Although you want to re-emphasize the major ideas of your essay, you should try to be creative and captivating, much like your opening paragraph. They were nervous and frightened. With a non-traditional background, yet one firmly entrenched in biology, the candidate simultaneously makes the case for candidacy and yet demonstrates a rare perspective. Did You Gather Feedback From Other People? I joined the National Guard before graduating high school and continued my service when I began college, medical school application essay examples. You need an editor.
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Our team of physician and medical student editors had the pleasure of helping students craft the following medical school secondary essays. Wake Forest upholds such values of inclusion and love through the Lovefest tradition and programs such as the student-run DEAC Clinic. After working at free clinics in rural areas, I am committed to becoming a physician that will promote systems of care in the community. Furthermore, as an extension of working in primary care, I am interested in being a geriatrician. Wake Forest, as one of the best geriatric hospitals in the country, has a curriculum that aligns with my interests. I am confident that through research, service, and patient care, Wake Forest will shape me into a leader of rural health care for the geriatric community.
Application Status: Accepted School of choice: Medical school application essay examples Forest School of Medicine Class of One personal adversity I have overcome is my lack of self-confidence. I was always a quiet child who grew up with two older medical school application essay examples doing most of the talking. As I aged, I came out my shell to an extent and became more outgoing. I have always struggled in one particular area: public speaking. My passion for medicine grew early as I observed my eldest sister work alongside physicians during her nursing training. However, my shy nature led me to select pre-nursing as my major, medical school application essay examples, since nursing does not require the ability to speak publicly like being a physician often does.
I did not truly consider a career as a doctor until my anatomy and physiology professor suggested I do so after recognizing my drive, aptitude, and passion. Even so, it took introspection and time to recognize that I held the potential to become a successful physician. Over my undergraduate career, I have participated in many group presentations during classes without the benefit of being taught how to successfully prepare. On every occasion, I would become so nervous that I was unable to sleep the entire night prior. By the time I presented, I would be so distracted that I could not think straight, let alone get my point across clearly. This went on until I had the opportunity to participate in a class called Peer Instruction in Laboratory Occupational Training PILOTwhich was an extension of a class that I had succeeded in, Quantitative Biological Methods.
PILOT was designed to expose students to research articles and assist with laboratory techniques and homework. A large part of the grade for the class consisted of teaching a laboratory section of around 40 students for 15 minutes. I almost opted out of the class because of this requirement, but ultimately decided it was a great opportunity to work through my personal fear of public speaking and build my self-confidence. I set a schedule six weeks ahead of the presentation to begin preparing. A few helpful peers offered advice, telling me that knowing what I wanted to say verbatim was a good way to improve confidence.
Thus, I practiced daily until three weeks before the class. I found another tip online: practicing in the actual location of the presentation can help reduce nerves. Subsequently, I approached one of my laboratory teaching assistants and asked if he would let me practice in the laboratory. He was an excellent teaching assistant and took the time to watch me practice and provide feedback. Ultimately, I felt that I was able to present eloquently and received an excellent grade. Life is full of challenges, and I learned that preparation is key to success. I planned and prepared early, pulled from available resources, and implemented advice from faculty and peers, medical school application essay examples. This experience taught me that I do have the aptitude, medical school application essay examples, and drive to succeed in medical school and overcome any obstacle that I might face.
I am eager to embrace more personal growth and realize my full potential as I continue on to medical school. Application Status: Accepted School of choice: Nova Southeastern University College Of Osteopathic Medicine Class of More Examples and The 6 Steps for Writing the Medical School Adversity Essay Click Here. I am a Muslim, Saudi woman, but I am not the preconceived notions of being close minded, uncultured, or oppressed. George C. Marshall High School showed me how enriching diversity is. My experiences drove me to work to bring different people together to give back. Years later, at NYU, this personal passion pushed me to create a volunteer tutoring nonprofit organization. Application Status: Accepted School of choice: Albert Einstein College of Medicine Class of Click here for More Examples and Steps on How to Write an Effective Medical School Diversity Essay.
