PRE-MED PERSONAL STATEMENT

Two of my residents rushed through my slightly jarred door. Their voices carried a sense of worry mixed with slight incoherence. ‘Friend’, ‘sick’ and ‘vodka,’ I managed to catch a few words as I quickly followed them down the hall. It was not the first time that I had to deal with the intoxication of my fellow students. I squeezed through the crowd of students into the dorm room. A girl, lying on the bed, was rolling back and forth seemed to be in pain and discomfort. She had been drinking vodka shots within a very short period of time. I looked at her ballooning stomach, bulging out of her jeans at the waist area; I could only fear the worst. As I monitored her, panicky details of sciences ran through my mind – alcohol as a central nervous system depressant, easily absorbed, and altered mental status. Uneasiness and terror struck over me. Training from first aid ran through my head - I checked her ABC’s and then placed her on her left side. She acted belligerently, almost combatively. I tried to keep her calm by assuring her not to worry. I called 911 for an ambulance, and she was sent to General Hospital. Two guards in uniform came to wheel her away to emergency. I realized that I had done as much as I could do at this point. I later learned she was doing well. The next day, she dropped by my room to say ‘thank you.’ I relished the rewarding experience of having someone remember being comforted and placed at ease by my care.
Working in the dorm I’ve had the opportunity to alleviate parental concerns when they couldn’t get ahold of their sons or daughters. I’ve dealt with roommate conflicts that arise from small lifestyle to more serious personality differences. On many late nights, I’ve welcomed hungry, stressed-out, or lonely students who simply wanted to talk. These experiences have honed my personal skills in helping my students to get over anxiety, emotional and painful problems. I discovered the importance of communication, caring, knowledge, life long learning and commitment - attributes which I hope to utilize in my future position as a physician.

Many other factors have affirmed my aspiration of practicing medicine. Grown up in a family rooted in the health sciences, I used to wonder if my goal of becoming a physician was merely the result of being raised in a doctor’s family. My father’s influence naturally and inevitably tailored my interest. It has been my own desire, however, that led me to gravitate towards a career in medicine. My father’s dedication to this profession and hard work made me curious as to what medicine has to offer. I harbored this curiosity towards medicine throughout my high school years and university years. As I mature, I realize that I have a perpetual fascination in learning the life sciences. I was thrilled to discover that the courses that I deeply enjoyed and am excelling in are fundamentally related to medicine. Diverse and ever changing, this field excites me and will continue to excite me throughout my career. I feel privileged to have found a career that will allow me to accomplish my aspirations: learning about the human body, helping people, and educating them to take better care of their health. While the life sciences stimulated me creatively and intellectually, I know I would be most fulfilled if I can use my knowledge and skills to offer meaningful service to others.
In order to further pursue my interests, I have volunteered with organizations such as the Alzheimer’s Society, Canadian Blood Services, and the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Though my main duties were to prepare, plan and help to organize fundraising events, my enthusiasm for knowledge drove me to further research and learn about each of these diseases, its complications, and current preventions and treatments. Working on the HSF Infoline, I had chances to speak with heart transplant patients, explain to them the cardiac symptoms and post-surgery complications as well as the importance of healthy lifestyles. I was inspired to learn about their conditions for my personal intellectual stimulation as well as for patient education. The role that I play in team work depends on what part of my skill subsets are most needed. If grunt work is needed to move a project along, then that is what I will do. If a project needs planning and initiation, then that is what I will do. I am often the sounding board, encouraging communication amongst members. Having the goals at the forefront of my mind, I keep the team on track as we each go about our own separate responsibilities yet working towards the same greater achievement.

Working as the caretaker for a patient at Lake Hospital testified my ability to work independently. Imposed by his illness, Tony, a quadriplegic patient, was limited in his daily activities. Nonetheless, he has a tremendous enthusiasm for life. He loves the outdoors, going downtown, and eating out. He is also an aspiring painter. Sensitivity to his needs begins by active listening, in making my expression simpler and clearer through elevation in tone, in slowing down, and in using hand gestures. His eyes brighten and his face lifts every time I visit, and facilitate him in fulfilling his simple pleasures of life. His happiness is the positive reinforcement that makes me realize that I have made an impact on his care.Working with Tony permits me to discover how much good I could do just by listening and focusing my attention on him. That simple act did so much to alleviate his concerns and uncertainties. I look forward to doing the same for my future patients.

Most people would prefer success as a result of staying on comfortable grounds. Throughout the years, I find myself intrigued by the satisfaction of facing and overcoming challenges. Last year, I worked as a residence don, took full course loads, served on the committee of two cultural clubs, volunteered and fulfilled my love for dancing and helping others through performances in a charity fashion show. Each year I only strive to accomplish more, while maintaining excellence in academic standing. Time-management and prioritization are skills that have forced me to define myself through the continued exercise of my abilities. I juggled the balancing act of school and extracurricular activities with grace, commitment, stamina and success. This year, I undertook a research position in the Department of Pharmacology, adding to my role of being a scientist, a leader, an educator, a counselor and a team member.

Becoming a physician is a life long dream that will fulfill both my personal and career goals. Medicine encompasses numerous areas that I will find intriguing. I feel privileged to have found a career that will allow me to accomplish my aspirations: learning about the human body, helping people and educating them to take better care of their health. While the life sciences stimulated me creatively and intellectually, I know I would be most fulfilled if I can use my knowledge and skills to offer meaningful service to others.
[great job. Your aspirations are very clear.
I would try to cut down a few paragraphs (as noted above) and that will streamline your essay. In addition, I would probably remove the mention of anorexia, as it really does not make you seem more qualified to be a physician, or a stronger candidate, and for some reviewers it will seem like a liability.
Great PS. If you can make it a bit more concise, it will be that much better.
Good luck]