PowerPoint Presentation Plain
• PowerPoint Presentation with Speaker Notes
• Problem solution
• Proofreading
• Quality improvement project
• Reaction paper
• Reflection paper
• Reflective Journal
• Research Paper
• Research Proposal
• Retyping (PDF / PNG / Handwriting to Word)
• Scholarship Essay
• Scoping review
• Shadow health assessment
• Statistical Analysis
• Statistics Project
• Swot-analysis
• Systematic review
• Thesis chapter - Background
• Thesis chapter - Conclusion & future works
• Thesis chapter - Implementation
• Thesis chapter - Introduction
• Thesis chapter - Other (not listed above)
• Thesis chapter - Results & evaluation
• Thesis chapter - Theory & problem statement
• Thesis literature review
• Thesis Proposal
• Thesis revision
• Topic Suggestion
• Topic Suggestion + Summary + References

Here’s how to write a good health essay step by step:

• Choose a topic that aligns with your subject matter or interest in nursing.
• Conduct thorough research to have a strong foundation for your paper.
• Develop a clear, concise thesis statement.
• Create a detailed outline that arranges the information consistently.
• Write a compelling introduction that gives background on the subject.
• Develop body paragraphs that focus on particular issues related to your thesis.
• Support all claims with valid evidence and cite sources using a suitable citation style (e.g., MLA, APA).
• Craft a thoughtful conclusion that sums up the key points examined in the paper and restates the thesis.

Last but not least, use clear and concise language to convey your ideas, and always take the time to proofread the completed paper and ensure it meets the provided guidelines.

Medical Essay Topics: How to Choose a Good One

These are some of ​​the most effective tips for selecting a topic for any essay, including a nursing one:

• Think of the nursing essay topics you find interesting.
• Check for possible resources to base your paper on; ensure there’s plenty available.
• Make sure the topic is not too specific, as it will be harder to research.
• Ensure it’s broad enough to tackle lots of ideas and thoughts.
• Review samples online to find some inspiration.
• Ask a friend or someone from your institution to brainstorm medical topics for essay with you.
• Now that we’ve covered the fundamentals, let’s take a look at the best fifteen argumentative medical essay topics available today.

15 Strong Medical Argumentative Essay Topics

The medical argumentative essay topics below were hand-selected by our best experts in the field, so you can quickly get started with your paper.

• Should insurance cover holistic treatments?
• Recent advances in stem cell research and ethical issues.
• Gene editing: ethical implications.
• Vaccination: public health necessity or infringement on personal liberty?
• AI in healthcare and its potential risks and benefits.
• Which way to treat mental health issues is better: psychotherapy or medication?
• The effects of genetically modified foods on population health.
• Who should be held accountable for childhood obesity?
• Cosmetic surgery: a personal preference or a necessity?
• Should organ donation be made compulsory or remain voluntary?
• The right to try experimental drugs: a humanitarian act or a dangerous business?
• Opioid dependence vs. patient autonomy in chronic pain management.
• What are the short-term and long-term effects of prenatal drug exposure?
• Ethical aspects of human cloning.
• Is animal-assisted therapy a pseudoscience or an efficient treatment?

Next, we’ll cover medical ethics essay topics that offer room to build a strong argument and support it with research.

Some Interesting Medical Ethics Topics for Essay

This list of medical ethics topics for essay can help you narrow down your choices and find the one that is both relevant to your studies and interesting:

• The implications of pregnancy termination due to a genetic condition.
• The ethical side of using social media in medicine.
• Should minors have access to birth control without parental consent?
• Is it ethical to test potentially dangerous medication on animals?
• Should technology be used to do open-heart surgery?
• Should artificial intelligence be used to reduce human errors?
• Donation of organs and ethnic preference.
• What are the ethical implications of active euthanasia and physician-assisted one?
• Learning nursing by incorporating handheld devices.
• Is it ethical to obtain patient-specific information for predictive analysis?
• The global disparities in medical ethics.
• The implications of genetically modified animals.
• Models of ethical decision-making in counseling.
• John Stuart Mill and Immanuel Kant’s moral theories.
• The 9/11 attack’s impact on the ethics.

Now let’s move on to persuasive essay medical topics that will definitely impress your professor.

The Most Relevant Medical Persuasive Essay Topics

We’ve combed through several lists of medical persuasive essay topics to provide you with 15 that are relevant, simple, and current:

• Does technology positively or negatively impact people’s mental health and well-being?
• Are genetically modified crops good or bad for society?
• Can science assist people with physical limitations in living better lives?
• The influence of mental health disorders on the community.
• Is infertility connected to couples’ stress levels and poor lifestyle choices?
• Is obesity a result of the food business?
• Is biohacking healthy?
• Are genetically modified foods harmful to our health?
• Can crystal healing help improve our physical and mental health?
• Should broad-use drugs have a 20-year patent?
• Do needle exchange programs help limit the transmission of blood-borne infections?
• Is bone marrow transplantation helpful for patients with blood cancer?
• Do contraceptive pills pose risks?
• Can food allergies cause behavior problems?
• Should dental insurance be required for everyone?

More interested in controversial medical essay topics? Below, you’ll find a collection of specially selected ones so you can find something that is ideal for you.

Best Controversial Medical Essay Topics for Discussion

Another sign of great medical research essay topics is that they leave no one indifferent. Let’s see what ideas you can develop for further discussion.

• Is there any connection between poverty and poor health?
• What factors influence healthcare costs in the U.S.?
• Should the government provide free health care to people without homes?
• Is the cost of healthcare in the United States reasonable?
• Is it necessary to urge patients to begin utilizing homeopathy?
• What donor system is better: opt-in or opt-out?
• Should uninsured persons be given access to healthcare?
• Should euthanasia be made illegal?
• Should surrogacy be utilized on demand or solely for medical reasons?
• Is womb transplanting a viable surrogacy option?
• Should someone be rejected for an organ transplant just because they lead an unhealthy lifestyle?
• Should abortion be legalized?
• Should newborn vaccination be mandatory?
• Should doctors be permitted to promote certain medicinal products?
• Should there be legal consequences for medical mistakes?

In case you’re doing research, the medical essay topics discussed in the next section might come in handy, so check them out now!

Top Medical Research Essay Topics to Save You Time

We’ve spent hours researching current trends in health research so that we can provide you with the best research ideas for your paper. And here’s the result:

• The placebo effect in homeopathic treatments.
• Pandemics vs. epidemics.
• Vaccination: risks vs. benefits.
• Communication problems caused by deafness.
• Diseases brought on by a lack of physical activity.
• Urban pollution’s impact on respiratory diseases.
• Causes of the rising number of cancer cases.
• The most recent medical device advancements.
• Natural coma vs. induced coma.
• Terrorism’s impact on mental health.
• Electronic health record systems: pros and cons.
• Causes and consequences of heart attacks.
• Quality of patient care in public vs. private hospitals.
• Chemotherapy and its effects on the body.
• Causes and predispositions to anxiety disorders.

Lastly, let’s take a quick look at some of the most compelling medical assistant essay topics. Using any of them will help you produce an exceptional paper.

Good Medical Assistant Essay Topics

When it comes to choosing medical assistant topics, you need something meaningful. Hover over these examples to spot the fitting idea for your essay:

• Is medical assistant a rewarding career?
• The role of medical assistants in preventive healthcare.
• Reflection on a specialized clinical procedure.
• Milestones and pitfalls of being an anesthesiologist assistant.
• Ethical considerations of medical assistance.
• The role of medical assistants in intravenous therapy.
• Medical assistant qualities.
• The contribution of assistants to chronic disease management.
• The advantages and disadvantages of being a clinical assistant.
• Professional development opportunities for medical assistants.
• Cultural competence in medical assisting.
• Consequences of working outside of the legal scope of practice.
• Technological advancements in medical assisting.
• The impact of COVID-19 on medical assistant practice.
• Trends and innovations in medical assisting.

We hope these ideas will help you find a suitable area to cover. In case you need any further assistance with your paper or want to get more great topics, our medical essay writing service is here for you 24/7!

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40 Medical Argumentative Essay Topics – Tips & Ideas

Published by Jamie Walker at September 16th, 2022 , Revised On July 10, 2023

A good augmentative essay presents opposing viewpoints and allows the reader to decide which perspective is more attractive and powerful. However, the first step for you is to select an exciting topic for your medical essay. In most cases, you will be provided with the title by your tutor, but on rare occasions, you will be asked to come up with your own topic.

If you are finding it difficult to come up with medical argumentative essay topics, you are not alone because many students struggle with this aspect of academic research. Here are some 40 interesting and unique medical essay topics that you can consider for your medical essay. Our advice: choose a topic that motivates and interests you.

On the other hand, if you cannot get started due to any unforeseen circumstances, take advantage of our essay writing service UK . 

Intriguing Medical Argumentative Essay Topics.

Below are a few intriguing medical argumentative essay topics . The subjects covered in these courses have been thoroughly researched and offer a chance to gain a deeper understanding of the medical field. You can easily get sidetracked by research and fall behind on your writing if you are not aware of the time constraints. So, make sure to take care of that. 

• The role of stem cells in reducing mortality, particularly in patients with cardiac problems.
• How close are researchers to developing a treatment for cystic fibrosis?
• Define inflammation of the bowels and the measures taken to treat it. The function of food in medicine.
• Is it true that being obese or overweight increases your risk of developing diabetes or heart attack?
• What risk are pet owners posing to the general public by failing to clean up their dog’s waste?
• Can your body odour provide health-related information? Examine such smells and debate whether they are a reliable indicator of a patient’s disease or not.
• Methods for lowering infant mortality rates in developing nations.
• Are health campaigns useful strategies for preventing and controlling disease? Should the use of antibiotics be systematically and carefully regulated?
• The biggest threat to American health in the twenty-first century is mental illness. Discuss
• Is it possible to suggest that social variables impact how people live?
• Should surrogacy be limited to necessary situations due to a medical condition?
• Do you concur that hazardous industrial waste poses a threat to human life?
• Can it be said that rejecting religions is a mental illness?
• Is the disparity in the quality of healthcare services being given in the UK being widened by digital technology?
• Should government organisations be the only ones who decide on and control medical research funding?
• What impact does the development of health care have on electronic patient data?
• How should school health services be set up to properly assist the student?
• Why aren’t educational institutions and health care able to offer the support needed in trying circumstances?
• How Does Regular Nursing Training Affect Patient Satisfaction?
• Should public health initiatives promoting regular checkups and disease prevention be considered a top priority for healthcare funding?
• Is the UK’s healthcare system less effective due to the Affordable Care Act?
• Would patients have a say in how they pass away?
• Should the government’s healthcare programme include alternative therapies?
• Which human rights can have an impact on the idea of public health?
• What are the medical measures necessary to lower mortality brought on by the heat?
• How can health care accept it? What kind of living circumstances should each individual have for their health to be normal?
• What measures does health care take to fight chronic diseases?
• Do some healthcare providers benefit more from the UK tax overhaul at the expense of others?
• The use of 3D printing in medicine is expanding. Discuss how.
• What makes Pfizer’s case involving the equipment used to treat arthritis special?
• How are medical students prepared to use technology to heal?
• Traditional medicine versus smart technology.
• How can coronavirus-infected rural hospitals manage without the required tools?
• How does technology assist in cancer organ transplants?
• Why can’t doctors adapt to modern medical technology?
• What must be done by the medical community to provide all hospitals with cutting-edge technology?
• Do patients have more choices in selecting between chemical and natural medicines?
• How can genetic engineering be permitted as a treatment for terminal illnesses?
• Does marijuana be considered a prescribed medication for managing pain?

