Pre-Pharmacy Personal Statement

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

My childhood unleashed a desire to know how things worked and why things happened; this soon flourished into a more specific interest in the field of Pharmacy. Medicine fascinated me, driving my obsession to understand all of the dynamics of pharmaceutical drugs. My studies in Biology at New Jersey City University, and my current occupation as a Certified Pharmacy Technician, led my desire to go further with my education in pursing an advanced degree as a Doctor of Pharmacy. My undergraduate career has prepared me extensively, such as requiring that I take on a wide range of science-based courses including Biochemistry, Genetics, and Microbiology. My hard work and dedication led to me being on the Dean's List for a number of semesters. I was also honored to be part of The National Honor Society of Leadership and Success and The Tri-Beta Biological Honor Society.

I have always had an interest in medicine. From my earliest memories, I have pretended to be a doctor and care for my pets and stuffed animals. My parents supported my naïve interest by buying simple medical equipment for me, and at times, being my “patient” as well. I began to think seriously about my medical future in high school. I researched healthcare job descriptions and requirements, and also took the time to set up interviews with many different people in the medical field.

I have always been interested in the medical field. It was just a matter of where I would

I feel like as humans we tend to make a routine for ourselves and before we know it we cannot go beyond it. The effort to learn something or do something different becomes tiresome. Our lives are conditioned to be a routine; eat, sleep, go to school (college now) and most dreadful of all, learn. It is not come as a surprised as when school is over we come home and toss our book bags anywhere, but, near. We do not want to be reminded of learning (until the next morning). So, for me my life became a sort of routine and I was totally fine with that. I was okay with my typical boring high school life with seeing the same friends and teachers and doing basically the same thing everyday.

I am interested in this program because it'll help me career wise and help me with personal growth. After I graduate high school I am planning on following the pre-med track as a major and this program would help me get a sense of what its going to be like as a pre-med student prior to me going to a college or universities, if I join their medical science track. In addition, although I want to study pre-medicine and science I haven't had much opportunities to study the different branches of sciences outside my school's curriculum, which is usual regents based and they only have 1 AP science class, AP environmental science which isn't the field I am interested in. Furthermore, I would like to join the program because they also focus on helping

One of the major facets in my pursuit of a career in medicine is that I have not followed a traditional pre-med undergraduate curriculum. Though I initially did not have a significant aptitude for physics, I harbored an inherent curiosity of the subject, and have taken it upon myself to spend my undergraduate education focused on it. The journey ahead was trying, but one that has made me a stronger individual.

Ten years ago I set out on a journey to pursue my lifelong dream of becoming an influential pharmacist and healthcare professional within my community, however, I was unaware of all of the challenges I would be faced in pursuit of my dreams. I began seeking work while I was enrolled in my first semester of college. During my job search, I discovered a job posting for an entry level pharmacy technician at a community retail pharmacy. After reading the job description, I knew that I was on the right track to finding a career that incorporated my love for both chemistry and biology. I began work as a pharmacy technician where I learned the ins and outs of the industry and decided to enroll in the certified pharmacy technician course that was available at my college in hopes of continuing my goal of one day becoming a pharmacist.

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.

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.

I received my Bachelor’s degree in physics in 2009 in Vietnam while I witnessed two deaths of my two 65 years old uncles due to medical related errors. Their unnecessary deaths at that relatively young age struck all my family members. I asked myself whether, if someone in my family had worked in the health care field, it might have been possible to save my uncles’ lives. As a science major student in Vietnam, I felt an urge to apply scientific knowledge to improve the situation. Over time, I came to realize that, in order to make a difference, I would need to gain a deeper background in understanding the mechanisms and the principles behind the field of medicine, a pharmacy major.

Through my upbringing and exposure to the healthcare profession through parents' careers, I have had the opportunity to witness their commitment and empathy towards their clients, and have grown to appreciate the work that medical professionals do. Pharmacists are ambitious and reliable people that interact and connect with their clients while providing treatment. They make personal sacrifices to ensure the wellbeing of others and I genuinely aspire to make that kind of difference in the lives of those struggling with illnesses while being in a profession that really interests me.

This past Fall was a very difficult time for me both academically and personally. Within a few weeks of starting my freshman year of college at High Point University, I became very homesick. Along with adjusting to a new academic environment, I questioned my major and struggled with my new classes. I quickly learned that I needed to work even harder to succeed in my classes. I utilized all the resources that were given to me: I met with my professors during office hours, started study groups, requested tutors and met with academic advisors.

A life changing event within my family several years ago influenced my interest in the pharmaceutical field and my desire to attend Shenandoah University’s School of Pharmacy. At the age of 6, my sister was hospitalized for two months. I was 7 at the time. It was a difficult and frightening time for my family and me as my sister was fighting rheumatic fever. This disease caused inflammation and holes in her heart. Throughout the duration of her hospitalization, doctors were constantly working to help her recover by doing a variety of tasks, such as checking her pulse, examining her, and conducting a variety of tests. I vividly recall sitting in my sister's hospital room. Nurse Lisa was speaking to me, explaining that my sister was going to

I struggled with learning how to study, balancing work and school, and wondering if I was too old. I finished the summer but did not return. In 2011 I decided to enroll in technical school thinking it may be a better option for a non-traditional student with only physical labor experience. My hard work, dedication, perseverance and determination helped me transition into a full time student while continuing to work full time. I graduated in December 2014 with an Associate Degree in Industrial Systems Technology. This accomplishment only inspired and motivated me to continue which is why I enrolled in the pre-pharmacy program in the fall of 2015.