Admissions Essay: I Intend to Pursue the Study of Medicine
"The best prize life offers if the chance to work hard at work worth doing."(1) This is the premise on which my academic and career aspirations are based. The goals that I have chosen are those that will benefit others and enhance my growth by requiring me to face challenges successfully. Most importantly, my goals are all things that I will love doing, and any positive goal that a person has her heart in is work worth doing.
My primary academic interest is molecular biology, specifically genetics. I first became interested in this field while reading scientific articles on DNA Fingerprinting and genetic research. I have also probed the ethical debate that recent advancements in genetic engineering have spawned. My reading has inspired me to pursue the study of genetics in college. It is a field that will not only require me to think scientifically, but will also challenge me to harmonize my studies with my ethical values.
I know that genetics is a field for which I have strong potential. As an undergraduate, I look forward to researching the causes of aging and learning to develop preventive medicines by studying the maps of the human genome. A strong background in molecular biology will help me to reach my professional goal of being a doctor of medicine.
A successful career is based on a strong desire to pursue the career and a clear understanding of what it entail. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to experience the medical profession first-hand when I shadowed an oncologist early in my senior year.
My observation day went as I had expected until a patient with swollen eyes and a handful of crumpled tissues came in with an emergency appointment. Terminally ill, she had contemplated suicide the weekend before and needed someone to talk to. From this experience, I learned that being a doctor would require me to do more than heal patients physically. It would require me to put in the extra effort to deal aptly with situations that were incurable with a stethoscope and a prescription. The experience gave me an extra edge by giving me confidence in my career choice and a full understanding of what my goals entailed.
In high school, I have selected many activities with my career choice in mind.
The age of genetic technology has arrived. Thanks to genetic technological advancements, medical practitioners, with the help of genetic profiling, will be able to better diagnose patients and design individual tailored treatments; doctors will be able to discern which medications and treatments will be most beneficial and produce the fewest adverse side effects. Rationally designed vaccines have been created to provide optimal protection against infections. Food scientists have hopes of genetically altering crops to increase food production, and therefore mitigate global hunger. Law enforcement officers find that their job is made easier through the advancement of forensics; forensics is yet another contribution of genetic technology. Doctors have the ability to identify “high-risk” babies before they are born, which enables them to be better prepared in the delivery room. Additionally, oncologists are able to improve survival rates of cancer patients by administering genetically engineered changes in malignant tumors; these changes result in an increased immune response by the individual. With more than fifty years of research, and billions of dollars, scientists have uncovered methods to improve and prolong human life and the possibilities offered by gene therapy and genetic technology are increasing daily.
I began my college career unsure of the path ahead of me. I knew I had a passion for medicine, however, I did not know which direction I would take. With the expansive amount of options offered within the fields of science and medicine, it was difficult to narrow down exactly what direction I wanted to take. I gained some clarity the summer of my sophomore year when I stayed at a close friend’s home, whose father, a practicing Medical Physician, became somewhat of a mentor to me. The passionate way in which he discussed the practice of medicine led me to develop an interest in pursuing a career as a physician. He explained that a career in the medical field was about responsibility, the responsibility to work with all members of the healthcare team for the well-being of the patient as well as their family
In today’s modern age science is moving at a rapid pace; one of those scientific fields that has taken the largest leaps is that of genetics. When genetics first comes to mind, many of us think of it as a type of science fiction, or a mystical dream. Yet genetics is here, it is real, and has numerous ethical implications.
Born and raised by parents working in the medical field, I have always had the urge to follow up on on a health related career. Despite never being pressured into choosing scientific subjects as my academic studies, I deeply admired what a long way science has come and longed to give my contribution to this fascinating world. I am presently studying for my A-levels at St.Aloysius Sixth form in Malta, a college for high achievers.
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Fletcher, John C. Introduction to the Virginia ELSI Project; "Preparing for the New Genetics: Education of Professionals;" University of Virginia Press, Charlottesville, VA.
There are three main energy systems used in a game of touch football which consist of the creatine phosphate (ATP PC) system, lactic acid system and the aerobic system. Each system plays a vital role during game play. Every muscle in your body requires energy to perform all movements, and to do this, the energy is produced by the breakdown of a molecule called adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP is found in all cells which is a chemical form of muscular activity and performs mostly all functions in the human body. It contains 3 phosphate groups and adenosine. ATP is stored in the muscles and lasts for approximately 10-30 seconds. Carbohydrates, fats and proteins, are all producers of ATP from the food we eat; however Creatine Phosphate is also a high energy compound producer found in the cells. These three chemical reactions are conducted to continue muscular work. The first system used in a game of touch football is the ATP PC system. This system is stored into the muscles and used in short durations for up to 10 seconds and doesn’t not require oxygen therefore being anaerobic. ATP lasts approximately 3 seconds, and then Creatine phosphate (CP) will continue until all ATP PC energy is used up. The use of ATP is high intensity and would usually be used in a 50m sprint or a pass in touch. Once the CP energy is used up the body then switches to the lactic acid system. This is because of the breakdown of glucose, resulting in the production of lactic acid. The lactic acid system an anaerobic energy system, which lasts for approximately 30 seconds to 2 minutes, and is the conversion of glycogen to glucose. In relation to a game of touch football, the lactic acid system could be used during a quick wruck, as the movements required are a...
The specific heat of copper was calculated to be .425 J/goC by using the relationship of the specific heat of water and copper. The percent error of the aforementioned specific heat of copper is 9.4%. The unknown metal’s specific heat was found to be 1.104 J/goC based on data collected from the experiment, however, the true identity of the unidentified metal was revealed to be Magnesium. Given the identity of the metal, the percent error was found to be 59.33%. This percent error is incredibly high, some potential sources of this high percentage is the nature of the styrofoam cup, in that the cup could not insulate the water very well, allowing the heat energy to not be contained in the cup. Another possible source of error would be human
“Life is Complicated,” by Erika Check Hayden, explores the depths of biology and the many challenges biologists face. Hayden, a reporter for “Nature,” writes about how the technology and genetic information boom has impacted biologists, asserting that biology has become more difficult, yet more promising. Hayden discusses how genetics and technology have shown biologists that their knowledge is not as extensive as they thought it was, leaving the doors open for more exploration. “Has the Revolution Arrived” by Francis Collins, also speaks of a genetic and scientific revolution yet to come. Collins also discusses the technological advances that have changed the face of genetics, making it a more widely available subcategory of biology and medicine. Collins also outlines the important lessons we have learned from the first decade of the “genome era” and how we can use these lessons to keep the momentum going in the future decades. He cites technology, education, privacy, academic and private sector cooperation, and large-scale research projects,
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The human genome project is something that I have been very interested with ever since first learning of it. I had heard bits and pieces of what it is about, but my interest was greatly stimulated by Dr. Whited in basic genetics 311 last spring. The discussion that we had regarding the project left me with several ideas and questions about not only the process and ethics involved, but the future of the study of genetics as a whole.
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...ineering with first-class honours is my ultimate academic goal. After that, I am planning to further my study in PhD and make a research about the microstructure. It is easy to set the target but to achieve it need a lot of work and sacrifice the time and money. Strategic planning and full preparation needed to make the dream come to reality. I always tell myself that I have a potential to reach the target, and it is not impossible for me. To motivate me, I do read articles about the successful people as it may give me an inspiration and encourage me to be like them or even more.