Medical School Essays for the University of Louisville School of Medicine - Assignment Example

Medical School Essays for the of Louisville School of Medicine Hi Vange, I talked to service to tell them that I made a mistake with the amount of essays I needed for this order. So I paid for the additional essays and have attached the additional essays to this original order. Thank you, Rene Secondary School Background 1) How well did your high school prepare you for college? (Maximum characters: 500, including spaces) - 499 My high school years equipped me with the competencies necessary for successfully undertaking college. Despite such preparation, financial constraints and my own personal assessment made me decide not to enroll into college immediately after graduating from high school. While I feel that I have developed integrity, perseverance, and a strong results orientation, my 2.4 GPA did not reflect these. I did engage in volunteer experiences taught me much more – the value of altruism and selflessness. College Background 2) What determined your choice of college(s)? (Maximum characters: 500, including spaces) - 470 My choice of both the city college of San Francisco and Contra Costa College was mainly because of their convenient location. I also chose them because of the premium they place on research. My research exposure was from my full-time working stints with the PTRL and Pfizer. These helped me develop a love for scientific inquiry. My volunteer experiences gave me a strong sense of renewal, a stronger resolve to help the needy, making UC Berkeley the preeminent choice. 3) How do you assess your college record? (Maximum characters: 500, including spaces) - 492 I struggled to balance academic achievement with working to sustain my education. Despite the difficulty, I have successfully managed to earn academic distinctions. Among them are: being included in the Dean’s list at UC Berkeley majoring in Public Health; being a National Dean’s list from 2004 until the present; a member of the National Scholars Honor Society; a member of the Chicanos in Health Education; a member of the Biology Scholars Program; and a recipient of several scholarships. 4) Circumstances adversely affecting your academic performance? (Maximum characters: 500, including spaces) - 471 My financial circumstances have compelled me to work during college, and these have affected my academic performance. I reached the point when I had to stop from school to take on a full-time job with the San Francisco Red Cross. Two years after entrance to the City College of San Francisco, my family again experienced a financial ordeal, that lead me to work at PTRL and Pfizer. These worked to my advantage because they helped me develop my interest in the sciences. 5) Research Experience (including any publications and/or curriculum vitae) (Maximum characters: 500, including spaces) - 481 While I did not have the opportunity to be published in scientific journals, I do have very extensive research support experience. I have worked as Laboratory Technician at the PTRL, assisting with environmental research. A similar stint was with Pfizer. At PTRL, I was tasked to assist in environmental fate, metabolism, agrochemical analysis, industrial chemicals, and pharmaceuticals. Whereas in Pfizer, I did tissue collection, necropsies, eye bleeds, and intracardiac bleeds. 6) If you are an out of state student, please explain your interest in attending the University of Louisville School of Medicine: (Maximum characters: 500, including spaces) – 490 My primary reason for applying to the University of Louisville School of Medicine is its strong commitment to focus on the three critical areas of education, research and patient care. I believe that the institution not only develops competent medical practitioners; it also emphasizes compassion for the underserved. It does not only solely focus on technical expertise, but also in instilling values amongst its students, particularly selfless service especially for the underprivileged. Family Education/Occupational Background Academic/Occupational background of family members (list highest degree earned and current occupation): Father: (Maximum characters: 500, including spaces) - 457 My father is a Mexican immigrant who has earned limited education, and has not gone beyond the sixth grade. Previously he worked as a construction worker. He is currently retired. While he is deficient in education, he did instill in me its value and have encouraged me all throughout to pursue a degree. The discipline which he imbibed in me during my formative years has helped me surpass our financial struggles, and to persevere despite these hardships. Mother: (Maximum characters: 500, including spaces) - 428 My mother is also a Mexican immigrant. Like my father, she has limited formal education, and has managed only to finish until the sixth grade. She is currently employed as a maid. Like my father, she has constantly encouraged me to finish my studies, and not to lose hope despite the obstacles Ive encountered in trying to pursue my degree. I am grateful to her in imparting to me the values of faith, hard work and integrity. Others: (Maximum characters: 500, including spaces) - 488 I belong to a brood of four, with two brothers and a sister. The highest degree of education which they have obtained is high school level. My older brother is now employed at Home Depot as a sales associate in their Plumbing Department. My sister presently works as a secretary for a law firm. Finally, my younger brother is now employed at a local electrical supplies company as a sales associate. Like my parents, they have been very supportive of my plans to pursue a medical degree. Employment Activities 7) Part-time Employment (Maximum characters: 500, including spaces) - 476 In the fall of 2001 I have decided to pursue my studies full-time; prior to this, I have been working full-time with the Pharmacology and Toxicology Research Laboratory. With this choice, I had to cut down my number of working hours to 33 hours per week while I pursued my degree initially at Contra Costa College, and at the University of California at Berkeley. Apart from this, I also work for Tutor Experts for 3 hours a week, teaching elementary to high school students. 