Fear of failing the essay? Get help from an expert!

We make sure our essays are:

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How to Write an Essay on a Medical Argumentative Topic?

To write an argumentative essay, you must avoid narrations and lame ideas since argumentative essay writing relies on reasoning.

Don’t forget to include relevant textual information or supporting evidence, and remember to create an outline for the argumentative essay .

A proposal describing your topic choice and its justification should be presented before you begin writing an argumentative piece. In most cases, it refers to the opening paragraph.

The author of the argumentative essay must support his previous proposal with evidence in the subsequent paragraphs. Here, the rationale behind this claim is defended.

It is also important to provide a variety of viewpoints in the argumentative paragraph.

There must be a conclusion to the argument text. Closure refers to the final sentence of an article and should be used until the end.

A writer must be able to communicate clearly, accurately, and concisely. Don’t overuse complex words, and use acceptable phrases. In addition, it is much better to include and properly credit the ideas of reputable authors since they help to keep what is discussed afloat. Readers will then be able to understand the author’s viewpoint and form their conclusions.

Read: How to write an first-class essay

If you have knowledge of the subject, you will not have any difficulty coming up with strong arguments. When it comes to persuading your readers, it is best to prepare yourself in advance with reasons. The best ones may be chosen by making a list of them and analysing them.

Currently, you have access to a wide range of resources for writing argumentative essays. You can even take inspiration and ideas from the list of medical argumentative essay topics mentioned above.

How to write an argumentative essay on medical?

Choose a debatable medical topic, gather evidence from credible sources, present a clear thesis statement, and support your arguments with logical reasoning and persuasive language in your essay.

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100+ Medical Research Paper Topics for Students

The medical field is vast and rich, so choosing a medical topic for a research paper is easy. However, the abundance of medical topics to research can also make choosing the “best” one a daunting task. Medical research topics are about drugs and their interactions and those expounding on the root causes of diseases. There are a variety of topics in medicine to discuss, spanning the different angles of the field, including medical social issues research topics .

Tips for Choosing the Best Research Topics in Medicine

Best topics for medical research paper, great research health topics on genetics for an a+ paper, interesting healthcare research topics, research topics in healthcare: pediatric medicine, anatomical research topics for healthcare to write on, amazing health care topics to write about, top medical research paper topics today, medical research papers topics on public health, audience attention-grabbing medical topics for research paper, interesting medical topics to research on, interesting medical topics for presentation, healthcare research topics for college students.

If you find it difficult to choose a medical research topic for your paper, that is to be expected. This article will give you 100+ medical research topics to work on, spanning different aspects of medicine. However, before that, we will show you how to select the best-med research topics. Whether you’re looking for argumentative essay topics or anatomy research paper topics , there is no dearth of medical research topics.

Choosing a research topic, even if it’s an interesting thesis statement about social media , is often more challenging than the actual writing. To be able to do justice to these medical research topics, you need to choose topics that inspire you. Below are our A+ tips for choosing the best medical topics to write about:

• Choose medicine research topics you are interested in; whether you’re working on economics research paper topics or biochemistry topics , personal interest is vital.
• Choose a few med research topics first; then, sift through scholarly articles to get updated with the latest medical developments and issues.
• Understand the why, how, and what of your research; how will it contribute to the existing knowledge body?
• Choose healthcare research topics that are neither general nor too narrow; there should be sufficient research scope.
• Choose a significant medical research topic for you and your chosen career path.

You’re close to a breakthrough now that you know what factors to consider when choosing health topics to research. There are many places to get inspiration, including research topics on medicine. Below, we have compiled some of the best research topics in health.

• The genetics of epilepsy
• Clinical genetic research malpractice
• The concept of reverse genetics in creating vaccines
• GNE myopathy: therapies
• Brain imaging
• Genes behind juvenile idiopathic arthritis
• How screenings help gynecologic cancer prevention
• Drug addiction: the genetics
• Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease: exploring the genetic similarities
• Genetic factors in HIV
• Telehealth: meaning and benefits
• Eating disorders
• Staying healthy while studying
• Health fraud
• Occupation diseases: how are they classified?
• Effective measures to help reduce sports injuries
• Safe use of medical devices
• Is mental disorder curable?
• Causative diseases of B vitamins deficiency
• Regular exercise and heart health
• Non-therapeutic ADHD medication use in children
• Type 1 diabetes in children: effective management
• Movement disorders in children
• Secondhand smoking: its effect on children
• Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
• Children exposed to meningitis
• Autism in children
• How exposure to air pollution affects prenatal
• Diagnosis and management of childhood asthma
• Prevention strategies for obesity in children
• Human microbial ecology: the latest discoveries
• How to attenuate arthritic bone tissue destruction
• Brain changes in stroke survivors
• Cancer effect on bone marrow
• Effective diagnostic methods of endometriosis
• Photoperiodic changes and their effect on brainstem volume
• The crystal structure of human enamel
• Measuring musculoskeletal and neuromuscular function
• Extensor hallucis longus in hallux pathology
• Obesity and knee osteoarthritis
• Pandemic vs. epidemic
• The placebo effect of homeopathic medicine
• Causes and treatment for virus infection
• Brain injuries
• Chronic diseases
• Alzheimer’s
• Effects of circumcision
• Medical approaches to abortion
• Legalization of marijuana for medicine
• Effect of environmental changes on human health
• Urban pollution and respiratory diseases: exploring the relationship
• Communication disorders
• Why are cancer cases increasing?
• Latest developments in HIV/AIDs
• Medical tools and instruments: latest innovations
• Effect of terrorism on mental health
• Insulin resistance
• Genetic engineering
• Adverse effects of smoking on vital organs
• Developments in breast cancer research
• Management principle of healthcare professionals
• Private hospitals vs. public hospitals
• Who should be held responsible for surgery failures?
• The anti-vaccine movement
• Cancer treatments: estimated costs
• Hospital administration and their legal responsibilities
• The upside to national healthcare systems
• Anxiety disorders: causes and treatment
• Public policies on mental health
• Treatment of childhood trauma in public healthcare systems
• Schizophrenia
• Anorexia vs. Bulimia
• Postpartum depression
• The mental health of rape victims
• Side effects of chemotherapy
• Child vaccination programs: benefits and limitations
• Medical internships: the benefits
• Use of AI in medicine
• Doctors’ roles vs. nurses’ roles
• Poor sanitation: management in developing countries
• Sleep paralysis
• Vaccination: benefits and side effects
• Eating disorders: causes and remedies
• Sexual organ transplantation
• Challenges in biomedical research
• The importance of the lymphatic system
• Functions of thyroid glands on the body
• The digestive system
• The developmental stages of the human muscular system
• Antibiotic resistance
• Effects of air pollution on health
• Aging: biological effects
• Contraception
• Surrogacy vs. artificial insemination
• Causative diseases for hair loss
• Effect or non-effect of alcohol on the bone marrow
• Tongue disorders
• Understanding when chest pain becomes severe
• The relationship between diabetes and eye problems
• Alternative medicine and complementary medicine: is one better than the other?
• The reversal potentials of diabetic nerve damage
• Thrombocytopenia: do they cause bleeding disorders?
• Does one’s ethnic group influence one’s susceptibility to metabolic syndrome?
• Mandating flu vaccination for health workers

There are thousands of ideas and angles to explore in the medical field. With the 100+ interesting medical topics for the research papers that we have provided, you have options to work with. The tips for choosing a topic can also help you sift through research topics for STEM students , among others, to choose the best.

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How to Tackle Seven-Year Medical Program Essays

In recent years, guaranteed-admission medical programs have exploded in popularity. These programs allow students to apply for a guaranteed place in medical school right out of high school. Often, these programs will include compressed undergraduate degree timelines that reduce the total time requirement by one to two years, leading to so-called seven- and eight-year medical programs. These programs have grown increasingly competitive, and acceptance rates are often lower than undergraduate acceptance rates at Ivy League schools.

In addition to the Common App essays (for the latest info, check out our blog post How to Write the Common Application Essays 2017-2018 ), these specialized programs often require applicants to write separate essays specific to the medical program. The majority of these essays can be grouped into one of two categories.

Either they ask the applicant why he or she wants to be a doctor, or they ask the applicant to address why he or she wants to attend the undergraduate and medical school in the program in addition to detailing the reasons behind their desire to be a doctor. The essays for Case Western’s Pre-Professional Scholars Program (in medicine), as well as for Rutgers Newark’s BA/MD program are presented below as representative archetypes for each style of essay.

We spoke with CollegeVine co-founder and essay specialist Vinay Bhaskara, who was accepted into seven-year medical programs last year about how he would approach these essays.

Case Western Essay Prompt

By applying to the Pre-Professional Scholars Program, you are applying to gain admission to professional school earlier than students who apply in the traditional way. Please indicate why you’re interested in your chosen profession. How do you see yourself being particularly suited to this field? What events and/or experiences have led you to your choice? This essay should be between 250 and 500 words in length.

Rutgers Essay Prompts

Part I. Discuss why you are interested in pursuing a career in medicine. (150 words) Part II. Describe your health-related volunteer experiences and the time devoted to them. (150 words) Provide supporting documentation in your portfolio from a supervisor, coordinator, etc. Part III. Discuss what has attracted you to apply to Rutgers University-Newark College of Arts & Sciences, apart from the BA/MD program. (150 words) Part IV. Discuss why you are specifically interested in attending Rutgers New Jersey Medical School (NJMS) over other medical schools. (150 words)

Addressing ‘Why Medicine’ in Medical Program Essays

Vinay: The critical thing to remember here is that success in medicine is the synthesis of two equally important factors: a passion for science and a passion for serving humanity. Medical care is not just about being able to recognize symptoms, make a diagnosis, and prescribe the correct course of treatment, it’s also about the second word in that phrase — being able to care for patients and make sure that their emotional state improves alongside the physical healing. These are the core themes that you must communicate with your essay.

The science side of the ledger is relatively easy to describe. You can approach it from the pure science aspect of a passion for biology or biochemistry. If you choose to highlight biology, be sure to research the various biological subfields, such as genetics, neuroscience, et al. and pick the one for which you feel the most affinity.

This approach can also be enhanced by descriptions of your work in a non-class lab environment if you have it. Such experience is advisable for applicants to seven-year programs, though not absolutely essential. Another approach to discussing the academic aspects of medicine is to talk about your passion for the analytic problem-solving that medicine necessitates.

