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AMCAS Personal Statement
'We eat dog.' 'You what?!' 'Dog. It's a local delicacy.' Culinary habits aside, I was certain I was as much an oddity to South Koreans as they were to me. My blonde, six-foot frame towered over my darker, petite hosts. Despite the cultural differences, common goals for understanding carcinogenesis and improving patient's health overcame language barriers. Being a foreigner was nothing new. My parents, immigrants from the former Czechoslovakia, moved from Canada to California when I was six years old. While most of my 7th-grade classmates would have their papers proofread by their parents, I was editing my mother's letters as well as completing my own homework. But my international background also created an awareness of the world beyond my little community, and I dreamed of exploring the East Coast of my adopted country. Armed with an athletic scholarship, I chose to study at the University of Massachusetts for its strong academic reputation and excellent tennis program. From my earliest childhood career ambitions, medicine was always a strong interest. As the tomboy who gathered frogs and lizards, more than one science teacher had labeled me as the class scientist because of my inquisitiveness about the fundamental workings that kept my pets alive and healthy, and the knowledge of what caused them to become sick. When I entered college, I sought to satisfy this curiosity by studying biochemistry. I engaged in research, finding my own answers to questions, sharpening my logical approach to problems and learning to critically analyze the work of others. As my work progressed, I was increasingly interested how research results applied to human health and treatment. I engaged physicians in long discussions that bridged the laboratory and the clinic, and as a result my interest heightened in the application of medicine rather than research alone. However, I did not limit myself to studying biochemistry. Since I have always been curious about people, whom I view to be more complex than a collection of chemical reactions, anthropology seemed like a natural adjunct to my scientific training. Immediately after graduation, I applied my training by joining a research team for a menopause study in Slovenia. As an interviewer/interpreter, I talked with women about their health and the issues of aging. These conversations sometimes extended to invitations for coffee or dinner; most women were eager to speak because people rarely asked about their health or answered their questions frankly. For a moment, I was a part of these women's lives, and I loved the human interaction. However, my role as a biological anthropologist was to observe, to gather data. Though I would relish assisting the people with whom I had such close contact, collecting information and understanding the situation are the first steps towards assistance. My first opportunity to integrate my anthropological and scientific training came with the Fulbright to Singapore and South Korea to study gastric cancer. Although overall incidence rates of gastric cancer are globally decreasing, certain Asian nations remain disproportionately affected by a cancer that is relatively rare in the West. The pertinence of the gastric cancer study to my host countries, combined with availability and ease of access to tissue samples, contributed to my decision to develop gene-expression profiles of gastric tumors. But beyond genetics, gastric cancer has a strong environmental component - epidemiological studies consistently show that consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables correlate with declining Helicobacter pylori infection and gastric cancer rates. As an American living and traveling in Southeast Asia, I saw how globalization and better refrigeration methods have diversified local food consumption, decreased spoilage, and expanded peoples access to a healthier diet. I realized that health is not simply about genetics and medical treatment, but includes social conditions and lifestyle choices. During the SARS crisis in Singapore, I was impressed how my physician colleagues compassionately addressed fears of the public, and placed themselves on the battle line of the epidemic both in research and in the clinic. SARS highlighted the increasing integration of the world, how illnesses in seemingly remote regions can affect people in the United States, and what it means to be a medical professional in an increasingly global society. The study and application of medical science now has a special appeal for me. I am particularly interested in oncology, infectious diseases, and public health, but I believe each persons quest for good health cannot be fragmented. Whether we eat dog or hot dogs, doctors need to combine knowledge of a patient's cultural background and social situation with medical science and compassion to plan truly effective treatments for our afflictions. Health is intimately linked to our quality of life, and a clear need will always exist for dedicated doctors who understand this relationship. I feel that my background has prepared me well for the rigors of medical school, and I am eager to undertake the challenges of modern medicine.
