This is a personal statement for a masters degree in public health. Please review and edit for me. All suggestions and corrections are welcomed. Thank you :)
Personal statement
The field of science has always been of particular appeal to me. The human body, how it works, and the different determinants that can affect one's health or a community as a whole have always been intriguing to me and that's why I pursued the study of science and biology for my undergraduate studies.
Enrolling in college, my objective was to emerge with knowledge and experience that could both be beneficial to me, the community and on a larger scale the world that I live in. Through the several courses, volunteering work and research experience I came to realize that a career in healthcare was the best path for me to outreach my community and the world.
Although I knew I wanted a career in healthcare, I struggled with identifying a particular field of interest. Thus in my junior and senior years of college I started to explore the different fields of medicine by shadowing doctors, getting involved in research, volunteering at hospitals and taking specific classes that would enhance my knowledge and experience in my quest for a particular field to join.
Shadowing doctors allowed me to experience at first hand the one on one interaction with patients, their different maladies and stories, recovery process and also different surgical procedures. A very exciting moment of my shadowing experience was being a spectator of a laparoscopic appendectomy surgery. I had never been in the operating room before or even experienced a surgery, especially one so innovative consequently it incited my interest into becoming a doctor. Nevertheless, my interest was counteracted by the number of patients with illnesses that could have been prevented. Being able to perform such innovative procedures and save lives was very appealing but my desire to learn more about preventive medicine and programs/research that would reduce the number of patients at the hospital and consequently result in a more efficient patient care system was stronger.
Research was the next obvious option to me. Thus during my senior year I searched for and was part of a research program that aimed at determining the virulence factors of the amoeba Naegleria Fowleri which infected humans, leading to death in approximately two weeks. This research was of particular interest to me because it was more practical and also because its findings would have a great influence on public health not just locally but internationally. More and more cases of infection and death by this amoeba have been reported in the United States, but it is more prevalent in third world countries because of its mode of infection, which is through the respiratory system by bathing/swimming in bodies of water. Being a native of Ghana, and understanding the impact that the findings of this research could have on different communities, I was elated to be part of the team.
Additionally, taking classes such as microbiology and senior capstone lab further enhanced my understanding of the material and experimental procedures. Although I enjoyed research and learned a lot, there was still a part of me that wanted to do more. I didn't particularly like being in the background and not directly interacting with patients and the community.
In my quest for a career that would satisfy my love for research, preventive programs/medicine, one on one interaction with patients, the community and on an even larger scale the world, I came across the field of public health and it was love at first sight. Public health merges all of my interests in one magical puzzle. I am drawn to its strong emphasis on factors (both social and behavioral) that affect communities, both local and international, coursework and practical field experience, the development of programs and prevention efforts aimed at reducing a range of issues such as infectious diseases, health services, nutrition and environmental health.
I am confident that this program will help me reach my full potential, develop and enhance my knowledge in skills necessary to thrive in this field and successfully construct, execute and assess programs that will help both local and international communities. Through my undergraduate coursework, my research, shadowing and volunteering experience I have gained a broad knowledge, different perspectives and insights into problem solving.
I believe that I have the excitement, commitment and desire to excel in this program. And finally I believe that insert school is the best conduit to pursue and accomplish my academic and career goals.
Personal statement
The field of science has always been of particular appeal to me. The human body, how it works, and the different determinants that can affect one's health or a community as a whole have always been intriguing to me and that's why I pursued the study of science and biology for my undergraduate studies.
Enrolling in college, my objective was to emerge with knowledge and experience that could both be beneficial to me, the community and on a larger scale the world that I live in. Through the several courses, volunteering work and research experience I came to realize that a career in healthcare was the best path for me to outreach my community and the world.
Although I knew I wanted a career in healthcare, I struggled with identifying a particular field of interest. Thus in my junior and senior years of college I started to explore the different fields of medicine by shadowing doctors, getting involved in research, volunteering at hospitals and taking specific classes that would enhance my knowledge and experience in my quest for a particular field to join.
Shadowing doctors allowed me to experience at first hand the one on one interaction with patients, their different maladies and stories, recovery process and also different surgical procedures. A very exciting moment of my shadowing experience was being a spectator of a laparoscopic appendectomy surgery. I had never been in the operating room before or even experienced a surgery, especially one so innovative consequently it incited my interest into becoming a doctor. Nevertheless, my interest was counteracted by the number of patients with illnesses that could have been prevented. Being able to perform such innovative procedures and save lives was very appealing but my desire to learn more about preventive medicine and programs/research that would reduce the number of patients at the hospital and consequently result in a more efficient patient care system was stronger.
Research was the next obvious option to me. Thus during my senior year I searched for and was part of a research program that aimed at determining the virulence factors of the amoeba Naegleria Fowleri which infected humans, leading to death in approximately two weeks. This research was of particular interest to me because it was more practical and also because its findings would have a great influence on public health not just locally but internationally. More and more cases of infection and death by this amoeba have been reported in the United States, but it is more prevalent in third world countries because of its mode of infection, which is through the respiratory system by bathing/swimming in bodies of water. Being a native of Ghana, and understanding the impact that the findings of this research could have on different communities, I was elated to be part of the team.
Additionally, taking classes such as microbiology and senior capstone lab further enhanced my understanding of the material and experimental procedures. Although I enjoyed research and learned a lot, there was still a part of me that wanted to do more. I didn't particularly like being in the background and not directly interacting with patients and the community.
In my quest for a career that would satisfy my love for research, preventive programs/medicine, one on one interaction with patients, the community and on an even larger scale the world, I came across the field of public health and it was love at first sight. Public health merges all of my interests in one magical puzzle. I am drawn to its strong emphasis on factors (both social and behavioral) that affect communities, both local and international, coursework and practical field experience, the development of programs and prevention efforts aimed at reducing a range of issues such as infectious diseases, health services, nutrition and environmental health.
I am confident that this program will help me reach my full potential, develop and enhance my knowledge in skills necessary to thrive in this field and successfully construct, execute and assess programs that will help both local and international communities. Through my undergraduate coursework, my research, shadowing and volunteering experience I have gained a broad knowledge, different perspectives and insights into problem solving.
I believe that I have the excitement, commitment and desire to excel in this program. And finally I believe that insert school is the best conduit to pursue and accomplish my academic and career goals.