This comprehensive reflection is intended to help me articulate my undergraduate journey and decision to pursue medical school as concisely and eloquently as possible. Comprehensive and concise tend to be at odds with one another, but I will do my best.
I decided to take an introductory chemistry course to keep all health careers (including doctor) open as an option. Knowing that the pre-med track was rigorous, I knew it was in my best interest to begin taking the necessary courses as soon as possible in order to stay “on track”. However, a part of me really doubted if that was the right path for me; science classes had always been my least favorite in high school, so I was fully prepared to change my trajectory and pursue the job I had always wanted as a child: English (or Psychology) professor. To my surprise, I actually enjoyed chemistry. I found the concepts of electron orbitals quite fascinating, and I appreciated the intellectual rigor that this course presented. I continued to take the introductory chemistry courses, and discovered I quite enjoyed organic chemistry as well. Despite how challenging these courses were, I stayed motivated by my interest in the subject matter.
One of my most significant academic critical junctures was studying abroad during the summer following my 2nd year. (This is still relevant, so stay with me here.) After taking 15 courses of creative writing while in Rome, reconnecting with my passion for literature and prose, I began to seriously question whether it was the right decision to continue taking science courses as a 3rd year if I wasn’t completely committed to any scientific profession. I was taking all of the courses required of a biochemistry major, but I wasn’t sure if that was what I really wanted to do. Sure, I managed to do pretty well in my classes, but I could get even better grades if I became an English major, it seemed. So, upon returning home after consuming hearty amounts of prosciutto and gelato, I had a heartfelt conversation with my elder sister regarding my academic future. Explaining how I felt to her helped me realize that I was holding back from a career in health care due to a fear of rejection, difficulty, and cost. After all, many medical schools cost ~$50,000/year. After confronting my hesitations, I decided to commit to learning more about medical professions. Within a year, I began volunteering weekly at Swedish Medical Center, joined a pre-medical chapter of an international medical fraternity, and started training/working as a medical scribe at Seattle Children’s Hospital. I have now shadowed doctors in various fields in different settings (in-patient hospital vs out-patient clinic vs private practice), and truly feel that working as a doctor in primary care is the right fit for me. I am excited about pursuing a career as a physician, and I am committed to work in underserved majority-minority urban areas with predominantly low-income patients.
Throughout this journey, I realized how grateful I am to have been a part of the Honors college. Not only did this provide volunteering opportunities and access to wonderful advisors, I was also able to act as a mentor to several incoming students and attend small group-advising pre-med sessions as well. Coming into college I really wanted an interdisciplinary education (I consider attending other colleges with a "liberal arts" curriculum), and I have found that the Honors college truly emphasizes this, requiring students to take writing-intensive classes in a variety of subjects. I met some of my favorite professors through Honors classes, several of whom were willing to write me letters of recommendations for study abroad opportunities and scholarships. Looking back, I am proud of myself for making the most of my college education. I truly immersed myself in the many opportunities offered on campus and in the community. I continued to prioritize service throughout my four years, developed leadership and interpersonal skills, and mentored younger students along the way. This portfolio will help others get an idea of what my experience at UW has been like, and hopefully everyone can learn something: either about me, the Honors program, or one of the organizations I was involved in.
Of course, none of this would be possible without the incredible support of my family and friends. The encouragement of my parents, siblings, and close friends helped me stay determined and ambitious to obtain a degree, and I ended up completing the requirements for a double major in Biochemistry and Communication (and a minor in English). With their moral support, I have managed to attend class full-time while working several jobs: when I was discouraged by a particularly difficult exam, a rough day at work, or simply felt overwhelmed, I knew I had someone I could call who would remind me that I was capable of fighting past the self-doubt.
After four years at UW, I feel more confident, self-aware, curious, determined; I am definitely proud to be a life-long Husky. Go Dawgs!
I decided to take an introductory chemistry course to keep all health careers (including doctor) open as an option. Knowing that the pre-med track was rigorous, I knew it was in my best interest to begin taking the necessary courses as soon as possible in order to stay “on track”. However, a part of me really doubted if that was the right path for me; science classes had always been my least favorite in high school, so I was fully prepared to change my trajectory and pursue the job I had always wanted as a child: English (or Psychology) professor. To my surprise, I actually enjoyed chemistry. I found the concepts of electron orbitals quite fascinating, and I appreciated the intellectual rigor that this course presented. I continued to take the introductory chemistry courses, and discovered I quite enjoyed organic chemistry as well. Despite how challenging these courses were, I stayed motivated by my interest in the subject matter.
One of my most significant academic critical junctures was studying abroad during the summer following my 2nd year. (This is still relevant, so stay with me here.) After taking 15 courses of creative writing while in Rome, reconnecting with my passion for literature and prose, I began to seriously question whether it was the right decision to continue taking science courses as a 3rd year if I wasn’t completely committed to any scientific profession. I was taking all of the courses required of a biochemistry major, but I wasn’t sure if that was what I really wanted to do. Sure, I managed to do pretty well in my classes, but I could get even better grades if I became an English major, it seemed. So, upon returning home after consuming hearty amounts of prosciutto and gelato, I had a heartfelt conversation with my elder sister regarding my academic future. Explaining how I felt to her helped me realize that I was holding back from a career in health care due to a fear of rejection, difficulty, and cost. After all, many medical schools cost ~$50,000/year. After confronting my hesitations, I decided to commit to learning more about medical professions. Within a year, I began volunteering weekly at Swedish Medical Center, joined a pre-medical chapter of an international medical fraternity, and started training/working as a medical scribe at Seattle Children’s Hospital. I have now shadowed doctors in various fields in different settings (in-patient hospital vs out-patient clinic vs private practice), and truly feel that working as a doctor in primary care is the right fit for me. I am excited about pursuing a career as a physician, and I am committed to work in underserved majority-minority urban areas with predominantly low-income patients.
Throughout this journey, I realized how grateful I am to have been a part of the Honors college. Not only did this provide volunteering opportunities and access to wonderful advisors, I was also able to act as a mentor to several incoming students and attend small group-advising pre-med sessions as well. Coming into college I really wanted an interdisciplinary education (I consider attending other colleges with a "liberal arts" curriculum), and I have found that the Honors college truly emphasizes this, requiring students to take writing-intensive classes in a variety of subjects. I met some of my favorite professors through Honors classes, several of whom were willing to write me letters of recommendations for study abroad opportunities and scholarships. Looking back, I am proud of myself for making the most of my college education. I truly immersed myself in the many opportunities offered on campus and in the community. I continued to prioritize service throughout my four years, developed leadership and interpersonal skills, and mentored younger students along the way. This portfolio will help others get an idea of what my experience at UW has been like, and hopefully everyone can learn something: either about me, the Honors program, or one of the organizations I was involved in.
Of course, none of this would be possible without the incredible support of my family and friends. The encouragement of my parents, siblings, and close friends helped me stay determined and ambitious to obtain a degree, and I ended up completing the requirements for a double major in Biochemistry and Communication (and a minor in English). With their moral support, I have managed to attend class full-time while working several jobs: when I was discouraged by a particularly difficult exam, a rough day at work, or simply felt overwhelmed, I knew I had someone I could call who would remind me that I was capable of fighting past the self-doubt.
After four years at UW, I feel more confident, self-aware, curious, determined; I am definitely proud to be a life-long Husky. Go Dawgs!