Drexel University College of Medicine Secondary Application Essay Tips [2021 – 2022]

Drexel University’s main campus is located in Philadelphia, PA and, overall, the school has about 1,000 medical students. The school emphasizes the intersection between research and clinical care and has research centers for nanomedicine and neuroengineering. Drexel’s clinical education provides a “patient-focused practice emphasizing quality, innovation and community service.”

Drexel’s mission statement emphasizes diversity alongside a spirit of collaboration within research and clinical sciences. They are known for their dedicated faculty and commitment to students who are experiencing hardship.

Drexel University College of Medicine 2021-22 secondary application essay questions

Drexel Medical School essay #1

If you are a recent graduate, please tell us what you have been doing since graduation. If you have not yet graduated, please discuss your current activities and engagements. We understand that it may have been difficult to obtain clinical or volunteer service experiences during the pandemic; therefore, be sure to discuss any traditional and /or nontraditional clinical exposures and volunteering experiences that you have done during this time.(no limit)

This essay should explain what you have been doing since graduation as well as your planned activities for the gap year before matriculation into medical school. You should include work, education, personal experience (e.g. caring for family, travel), and volunteer work. Consider activities for the gap year that correct what might be lacking in your application – not enough clinical experience? Then, yes, you should engage clinical experience during the gap year. If you have work experience, you can also give some insight into major accomplishments.

Drexel Medical School essay #2 

What else do you feel is important for us to know about you? You can use this space to highlight something not addressed in your application, including new experiences not in your AMCAS application. You can also talk about how COVID -19 impacted you. For example, it may have caused disruptions or changes in your plans. If there is something you would like to share regarding how this event impacted you, share that information here. (1000 word limit)

Drexel has eliminated their secondary about diversity. I recommend using this space to highlight anything about you that is a distinctive characteristic or is of distinguishing value that doesn’t fit elsewhere in the application.This can include identity, gender, race, culture, family history, SES, personal loss or achievement, or a particularly meaningful experience. Do not repeat an activity that you discussed fully in another section of your primary application. 

If you have diverse characteristics in your pedigree, explore them. How will these personal attributes improve the scope of medicine for all? How does this truth assist the mission of Drexel University College of Physicians and Surgeons? Speak to their mission as your diversity relates to it, and how this is an asset to patient care.

This could be an opportunity to tell the admissions committee about how you (or your family or your community) were affected by COVID-19 personally. If you were affected personally, definitely tell that story here.

Or this could be where you explain how your education, volunteer work, employment, MCAT, shadowing, employment were affected by the pandemic and COVID-19 crisis. Most applicants will have had some disruption. Stay clear and factual here. Don’t over embellish your answer. Close with an unforeseen opportunity that arose, or what you learned from your pandemic experiences. Stay positive in conclusion.

Consider as well that you could write an essay about an experience whereby you saw social determinants of health complicate someone’s hardship, struggle, or challenges. Consider as well that you could write a story about how you helped someone who faced healthcare disparities or participated in a humanitarian mission.

Another change in this prompt: the word limit has doubled, to 1000 words. So, this prompt is now a long essay opportunity. Stay organized and pay attention to how your story sequences from A, to B, to C. (Do not use this writing space to provide a narrative résumé or repeat all the volunteer work you’ve done.)

Applying to Drexel Medical School? Here are some stats:

Drexel median MCAT score: 520

Drexel median GPA: 3.94

Drexel acceptance rate: 3.5%

You’ve worked so hard to get to this place in your life. Now that you’re ready for your next achievement, make sure you know how to present yourself to maximum advantage in your Drexel Med School applications. In a hotly competitive season, you’ll want a member of Team Accepted in your corner, guiding you with expertise tailored specifically for you. Check out our flexible consulting packages today!

Drexel University Medical School 2021-22 application timeline

Secondary application deadline	January 1, 2022
Decisions released	October 15 until class is filled

Source: Drexel Medical School website

***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:

• 5 Fatal Flaws to Avoid in Your Med School & Secondary Essays, a free guide
• School-Specific Secondary Application Essay Tips
• What NOT to Write in Your Medical School Secondary Application Essays

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