![Tufts University School of Medicine Secondary Application Essay Tips [2020 - 2021]](https://blog.accepted.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Tufts-University-School-of-Medicine-secondary-essay-tips.jpg)
Tufts describes their fundamental mission as promoting human health, with an emphasis on leadership and clinical care. They are looking for students with a strong background in the fundamentals of science who also want to apply that work in a clinical setting. The school’s curriculum emphasizes patient contact early on along with full integration of the sciences.
Because Tufts’ medical school is focused on classes where there is a dynamic environment with a great deal of peer-to-peer work, you should emphasize your ability to lead and contribute to a medical school class.
Tufts Medical School 2020-2021 secondary application essay questions
Tufts Medical School essay #1
Do you wish to include any comments (in addition to those already provided in your AMCAS application) to the Admissions Committee at Tufts University School of Medicine? (If yes, 1000 characters)
You can use this space to write about anything not in the AMCAS. Be sure you do not repeat your personal statement. This is a good place to indicate anything specific about Tufts or about your personal background that relates to your med school application. Some applicants use this space to write about a personal experience that is particularly relevant and not included elsewhere.
This is a great place to say why you want to attend Tufts Medical School.
Tufts Medical School essay #2
Please briefly describe your plans for the coming year. Include in this explanation if you will be a student, working, conducting research, volunteering, etc. (1000 characters)
1000 characters is approximately 200 words, not a lot. Discuss what you plan to do in the upcoming year that most shows your fit with the Tufts Mission and Values. If you are a rising senior, will you have any leadership positions? What do you hope to accomplish in those roles? What research, if any, will you do? What community service will you do? Where will you participate as a clinician?
If you are taking a gap year, show, as Jennifer Welch discusses in this podcast episode, that it’s going to be a growth year. What will you accomplish at work? How will you immerse yourself in different populations? Will you work as a scribe (excellent clinical exposure)? Will you participate in a research project? Be included as an author?
Highlight your plans that show your commitment to medicine as Tufts sees it and shows that you will be a valuable member of Tufts incoming class.
Tufts Medical School essay #3
Do you consider yourself a person who would contribute to the diversity of the student body of Tufts University School of Medicine? (If yes, 1000 characters)
For this question, you should consider diversity in all its forms: race, ethnicity, language, family background, economic circumstances, education, and past experience. Consider how you might interact with a diverse group of medical students and contribute to your class. It is not enough to simply say that you are diverse; you need to explain how that makes you a better applicant. If you are struggling to come up with ways in which you are diverse, I encourage you to interpret the question broadly and explain how your experiences make you a unique and worthwhile applicant who is going to contribute a unique background, perspective, or experience to Tuft’s class.
Tufts Medical School essay #4
Given how the COVID-19 pandemic has altered the world this year, please contextualize how your experiences have been affected which might include your personal, professional and educational journey. (1000 characters)
It is true, COVID-19 has derailed the majority of volunteer work, shadowing, academic research, internships and MCAT plans for medical school applicants. The good news is you’re not alone.
Medical schools are now responding to how current students’ clinical rotations and future students’ application requirements may have been affected by the COVID-19 crisis.
Tufts has qualified their MCAT requirement in light of COVID-19:
“MCATs will continue to be an admissions requirement and utilized as part of our holistic evaluation process. For any candidate whose opportunity to take the MCATs has been delayed for the spring of 2020, you will have the opportunity to submit a later MCAT score through the fall of 2020 and your application will be considered once it’s complete. We will ensure that interview positions and acceptance offers will remain available for applicants who are required to delay their MCAT testing.”
Then, by adding this new secondary, Tufts want you to explain how you were affected, broken down into three categories:
Personally (Were you or your family affected? Did you or someone in your home get sick? Did you or someone in your home have to quarantine?)
Professionally (Did you lose your job as a scribe, a scientist, a care giver, a lab manager during a gap year during which you planned to work? Did your workplace rapidly shift their practice to “safe distancing” and amped up disinfecting routines?)
Educationally (Did your Winter or Spring 2020 grades convert to Pass/Fail grades? How has this changed your transcripts and GPA? Did you have to stop shadowing a physician? Did you have to delay taking the MCAT?)
If you were personally affected, definitely explain this, briefly. There’s no room in this prompt to write an involved story. (It has a 3000-character limit.)
It’s likely this prompt is a place for Tufts to easily and uniformly locate information on how applicants were affected by COVID-19, across applications. That’s practical. So, stay clear and categorize in the manner they ask: personal, professional and educational.
Also, consider that this prompt offers a brief opportunity to place in context the effect of a public health crisis that no one could foresee, perhaps in your concluding comment. Avoid self-pity. Avoid woe-is-me. Convey instead how you, a future doctor, adjusted and engaged the crisis. How did you step up to the pandemic, in whatever innovative way?
Tufts Medical School essay #5
Do you have any withdrawals or repeated coursework listed on your transcript(s). (If yes, 1000 characters)
Explain anything in your academic history that answers this question. Be honest and do not make excuses. I always suggest that applicants respond to this question precisely.
Tufts Medical School essay #6
Did you take any leaves of absence or significant breaks from your undergraduate education? (Do not include time off after graduation.)
(If yes, 1000 characters)
Include information about what you did during your time off. Include volunteer work. If you took time off due to difficulties or personal problems, explain how you overcame them and show that they no longer exist or that you have learned how to deal with them effectively. End on a positive note.
If you would like professional guidance with your Tufts Medical School application materials, check out Accepted’s Medical School Admissions Consulting and Editing Services, which include advising, editing, and interview coaching for Tufts application materials.
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Tufts Medical School application timeline 2020 – 2021
| AMCAS Application Due | November 1st |
| Secondary Application Due | January 15th |
Source: Tufts University School of Medicine website
*Strong recommendation: Submit within two weeks after receipt.
***Disclaimer: Information is subject to change. Please check with individual programs to verify the essay questions, instructions and deadlines.***
Dr. Mary Mahoney, Ph.D. has over 20 years of experience as an advisor and essay reviewer for med school applicants. She is a tenured English Professor with an MFA in Creative Writing from Sarah Lawrence College and a PhD in Literature and Writing from the University of Houston. For the last twenty years, Mary has served as a grad school advisor and essay reviewer for med school applicants. Want Mary to help you get Accepted? Click here to get in touch!
Related Resources:
- Med School Secondary Essay Handbook: School Specific Tips, a free guide
- 3 Tips for Writing the Optional Essay in Medical School Secondary Applications
- Matching Your Values to the Medical School Mission Statement
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