Essay Topics (’23 – ’24)

(1500 character maximum, unless otherwise indicated)

1. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are core values of the University of Minnesota Medical School. Explain how a learning environment that embodies these values is crucial to the education of tomorrow's physicians. Reflect on how you might contribute to this learning environment.

2. How have your individual experiences and identity shaped who you are and who you will be as a physician?

3. Describe a time when you used critical thinking to solve a problem that you encountered in any realm where you asked questions, gathered information, thought through possible solutions and their alternatives, and evaluated what you did critically. Please include in your discussion what you learned from this experience.

4. (Optional) Any other pertinent information would you like to bring to the attention of the Admissions Committee? This is an opportunity for you to discuss an aspect of your journey to medicine that you have not already presented in your application. You may also update us with any current experiences that were not included in your AMCAS application.Note: The primary mission of the UMN Medical School, Duluth Campus is to educate physicians dedicated to serving rural Minnesota or Native American communities. Only complete the Rural and/or Indigenous Health questions if your application presents a strong commitment to these communities. Most candidates accepted within the context of the Duluth Campus mission will be placed on that campus.

5. (Optional) The University of Minnesota Medical School is dedicated to educating future physicians who have demonstrated an interest in serving patients and families in rural Minnesota. Reflect on what "rural Minnesota community" means to you. Describe your experience in and ties to rural Minnesota areas. What do you view as the greatest healthcare practice needs in rural Minnesota, and how will your future practice help fill these needs?

6. (Optional) The University of Minnesota Medical School is dedicated to educating future physicians who have demonstrated an interest in serving Indigenous communities. Describe your experience in and ties to Indigenous communities. What do you view as the greatest healthcare needs in Indigenous communities, and how will your future practice help fill these needs?

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Essay Topics ('22 - '23)

All questions are required and have a 1,500 character maximum, unless otherwise indicated.  

1. Our physicians pride themselves on giving outstanding care to patients, while looking for better and more equitable ways to do so. As you think about being a future physician and advocate for patients, describe a time when you advocated for  someone or something. What did you learn from this situation?

2. Describe a time when you experienced an obstacle, challenge or failure. How did it affect you? What did you learn?

3. Describe a time when you personally experienced, observed, or acted with explicit bias. What did you learn about yourself and the experience?

4. Our families and communities tend to shape our individual worlds and perceptions. Think about the communities that you are an active part of, whether it be a cultural group, family, religious group, neighborhood, etc. Describe the world that you are most comfortable in and how it has shaped who you are. How will this impact your future as a physician and the patients you will serve?

5. Why do you want to go to medical school in the state of MN?  (Consider the state of Minnesota and its population.)

6. The COVID-19 pandemic has created innumerable challenges, loss, and uncharted territory in public health. Describe your thoughts, feelings, and experiences with navigating COVID-19. Please tell us what impact, if any, this has had on your path to medical school.  

7. The University of Minnesota Medical School is committed to building an anti-racist community. Please share your reflections on, experiences with, and greatest lessons learned about systemic racism. (Consider this country's history, racism, racial injustice, anti-black racism, and the impact of the murder of Mr. George Floyd on the Minnesota/Twin Cities community).  

8. How will your unique attributes (religion, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, ideology, intellectual heritage, and/or experiences) add to the overall diversity of the University of Minnesota Medical School community?

9. What other pertinent information would you like to bring to the attention of the Admissions Committee? This is an opportunity for you to discuss an aspect of your journey to medicine that you have not already presented in your application. You may also update us with any current experiences that were not included in your AMCAS application. (Optional; 900 character maximum)

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Essay Topics ('21 - '22)

1. Tell us about a time when you recovered from a non-academic setback. How did you identify the setback and what steps did you take to recover? (1500 characters)

2. Tell us about a time when you advocated for someone or something? What did you learn from this situation? (1500 characters)

3. Tell us about a time when you observed, personally experienced, or acted with implicit or explicit bias. Through either situation we are interested in what you learned. (1500 Characters)

4. Please tell us about your identity. How has your identity impacted the development of your values and attitudes toward others, particularly those with values different from your own? How will this impact your future patients through the practice of medicine? (1500 characters)