On the passion-for-serving-humanity side, the best approach is to refer to a patient care experience (typically either volunteering at a hospital, nursing home, or clinic, shadowing a physician, or [ideally] both), and relate a specific anecdote from that experience that stuck with you. Using that anecdote as a base, you would then transition into a discussion of how that has inspired you to pursue medicine and heal people.

If you lack patient care experience, the next option is to draw on volunteer or charity exposure (outside of medicine) and follow the same pattern of an anecdote or reflection.

If you don’t have any of these experiences either, a third possibility is to draw on experiences with a family member or friend who dealt with severe health problems and discuss how that experience affected and inspired you. If you don’t have any strong examples of any of these three cases, you can still discuss and analyze a passion for the non-academic aspects of medicine, but it will not have as much substance backing it.

Justifying the Undergraduate and Medical Schools

These parts of the essay are not as important relatively speaking, but you still must make sure that you meet the requirements for these. For the justification of the undergraduate schools, it is the same process as general “Why school XYZ?” essays, which we will cover in a later blog post.

The general guidelines here are to make sure that you discuss things specific about that school, not generic descriptions that could apply to several different schools. You should discuss both academics, and social aspects of the school, paying special attention to unique academic programs as well as specific social philosophies espoused by each school.

With regards to the medical school, you should discuss the specific strengths of that medical school and the things that it can teach you. For example, a major trauma center will expose you to one whole set of patient pathologies, while a hospital in a run down and culturally diverse area of town will expose you to an entirely different set of patient pathologies and interactions.

Similarly, hospitals specializing in oncology or neurology will provide a unique experience that you can highlight in the essay. One good point to always mention is that if the medical school is in a city, it will expose you to a diverse and varied set of patient pathologies and patient interactions, which will enhance your skills as a doctor.

Addressing Why Accelerated Programs

This is usually the hardest part of the essay to write. The answer for most students is simply because it saves them time, but schools do not like to hear this. A better way to approach it is to state that you are certain about your desire to become a physician, and say that the additional academic rigor presented by the program (a science — heavy curriculum, GPA requirements, working through summers, et al.) strongly appeal to you.

Curious about your chances of acceptance to your dream school? Our free chancing engine takes into account your GPA, test scores, extracurriculars, and other data to predict your odds of acceptance at over 500 colleges across the U.S. We’ll also let you know how you stack up against other applicants and how you can improve your profile. Sign up for your free CollegeVine account today to get started!

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Medical School Secondary Essay Prompts: The Most Common Questions to Prepare For

Padya Paramita

June 12, 2019

You’ve uploaded your transcript, MCAT score, extracurricular information, personal statement, and finally clicked the submit button on the AMCAS . You might want to use the next couple of weeks to relax. I wouldn’t recommend it, considering your medical school secondary essays are right around the corner. Schools cut off a big portion of the application pool between the secondary and the interview stages, so don’t take the medical school secondary essay prompts lightly!

Although medical schools don’t typically begin sending out secondary applications until early July, you shouldn’t just sit around and start reading a 400-page novel for fun while you wait. Rather, prepare yourself to have common essay topics ready for the minute the prompts are sent out. Below, I’ve outlined the general timeline of secondaries, how to keep yourself organized in the process, the most common medical school secondary essay prompts and how to approach them, recent secondary questions at MD programs, and overall dos and don’ts when writing your medical school secondaries.

How to Prepare for Secondaries: The Basics

Secondary essay prompts are demanding and ask you questions that allow you to reflect on your experiences, career goals in medicine, and challenges that you have overcome. Medical schools want to know why you’re interested in their program and how they might be a good fit for you and vice versa. The number of applicants who receive secondaries varies from school to school. Most schools automatically send out secondaries upon submission of the primary to all applicants, while others ensure students have passed an initial screening and met the GPA and MCAT cutoffs (typically set at a 3.0 GPA and 500 MCAT score) before sending out secondary essays.

First and foremost, you should not put off submitting your secondaries, because your application is not considered complete without them. At most schools, your AMCAS will not even be read until you’ve submitted this portion as well, so don’t delay. Medical schools don’t usually state a deadline for the secondary essays but if they do, absolutely adhere to it, or all your hard work will go to waste.

Second, medical schools view the time you take to turn in your secondaries as a direct reflection of your interest in their program. If there’s no deadline, you should be looking to complete them and send them back within two weeks of receiving them. The two week turnaround time is long enough to be meticulous, but short enough to show eagerness. If you sit around and take over a month to send back your secondaries, don’t expect an interview. But if you take time to think about possible medical school secondary essay prompts and how you might prepare for them in advance, you won’t be scrambling at the last minute.

Secondaries Organization & Game Plan

In order to keep yourself organized and monitor the secondaries for each school, start a spreadsheet. It should detail whether you’ve received the prompt, whether you’ve paid the secondary application fee ($50 or $75, depending on the school), the method to submit, the essay topic(s), and whether you’ve submitted the essays or not. This way, you can keep track of your progress and what remains to be covered for each school, avoiding additional stress during this high pressure period.

The best way to prepare for your secondary essays is to simply start writing about yourself. While there’s no way to figure out the secondary essay prompts in advance for all your schools, you can generate tailored, well-written essays far more easily if you go ahead and tackle traditional essay topics. Medical school secondary essay prompts often follow a general pattern that you can readily get a sense of. The word or character limit for the secondary essays is set by each school, and could range anything from 2000 to 4000 characters.

The secondaries ask for essays about you , so keep in mind your most impressive qualifications, why you want to attend medical school, and how each school might be able to help you achieve your goals. You want to choose topics which bring out the best version of yourself. Remember, the people reading your applications are humans. You don’t want to bore them. You want to stand out as a unique individual in the process. It can come in handy to keep a separate document outlining your reasons for pursuing medicine and the unique opportunities at each medical school that resonate with your passions within the field. This can help you get the ball rolling so you’re ready to conquer medical school secondary essay prompts .

Examples of Common Medical School Secondary Essay Prompts

You should put approximately 25-30 medical schools on your list to stay on the safer side of the intensely competitive medical school admissions process. Schools often have a range of 2-9 secondary questions for you to answer. Take a moment to do the math. This means that you could end up answering over seventy medical school secondary essay prompts . You only had to write one personal statement in the primary, so the number of essays you have to write for the secondary stage can seem like a massive mountain to climb.

The good news is, there will be some overlap in the kinds of prompts among the schools. That said, you should expect each school’s essays to need quite a bit of tweaking to adjust to specific prompts. And don’t expect to be able to reuse every essay you write! But preparing for typical prompts is a strategic starting point. Listed below are a number of secondary essay prompts which are common among many medical schools:

• Explain why you wish to attend this particular medical school.
• What diverse or unique element will you bring to this medical school community?
• If you graduated before you applied, summarize your activities since you graduated.
• Describe a challenge you overcame or a time when you faced an ethical dilemma and how you learned and grew from that experience.
• Who is the most influential person in your life and why?
• Describe a meaningful leadership position.
• What are your goals as a physician?
• What research or independent academic work have you completed, and what did you accomplish or learn?
• What do you think is the role of a physician in a community?
• Describe a humbling experience and what you learned from it.
• Elaborate on an area of interest outside of medicine (e.g., hobbies).
• Describe the characteristics that make you who you are. How will they impact your success as a medical student and physician?
• From the list of activities and experiences listed in your AMCAS application, please select one that has most impacted your decision to enter medicine.
• Is there any other information you would like to share with the admissions committee?

Medical schools often send some combination of these prompts, or similar questions relating to your identity, meaningful experiences, or goals. So even if you don’t know exactly which medical school secondary essay prompts to expect, the list above should give you a clearer picture of what to prepare for.

How to Tackle the Most Common Prompts

Now that you’ve seen the classic questions medical schools ask for secondaries, it’s time to analyze how to answer them. Generally, if you look at the pattern of the prompts, admissions committees want to know who you are, why you’re motivated to pursue medicine, and how you would fit in at their school.

To further break down the ways schools specify what they’re looking for, let’s look at some questions based off of the common medical school secondary essay prompts :

“Why This School” Essays

Take a look at the following “why this school” prompts from three different medical schools in 2018, and the way they framed their questions:

• Georgetown University - Why have you chosen to apply to the Georgetown University School of Medicine and how do you think your education at Georgetown will prepare you to become a physician for the future? (1 page, formatted at your discretion)
• Mayo Clinic - Why are you specifically interested in pursuing your medical education at Mayo Clinic School of Medicine even if you gain acceptances to other highly ranked medical schools? (500 words or less)
• University of Toledo - Briefly describe why you wish to attend medical school at The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences. As part of this essay, please discuss, if applicable, any personal connection you may have to The University of Toledo, the UT College of Medicine and Life Sciences/former Medical College of Ohio, the city of Toledo, or the region of Northwest Ohio. (300 words)

Success with these questions lies in actually taking the time to do research on your school list. Make sure you know exactly what the programs offer - you’ve applied to the school for a reason. What are the things you like the most about it and how will it help your goals? Emphasize your demonstrated interest in the school as specifically as possible - detail what about the program’s mission appeals to you the most and fits your personality and plans. Finally, make sure you carefully read the entire prompt and answer all parts. While the objective of the questions is the same (to find out why you have chosen the school), each school puts its own unique spin to the question.

In the past, Georgetown has wanted to know how your training as a physician would benefit from a Georgetown education. To tackle this prompt, jot down specialties only Georgetown offers - faculty, courses, research opportunities - which appeal to you. Don’t pick every single thing off the website. Select a special few details relevant to your interests within medicine and talk about how learning from a certain professor, for example, aligns with your goals.

Mayo’s prompt last year was similar, but asked why you would choose them despite acceptances to other top schools. You definitely need to be as specific as possible in your response. Admissions committee members obviously want accepted students to enroll. They want to know that you’re not applying just for the sake of trying to attend a highly ranked school. So this is the time to demonstrate your knowledge of the program and to feature the opportunities you can take advantage of only at Mayo

Toledo’s “why this school” prompt in 2018 wanted to know about personal connections to the school, the city of Toledo, or the entire region of northwestern Ohio. Public medical schools pay special attention to in-state applicants, and love to see candidates convey interest in the regional appeal of the school. Whether you’ve learned fun facts from a relative who’s an alum or you have a strong connection to the food in the area, expressing concrete details about what you love about the medical school’s environment can help admissions committee members gain an added perspective on you.

“How Will You Contribute to Our School” Essays

Check out a couple examples of medical school secondary essay prompts from last year which ask about how you will contribute to MD programs:

• New York University - The Admissions Committee uses a holistic approach to evaluate a wide range of student qualities and life experiences that are complementary to demonstrated academic excellence, strong interpersonal skills and leadership potential. What unique qualities or experiences do you possess that would contribute specifically to the NYU School of Medicine community (2500 characters max)?
• University of Nevada - Describe how your background and future goals will contribute to the mission of the University of Nevada School of Medicine.