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Personal Statement for AMCAS
I grew up in a house that doubled as a rubber stamp 'factory'. When I was six years old, my father bought a rubber vulcanizer and set up shop in our garage. My weekends were filled with glitter and multicolored ink, not only because I was surrounded by arts and craft supplies, but because I came to hold major responsibilities like sales, graphic design, and advertising. As years passed, the daily requirements of my job ranged from webpage design to the intimidating task of predicting trends in customer taste. I believe this wide range of challenges encouraged me to develop a flexible approach to problem solving and a creative nature that will help me be a successful researcher and clinician. These early experiences taught me the value of efficiency. In my current laboratory, I grew frustrated with the "semi-automated" methods of cell-counting that I inherited from a previous lab member. Although this technique was much better than manual hand counting, one still had to "teach" the computer to distinguish between cells and background for each image processed. After studying several computer programs, I developed a method that not only automatically recognizes cells, but also distinguishes between single cells and clumps of cells. Data sets that once took a month to process now only take a week; additionally, my method applies to data from the other members in my lab. My efforts to improve our cell-counting process demonstrate my ability to draw from previous challenges and adapt to new situations. In high school, I taught myself how to use graphic tools such as Adobe Photoshop in order to create new product designs for my parents' company. My capability to overhaul our labs counting procedures is due to my willingness to research unfamiliar computer programs and program functions to achieve my goals. I hope to apply my problem solving skills in a parallel fashion within the clinical setting. As natural as my decisions seem now, I have not always known that I wish to pursue both medical practice and scientific research. My long time passion for biology stems from the beauty of the subject. No matter how minute a biological system, one is able to appreciate its real-world importance. For instance, I have been fascinated by the function of telomeres since high school. My interest began with an article in Time Magazine about the implications of telomeres and telomerase in cancer and aging. From that time, I have gravitated towards the subject when choosing topics for class projects or papers; nevertheless, I never imagined that I would one day be able to experiment with the enzyme. My studies have come full circle now that one of my current projects involves manipulation of the active enzymatic portion of human telomerase in the context of tissue engineering. Even with my passion for biology, I have been hesitant to dedicate myself solely to research because I am such a "people person." An example of my appreciation for personal interaction is my long term interest in the Spanish language. I value the ability to communicate with individuals from different cultures, since language is crucial in forming emotional bonds. I am also a compassionate person, and my language skills have aided me in multiple service efforts. In college, I held leadership positions and was a mentor in [], a program that pairs college volunteers with students from disadvantaged backgrounds. I was attracted to this program because of its personalized, hands-on approach to motivating kids about science. I often was paired with mentees with higher needs because of my experience and my language abilities. It is satisfying to realize that the attention and companionship that I gave to these children helped them develop self-confidence and interest in basic scientific principles. My experiences this past year at [Hospital X] have helped solidify my interest in medicine and research. During my time at the [Hospital X], I have investigated both professions by working on medically relevant research projects, shadowing residents and attendings, and volunteering in the orthopaedic cast clinic. Such hands-on opportunities combined with my long-time pursuits made me realize that I would like to embark on a path that combines clinical practice and scientific research. I believe this type of training would allow me to use science to tackle medical problems in a productive and efficient manner. I was raised in an environment where work figured into all aspects of family life. Consequently, I have always known that I must find a career that I truly enjoy because it will be difficult for me to fully separate myself from my occupation. After deep reflection, I am confident in my choice to enter medical school, for I have both the passion and the talent required to succeed as a doctor. My motivation stems from the chance to significantly improve patient care both directly and indirectly through clinical interaction and through medical research. I believe that I can make a significant difference in the health of our society, and I cannot wait for the opportunity to actively do so.
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Personal Statement for AMCAS
'I hope my brain doesn't start melting.' I don't recall much of what happened next, but I do remember thinking that as I watched my temperature creep past 104F. When I regained my composure, I was out of the heated chamber and in a cold shower, my sweat-drenched clothes still on and the temperature probes still dangling from my body. Slumped over, my mind slowly started to function again as a sense of satisfaction settled in. Another experiment done, another data set complete... all in all, another good day at work. I hope that by testing on myself I'll be able to take the necessary risks to make discoveries that can improve lives and push the envelope of current knowledge. Moreover, I hope that one day all of my self-testing and probing might help treat heat stroke victims, develop new cooling techniques, and save lives. After a quick cleanup and snack, I gather myself together, leave the exercise lab, and start running. Most of the time during the 3 hours of swimming, biking, and running I think about the Ironman. Just thinking about the race fills me with a sense of excitement, fear, and pride all mixed into one. I chose this race because I admire how its finishers are made, not born. I'm not a natural swim champ, a Lance Armstrong, or a Kenyan runner. I'm a guy who believes in the value of challenges and discipline, and that the easy road may not take you where you really want to go. When I finish my workout and my body's pain finally turns into relaxation, I head back to the lab to work. I enter the hospital and walk by the myriad of patients lining the hallways leading to my office. Whenever I take this route I feel an unfulfilled sadness. I see crippling pain in each person's face, posture, and gaze as they watch people pass by. They sit in their wheelchairs trapped, unable to move and live freely. It feels unfair that I can workout when so many around me can barely move. Every day I want to help these individuals and alleviate their physical suffering. As a result, every day my desire to become a doctor grows stronger. Sitting at my desk and analyzing stacks of data, afternoon transforms into night. I start thinking about the events of my day and I ask myself: why do I do all this? I pause for a few moments to reflect. I do all this because I want to better prepare myself to help people like those who shared their lives with me during my high school and undergraduate clinical experiences - people with heart disease, diabetes, cancer, leukemia, and AIDS. I do all this because I want to personally and directly improve the quality of people's lives, and because I believe there is no greater good than helping the sick become healthy. Walking through the darkness to my car, I can't help but think about journeys and destinations. The average hyperthermia experiment is 15 miles of cycling and lasts 60 minutes. The Ironman spans 140 miles and takes roughly 12 hours. The road to becoming a good physician has no set distance and can last a lifetime. However, it is the one that I am more eager to travel than any other, and it is the one I am the most prepared to work for, commit myself to, and pursue no matter what it may require.
