Great PS. I really agree with some of the critique of Meowmix. Also, I do like use of the words "wane" and quench" in your first paragraph. People tend not to use enough visceral verbs in their PS's, and generally use trite/cliche phrases like, "challenged", "impassioned with very noble goals", "augmented my desire to become" and "broadened my perspective".
Don't say it, show it. Give some specific, concrete, corporeal examples of interactions you've had with patients/people, and let us conclude how "this has augmented your desire to become a caring physician etc.". Make it personal.
just as an example, here is a great (modestly said 😉 ) essay:
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As I drove to Doernbecher, I wondered what kind of evening I would have.
If I've learned anything in three years of volunteering, it's that the evening would be totally unpredictable ? which is the sort of challenge I love. I might spend time playing, doing art or craft projects, playing video games, reading, playing cards or chess, holding an infant, comforting a child in pain, listening to a frightened parent, or any or all of the above. You have to be on your toes and ready for dozens of possible needs ? also what I love. I wondered, too, if any of the kids or families I?ve come to know as a volunteer might be there and how they were coping.
?10-North,? where I volunteer, is also called ?Hem-Onc,? short for Hematology-Oncology, which means it?s a floor for kids with various kinds of leukemia or cancer. Visibly to me, the kids? health seems to range from perfectly healthy to very ill. Some are in for routine chemo, some actively battling the disease or drug side effects, and, unfortunately, a few receiving comfort care.
I usually start my shift by quickly cruising the floor to see how many of the sixteen rooms are occupied, who has family or friends with them, who?s sleeping, etc. As I rounded the corner I was spotted by little Natalie who came running to me with a big smile, and arms outstretched. Natalie and I had spent many hours together playing and riding bikes. Natalie is three years old and stays in the hospital with her Mom and Dad when little brother Isaac is an inpatient. After a big hug, Natalie and I went to the playroom to paint with watercolors. Several other patients and siblings wandered in and soon there were six of us painting. It can get a little interesting when they all want help and attention but the chaos is enjoyable. As paintings are declared ?done? they are quickly taken to show Mom. After fifteen minutes, only Natalie and I are left so ?we? decide to ride bikes around the floor. Usually we race, she pedaling and me walking fast.After a bit, I escort Natalie back to her mother?s care and I start visiting patient rooms.
Pancho is in for his last chemo treatment. He?s eight years old and he?s been learning to play chess over his last four or five stays at the hospital. We play two games. Pancho is a bundle of concentration as he ponders his moves. He sings, whistles, and fidgets when I?m pondering my moves. Strategy. I win both games. Kids can tell if you give them the game so I never do. I leave Pancho with congratulations on the last chemo treatment and a smiling directive that as much as I like him, I don?t want to see him back there again.
I visit a room full of new faces. Derek is in bed watching TV. Mom and Dad look like the deer caught in headlights. Derek was diagnosed with leukemia yesterday and they rushed to Doernbecher this morning. I can only imagine the fear a parent must go through when their child is diagnosed with an often-fatal disease. Derek doesn?t feel good, is uncomfortable with his new IV, and is a bit overwhelmed by the stream of doctors, nurses, and other staff people coming in to see him. One of a volunteer?s jobs is to be a warm and friendly face and a positive distraction from all the "hubbub." I quickly find out Derek likes trucks and get some from the playroom for him. Soon we?re making truck noises and crashing on the bed. Mom?s on the phone calling friends and relatives and appreciates me being there. She said so. I make fresh coffee and get a cup for Dad.
As I leave the room, a nurse asks if I can sit with Zack while his Mom takes a break. Zack is three months old and this is his third stay. He starts fussing two minutes after Mom leaves, which means I get to hold him. One of life?s most underrated pleasures is holding a little baby.
Several more room visits. Movies for Aaron, cup of Sprite for Jaylen, coffee for grandpa. Time to say goodnight to the nurses, drive home, and think about the evening.
Oh, I forgot to mention it before but when I arrived and signed into the computer, there was a message that an old friend, a twelve-year-old girl, died peacefully at home surrounded by family. We did a lot of art together. And once when she was really sick, I held her hand and read to her. I feel really sad thinking about her.
Sometimes my friends ask how I can volunteer like this and say that it must be really depressing. It can certainly be sad but never depressing. I can look back on all the kids I?ve spent time with, the parents I?ve talked with, the nurses I?ve helped. I know I?ve made a difference. The vast majority of my stories are happy. There are a few sad ones. All of them are tremendously rewarding.
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Now, see what I mean by, make it personal? Do it! 😀
