Hi everyone.
I really want to be a doctor, but answering why I want to be a doctor has always been challenging. My pre-health committee seemed very confused when I told them why I want to be a doctor and I cannot understand where the problem lies. Here is a quick statement as to why I want to be a doctor:
I want to be a doctor because it allows me to continue studying the science behind the human body (the biochemistry, the biology, the physiology, etc) while also being able to use my talents and knowledge to serve and care patients. My previous work experiences helped me learn that I have a strong empathy and sympathy towards the people I have served and I know this trait will help benefit me in the medical field.
Now, I say this because:
1) I love molecular science and physiology. I think it is incredible fascinating. Learning these subjects has legitimately changed my life (I workout more often, I eat healthier, I do my best to get good sleep) when in the past I was very ignorant towards my health.
a) I must mention that the first question I get when I say this is "Why don't you want to go into research?" Well, this is something I need to work on. I'll put it like this since I'm only typing to a forum: Doing research (as a profession) isn't satisfying for me because it's too "cold." I have done research in the past and the experience was invaluable for understanding what I want to do with my life and will help me during and after medical school. I understand doctors do research as well during fellowships or even after, and I am willing to do that. But doing solely research as a profession? I do not like the idea of being in a lab for most of my days being somewhat kept away from the world. In fact, I'm doing research with the Cleveland Clinic (not clinical research) right now and I just can't see myself doing this for a living. With being a doctor, I would get to experience more genuine human interaction with patients and experience diversity instead of the same group of people every day. That is why I do not want to do into research.
2) So my past work experience has been as a lifeguard and lifeguard supervisor at a very demanding local waterpark (that unfortunately was shut down last year) and as a pharmacy technician at a very busy CVS right next door to a hospital (a lot of prescriptions coming in and patients waiting after an appointment or surgery). I've also volunteered at a local children's hospital where I interacted with pediatric patients while they were in the hospital and done a fair share of shadowing (both D.O. and M.D.). Without going into too much detail, my experiences helped me developed my skill in taking care of people. I have learned how to handle frustrated people and to help assure them that their health and safety are my top priority. In both the waterpark and CVS, we get customer surveys where past guests/patients evaluate our service towards them and I repeatedly scored high in care and satisfaction and have received comments from these guests/patients stating that I sincere and genuine in my service. If I could show these results, I would.
So, any critiques on my reasoning would be greatly appreciated. I am sending my application out soon so any help will be taken seriously.
I really want to be a doctor, but answering why I want to be a doctor has always been challenging. My pre-health committee seemed very confused when I told them why I want to be a doctor and I cannot understand where the problem lies. Here is a quick statement as to why I want to be a doctor:
I want to be a doctor because it allows me to continue studying the science behind the human body (the biochemistry, the biology, the physiology, etc) while also being able to use my talents and knowledge to serve and care patients. My previous work experiences helped me learn that I have a strong empathy and sympathy towards the people I have served and I know this trait will help benefit me in the medical field.
Now, I say this because:
1) I love molecular science and physiology. I think it is incredible fascinating. Learning these subjects has legitimately changed my life (I workout more often, I eat healthier, I do my best to get good sleep) when in the past I was very ignorant towards my health.
a) I must mention that the first question I get when I say this is "Why don't you want to go into research?" Well, this is something I need to work on. I'll put it like this since I'm only typing to a forum: Doing research (as a profession) isn't satisfying for me because it's too "cold." I have done research in the past and the experience was invaluable for understanding what I want to do with my life and will help me during and after medical school. I understand doctors do research as well during fellowships or even after, and I am willing to do that. But doing solely research as a profession? I do not like the idea of being in a lab for most of my days being somewhat kept away from the world. In fact, I'm doing research with the Cleveland Clinic (not clinical research) right now and I just can't see myself doing this for a living. With being a doctor, I would get to experience more genuine human interaction with patients and experience diversity instead of the same group of people every day. That is why I do not want to do into research.
2) So my past work experience has been as a lifeguard and lifeguard supervisor at a very demanding local waterpark (that unfortunately was shut down last year) and as a pharmacy technician at a very busy CVS right next door to a hospital (a lot of prescriptions coming in and patients waiting after an appointment or surgery). I've also volunteered at a local children's hospital where I interacted with pediatric patients while they were in the hospital and done a fair share of shadowing (both D.O. and M.D.). Without going into too much detail, my experiences helped me developed my skill in taking care of people. I have learned how to handle frustrated people and to help assure them that their health and safety are my top priority. In both the waterpark and CVS, we get customer surveys where past guests/patients evaluate our service towards them and I repeatedly scored high in care and satisfaction and have received comments from these guests/patients stating that I sincere and genuine in my service. If I could show these results, I would.
So, any critiques on my reasoning would be greatly appreciated. I am sending my application out soon so any help will be taken seriously.
