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Admissions Value Diversity

Decent Essays

1. The Committee on Admissions values diversity as an important factor in the educational mission of the Wake Forest School of Medicine. How will you contribute to the diversity of your medical school class and to the medical community in general? (400 words or less). I am half-Chinese, half-Swedish, and both a Swedish and an American citizen. Throughout my life, my parents have always stressed the importance of celebrating all three of my nationalities; however, growing up, my peers were not able to accept me for being anything but “some sort of Asian.” In spite of my Swedish heritage and our shared upbringing in the homogeneously white town of Rye, I was always treated differently because of my appearance. Constantly having …show more content…

Although he had undergone an amputation due to diabetes-related complications, George was beaming as he sat in his wheelchair. Ignoring the physician who was attempting to give him instructions for post-operative care, George peppered me with questions ranging from what was my favorite hobby to what I enjoyed most about attending Colby College. Laughing through her big, toothy smile, George’s wife covered his mouth to halt the barrage. She informed me that George used to work in the Colby dining halls, and his favorite part of the job was talking with students. He was forced to stop, however, due to his health. As his wife went ahead to get their car, George and I continued to talk, and he confided in me that it had been difficult to make ends meet recently. The sense that he was no longer able to provide for his family weighed heavily on him; however, talking with Colby students helped him forget about his hardships and reminded him of when he could work. George’s story has stayed with me because his struggles should have been averted. By undergoing preventative measures, his chronic illness may have had a better outcome. Perhaps most troubling, George’s story was not unique. Due to their lack of both insurance and health literacy, many patients I met while volunteering in Maine suffered from afflictions that were …show more content…

The memory of George’s struggles provides a continuous reminder of why I am pursuing a career in medicine and serves as a perpetual source of motivation. I have a responsibility to those less fortunate than me to work my hardest and to continuously improve, so I may grow to ensure that others do not needlessly suffer as George has. Moreover, the knowledge of healthcare inequities I have gained will allow me to bring the concerns of underserved populations to the Wake Forest School of Medicine and help foster the growth of physicians who are dedicated to aiding the disadvantaged. Medical school will undoubtedly be wrought with challenges; however, I am confident that dedication to ameliorate others’ suffering will allow me not only to thrive, but also enrich the learning experience of my peers. 4. If you have already received your bachelor's degree, please describe what you have been doing since graduation and your plans for the upcoming year (200 words or

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