vcu essay prompt 2022

First-year requirements

Review application requirements and materials you must submit in your Common Application to VCU.

Application requirements

To apply to VCU as an incoming first-year student, you must use the Common App .

VCU applications for admissions and scholarship consideration will be reviewed based on academic performance at an accredited high school or on GED scores. The college preparatory curriculum is highly preferred. Extracurricular activities and employment experience may strengthen an application.

Required units

A minimum of 20 units is required for admission to programs on the Monroe Park Campus. Competitive applicants should present a minimum of:

4 units of English
3 units of mathematics (including algebra I and either geometry or algebra II)
3 units of history, social studies or government
3 units of science (at least one laboratory)
3 units of one foreign language or 2 units of two foreign languages are strongly recommended

Test-optional details

Applicants (including those seeking scholarships) do not need to submit test scores unless applying to the Honors College guaranteed admissions programs. Those students should contact the Honors College if they are unable to test. Any applicant who has test scores and would like them to be considered may still submit them.

Application materials

Learn about the materials you'll need to prepare and submit with your application.

Essays are required of all applicants, and must be submitted with the Common Application.

At least one recommendation is preferred for all applicants. Applicants will be asked to submit recommender information before submitting the Common Application. Recommenders will be sent an email on the applicant’s behalf requesting a recommendation.

Optional test score submission

All applicants are eligible for test score optional review, regardless of GPA. Applicants who take a standardized test and would like the scores to be used in our application review may still submit scores. All students will receive a holistic application review. All first-year applicants will be considered for scholarships — even if test scores are not submitted — as long as other scholarship consideration requirements are met.

Test score exceptions

Submission of test scores remains a requirement for all Guaranteed Admission Programs in the Honors College .

As always, the university will select applicants who present the strongest qualifications in scholastic achievement and potential, and through a holistic review of other evidence of potential including the strength of character. Each applicant will continue to be reviewed on an individual basis.

First-year applicants are required to submit an up-to-date high school transcript (including senior-year curriculum and grades, if available). GED holders must submit their official GED scores.

Applicants to programs on the MCV Campus must submit official transcripts from each college, university, school and program attended. All foreign transcripts must be official and submitted in the original language with English translation. Official transcripts must arrive to the Office of Admissions unopened and sealed in their original envelope.

Applicants who are not U.S. citizens but are authorized to live and work in the U.S. on a permanent basis can apply for admission to VCU as degree-seeking, first-year students. In addition to providing all required application materials by the stated deadlines, permanent residents must provide a copy of their green card or other residency document.

Option 1. English Waiver

Applicants may be exempt from English proficiency tests if they meet any of the following criteria:

Option 2. Examinations and Test Scores (VCU's Testing Code: 5570)

If applicants do not qualify for an English waiver, they can provide test scores from one of the following English proficiency exams . All test scores are valid for two years from the test date. VCU's TOEFL testing code is 5570.

Supplemental materials by department

School of the arts applicants.

In addition to the university Application for Undergraduate Admission, all applicants to the School of the Arts must submit supplemental materials as described on the School of the Arts website . The school’s application review committee reviews all applications to its programs. For more information, call the school at (804) 828-2787.

College of Engineering applicants

To be competitive for admission to the College of Engineering, first-year applicants should present a minimum GPA of 3.4 (on a 4.0 scale).

First-year applicants to the College of Engineering who are not accepted directly into the school will automatically be considered for the undeclared major in the College of Humanities and Sciences. Learn more about the school’s first-year admissions . For more information, contact the school at (804) 828-2129 or [email protected] .

VCU Honors College applicants

To be competitive for admission to the Honors College, first-year applicants should present a minimum GPA of 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale) and either a combined SAT score of at least 1330 on the critical reading and math sections of the test or an ACT composite score of at least 29.

In addition to the application for undergraduate admission, all applicants to the VCU Honors College must submit an additional application and meet specific criteria as described on the VCU Honors College website . For more information contact the school at (804) 828-1803 or [email protected] .

Guaranteed Admission Programs applicants

The VCU Honors College offers a variety of Guaranteed Admission Programs that allow highly qualified students to enter medical school and several other health sciences programs at VCU without competing via general admission at a later date. Application procedures and requirements vary depending on the program, but all applications are due Nov. 1. For more details, see the VCU Honors College website or contact the college at (804) 828-1803 or [email protected] .

First-year links

Application overview
Application checklist
Student profile

Find answers in our FAQs

Have questions about the application process? Explore our frequently asked questions.

Virginia Commonwealth University: VCU Secondary Application Tips & Essay Prompts

Cracking Med School Admissions

Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine is a popular medical school for Virginia residents. The VCU Admissions Committee love seeing students who have ample clinical experiences with patients and students who also possess humility. The VCU secondary application essay prompts change year after year. Therefore, our Cracking Med School Admissions team suggest that you do not pre-write the VCU secondaries.

