University of Illinois College of Medicine Secondary Essay Prompts
Avg GPA
3.8
Avg MCAT
512
Class size
302
SJT required
None
University of Illinois College of Medicine is a public school, so IL residents have a meaningful admissions advantage here.
The 2026-2027 prompts
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Collected from public applicant reports. Prompts occasionally change mid cycle, so confirm against your own secondary portal before you submit.
- 01
What characteristics, qualities, or attributes do you possess that have helped you navigate conflict, change, or unfamiliar situations? In your response, reflect on how you demonstrate resiliency and a growth mindset in your approach to personal and professional development.
No stated limit - 02
Which characteristics, qualities, or attributes of UI COM attracted you to apply for medical school here?
No stated limit - 03
An important part of UI COM's identity is the concept of "one college, three campuses." The curriculum is identical on each campus; however, each campus has unique characteristics. Please describe what you have learned about at least two of our three campuses.
No stated limit - 04
Injustice can take many forms and impact individuals and communities in profound ways. Reflect on some of the causes and consequences of injustice you have observed or learned about. What does an individual's response to injustice reveal about their values and character? How do you see your role—as a future physician and member of society—in recognizing and addressing injustice when you encounter it?
No stated limit - 05
UI COM thrives when students bring a variety of perspectives, values, and ways of thinking to the learning environment. Describe an aspect of your perspective, value system, or experience that is especially meaningful to you. How would this shape your contribution to a collaborative and enriching learning environment at our medical school?
No stated limit - 06
Have you applied for admission to medical school previously? Yes/No If you are reapplying this year please describe what you have done during the past year.
No stated limitOptional - 07
Have you ever matriculated into and not completed a professional/graduate program? Yes/No Please describe the circumstances of why you did not complete the program of study.
No stated limitOptional
How to write these well
- Turn secondaries around within 7 to 14 days of receiving them. Schools read speed as interest, and slow essays land in a bigger pile.
- Pre-write the universal question types (diversity, challenge, why us) once, then adapt per school. Adapting is rewriting the school specific half, not swapping the name.
- Name real programs. A why us answer that cites a specific clinic, track, or community partnership reads ten times stronger than praise for reputation or location.
- Stay under the limit without padding to reach it. Readers are working through thousands of these; a tight answer is a kindness they remember.
Draft your University of Illinois secondaries in your own voice
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