Makeover #3 RADIOLOGY PERSONAL STATEMENT - Part III (Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3)

AFTER - Warm with SBP 130

During my senior year at Some University, I traveled to Europe to study art history, the Italian language, and other liberal arts subjects. Living outside my usual context caused me to look inward, to discover who I was and who I wanted to become.

I decided to study medicine in Budapest, Hungary, because my father was born there, and because my own international experiences had been overwhelmingly positive. A six-year program at Medical University incorporated a rigorous curriculum with oral examinations. Coming from a different academic system, I worked extremely hard to keep pace with my peers while learning a new language and culture in a challenging post-communist Eastern European setting. Overcoming these humbling experiences has given me the confidence to meet future hurdles. At Medical University, I was especially grateful for the multinational student body, which allowed me to learn about the different cultures of my colleagues. This allowed me to enhance my cultural sensitivity, which will help me converse easily with patients and colleagues of all cultures. [Better. Instead of spending too much time on the process of finding a medical school,etc... the applicant explains the positive aspects of training abroad.]

While my pre-clinical training in Europe was strong, I knew I would optimize my clinical exposure by entering a program with clerkships in the U.S. I transferred to the University Carribean, which has allowed me to do my clinical training close to my friends and family in Metropolis.

While I found medicine in Europe, I found radiology in Metropolis. During my third year clerkships, I began to take great interest in the field. Throughout my rotations in internal medicine, pediatrics, and surgery, I found myself gravitating toward the radiology department to look at my patients’ films. I would watch as watch as the radiologist would discuss the location of a meniscal tear with the orthopedist, review the MR angiography of the brain with the neurologist, and discuss an OB ultrasound with the family practitioner, all within a matter of minutes. I was impressed by the sheer scope of the radiologist’s knowledge. In my eyes, radiology became the most complete field of medicine. I began to feel that the radiologist’s knowledge of anatomy, pathology, and physiology was deeper than that of other specialists. Additionally, I enjoyed the technological aspect of the field. Having grown up with a strong background in computers, radiology seemed the ideal intersection of the body with technology. In particular, I found myself interested in virtual colonoscopy, MRCP, MR angiography, and CT guided tissue sampling. [Here the writer describes the process by which she found a passion for radiology. The only thing to add here could be medical school or clinical experience that demonstrated the candidates abilities and dedication to the field.]

In a field where the primary role of the physician is that of a consultant, interpersonal skills are imperative. I believe that my personal experiences have helped prepare me to excel in this aspect. Medical University provided a strong foundation in anatomy and pathophysiology. This knowledge base will prove to be beneficial in meeting the challenging nature of the field. Given the opportunity I intend on incorporating these attributes to maximize my residency learning experience and possibly to complete an interventional or neuroradiology fellowship.

Though I had to cross an ocean to pursue my future in medicine, I needed only to return home to fall in love with a specialty. I know now that radiology is my future, and I look forward to that future with intense anticipation.

[Good. the applicant finished by tying back to the introduction and some foreshadowing on what she will bring to her residency program. Overall this essay does a much better, and more focussed job at explaining a love of radiology, and how the applicant got there. Also, she has added some areas on where her career is taking her.]

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