I want to be a doctor because_____

Pre-Med & Medical School Multiple Degree Programs
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<p>Hey all. I'm going to be applying to some medically-related summer programs, etc, as well as multiple degree programs next year (I'm a Junior), and everyone asks on their applications "Why do you want to be a doctor?" I'm curious to know if this quick summary of how I became interested in medicine sounds genuine, because I don't want any adcoms to think that I haven't thought long and hard about this. Anyway, here's my story:</p>

<p>In the spring of my freshman year, after being my schools state cross country team alternate, I injured my knee. I went through rehab for 6 months, but eventually talked to a doctor about surgery. I got an arthroscopic surgery on my knee, and was back running 2 weeks later (though not at full strength), and eventually recovered. As a result, I became interested in medicine, and surgery in particular. </p>

<p>I read every available book on medicine at the public library, and in addition to neurosurgery, I also became worried upon hearing the lack of doctors in the rural parts of the country. I'm equally interested in both careers. Through my reading, I also became interested in research going on in the medical field, as well as new innovations, such as robotic-assisted surgery, etc. </p>

<p>Over the summer I job shadowed a team of physicians on the transplant service, etc....</p>

<p>Though I don't know exactly what I want to do in the medical field, I am naturally very curious and hope to become involved in research and academic medicine. I also believe that it would be worthwhile to pursue reforming the American healthcare system, etc. END</p>

<p>Anyway, that's obviously not my essay, but someting close to it. If anybody could provide feedback, that would be great. Does the getting injured, to becoming curious about medicine, to reading a lot, to job shadowing-combination work well? Thanks.</p>

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<p>Yeah, it sounds like you have a good idea of what medicine is about. That is a pretty solid essay, but I would advise focusing on your passion for clinical or research or social side of medicine. Just as for regular colleges, med programs look for a genuine passion for SOMETHING. Also, just know what each school emphasizes, be it primary care (clinical) or research (academic) so that you can eliminate the schools you're not interested in. I wouldn't recommend you apply to programs that are not in your interest just for the sake of getting in because it'd be a waste of your time, money, and effort to even go through such a program.</p>

<p>For example, if you were really into clinical medicine, it would be pointless to apply to a program where the focus is on research. I mean, you still can, but I think, personally, that you wouldn't be as happy as you would at a school where YOUR interests are emphasized. Just something to think about...</p>

<p>Good luck with your applications. I am in the process of applying right now, and if I end up getting in somewhere, I will be able to help you more.</p>

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<p>Thanks a lot Stanford_dude. I'm really interested in clinical medicine, and I think I may be interested in research too, but I haven't had any experience with it and haven't figured it out. I'm in AP Chemistry right now, and am not always excited to do the labs because they don't always seem to be necessary to get the point of the subject matter across. I don't know how similar lab work is to AP Chemistry labs, although I think that researching something cutting edge may be more exciting than doing cookie-cutter labs in high school.</p>

<p>So I'm going to apply to programs that emphasize research and see if I like that so that I know what accelerated medical programs to apply to next year. One of the main things I hope to get across in my essays that I'll write next year is that I'm not totally sure what I want to do in medicine, but that I'm curious about everything and would pick a certain specialty after being given some time to explore the options.</p>

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<p>my essay is about how the death of my friend could have been prevented if there was a capapble doctor near. He died of severe trauma to the brain(hit in the head w/ a giant pole). The first hospital he went to couldnt treat him so they had to fly him to another hospital nearly 50 miles away. my essay is basically about how i want to be an ER doc to prevent things like that from happening. Anybody wanna read it?</p>

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<p>stanford dude - i think your essay sums up well that you are interested in medicine. But, personally, I still don't understand WHY. What exactly do you find interesting? Why does it draw you in? Why did you read every book about it.</p>

<p>And AP Chem labs have almost nothing in common with actual lab work, in my experience.</p>

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<p>Probably a slip of the tongue, but I think you were referring to billybobbyk, Jenskate. ;)</p>

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<p>you're right, my bad.</p>