Pennsylvania State University

Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea important to you or others. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?

Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

Please use this space to share information you would like us to consider that has not been discussed elsewhere in your application.

If you had 20 minutes to pitch a transformational idea (an idea that affects or would influence a significant percentage of the populace), what would you pitch and why? Explain your thought process. Are there similar solutions already established and how might your idea enhance those solutions? How would this idea change the current state of things? How would you leverage your personal experiences and professional goals to make this idea a reality?

One of the Schreyer Honors College values is Empowered Growth. What values, beliefs or experiences have empowered you to grow intellectually and/or personally?

If you were able to go anywhere in the world, outside of the country you currently reside, where would you go and why?

List your extracurricular activities over the last four years. This can include school and non-school activities. Please include any leadership roles you have had.

Tell us about your most significant leadership experience and why leadership is important to you. This could include community roles, family contributions, research, clubs and organizations, etc. Describe challenges you've faced and successes you've had in these roles.

List awards or other recognitions (if any) you have received in or outside of school over the last four years.

Reflecting on the recognitions listed above, which one stands out as having an impact on your outlook and why?

Tell us about a book or other media that has made you think about something in a new way.

Everyone belongs to many different communities and/or groups, including: shared geography, faith, ethnicity, income, cuisine, interest, race, or intellectual heritage. Choose one of the communities or groups to which you belong and describe how it has influenced your life over the last four years.

Please use this space to share information you would like us to consider that has not been discussed elsewhere in your application.

Describe one non-academic activity during your high school years that has been the most meaningful to you.

Write a personal statement indicating why you want to be a physician, why you want an accelerated program and why you've selected this Penn State/Kimmel program.

Describe what you think your strongest qualities are as well as weaknesses that you would like to improve upon.

Tell us about a time you were unsuccessful and how you grew from this experience.

Sidney Kimmel Medical College defines diversity as the richness in human differences. How will your own experiences allow you to contribute to the diversity of the student body and to provide equitable and inclusive care to your future patients?

The world faces many challenges; food insecurity, access to clean water, climate change, and health care disparities are some examples. Tell us your intended major and also how will you apply your major to address any global challenge?

The Millennium Scholars Program provides a supportive, structured, and collaborative learning community. What strengths will you bring to the community and how will you contribute to and benefit from this collaborative environment?

How has resilience played a role in your life and how do you see it affecting your college career?

Reflect on how your unique background, experiences, and cultural perspectives have influenced your interactions with others and shaped your understanding of diversity and inclusion.