My Grades, My Body, My Studies - Admissions Essay about Becoming a Physician

Professional Physician - Admissions Essay

From the time I was a child I was always fascinated with the human body and the ways in which different systems work together to produce bodily functions. I have always loved science and I have always had an interest in helping sick and injured people feel better. I knew early on that I wanted to be doctor. I felt that being a doctor would allow me to be a participant in the healing process of patients.

I began my undergraduate studies as chemistry major. However in my first semester I became arrogant. I enjoyed my newfound freedom of living in a dorm and I did not take my studies seriously. In high school I was an "A" student who normally studied very little but still received high marks on exams. I thought that I could adopt those same habits in college and receive high marks. The required classes for chemistry major are primarily science classes that are mostly difficult and students need to put in more time studying in order to do well. I failed the first two exams in chemistry class. Then I studied harder for the next exam which I passed with a "C". I ended up getting a "C-"in that course. In most of my other courses that semester the majority of my grades were "Cs" and "Ds". At the end of the semester I went to my guidance counselor requesting a change of major which he granted me. My new major was biology. The counselor knew of my desire to attend medical school and he knew of my difficulty adjusting to the demands of university academics. He advised me to buckle down and study in order to do well enough to get into medical school. He also suggested that I volunteer at a nearby hospital in order to gain further insight into the medical profession and see firsthand the daily responsibilities of physicians and understand the commitment and dedication one needs in the medical profession.

During my time as a hospital volunteer I participated in various activities. Initially I was a candy striper where I performed tasks such as delivering flowers to patients, assisting doctors by giving out medical records and retrieving medical supplies. Later I worked at the cancer center where I helped patients and their families cope with their illness and treatment. It gratified me that I was able to provide some comfort to those people as they were going through debilitating treatments, even if all I did was offer words of encouragement. Their suffering was heartbreaking to me. I observed doctors performing MRI scans , colonoscopies and I was able to see some newly delivered babies and their parents while volunteering on the maternity floor. Observing these new arrivals into the world made me think that I may want to specialize in obstetrics. During my time as a hospital volunteer I also had the opportunity to observe the hematology team, who helped patients with diseases such as Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML). I learned several things from these observations. For example I was able to understand how the level of platelets affects blood clotting. I volunteered at the hospital for two years and it reaffirmed my commitment to achieving my goal of becoming a doctor. As a result of this experience I began to recognize the awesome responsibility, commitment and great patience I would need to become a physician. I learned that being a doctor involves helping people on several different levels. You are not simply helping the person achieve physical health, you may be providing emotional comfort to patients who are frightened or face an uncertain future. My experience motivated me to work harder in my studies in order to achieve my goal.

My grades improved as I continued my undergraduate studies. I would put more time and effort into my studies even while working as a hospital volunteer. There were some classes I did not excel in despite my efforts; however I continued to persevere, keeping my goal of becoming a doctor in mind. I would not dwell on my failures and I would try to focus on the positive. The science classes I have taken have taught me to ask more probing questions and not simply accept all given answers. I learned that there may be several possible theories to any given medical ailment. In several of my classes I have found that I possess leadership skills and I have been able to keep a clear head when helping others solve problems during various group activities. To further my experience in the medical field I have worked as a medical advocate, participating in several programs that have helped patients. For example I spent some time working as an advocate for elderly patients in an assisted living home. I have also been an assistant educator in an AIDS Awareness Education Program helping to teach teenagers to reduce their risk of contracting HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. As a result of these experiences I have found that I enjoy hard work and contributing to the physical and emotional well being of individuals in various communities.

I look forward to studying medicine and achieving my goal of becoming a physician. The medical profession is one that gives you many options. I look forward to exploring my options and choosing a medical specialty that is most appropriate for me. I am aware that being a physician can be a tough, stress-filled profession, but I am committed to putting in the time and effort needed to be an effective doctor.