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Optional Essay
To my future patients, I am writing this letter as I apply to medical school. I want you to know who I am at this very moment, where I have come from and hope to be, and why I am dedicating my life's work to providing you with the best possible care. Every so often, my father will show me a card from one of his patients that typically opens with something like, 'Dr. X, thank you for saving my life.' But as I read further, I begin to see that they are thankful for more than just his provision of healthcare. With each card, I more fully understand the genuine appreciation for the time that he spends to hear them, to understand their fears, and to comfort them in sickness and in health. Growing up surrounded by medicine, I have witnessed the intimacy of the doctor-patient relationship as unlike that of any other profession. I dream of being able to connect with people like my father has with his patients. At each stage in my life, I have wanted to develop my interpersonal and leadership skills, skills that will be most useful to me as your physician. During my senior year in high school, the student body elected me as one of four prefects to lead the school and all of its activities. I thrive in situations that require teamwork and integrated leadership. I was always most satisfied knowing that I had harnessed the energies and directed the talents of dozens of people to derive success. Satisfaction is not always enough, though, as I realized in my experience with Chloe, the two-year-old daughter of a Resident Fellow at Stanford. After being diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia, Chloe was in need of a bone marrow transplant. As president of my Fraternity, I directed the efforts of our members to complete a record-breaking bone marrow typing drive. Despite typing over 600 people in two days, we were unable to find a match. A feeling of helplessness overwhelmed me. Yet Chloe is still fighting each day with a smile. Cancer hasn't changed her spirit. Learning recently that one of my mentees from Project AIYME will be attending UCLA this Fall, I recalled how our relationship began five years ago. Daniel was thirteen and more likely to join a gang than go to college. As a freshman at Stanford, I remember the challenge of fostering trust and respect between us. But somewhere between orientation day and the night of our last weekend retreat a year later, Daniel and I had moved beyond the guarded relationship of mentor and delinquent; we became close friends. Daniel taught me that active listening is paramount. I believe, in the same manner, my patients will always lead me to their diagnoses as long as I am there to hear them. A particularly vivid memory from my Outreach Coordinator position at the Asian Liver Center recalls an interaction with the Lam Family. Following an outreach event, Mrs. Lam informed me that her husband had hepatitis B. Mr. Lam was told by his physician that he was a 'healthy carrier' and that he need not worry. However, they had read that hepatitis B is known as a 'silent killer' in the Asian community. I could see confusion and anxiety in their eyes. I walked them through our health informational brochure as well as the specific precautions important to patients and families with hepatitis B. The frowns of confusion and anxiety soon became gleams of comprehension and appreciation. During a ten minute conversation, I functioned as a caregiver, a teacher and a supportive friend. While momentarily satisfied by my small contribution to their peace of mind, I felt frustrated with the limitations of what I had to offer. Again, I wanted to do so much more. My experiences thus far have inspired me to seize every opportunity, to take on new challenges and to always move forward so that I can make the largest impact on the world possible. I am a third generation Chinese-American that never wanted to go to China. I can't speak Chinese. But here I am in China, writing this letter, immersed in a new environment with an entirely different culture and language. The glamorous story is that I came here to help implement and evaluate a program that aims to vaccinate 100,000 students against hepatitis B. The not-so-glamorous story is that I left a comfortable life in California for a relatively uncomfortable one to help people that don't necessarily want to be helped. Behind all the stories, I am impassioned every day by the notion of making a tangible - and sometimes intangible - difference in the lives of many. Chloe showed me the strength of the human spirit. Daniel taught me the importance of connecting with people different from ourselves. The Lams underscored the power of family in times of need. Medicine will give me the opportunity to make a difference across generations, cultures and languages. I believe that this speaks to the essence of the practice of medicine. I want to spend every day of the rest of my life working to optimize the health and well-being of as many people who will allow me the privilege of doing so. I know that medicine is my passion and calling in life, and medical school is where I belong next. But for now, I look forward to the privilege of being your doctor. Respectfully,
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Personal statement
