CHECK OUT some ESSAYS BELOW!
EXEMPLAR #1:
When I think of ‘Doctors’ what immediately comes to mind are vaccines, multi-colored pills and syrups prescribed amidst protective white walls. They have restored my health and saved lives. When I think of medicine as a career, I see altruistic men and women, heroes, who have made a real difference in the lives of their patients. I find myself yearning to be part of this discipline. My greatest motivation behind my decision to pursue a career in the medical field is the understanding that I will be able to better countless lives with the knowledge I gain. I know acquiring a medical degree is no easy feat. It entails years of tireless hard work, intense devotion and substantial sacrifice.
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I was first exposed to this field at (Insert name of clinic). I was able to interact with the clinic’s former patients and record their feedback. This helped hone my communication skills. I also had an exhilarating experience observing tests being conducted in the clinic’s laboratory. Biology and chemistry, subjects I share a deep passion for came of great use in analyzing symptoms exhibited in blood or urine samples. Further, I was privileged to work under pediatrician, (Dr. Insert name). His warmth was infectious, and his empathetic behavior towards children was an example to be followed. I learnt that all doctors must indubitably work in their patient’s best interest. While interning at (insert name) clinic, I worked under a gynecologist. This opened my eyes to the numerous problems women face such as polycystic ovarian syndrome and inadequate nutrition. As a member of this societal sector, I realized the difference how just one specialization in the vast field of medicine makes in countless lives. While interning at my school’s clinic, I learned about various diseases like rose fever and juvenile diabetes. The highlight of my experience was observing how the doctor calmly approached and relayed the delicate subject matter to his patients.
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I had an opportunity to interact closely with children who have special needs while volunteering at the (Insert name). This organization was involved with helping children coordinate their motor and mental responses through horse riding. I found the therapy tiring for these children and the healing slow but their indomitable spirit to better themselves week after week was admirable. The elated expression of the parents at the progress their children made filled me with warmth. The real reward to me was encouraging and supporting them through this process. I also volunteered to be part of a school organized journey to (Insert name) in (Insert place), which provides shelter to underprivileged children. The persistence these children showed, to improve, braving all odds touched me. At the (Insert name) orphanage, I was deeply affected by children who were suffering from terminal illnesses and their insufferable conditions further fueled my desire to be a doctor.
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The Duke of Edinburgh award improved my problem-solving skills and while leading an arduous trek I learnt how important a role determination and collaboration can play. I learnt how important physical activity is essential in education. Being part of the table tennis team also helped me work well in a competitive environment.
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I aspire to be like the brave doctors who give their lives fighting against deadly diseases like Ebola, like the doctors without borders organization that offers impartial medical aid to where it is most needed and by doctors who save lives during war. Likewise, I would like to emulate and imbibe these qualities along my journey. I am aware of the immense responsibility that the role comes with and the challenges that can be thrown along the way. Paul Kalanithi rightly said, “the physician’s duty is not to stave off death or return patients to their old lives, but to take into our arms a patient and family whose lives have disintegrated and work until they can stand back up and face, and make sense of, their own existence.”
EXEMPLAR #2:
Walking through the glass doors of a hospital, you are at once overwhelmed by the pungent smell of antiseptic. A whiff of this air would make most want to escape. I wasn’t any different.
Olfactory preferences aside, in high school, I realised that I had a natural affinity for the sciences. Preparing for the Brain Bee, an intensive international neuroscience competition, where I was the regional runner-up, gave me an immense appreciation of the almost magical workings of the brain. The mechanism of sleep, the effects of stress on cognition, and the debilitating effects of neurological disorders are a few things I learnt about. I appreciate the connections between seemingly unrelated fields-I was surprised to learn that Darwin's theory of Survival of the Fittest was inspired by Malthus' work on market behaviour. I was also selected for a weeklong training at CERN, Switzerland which introduced me to the interplay of particle physics and medicine-a whole new world for diagnostics, data storage and cancer therapy. Online courses on public health helped me to get a more holistic view of healthcare. My passion for the life sciences coupled with a desire to pursue a socially relevant career made me consider medicine as a possible career route.
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To gain some insight into the workings of a medical set-up, I interned at a local hospital for four weeks. I was rotated through all the departments, ranging from General Medicine to Neurology to Occupational Therapy. Whilst these sub-specialties were highly varied in their intricacies, the care, patience and insight with which the clinician dealt with each patient individually, was common to all.
The smell of the hospital now filled me with an anticipation to learn something new, experiencing another day in the shoes of a clinician. I also shadowed a GP for 2 weeks, where I was able to appreciate the extra effort the clinician put in to explain diagnoses lucidly for her patients to understand. People from highly varied social strata visited her clinic. This highlighted the importance of effective communication and adaptability, which my background, living in both the UK and India, helps me better perceive.
Volunteering at a palliative care home for terminally ill cancer patients reaffirmed my decision to pursue medicine. While patient interaction was limited, my concerted efforts over a period of 6 months, organising the first ever socially conscious art competition to raise funds, resulted in me being invited to listen to the patients and their families share their arduous experiences battling the disease. Each one of them spoke highly of the amazing level of care provided not only by the doctors but the support staff as well, making their last few months as comfortable, painless and happy as possible. I realised that medicine involves seeing a patient's recovery through till the end, providing support medically as well as mentally. The fundraising effort enhanced my team working and problem-solving skills.
Medicine requires being able to maintain a healthy work-life balance which I have tried to emulate in my school life as well. As president of the Science and Art club, I was responsible for organising innovative events for the senior school. Besides academics, my artwork serves as a stress-buster- I enjoy filling up drawing books, updating an online blog and my work has even been displayed at a renowned gallery. A classmate and I started a small support group to attempt to destigmatise mental health issues by giving teenagers a platform to air their anxieties and problems. We, alongside a team of trained professionals, held over ten counselling sessions, which improved my empathic and communication skills immensely.
Through my work and family experiences, I have realised that the life of a clinician is prone to stresses and sacrifices. However, taking on this intellectually stimulating, emotionally challenging career, makes me excited to be greeted by the smell of antiseptic at work everyday.