Essay Samples

Monday, April 04, 2011 12:59 PM

Sample Essay #1
Accepted by Princeton Hiking to Understanding Surrounded by thousands of stars, complete silence, and spectacular mountains, I stood atop New Hampshire's Presidential Range awestruck by nature's beauty. Immediately, I realized that I must dedicate my life to understanding the causes of the universe's beauty. In addition, the hike taught me several valuable lessons that will allow me to increase my understanding through scientific research. Although the first few miles of the hike up Mt. Madison did not offer fantastic views, the vistas became spectacular once I climbed above tree line. Immediately, I sensed that understanding the natural world parallels climbing a mountain. To reach my goal of total comprehension of natural phenomena, I realized that I must begin with knowledge that may be uninteresting by itself. However, this knowledge will form the foundation of an accurate view of the universe. Much like every step while hiking leads the hiker nearer the mountain peak, all knowledge leads the scientist nearer total understanding. Above tree line, the barrenness and silence of the hike taught me that individuals must have their own direction. All hikers know that they must carry complete maps to reach their destinations; they do not allow others to hold their maps for them. Similarly, surrounded only by mountaintops, sky, and silence, I recognized the need to remain individually focused on my life's goal of understanding the physical universe. At the summit, the view of the surrounding mountain range is spectacular. The panorama offers a view of hills and smaller mountains. Some people during their lives climb many small hills. However, to have the most accurate view of the world, I must be dedicated to climbing the biggest mountains I can find. Too often people simply hike across a flat valley without ascending because they content themselves with the scenery. The mountain showed me that I cannot content myself with the scenery. When night fell upon the summit, I stared at the slowly appearing stars until they completely filled the night sky. Despite the windy conditions and below freezing temperatures, I could not tear myself away from the awe-inspiring beauty of the cosmos. Similarly, despite the frustration and difficulties inherent in scientific study, I cannot retreat from my goal of universal understanding. When observing Saturn's rising, the Milky Way Cloud, and the Perseid meteor shower, I simultaneously felt a great sense of insignificance and purpose. Obviously, earthly concerns are insignificant to the rest of the universe. However, I experienced the overriding need to understand the origins and causes of these phenomena. The hike also strengthened my resolve to climb the mountain of knowledge while still taking time to gaze at the wondrous scenery. Only then can the beauty of the universe and the study of science be purposefully united. Attaining this union is my lifelong goal. .

Sample Essay #2
Accepted by Cornell Question: Tell us about an opinion have you had to defend. How has this affected your belief system? I chuckle to myself every time I think about this topic. I am perceived as a mild-mannered, intelligent individual until I mention that I am involved in riflery. It is interesting to watch someone's expression change. It is as if I instantaneously grew a pair of horns and a sharp set of claws. Believe me this gets worst; I am a member of the NRA. I try to tell these folks that I belong to the NRA to fire my rifle. "Oh my God! You fire real guns? with real bullets?!?" they remark with a perplexed look on their face. Besides having horns and claws, I now possess a tail and leathery wings.

This is how it began five years ago. I had played on a soccer team for several years. As I grew older I began having difficulty playing soccer because of shortness of breath. I was diagnosed as having mild asthma which ended my soccer career and eliminated my participation in most physical sports. Shortly afterward, during a Boy Scout summer camp, I participated in riflery at their shooting range. This was the first time I had ever touched a firearm. To my amazement, I won the camp's first place award for marksmanship. I was more than eager when a friend of mine asked me if I would like to join a shooting club. My parents were wary when I asked to join the rifle club. My mother feared guns, but my father felt there was no problem with trying this sport. Gratefully, he gave me the opportunity to try rifle marksmanship, despite secretly hoping that I would quit. Both of my parents were afraid of what people would think about their son's involvement with guns. Like my parents a majority of people believe that all firearms are dangerous to our society. All they remember are the hysterical news releases of street violence and injured children. I am often asked how many deer I've shot. Frankly, I could never bring myself to injure another living creature and neither would most of the competitors I have met. Yet, I keep finding myself defending the sport from all of the misconceptions that surround it. Most people have developed a negative impression of the sport and I have found that these prejudices are difficult, if not impossible, to rectify. Because of this conflict, I have become an open minded individual. I express my opinions without reservation, and I have learned to accept opinions and viewpoints contrary to my own. I do not intend to alter what I enjoy because of the ignorance of friends and acquaintances. If people have a negative view of me simply because of the sport I am active in, then they must be so superficial that they cannot see the person who I really am. I am no longer apprehensive of being perceived as a gun toting, trigger happy fanatic, even though I still endeavor to educate my friends and relatives on the beauty of this sport. .