From my academic and work experiences, I have frequently worked with people who are different from myself. Working with students and professors from different backgrounds through college helped me appreciate different viewpoints, especially during my bioethics training, medical school application essay examples. Listening to my classmate, who was a Catholic hospice nurse, explain her differing stance on end-of-life care showed me to appreciate the legitimacy of different opinions. Likewise, I learned from sociology graduate students about the issue of the medicalization of mental illness, medical school application essay examples I had not had to consider prior to speaking and working with them.
These experiences will help me contribute to the community by enabling me to approach problems from multiple lenses and to listen to and value the input of experts in different fields. My experiences engaging with different individuals will help me to enrich the community at Virginia Tech. As a tutor, I have been able to work with students of different ages and backgrounds with unique learning goals. For example, my student, medical school application essay examples, Danny, was an adult student taking classes at a community college and had failed his statistics course three times before meeting with me. Even though I had excelled in math classes during school, I was able to listen to his frustrations and identify different ways to help him medical school application essay examples the content and be able to apply it for quizzes and exams.
I helped him navigate through the material, and he ended up passing the course comfortably. In addition to my experiences tutoring, I have been able to interact with individuals different from myself through volunteering. For example, at Judson Park, I volunteered by helping one resident, Ron, participate in art therapy. Ron had suffered two prior strokes and was wheelchair-bound and hemiplegic. I was able to help bring him down to the art room and organize supplies for him, medical school application essay examples. Ron was unique in his needs, which was why he required individualized care to be able to participate in medical school application essay examples art therapy.
He also struggled with communicating verbally due to deficits from his prior strokes. I adapted by patiently waiting for him to respond at his own pace and looking for body language cues for what he needed at the moment. He was able to make incredible art creations, showing me the resilience of differently abled individuals. I can enrich the VTC community by providing this diverse perspective to help my peers and ultimately serve the greater community as a physician. Application Status: Accepted School of choice: University of Virginia School of Medicine Class of Currently, I can see myself practicing medicine in a variety of clinical settings: a private medical school application essay examples care system, a nonprofit medical facility, medical school application essay examples, individual practice, or a different setting.
I am open to all of the new experiences that medical school will bring, including exposure to a variety of clinical settings. I have worked as a medical scribe at the largest non-profit health care provider in Seattle and have also volunteered for a private specialty hospital. Both of these experiences have exposed me to a different type of medical practice, medical school application essay examples, and I have enjoyed both although in different ways. I loved the diversity of patients I encountered at the nonprofit and enjoyed experiencing different clinic visits whether for constipation or throat pain. I was also able to witness the very specialized and personalized care. I am excited to explore the various clinical setting options in medical school and residency, and figure out which environment best suits my strengths and interests!
Application Status: Accepted School of choice: Stanford School of Medicine Class of When I suddenly lost my father to pancreatic cancer shortly before starting college, I was confused and frustrated about my loss, medical school application essay examples. Although I had dreamt of becoming a doctor since I was a little girl, I was newly unsure of whether medicine was right for me. Because I lacked a tangible goal and motivation, medical school application essay examples, my studies and grades suffered during my first years of college. I started to care a lot more about school and enjoyed learning again. I began working extremely hard in my classes, and slowly but surely, my GPA rose.
Application Status: Accepted School of choice: Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine Class of My professional ambitions have always aligned with a medical career, ever since I observed my childhood hero and oldest sister, Brittany, work alongside physicians as a registered nurse. At the time, I was only eight years old and not yet privy to the nuances of allopathic versus osteopathic medicine. Throughout my experiences with the medical profession as a medical school application essay examples and mother, I have found myself disappointed with some of the allopathic medical treatments.
I have myself been treated pharmaceutically with medications and became non-compliant medical school application essay examples my treatment due to side effects. Several years ago, I was diagnosed with herpetic neuralgia. My neurologist prescription Neurontin, which helped with the symptoms but left me in a fog. I found myself questioning whether there could be a better method. As an undergraduate student, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to listen to a presentation by a doctor of osteopathy from Lake Eerie College of Medicine in Bradenton, FL. The speaker discussed osteopathic medicine, its principles, and manipulative medicine OMM. He talked about a time when he bumped into an old friend who had been diagnosed with plantar fasciitis.