5. Why do you want to go to medical school in the state of MN? (Consider the state of Minnesota and your interest in the University of Minnesota) (1500 characters)

6. Our country is reckoning with its history, racism, racial injustice, and especially anti-black racism. Please share your reflections on, experiences with, and greatest lessons learned about systemic racism. (1500 words)

OPTIONAL ESSAY(S)

1. What other pertinent information would you like to bring to the attention of the Admissions Committee? This is an opportunity for you to discuss an aspect of your journey to medicine that you have not already presented in your application. You may also update us with any current experiences that were not included in your AMCAS application. (900 char.) OPTIONAL

2. 2020 has proven to be unprecedented times and uncharted territory in global health. Please feel free to share with us your thoughts and experiences with navigating Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). This could include the barriers you have faced in applying to medical school this cycle, feelings of complicated grief and loss, thoughts on the role of health care professionals, challenges associated with racial health inequities as more Black and Brown people are disproportionately impacted, or other reflections on living through a global pandemic crisis. OPTIONAL

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Essay Topics (’20 – ’21)

There are 9 total prompts, 4 are optional. 1500 characters each (except the "additional pertinent info" one is 900 characters)

Tell us about a time when you recovered from a non-academic setback. How did you identify the setback and what steps did you take to recover?

Tell us about a time when you played a role in improving a process. How did you identify the areas for improvement and what steps did you take to change the process?

Tell us about a time when you observed, personally experienced, or acted with implicit or explicit bias. If you observed or personally experienced implicit or explicit bias what did you do to address this situation or what would you do in the future? If you were implicitly or explicitly biased how did you become aware of this and what did you do to address the situation or what will you do in the future? Through either situation we are interested in what you learned.

Please tell us about your identity. How has your identity impacted the development of your values and attitudes toward others, particularly those with values different from your own? Please include how your values and attitudes will foster a positive learning environment during your training and benefit your future patients through the practice of medicine.

Why do you want to go to medical school in the state of MN? (This question seeks to understand why you are interested in the state of MN not the University of Minnesota.)

What other pertinent information would you like to bring to the attention of the Admissions Committee? This is an opportunity for you to discuss an aspect of your journey to medicine that you have not already presented in your application. You may also update us with any current experiences that were not included in your AMCAS application. (900 char.) OPTIONAL

If you are not submitting an MCAT score with your application briefly explain why. This question is required of any applicant who will ultimately not include an MCAT score in their application. OPTIONAL

2020 has proven to be unprecedented times and uncharted territory in global health. Please feel free to share with us your thoughts and experiences with navigating Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). This could include the barriers you have faced in applying to medical school this cycle, feelings of complicated grief and loss, thoughts on the role of health care professionals, challenges associated with racial health inequities as more Black and Brown people are disproportionately impacted, or other reflections on living through a global pandemic crisis. OPTIONAL

Right now is a watershed moment in American history and this country's reckoning with race, racism, racial injustice, and especially anti-Black hatred. If you feel comfortable, we welcome you to please share with us your reflections on, experiences with, and greatest lessons learned about systemic racism that is receiving international attention with the murders of numerous Black, Indigenous, and People of Color including but not limited to George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Vanessa Guillen, Rayshard Brooks, and Elijah McClain. OPTIONAL

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Essay Topics ('19 - '20)

Describe your academic journey. Include information about the courses you selected, your major and why you selected them. What challenges and victories did you experience? If you have an advanced degree or completed post-bacc work, why did you decide to pursue those? How have your academic pursuits prepared you for medical school? 1500 characters

Tell us about a time when you recovered from a non-academic setback. How did you identify the setback and what steps did you take to recover? 1500 characters

Please answer one or more of the following questions:

a) Tell us about a time when you were given too much work. How did you handle the situation?

b) Tell us about a time when you played a role in improving a process. How did you identify the areas for improvement and what steps did you take to change the process?

c) Tell us about a time when you were expected to adhere to deadlines. What strategies did you use to meet the deadline(s)?