Sample Essay #3
Accepted by Wellesley It took me eighteen years to realize what an extraordinary influence my mother has been on my life. She's the kind of person who has thoughtful discussions about which artist she would most want to have her portrait painted by (Sargent), the kind of mother who always has time for her four children, and the kind of community leader who has a seat on the board of every major project to assist Washington's impoverished citizens. Growing up with such a strong role model, I developed many of her enthusiasms. I not only came to love the excitement of learning simply for the sake of knowing something new, but I also came to understand the idea of giving back to the community in exchange for a new sense of life, love, and spirit. My mother's enthusiasm for learning is most apparent in travel. I was nine years old when my family visited Greece. Every night for three weeks before the trip, my older brother Peter and I sat with my mother on her bed reading Greek myths and taking notes on the Greek Gods. Despite the fact that we were traveling with fourteen-month-old twins, we managed to be at each ruin when the site opened at sunrise. I vividly remember standing in an empty ampitheatre pretending to be an ancient tragedian, picking out my favorite sculpture in the Acropolis museum, and inserting our family into modified tales of the battle at Troy. Eight years and half a dozen passport stamps later I have come to value what I have learned on these journeys about global history, politics and culture, as well as my family and myself. While I treasure the various worlds my mother has opened to me abroad, my life has been equally transformed by what she has shown me just two miles from my house. As a ten year old, I often accompanied my mother to (name deleted), a local soup kitchen and children's center. While she attended meetings, I helped with the Summer Program by chasing children around the building and performing magic tricks. Having finally perfected the "floating paintbrush" trick, I began work as a full time volunteer with the five and six year old children last June. It is here that I met Jane Doe, an exceptionally strong girl with a vigor that is contagious. At the end of the summer, I decided to continue my work at (name deleted) as Janes tutor. Although the position is often difficult, the personal rewards are beyond articulation. In the seven years since I first walked through the doors of (name deleted), I have learned not only the idea of giving to others, but also of deriving from them a sense of spirit.

Everything that my mother has ever done has been overshadowed by the thought behind it. While the raw experiences I have had at home and abroad have been spectacular, I have learned to truly value them by watching my mother. She has enriched my life with her passion for learning, and changed it with her devotion to humanity. In her endless love of everything and everyone she is touched by, I have seen a hope and life that is truly exceptional. Next year, I will find a new home miles away. However, my mother will always be by my side. ADMISSIONS COMMITTEE COMMENTS: The topic of this essay is the writer's mother. However, the writer definitely focuses on herself, which makes this essay so strong. She manages to impress the reader with her travel experience, volunteer and community experience, and commitment to learning without ever sounding boastful or full of herself. The essay is also very well organized.

