Why Do I Want to Become a Doctor - Admission/Application Essay Example

My interest started maximizing health and nutrition to compensate for lack of physical completeness, understanding how the body works, and various methods of maximizing physical efficiency.  I was determined not to let my physical condition interfere with my life plans and love for sports.  I focused on swimming which allowed me to excel at the peak physical stimulation that I craved while contributing to my self-confidence and personal growth. My first biology class in 9th grade opened up scientific knowledge of the molecular world of cells and organisms and the delicate balances within the human body.

  Science, particularly medicine, which explores the anatomical and physiological relationships within the body, became my preferred choice of study.  By college, a major in biology was the obvious choice for me. My preparation for medical school meant coupling education with diverse work experience.  I became a hospital volunteer in high school.  I experienced handling complicated circumstances with maturity and compassion at the hospital.  Every summer thereafter during college I worked at broadening my research and clinical experience.

  I have learned much through shadowing doctors, like witnessing how they deliver quality care and build relationships with patients while delivering their diagnosis and treatment.  I worked on research projects exploring ways to limit spinal cord cell damage using rat cells and measuring differences in distal bicep tendons in human cadaver arms after surgery.  These projects stimulated innovative thinking and necessitated working within a team towards common goals.  These activities were very beneficial to me.

  As an athlete, the experience of winning for the team becomes more important than individual achievement.  Through education and teaching experiences, my dedication to aiding others grew.  In Honduras delivering medical care to rural communities, I exposed myself to cultural and socioeconomic diversity.  I also discovered my affiliation with a profession that impacts emotional as well as physical healing.  With these experiences, I began to understand my potential to have a meaningful impact on the lives of others.

  It only cemented my decision to become a physician to explore the ways that disease occurs and help people deal with illness.  Like many athletes, I made some mistakes in my freshman year.  I believed I could handle a demanding training and academic schedule as I accomplished in high school with few hours of sleep.  In college, I found out the price for overestimating my capabilities was contracting severe mononucleosis in the first semester.  I was given the choice of quitting the swim team or taking a medical leave.

  Neither option was acceptable to me.  I had not given in to hardship in the past and could not imagine doing so now.  In order to maintain the high standards of success I set for myself, I resolved to make some adjustments which included developing a healthier lifestyle and more realistic expectations.  Though my grades in my freshman year suffered, I learned a valuable lesson that has been beneficial in succeeding years at school and will sustain me in the future.       Fourteen years of training have tested my determination and taught me dedication.

  I have become disciplined with a strong sense of purpose.  This has enabled my ability to stay the course despite the difficulty.  All of these traits are what a career in medicine requires.  I am drawn to medicine for its continuous challenges and an undeniable passion for the complexity of the human body coupled with a strong interest in health, nutrition, and preventative medicine.  Currently, I am a member of the Cornell Women’s Swim Team for 4 years.  This involves a 20 hour a week training schedule, plus overnight travel to meets during Ivy School Division 1 swim season.

  This requires a strong commitment and personal resolve to succeed at balancing the demands of school and sport.  All of these traits I possess.  I believe my experiences have made me a stronger and more complete person.  I have the ability to balance my mind, body, and spirit.  These character traits have made me a successful swimmer.  Character traits like respect and understanding for the body, commitment, and skill developed by practice, a fighting spirit, and empathy for the struggle of others.

  All of these traits will enable me to become a concerned doctor who can help others overcome their physical limitations and pain.