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- Apr 11, 2005
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Hey all, can i get some advice on my personal statement. Right now it is about 619 words and 3559 characters. what do you think of content and also, how should i go about shortening it. THANKS A LOT in advance.
An observer could never have guessed that the four-year old child who was swinging from my arms was recovering from a ventricular septal defect surgery. I was given the privilege of meeting Dylan and his family through a yearlong fund-raising program for DeVos Children's Hospital. I was struck by the medical miracle of Dylan's life, but even more by the gratitude and love that his family extended to the medical staff for their compassion and caring. Dylan's mother even referred to them as "angels", a metaphor, but an apt name for these men and women who indeed provided tangible miracles. Through this family's perspective, I was able to see the impact that a doctor could have on individuals. I heard Dylan's mother speak of the aid they had received with enormous faith and appreciation, even after many hardships. This solidified my decision to pursue the medical field.
My exposure to osteopathic medicine began early in life, as I was a patient of an osteopathic physician for twelve years. In addition, my father is a M.D. in private practice with two D.O.s for fifteen years. I observed first hand the differences and similarities between these two paths of medicine. However, it was not until my junior year in college that I set my goals solely on osteopathic medicine. The allure of becoming a D.O. stems from the teaching of OMM and evaluating patients with a holistic approach. I believe that this education offers me the philosophy, manipulative tools, and training necessary to be an outstanding physician.
During my college career, I found the time spent with others in service to be very fulfilling. I was given the chance to become a youth mentor when I volunteered at an after-school care program. The parents of the children in the program worked long hours and would not have otherwise been able to provide care for their children. My work allowed me to interact with, and learn about, the children on a personal level. In turn, this has led me to pursue primary care. This field would allow me to draw on my faith and values that have taught me to give of myself by reaching out. Serving others through volunteer work and working at my father's family medical practice has led me to believe that primary care best emphasizes a strong lifelong bond with the patient. For me, this is one of the more rewarding aspects of medicine.
Although a portion of my motivation to pursue medicine stems from my compassion for others, this reason is insufficient to explain my desire to join the health care profession. I also have a pure love of discovery. I was first able to indulge myself in this regard when I was given the opportunity to work with a chemist from Hope College. Together, we evaluated the properties of antibiotics in the water table. Scientific research projects share many similarities with the medical profession, such as the intellectual challenges that physicians are presented with on a daily basis involving patient diagnosis and treatment. The joy that I receive from this type of problem solving fuels me towards a medical career.
My college education, together with volunteering and research, have challenged me to become a lifelong-learner with a thirst for knowledge and desire to serve others; aspirations that can best be satisfied by the medical field. I know that the gifts I have been given and my strong work ethic have brought me to where I am today. I hope one day I may be given the opportunity to utilize my osteopathic training to help someone such as Dylan overcome life's hurdles.
An observer could never have guessed that the four-year old child who was swinging from my arms was recovering from a ventricular septal defect surgery. I was given the privilege of meeting Dylan and his family through a yearlong fund-raising program for DeVos Children's Hospital. I was struck by the medical miracle of Dylan's life, but even more by the gratitude and love that his family extended to the medical staff for their compassion and caring. Dylan's mother even referred to them as "angels", a metaphor, but an apt name for these men and women who indeed provided tangible miracles. Through this family's perspective, I was able to see the impact that a doctor could have on individuals. I heard Dylan's mother speak of the aid they had received with enormous faith and appreciation, even after many hardships. This solidified my decision to pursue the medical field.
My exposure to osteopathic medicine began early in life, as I was a patient of an osteopathic physician for twelve years. In addition, my father is a M.D. in private practice with two D.O.s for fifteen years. I observed first hand the differences and similarities between these two paths of medicine. However, it was not until my junior year in college that I set my goals solely on osteopathic medicine. The allure of becoming a D.O. stems from the teaching of OMM and evaluating patients with a holistic approach. I believe that this education offers me the philosophy, manipulative tools, and training necessary to be an outstanding physician.
During my college career, I found the time spent with others in service to be very fulfilling. I was given the chance to become a youth mentor when I volunteered at an after-school care program. The parents of the children in the program worked long hours and would not have otherwise been able to provide care for their children. My work allowed me to interact with, and learn about, the children on a personal level. In turn, this has led me to pursue primary care. This field would allow me to draw on my faith and values that have taught me to give of myself by reaching out. Serving others through volunteer work and working at my father's family medical practice has led me to believe that primary care best emphasizes a strong lifelong bond with the patient. For me, this is one of the more rewarding aspects of medicine.
Although a portion of my motivation to pursue medicine stems from my compassion for others, this reason is insufficient to explain my desire to join the health care profession. I also have a pure love of discovery. I was first able to indulge myself in this regard when I was given the opportunity to work with a chemist from Hope College. Together, we evaluated the properties of antibiotics in the water table. Scientific research projects share many similarities with the medical profession, such as the intellectual challenges that physicians are presented with on a daily basis involving patient diagnosis and treatment. The joy that I receive from this type of problem solving fuels me towards a medical career.
My college education, together with volunteering and research, have challenged me to become a lifelong-learner with a thirst for knowledge and desire to serve others; aspirations that can best be satisfied by the medical field. I know that the gifts I have been given and my strong work ethic have brought me to where I am today. I hope one day I may be given the opportunity to utilize my osteopathic training to help someone such as Dylan overcome life's hurdles.