Sample Essay #4
Accepted by Harvard Of all the characters that I've "met" through books and movies, two stand out as people that I most want to emulate. They are Attacus Finch from To Kill A Mockingbird and Dr. Archibald "Moonlight" Graham from Field of Dreams. They appeal to me because they embody what I strive to be. They are influential people in small towns who have a direct positive effect on those around them. I, too, plan to live in a small town after graduating from college, and that positive effect is something I must give in order to be satisfied with my life. Both Mr. Finch and Dr. Graham are strong supporting characters in wonderful stories. They symbolize good, honesty, and wisdom. When the story of my town is written I want to symbolize those things. The base has been formed for me to live a productive, helpful life. As an Eagle Scout, I represent those things that Mr. Finch and Dr. Graham represent. In the child/adolescent world I am Mr. Finch and Dr. Graham, but soon I' ll be entering the adult world, a world in which I' m not yet prepared to lead. I' m quite sure that as teenagers Attacus Finch and Moonlight Graham often wondered what they could do to help others. They probably emulated someone who they had seen live a successful life. They saw someone like my grandfather, 40-year president of our hometown bank, enjoy a lifetime of leading, sharing, and giving. I have seen him spend his Christmas Eves taking gifts of food and joy to indigent families. Often when his bank could not justify a loan to someone in need, my grandfather made the loan from his own pocket. He is a real-life Moonlight Graham, a man who has shown me that characters like Dr. Graham and Mr. Finch do much much more than elicit tears and smiles from readers and movie watchers. Through him and others in my family I feel I have acquired the values and the burning desire to benefit others that will form the foundation for a great life. I also feel that that foundation is not enough. I do not yet have the sophistication, knowledge, and wisdom necessary to succeed as I want to in the adult world. I feel that Harvard, above all others, can guide me toward the life of greatness that will make me the Attacus Finch of my town. ADMISSIONS COMMITTEE COMMENTS: This essay is a great example of how to answer this question well. This applicant chose characters who demonstrated specific traits that reflect on his own personality. We believe that he is sincere about his choices because his reasons are personal (being from a small town, and so forth). He managed to tell us a good deal about himself, his values, and his goals while maintaining a strong focus throughout.

Sample Essay #5
Accepted by Stanford

When I look at this picture of myself, I realize how much I've grown and changed, not only physically, but also mentally as a person in the last couple of years. Less than one month after this photograph was taken, I arrived at the [school's name] in [school's location] without any idea of what to expect. I entered my second year of high school as an innocent thirteen year-old who was about a thousand miles from home and was a new member of not the sophomore, but "lower-middle" class. Around me in this picture are the things which were most important in my life at the time: studying different types of cars and planes, following every move made by Tiger Woods, and seeing the latest blockbuster movies like "The Dark Knight" or "Spider Man 3." On my t-shirt is the rest of my life -- golf. Midway through my senior year at the special [school's name] school, the focuses in my life have changed dramatically. If there is one common occurrence which takes place for every single person in the diverse student body at [school's name], it is that we all grow up much faster for having lived there. I do not know whether this speeding up of the maturing process is generally good or bad, but I definitely have benefited. The classroom has become a whole different realm for me. Before, the teachers and students alike preached the importance of learning, but it was implicitly obvious that the most important concern was grades. At [school's name] teachers genuinely believe that learning is the most importance objective and deeply encourage us to collaborate with each other and make use of all resources that we may find. In fact, in a certain class this year, my teacher assigned us to prepare every day of the week to discuss a certain book; there were only two require-ments in this preparation -- we had to maximize our sources, gleaning from everything and everyone in the school, but we were not allowed to actually look at the book. As a result, I know more about that book than any other that I have actually read. It is teaching methods such as this which ensure that we will learn more. Indeed, this matter of "thinking" has been one of the most important aspects of my experience. Whether in Physics or English, I'm required to approach every problem and idea independently and creatively rather than just regurgitate the teacher's words. In discussion with fellow students both inside and outside of class, the complex thoughts flowing through everyone's brain is evident. However, I believe that the most important concepts that I have espoused in being independent of my parents for half of each year, deal with being a cosmopolitan person. The school's faculty and students are conscious about keeping all of the kids' attention from being based on the school. Every single issue of global concern is brought forth by one group or another whether it be a faculty member, publication, ethnic society, or individual student. Along with being aware of issues of importance, after attending [school's name] my personality has evolved. First, my mannerisms have grown: the school stresses giving respect to everyone and everything. Our former headmaster often said, "Character can be measured not by one's interaction with people who are better off than him or herself, but by one's interactions with those who are worse off." The other prime goal of the school's community is to convert every single timid lower-classman into a loud, rambunctious senior. Basically, if you have an opinion about something, it is wrong not to voice that opinion. Of course, being obnoxious is not the idea. The key is to become a master of communication with teachers, fellow students, all of who are a part of the community, and most importantly, those who are outside of the community. I do not want to make [school's name] sound as if it produces the perfect students, because it doesn't. But the school deserves a lot of credit for its efforts. Often, some part of the mold does remain. As the college experience approaches, I am still the same person, only modified to better maximize my talents. Although I still have some time to play tennis and see movies, perhaps one of the few similarities between this photograph and me now is my smile.