To answer the “how will you contribute to our school prompts,” you need to think about the theme of your own application, and the theme of the institution itself.

Your essay could follow an application persona, or a recurrent theme throughout to help you stand out from other applicants. For example, your application persona could be that you are an aspiring surgeon who was motivated to be a doctor after helping victims of a natural disaster. Keeping your persona in mind can help you decide which of your qualifications and experiences to highlight in such an essay. What do you bring to the table that other applicants don’t? What are you passionate about? What parts of medicine excite you?

Admissions committees want to understand how they’ll specifically benefit from your unique contributions. Think about what each school is known for. How does its mission align with what you hope to achieve from an education in medicine? Don’t get carried away, just talk about your perspective.

“Describe a Challenge You’ve Faced” Essays

Often, medical schools want to know about how you respond to challenges, as shown in the prompts below:

• University of Chicago - Share with us a difficult or challenging situation you have encountered and how you dealt with it. In your response, identify both the coping skills you called upon to resolve the dilemma, and the support person(s) from whom you sought advice. We suggest that you limit your essay to about 550 words.
• Harvard University - If there is an important aspect of your personal background or identity, not addressed elsewhere in the application, that you would like to share with the Committee, we invite you to do so here. Many applicants will not need to answer this question. Examples might include significant challenges in access to education, unusual socioeconomic factors, identification with a minority culture, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender identity. Briefly explain how such factors have influenced your motivation for a career in medicine. (4000 characters maximum)
• University of Kansas - Beyond academics (grades and MCATs), describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to address this challenge.

When answering prompts that fall under the “challenge” umbrella, you should do a little bit of self-reflection. The applicants you’re going up against may have faced far greater adversity than you have - whether in the loss of their home or facing prejudice of some kind in society. This type of question may be optional, for example, in the case of Harvard’s 2018 secondaries. But, if the question is not optional, and you’re not sure that you’ve really faced many challenges, do not exaggerate your adversity . Grasping at straws for adversity will backfire and show that you lack perspective.

Medical schools want their classes to be comprised of exceptional individuals, each of whom should bring something different to the class. Instead of telling stories that aren’t yours, focus on challenges you might have faced in a unique passion or avocation. Try talking about an obstacle you faced in your clinical adventures or while leading a project for your work or internship.

Dos and Don’ts

Now that you’ve familiarized yourself with what you can expect out of your medical school secondary essay prompts , it’s time to go over some dos and don’ts to make sure you avoid common mistakes and stay on track to write standout secondaries.

Think About Your Primary Application

When answering medical school secondary essay prompts , it’s important that what you wrote in your primary application stays in the front of your mind. You definitely should not repeat experiences that you already outlined in your personal statement or activities list. But, if there’s something you didn’t get to talk about in depth - such as an important part of your cultural background or an impressive research internship, this is the place to write about it!

Ensure That You’ve Followed All Directions

A good place to start the secondary process is to read the prompts very carefully. Identify the task at hand and ask yourself: what is the question really asking? You can treat the task as a to-do list, and elaborate on each point on the list to form an outline of your essay. Look through the prompt guidelines - word limit, page limit, formatting requirements - and ensure you stick to them.

You might be reusing bits and pieces from one school’s essay for another. That’s okay. But make sure you’ve edited it to fully answer the latter school’s question and formatting requirements. If admissions committees see that you haven’t completed all parts of the prompt, or that you’ve crossed the limit or format guidelines, it’s an automatic red flag. You will not receive an interview if you fail to meet schools’ instructions. It might seem like a minor thing, but such mistakes definitely happen, especially when you’re writing so many applications.

Leave Yourself Plenty of Time to Edit

You must appear professional on your medical school application, and secondaries are an important part of that. Once you’ve finished writing your essays, edit them as much as possible. There will be a lot of essays to go through and you’ll be under a time crunch, but you need to read and reread them to ensure quality. Make sure you avoid run-on sentences and that you’ve made each word count. Careless errors such as grammatical or spelling mistakes will not reflect well on you.

Think Strategically

The medical school application process is notoriously cutthroat. You have to pick and choose your battles. When answering medical school secondary essay prompts , you should not answer all your reach schools first. You should focus on the schools you’re most likely to attend in order to demonstrate interest, but don’t be too ambitious. Check to see which of the schools on your list - especially schools you’re more likely to get into - have secondary prompts that can be easily answered with solid responses that you have already prepared. You definitely want to be smart in the balance of submitting secondaries both promptly and strategically.

Provide Mixed Messages

Remember, you need to keep your primary application in mind when filling out your secondaries. If some bit of information in your secondary application doesn’t match what you’ve already said in your primary application, admissions committees will notice. Don’t write something in your essays that contradicts what you’ve stated as a value or credential previously.

Writing about a topic you can’t speak in depth about might lead to trouble on multiple fronts. If you do so in your essay and you’re asked about it in an interview, you will be in trouble. In a similar vein, you shouldn’t highlight something that was a minimal experience. You will be competing against brilliant students who have versatile stories to tell. Talking about a minor burn you got three years ago might not be a great way to fill up the space allotted for your secondaries.

Write About a High School Experience  

You’re an adult now. You’ve gone through years of life experiences that have greatly impacted your motivation to become a doctor. Unless it was something extremely formative and absolutely integral for your medical school application, don’t waste your secondaries reliving your high school glory days.

Use Flowery Language

This is not a poetry competition and neither are you studying for the SAT. There’s no need to be pretentious and show off your vocabulary on your medical school secondaries. While it’s good to mix up your word usage and not repeat, don’t go all out with the metaphors or thesaurus.com. Admissions committees want to know more about you and what you’ll bring to their program. Don’t take the attention away from the story by adding too many long words that ultimately don’t make sense.

Medical school secondary essay prompts offer you the challenge of answering specific questions about yourself and your career interests within a short span of time. But, if you anticipate the kinds of questions headed your way and prepare in advance, with a stroke of luck, you might even have a few first drafts before the secondaries even come out. You’ve got a lot of writing coming up, so the sooner you start working on the common medical school secondary essay prompts , the better. And if you get an interview, and eventually accepted into medical school, the extra effort you put into working on your secondary essays will all be worth it.

General FAQ

Do all applicants get secondaries.

The number of applicants who receive secondaries varies from school to school. Most schools automatically send out secondaries upon submission of the primary to all applicants, while others ensure students have passed an initial screening and met the GPA and MCAT cutoffs.

When is the right time to turn in my secondary essays?

Medical schools view the time you take to turn in your secondaries as a direct reflection of your interest in their program. If there’s no deadline, you should be looking to complete them and send them back within two weeks of receiving them.

What are some common secondary essay prompts?

Some of the most common prompts include: “explain why you wish to attend this particular medical school,” “what diverse or unique element will you bring to this medical school community,” and “if you graduated before you applied, summarize your activities since you graduated.”

How many prompts do I have to answer per school?

Schools often have a range of 2-9 secondary questions for you to answer.

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How to Answer the “Why Medicine” Interview Question

• By Kevin Jubbal, M.D.
• September 3, 2022
• Accompanying Video , Pre-med
• Interview , Medical School Application

Sometimes the simplest questions are also the most difficult to answer. On the surface, the “why medicine” question may seem like a straightforward question with an equally straightforward answer; however, this isn’t the case.

Simple as it is, this question forces you to deeply examine your own motivations for pursuing medicine. As such, it is one of the most important questions you have to answer – not only for medical school applications and interviews but also for yourself.

Let’s break down how to answer this common interview question.

Medical school is not for the faint of heart. Regardless of how intelligent you are or how hard you work, you will face numerous challenges and obstacles on your way to becoming a doctor. Understanding your true motivations will help you push through difficult times and remind you of why you’re pursuing medicine in the first place.

One of the worst things you can do is fabricate a response in an attempt to present yourself in the best possible light. Not only will you be lying to your interviewer, and make yourself more susceptible to any curveballs they might throw at you, but you’ll also be lying to yourself.

When thinking about how you want to answer this question, it is important to look inward. This is your chance to think about yourself, your life, and why you want to pursue medicine, regardless of what anyone else thinks.

With that out of the way, let’s dive deeper and talk about what interviewers are looking for in your response.

What Interviewers Are Looking For

First and foremost, admissions committees use this question to get to know you better as a person. They have already seen your application and read through your personal statement. Now, they want to get to know the person behind it all.

The “why do you want to be a doctor” question should not be a regurgitation of your primary application or personal statement , but rather a genuine discussion about what led you to pursue medicine and why it’s the career for you.

A well-thought-out answer shows that you have put considerable thought into your reasons for pursuing medicine and weighed the pros and cons of this career field. It also shows that you know what you’re in for and are prepared for the challenges ahead of you.

This is also the perfect opportunity for admissions committees to assess your in-person communication skills – something they can’t do at any other point in the application process. Although admissions committees can get a feel for your written communication skills through your essays and personal statement, the interview is where they get to see how you interact with others.

Communication skills are fundamental for aspiring physicians. You want to make sure to communicate your reasons for pursuing medicine as clearly and effectively as possible. If you can’t explain to someone why you want to go into medicine, you will likely have trouble communicating a difficult diagnosis to a patient.

Another thing that interviewers are looking for is your commitment to medicine. Becoming a physician is one of the longest and most challenging career paths that you can choose. Admissions committees want to make sure that you are committed to becoming a physician and are willing to overcome the challenges ahead of you.

Part of the reason that medical school admissions are so rigorous is that medical schools want to make sure that they’re accepting students who will ultimately graduate and become practicing physicians. Although getting into medical school is no easy feat, there are still some students who don’t end up completing medical school.

Some drop out due to health issues, family circumstances, or other unforeseen events. Others drop out because they are unable to handle the rigors of medical school or decide that they no longer want to become a doctor.

This affects medical schools in two ways. First, it’s bad from a financial perspective. Once a student matriculates into medical school and begins classes, their spot is locked in and is not easily replaced.

If a student drops out of medical school during their second year, the school can’t just replace their spot with another second-year medical student. Instead, they lose out on the tuition that the student would have provided over the next two years of their training.

In addition, a high attrition rate can affect the academic reputation of a medical school. Schools with high dropout rates may deter students from applying or attending that school.

For these reasons, medical schools are incentivized to be cautious when choosing students. The “why do you want to be a doctor” question is one way that schools can determine which students are driven and motivated enough to make it through medical school.

How to Approach the “Why Medicine” Question

Now that you know why this question is so important, how should you approach it?

Much like with your medical school application, you want to build a narrative around the “why medicine” question. You should follow the same approach that you would if you were writing a good story.

First, you want to have a beginning, middle, and end to your response. This will allow you to organize your ideas in such a way that they flow seamlessly together. Remember, this is your chance to show admissions committees your stellar communication skills. If you jump around from point to point haphazardly, your response can be confusing and difficult to follow.

We recommend formatting your response in the following way.

Start by discussing how you were first introduced to the field of medicine. If possible, incorporate specific experiences and follow the “show don’t tell” principle. This will make your response much more engaging and grab your interviewer’s attention.

