Originally posted by Squat n Squeeze
I grew up in a crackhouse. I had a deadbeat dad who I haven't seen in 10 years and my mother was a streetwalker who I haven't spoken to in over 5 years. I usually slept on the floor, along with dozens of hopeless crackheads. On the days when I had more than a slice of bread and some water, I had to carry people's groceries up a 5 story tenament for tips. When I turned 12, I got a job in a convenience store. When I turned 15, I moved out of the house and got my own apartment, all the while working 40+ hours a week.
I always attended elementary and middle school, working as hard as I can. I made honor roll every year for as long as I can remember, with no one who I could tell it to who gave a crap. I did the same through high school, achieving a 4.0 GPA as well as 1600 SAT scores. Through electives, I learned how to play several musical instruments and learned several foreign languages. I studied my ass off for the SAT, being unable to afford a prep class, and scored a 1600, as well as perfect scores on several SAT II's.
I ended up getting a full scholarship to an Ivy Leage university. I never slacked off after this, even though I was (am) living under the best conditions I ever have. I continued to work ~30 hours a week, as well as extensive volunteering, a summer of research, and a summer in rural Uganda doing volunteer work. I took the MCAT last August, after completing my final prerequitisites. I scored a 15, 15, 13-15T. As of now, my college GPA is 4.00. I am 21, have just finished my junior year, and am currently pursuing a double major in Physics and Biochemistry with a minor in Anthropology.
I will become a Neurosurgeon. I wanted to be a physician for as long as I can remember, and have pulled myself out of a $hitmound to achieve it. It has been my goal so that I can one day make a positive difference in other peoples' lives. I have always strived for excellence. Even at times when I thought it was all over, I kept pushing. I put every bit of energy in my body into my goal.
I believe that anyone who wants to become a physician should put in a high level of effort, and that they should be of a high intellectual level. There are no "post bacc's" or "Master's" in the trauma room, or in the operating room. There is no second chance. I believe that the reason for so many medical mistakes is the poor screening that many medical schools practice when choosing their student body. When you are a doctor, there is no room for error. I will take my job with the utmost of effort and seriousness, and put in the same amount of dedication and skill that I have in my academic career up until now. If I ever had a doubt about this, or if I ever do have a doubt about this, I would have been/will be the first to choose another profession.
This is just the way I think about this whole process.