Undergraduate / GPPA Program: Why direct to medical school? [5]

Please indicate why you're interested in your chosen profession. How do you see yourself being particularly suited to this field? What events and/or experiences have led you to your choice?

Why not medicine? Doctor's provide care to patients, solve problems, and help one feel safe in a world full of dangers. They are like rays of sunshine that help brighten someone's day. I want to do that for others. Yes, if I want to help others then there are plenty of other things I could do. Why not be a firewoman: a police officer? They all help people. Although, one reason I want to do medicine is because of anatomy. I love how you have 206 bones in a body and how they fit together to create the different joints. It also makes me wonder how my 5 ft 4 inch self can have arteries and veins that combined are around 2.5 times the circumference of the Earth.

Medicine also is very different from the other occupations. Medicine is one of the few occupations where there is a wide spectrum of jobs one can do. Medicine allows for various elements of thinking. I want a job where I can be creative, while also not doing a repetitive activity. Being in the medicinal field, I could have the opportunity to cure diseases, diagnose conditions, and improve someone's life.

I first became seriously interested in medicine when I went to visit family in India and accompanied my grandfather to an eye clinic where he routinely volunteered his time. The clinic performed free cataract surgery for poverty-stricken people. When we neared the building, I could hardly believe my eyes. There was a line of cataract patients starting from the entrance of the building down to the end of the block. All of who wished to be presented to a doctor that could perform surgery and give them their sight back. However when we entered the clinic, I was shocked to see only a couple other doctors. My 14 year old self was very confused by this. Why was there a seemingly endless line of people outside? And where were the other doctors? All these people cannot possibly be helped by the end of the day! I remember vividly the sad and helpless expression of the patient, as they were turned away. My grandfather explained to me that it takes only 30 min to perform the surgery but they don't have enough doctors so he has to send many patients away. I got to thinking I wish I was a doctor so I can help these people. I don't want anyone to have to be turned away from treatment when I have the opportunity to help them. In terms of the cataract patients, it would be my greatest joy to be able to give them their eyes back and let them see the world all over again. These patients wouldn't have to depend on others anymore and instead be able to take care of their day to day activities. I came back home to United States with my parents 2 weeks later, but that feeling and experience has stayed with me till this day and still encourages me to continue my pursuit of medicine.

Thank you very much for any advice!! This is still a rough draft and I'm not sure if I should keep many of the things I have (like the first paragraph) or if there is something I should add that could make my essay better.