The D. performed OMM for his friend and provided him with a set of exercises to perform daily at home. Ultimately, the friend did not require the surgery his allopathic physician had recommended. After listening to his presentation, I felt as though I had a breakthrough. I realized that I wholeheartedly supported these principles as the better solution that I had been looking for. With osteopathic medicine, I could practice medicine in a traditional manner while wielding a valuable skill set that could spare patients from invasive surgeries and pharmaceutical therapeutics causing undesired side effects.
Furthermore, while studying for the MCAT a year ago, I developed a constant waxing and waning neck pain that would radiate to my right shoulder and down my arm. This worsened over a period of four weeks, and I took increasing amounts of medical school application essay examples to calm the symptoms. A good friend of mine is a physical therapist who manipulated my spine and sent me home with instructions for an exercise plan. She also taught me how to self-evaluate my posture, which has been valuable in preventing additional episodes. I was incredibly impressed with the outcome of the treatment that used my own body and its muscles to treat the pain without using pharmaceuticals or leaving me with residual deficits.
As such, my personal trust in natural treatments has emphasized to me that osteopathic medicine is the path I am meant to follow, medical school application essay examples. The more I learn about osteopathic medicine, the more excited I am to incorporate its principles into my future practice.
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Background : Minored in Global Health. MS1 at the University of Arizona, College of Medicine Phoenix. MS3 at the Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine. Background : President of the Surgery Interest Group. MS1 at Creighton University School of Medicine, Phoenix campus. Background : Former Lab TA, Tutor and Scribe. Specialty : Family Medicine. Specialty : Anesthesiology at Dartmouth. MS4 at the Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine. Background : Published Writer. MS2 at the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine VCOM. Background : Published Author. MS1 at the Western University of Health Sciences.
Background : First-generation college graduate and medical student. MS2 at Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine. Background : Mentor and Advisor. MS3 at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine. Background : Secretary of the Student Osteopathic Medical Association. MS2 at CUNY School of Medicine. Background : A part of a Dual-Admissions program: 7-year B. MS2 at Drexel University College of Medicine. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine. Background : A part of the Dual-Admissions program: B. MS1 at Midwestern University — Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Background : Nontraditional and a mentor. MS3 at NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine. Background : Former writing tutor. Text or Call Us Virtual Shadowing Blog Reviews Resources Medical School Consulting MCAT Question of the Day List of Medical Schools Medical School Predictor Medical School Map Medical School Application Timeline Login Menu. No products in the cart. Medical School Secondary Essays Examples. Be Memorable. Claim an interview spot. Get Accepted. Skip to Tell us about any specific reason s personal, educational, etc. why you see yourself here at the Wake Forest School of Medicine.
Describe a significant challenge you have experienced in your life, share the strategies you employed to overcome the challenge, and what you learned from the experience. Application Status: Accepted School of choice: Nova Southeastern University College Of Osteopathic Medicine Class of More Examples and The 6 Steps for Writing the Medical School Adversity Essay Click Here. Application Status: Accepted School of choice: Albert Einstein College of Medicine Class of Click here for More Examples and Steps on How to Write an Effective Medical School Diversity Essay. Explain how interactions with people who are different from you have shaped your worldview and relate how you would enrich the VTC community.
Need help writing your secondary essays? Affordable Secondary Essay Editing Click Here. After residency, describe the community in which you see yourself practicing medicine. How do your professional ambitions align with osteopathic medicine? Why are secondary essays important? Join over 1, of our accepted med school applicants by using Motivate MD's review service. Meet Our Editors. Michaela B. Ehab A. MS2 at NYU School of Medicine Background : 99th percentile score on the MCAT. MS3 at The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine Background : Student Interviewer for Admissions.
MS3 at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor Background : Served in the Peace Corps in Belize. MS2 at Duke University School of Medicine Background : Medical School Admissions Mentor at Duke. MS1 at the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California Background : Pursued a fellowship in global surgery research. MS1 at SUNY Downstate School of Medicine Background : Author of five scientific articles in peer-reviewed journals. Emma S. MS1 at Western Michigan University Homer Stryker School of Medicine Background : Mentor. MS4 at the University of Illinois College of Medicine Background : Published a manuscript in collaboration with Johns Hopkins University.