Our Cracking Med School Admissions team has a track record of helping our mentees receive acceptances to Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, including the special fmSTAT program , a special program for aspiring physicians to get partnered with a family medicine physician mentor. The program also gives scholarships to selected students. Read all our VCU secondary application tips below. To learn more about student life, read our blog post Cracking VCU Medical School Admissions: Secondary Application, Interview, Curriculum, and Student Life

Cracking Med School Admissions - 1 School Secondary Essay Edits

Personally Tailored Essays
Edits by Stanford & Harvard-trained Doctors
We study your application strengths to see what unique attributes we’ll bring to the medical school

Virginia Commonwealth University Secondary Application Questions: 2023 – 2024

Vcu secondary application: md essay prompts.

You are approached by a neighbor whom you are friendly with and who knows you are headed to medical school. The neighbor wants your opinion on whether she should have her healthy 3-year-old child vaccinated against COVID. The neighbor is well-researched and thoughtful, bringing up data that suggests limited long-term benefits of vaccination, while pointing to concerning, documented side effects. How would you respond to this dilemma? Research on the topic is encouraged ( Comments are limited to 2000 characters )
How do you define “grit”, and how have you demonstrated this in the past? (2,000 character limit)
(If applicable) Please briefly explain any lapses in your undergraduate education that are not explained in your application.
(If applicable) Please briefly explain any low GPAs or poor grades.
(If applicable – gap year) If not addressed in your application, what are you currently doing now?

VCU Secondary Application: fmSTAT Essay Prompts

Describe the doctor you want to be and discuss how a career in family medicine will help you achieve that. (2,500 characters max)
Describe your concept of what Family Medicine is and tell us what specific influence led you to this understanding? (2,500 characters max)

Tips to Answer VCU Secondaries

VCU Secondary Pre-Writing Guidance: We would definitely not pre-write your VCU Secondaries because the essay prompts change each year. However, you should work on it immediately about you receive the official Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine secondary application. You can start researching about the school though! Please note that this is NOT the VCU BS/MD program’s application essays. For more information about BS/MD undergraduate programs, you can check out our website BSMDAdmit.com .

Download all our HIGH-YIELD tips for secondary essays: Cracking Med School Admissions Secondary Essay Guide
Read more information about the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine admissions statistics here .

VCU Secondary Application Tip #1: The most important aspects to emphasize in your VCU secondaries are:

Academic readiness – if there is any doubt you are prepared for medical school, the VCU Admissions Committee gives you ample opportunity to talk about it. And, you should!
Patient experiences – write about your clinical experiences. To stand out, you need to include at least 1 patient story in your essays.
Research – if you did any research as a premedical student, you can mention it throughout your VCU secondaries.

VCU Secondary Application Tip #2: Talk about any affiliations with Virginia. If you want to practice in Virginia in the long-term, definitely mention that in your VCU Medical School secondary application!

VCU Secondary Application Tip #3: Tips if you have low grades, it is important to explain them. VCU wants to make sure you will thrive and succeed as a medical student.

Here are some tips to discuss your low grades:

If you have poor grades, you need to give a reason WHY you had bad grades and also how you have improved over time.
If there is a clear upward trend in your GPA, then you should point that out.
Explain how you have learned from struggling in your academics, and how you will incorporate these skills learned throughout medical school.

VCU Secondary Application Tip #4: Take advantage of the unlimited character limit to discuss your gap years. Be thorough and include all your endeavors. You can also incorporate how your gap year experience relates to what you want to do in your future career. It is also important to write stories. You should definitely include at least 1 story about patient care.

VCU Secondary Application Tip #5: Our Cracking Med School Admissions LOVES the fmSTAT program. We strongly encourage students who are interested in family medicine and primary care to apply. Read about the fmSTAT program to see if this is something that interests you!

Essays for the fmSTAT program are included in your VCU medical school secondary application edits if you work with us on application packages or secondary essay editing packages .

VCU Secondary Application Tip #6: Don’t forget to incorporate a little bit about “Why Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine” throughout the VCU medical school secondary application. Talk about projects and research you want to do at VCU. Convey if you want to do any projects in the local Virginia community.

Read our VCU School of Medicine profile to learn more about VCU’s curriculum and student culture.
Read our blog post why this medical school to gain insights on how to incorporate a strong “Why VCU School of medicine.”

VCU Secondary Application Tip #7: We can help you submit a strong VCU secondary application through our secondary essay packages . Have questions about how you can stand out? Contact us below.

[ Read more secondary essay tips: New York Medical College , Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) , University of Virginia (UVA) , George Washington ]

Your medical school application Coaches, Mentors, & Cheerleaders

We Personally Advise Every Student We Work With.

