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.

What We Check

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.

How this rubric reads your essay

• Built from published reader guidance — the sources are listed below.
• Scored per section against defined criteria, not general impressions.
• Calibrated for consistent scoring, so a better draft shows up in the score.

References

Frequently Asked Questions