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Brief Personal Essay Samples

Question 1: In what way(s) are you a product of the world around you? How has it, or how will it, impact your journey in medicine?

From an early age, I was fascinated by stories of my father's tales of service and sacrifice, instilling in me a deep admiration for those who dedicate their lives to serving others. His gift for storytelling planted a seed of curiosity about the world and ignited a passion for making a meaningful impact.

My father joined the aid relief efforts in the Philippines, following the devastation of the typhoon in 2013. Hearing about the profound impact of healthcare and humanitarian aid on vulnerable communities left an indelible mark on me. It inspired me to find ways to follow my father's example in my own community.

I sought opportunities to work with marginalized communities in a rural medical clinic, where I provided healthcare to individuals who lacked access to basic services. Every patient I met experienced their own socioeconomic barriers to healthcare, while living scant miles from a large, urban center. Each interaction reinforced my commitment to advocating for equitable healthcare and addressing health disparities.

My father's and my own experiences has shaped my vision of medicine as a vehicle for social justice. I am driven to bridge gaps in healthcare access, empower marginalized communities, and contribute to a healthcare system that prioritizes compassion and inclusivity.

I aspire to integrate clinical expertise with advocacy and community engagement, ensuring that every patient receives the care they deserve and need. In my eyes, meaningful change begins with empathy, perseverance, and a steadfast commitment to improving the lives of others.

Question 2: Investor and philanthropist Charlie Munger is known for saying: “We all are learning, modifying, or destroying ideas all the time. Rapid destruction of your ideas when the time is right is one of the most valuable qualities you can acquire. You must force yourself to consider arguments on the other side.” Explore how this may affect a career in medicine.

I have firsthand experience with the positive impact of destroying outdated ideas, and it has profoundly impacted my perspective on medicine. I was raised to be a religious, conservative, and pro-life individual. Today, I am a more tolerant, pro-choice advocate. This complete turnaround has undeniably shaped my journey into medicine and my worldview.

Growing up, I adhered strictly to pro-life beliefs and a rigid moral lens. However, as a teen, a close friend confided in me that she endured a traumatic assault. As she weighed her options and the fact her parents would disown her for her choice, her physical and emotional pain shattered my simplistic understanding and compelled me to reevaluate my original stance.

Watching her navigate this harrowing ordeal, I saw firsthand how medical decisions are often deeply personal, influenced by unique circumstances and individual struggles, not by the moral teachings of my childhood. This experience taught me that rigid ideologies can blind us to the nuanced realities of healthcare.

In supporting my friend, I allowed myself to question and ultimately discard my previously held beliefs. This shift has made me a more open-minded, compassionate individual, better equipped to support patients through their diverse experiences.

As I enter medical school, I am committed to fostering a practice rooted in empathy. I will strive to honor the diverse experiences of my patients, ensuring they feel heard, supported, and respected. By embracing the destruction of my old self, I aim to contribute to a more compassionate and effective healthcare system.

ABS Personal Statement Sample

Write about an impactful experience from your Autobiographical Sketch that demonstrates your personal growth, character and values. How did this experience prepare you for medical school? (500 words)

When I was 23, I received the Ontario Medal for Young Volunteers for my work supporting children with diabetes. This, to me, was a mark of all I had accomplished and how far I’d come. As a teen, I decided to start my own charity in support of children with diabetes, helping to fund treatment, medication and family support resources.

My inspiration was drawn from my own family, since my younger brother was diagnosed with Type 1 at a young age. Since our family lived in a more rural area, we didn’t always have easy access to medical care or treatment, and it was sometimes a struggle to afford the care we could access. This experience shaped my desire to start my charity. It began with organizing community events, Walks for Diabetes, advocating for others like my family and setting up bottle drives, raffles and other fundraisers so I could lend support to families like mine. Upon entering university, my efforts began to get my charity registered and off the ground. I knew as an organization we could be far more effective. Within a year, my charity, Walk for Adam, was up and running. In three years, we have raised over $500,000 for children with diabetes and their families and have been able to help provide access to treatment and medical care to hundreds of low-income patients.

While receiving the honor was surprising and welcome, it really underlined for me the importance of the work I’ve been doing and how critical it is to continue to advocate, educate and spread awareness about the issues so many families face. There are so many children, just like my brother, who make do with what they have. There are so many parents who stretch the family budget to care for their kids. When others are informed, they care, and when a community cares, everyone within that community is taken care of.

I believe this accomplishment, or rather, the experiences which led me to receiving this honor, have prepared me for medical. Specifically, they have prepared me to become a physician. From a young age I have understood the effects a chronic illness can have on a patient and their families, but in starting Walk for Adam, I have come to understand the underlying importance of being health-conscious and health-educated. Starting this charity has informed me of the social and economical disparities in health care, and the fact that not everyone has equal access to this right. It would be my goal as a medical student and physician to address these problems and to continue to serve communities like mine, and the families of Walk for Adam.

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