Back in middle school, I decided that I wanted to pursue a career in life sciences. Since that time, my goal has become more and more refined as I have gained more knowledge about the field. Through speaking with guidance counselors, teachers, and members of several branches of biology, including employees of the CDC, biotechnology companies, and pharmaceutical companies, I have decided that I would like to participate in medical research. I believe that research is a perfect fit for me, allowing me to utilize my logical thinking capabilities, and also allowing me to help people afflicted by presently incurable diseases. When a friend of mine was recently diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor at the age of eighteen, I decided that I would specifically like to participate in cancer research. Now, as a freshman in college, this is where my aspirations currently lie.

I recognize that this is a difficult goal to achieve. I’m currently planning to receive a Bachelor’s of Science in Molecular/Cellular Biology with a minor in Chemistry and/or Psychology at the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign. I expect that it will be necessary to eventually earn a PHD, or a combination MD/PhD, and have taken action in investigating both. The “medical scholar” degree, or combination MD/PhD, seems to be the more promising route, but also the more difficult. At the University of Illinois, the MD/PhD program is an eight-year program, beginning after earning the B.S. degree, and involving both medical and graduate research.

In order to prepare for this challenge, I applied to an undergraduate research laboratory this past October and was accepted for the upcoming spring 2004 semester. This is a great honor, as very few freshmen are accepted into undergraduate laboratories. The professor who manages the laboratory commented that I seemed to be serious about gaining experience, and that I “was ready to jump in with both feet,” which aided his decision in accepting me. I’m hoping my experiences in this laboratory will provide me with essential skills for a career in research. In addition, I worked diligently in all of my fall classes, and succeeded in maintaining a 4.0 GPA while remaining enrolled in the college honors program. I am also actively involved in the Colleges Against Cancer Society on campus, which is an affiliate of the American Cancer Society, and have already been promoted to co-chair of the Logistics Committee in that organization, as a freshman.

I believe that the most influential component of my success is my dedication to my education and my intolerance for doing anything less than my best. I have maintained these qualities for some time, as demonstrated by the fact that I graduated with a 4.0 from high school, finishing 7th in my class of 450. I thrive in leadership roles, and am not intimidated by challenges. All I want to do with my life is realize my goal of doing medical research, with dreams of aiding the advancement of science and of helping my fellow man. Thank you for your consideration in helping me to achieve this goal.