Next, discuss how you learned more about the field. What did you do to educate yourself about the world of medicine and the realities of being a doctor? This is your chance to discuss any stand-out experiences that you had and what they taught you about medicine.

Lastly, you should talk about why you are committed to medicine. What does becoming a doctor offer you that other careers, especially other careers in healthcare, don’t? Be specific here.

A great way to approach this part of your response is to think about the impact you want to have on your patients. What can you offer your patients as a physician that you can’t offer in other careers and why are these things important to you?

For example, you might discuss the fact that physicians possess deep knowledge and understanding of medicine which provides them with a level of problem-solving ability and intellectual stimulation that you don’t get in other fields of healthcare. By possessing this level of knowledge yourself, you’ll be able to provide more nuanced care to your future patients.

This is just one example to get you thinking. It is important for you to reflect on your specific reasons for pursuing medicine. Your response should be genuine and true to yourself.

Mistakes to Avoid

Now, let’s talk about some mistakes to avoid.

Although it is important to prepare for this question by organizing your thoughts, you should avoid trying to memorize a “perfect response.” Interviewers are trying to assess your communication skills and this approach often feels rehearsed – which can come across as disingenuous.

Remember, you won’t have a script when you’re talking to patients. Instead, you will have knowledge in your head that you need to communicate effectively to the person sitting in front of you. This is no different. You want to show the interviewer who you are as a person, and let your personality shine through. This is often difficult to do when you’re reading from a script.

Next, avoid responses like “I like helping people” or “I love learning about the human body.” These are some of the most common answers that premeds give to interviewers. If you give a similarly generic answer, you will have a difficult time standing out from the hundreds of other premeds who said the exact same thing.

In addition, these responses aren’t specific to becoming a doctor. You can help people and learn about the human body in many different career fields, so why become a doctor instead of a nurse, physician assistant, or physical therapist? You want your answer to reflect why you want to become a doctor specifically and why it’s the best career for you.

Next, avoid answers that involve money, power, or respect . These responses indicate that your reasons for pursuing medicine are extrinsic – meaning they come from external sources instead of internal ones. Although these reasons may be involved in your decision to become a physician, they can come across as selfish and lead interviewers to question your commitment to medicine.

Being a doctor is a field focused on helping people. Your response shouldn’t be focused on what medicine can offer you, but on what you can offer the field of medicine — and ultimately your future patients.

In addition, research has shown that intrinsic motivations for becoming a doctor, such as enjoying the intellectual challenge of medicine, are correlated with increased academic performance, whereas extrinsic motivations had no significant association with a medical student’s academic performance.

This last point should be obvious, but don’t say you’re going into medicine because your parents are doctors or because they want you to go into medicine. Although having family members in medicine can be a great motivator and provide you with firsthand perspectives of what it’s like to be a doctor, this should not be your primary reason.

Similar to the previous point, this response suggests that your motivations for pursuing medicine are extrinsic. They are influenced by what others want for you instead of what you want for yourself – which is often a red flag for interviewers.

Although the “why medicine” question is one of the more difficult questions you will have to answer when applying to medical school, it is just one aspect of the medical school interview. In addition to practicing what to say, you also need to practice how to say it–which is often difficult to do on your own.

While your friends and family can help you sound good, they won’t have the nuanced understanding of what medical school admissions committees are looking for. The best way to prepare is by completing mock interviews with doctors or instructors who have served on actual medical school admissions committees.

In a Med School Insiders mock interview , you’ll work with a former admissions committee physician who knows firsthand what interviewers are looking for and how to present yourself in the best light. Together, our team has conducted thousands of interviews and we know the process inside and out.

If you enjoyed this article, be sure to check out our list of the Most Common Medical School Interview Questions  or our Guide to the Medical School Interview .

Kevin Jubbal, M.D.

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• Sample Essays

Sample Medical School Essays

Applying to medical school is an exciting decision, but the application process is very competitive. This means when it comes to your application you need to ensure you’ve put your best foot forward and done everything you can to stand out from other applicants. One great way to provide additional information on why you have decided to pursue a career in medicine and why you’re qualified, is your medical school essay. Read these samples to get a good idea on how you can write your own top-notch essay.

This section contains five sample medical school essays

• Medical School Sample Essay One
• Medical School Sample Essay Two
• Medical School Sample Essay Three
• Medical School Sample Essay Four
• Medical School Sample Essay Five

Medical School Essay One

When I was twelve years old, a drunk driver hit the car my mother was driving while I was in the backseat. I have very few memories of the accident, but I do faintly recall a serious but calming face as I was gently lifted out of the car. The paramedic held my hand as we traveled to the hospital. I was in the hospital for several weeks and that same paramedic came to visit me almost every day. During my stay, I also got to know the various doctors and nurses in the hospital on a personal level. I remember feeling anxiety about my condition, but not sadness or even fear. It seemed to me that those around me, particularly my family, were more fearful of what might happen to me than I was. I don’t believe it was innocence or ignorance, but rather a trust in the abilities of my doctors. It was as if my doctors and I had a silent bond. Now that I’m older I fear death and sickness in a more intense way than I remember experiencing it as a child. My experience as a child sparked a keen interest in how we approach pediatric care, especially as it relates to our psychological and emotional support of children facing serious medical conditions. It was here that I experienced first-hand the power and compassion of medicine, not only in healing but also in bringing unlikely individuals together, such as adults and children, in uncommon yet profound ways. And it was here that I began to take seriously the possibility of becoming a pediatric surgeon.

My interest was sparked even more when, as an undergraduate, I was asked to assist in a study one of my professors was conducting on how children experience and process fear and the prospect of death. This professor was not in the medical field; rather, her background is in cultural anthropology. I was very honored to be part of this project at such an early stage of my career. During the study, we discovered that children face death in extremely different ways than adults do. We found that children facing fatal illnesses are very aware of their condition, even when it hasn’t been fully explained to them, and on the whole were willing to fight their illnesses, but were also more accepting of their potential fate than many adults facing similar diagnoses. We concluded our study by asking whether and to what extent this discovery should impact the type of care given to children in contrast to adults. I am eager to continue this sort of research as I pursue my medical career. The intersection of medicine, psychology, and socialization or culture (in this case, the social variables differentiating adults from children) is quite fascinating and is a field that is in need of better research.

Although much headway has been made in this area in the past twenty or so years, I feel there is a still a tendency in medicine to treat diseases the same way no matter who the patient is. We are slowly learning that procedures and drugs are not always universally effective. Not only must we alter our care of patients depending upon these cultural and social factors, we may also need to alter our entire emotional and psychological approach to them as well.

It is for this reason that I’m applying to the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, as it has one of the top programs for pediatric surgery in the country, as well as several renowned researchers delving into the social, generational, and cultural questions in which I’m interested. My approach to medicine will be multidisciplinary, which is evidenced by the fact that I’m already double-majoring in early childhood psychology and pre-med, with a minor in cultural anthropology. This is the type of extraordinary care that I received as a child—care that seemed to approach my injuries with a much larger and deeper picture than that which pure medicine cannot offer—and it is this sort of care I want to provide my future patients. I turned what might have been a debilitating event in my life—a devastating car accident—into the inspiration that has shaped my life since. I am driven and passionate. And while I know that the pediatric surgery program at Johns Hopkins will likely be the second biggest challenge I will face in my life, I know that I am up for it. I am ready to be challenged and prove to myself what I’ve been telling myself since that fateful car accident: I will be a doctor.

Tips for a Successful Medical School Essay

• If you’re applying through AMCAS, remember to keep your essay more general rather than tailored to a specific medical school, because your essay will be seen by multiple schools.
• AMCAS essays are limited to 5300 characters—not words! This includes spaces.
• Make sure the information you include in your essay doesn't conflict with the information in your other application materials.
• In general, provide additional information that isn’t found in your other application materials. Look at the essay as an opportunity to tell your story rather than a burden.
• Keep the interview in mind as you write. You will most likely be asked questions regarding your essay during the interview, so think about the experiences you want to talk about.
• When you are copying and pasting from a word processor to the AMCAS application online, formatting and font will be lost. Don’t waste your time making it look nice. Be sure to look through the essay once you’ve copied it into AMCAS and edit appropriately for any odd characters that result from pasting.
• Avoid overly controversial topics. While it is fine to take a position and back up your position with evidence, you don’t want to sound narrow-minded.
• Revise, revise, revise. Have multiple readers look at your essay and make suggestions. Go over your essay yourself many times and rewrite it several times until you feel that it communicates your message effectively and creatively.
• Make the opening sentence memorable. Admissions officers will read dozens of personal statements in a day. You must say something at the very beginning to catch their attention, encourage them to read the essay in detail, and make yourself stand out from the crowd.
• Character traits to portray in your essay include: maturity, intellect, critical thinking skills, leadership, tolerance, perseverance, and sincerity.

Medical School Essay Two

If you had told me ten years ago that I would be writing this essay and planning for yet another ten years into the future, part of me would have been surprised. I am a planner and a maker of to-do lists, and it has always been my plan to follow in the steps of my father and become a physician. This plan was derailed when I was called to active duty to serve in Iraq as part of the War on Terror.

I joined the National Guard before graduating high school and continued my service when I began college. My goal was to receive training that would be valuable for my future medical career, as I was working in the field of emergency health care. It was also a way to help me pay for college. When I was called to active duty in Iraq for my first deployment, I was forced to withdraw from school, and my deployment was subsequently extended. I spent a total of 24 months deployed overseas, where I provided in-the-field medical support to our combat troops. While the experience was invaluable not only in terms of my future medical career but also in terms of developing leadership and creative thinking skills, it put my undergraduate studies on hold for over two years. Consequently, my carefully-planned journey towards medical school and a medical career was thrown off course. Thus, while ten-year plans are valuable, I have learned from experience how easily such plans can dissolve in situations that are beyond one’s control, as well as the value of perseverance and flexibility.

Eventually, I returned to school. Despite my best efforts to graduate within two years, it took me another three years, as I suffered greatly from post-traumatic stress disorder following my time in Iraq. I considered abandoning my dream of becoming a physician altogether, since I was several years behind my peers with whom I had taken biology and chemistry classes before my deployment. Thanks to the unceasing encouragement of my academic advisor, who even stayed in contact with me when I was overseas, I gathered my strength and courage and began studying for the MCAT. To my surprise, my score was beyond satisfactory and while I am several years behind my original ten-year plan, I am now applying to Brown University’s School of Medicine.