MS2 at Wake Forest School of Medicine Background : Has a love for narrative medicine. MS3 at Wright State BSOM Background : Researcher. MS1 at Medical College of Wisconsin Background : Former scribe. MS2 at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School Background : Advisor and Mentor. College of Medicine at The University of Vermont Background : Medical Student Ambassador. MS2 at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine Background : Tutor for incoming med students. MS1 at McGovern Background : Researcher. Megan A. MS1 at Medical College of Georgia Background : Past tutor. MS4 at the Miller School of Medicine — University of Miami Background : Researcher.
MS3 at the Miller School of Medicine — University of Miami Background : Founder of Empower HER. MS2 at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine-Greenville Background : Former Gastroenterology Technician. MS2 at NYU Long Island School of Medicine Background : Has a love for the intersection of medicine and journalism. MS2 at Penn State College of Medicine Background : Tutor and Mentor. MS3 at the University of Minnesota Medical School — Twin Cities Background : Minored in Global Health. MS1 at the University of Arizona, College of Medicine Phoenix Background : Lead mentor. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine Background : President of the Surgery Interest Group.
Emma K. MS1 at Creighton University School of Medicine, Phoenix campus Background : Former Lab TA, Tutor and Scribe. My connection to children and their health extends to medical offices, clinics and communities where I have gained experience and insight into medicine, confirming my goal of becoming a physician. My motivation to pursue a career in medicine developed when my mother, who was diagnosed with Lupus, underwent a kidney transplant surgery and suffered multiple complications. I recall the fear and anxiety I felt as a child because I misunderstood her chronic disease. This prompted me to learn more about the science of medicine. In high school, I observed patients plagued with acute and chronic kidney disease while briefly exploring various fields of medicine through a Mentorship in Medicine summer program at my local hospital.
In addition to shadowing nephrologists in a hospital and clinical setting, I scrubbed into the operating room, viewed the radiology department, celebrated the miracle of birth in the delivery room, and quietly observed a partial autopsy in pathology. I saw many patients confused about their diagnoses. I was impressed by the compassion of the physicians and the time they took to reassure and educate their patients. Further experiences in medicine throughout and after college shaped a desire to practice in underserved areas. While coloring and reading with children in the patient area at a Family Health Center, I witnessed family medicine physicians diligently serve patients from low-income communities. At one impoverished village, I held a malnourished two-year old boy suffering from cerebral palsy and cardiorespiratory disease.
His family could not afford to take him to the nearest pediatrician, a few hours away by car, for treatment. Overwhelmed, I cried as we left the village. Many people were suffering through pain and disease due to limited access to medicine. One physician may not be able to change the status of underserved communities, however, one can alleviate some of the suffering. X, my mentor and supervisor, taught me that the practice of medicine is both a science and an art. As a medical assistant in a pediatric office, I am learning about the patient-physician relationship and the meaningful connection with people that medicine provides.
I interact with patients and their families daily. Newborn twins were one of the first patients I helped, and I look forward to seeing their development at successive visits. A young boy who endured a major cardiac surgery was another patient I connected with, seeing his smiling face in the office often as he transitioned from the hospital to his home. I also helped many excited, college-bound teenagers with requests for medical records in order to matriculate. This is the art of medicine — the ability to build relationships with patients and have an important and influential role in their lives, from birth to adulthood and beyond.
In addition, medicine encompasses patient-centered care, such as considering and addressing concerns. While taking patient vitals, I grew discouraged when parents refused the influenza vaccine and could not understand their choices. With my experience in scientific research, I conducted an informal yet insightful study. Over one hundred families were surveyed about their specific reasons for refusing the flu vaccine. I also learned the value of communicating with patients, such as explaining the purpose of a recommended vaccine.
I hope to further this by attending medical school to become a physician focused on patient-centered care, learning from and teaching my community. Children have been a common thread in my pursuit of medicine, from perceiving medicine through child-like eyes to interacting daily with children in a medical office. My diverse experiences in patient interaction and the practice of medicine inspire me to become a physician, a path that requires perseverance and passion. Physicians are life-long learners and teachers, educating others whether it is on vaccinations or various diseases.
