College Admissions Essay: Going Into The Field Of Medicine

Unlike other medical students, I never had one particular defining moment that changed my life but from a very young age I had set myself to becoming a doctor, but not just any doctor, a surgeon. Therefore, instead of just one determining event, many events helped propel my dream, with medical school being the beginning of much more I hope to achieve.

Growing up, people would always ask "what do you want to be when you grow up?" as a young child my answer was always “a princess”. Eventually, I realized this dream of mine was unrealistic and began to lean towards a profession in the medical field. The world of medicine enthralled me, even as a child. Flash-forward to senior year of high school where the most common question asked became “where are you thinking of going to college?” As time went on, I had a solid idea of what school I wanted to attend in the fall. When I was accepted to all of my top choices, the decision became a challenge. Strangely enough, Xavier University of Louisiana was the last school I applied to. In fact, it was nowhere on my radar until I did my research.

Being involved in clubs throughout high school has taught me how to work with people coming from different backgrounds. One of my main goals in life is to create an organization for poor communities in order to teach them how to eat right with their own resources and motivate people to make the world better for everybody. I feel passionate every time that I help people, knowing that they feel healthy and happy is very important for me.

Upon the genesis of my medical passion; at the age of seven, I somehow thought it was possible to also be an astronaut, a firefighter, a lawyer, a teacher, a fashion designer, a singer, etc. I thought I wanted it all but my heart never changed. Throughout high school I kept an open mind as a way of making sure I could hold on to this lifelong commitment that is a career in medicine. While exploring my other interests and desires, I was reminded of the reason why I was pursuing medicine, the heart behind it all. It is my first love.

Growing up I never entertained the idea of becoming a doctor. Why? Because I was terrified of doctors and hospitals. Just the thought of visiting the doctor’s office for a simple checkup shot my anxiety levels through the roof. This anxiety stemmed from the fact that my father had been sick throughout my childhood years and would at times be taken to the emergency room, which is a scary thing for any child to experience their parent being ill. So at a young age, I associated hospitals and doctors with fear and this deterred me from having any thoughts about future careers in the medical field.

As a child, the medical field has been a heightened interest of mine. Having taken classes to become and emergency medical responder, being taught CPR, watching and learning from media about emergency services, my want to excel in medicine has only increased. I feel one of the biggest purposes in my life is to understand and help others through the pain and suffering that they might be going through. I wish to develop the knowledge and the skillset to be able to help or even save those in need. In addition, I hope to help others see how successful you can be if you are passionately driven for what you do.

Most people hate going to the doctor or seeing surgery’s on television; I love it, I love everything about the medical field. I always knew I couldn’t be a doctor or a surgeon but I knew I could go into the medical field for something. I didn’t want to be a nurse; everyone is becoming nurses today. I wanted to do something that you barley see people getting degrees in.

I don’t know the physician who delivered me, but I do know I was placed into the loving arms of the Springfield Chinese Church. This mother-like figure, my Sunday school teacher, helped nurture the attributes in my life. I remember the day she visited my home; she came to deliver us the bad news about her health, but she still seemed happy. At the time, I did not know why everyone was crying. Slowly as her physical health declined, I realized what was happening to her.

There is an African proverb that says, "If you wish to move mountains tomorrow, you must start by lifting stones today." I believe I am the youngest in my graduating class, a high school senior at the age of fifteen. I have lifted stones to reach where I am now, ahead of others my age. My mountains have yet to come. I was two years old when I began reading. By the time I was five and in kindergarten, I was reading at a third-grade reading level and knew how to write my first name in cursive. My teacher noticed this, and called my parents. Consequently, it was decided I would go to first grade. I embraced it, though it was foreign to me; skipping a grade sounded exciting. I moved from my birth state, New York, across the country to Tennessee

As a little kid, growing up and being a doctor would be the greatest occupation ever. I remember running around our house to would “administer shots” my family and friends so I could make them “feel better”. I would then have to go back and check their heartbeat with my little plastic stethoscope. Thinking back on those times I still see myself graduating from a Radiology and Ultrasound tech program to receive a position in the medical field. I’ve always wanted to help people, and find out problems those patients may be facing.

For all of my life, I knew that I wanted to help people. I didn’t know how or when I was going to, but I knew that I needed to do something that helped others. We see people helping each other every day, but I knew that I was not like other kids who wanted to be a fireman or a police officer. At the same time, helping people to me wasn’t going to be me becoming a surgeon and saving lives; I do not have a strong enough stomach. For a very long time, helping people meant that I was going to teach high school classes in the sciences. I continued looking around for other career paths and began diving more into the medical field and it fascinated me. Eventually, I came across pharmacy, a career where I can exhibit my need of helping others and my interest in science.

It was another sweltering, hot day in July, and my nine-year-old self was digging in the dirt. After ten minutes of tirelessly digging, I came across an earthworm slithering into my hole. At first, I was hesitant to disturb the earthworm because I did not want to harm it. However, overcome by curiosity, I eventually picked up the worm and retreated to my house to dissect it.

I feel the Admissions Committee should know more about my medical aspirations and goals. My primary aim is to become a successfully practicing physician in one of the various specialties that medicine has to offer. It would be naïve of me to know for certain the specialty I plan on obtaining before I have even begun my graduate medical education; however, I do have some ideas. I currently have a mild interest in Orthopaedic Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Surgery. This interest stems from my shoulder injury experience, my athletic background and interests, and my experience interning at the Fellowship of Orthopaedic Researchers (FOR). Beyond my main career ambitions, I also have various secondary professional objectives.

At the age of nine, my uncle asked me what I wanted to become when I get older. In that moment the first thing that came to my mind was a doctor. I felt pressured to choose a doctor or a lawyer due to societal views of a good career. Despite my initial thoughts about being a doctor, developed a passion for children through babysitting, and observation. Which, Inspired me to pursue medicine to become a pediatrician.

I wanted to care, protect, guide and support anyone in need. Helping others to face their fears and challenges in a bad time is very rewarding for me. When observing some doctors in their careers and seeing their daily struggle for life, it makes me want to be part of it.