Pharmacy Application - Essay Example

Personal ment My difficult childhood years were spent in Vietnam. It was there that I first came to understand the importance of affordable medicine to people of a lower station in life. Although there were medicines available, money was scarce and the people in my village often had to resort to home remedies which either made their illness worse or actually work at times. It was not uncommon for me to see sick people being turned away from the pharmacy because they could not afford the medicines they needed.

That is why when I came to the United States, I was amazed by how everyone seemed to have easy access to medicine. It made me wish that I could do something for the people I left behind in Vietnam or at least do something to honor their memory. Some time in 2010, I decided that in order to feel better about my good fortune, of having come to the land of plenty, I needed to give back to the community in memory of those ill people I left in Vietnam. My search for relevant part-time work led me to the Oak Park Regional Medical Center.

For more than a year, I did assistant work in the Critical Care Unit Dentistry Department where part of my duties included assisting the dentists with paperwork, sterilizing their tools, filling water pitchers, cleaning out shelves and restocking supplies. While I was working there, I began to observe that the patients who were being treated also had the same complaints as the ones in Vietnam, the medicines were too expensive. But somehow they managed to afford it. I wondered if this case was the same everywhere in America.

Then in 2012, I found myself fulfilling my dream of honoring the memory of my countrymen by volunteering at the Shawnee Medical Mission Center. This was the first time that I was exposed to the world of Pharmacy. Here I was tasked to do my part at the In-Patient Pharmacy. My duties here were more important than those that I did at the medical center. I was personally in charge of checking and removing outdated medicines form the supply shelves, as well as labeling medicines. I felt like I was in my element as I did my job there.

It felt like the perfect fit for me. So I began to consider a career in Pharmacy. While I was contemplating this idea, I learned that my relative in Vietnam had developed a degenerative nerve disease and she could not afford her medication which only cost $.50 Vietnam cents. She died soon after her diagnosis because they could not afford to medicine. This was the catalyst that I was looking for. My relatives death pushed me to enroll in Pre-Pharmacy studies at the University of Kansas where I currently have a 3.

9 GPA and am slated for a 2017 graduation. I knew what it was I wanted to do with my life now. I wanted to provide everyone, specially in the 3rd world with affordable medicine. In order to do that, I need to become a pharmacist who can mix up healing chemicals at affordable prices. While completing my Pre-Pharmacy studies, I had the opportunity to shadow a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist named Dr. Gill, who gave me valuable insight and a greater a understanding of the specific skills and qualifications required to become a professional pharmacist.

She helped me understand pharmacy was more than just mixing medicines for a patient. It requires actual scientific skill and research in order to accurately develop and gain approval for new life saving drugs that can be cheaply marketed. Dr. Gill presented me with the pros and cons of a career in Pharmacy and I have to say that the exposure did not sway my desire to complete my Pharmacy studies. Rather, it motivated me to further pursue my dream because it will help me honor those in my past who succumbed to their illnesses due to lack of affordable medicine.

It made me absolutely sure of the the career path I wished to take. That is why I am now presenting myself to your kind admissions committee as a potential student candidate for your Pharmacy Department . My background and experiences have all led me to this road. All I ask is that your notable professors and mentors continue to guide me as I work towards achieving my dream. Character Count - 4125 chars. / 4500 chars. max.