1500 characters

Tell us about a time when you observed, personally experienced, or acted with implicit or explicit bias. If you observed or personally experienced implicit or explicit bias what did you do to address this situation or what would you do in the future? If you were implicitly or explicitly biased how did you become aware of this and what did you do to address the situation or what will you do in the future? Through either situation we are interested in what you learned. (This question is not required.) 1500 characters

People have multiple identities. Please tell us about your identity. How has your identity impacted the development of your values and attitudes toward others, particularly those with values different from your own? Please include how your values and attitudes will foster a positive learning environment during your training, and benefit your future patients through the practice of medicine. 1500 characters

Tell us about a time when you developed a creative approach to solving a problem or addressing an issue? (This question is not required.) 1500 characters

Why do you want to go to medical school in MN? 1500 characters

What other pertinent information would you like to bring to the attention of the Admissions Committee? This is an opportunity for you to discuss an aspect of your journey to medicine that you have not have already presented in your application. You may also update us with any current experiences that were not included in your AMCAS application. (This question is not required.) 1500 characters

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Essay Topics ('18 - '19)

1. Please describe your experiences with intentionally expanding your cultural awareness in an effort to promote acceptance, respect, and inclusivity. (1500 Characters)

2. Reflect on your background and the impact it has had on developing your own values and attitudes toward others, particularly those with values different than your own. Please include how your values and attitudes will foster a positive learning environment during your training, and benefit your future patients through the practice of medicine. (1500 Characters)

3. Beyond what you have shared in question two, please share information about important aspects of your personal background or identity as it relates to your desire to pursue medicine. Examples might include, but are not limited to, cultural context, disabilities, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, lived experiences, race/ethnicity, religion or spirituality, sexual orientation or socioeconomic status. (This question is not required.)(900-1500)

4. If you have a specific interest in the study or practice of medicine please share it here. Please include specific experiences that have informed your interest. (This question is not required.) (900-1500)

5. Please describe a challenging life experience and how you dealt with it. (1500 Characters)

6. Briefly describe why you are interested in attending the University of Minnesota Medical School Twin Cities campus. (1500 Characters)

7. Are you a resident of the state of Minnesota?

8. If you selected OTHER, please provide a brief explanation as to why.

9. If you are a non-resident applicant, do you have any special or significant ties to the state of MN? (Non-resident applicants are not required to have ties to MN and this question is not required.)

10. Please explain any gaps in your education and/or work experiences since high school graduation that are not previously described in your application. (300 characters)

11. Have you ever been convicted of a misdemeanor and/or felony?

12. If YES, you must include a full explanation below.

13. What other pertinent information would you like to bring to the attention of the Admissions Committee? This is an opportunity for you to discuss or highlight any aspect of your journey to medicine that you may or may not have already presented in your application. ‚ You may also update us with any current experiences that were not included in your AMCAS application. (This question is not required.) (900-1500)

14. If you are a re-applicant, how has your current application changed or what additional information would you like to highlight for the Admissions Committee? Re-applicant refers to having applied to any medical school in the past. (This question is not required unless you are a re-applicant.) (900-1500)

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Essay Topics ('17 - '18)

1. The University of Minnesota strives to ensure diverse educational experiences that promote acceptance, respect and inclusivity. Please describe your experiences with diversity and diverse groups of people. Reflect on your background and the impact it has had on developing your own values and attitudes toward others. Please include how your values and attitudes will foster a positive learning environment during your training, and benefit your future patients through the practice of medicine.

0 characters (min: 1, max: 1500)

2. Please share information about important aspects of your personal background or identity as it relates to your desire to pursue medicine. Examples might include, but are not limited to, cultural context, disabilities, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, lived experiences, race/ethnicity, religion or spirituality, sexual orientation or socioeconomic status. (This question is not required.)

3. Tell us about your most significant accomplishment to date.

0 characters (min: 1, max: 1500)

4. Please describe a challenging life experience and how you dealt with it.

0 characters (min: 1, max: 1500)

5. Briefly describe why you are interested in attending the University of Minnesota Medical School Twin Cities campus.

0 characters (min: 1, max: 1500)

6. Are you a resident of the state of Minnesota? Yes No Other

7. If you selected OTHER, please provide a brief explanation as to why.

0 characters (min: 0, max: 1500)

8. If you are a non-resident applicant, do you have any special or significant ties to the state of MN? (Non-resident applicants are not required to have ties to MN and this question is not required.)

