Jay Zussman

ScientistDoctorIndividual
Take a look, my mother said. I remember getting up on my knees and stretching
my neck to peer slowly, cautiously into the microscope. I gazed upon dazzling swaths of
pink and blue and purple and yellow. Deceptively beautiful, the sarcomas and carcinomas
and blastomas I saw revealed stories of human suffering suffering ameliorated by the
work of medical professionals applying centuries of groundbreaking medical discoveries
through lifesaving treatments. I was and still am intrigued by the diagnostic process:
the way great knowledge of biology can be used to benefit real people with real lives, real
aspirations, real personalities.
Im fit to be a doctor because I, for one, have a real personality. Im not some
encyclopedia of scientific facts; rather, Im equipped with social and psychological tools
that will help me tackle medicines toughest questions. I possess an endless scientific
curiosity that drives me to dive deeper, discovering all I can to master a subject. But no
doctor is insular; exchange of knowledge makes real progress possible. To that end, I've
always investigated and critiqued my peers' scientific directions as well as my own, both
to help them develop their own ideas and to help me develop ideological breadth. My
love of writing has helped me share information effectively; my communication skills are
useful for interactions with patients, families, and doctors to provide the best care
possible.
My science research experience has taught me the dedication necessary to make
discoveries that advance human understanding of important scientific principles. I am
committed to aiding human health through innovative medical research and thorough
patient care. Ive never been fazed by the challenge of inconvenience. My goals are lofty,

Jay Zussman
and thus require great devotion. This past summer, I relinquished the summertime
teenage luxury of late nights and later mornings to make sure I could get to the lab every
morning, commuting one hundred twenty miles by train daily. I managed the disruption,
executing my experiments with the efficiency, creativity, and vitality necessary for
scientific discovery. My love for research illuminates my eventual pursuit of both M.D.
and Ph.D. degrees together, these help me benefit medicine through an ideal
combination of medical research and patient care.
I feel worthy of a medical profession because I combine gentle compassion with
scientific expertise. On a gorgeous summer day, a stranger's bicycle accident launched me
into action. I abandoned my own agenda, rushing to aid the wounded boy as best I could.
I used my knowledge of biology to quell his fears, reassuring him that hed recover and
helping him apply pressure to his laceration while we fetched antiseptic and bandages
across town. Despite my myriad obligations, I took the time and effort to ensure the boy's
safety by walking him and his bicycle safely back home. After the ordeal was over, my
friend turned to me and proclaimed, half joking, Youre a hero, Jay! In truth, providing
aid in a time of need was no daring feat I feel that its my responsibility to aid humanity
whenever possible no matter how small the contribution.
I aspire to be the sort of physician who draws ideas from a variegated tapestry of
knowledge: a vast database that integrates understanding of writing, emotion, language,
and social skills with troves of scientific information. This interdisciplinary approach is
key to caring for patients; the most complete healing occurs when both the mind and
body are nurtured. In my eyes, the best doctors can effectively communicate with patients
to clarify treatment options and dispel the mysteries surrounding disease.

Jay Zussman
I understand that medicine is about far more than memorizing facts and figures; it
requires a unique combination of curiosity, tenacity, compassion, and initiative that
enables the pursuit of new truths and the dutiful protection of collective human health.
Medicine illuminates the noblest application of science. Its doctors who help people to
build families and nurture the children of tomorrow. Doctors enable humanitys capacity
to learn, grow, and create. Doctors make human progress possible. I want to be a part of
that.