8) Full-time Employment (Maximum characters: 500, including spaces) - 463 I have worked full-time as a bartender from August 1992 to November 1999 to help support my family financially. I have also had the chance to work full-time with the Pharmacology and Toxicology Research Laboratory from February 2001 to the present, as laboratory technician. A final working stint would be with Pfizer where I served as animal laboratory technician. Both experiences have helped solidify my decision of becoming a medical practitioner someday. 9) Volunteer Work/Activities (Maximum characters: 500, including spaces) - 497 I am a volunteer tutor at the Center for Science Excellence of Contra Costa College where I had the chance to tutor fellow students in Chemistry and Microbiology. A volunteer experience was with the Chicanos in Health Education; I helped educate marginalized communities on the use of healthcare resources, and helped in attracting Latino students to the health sciences. I was also a volunteer for the American Red Cross Mobile. I also served in the Making Changes Freedom School as tutor-mentor. Extracurricular Activities 10) High School (including leadership positions): 500 characters maximum, including spaces – 437 I was actively involved in sports during my high school years. I have qualified for the varsity soccer team and the wrestling team. I was also actively playing polo then. These activities have helped me develop both physically and mentally, as the experiences of keeping on and having a never say die attitude are expressed and applied in both professional and personal aspects of my life, and the decisions that I make in each facet. 11) College (including leadership positions): 500 characters maximum, including spaces - 489 I have been a member of the Chicanos in Health Education, and took an active role in the conduct of the annual Health Raza Fair, which focused on health problems that afflicted the Latino community. I have also served as tutor-mentor at the Making Changes Freedom School that helped youths cope with the delinquent issues of drugs, violence, and peer pressure. I have also been a member of the Biology Scholars Program; my membership has given me access to a variety of academic resources. 12) Foreign Travel: 500 characters maximum, including spaces - 463 A few years after high school I had the opportunity to be on a five-month trip to Southeast Asia, backpacking through seven countries. For the first time, I see the realities of poverty, and the dire need to help these communities survive. This, and my other volunteer experiences to underprivileged communities have strongly influenced my choice of becoming a medical doctor. I think that this is the best means for me to make a dent in these needy communities. 13) Interests and Hobbies: 500 characters maximum, including spaces - 491 Sports have always been important to me, and they continue to play a major role in my life as a means of keeping myself physically and mentally fit. I started playing organized soccer at the age of five and in high school; I was then a member of both the varsity soccer and water polo teams for two years. I continue to play soccer for a local league. Entering competition with a team taught me a lot about myself and others, and I continue to value good sportsmanship in all areas of life. 14) Describe any other areas in which you possess interest, expertise or skill. E.g., musicianship of a professional caliber, published writing, language spoken fluently, union level in trades, certification in other professional areas, scouting, etc.: 500 characters maximum, including spaces - 467 I take pride in being an Eagle Scout, especially when I have been acknowledged as the second youngest Eagle Scout in San Diego County at the age of 14. Moreover, I am pursuing a minor degree in education; this will allow me to understand teaching from a wider perspective. This love for teaching has been ingrained in me early on teaching experiences at the Center for Science Excellence of Contra Costa College, Tutor Experts, and the Making Changes Freedom School. Anticipated Career 15) What career(s) would you probably consider if you could not be a physician? 500 characters maximum, including spaces - 496 If I could not be a physician, I would choose to become a science professor or a researcher chemist. Both these professions address my love for teaching and my desire to help others, especially underprivileged communities, through scientific research. Another option would be being a public health officer, where I could help people understand various healthcare issues and address their healthcare needs. These are professions that will allow me to make a positive difference in people’s lives. 16) How do you see yourself practicing medicine after residency training? (Please include choice of medical practice and location) 500 characters maximum, including spaces - 497 I envision myself as a full-time faculty member of a medical school or research institute, actively engaged in related research activities. Given the opportunity, I would like to practice in a large, metropolitan city, with a population of about 100,000. This city-size is ideal for gaining practical expertise, and for being exposed to a variety of medical needs. More importantly, it would allow me to gradually develop responsibility and autonomy in my practice commensurate with my abilities. 17) Discuss briefly why you have decided to pursue a M.D. degree program: 500 characters maximum, including spaces - 465 Perhaps a personal reason would be my desire to help my family members suffering from diabetes. Being a first generation Mexican-American introduced for the first time to diseases that afflict families who share my Latino heritage, mainly diabetes. I have a strong desire to find and create ways to advance diabetes healthcare through scientific discovery. Another area of great interest is organ transplantation, of which I have had exposure during my internship. Read More