0 characters (min: 0, max: 1500)

9. Please explain any gaps in your education and/or work experiences since high school graduation that are not previously described in your application.

0 characters (min: 1, max: 300)

10. Have you ever been convicted of a misdemeanor and/or felony?* Yes No

11. If YES, you must include a full explanation below.

12. What other pertinent information would you like to bring to the attention of the Admissions Committee? This is an opportunity for you to discuss or highlight any aspect of your journey to medicine that you may or may not have already presented in your application. You may also update us with any current experiences that were not included in your AMCAS application. (This question is not required.)

0 characters (min: 0, max: 900)

13. If you are a re-applicant, how has your current application changed or what additional information would you like to highlight for the Admissions Committee? Re-applicant refers to having applied to any medical school in the past. (This question is not required unless you are a re-applicant.)

0 characters (min: 0, max: 900)

Duluth Essays:

Everything is 800 characters.

1. In what ways do you fit the goals of the Duluth medical school program?

2. How familiar are you with life in a rural setting or American Indian community?

3. What are some of the professional and personal advantages and disadvantages of a rural family medicine practice?

4. How have you familiarized yourself with the field of medicine?

5. How have your volunteer experiences influenced your life goals?

6. Briefly describe your career plans in the event that you do not attend medical school.

7. Have you ever struggled with being honest and compassionate at the same time? Describe the situation, the struggles and, if there was one, the resolution.

8. Describe an experience you have had working in a team (other than a sports teaM, what role you played, and your comfort level with that role.

9. What does lifelong learning mean to you?

10. What are your recreational and leisure activities?

11. Medical school can be stressful. What coping skills have you used in the past to deal with stressful situations?

12. Please use this space to update the information contained in your AMCAS application. Indicate grades earned, alterations in your proposed coursework or graduation dates, additions to your extracurricular activities, and anything else you feel the Committee should know.

13. Please describe what you are currently doing. If you have already graduated please indicate what you have been doing since graduation and what your plans are for the coming year.

14. Describe your ties to the state of Minnesota.

15. FOR REAPPLICANTS ONLY: What have you done to improve your application to medical school?

There's also space to explain IAs and criminal convictions

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Essay Topics ('16 - '17)

Duluth

*1. Beyond what you have written in your AMCAS Personal Comments and the Experience section, please describe your medically related experience(s) and how they have contributed to your understanding of medicine and your motivation to pursue this career? (min: 1, max: 1500)

*2. Please describe a challenging life experience and how you dealt with it. (min: 1, max: 1500)

*3. The University of Minnesota strives to ensure diverse educational experiences appreciating individual differences by creating learning environments that promote acceptance, respect and inclusivity. Please describe your experiences with diversity and diverse groups of people by reflecting on your background and the impact it has had on developing your own values and attitudes toward others. Please include how your values and attitudes will foster a positive learning environment during your training, and benefit your future patients through the practice of medicine. characters (min: 1, max: 1500)

*4. We invite you to share information about important aspects of your personal background and identity as they relate to your desire to pursue medicine. Examples might include, but are not limited to, information about your culture, disabilities, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, lived experiences, race, religion or spirituality, sexual orientation or socioeconomic status. characters (min: 1, max: 900)

*5. Are you a resident of the state of Minnesota? characters (min: 1, max: 300)

*6. Briefly describe why you are interested in attending the University of Minnesota Medical School. characters (min: 1, max: 1200)

*7. Briefly describe what you are currently doing. If you have already graduated, please indicate what you have been doing since graduation, and what your plans are for the coming year? characters (min: 1, max: 1200)

*8. Please explain any gaps in your education and/or work experiences since high school graduation that are not previously described in your application. characters (min: 1, max: 300)

*11. Please talk about what you might do if you are ultimately not accepted to medical school. characters (min: 1, max: 900)

