Why I Want To Pursue A Doctoral Degree

I would like to pursue a combined MD/PhD degree because I want to work in both clinical and laboratory settings studying the mechanisms of disease. My ideal path would be acquiring an MD along with a doctorate in the neurosciences, but I am also interested in biochemistry and pathology as well as a few others. I believe the experience gained obtaining a dual degree would increase my understanding in whichever specialty I choose and build skills related to research like obtaining grants and writing papers for publication. My interest in this program started around the end of my sophomore year. By then, I had been working in research for about two semesters, and while the work was not directly linked to medicine, medically based research had always attracted me more than chemistry or biochemistry. This attraction started before I was even in college.

The successful completion of the doctoral program requires one to make significant sacrifices and accommodations. Majority of the doctoral students are usually motivated and eager to complete their program as soon as possible. However, many students often enroll for doctoral programs without a complete understanding of the heavy demands of such a program. The doctoral program is unique and bears little resemblance to many previous degree courses and so without the necessary accommodations one can find completing it an uphill task. Each student brings to the program his/her own set of academic strengths and weaknesses (Wisdom, & Leavitt, 2015). The attitude and abilities of each and every doctoral student is unique and so is their management of the program. Therefore, the most important ingredient to doctoral success is the capability to leverage such inherent strengths and find effective ways

It’s hard for me to come up with specific examples for why I choose to get a doctoral degree. In all honesty, it’s hard for me to come up with a reason that I went to college at all. I am the only member of my mom’s family to graduate high school. College was never talked about. When I graduated highschool, I went into the military. I knew I wanted something more than to take over my mother used car business, but I had no idea on what I wanted to do. I was medically discharged from the Navy, and then had to figure out what I wanted to do. I went to film school and didn’t like it. I then tried a semester in business, but it didn’t seem to fit my personality. I remembered a time when I tutored inner city kids in Chicago. I felt like that I was making a difference, so I decided to go to school for education. I walked into my first practicum, and haven’t looked back since. But, the question was “why am i pursuing this advanced degree?” Well it didn’t hit me until I was going for my masters degree. I was doing the work and it all seemed wrong. It seemed like what I was learning was going to hurt education, not help it. I decided then, that I would go further and try to change the trend. That technology is supposed to be a tool, not the end all. That if we make kids relient on technology it was going to kill their problem solving skills, their coping skills, and their personal relation skills. I also want to educate teacher on how to use technology to enrich

Growing up in a low income community where high crime and violence is prevalent, I’m aware of the anxiety, trauma, and fear that individuals living in these conditions may experience. I was born and raised in East Los Angeles where I saw how a lack of financial resources, and opportunities affected the life opportunity and academic success of those around me. The loss of loved ones who were misled to a pathway of gang violence, drug and alcohol made me aware of their connection to oppressive systems both painful and harmful to a community. As I continue to pursue higher education, I am reminded of those who were victims of social marginalization. Their fatal stories but also their resilience remind me of the importance of civic engagement and leadership. I want to pursue a career in counseling, because, I see the need of leaders who are passionate, empathetic, and determine in building stronger and safer communities. By obtaining a MS. Counseling I hope to learn the skills needed to help me be a better leader in my community.

After teaching my first math lesson in a 3rd grade classroom at work experience, I was not sure on how good I taught the math lesson to the students. A few minutes before I was about to leave the classroom this little boy named John came up to me and said, “ Thank you for helping me learn my nines of multiplication.” I was so stunned at what he said, my heart sank into my chest and I could not stop smiling. I felt so accomplished that I just helped this little boy that was struggling with multiplication of nines for awhile. It felt rewarding knowing that he learned something from the lesson I just taught. From that experience, I definitely know that the education field is where I belong. With the love and support of the person that influences me in the education field, and my driven attitude and strong work ethic I think the education field is my fit.

Deciding to pursue a degree was an easy decision because I didn’t choose to further my education for normal reasons. My two reasons on why I went back to school are because of competition and pride. The first being competition comes from the fact that I’m one of twelve children. Sibling rivalry is a very real thing and competing against eleven other individuals to show how you fit in the food chain is difficult. Only three of my siblings have completed their college education two of them graduating with a master in their fields as well as having 3.5 or higher GPA. As for the other sibling, she recently graduated with her bachelors with 3.9 and has been recently accepted into her master’s program. I’m one of three who is currently going to college

College, up until my sophomore year of high school, had always been portrayed in my own mind as an overly enthusiastic and admittedly picture-perfect environment. It was, for some reason, a faraway land with smooth sidewalks and clean, crisp landscapes, smiling students and animated professors, cozy (albeit messy) dorm rooms and fashion-forward backpacks. The word itself meant immensely more to me than four years of hard work and the opportunity of earning a degree. It represented an era of independence, something I’d never truly tasted before, and of freedom to learn and to flourish, to create and nurture relationships that would last a lifetime, and to be myself without the polarizing judgment that came along with growing up in a tight-knit community. I couldn’t wait to move out, to buy enormously overpriced textbooks, to stroll around the campus grounds sporting pretty waterfall cardigans and autumn colored nail polish. Football

It seems that this day and age, college is becoming a very crucial part of today's society. Without college it is very difficult to get a job in a field that you want to be in, but at the same time it is difficult for people without a degree to maintain their job. This is why it is very important for a person to complete college. Hutchinson Community College, like many other colleges, is working to prepare their students for life after they have graduated. Although there are many ways to improve a college to make people want to stay and finish their degree, the college should be aware of the students’ desire to finish the degree before they are accepted.