This vocation also requires preparation, and I eagerly look forward to continually learning and growing in medical school and beyond. To learn more about what to expect from the study of medicine, check out our Study Medicine in the US section. Sign in to Your Account Done. Sign in. Don't have an Account? Register Now! International Student Resources Essay Writing Center Sample Essays Sample Medical School Essays Sample Medical School Essays Applying to medical school is an exciting decision, but the application process is very competitive. This section contains five sample medical school essays Medical School Sample Essay One Medical School Sample Essay Two Medical School Sample Essay Three Medical School Sample Essay Four Medical School Sample Essay Five. Prompt: What makes you an excellent candidate for medical school?
Why do you want to become a physician? AMCAS essays are limited to characters—not words! This includes spaces. Make sure the information you include in your essay doesn't conflict with the information in your other application materials. Look at the essay as an opportunity to tell your story rather than a burden. Keep the interview in mind as you write. You will most likely be asked questions regarding your essay during the interview, so think about the experiences you want to talk about. When you are copying and pasting from a word processor to the AMCAS application online, formatting and font will be lost.
Avoid overly controversial topics. Revise, revise, revise. Have multiple readers look at your essay and make suggestions. Go over your essay yourself many times and rewrite it several times until you feel that it communicates your message effectively and creatively. Make the opening sentence memorable. Admissions officers will read dozens of personal statements in a day. You must say something at the very beginning to catch their attention, encourage them to read the essay in detail, and make yourself stand out from the crowd. Character traits to portray in your essay include: maturity, intellect, critical thinking skills, leadership, tolerance, perseverance, and sincerity. Additional Tips for a Successful Medical School Essay Regardless of the prompt, you should always address the question of why you want to go to medical school in your essay.
Try to always give concrete examples rather than make general statements. If you say that you have perseverance, describe an event in your life that demonstrates perseverance. There should be an overall message or theme in your essay. In the example above, the theme is overcoming unexpected obstacles. Make sure you check and recheck for spelling and grammar! Turn potential weaknesses into positives. As in the example above, address any potential weaknesses in your application and make them strengths, if possible. The below essay samples were provided by EssayMaster. com - The Premier Application Essay Editing Service. Prompt: What diversity will you bring to medical school? The essay accomplishes its key goal of demonstrating the kind of diversity this applicant will bring to medical school.
With a non-traditional background, yet one firmly entrenched in biology, the candidate simultaneously makes the case for candidacy and yet demonstrates a rare perspective. Furthermore, the applicant presented international experience with sophistication. For this project, I am examining the correlation between captive vervet monkeys' adrenal and androgen levels with age, gender, and various behavioral measures across different stress-level environments. I enjoy the discipline and responsibility which research requires, and I hope to incorporate it into my career. Anthropology is the study of humans; medicine is the science and art dealing with the maintenance of health and the prevention, alleviation, or cure of disease in humans.
My anthropology classes have taught me to appreciate cross-cultural perspectives and their relationship to pathology and its etiology. First hand experience with exercise therapy and nutrition has taught me the invaluable role of prevention. Medical school will now provide me with the technical knowledge to alleviate a crise de foie. With a diverse background that includes anthropology studies, work as a certified physical trainer, and experience in clinical medical research, this applicant builds a strong case for her logical and dedicated choice of a medical career. I heard the familiar sound of the back door closing gently. My father was returning from driving his dirty, green John Deere tractor in one of our fields. Although he begins his day at a.
every morning, he usually returns at around p. I never really questioned his schedule when I was a child, but as I entered high school I wondered how my dad could work so hard every day of the week and still enjoy what he does. He works long hours, becomes filthy from dirt, oil, and mud, and worst of all, can watch all his hard work go to waste if one day of bad weather wipes out our crop. There have been many years when our raisins were rained on, our cherries were hailed on and our apples were literally baked by the sun. The uncertainties of farming are so great and so challenging. It never ceases to amaze me when my father wakes up every morning to start work, that he does so with gusto. The life of a farmer can be laborious and stressful, yet my father continues to do his work with passionate enthusiasm.
