BS/MD Essay Writing Guide

Craft compelling essays that demonstrate your readiness for an accelerated medical path

Core BS/MD Essay Types

Master these essential essays for every BS/MD application

Why Medicine?

500-750 words

Your personal journey to medicine. This must be authentic, specific, and demonstrate deep understanding of the profession.

  • • Specific catalyst moment or gradual realization
  • • Clinical experiences that confirmed your path
  • • Understanding of physician responsibilities
  • • Long-term vision for your medical career

Why This Program?

250-500 words

Demonstrate deep knowledge of the specific BS/MD program and how it aligns with your goals.

  • • Specific program features that attract you
  • • How the curriculum fits your learning style
  • • Research opportunities or faculty interests
  • • Connection to affiliated medical school

Why Now? (Age 18)

300-500 words

Address why you're ready to commit to medicine at such a young age.

  • • Extensive exposure validating your decision
  • • Maturity demonstrated through experiences
  • • Clear understanding of the commitment
  • • Evidence of informed decision-making

Diversity Statement

300-500 words

What unique perspectives and experiences will you bring to the program?

  • • Cultural or socioeconomic background
  • • Overcoming significant challenges
  • • Unique talents or perspectives
  • • Contribution to program community

Most Meaningful Activity

350-500 words

Deep dive into one transformative experience from your activities.

  • • Context and your role
  • • Challenges faced and overcome
  • • Impact on others and yourself
  • • Connection to medical aspirations

Challenge/Adversity Essay

400-600 words

Demonstrate resilience and growth through a significant challenge.

  • • Nature of the challenge
  • • Your response and actions taken
  • • Lessons learned and growth
  • • Application to future medical practice

Winning Essay Structure

The Perfect "Why Medicine" Essay Structure

  1. Opening Hook (10-15%): Start with a vivid scene or compelling moment that draws the reader in. Avoid clichés like "I've always wanted to be a doctor."
  2. Journey Development (30-35%): Chronicle your path with specific experiences. Show progression and deepening understanding.
  3. Clinical Evidence (25-30%): Concrete examples from volunteering, shadowing, EMT work that validate your choice.
  4. Understanding of Medicine (20-25%): Demonstrate knowledge of challenges, rewards, and daily realities of being a physician.
  5. Future Vision (10-15%): Connect your experiences to future goals. What kind of physician will you be?
Example: Strong "Why Medicine" Opening Excellent
"The emergency department at 2 AM is a symphony of controlled chaos. As an EMT-B, I wheeled in Mr. Rodriguez, a construction worker whose hand had been crushed in an accident. While the trauma team worked to save his hand, I held his other one, translating the doctor's updates into Spanish as tears streamed down his weathered face. In that moment, I realized medicine isn't just about healing bodies—it's about being a bridge between fear and hope, between medical complexity and human understanding."
Why this works: Specific scene, shows clinical experience (EMT), demonstrates compassion and cultural competence, unique perspective on medicine, avoids clichés, immediately engaging.

Common BS/MD Essay Prompts

1
Describe a patient interaction that solidified your desire to pursue medicine.
2
How will you contribute to the diversity of our medical school class?
3
Describe a time you failed and what you learned from the experience.
4
What area of medicine interests you most and why?
5
How have you demonstrated leadership in healthcare settings?
6
Describe a ethical dilemma you've witnessed in healthcare.
7
What do you see as the biggest challenge facing medicine today?
8
How will you balance the demands of an accelerated program?
9
Describe your most meaningful research or academic project.

Essay Do's and Don'ts

✓ DO's

  • Show, don't tell - use specific examples
  • Be authentic and genuine in your voice
  • Demonstrate deep reflection and growth
  • Connect experiences to future medical practice
  • Research each program thoroughly
  • Have multiple people review your essays
  • Start early - allow time for multiple drafts
  • Answer the actual question asked
  • Use active voice and vivid language
  • Proofread meticulously for errors

✗ DON'Ts

  • Use clichés ("I want to help people")
  • Write what you think they want to hear
  • List activities without reflection
  • Exceed word limits
  • Recycle essays without customization
  • Focus only on childhood experiences
  • Make excuses for weaknesses
  • Use medical jargon incorrectly
  • Submit without multiple reviews
  • Write about controversial topics

Essay Writing Timeline

1
Brainstorm
April (Jr Year)
2
First Drafts
May-June
3
Major Revisions
July
4
Feedback Round
August
5
Final Polish
September
6
Submit
Oct-Nov

Power Words for Medical Essays

Action Verbs

Advocated • Collaborated • Diagnosed • Empowered • Facilitated • Implemented • Initiated • Led • Mentored • Organized • Pioneered • Researched • Spearheaded • Transformed • Volunteered

Medical Qualities

Compassionate • Dedicated • Empathetic • Innovative • Meticulous • Perseverant • Resilient • Resourceful • Thorough • Analytical • Collaborative • Ethical • Patient-centered • Evidence-based • Holistic

Impact Words

Breakthrough • Catalyst • Comprehensive • Critical • Fundamental • Groundbreaking • Invaluable • Pivotal • Profound • Significant • Substantial • Transformative • Unprecedented • Vital • Life-changing

Final Essay Tips for BS/MD Success