I can describe my new ten-year plan, but I will do so with both optimism and also caution, knowing that I will inevitably face unforeseen complications and will need to adapt appropriately. One of the many insights I gained as a member of the National Guard and by serving in war-time was the incredible creativity medical specialists in the Armed Forces employ to deliver health care services to our wounded soldiers on the ground. I was part of a team that was saving lives under incredibly difficult circumstances—sometimes while under heavy fire and with only the most basic of resources. I am now interested in how I can use these skills to deliver health care in similar circumstances where basic medical infrastructure is lacking. While there is seemingly little in common between the deserts of Fallujah and rural Wyoming, where I’m currently working as a volunteer first responder in a small town located more than 60 miles from the nearest hospital, I see a lot of potential uses for the skills that I gained as a National Guardsman. As I learned from my father, who worked with Doctors Without Borders for a number of years, there is quite a bit in common between my field of knowledge from the military and working in post-conflict zones. I feel I have a unique experience from which to draw as I embark on my medical school journey, experiences that can be applied both here and abroad.

In ten years’ time, I hope to be trained in the field of emergency medicine, which, surprisingly, is a specialization that is actually lacking here in the United States as compared to similarly developed countries. I hope to conduct research in the field of health care infrastructure and work with government agencies and legislators to find creative solutions to improving access to emergency facilities in currently underserved areas of the United States, with an aim towards providing comprehensive policy reports and recommendations on how the US can once again be the world leader in health outcomes. While the problems inherent in our health care system are not one-dimensional and require a dynamic approach, one of the solutions as I see it is to think less in terms of state-of-the-art facilities and more in terms of access to primary care. Much of the care that I provide as a first responder and volunteer is extremely effective and also relatively cheap. More money is always helpful when facing a complex social and political problem, but we must think of solutions above and beyond more money and more taxes. In ten years I want to be a key player in the health care debate in this country and offering innovative solutions to delivering high quality and cost-effective health care to all our nation’s citizens, especially to those in rural and otherwise underserved areas.

Of course, my policy interests do not replace my passion for helping others and delivering emergency medicine. As a doctor, I hope to continue serving in areas of the country that, for one reason or another, are lagging behind in basic health care infrastructure. Eventually, I would also like to take my knowledge and talents abroad and serve in the Peace Corps or Doctors Without Borders.

In short, I see the role of physicians in society as multifunctional: they are not only doctors who heal, they are also leaders, innovators, social scientists, and patriots. Although my path to medical school has not always been the most direct, my varied and circuitous journey has given me a set of skills and experiences that many otherwise qualified applicants lack. I have no doubt that the next ten years will be similarly unpredictable, but I can assure you that no matter what obstacles I face, my goal will remain the same. I sincerely hope to begin the next phase of my journey at Brown University. Thank you for your kind attention.

Additional Tips for a Successful Medical School Essay

• Regardless of the prompt, you should always address the question of why you want to go to medical school in your essay.
• Try to always give concrete examples rather than make general statements. If you say that you have perseverance, describe an event in your life that demonstrates perseverance.
• There should be an overall message or theme in your essay. In the example above, the theme is overcoming unexpected obstacles.
• Make sure you check and recheck for spelling and grammar!
• Unless you’re very sure you can pull it off, it is usually not a good idea to use humor or to employ the skills you learned in creative writing class in your personal statement. While you want to paint a picture, you don’t want to be too poetic or literary.
• Turn potential weaknesses into positives. As in the example above, address any potential weaknesses in your application and make them strengths, if possible. If you have low MCAT scores or something else that can’t be easily explained or turned into a positive, simply don’t mention it.

Medical School Essay Three

The roots of my desire to become a physician are, thankfully, not around the bedside of a sick family member or in a hospital, but rather on a 10-acre plot of land outside of a small town in Northwest Arkansas. I loved raising and exhibiting cattle, so every morning before the bus arrived at 7 a.m. I was in the barn feeding, checking cattle for any health issues and washing the show heifers. These early mornings and my experiences on a farm not only taught me the value of hard work, but ignited my interest in the body, albeit bovine at the time. It was by a working chute that I learned the functions of reproductive hormones as we utilized them for assisted reproduction and artificial insemination; it was by giving vaccinations to prevent infection that I learned about bacteria and the germ theory of disease; it was beside a stillborn calf before the sun had risen that I was exposed to the frailty of life.

Facing the realities of disease and death daily from an early age, I developed a strong sense of pragmatism out of necessity. There is no place for abstractions or euphemisms about life and death when treating a calf’s pneumonia in the pouring rain during winter. Witnessing the sometimes harsh realities of life on a farm did not instill within me an attitude of jaded inevitability of death. Instead, it germinated a responsibility to protect life to the best of my abilities, cure what ailments I can and alleviate as much suffering as possible while recognizing that sometimes nothing can be done.

I first approached human health at the age of nine through beef nutrition and food safety. Learning the roles of nutrients such as zinc, iron, protein and B-vitamins in the human body as well as the dangers of food-borne illness through the Beef Ambassador program shifted my interest in the body to a new species. Talking with consumers about every facet of the origins of food, I realized that the topics that most interested me were those that pertained to human health. In college, while I connected with people over samples of beef and answered their questions, I also realized that it is not enough simply to have adequate knowledge. Ultimately knowledge is of little use if it is not digestible to those who receive it. So my goal as a future clinical physician is not only to illuminate the source of an affliction and provide treatment for patients, but take care to ensure the need for understanding by both patient and family is met.

I saw this combination of care and understanding while volunteering in an emergency room, where I was also exposed to other aspects and players in the medical field. While assisting a nurse perform a bladder scan and witnessing technicians carry out an echocardiogram or CT scan, I learned the important roles that other professionals who do not wear white coats have in today’s medical field. Medicine is a team sport, and coordinating the efforts of each of these players is crucial for the successful execution of patient care. It is my goal to serve as the leader of this healthcare unit and unify a team of professionals to provide the highest quality care for patients. Perhaps most importantly my time at the VA showed me the power a smile and an open ear can have with people. On the long walk to radiology, talking with patients about their military service and families always seemed to take their mind off the reason for their visit, if only for a few minutes. This served as a reminder that we are helping people with pasts and dreams, rather than simply remedying patients’ symptoms.

Growing up in a small town, I never held aspirations of world travel when I was young. But my time abroad revealed to me the state of healthcare in developing countries and fostered a previously unknown interest in global health. During my first trip abroad to Ghana, my roommate became ill with a severe case of traveler’s diarrhea. In the rural north of the country near the Sahara, the options for healthcare were limited; he told me how our professor was forced to bribe employees to bypass long lines and even recounted how doctors took a bag of saline off the line of another patient to give to him. During a service trip to a rural community in Nicaragua, I encountered patients with preventable and easily treatable diseases that, due to poverty and lack of access, were left untreated for months or years at a time. I was discouraged by the state of healthcare in these countries and wondered what could be done to help. I plan to continue to help provide access to healthcare in rural parts of developing countries, and hopefully as a physician with an agricultural background I can approach public health and food security issues in a multifaceted and holistic manner.

My time on a cattle farm taught me how to work hard to pursue my interests, but also fueled my appetite for knowledge about the body and instilled within me a firm sense of practicality. Whether in a clinic, operating room or pursuing public and global health projects, I plan to bring this work ethic and pragmatism to all of my endeavors. My agricultural upbringing has produced a foundation of skills and values that I am confident will readily transplant into my chosen career. Farming is my early passion, but medicine is my future.

Medical School Essay Four

I am a white, cisgender, and heterosexual female who has been afforded many privileges: I was raised by parents with significant financial resources, I have traveled the world, and I received top-quality high school and college educations. I do not wish to be addressed or recognized in any special way; all I ask is to be treated with respect.

As for my geographic origin, I was born and raised in the rural state of Maine. Since graduating from college, I have been living in my home state, working and giving back to the community that has given me so much. I could not be happier here; I love the down-to-earth people, the unhurried pace of life, and the easy access to the outdoors. While I am certainly excited to move elsewhere in the country for medical school and continue to explore new places, I will always self-identify as a Mainer as being from Maine is something I take great pride in. I am proud of my family ties to the state (which date back to the 1890’s), I am proud of the state’s commitment to preserving its natural beauty, and I am particularly proud of my slight Maine accent (we don’t pronounce our r’s). From the rocky coastline and rugged ski mountains to the locally-grown food and great restaurants, it is no wonder Maine is nicknamed, "Vacationland.” Yet, Maine is so much more than just a tourist destination. The state is dotted with wonderful communities in which to live, communities like the one where I grew up.

Perhaps not surprisingly, I plan to return to Maine after residency. I want to raise a family and establish my medical practice here. We certainly could use more doctors! Even though Maine is a terrific place to live, the state is facing a significant doctor shortage. Today, we are meeting less than half of our need for primary care providers. To make matters worse, many of our physicians are close to retirement age. Yet, according to the AAMC, only 53 Maine residents matriculated into medical school last year! Undoubtedly, Maine is in need of young doctors who are committed to working long term in underserved areas. As my primary career goal is to return to my much adored home state and do my part to help fill this need, I have a vested interest in learning more about rural medicine during medical school.

I was raised in Cumberland, Maine, a coastal town of 7,000 just north of Portland. With its single stoplight and general store (where it would be unusual to visit without running into someone you know), Cumberland is the epitome of a small New England town. It truly was the perfect place to grow up. According to the most recent census, nearly a third of the town’s population is under 18 and more than 75% of households contain children, two statistics which speak to the family-centric nature of Cumberland’s community. Recently rated Maine's safest town, Cumberland is the type of place where you allow your kindergartener to bike alone to school, leave your house unlocked while at work, and bring home-cooked food to your sick neighbors and their children. Growing up in such a safe, close-knit, and supportive community instilled in me the core values of compassion, trustworthiness, and citizenship. These three values guide me every day and will continue to guide me through medical school and my career in medicine.

As a medical student and eventual physician, my compassion will guide me to become a provider who cares for more than just the physical well-being of my patients. I will also commit myself to my patients’ emotional, spiritual, and social well-being and make it a priority to take into account the unique values and beliefs of each patient. By also demonstrating my trustworthiness during every encounter, I will develop strong interpersonal relationships with those whom I serve. As a doctor once wisely said, “A patient does not care how much you know until he knows how much you care.”

My citizenship will guide me to serve my community and to encourage my classmates and colleagues to do the same. We will be taught in medical school to be healers, scientists, and educators. I believe that, in addition, as students and as physicians, we have the responsibility to use our medical knowledge, research skills, and teaching abilities to benefit more than just our patients. We must also commit ourselves to improving the health and wellness of those living in our communities by participating in public events (i.e by donating our medical services), lobbying for better access to healthcare for the underprivileged, and promoting wellness campaigns. As a medical student and eventual physician, my compassion, trustworthiness, and citizenship will drive me to improve the lives of as many individuals as I can.

Cumberland instilled in me important core values and afforded me a wonderful childhood. However, I recognize that my hometown is not perfect. For one, the population is shockingly homogenous, at least as far as demographics go. As of the 2010 census, 97.2% of the residents of Cumberland were white. Only 4.1% of residents speak a language other than English at home and even fewer were born in another country. Essentially everybody who identified with a religion identified as some denomination of Christian. My family was one of maybe five Jewish families in the town. Additionally, nearly all the town’s residents graduated from high school (98.1%), are free of disability (93.8%), and live above the poverty line (95.8%). Efforts to attract diverse families to Cumberland is one improvement that I believe would make the community a better place in which to live. Diversity in background (and in thought) is desirable in any community as living, learning, and working alongside diverse individuals helps us develop new perspectives, enhances our social development, provides us with a larger frame of reference, and improves our understanding of our place in society.