Sample Essay #6
Another excellent free college application essay designed to help inspire college-bound students working on college and university application essays. Passengers dozed peacefully in the cramped, cold, and dark cabin, eye masks on. A sudden jolt, riveting the plane, spurred only a few grumbling snorts from the unconscious travelers. The engines droned while chatty flight attendants gossiped behind a curtain. Everyone seemed at ease, if not bored. Passengers stared blankly at the monitors in front of them and stewardesses sighed when summoned by blinking lights bearing their caricatured silhouettes. I imagined pilots, surrounded by panels of crude switches, nodding off in the wake of the vast and empty frontier ahead of them. I, however, found the flight neither boring nor exciting; as a twelve-year-old, everything

about air travel terrified me. My white-knuckled fists, glistening with cold perspiration, clamped onto the nearest armrest at the mere hint of turbulence. My breath came in shallow gasps as I kept my ears perked for any sign of disruption in the engine's consistent rumble. I bawled during takeoff, clenched my eyes shut while landing, and remained fidgety and sour in the intervening hours. This phobia began affecting me long before my actual departure, days or sometimes even weeks in advance. At first I would lie awake into the wee hours of the night, actively calling forth violent fantasies of what could very well happen during the coming flight. My first vision would be of a quick death: the plane explodes, instantly consuming all its passengers in the conflagration. I considered this possibility most preferable, as I would not have to endure the torturous moments of panicky contemplation that would accompany falling to my death. What if the plane did not simply explode, though? What if a wing dropped off at 30,000 feet? My fantasies would delve into every conceivable disaster, each less plausible yet more terrifying than the previous. Just how carefully did they inspect the engines? In fact, my mind would be so consumed by thoughts of my impending demise on the flight that the prospect of survival would was begin to seem improbable, despite my continued existence flight after flight. On this particular trip, though, my fears were nearly realized. After settling into my seat as much as I was capable after takeoff, my gaze flickered out the window, coming to rest on the billowy plains below. My father joined me and began naming the illuminated grid patterns and landmasses gliding by beneath us when he noticed something I had not: a stream steadily flowing out the edge of the wing. We called for an attendant, who in turn brought the captain. I tried not to look or listen as the pilot arrived at my seat to observe the phenomenon. He craned his neck in what seemed a scrupulous observation and, after a few moments of squinting, delivered his analysis. "We should call this one in." My father and I leaned forward, expecting more explanation or at least some tangible emotion. "And...?" The pilot, however, returned to the cockpit without answer, apparently realizing that we would not be able to comprehend, much less do anything about the information he had just gathered. Eventually technicians determined that the fluid streaming out of the plane was, in fact, jet fuel, and though our supply was sufficient to reach our destination despite the leak, a lightning strike or spark of any kind would ignite the plane's left engine, sending us ablaze into a spiraling freefall terminating in the dark Pacific. No doubt this would delay our arrival. At this announcement, two passengers had seizures and a jittery man seated behind me had to be handcuffed. Most, however, remained quietly anxious in their seats and either resumed napping or continued to stare cross-eyed into the tiny monitors ensconced in the headrests of the persons in front of them. Remarkably in this tense situation, I suddenly stopped obsessing about crashing. Now that I was actually facing real aviation danger, I refused to let fear overwhelm me during what could have been the last moments of my life. Though the chances of our plane being struck by lightning still hovered at roughly half of one percent, those tiny odds were still far greater than the chance of encountering an accident on any other normal flight, which had previously been enough to scare me into near total incapacitation. The increased threat of death did not send me into panic, instead focusing my thoughts on my goals and future. In that situation, I clung tightly to the two very important people sitting next me as I reminisced about those I would leave at home and imagined the new friends and acquaintances I might never meet. I realized then that fear was really just noise, a mere distraction drawing me away from the issues of real importance in my life. It was tunnel vision, corrupting my mentality, consuming me totally in its overwhelmingly irrational, one-dimensional state. It was an addiction and a vice, and I had lived with it for far too long. Because of it, I had grown used to enduring flights like I did the nightmares I contrived; they seemed to never end. Thanks to my newfound clarity, the remaining hours of that tense flight slipped away without dread, and I never again obsessed over our odds even as we touched down. Instead, more important things replaced those figures and fantasies, such as the duties and goals I aspired to accomplish during my life. Rather than focusing on fear, I resolved to direct my energies and thoughts at all that I have left to accomplish. While I have no control over possibly perishing in a freak airplane accident, I do have the ability to improve my chance of attaining my dreams; thus, I intend to spend my life constantly looking forward, rather than worrying about how high I rise or how far I may fall.

