Morehouse Personal Statement

As the coming years approach, I want my future to hold both the passion to explore new opportunities and the strength to overcome new challenges. With the experiences of my high school career, I aspire to take all the things I learned to transition into a college environment where my ideas can be challenged and shared. Where I can learn from others; where I can seek the opportunity to make a direct impact towards saving lives. I believe I can do great things. Through tenacity I will not only be gratified in becoming a doctor, but also be able to share my compassion for others through

As a student, I strive for excellence in my academics and school involvement to pursue a career in the medical field. By taking rigorous high school classes such as IB, and honor courses,

In November 2012, my siblings and I successfully emigrated from Nigeria to the United States. This was an amazing opportunity for us to pursue our American dream, a goal my family had been hoping to accomplish, since 2004 when my father first made the trip across the Atlantic. However, since moving to the United States, there have been times when I was made to feel unwelcome and out of place in the society, especially as an immigrant and a person of color. This was one of the factors I was looking at, when the time came to apply to medical schools. In applying to Morehouse College of Medicine, I was looking for a place where I would be welcomed to study in an encouraging environment. In Morehouse, I saw an institution that promotes equity and

Today I yearn to become a medical doctor primarily to dedicate a life of service to the most vulnerable members of our society.

From the time I was born until the age of twelve, my family struggled with the basic necessities of life. My father worked endless hours in a factory, and yet somehow came home with a smile on his face. As a young kid, I never knew we were struggling. The thought had never occurred to me. As I got older I started to realize that my single father was working his life away to care and provide for his two little girls. He completely put aside his well-being because as long as his girls were cared for, nothing else mattered. Life was never easy, but as a young adult today, I have come to accept that my background has been a prerequisite for greatness, for it is our backgrounds that define who we are. The way we are raised, the way we are taught to believe, and the way we are taught to act, make us who we are today.

Turmoil and survival. I am a child of genocide survivors. My parents have shared with me stories of what they saw as children running towards the Thai border from Cambodia as they were fleeing from the Khmer Rouge. They left their homes and came to America for a better life. Their stories gave me courage to survive my own turmoil. They always told me to focus in school and do well so I can be successful. However, school was not the easiest thing for me. I’ve always struggled and there were multiple times where I just wanted to give up. I was bullied in 8th grade which caused me to go into a depression. This caused me to give up on life in general. What kept me going were my parents’ stories. While my parents had their journey dealing with their experiences, I have had to deal with experiences in my own way as well. As a result of my self-realization, I began to my journey of rediscovery. I was determined to take back my life. Along the way of my educational journey, I learned that I am just like my parents who never gave up. Throughout my high school experience so far, I discovered what it means to persevere as a student with bad teachers.

Growing up in an agricultural environment, alongside a small community with a supportive family, I matured into a confident, determined individual with strong family values.

My circumstances had changed from an inability to reliably obtain good healthcare, to good healthcare I could not access. In the last three years, my family's economic situation has improved, but I have only recently been able to obtain health insurance and begin regular physician visits. This entire process has sensitized me to the ease at which simple health issues can be compounded due to a lack of options and how much work remains to be done to ensure that the quality healthcare we strive to create is accessible to those who need it. This personal understanding of healthcare challenges and the sum of my experiences across distinct locations defines my interactions with others. At Columbia, I would be able to build on my experiences, receive an unrivaled and balanced medical education, explore my passions via the comprehensive P&S club, and grow into the physician I want to

For years my dream for my future is to go to college. As a junior this year, I begin my journey by trying to select a college and a major. After researching different careers, programs of study, colleges, and financial aid, I have decided the career I’m going to pursue in becoming is a sport’s medicine physician.

Adversity has only improved my tenacity, focus, endurance, and problem solving abilities. Various circumstances have affected my academic performance negatively, but I use that as motivation to continually improve myself. I want to be a part of the solution to the family physician shortage and serve the community in the most effective way. My drive to improve the lives of others will help propel me through the difficulties of medical school and beyond. The personal experience I have with my immersion in the field of primary care gives me unique characteristics that will translate into creating a successful physician that focuses on building meaningful relationships with patients. I continually witness how my grandfather is positively impacting the community through medicine and it is my goal to be granted an opportunity to do the same. My belief in lifelong learning and continual self-improvement consistently drives me towards the study of medicine. Because of my life experiences, I now have the balance, endurance, clarity, and tenacity needed to be a successful medical

Life experiences, thus far, have taught me the importance of adaptability, patience, perseverance, and understanding. I was raised in a culture which is very different from the mainstream norms and was financially unstable for the first half of my life. By fully integrating myself within the diverse nature of the United States, I was able to ordinary member of society.

I was raised in a military home from birth to the age of six. I spent the first three years of my life in Hawaii on a base that had several different people from different cultural backgrounds. At the age of four my family moved to Germany, where again there were numerous different types of people. Since I was able to live in areas that had such diversity I learned that there is not just one type of person in the world. Through my life I have also learned that by talking about problems that arising in your life, you develop an improved understanding on how to deal with the issues. I was raised in a household that I was at times unstable due to the fact that my parents did not deal with their issues. I came to understand that this was not an

Being a son of a police officer and a member of a big family made me learn the importance of self-dependency and determination. Living in a house farm, I spent most of my summers helping my father and brothers growing the farm bigger and bigger. These days has polished my skills and developed my personality and made a big part of who I am now. Ten years ago, I embarked on my journey and have taken the first step in medicine. During these years, my interest in medicine has grown up and I was then certain, a respected doctor is what I want to be.

Volunteering on a medical mission trip and organizing free health clinics for the homeless helped me appreciate the importance of caring for the individual as well as the community. I am particularly interested in serving low-income and disadvantaged patients, perhaps one day running free clinics with other providers. Engaging in student government during medical school also gave me the opportunity to grow personally and professionally. I immersed myself in leadership commitments and found fulfillment by serving my school and the student body. My experiences taught me how to effectively lead as well as ignited my passion for advocacy.

I have taken stock of myself, considering my skills, experiences, and goals. I have looked to family and friends, some of whom are doctors, for advice. Because of this self-examination, I have decided to pursue a career in health care. The process has been difficult at times but always illuminating. Throughout it all, I have never lost confidence - the confidence that I will actively absorb all available medical knowledge, forge friendships with fellow students, and emerge from my training as a skilful and caring physician.