*12. What other pertinent information would you like to bring to the attention of the Admissions Committee? This is an opportunity for you to discuss or highlight any aspect of your journey to medicine that you may or may not have already presented in your application. characters (min: 1, max: 900)

*13. If you are a re-applicant to the University of Minnesota Medical School, how has your current application changed or what additional information would you like to highlight for the Admissions Committee? characters (min: 1, max: 900)

14. FOR REAPPLICANTS ONLY: What have you done to improve your application to medical school? (800 characters)

15. Describe your ties to the state of Minnesota. (800 characters)

Twin Cities

1. Beyond what you have written in your AMCAS Personal Comments and the Experience section, please describe your medically related experience(s) and how they have contributed to your understanding of medicine and your motivation to pursue this career? (1500 characters)

2. Please describe a challenging life experience and how you dealt with it. (1500 characters)

3. The University of Minnesota strives to ensure diverse educational experiences appreciating individual differences by creating learning environments that promote acceptance, respect and inclusivity. Please describe your experiences with diversity and diverse groups of people by reflecting on your background and the impact it has had on developing your own values and attitudes toward others. Please include how your values and attitudes will foster a positive learning environment during your training, and benefit your future patients through the practice of medicine. (1500 characters)

4. We invite you to share information about important aspects of your personal background and identity as they relate to your desire to pursue medicine. Examples might include, but are not limited to, information about your culture, disabilities, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, lived experiences, race, religion or spirituality, sexual orientation or socioeconomic status. (900 char)

5. Are you a resident of the state of Minnesota? (300 char)

6. Briefly describe why you are interested in attending the University of Minnesota Medical School. (1200 char)

7. Briefly describe what you are currently doing. If you have already graduated, please indicate what you have been doing since graduation, and what your plans are for the coming year? (1200 char)

8. Please explain any gaps in your education and/or work experiences since high school graduation that are not previously described in your application. (300 char)

9. Have you considered alternate career options to fulfill your commitment to providing healthcare other than medicine? (900 char)

10. Please talk about what you might do if you are ultimately not accepted to medical school.(900 char)

11. What other pertinent information would you like to bring to the attention of the Admissions Committee?(900 char)

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Essay Topics ('15 - '16)

Duluth

1. In what ways do you fit the goals of this school? (800 characters)

2. How familiar are you with life in a rural setting or American Indian community? (800 characters)

3. What are some of the professional and personal advantages and disadvantages of a rural family medicine practice? (800 characters)

4. How have you familiarized yourself with the field of medicine? (800 characters)

5. How have your volunteer experiences influenced your life goals? (800 characters)

6. Briefly describe your career plans in the event that you do not attend medical school. (800 characters)

7. Have you ever struggled with being honest and compassionate at the same time? Describe the situation, the struggles and, if there was one, the resolution. (800 characters)

8. Describe an experience you have had working in a team (other than a sports teaM, what role you played, and your comfort level with that role. (800 characters)

9. What does lifelong learning mean to you? (800 characters)

10. What are your recreational and leisure activities? (800 characters)

11. Medical school can be stressful. What coping skills have you used in the past to deal with stressful situations? (800 characters

12. Please use this space to update the information contained in your AMCAS application. Indicate grades earned, alterations in your proposed coursework or graduation dates, additions to your extracurricular activities, and anything else you feel the Committee should know. (800 characters)

13. Please describe what you are currently doing. If you have already graduated please indicate what you have been doing since graduation and what your plans are for the coming year. (800 characters)

14. FOR REAPPLICANTS ONLY: What have you done to improve your application to medical school? (800 characters)

15. Describe your ties to the state of Minnesota. (800 characters)

Twin Cities

1. Beyond what you have written in your AMCAS Personal Comments and the Experience section, please describe your medically related experience(s) and how they have contributed to your understanding of medicine and your motivation to pursue this career? (1500 characters)