Sample Essay #7

Another excellent free college application essay designed to help inspire college-bound students working on college and university application essays. "Let me help you, ma'am; all you need to do is match the number on your bingo board with the number I call out. Whenever you have a match, just put this little red chip on top of it. And of course, don't forget to say 'Bingo!' when you have a line of five red chips." After providing this instruction, I smiled at the lady and reflected on my work. As I was teaching that eighty-year-old woman how to play bingo, she, along with many other seniors, was teaching me how to live a fulfilling life. As a dedicated volunteer at Deaconess Hospital, I work closely with elderly patients, both organizing and participating in activities. Since the summer of my junior year, I have played a vital role in assisting with bingo games for patients, helping to set up and run those games almost every Saturday. Then, prior to the start of each game, I go around the room with a colorful bowl collecting twenty-five cents from each of the players. Despite the measly sum of the fee, however, I often struggle to gather the funds; very few people willingly give up their money. One regular participant in particular -- Ruth -- always gives me enormous trouble when I try to collect a quarter from her. The moment I enter her sight, she never fails to say something like, "You again?" or "Don't bother -- I don't have any money." Despite her seemingly negative responses, I have never been discouraged; instead, I have come to consider those harsh words her normal greeting. After batting over money for several minutes, I can finally get the game underway. I start calling out numbers while the participants are still chatting, as they never completely quiet down no matter how many times I ask; just like kids in kindergarten, they have endless things to talk about. As I shout numbers, though, another battle begins. No matter how loud I scream, Gordon -- another regular player -often interrupts by shouting back at me, "What was the number?" or responding to my call of "Fifty!" with "Sixty?" Annoyed by his constant questioning, other players then inevitably begin shouting at him, "It's fifty! Five-oh!" Impatient comments such as "Stupid," would then fly about the room, causing me to start calling out numbers by their digits to avoid further conflict. Every so often, one of my elderly acquaintances stops showing up at the center altogether. In asking about their whereabouts, I usually discover that they have passed away, "Gone on to a better place," as my supervisors put it. Though a relatively common occurrence given the age of this population, I still find it sad every time this happens. Despite their stubborn unwillingness to part with a quarter, ceaseless talking, and impatience combined with hearing loss, those bingo-playing seniors have inspired me greatly. Observing them has taught me how to truly enjoy life. Even with their difficulties moving, communicating, and remembering, my elderly friends still manage to live happy and fulfilling lives, treasuring every moment of their days. They also refuse to let problems, however large or small they may be, overwhelm them. In reflecting on this, I find it amazing that young people, physically and mentally strong, complain about so much. They waste their time on alcohol and drugs, and fritter away their lives with ridiculous, mind-numbing pursuits. Working with elderly patients at the hospital has taught me that everyone gets only one chance in this world. Thus, we should strive to make the most of every day, a goal that now motivates me in all of my undertakings and a lesson that I aspire to share with others.

Sample Essay #8
Another excellent free college application essay designed to help inspire college-bound students working on college and university application essays. "Hello my name is Roy Hon nice to meet you," stiffly mumbled a boy with an awkward accent, eyes full of fear and uncertainty. Immersed in an unknown environment at the age of thirteen, everything seemed uncertain to him. In this mysterious land, people existed in all shapes and colors: black, white, blonde, brunette, and every combination in between. Despite these physical differences, however, everyone shared one thing in common: English, the language that tied lives together and facilitated communication between diverse individuals. The foreign boy, however, knew little of the English language, able to understand and speak no more than a toddler in that tongue. He never imagined one day settling in the United States or eventually sitting in his room and composing a college essay in English. Upon first arriving in the U.S, I was extremely lonely, lacking any friends or family in whom to confide. This massive transition in my life saddled me with great pain and sadness. At school I seemed invisible while at home, television provided my only companionship. I missed China, longing for delicious authentic