I step up to the line, left foot forward, right hand on my wristwatch. I look to my right and see my six teammates lined up, but I don't hear the words coming out of their mouths. It is as if I have pressed a mute button to the world around me. I think back to our interval training sessions, sometimes beginning before the sun started its day. Side by side we would sweat, our hearts pounding, and lungs gasping for air. I am confident that we have put in the work needed to accomplish our goals. We are a team. We all know this could be our last race of the season. As the lone senior, I know this could be my last race ever. I look to the ground. Our feet make a uniform row of mismatched racing spikes. Some are clean and flashy, others covered in mud. Mine are the same pair I've been wearing since I began as a freshman four years ago. Focus. I hear the whistle, less than five seconds until the start. This is it. My heart racing, the gun goes off. My mind goes blank. I can't see any of my teammates but I know they are not far behind me. The race is a blur; I feel no pain. I can see the crowds of people cheering and yelling but I don't hear any sound except for my split times at miles one, two and three. In what feels like thirty seconds I am coming up the last stretch. Inside my head I am screaming, 'Less than a half mile to go. Go faster, push yourself! This is it-your last chance. Don't let yourself finish with even one drop of energy left.' My legs turn faster and faster. I don't know where it's coming from, but I'm doing it. I see myself passing more runners, gaining speed and all I see is that finish line. In an instant it is over. I'm done. And I won. No, I did not place first in the race. I placed twelfth. I won because I never gave up. I watch my six teammates finish. And then I wait&did I qualify for nationals alone or will my whole team go? That was one of my most memorable races during senior year. I helped lead my team to become the first in school history to win the Women's Cross Country NCAA Regional, which automatically qualified our whole team for nationals. The sacrifices we made, the 6AM practices, running twice a day, missing classes to travel for races& nothing in the past seemed to matter anymore. I put in hard work for months and years leading up to this; I was dedicated. It didn't end up being my last race. We competed again at the NCAA Nationals against the best teams in the nation, only to find that we were one of them. We placed fourth. I placed 42nd in the nation, nine seconds from being an All-American. I came home with a trophy, but more importantly I will forever have memories from four years of being on that team. What does all of this have to do with my desire to pursue a medical career? One might look at my transcript and think that I should have spent more time studying and less time running if I wanted to pursue a career as a physician-scientist. I beg to differ. While I might have increased my GPA by spending all my time on academic pursuits, I would not trade a perfect 4.0 GPA for my experiences as a collegiate athlete. My experiences as a runner have shaped me into the person I am today and I believe they will be invaluable to my future as a physician-scientist. Through my four years on the Cross Country and Track teams I have not only gained physical and mental toughness, but I have also learned to deal with both success and defeat, to perform well under pressure, to manage my time well, and to work with and trust teammates. I believe all of these are essential for a successful career in medicine. Above all I have discovered the inner joy that comes from pursuing my passions. Running, however, is just one of my passions. Various experiences throughout my life have instilled in me a passion for biology and medicine. Through clinical and other volunteer experiences I have confirmed my desire to interact with and help people. In addition to being exposed to medicine through my father, a physician, I have spent time volunteering in a Hispanic health clinic, and in The Siteman Cancer Center. I love the satisfaction in knowing I made someone's life easier or better. Almost by accident I stumbled upon another passion, my love of research. I was hired to work in a microbiology lab following graduation from Wash U. After a month of working in the lab I realized how much I enjoyed research. This led me to delay applying to medical school until I had fully explored this opportunity. I found myself choosing to work extra hours, wanting to finish an experiment because I couldn't wait one more day for the results. I love the challenge of my research and the excitement of a new discovery. I want to spend my working life doing something I enjoy while constantly being intellectually stimulated and challenged. My goal is to be at the interface of medicine and basic science research, where I can combine both of my passions. As demonstrated in my commitment to one passion, running, I will do whatever is required of me to accomplish my goals and I believe I can excel as a professional student, physician, and scientist.
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Major essay question: What is your opinion about facial transplantation? Is it an important new extension of organ donation, or has it stepped over certain ethical boundaries?