2. Please describe a challenging life experience and how you dealt with it. (1500 characters)

3. The University of Minnesota strives to ensure diverse educational experiences appreciating individual differences by creating learning environments that promote acceptance, respect and inclusivity. Please describe your experiences with diversity and diverse groups of people by reflecting on your background and the impact it has had on developing your own values and attitudes toward others. Please include how your values and attitudes will foster a positive learning environment during your training, and benefit your future patients through the practice of medicine. (1500 characters)

4. We invite you to share information about important aspects of your personal background and identity as they relate to your desire to pursue medicine. Examples might include, but are not limited to, information about your culture, disabilities, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, lived experiences, race, religion or spirituality, sexual orientation or socioeconomic status. (900 char)

5. Are you a resident of the state of Minnesota? (300 char)

6. Briefly describe why you are interested in attending the University of Minnesota Medical School. (1200 char)

7. Briefly describe what you are currently doing. If you have already graduated, please indicate what you have been doing since graduation, and what your plans are for the coming year? (1200 char)

8. Please explain any gaps in your education and/or work experiences since high school graduation that are not previously described in your application. (300 char)

9. Have you considered alternate career options to fulfill your commitment to providing healthcare other than medicine? (900 char)

10. Please talk about what you might do if you are ultimately not accepted to medical school.(900 char)

11. What other pertinent information would you like to bring to the attention of the Admissions Committee? (900 char)

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Essay Topics ('14 - '15)

Beyond what you have written in your AMCAS Personal Comments, please discuss your early life experiences, family background and aspects of your home community that have led to your decision to become a physician. 1500 ch

2. Please describe a challenging life experience and how you dealt with it. 1500 ch

3. Our medical school is committed to enrolling and graduating a diverse student body. The Admissions Committee considers the following: high academic potential, disadvantaged background, race and ethnicity, evidence of outstanding leadership, creativity, unique work or service experience, community involvement, non-traditional educational progression, and demonstrated commitment to working with diverse populations. How would you contribute to the diversity of the University of Minnesota Medical School? 1500 ch

4. Are you a resident of the state of Minnesota? 300 ch

5. If you did not designate Minnesota as your state of legal residence on your AMCAS application, briefly describe any ties that you might have to this state. 1200 ch

6. Briefly describe what you are currently doing. If you have already graduated, please indicate what you have been doing since graduation, and what your plans are for the coming year? 1200 ch

7. Please explain any gaps in your education and/or work experiences since high school graduation that are not previously described in your application.300 ch

8a. Have you ever been convicted of a felony?*

8b. If YES, you must include a full explanation below. 1200 ch

9. Have you considered alternate career options to fulfill your commitment to providing healthcare other than medicine? Please talk about what you might do if you are ultimately not accepted to medical school. 900 ch

What other pertinent information would you like to bring to the attention of the Admissions Committee? 900 ch

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Essay Topics ('13 - '14)

1. Beyond what you have written in your AMCAS Personal Comments, please discuss your early life experiences, family background and aspects of your home community that have led to your decision to become a physician. 1500 ch

2. Please describe a challenging life experience and how you dealt with it. 1500 ch

3. Our medical school is committed to enrolling and graduating a diverse student body. The Admissions Committee considers the following: high academic potential, disadvantaged background, race and ethnicity, evidence of outstanding leadership, creativity, unique work or service experience, community involvement, non-traditional educational progression, and demonstrated commitment to working with diverse populations. How would you contribute to the diversity of the University of Minnesota Medical School? 1500 ch

4. Are you a resident of the state of Minnesota? 300 ch

5. If you did not designate Minnesota as your state of legal residence on your AMCAS application, briefly describe any ties that you might have to this state. 1200 ch

6. Briefly describe what you are currently doing. If you have already graduated, please indicate what you have been doing since graduation, and what your plans are for the coming year? 1200 ch

7. Please explain any gaps in your education and/or work experiences since high school graduation that are not previously described in your application.300 ch

8a. Have you ever been convicted of a felony?*

8b. If YES, you must include a full explanation below. 1200 ch

9. Have you considered alternate career options to fulfill your commitment to providing healthcare other than medicine? Please talk about what you might do if you are ultimately not accepted to medical school. 900ch

What other pertinent information would you like to bring to the attention of the Admissions Committee? 900ch