Chinese foods and thirsting for the love of my big family and dear friends. I clung to memories of my previous home to inject warmth and happiness into my otherwise dismal life. Building relationships was not easy, as I was fearful of approaching others due to my language deficiencies. "If only I could speak English," I constantly thought. "If only I could speak English," I would not seethe with anger whenever someone openly mocked me, responding with a bowed head or fake smile. "If only I could speak English," I would stop shaking when speaking in front of my class. "If only I could speak English," I would earn grades that accurately reflected my intellect, rather than simply marks of "OK" on tests. "If only I could speak English," I would not have to answer questions by simply nodding or shaking my head. Such thoughts filled my head every day, each tantalizing me with how my life would improve if I could speak English. Again, however, I realized I was living in a fantasy world; I had fallen into the habit of simply dreaming about how my life could improve and wishing that things were better rather than actually striving to enact those improvements. Realizing this, I became a pragmatic person, focused on the present and working to turn thoughts into action. I forced myself to communicate, even if doing so occasionally caused embarrassment. Once upon arriving to class late, the teacher greeted me with, "What's up, Roy?" Not understanding this colloquial phrase, my eyes glanced upwards, before refocusing on the teacher as I answered, "Nothing." Immediately laughter rippled across the classroom; I laughed too, though without knowing why. When class ended, I gathered my courage and asked my teacher to explain what had happened; I wanted to learn, even if it was initially embarrassing or confusing. If only I could speak English: instead of a refrain of remorse, I used this thought to motivate my growth. It helped me overcome the struggles I faced in this new land, turning me into a realistic, social, and confident individual. By forcing myself to make friends in school, I became outgoing and independent, willing to interact with diverse classmates. As I did so, I realized that I had become friends with half of the people in my grade. In opening up, I found that the world was not nearly as scary or dreadful as I had feared; instead, it was full of warmth and positive energy. Previously, I had lacked friends not because I couldn't speak English, but because I had built wall around myself with my negative energy and focus on what I could not do. Now, though, I am vice president of the Chinese Culture Club, a top student, and a confident friend to many. Looking back, I still remember the innocent and quiet boy who arrived in this country, afraid of even trying to talk. How far that boy has grown; now, I am a man who loves greeting others: "Hey! What's up, I'm Roy, it's a pleasure to meet you!"

Sample Medical School Essays

Updated on Thursday 30 September 2010 This section contains two sample medical school essays Medical School Essay One How will your life experience thus far add a unique dimension to our entering medical school class? What will a medical degree mean to you or you family? "Lastly, I would like to acknowledge the assistance of my colleagues and our industrial partners at Siemens and Radionics who were instrumental in the completion of this research project, " I said concluding my presentation at the annual fall meeting of the Biomedical Engineering Society last month in October. Although I felt nervous before my first oral presentation at a professional conference, afterwards I felt an overwhelming sense of joy and accomplishment. All the hard work and late nights in the lab had finally paid off.