His dedication and pride mystified me throughout high school. Only after I entered Big U, did I start to understand how he can persevere and face the challenges of farming. I entered Big U like a small child wandering through a park. Never in my life had I been exposed to anything so grandiose and dominating. Born and raised in a rural town of people, I wasn't ready for the fast-paced life and crowds of Chicago. I eventually grew into its lifestyle and learned to adapt to my new environment. I found my bio-ethics class, in which we discussed major issues in health care, especially interesting.
These frustrating situations place a huge strain on physicians, and yet they persevere and continue to work long hours in hospitals, clinics and HMOs providing the best care they can. We don't hear him complain; we only hear him leave early in the morning. I also saw determination and tenacity in another setting while at BIG U: Dr. Steve Jones neurophysiology laboratory. In collaboration with Dr. Jack Smith Jr. at Big U II, I performed immunohistochemistry experiments to label metabotropic glutamate receptors. Research is intrinsically laborious and painstaking, but through my experience with Dr. Smith, I saw the stress, frustration, and uncertainty involved in obtaining grants. Yet he continues his pursuit of knowledge. Despite limited resources, he, like my father and the clinical physician, tries everyday to do his best to achieve his goals.
I used similar drive in my research projects and am co-author of an article resulting from my research. Inspired by Dr. Smith, I will harness that determination in medicine. He showed me what it means to really enjoy a career. I can have that same enjoyment through practicing medicine — the same type of enjoyment my father has from tending to his fields. Becoming a physician is a goal aspired to by many. I have been able to experience uncertainties, challenges, and plain old hard work similar to that faced by physicians. But like the doctors in the hospitals and Dr. Smith in his lab, I can find happiness and satisfaction in helping people through medicine.
Despite all the hardship doctors face, I want to help people every day. Practicing medicine is something worth stress and long hours. I finally understand my father. I now know how he can wake up every morning at a. and drive his dirty, green tractor until p. This applicant sets herself apart by emphasizing a hobby that she loves and accounts for a dip in her grades caused by illness. Pounding, rushing footsteps started to close in on me. The roar of the crowd echoed, as I extended my hand to receive the baton that signaled my turn to run.
As I tightly wrapped my fingers around it, I felt the wind rush around me, and my tired legs started to carry me faster than I ever dreamed possible. As I rounded the final stretch of track I remember battling fatigue by contemplating two paths: slow down and give up my chance of winning to gain momentary comfort, or push myself even harder and give up momentary comfort to receive greater rewards later. I chose the second path and later held a trophy that represented my perseverance and hard work. The years of running — consistently choosing the second path — have taught me discipline and perseverance. These qualities will help me cross a different finish line and achieve a new goal: becoming a doctor. I have had to learn to budget my time to meet the demands of school, training programs, and volunteer activities.
My most satisfying volunteer activity, however, was participating in mission work in Mexico City. In Mexico City I continually saw young children whose suffering was overwhelming. These children had never received vaccinations, were lice-infested, and suffered from malnutrition. They also frequently had infections that antibiotics can easily treat, but due to poverty were left untreated. For a week our team worked feverishly to see as many children as possible and treat them to the best of our abilities. I will never forget the feeling of complete fulfillment after a long day of using my talents for the betterment of others. The desire to replicate this feeling strengthens my commitment to becoming a physician. Isaac Asimov once said, "It has been my philosophy on life that difficulties vanish when faced boldly.
In September , at the beginning of the running season I developed a severe case of mono. My doctors advised me to drop out of school for a semester and not run for at least four months. Though devastated, I refused to give up. I managed to keep up with all my classes, even when I came down with pneumonia on top of mono in early November. I resumed training in the beginning of December, two months earlier than doctors originally thought possible. Today I am preparing for the LA Marathon in May. This test helped shape my attitude towards the work that I am now doing in Dr. Lee's molecular biology research lab.
In searching for a cure for colon cancer, the work can become tedious, and the project progresses very slowly. Many just give up, feeling that the answers they seek are buried too deep and require too much effort to find. But my training and the battles I have fought with illness have taught me persistence. I realize that many times progress plateaus, or even declines before I find the results I seek. Most of all, I know that the more hard work I invest, the more exciting, overwhelming, and fulfilling are the later rewards.
