Undergraduate / "The game of chess and swimming" - Johns Hopkins, Activities outside the classroom [4]

This is the 2nd essay question for johns hopkins supplement. All suggestions are appreciated. Thanks in advance!

A Typical student at Johns Hopkins spends less than 15 hours each week in a classroom, leaving lots of time for volunteer opportunities, clubs and organizations, athletics, social events, and other on- and off-campus activities. Aside from the academic interests you've already expressed, in what activities do you plan to engage as an undergraduate at Johns Hopkins? (250 words)

The kidney and the liver. Most people are essentially ignorant to the vitality of these two organs, which serve to protect the body from and fight off diseases. Just as they are important to the body, playing chess and the piano are important to my life. They are the two things I couldn't live without and are essentially a large part of who I am today.

The game of chess has taught me the importance of patience, focus and analytical thinking- qualities vital for development in a college atmosphere. As the National Under 18 Chess Champion in my country, I am fairly versed at the game and would be able to make a great contribution to John Hopkins' Chess Club and to the school's larger community.

The piano too has greatly influenced my life. The intricate sounds produced by the different keys; the ability to combine them to create a concordant melody just captivates me. Playing allows me to take a breather from the stresses of life and just relax, something Im sure will help me in my life at college.

Having started back swimming and waterpolo recently, I plan to join these clubs at John's Hopkins and maybe swim alongside the likes of JHU's Anthony Lordi or attempt to block the shots of prestigious Alex Whittman in the Newton White Athletic Center.

Finally, I would participate in the volunteering program. For me, nothing beats the heartfelt satisfaction of knowing I've made a difference in the life of someone else. A smile on his/her face? Priceless.

Undergraduate / "the world of medicine and biology" - Johns Hopkins Which major and why [2]

Here is the first supplement question from JHU. Any suggestions are welcome, and thanks in advance!

Johns Hopkins offers 50 majors across the schools of Arts and Sciences and Engineering. On this application, we ask you to identify one or two that you might like to pursue here. Why did you choose the way you did? If you are undecided, why didn't you choose? (If any past courses or academic experience influenced your decision, you may include them in your essay.) (250 words)

My first patient was a short nine year old female who persistently complained of having sharp ulcer-like pains around the stomach coupled with slight cranial pressure. After a quick examination and some deliberation I prescribed two scoops of chocolate chip iced-cream and in no time, her head and tummy ache vanished and she (my sister) was cured. Although this was almost a decade ago, my fascination with the human body has withstood the test of time and maintained its place in my life.

I remember on a few occasions I would go so far as to avoid going to the doctor in an attempt to figure out the problem at hand. I saw it as a challenge to use whatever knowledge I had along with the resources at hand (internet, medical books around the house) to formulate a hypothesis and thus a diagnosis of my own. Though my intense curiosity and desire to learn more caused me to make a less than ideal decision, it allowed caused my passion and love for biology to grow astronomically.

With the Johns Hopkins Biology Department hosting 27 research laboratories and the prestigious Hospital being in close proximity , I would have a bird eye's view into the world of medicine, a practical mastery to go with the theory knowledge obtained and essentially all the necessary resources available to ensure my being well equipped to take on any necessary task.

Undergraduate / "a surfeit of results about medicine" - Common App ( Prompt #1 - Dilemma) [4]

Here is my common app essay, It (662 words) was a bit rushed so please feel free to suggest alternate vocabulary/grammar corrections as i decided at the last minute to scrap my previous common app essay. All suggestions are welcome and I will kindly do the same if needed :)

You could learn a lot about me by browsing my internet history. Apart from the multiple entries to facebook.com and my unrepressed habit of watching video to video on youtube, you would find a surfeit of results about medicine- from the effect of excess glucose consumption and its strong correlation with diabetes to the deletion of a chromosome that causes Huntington's. It was like a relay effect: one article led to the click of another and in no time I was on a little adventure of my own.

It is no surprise then, that when I was given the opportunity to delve headfirst into the world of medicine- to be there with the doctor - I jumped at it. Of course I never thought it would be halfway across the world in a clinic in Botswana, Africa. My sister, my mother and myself had come to spend the summer with my dad who was currently living and working here.

It started out fairly slow. I was placed in the pharmacy to package medication and in no time I had learned the names of the medication and the diseases they combated. As tedious as it might have been counting and sorting tablets and ointments day after day, I appreciated the knowledge I gained, for afterall it was a learning experience. After a few weeks I was in the consultation room with the doctor, taking note while he assessed the patients that came in. I learned a lot medically and otherwise, from the signs and symptoms of tuberculosis to the frequency of which people attempted to skip work declaring fake illnesses.

