5 prompts in the 2025-2026 cycle
Two of the AAMC Core Competencies for entering medical students involve cultural competence (Cultural Awareness and Cultural Humility). The competencies involve several distinct domains, including: a. Demonstrating knowledge of socio-cultural factors that affect interactions and behaviors; b. Showing an appreciation and respect for multiple dimensions of diversity; c. Recognizing and acting on the obligation to inform one's own judgment; d. Engaging diverse and competing perspectives as a resource for learning, citizenship, and work; e. Recognizing and appropriately addressing bias in selves and others; f. Interacting effectively with people from diverse backgrounds. Discuss a specific experience from your life that you feel demonstrates your level of competence in one of the above domains. (Clearly indicate which of the six domains above that you are responding to.) As part of your discussion, explain how you feel this experience will impact your future contribution to the culture of diversity and inclusion at The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences and later in your career as a physician. (Required- Max 600 Words)
We invite you to briefly discuss any connections you may have to the region of Northwest Ohio. (Optional - Max 300 Words)
If you feel you have any aspects of your record that may potentially negatively influence your application to our medical school, we encourage you to use this space to discuss them in order to provide the admissions committee with further context about your application. (Examples of possible topics include MCAT scores lower than our class average, low grades, withdrawn course, institutional action/student conduct violation.) (Optional - Max 500 Words)
One of the AAMC Core Competencies for entering medical students involves resilience and adaptability. This competency involves the ability to tolerate stressful or changing environments or situations and adapt effectively to them. Additional characteristics of this competency are persistence and the ability to recover from setbacks. Discuss a specific experience from your life that you feel demonstrates your level of competence in resilience and adaptability as described above. As part of your discussion, explain how you feel this experience will help you meet new challenges you may face in medical school. (Required- Max 600 Words)
(Optional unless taking gap year) Please briefly describe what activities you are/have been engaged in during the period between undergraduate school and medical school. (Max 300 Words)