As a result of my efforts I have been able to experience the joy of breaking through the tape of a finish line, having my name on a journal article in press, seeing the smile on Kelly's face as I walk with her, and hearing the sincere expressions of gratitude from homeless children who have just received a humble roof over their heads and the medical attention they so desperately need. I hope to cross the finish line in the LA marathon and enter medical school this year. This essay is one of our favorites. The applicant tells a story and weaves a lot of information about his background and interests into it. Note how the lead grabs attention and the conclusion ties everything together.
The AIDS hospice reeked from disease and neglect. On my first day there, after an hour of "training," I met Paul, a tall, emaciated, forty-year-old AIDS victim who was recovering from a stroke that had severely affected his speech. I took him to General Hospital for a long-overdue appointment. It had been weeks since he had been outside. After waiting for two and a half hours, he was called in and then needed to wait another two hours for his prescription. Hungry, I suggested we go and get some lunch.
When it arrived, Paul took his first bite. Suddenly, his face lit up with the biggest, most radiant smile. He was on top of the world because somebody bought him a hamburger. So little bought so much. This was a harsh side of medicine I had not seen before. Right then and there, I wondered, "Do I really want to go into medicine? What had so upset me about my day with Paul? Before then nothing in my personal, academic, or volunteer experiences had shaken my single-minded commitment to medicine. Why was I so unprepared for what I saw? Was it the proximity of death, knowing Paul was terminal? As a young boy in gutted Beirut I had experienced death time and time again. Was it the financial hardship of the hospice residents, the living from day to day?
No, I dealt with that myself as a new immigrant and had even worked full-time during my first two years of college. Financial difficulty was no stranger to me. Neither financial distress nor the sight of death had deterred me. Before the day in the hospice, I only wanted to be a doctor. My interest in medicine had started out with an enjoyment of science. Research with Dr. Smith on neurodegenerative diseases further stimulated my curiosity. Equally satisfying is my investigation with Dr. I love research. Looking at the results of an experiment for the first time and knowing that my data, this newly found piece of information, is furthering our knowledge in a small area of science is an indescribable experience. I have so enjoyed it that I am currently enrolled in two Departmental Honors programs, both requiring an Honors Thesis.
I will graduate next year with two majors — Neuroscience and Biological Sciences. Even worse, it could contribute to the emotional neglect I found so repulsive. Nelson, the general practitioner for whom I volunteered for two and a half years, had always told me that the desire to become a doctor must come from deep within. I also spent a significant amount of time with Dr. He became my mentor. I also realized that in medicine many decisions are based on clinical approximation, as opposed to the precision of the lab. Still after two and a half years in his Park Avenue office, I was unprepared for the AIDS hospice in a blue-collar neighborhood, and my experience with Paul. Even my work at the Family Clinic, which serves a large poor and homeless population, failed to prepare me for Paul.
In the clinic, I worked a lot with children and interacted with their families. I recall an episode when the parents of a twelve-year-old girl brought her to the clinic. They were nervous and frightened. Their daughter had a hard time breathing because of a sore throat and had not been able to sleep the previous night. I took her vital signs, inquired about her chief complaint, and put her chart in the priority box. After she was seen by the physician, I assured her parents that her illness was not serious — she had the flu, and the sore throat was merely a symptom. During my stay at the clinic, I thoroughly enjoyed the interaction with patients and dealing with a different socio-economic group than I found in Dr.
But while I was aware of their poverty, I was not aware if they suffered from emotional isolation and neglect. But after I thought about it, I understood that meeting Paul and working in the hospice gave me an opportunity, however painful, for accomplishment and personal growth. And medicine offers a lifetime of such opportunities. He and I were friends until he died, about eight months after I first started working at the AIDS hospice. I visited him and others in the hospice at least once a week and frequently more often. My experience with Paul and other AIDS patients led me to re-commit to a career as a physician — the only career I want to pursue — but a physician who will always have a minute to comfort.
Yes, my research is exciting and important. Yes, medicine involves problem solving and analysis of symptoms as I learned at the Family Clinic. And yes, medicine frequently involves clinical approximation as Dr. Nelson taught me.
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