College Admissions Essay: How To Become An Epidemiologist

The first time I realized I wanted to specialize in medicine was when my father took me to the fire station when I was around the age of fourteen. He began to show me images of different cases and trauma scenes they had participated in. Since then, I have constantly asked my dad questions about different calls and scenarios about patients he has rescued. By having a father in the medical field and continuing to take science and medical courses throughout high school, I began to learn more about medicine throughout the years. Deciding to partake in these courses further advanced my understanding in medicine. These courses helped it become clear to me that the medical field is something I continuously

At the age of ten, I read a book, “Gifted Hands” by Dr. Ben Carson, which inspired and begin to motivate my interest in pursuing medicine as a career because I could identify with his discovery of the joy of reading and his fascination with science. When I was 14, I had an epiphany at the doctor’s office. This event occurred a little after I had finished my final exams in school and the next step was to go to senior high school. But, I thought the preliminary chemistry and physics classes of junior high school were daunting and went on to convince myself that a career in medicine might not be right for me.

Science and medicine has always fascinated me and has been interesting to be since my education started as a child. All my cousins used to play video games, playing house, playing cards, but instead I always forced everyone on pretending my patients and me treating them and caring for them as a doctor. I also wanted my family members to act if they were sick and they needed help. As time passed, I no longer had to play as it was the reality now and they really now needed help. I have witnessed my family members, my grandmother who passed away due to heart attack at an early age, my other grandmother who currently is sick, my grandfather who passed away also due to heart attack.

Exploring various research opportunities on campus and summer internships have allowed me to shape what I want my future to look like. When the time approached to set my personal and professional goals, I made a conscientious decision to enter a field that would allow me to leave a positive impact on mankind, while adding to the current body of research. There is more that can be done by combining research and medicine, and additional steps I can take to enhance scientific advances. These convictions, coupled with my passion for medicine and science, were significant factors in my interest in becoming a physician-scientist, pursuing an MD-PhD. As a scientist, I see how creation and innovation can aid. As a future medical doctor, I see the need to treat, heal, and

During my early years at school, I liked the subjects of biology and chemistry. I remember how my obsession with the fine detail of microscopic structures and memorizing whole periodic table in ninth grade made me feel content. I chose to pursue a career in medicine as the study of human body fascinated me. I got myself enrolled successfully at King Edward Medical University to achieve my goal. I consider it a blessing to serve my community through a career in medicine.

Two decades and many existential crises later, one single aspect of my life has pulled me through: that passion I experienced as a child. I have questioned the source of this motivation more than once, and have sought out to put myself in all possible situations that would predict how I would feel later in my life as a doctor to make sure this passion was not mere infatuation.

Since I was a child, I’ve always had a strong interest in science. I remember receiving a telescope and microscope kit for my birthday one year, and it was the best gift I’d ever been given. That’s what truly sparked my passion for the field of science and, more specifically, the medical field.

My interest began in healthcare and science at a young age of around 22 years. I became interested in healthcare because of my curiosity and fascination with how the human body functions. I found myself seeking a gratifying career that would make a sustained positive difference in people’s lives. My first healthcare position was as a surgical technologist. I later obtained my associate's degree as a registered nurse through an online program approved in California.

When I was in fourth grade we had to read this book that was based in North Carolina, during World War two and when kids at a young age were getting polio and dying. The book named Blue, sparked the interest of being in the medical field. Also, knowing that I could do something great like starting an emergency hospital in just three days so they could put all of the sick and helpless children in one place. Blue is the reason why I am going to go into the medical field instead of choosing a different path.

My personal statement: The wish to become a doctor did not come to me right away. It has been a long process of figuring out what is the right path for me. After reading books, volunteering at a hospital, and withdrawing from science courses I saw medicine as my future path. Furthermore, I knew exactly which field of medicine I wanted to dedicate my life to. When I first arrived to the United States my English skills were very limited.

My interest and curiosity are mostly focused on being able to diagnose quickly and efficiently the: needs, illnesses, or perhaps diseases of an individual, and recommend and provide the most current and advanced treatment that ensures them the quickest route to overall health and well-being. My passion and curiosity on these issues has been formed, reinforced, and refined by numerous factors. These include; volunteer work at Children’s Hospital, undergoing very sophisticated and extensive surgical reconstruction myself, and lengthy and detailed discussions with many healthcare professionals, including the US’s leading orthopedic surgeon, and my father, who has a PhD in Molecular Genetics and has worked in healthcare for over forty years. Additionally, by far the most intriguing and interesting subjects in school, for me, have been the basic sciences, such as biology, chemistry, physics, and anatomy, the latter giving me appreciation for the complexity of the human body and its systems.

I cannot remember when I began taking an interest in medicine, but the combination between science, passion, and people was the same amalgam that resided in my personality. I began to be involved in numerous science classes, medical organizations, and job shadowing, not for a grade or to build a reputation, but to strengthen my curiosity and myself as a future physician. As I continued on this path, I began to see the disregarded issues in our healthcare system.

The medical field has sparked an interest in my love for science, pretty much since I began my academic career. The constant advancements and the touching stories of individuals that have undergone life changing circumstances, have inspired me to pursue a career as a nurse and then continue my education to later become a Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgeon.

I first realized that I had a passion for helping people when I was a part of the Interact Club in high school. We performed many community service projects, most of which directly involved helping people in need. Watching the look of someone 's gratitude when you give them groceries, or help repair their home was extremely satisfying. At the same time, my passion for medicine first began when I visited the hospital to see my ill cousin while in my teenage years. I watched as health care workers worked tirelessly and with such compassion to make sure he was comfortable and was getting better. I remember all of these scenes vividly and to this day I feel this event was the initial spark of my love for medicine and helping people. These two passions combined helping me to understand that I wanted to use them together in the healthcare field.

As I approach a small dimly-lit room in the acute unit where a frail woman lies asleep, I see her family gather closely by the hissing air conditioner, awaiting news. With rampant renal failure, infection, and a brain tumor, her health is in rapid decline. Amidst the tears, my mentor Dr. En Ming Lai mutters, “There is nothing more we can do but to make her comfortable.” My heart sinks. Her son, who looked around my age, glances over to his mother with an agonizing expression. Stricken at a young age, his mother eerily reminds me of my own. As much as I yearned to help them, with my obvious lack of medical training, there was nothing I can do. Death can be unpredictable at times, but in this moment, I knew my fervor to heal solidified my pursuit