Facing the future of transplantation surgery 'Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile.' - Mother Teresa People have said that life can be measured in smiles and frowns, and that if you smile at life it will smile back at you. Growing up in a Chinese household, I was frequently told a famous Chinese proverb which simply states that 'A smile will gain you ten more years of life.' Whether a smile endows a decade or is simply a mantra for healthy living, it is undeniable that we as a species place enormous importance on our ability to express ourselves. The physical expression of emotions has been a source of inspiration and influence for art, culture, society, and the interpersonal relationships which shape our daily lives. The face transplant recently performed by French surgeons is an extraordinary testament to the advancements in transplantation surgery as well as the dual physiologic and qualitative healing power of modern medicine. It is an achievement which will undoubtedly benefit both patients and science for years to come. This year marks the 52nd anniversary of the first successful human organ transplant, an astounding feat now commonly taken for granted in the medical community. Breakthroughs in organ transplantation research over the past half-century have propelled our understanding of the body's immune system by leaps and bounds, making it possible to successfully transplant organs such as the bowel, heart, lung, and skin and develop life-saving immunologic therapies. Dr. Jean-Michel Dubernard has now performed the first face transplant, an accomplishment deserving the highest praise and ethical consideration. Transplantation surgery as a whole remains a largely existential endeavor which puts into question our sense of self and identity. Are our personalities and lives separate and distinct from the organs and tissues that comprise us, or do they inherently determine our experience of life? In most cases, the organ transplanted is tucked beneath flesh and bone, hidden away from scrutiny which would spark regular contemplation. Now, though, the organ itself bears the expressions characteristic of rumination. After a savage dog attack mutilated her nose, lips, and chin, Isabelle Dinoire received replacement facial tissue last November from a brain dead woman whose family had given consent to the procedure. Articles heralded the procedure to the world with both acclaim and contempt. The idea of face transplantation is wrought with major medical, ethical, and moral issues. It is first important to understand the vast complexity and risks involved with face transplants. Vascular blockages in any of the hundreds of microvessels could damage or kill the graft, and powerful anti-rejection drugs that will increase the likelihood of cancer will have to be taken on a permanent routine. In addition, risks of graft rejection (10-50% over the first 5 years) could put patients in a worse medical situation then before the operation. These potential pitfalls beg the question: Does this predominantly aesthetic procedure warrant the health risks involved, not to mention the psychological issues that undoubtedly arise from looking in the mirror only to see a stranger looking back? I would argue that yes, in the case of Isabelle Dinoire the potential benefits to the patient and medical community warranted the risks. Although Ms. Dinoire's life was not in danger without the surgery, that does not mean she was without suffering. The pain associated with disfigurement and the traumatic loss of one's facial movement is not confined by functional boundaries. How can you objectively assess the value and meaning of a look of joy or sorrow on a person's face? For many, the ability to fully express ourselves is synonymous with life itself. The late Ray Charles once said 'I was born with music inside me. Music was one of my parts. Like my ribs, my kidneys, my liver, my heart. Like my blood. It was a force already within me when I arrived on the scene. It was a necessity for me - like food or water.' Although Mr. Charles's ability to hear his music was not integral to his physical health, it was a vital part of his soul. Many critics have stated that Dr. Dubernard's decision to perform the first face transplant was rash and motivated more by fame and recognition than a physician's duty to practice beneficence or non-malfeasance. While it is true that a high-profile, risky procedure such as face transplantation carries with it media attention, the same can be said of the first kidney transplant in 1954 by Dr. Hamburger or the first liver transplant in 1963 by Dr. Thomas Starzl. Both procedures were highly publicized and considered extremely risky and potentially fatal if unsuccessful. However, both also significantly furthered our scientific understanding, making it possible to now routinely save and improve lives using these techniques. With any groundbreaking work there is a concomitant fissure in ethical viewpoints. In modern medicine, life is often objectified by risks and benefits in a series of computations, algorithms, and equations. While modern medicine accomplishes its goals, it does not give due credit to qualitative health concerns. I agree that Ms. Dinoire's situation still remains precarious and that much of the physical success of her operation will be determined in the upcoming months. I also acknowledge that her operation will carry with it a psychological component which remains to be seen. However, as a future physician I value the diversity of opinions, choices, and lifestyles which encompass the human experience. Ultimately, in the years to come I believe the success for Isabelle Dinoire and future face transplant patients will not be measurable in terms of symmetry, nerve function, or immunity. As articulated by Mother Theresa in the quote above, I believe their success will be based on their ability to use the gift they were given to benefit humanity.
