Hi, my name is Erik and I' am having some trouble getting started on writing an essay i have to turn in along with an application. I'm currently applying for the Diagnostic Medical Sonographer program at school. And well writing a 500 word essay is one of the several requirements. It's not too much to write. Just no idea what to write. Would appreciate it if someone got me started or perhaps got my brains juices running.
This is what is called an Interest Essay.
And it states the following question:
How does the Medical Diagnostic Sonographer program match your intellectual, academic, and career interests. Discuss any activities you have engaged in that are relevant to the program.
Hi, Erik.
Usually, the challenge with getting started is really not the absence of ideas, but too many ideas buzzing like one huge cloud of bees in the student's head. Now that will overwhelm anyone and paralyze you before you even begin.
Look, I'm sure you have some good reasons to be applying for the program. You just probably never sat down to think about them. And think of this essay as a chance to do just that.
Now - the question they ask you is full of helpful advice. And here's why: it gives you three distinct sections to structure your essay. What are they? They are your 1. Intellectual 2. Academic 3. Career interests.
Do you see that? Unjumble (so to speak) the question and take it apart. Let's look at these closer. First, your intellectual interests. Any educational program, especially a medical program, will have enough content to be interesting to you. Advice: look up the curriculum (all the courses of the program) and see if any particular courses would simply be more interesting to you than others because they speak to your existing interests and knowledge. And then include that in your first part.
Second, your academic interests. You can make this one different from the first part. While in the first section you'll be talking about your existing interests and knowledge, in the second part you could (again, after looking at the curriculum) describe what you are looking forward to learning that you never knew anything about before.
In the third section you will discuss your career interests, which may include helping people or even learning the business.
I hope you'll find this helpful to get you started. By the way, the second part of the original question - about any activities you have engaged in that are relevant to the program - you could discuss those within the first and the third sections of your answer pretty easily if you just relax and trust yourself.
Hope this helps,
Phil
P.S. Kevin - good to be here. I'm glad there's a place students can go to for their writing needs 24/7. Cool site!
Thank you Phil. After some time of brainstorming I actually began writing and went beyond the 500 word requirement. However, I don't feel too confident on what i wrote. Perhaps I can post the essay on here and maybe you can give me a few pointers in regards to what would need to be changed, corrected, or improved.
I'm not exactly the best writer. Might find a couple grammar and punctuation errors, if not more. So be it, this is why I' am on this site. For help.
The Diagnostic Medical Sonographer program matches my intellect in several manners and for several reasons. Anatomy and physiology; two very important subjects and areas Diagnostic Medical Sonography covers. I have found deep interest in both these areas, which in turn led me to pursue a career in this field.
The anatomy of the human body is incredibly intricate; heart, lungs, capillaries, cerebellum, veins, arteries, central nervous system, the brain, and the various glands located in the brain such as the pituitary gland; they all form and play an exceptionally vital role in the human body. Physiology of the human body is also very elaborate; bones, cartilage, tendons, ligaments, muscles, joints; all these also make the human body capable and functional. I know only the surface of this all; entering this program would allow me not only to learn more about the structure and functioning of the human body, but also form a career encompassing these areas to accurately diagnose and aid patients to the best of my knowledge.
Academically I know I am very competent in almost any subject as I have proven in the time I have been attending Southwest Career College. In all my classes most importantly anatomy and physiology I & II; I have shown determination and dedication to my studies and have earned an "A" in both classes. Commitment and willpower have been two of my closest associates the moment I made the choice to pursue a career in the medical field specifically in Diagnostic Medical Sonography. All in all, in my point of view I can say I have been an exemplary scholar to the best of my ability and knowledge. Nonetheless, there is always room for improvement I do not deem myself as the perfect student, but a work in progress. As many professionals in the health field have come to know there is always something to learn; one never stops learning in the healthcare field.
Healthcare has always been a career interest to me; since a young age I knew where I wanted to be and what career path I would want to descend into. I recall watching programs on TV which related to the medical field such as, Emergency Room, and others, most recently House, and the discovery health channel. I find myself spending an entire afternoon and evening watching the discovery health channel how emergency surgeries are done, how patients are treated, medical and surgical procedures. In addition, I also observe Plastic surgery procedures, how diagnosing a patient comes along, taking sonograms, endoscopies, and x-rays. It all wraps together in the medical field, whether you are a radiologist, cardiologist, nephrologists, or a diagnostic medical sonographer. The passion and the drive to do what you do come from knowledge and respect for the healthcare field, ultimately the zeal and satisfaction come from knowing one has the power and knowledge to help someone in need of medical attention.
The most current activity I have occupied in that is relevant to the diagnostic medical sonography program would be the Medical Records & Health Information Specialist. Although, it may seem not be directly related to the program the Medical Records program did involve anatomy and physiology, and perceptibly medical terminology. As I mentioned in previous paragraphs anatomy and physiology are both very important subjects. This proves I have engaged in classes which are directly related as well as relevant to the program. Anatomy and physiology will be vital tools to me throughout the duration of program and for my career as a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer.
All in all, I consider myself a prospect for the Diagnostic Medical Sonographer program. I am someone who is dedicated and determined to be a success in this field in which I have developed a vast interest for. My chief goal is to better myself as I advance and expand my knowledge in this field. Not only do I want to better myself, but also create a stable foundation and future for myself, and for my future home.
Kevin - good to be here. I'm glad there's a place students can go to for their writing needs 24/7. Cool site!
Well, they can post here 24/7 but we may take a day or so to respond! :-)
matches my intellect
This is a strange use of "intellect." Phil's idea of changing it to interests is pretty good, but it still is not quite right to say it "matches." The word compatible might work.
they all form and play an exceptionally vital role --- "number agreement is a rule that requires you to use roles here instead of role.
they all form and play exceptionally vital roles ... but actually, you are just saying something general about various organs, and then you randomly mention a particular glad arbitrarily. Not good. Get focused on your CENTRAL MESSAGE. A central idea that will be memorable to the reader is what is most important. What is your theme?
The first paragraph is too general. You should brainstorm about way you are choosing this over all other possible professions. That is very significant!! What is it that makes you want to do this. Anatomy is fascinating, but so are a lot of other things. Dig deep, and find someting for that first paragraph that will surprise the reader with new insight. You can do it! Draw from whatever it is that is inspiring you to pursue this field.