Rachel Rizal, M.D.

Changing the trajectory of people’s lives.

Undergraduate Princeton University, cum laude

Medical School Stanford School of Medicine

Residency Harvard, Emergency Medicine

Awards & Scholarships Fulbright Scholar USA Today Academic First Team Tylenol Scholarship

Rishi Mediratta, M.D., M.Sc., M.A.

Advising students to attend their dream schools.

Undergraduate Johns Hopkins University, Phi Beta Kappa

Residency Stanford, Pediatrics

Awards & Scholarships Marshall Scholar Tylenol Scholarship Global Health Scholar

stand out from other applicants with our secondary essay edit packages

Download your secondary essay guide.

Use this essay guide and workbook to write standout secondaries.

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Virginia Commonwealth University Secondary Application Questions: 2022 – 2023

The last couple of years have been challenging for us all in various ways (i.e., dealing with the impacts of COVID, social unrest and injustices). Please describe a particular challenge you faced. What are some challenges others may have experienced? What did you learn about yourself and others during this time? (2,000 character limit)
Please briefly explain any lapses in your undergraduate education that are not explained in your application. (2,000 character limit)
Please briefly explain any low GPAs or poor grades.
If not addressed in your application, what are you currently doing now? (2,000 character limit)

VCU Secondary Application: MD/PhD Essay Prompts

Describe your motivation for obtaining a dual degree. (3,000 character limit)
Describe your significant research experience(s) and your role in any publications. (10,000 character limit)
Describe scientific topics and/or labs at VCU that appeal to your future research aspirations. (1,000 character limit)

Virginia Commonwealth University Secondary Application Questions: 2021 – 2022

Cultural humility is defined as a “process of reflection and lifelong inquiry which involves self-awareness of personal and cultural biases, as well as, an awareness and sensitivity to significant cultural issues of others.” Please provide an example of a specific time you demonstrated cultural humility with some reflection on the experience. (2,000 characters max)
Please briefly explain any lapses in your undergraduate education that are not explained in your application.
If not addressed in your application, what are you currently doing now?

Virginia Commonwealth University Secondary Application Questions: 2020 - 2021

Vcu school of medicine secondary application md essay prompts.

You are living in a world experiencing the ravages of the Coronavirus which has impacted millions of people since December 2019. Please discuss how the COVID 19 pandemic has affected you personally. What have you learned from your experiences? Please discuss what you perceive may have been some realities that others may have experienced. How has COVID 19 experience influenced your desire to become a physician? (2,000 characters max)
Please briefly explain any lapses in your undergraduate education; include any in enrollment during your undergraduate education and/or any gaps between undergraduate education and applying to medical school. (For example – poor grades, multiple withdraws, health reasons, etc.)

VCU School of Medicine fmSTAT Essay Prompts

Our students successfully receive interviews at their reach schools.

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School Secondary Editing Packages

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Your acceptance can be just one essay away…

Virginia Commonwealth University Secondary Application Questions: 2019 – 2020

Imagine that you are volunteering as a medical assistant in a pediatric clinic. Due to several walk-in urgent cases the clinic has fallen behind schedule about an hour. You are getting the intake information and vitals on a child when the parent becomes visibly angry and starts cursing about the amount of time they have waited to be seen. The parent demands that you get the pediatrician immediately but you know that she is currently doing a medical procedure in the next room. How would you handle this situation? (2,000 characters max)

Virginia Commonwealth University Secondary Application Questions: 2018 – 2019

Medicine is a lifelong learning career where new understandings of diseases are constantly changing and new medications are continuously being added, yet motivating patients continues to be a stimulating challenge. Please discuss in 2,000 characters or less ways physicians address this issue. You may use resources to answer this question, mention them but footnotes are not necessary.

Virginia Commonwealth University Secondary Application Questions: 2017 – 2018

Imagine that you are a volunteer premed working in a free clinic that serves a large immigrant population. Your duties include taking the patients’ medical history. Today you are working with an elderly patient who does not speak English and the adult son is translating for his mother. You notice that he is answering many of the questions for her without translating. During the conversation, the son tells you that if his mother has cancer he does not want her to know because the news “will kill her”. He says that in his family he speaks for the elderly mother and does not want a translator. How will you approach this situation? (You may seek help to answer this question.)

Virginia Commonwealth University Secondary Application Questions: 2016 – 2017

Imagine that you are at a social gathering and your neighbor comes over to congratulate you on your acceptance to medical school. She goes on to ask you about your opinion on childhood vaccinations. She is worried about vaccinating her baby because of some of the things that she has read about vaccines. How would you respond to her? (You may use any resources for your answer). (2,000 characters max)