This day though, was different from all the others. I had arrived for "work" at 7:30am, received stares from the mass of patients waiting outside the doctor's office as I did like every other morning, but what I was about to witness later would impact the rest of my life. I was in the dressing bay when it happened and to this day I don't know what compelled me to walk into the dressing bay when I did, or to stay there as long as I had.

I was in mid conversation with a colleague when the doors busted open. Emerging were two men, one almost crawling on the ground clutching with his dear life a part of his hand, crying, screaming at the top of his voice. I saw behind him a long trail of blood and then realized that the top part of his index finger was cut off, apparently after attempting to fix the engine of a vehicle. I felt a queasy feeling in my stomach, my legs weakened and my head became light. What I had seen on House and Scrubs wasn't quite the same from what stood 5 feet away from my face. Screams and cries of pain filled the room, and were only subsided when he was too weak to raise his voice. He looked straight into my eyes and with that one glance I felt it- I felt the pain he was suffering from.

I went home that day like nothing happened. I skipped dinner, avoided any small talk and went straight for my bed. It didn't hit me though until later that night when I couldn't sleep and for the first in a long time- I cried. I was always so sure that I wanted to pursue a career medicine. I always envisioned the "Dr." title preceding my name, dressed in white with a stethoscope hanging around my neck. Now though more than ever, doubt clouded my mind. If I couldn't handle the emotional distress of a patient suffering a minor injury, how would I manage with the possibility of facing death on a regular basis? Right there and then I was forced to consider the path I wanted my life to take. I thought to myself that no matter the situation, knowing I did my best to help would make it all worth it.

Undergraduate / Medicine + Piece of Advice - Brown Supplement Essays [3]

Please read my essays and offer any advice possible.

Thanks in advance

Prompt 1 - Why are you drawn to the academic fields you indicated in the Anticipated Degree and Academic Interest questions above? (Medicine)

Answer 1

Growing up in a disease ridden society of today isn't easy. We have to constantly watch what we do, where we go and who we interact with- and when prevention fails, a cure is the only hope. Medicine is that cure. I wasn't more than 6 when my mom jokingly told me that my first words were "doctor". Ironically enough, I have since grown to have a profound love for the sciences- biology in particular. I've always been a person more interested in giving than receiving; I see medicine as a channel through which I can offer help to those in need, while at the same time, doing something I enjoy. Of course the occasional jiving by my parents calling me "Dr. Buchanan" did play its part, however small, on encouraging me in that said direction. My drive however, comes from a much deeper source- passion for science. Whether it is surgery, psychiatry or research, medicinal science will play a grandeur role in my auspicious future.

Prompt 2 - What's the best piece of advice you've ever been given and why.

Answer 2

Stomach churning, nail biting, sweating profusely; my nerves had been kicked into overdrive the morning preceding my junior year examinations. With my biology text in hand, swinging the pages with celerity trying to retain whatever information possible, my dad entered the room. Releasing a sigh of defeat, I put down the book when my dad looked to me and said, "Son, the sky is the limit." I looked up and smiled, unaware that it would take precedence for the rest of my life.

Now relaxed and confident, I entered the exam with Excellence in mind. I reflected many times on what my father had said, and it kept me alert and wired throughout. When result arrived, I was more than ecstatic to see "A+". It was then that I realized that in truth and in fact, I could do anything I put my mind to.

Throughout the many years of my life I had given and received fruitful advice. Nothing though, had ever influenced my thought process and decision making to such a length as this. In no time, this advice seemed to dominate all aspects of my life. I aimed for the utmost best in my extra and co-curricular activities and was still pleased even I fell a little short of my goal. After all, if you aim for 'perfect' and end up with 'best', I am sure it would be worth settling for.

Years later I reflect on the past and the present alike. I realize that much of my achievements are due to the advice I was given. I realize how empty life would be if I always settled for mediocrity and how little I would have gained if any from my activities. I can only hope to continue drawing on it as life progresses.

I began to pass the advice on to many colleagues and strangers alike, and was happy to see it help them prosper. I made it my duty to advise as I was given advice. To think that a few words could have such a robust effect on anything for that matter is almost inconceivable. Now, I walk with that phrase as does a pastor with his bible.

The advice of my dad was the seed of my apple tree- it has helped to grow and shape me into the person I am today: someone that strives for excellence and settles for nothing less. I have learnt that even if you aim high and miss, you'll still be close to your target. Maybe one day I'll be able to say," if you look up high, you'll see that I'm in it."