In my research, I am involved with the interventional MRI project at [major hospital] where MR images are used to guide and monitor minimally invasive therapies such as localized biopsy and thermal ablation of cancerous tumors. My research topic is on the spatial calibration procedure and the interactive scan plane localization for device tracking in a low-field open MR imager. In the course of my research, I developed a unique and accurate method of defining spatial coordinates inside the imaging volume of the open MR imager, which led to the publication and presentation of two separate abstracts at two different professional conferences in Sydney, Australia and Cleveland, Ohio. My strong scientific research background and my clear understanding of the basic concepts of scientific inquiry and method will help me become a good physician. Having learned the technical aspects of biomedical science for the last six years, I am anxious to start learning about the clinical aspects of biomedical science. To me, a medical degree does not merely mean that I have survived four rigorous years of medical school and have something tangible to show my family. To me a medical degree has much more significance. A medical degree means that I can make a daily contribution to society by utilizing my education to help others in need. Perhaps even more important to my academic accomplishments are my experiences outside the classroom. Being a minority student, I understand the importance of diversity. As an active member of the Asian-American Student Association at [major university], I helped to promote ethnic diversity and cultural awareness on campus. Our Chinese Cultural Committee sponsored the Chinese New Year event on campus to promote cultural awareness at the school's international fair. Our group featured not only traditional Chinese food but also a Chinese fashion show and a demonstration of Chinese kung fu. Furthermore, our association organized several volunteering trips to serve food to the homeless at a local soup kitchen in Nashville. In graduate school at [major university], I continued with my involvement in diversity-related issues by serving as a student representative on the Faculty Senate Minority Affairs Committee as a part of my duty as a senator in the Graduate Student Senate. I was involved in organizing a special event on "Strategies for Success in Graduate School" for minority students. The keynote speaker of the event was Dr. Howard Adams, founder and director of the National Institute on Mentoring and a recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring. I also engaged in a discussion of diversity content in the curriculum of Arts and Sciences and helped with the planning of a student-faculty roundtable discussion of how diverse students learn. Moreover, our committee cosponsored a special dialogue on race as part of the President's Initiative on Race entitled "[major university] Talks About Race." If given the opportunity, I will bring my experience and enthusiasm in promoting diversity to the Rush community. Moreover, I sincerely believe my work ethic and considerable research experience will help make me an outstanding medical student and will enable me to contribute to the educational experience of other students at Rush Medical School.

Medical School Essay Two

As a potential medical student, I will strive to be a tremendous asset to The Chicago Medical School by devoting all my time and life to becoming an excellent physician. I believe that I am obligated to use my talents in a constructive manner, in a manner that benefits society. The medical career gives me the unique opportunity to express my many talents while benefiting human life. B. Berston M.D. once said: " ... a funny thing happens to medical students on their way to becoming physicians: they forget how to hold a conversation". I believe that my ability to communicate makes me well suited to pursue a medical career. While I possess the strong science background necessary for success in the profession, I also consider myself a "people" person. As a waiter and bartender, I dramatically improved and expanded my communication skills since I was constantly meeting new people and discussing different topics. Because people constantly disclosed their personal issues to me as a bartender, I learned to become not only a good conversationalist, but also an excellent listener. In medical school, I also plan to pursue side work educating students and serving as a resource to the public. One of my most rewarding experiences has been tutoring high school students in math, physics, and biology, and helping people in my choir learn Byzantine music. Always able to develop a good rapport with students, I believe I possess a talent for teaching others in a friendly manner and in a manner that helps them to grasp difficult concepts easily. As part of my medical career, I will aim to continue teaching and to provide information to the public on the prevention and treatment of ailments and diseases. Undoubtedly my cultural diversity will be a great contribution to The Chicago Medical School. Being raised in a Greek family in Canada, visiting different countries, and now living in the United States, I have experienced the similarities and differences among many diverse cultural groups and geographical areas. This allowed me to relate to different types of people by understanding their ways and beliefs, a quality that will help me work well with other medical students and help me serve my patients better in the future. Highly motivated to succeed, I dramatically improved my grades following a time of confusion and immaturity in 1990 and 1991,which was brought on by family illness and turmoil. Once I realized what goal I wanted to pursue in life, I worked hard to succeed, and my remaining five years of schooling are truly indicative of my intellectual capacity and motivation for success. My strength as a candidate to The Chicago Medical School lies mostly in the objectives that I plan to fulfill upon becoming a physician. They are, in no particular order of importance, as follows: 1) To provide excellence in comprehensive care by using my acquired skills as both a competent professional and also as a compassionate human being. 2) To cultivate my leadership role both in the community of my practice and in the nation to formulate and maintain health care principles and advancements. 3) To employ the latest knowledge and techniques in detection and prevention of disease, and the restoration of health. 4) To develop and employ methods to take care of an aging population. 5) To show reverence for human beings by giving excellent care to all 6) To forever expand my knowledge through experience, continuing education courses, and research.

I have been diligent in my pursuit of medicine as a career because I am convinced that medicine offers me the opportunity to live a fulfilling, rewarding life dedicated to helping others. I will enter medicine eager to learn and thirsting for the knowledge to help my fellow human beings. Attending The Chicago Medical School would be one of the greatest rewards for my motivation and persistence for success. I swear to uphold and exceed all that is expected of a future physician while promoting the progress of medicine and humanity.