Medical School Essay Five

“How many of you received the flu vaccine this year?” I asked my Bricks 4 Kidz class, where I volunteer to teach elementary students introductory science and math principles using Lego blocks. “What’s a flu vaccine?” they asked in confusion. Surprised, I briefly explained the influenza vaccine and its purpose for protection. My connection to children and their health extends to medical offices, clinics and communities where I have gained experience and insight into medicine, confirming my goal of becoming a physician.

My motivation to pursue a career in medicine developed when my mother, who was diagnosed with Lupus, underwent a kidney transplant surgery and suffered multiple complications. I recall the fear and anxiety I felt as a child because I misunderstood her chronic disease. This prompted me to learn more about the science of medicine. In high school, I observed patients plagued with acute and chronic kidney disease while briefly exploring various fields of medicine through a Mentorship in Medicine summer program at my local hospital. In addition to shadowing nephrologists in a hospital and clinical setting, I scrubbed into the operating room, viewed the radiology department, celebrated the miracle of birth in the delivery room, and quietly observed a partial autopsy in pathology. I saw many patients confused about their diagnoses. I was impressed by the compassion of the physicians and the time they took to reassure and educate their patients.

Further experiences in medicine throughout and after college shaped a desire to practice in underserved areas. While coloring and reading with children in the patient area at a Family Health Center, I witnessed family medicine physicians diligently serve patients from low-income communities. On a medical/dental mission trip to the Philippines, I partnered with local doctors to serve and distribute medical supplies to rural schools and communities. At one impoverished village, I held a malnourished two-year old boy suffering from cerebral palsy and cardiorespiratory disease. His family could not afford to take him to the nearest pediatrician, a few hours away by car, for treatment. Overwhelmed, I cried as we left the village. Many people were suffering through pain and disease due to limited access to medicine. But this is not rare; there are many people suffering due to inadequate access/accessibility around the world, even in my hometown. One physician may not be able to change the status of underserved communities, however, one can alleviate some of the suffering.

Dr. X, my mentor and supervisor, taught me that the practice of medicine is both a science and an art. As a medical assistant in a pediatric office, I am learning about the patient-physician relationship and the meaningful connection with people that medicine provides. I interact with patients and their families daily. Newborn twins were one of the first patients I helped, and I look forward to seeing their development at successive visits. A young boy who endured a major cardiac surgery was another patient I connected with, seeing his smiling face in the office often as he transitioned from the hospital to his home. I also helped many excited, college-bound teenagers with requests for medical records in order to matriculate. This is the art of medicine – the ability to build relationships with patients and have an important and influential role in their lives, from birth to adulthood and beyond.

In addition, medicine encompasses patient-centered care, such as considering and addressing concerns. While taking patient vitals, I grew discouraged when parents refused the influenza vaccine and could not understand their choices. With my experience in scientific research, I conducted an informal yet insightful study. Over one hundred families were surveyed about their specific reasons for refusing the flu vaccine. I sought feedback on patients’ level of understanding about vaccinations and its interactions with the human immune system. Through this project, I learned the importance of understanding patient’s concerns in order to reassure them through medicine. I also learned the value of communicating with patients, such as explaining the purpose of a recommended vaccine. I hope to further this by attending medical school to become a physician focused on patient-centered care, learning from and teaching my community.

Children have been a common thread in my pursuit of medicine, from perceiving medicine through child-like eyes to interacting daily with children in a medical office. My diverse experiences in patient interaction and the practice of medicine inspire me to become a physician, a path that requires perseverance and passion. Physicians are life-long learners and teachers, educating others whether it is on vaccinations or various diseases. This vocation also requires preparation, and I eagerly look forward to continually learning and growing in medical school and beyond.

To learn more about what to expect from the study of medicine, check out our Study Medicine in the US section.

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90+ Strong Health Essay Topics And How To Handle Them

Table of Contents

You can write about healthy lifestyle, rehabilitation after traumas, childcare, common or rare diseases, global advances in health and medicine, environmental health issues, and more.

How to deal with essay on health?

Your essay will be the most impressive if you choose a topic that is familiar to you or you can write about something you have experience with. It will be easier for you to do a health essay paper and build a convincing argument. Another approach is choosing a topic which is not familiar to you but in which you are interested in. It would be a great opportunity for you to educate yourself.

If you pick an interesting essay topic idea which is too broad to cover in your essay, you should do additional keyword research and look for some specific aspects of this topic to narrow it.

Keep in mind that you should look for a narrow topic which has enough available resources that you can use for researching it.

Before you start writing, make sure you have found enough evidence and examples to support your argument. A good idea is to create a working outline or a mind map for your essay that will guide your writing and help you stay focused on your key points.

First, create a strong thesis statement and think about several main points to support it.

If you are looking for health topics to write about and are not sure what to write about, here we have gathered a lot of exciting ideas that you won’t find on any other essay writing services.

Feel free to use them as inspiration own topic ideas or for writing your essays.

Health topics to write about

• How Can We Help Children Maintain a Healthy Body Weight?
• Ethical and Legal Issues of Surrogate Pregnancy.
• How Dangerous are Long-term Consequences of Anorexia?
• Principles of Preventing Medical Errors in Hospitals.
• How Can Doctors Promote Healthy Lifestyle?
• Why is Homeopathy a Pseudo-Science?
• What Are Side Effects of Blood Transfusion?
• Types of Eating Disorders.
• Can a Vegan Diet Be Healthy?
• The Best Strategies to Maintain Healthy Body Weight.
• Psychological Issues of Breast Cancer.
• Importance of Organ Donation after Death.
• Can Cloning Help Save Lives?
• Ethics in Human Experimentation.
• Symptoms of Heart Attacks in Women.
• Is It Possible to Cure Diabetes in the Future?

Interesting health topics to write about

• What is the Difference Between Western Medicine and Alternative Medicine?
• Health Consequences of Eating Disorders.
• Bioprinting as the Future of Organ Transplants.
• Use of Stem Cell Technologies for Cancer Treatment.
• Ethical and Social Issues of Cosmetic Surgery.
• How Does Advertising Influence Healthy Food Choices?
• Role of Nutrition Education in Promoting Healthy Diets.
• Fast Food Consumption and Obesity.
• How Can Exercise Help Senior Improve Strength and Balance?
• Advantages and Disadvantages of Weight Loss Surgery.
• Obesity as a Medical and Social Problem.
• Strategies for Heart Disease Prevention.
• How Long Can Humans Actually Live?
• Pros and Cons of Clinical Trials.
• Alternative Ways to Treat Depression.
• Is There a Cure for HIV or AIDS?

Controversial health essay topics

• Is There a Link Between Sugary Drinks and Cancer?
• Health Consequences of Caffeine.
• Can Little Kid Food Habits Signal Autism?
• Should Euthanasia Be Legalized?
• Pros and Cons of Medical Marijuana.
• Is Alternative Medicine Dangerous?
• Is Doing Sports always Healthy?
• Which Diet Is Better: Low-Fat or Low-Carb?
• Discuss Measures for Prevention of Communicable Diseases.
• Social Determinants That Influence People’s Well-being.
• Are Doctors Responsible for the Opioid Epidemic?
• Is Religion a Mental Disorder?
• Is Nuclear Waste Really Dangerous for People?
• Is a No-Carb Diet Safe?
• Are We Too Dependent on Antibiotics?
• Are Natural Medicines a Good Alternative to Pharmaceutical?
• Can Blockchain Help Improve the Trust in the Accuracy of Clinical Trials Data?

Mental health argumentative essay topics

• Influence of Environmental Factors on Mental Health.
• Drug Misuse and Mental Disorders.
• Social Effects of Mental Disorders.
• Alcohol Addiction and Psychiatric Disorders.
• Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment of Teen Depression.
• How to Protect Your Mental Health from Social Media Dangers.
• Effects of Social Isolation and Loneliness on Severe Mental Disorders.
• Negative Effects of Total Isolation on Physical and Mental Health.
• Mental Health Benefits Associated with Physical Activity.
• Association between Exercise and Mood.
• Mental Health Problems of Homeless People.
• Stress as a Risk Factor for Mental Disorders.
• Effect of Disposer to Violence on Mental Disorders.
• Common Mental Disorders in the USA.
• Depression and Anxiety Disorders among Adults.
• Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Anxiety Disorders.
• Economic Burden of Depression and Anxiety Disorders.
• Influence of Anxiety Disorders on the Quality of Life.

Health care essay topics

• Advantages and Challenges of E-health Technology.
• Application of Big Data to the Medical Care System.
• Risk Connected with Untested Methods of Alternative Medicine.
• Controversial Issues in the US Medical Care System.
• Telemedicine and Other Disruptive Innovations in Health Care System.
• How Can We Achieve Health Equity?
• Impact of Racism on the Well-Being of the Nation.
• School-based Health Care and Educational Success of Children.
• Role of School-based Health Care in Preventing Dropout.
• What Can Be Done to Curb Rising Suicide Rates?
• Do Adults and Senior Still Need Vaccines?
• What Human Rights Issues Have an Impact on Public Health?
• What Measures Should Be Taken to Prevent Heat-related Deaths?
• Discuss Healthy Housing Standards.
• What Are Common Strategies for Prevention of Chronic Diseases?

Health essay topics for high school students

• Can Computers Displace Doctors?
• Can People Become Immortal?
• Can Happiness Cure Diseases?
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Yale Medical School Secondary Essays: Tips To Stand Out & Prompts

• Cracking Med School Admissions Team

Getting accepted to Yale School of Medicine is hard. Very hard. Submitting OUTSTANDING Yale Medical School secondary essays is vital to receiving an interview invite, which ultimately can lead to an acceptance. Yale loves to recruit the best of the best , students from all backgrounds. While you still need to have a solid academic background, the Yale Admissions Committee is more interested in how you will become one of  the next leaders in healthcare . Therefore, almost all med school applicants receive a Yale secondary application because the admissions committee wants to see what you have to offer as an applicant. 

Secondary essay questions for Yale School of Medicine do not change year to year. This is  a good med school secondary to pre-write.

Our Cracking Med School Admissions team has a track record of helping our mentees receive interview invites and acceptances to Yale School of Medicine year after year, including the Yale MSTP program. Get started and read our Yale Medical School secondary application tips below.

• To learn more about student life, the curriculum, and Yale School of Medicine admissions, read our Cracking Yale School of Medicine Admissions: Tips to Stand Out . 