My purpose for seeking a Doctorate Degree in Educational Leadership is to expand my field experience, knowledge of theory and research methods as it pertains to education. I particularly want to hone my research skills since I feel that the significance of gaining research skills is crucial in order to becoming a life-long learner and developing intellectual self-actualization as I prepare myself for furthering in Education. I realize the importance of gaining credibility among my future colleagues and people that I will be serving in the field.

What motivated me to enroll at GCU and pursue a degree in higher education is to live my dreams and to also to let my grandfather live to see his wish comes to pass. My grandfather is my biggest motivation growing up with my grandparents from I was nine months old until I migrated to the united states for college give me a great inspiration about education, my grandmother always uses to teach me how to read adult books, when I was just a third grader. She would normally say if I can not read the adults book I must read all the sign words I know and pronouns the big words in syllables. My grandmother plays the mother figure in my life during that time frame, I become a great reader and use to be the honor student in school, two years after my grandmother was admitted to a hospital to do a

I was raised by my father until I was 13 years old, he was a school bus driver and always struggled to provide for us. At 13 I went into fostercare where I fell pregnant and droped out of highschool at the age of 16. I raised my daugher on my own, I decided to go back to school to work twards my grade 12 so I could apply for college. After reciving the needed credits to apply for college. Being the first person in my family to attend college, I had to figure everything out on mu own and Being a single parent and no finacial or moral support from any family, I struggled to even come up with the $90 to apply for the "Ontario Colleges". I did my reaserch and found that due to bein a crown ward I was eligible for certian things that helped me finally

Leadership and service, both as part of and in a community, invariably determine the result of actions taken, and ultimately, the success of such a community. Leadership is about taking the first step while service revolves around taking the necessary steps that result. I am a passionate student mainly because during my life I have seen firsthand the effects of not working hard and momentarily losing hope. My goal is to harness my past experiences as motivation to improve the lives and care for others effectively. I believe I am one of the best candidates for the Rev Dr. James and Aretha Rogers Education and Scholarship Fund because my passion, dreams, and aspirations are only fundamentals to my hard work ethic; this scholarship would allow me to be prepared for college and a give me a great sense of honor.

My senior year of high school I sat in my moms car on the Purdue campus and cried over a pamphlet about veterinary medicine. I had worked myself to the bone for four years of high school and I was changing my mind completely after my acceptance. To many people it may not have seemed like a big deal at such a young age, however I am a planner. I like to know exactly what I am going to be doing and when exactly I will be doing it. To see the future that I had so painstaking planned fall apart was a scary experience. As my mom sat there thinking she asked me: "Samantha, what do you really enjoy? What is your passion? If you could pick any career regardless of the pay what would it be?" This was a tough question for me. I had chosen vet med specifically because of the high salary and my love of animals. The fact of the matter was I did not enjoy science and I really did not enjoy math. My heart was with history, government, and politics. As we drove home that day we bounced around several career options within my chosen fields. Coming into IUPUI I had a pretty good idea of what I wanted to do, thanks in big part to my internship at a local law office.

My purpose for seeking to pursue a doctorate degree is to enhance my knowledge of theories, research methods and assessment as it relates to psychology. More specifically, I would like to fine tune my skill set of executing varying concepts and techniques derived from theoretical discourses applicable to my work as a Psychologist and in so doing, obtain credibility within the field and among colleagues. I also believe, like Abraham Maslow in his theory of Human motivation, in becoming a lifelong learner and achieving intellectual self-actualization. I felt like my esteem needs were met through completion of a Master’s degree and am now compelled to aspire towards higher study; thus doctoral pursuit. Through my journey in completing a Master’s degree in Counseling psychology, I acquired internship experience and continue to obtain a wealth of firsthand experience within the human services field from years of working with students with behavioral, emotional, and social problems.

DQ #1: Reflect upon the personal journey that led you to this program. Share a transformational event that drove you into this doctorate program. Who, in your life, was the most influential in leading you to advance you to this level of study? How would you expect this program to change your life? What is your personal vision for your future work?  Within these questions, please review and incorporate one peer-reviewed journal article relating to the potential impact of doctoral studies. The intent is to begin to develop your skills in scholarly research and writing.