What Reviewers Look For in the Medical School Secondary — Optional "Anything Else" Essay

This rubric evaluates whether an optional response adds one clear piece of new information that helps a reader understand the application more accurately. It emphasizes factual context, a direct explanation of why the information matters, and a focused, professional close. Because the space is optional, leaving it blank can be better than repeating material already included elsewhere.

4 scored dimensionsScore range: 0–5Word count: 150–500

What We Check

Does This Earn the Optional Slot

Judge whether the response identifies, at the top, bounded new information the application does not already carry, and names what the file would miss or misread without it.

Context With Facts, Not a Case for Sympathy

Score how the added context is evidenced: dates, durations, roles, conditions, and affected obligations carry it; severity language and appeals to the reader do not.

What This Changes for the Reader

Require a stated consequence for file review: which reading of the application changes with this information, or what the applicant did next that the file cannot otherwise show.

One Purpose, Measured Close

Judge selection discipline across the whole response and the register of its close.

Mistakes We Flag

Repeating the application: Re-listing activities, honors, duties, dates, or personal-statement material does not add new information. Use the space only when the application would otherwise miss or misunderstand something important.
Asking for sympathy instead of giving context: Broad statements about how devastating or difficult an event was, or requests for leniency, leave the reader without useful context. Provide relevant dates, responsibilities, conditions, and effects instead.
Leaving the meaning unstated: A timeline of events alone makes the reader guess why the information belongs in the application. State what this context changes in how the reader understands your record, activities, timeline, or preparation.
Turning it into a comeback story or plea: Claims of triumph, promises to prove yourself, and thank-you closings shift attention away from the purpose of the response. End with a measured point about how the information should be read.
Adding unrelated extras: A second topic, award, hobby, or school-praise paragraph can dilute the response. Keep one organizing purpose and avoid using this space as a why-us essay, update letter, or personal statement.

References

https://students-residents.aamc.org/applying-medical-school/advisor-corner-preparing-secondary-applications https://students-residents.aamc.org/applying-medical-school/how-medical-schools-review-applications https://case.edu/medicine/md/admission/secondary-application-questions https://meded.hms.harvard.edu/admissions-submitting-application https://med.stanford.edu/md-admissions/how-to-apply.html

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to use the optional essay?

No. The prompt is optional, and many applicants leave it blank or write "NA." If you do not have new information that would help a reader understand your application, a blank response is better than a recap.

What kind of information belongs here?

Use it for bounded new information that is not already included elsewhere and that changes how a reader understands part of your application. It may provide context for a grade dip, withdrawal, interruption, timeline, or an action you took next that the rest of the application does not show.

How much detail should I share about a personal or family situation?

Share the circumstances and obligations needed to explain the effect on your record, but do not disclose another person's diagnosis, crisis, or private details beyond what is necessary.

How long should this response be?

Follow the school's stated limit. Optional responses often have compact limits, commonly about 250 to 500 words, and there is no minimum simply because the space is available.

Get your essay scored across all 4 dimension with specific, actionable feedback. Two free reviews per day — no credit card required.

More Medical Rubrics

AMCAS Personal Statement — MDUse the space provided to explain why you want to go to medical school.CASPA Personal Statement — PAIn your own words, write a brief statement expressing your motivation or desire to become a physician assistant.AMCAS Other Impactful Experiences — MDThis could include lived experiences related to your family background, financial background, community setting, educational experiences, and/or other life circumstances.CASPA Life Experiences Essay — PAExplain how your life experiences could help advance the goal of having healthcare providers who can empathize with the patient communities they serve.

Goes With This

Medical School Secondary — Adversity / Challenge — MedicalWorks for any school's adversity, challenge, setback, or failure secondary — a compact review of constraints, decisions, adaptation, and credible learning.Medical School Secondary — Diversity / Perspective — MedicalWorks for any school's diversity, perspective, or lived-experience secondary — a compact review of lived-experience evidence, real consequence, and what your perspective concretely gives your class.Medical School Letter of Evaluation — Letters of RecommendationRelationship context, behavior-based evidence, calibrated comparisons, and endorsement strength for MD, DO, and TMDSAS letters.Residency Letter of Recommendation (ERAS) — Letters of RecommendationVantage, patient-care evidence, and endorsement strength in narrative ERAS letters, read the way program directors read them.