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Yale Medical School Secondary Application Essay Prompts: 2023 – 2024

• Yale School of Medicine values diversity in all its forms. How will your background and experiences contribute to this important focus of our institution and inform your future role as a physician? (500 words max)
• While there is great emphasis on the physician-patient relationship, Yale School of Medicine also emphasizes the importance of training future physicians to care for communities and populations. Describe how your experiences would contribute to this aspect of the mission of the Yale School of Medicine. (500 words max)
• Research is essential to patient care, and all students at Yale School of Medicine complete a research thesis. Tell us how your research interests, skills and experiences would contribute to scholarship at Yale School of Medicine. (500 words max)
• (Optional) This section should be used to bring to the attention of the Admissions Committee any important information (personal, academic, or professional) not discussed in other sections of your Yale Secondary Application. If you are a recent graduate, please also list your post-graduation plans/activities in the “Additional Information” section and submit any relevant updates for finalized plans/activities as the application year progresses. (500 words max)

Tips to Answer Yale Medical School  Secondary Essays

Yale Secondaries Pre-writing Guidance: Secondary essay questions for Yale School of Medicine do not change year to year. This is a good med school secondary to pre-write. However, this is not a time sensitive school; Yale really wants to give every medical student applicant a chance to show his or her strengths. We have advised and met many students who have submitted well into the application cycle (even late October) who receive Yale interview invitations! Of course, we don’t recommend submitting later than Labor Day, but we want to tell you our experiences so you can plan your secondary essay writing accordingly. 

Yale Medical School Secondary Essays Tip #1: Answer as many questions as possible. Our Cracking Med School Admissions team does not view Yale secondary application questions as optional. What can you write about in the last essay (optional Yale Med essay)? You can literally write about anything. But write about something that will show the admissions committee another perspective about you.

For the Yale secondaries optional essay, many of our mentees who have worked with us through our medical school application packages have discussed topics related to: family background, cultural / gender identity, unique leadership opportunities, and extra-curricular activities they were not able to discuss in other Yale med school secondary application essays. The Yale secondaries optional essay should also complement the AMCAS primary application personal statement.

Many of the students we help through our application packages or secondary essay editing packages will answer the optional question like a hybrid “ diversity ” + “what they will do in their upcoming gap year” essay. 

Yale Medical School Secondary Essays Tip #2: It is very important to note that diversity DOES NOT mean you have to talk about your ethnicity. In fact, we think most of the strongest essays we’ve read for Yale secondaries have been not related to applicants’ cultural backgrounds or heritages. So, what should you write about for the Yale Medical School secondary application diversity essay? Write about what’s going to make you stand out the most as a future healthcare leader: What are you going to uniquely bring to Yale that will allow you to improve healthcare?

Examples of topics for Yale’s diversity secondary essay: Creating health programs for underserved communities and conducting research to evaluate the health programs; Advocating for disabled individuals; Improving the health of incarcerated juveniles; Supporting Alzheimer patient care and create treatments of Alzheimer’s; Using artificial intelligence for drug discovery; Creating support groups for autoimmune patients; Understanding the social determinants of health to improve health education programs in underserved communities; Founding new health initiatives, such as vaccine clinics, at free clinics.

• For more help with diversity essays and an example diversity essay, read our blog post: Medical School Diversity Essay Examples and Tips  
• Read more strong secondary essays in our Cracking Med School Admissions book.  

Yale Medical School Secondary Essays Tip #3: If you choose to answer the question, “ Research is essential to patient care, and all students at Yale School of Medicine complete a research thesis. Tell us how your research interests, skills and experiences would contribute to scholarship at Yale School of Medicine, ” make sure you show how YOU drive your research forward. Yale (and all medical schools) care a lot about your independence as a researcher. For this essay prompt, many strong applicants will clearly describe their research question and hypothesis. They will also discuss the methodology, analysis, and results. Additionally, students may discuss how they overcame challenges in their research project.

A strong research essay for Yale Medical School’s application will link the research that you’ve done with research you want to do as a medical student at Yale. 

A common question we get from med school applicants: Can you write about the same research project you wrote about in your AMCAS work & activities section or primary application  personal statement? Definitely! In fact, many students will pick the same research to discuss for both the primary and secondary because that is the research that is most important. Once again, make sure the response you give on this Yale Medical School secondary research essay and the AMCAS complement one another. 

If you have questions about how to write a strong research essay or want our help with editing, please email [email protected] or contact us below!

Yale Medical School Secondary Essays Tip #4: Highlight your leadership, passion to change healthcare, and impact on society. Yale Med recruits the next generation of healthcare leaders . Tell stories to convey your impact and leadership. For example, if you conducted research over a gap year, tell a story about a challenge you faced or a patient you met while conducting a clinical trial. If you started a program to improve health education in a community clinic, then talk about the program that you started. Then, discuss your future goals to become a healthcare leader; tie your previous experiences with the type of future healthcare leader you wan to be.

Yale Medical School Secondary Essays Tip #5: Include at least one patient story from a clinical experience. Yale’s Admissions Committee cares deeply about the extent an applicant has been involved with direct patient care. Additionally, strong applications will not only include a story (or stories) with patients, but also discuss how they’ve impacted a patient’s life. 

Yale Medical School Secondary Essays Tip #6: Understand Yale’s Open Curriculum and discuss how you will thrive in this environment. How will you take advantage of the Pass/Fail system and opportunities at Yale? In addition to discussing the curriculum, you have a lot of space to convey “ Why Yale Medical School ?” Successful applicants have included specific research projects, internships, and extra-curricular activities they hope to pursue as a medical student at Yale. 

• Read our HIGH-YIELD blog post:   Why this Medical School? Secondary Essay Example

Yale Medical School Secondary Essays Tip #7: Yale School of Medicine requires its Yale Med students to write a thesis. Because research is a vital cornerstone of the Yale Med curriculum, discuss research that you have pursued as a premed student clearly on the Yale Med School secondary application. If you are planning to answer the research question (see Tip #1 above), then this is easy to accomplish! However, even if you are not answering the research question, you should plan on at least mentioning research you were involved with as a premedical student in the other essays. 

Yale Medical School Secondary Essays Tip #8: Yale medical school secondary essays are like medical school personal statements. Contact us below if you want our help to STAND OUT. Several of our students receive interview invitations each admissions cycle. Need editing help on your secondary? We can help you through our secondary essay packages .

[ Read more secondary essay tips: Columbia University Vagelos ,  Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine , Harvard Medical School , Stanford School of Medicine ]

Your medical school application Coaches, Mentors, & Cheerleaders

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Changing the trajectory of people’s lives.

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Medical School Stanford School of Medicine

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Yale Medical School Secondary Application Essay Prompts: 2022 – 2023

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Yale Medical School Secondary Application Essay Prompts: 2021 – 2022

Yale med school secondary application essay prompts: 2020 – 2021.

• Yale School of Medicine values diversity in all its forms. How will your background and experiences contribute to this important focus of our institution and inform your future role as a physician?  (500 words max)
• While there is great emphasis on the physician-patient relationship, Yale School of Medicine also emphasizes the importance of training future physicians to care for communities and populations. Describe how your experiences would contribute to this aspect of the mission of the Yale School of Medicine.  (500 words max)
• Research is essential to patient care, and all students at Yale School of Medicine complete a research thesis. Tell us how your research interests, skills and experiences would contribute to scholarship at Yale School of Medicine.  (500 words max)

Yale Med School Secondary Application Essay Prompts: 2019 – 2020

• (Optional)  This section should be used to bring to the attention of the Admissions Committee any important information (personal, academic, or professional) not discussed in other sections of your Yale Secondary Application. If you are a recent graduate, please also list your post-graduation plans/activities in the “Additional Information” section and submit any relevant updates for finalized plans/activities as the application year progresses.  (500 words max)
• (Optional) There is also an activities/achievements section, questions about your academic background (multiple choice), and parental/diversity questions (multiple choice).

Yale Med School Secondary Application Essay Prompts: 2018 – 2019

• (Optional) This section should be used to bring to the attention of the Admissions Committee any important information (personal, academic, or professional) not discussed in other sections of your Yale Secondary Application. (500 words max)
• Your reasons for wishing to undertake the combined MD/PhD program, rather than the MD program alone.
• The specific PhD program that you propose to follow at Yale.
• The strengths of that Yale graduate program and its faculty as they relate to your career goals.

Yale Med School Secondary Application Essay Prompts: 2017 – 2018

• Please use this space to write an essay in which you discuss your interest in Yale School of Medicine. (500 words max)

Yale Med School Secondary Application Essay Prompts: 2016 – 2017

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How to Answer “Why are You Interested in Medicine” During an Interview

When applying to medical school, arguably one of the most asked interview questions is “Why are you interested in medicine?” Here’s how to answer to differentiate yourself, be memorable, and boost your chances of acceptance.

While most students interviewing for medical school expect to be asked a version of the “Why medicine” question, even interviewees who prepare for it still tend to give average answers at best.

Here are a few tips on how to convey your passion for medicine during your interview:

Reinforce Your Medical Passion from Your Primary and Secondary Applications

Given that you most likely addressed this question in your personal statement and secondary applications, review them again prior to your interview. While you don’t want to regurgitate what you wrote, there should be overlap between what you wrote before and what you say now. You were invited to the interview because they were impressed by your application essays. Therefore, reinforcing that content could be as successful during a conversation as it was in writing.

Introduce Something New During Your Interview that Renews Interest

If possible, build upon your personal statement and essays to share new details about a story you wrote about in your response. Or you may want to share a new story that helps illustrate what you wrote. For instance, if you wrote about your passion for pediatrics and you recently had a meaningful experience with a pediatric patient, share this story. Again, they liked your story enough to invite you to an interview, so share the next chapter in an exciting way with new details!

Discuss Why You Specifically Want to be a Physician – With Passion and Authenticity

Even if your medical school interviewer asks you “why are you interested in medicine,” part of your response should specifically address why you want to be a physician (versus some other type of healthcare provider). While this requires introspection on your part, it also requires tact. I have had clients who have said things like “I want to be a physician because physicians are the ones who lead (or problem-solve or analyze).” The problem with such responses is that it implies that other types of healthcare providers do not lead, problem-solve, or analyze. This is not only false, but can be offensive – especially if your interviewer or someone he or she knows is another type of healthcare provider.

One thing that often differentiates physicians from other types of healthcare providers is that for better or worse, the buck stops with them – particularly when it comes to patient care. This means that although a physician may get much of the credit for a patient’s success, that same physician will get the brunt of the blame for poor outcomes too. The way to integrate this observation into a response is with proof.

Consider discussing a time when you were ultimately responsible for an outcome. Or more specifically, you could talk about not only how you overcame a challenge and/or negative outcome during this experience, but also how you grew from it and even learned to embrace it.

Follow these tips and you’ll be on your way to wowing your interviewers!

How Can I Get Help Preparing for My Medical School Interview?

If you are currently interviewing and need expertise help, MedSchoolCoach has a team of physician advisors who have interviewed actual medical school applicants and can help you with traditional/MMI interviews and VITA !

And if you need a skilled team of advisors to help you apply successfully, MedSchoolCoach has a team of physician advisors and writing advisors.  Schedule a free consultation with a MedSchoolCoach enrollment advisor  today!

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