Stanford University School of Medicine logo

Stanford University School of Medicine

Stanford, CA

2026 Secondary Essay Prompts

Essay 3

Question 3: What do you see as the most likely practice scenario for your future medical career? Choose the single answer that best describes your career goals and clinical practice setting:

Essay 4

Question 4: How will you take advantage of the Stanford Medicine Discovery Curriculum and scholarly concentration requirement to achieve your personal career goals? (1,000 characters max)

Essay 5

Question 5: Describe in a short paragraph your educational and family background. (For example) I grew up in New York City, as the 3rd child of a supermarket cashier and a high school principal. I attended Mann High School where my major interests were boxing and drama. (600 characters)

+ 4 more essay prompts

Create a Free Account

Sign up to access all 9 secondary essay prompts, writing tips, and strategy guides

No credit card required

General Secondary Tips

  • Submit within 2 weeks: Turn around your secondary quickly to show genuine interest
  • Research the school: Reference specific programs, values, or opportunities at Stanford University School of Medicine
  • Be specific: Use concrete examples and stories, not vague generalizations
  • Proofread carefully: Typos and grammatical errors signal carelessness
  • Respect word limits: Admissions committees read hundreds of essays—be concise

Secondary Essay FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Am I Competitive?

See how your MCAT, GPA, and background compare to admitted students at Stanford University School of Medicine.

Check My Chances →

Free account · No credit card