The Me-to-We Movement: College Admission Essay Sample

My mother first introduced me to the me-to-we way of life. She has always been my heroine and my source of motivation. Her primary concern as a physician is to help as many people as possible. At first, I did not understand why she always worked fourteen hours a day and constantly checked on her patients. When I entered college, I came to realize that she is selflessly trying to provide the best care to patients with cancer. Like my mother, my father engaged in work with a broad purpose. He conducted research at New York University on the effect of stressors on the brain for more than a decade. Since I was young, I appreciated my parents’ hard work and their impact on our community. Now, I can embark on a long but exciting journey to use my knowledge and the power of science to benefit world citizens. I began my first research internship in the summer of sophomore year in high school. This life-changing experience introduced me to the intellectually engaging process of biological research. Since then, I want to engage in biomedical research in an academic setting because it is a perfect synchronization of cutting edge scientific discovery and medical treatment that will enhance the lives of countless people.

After my mentor told me I was hired for the summer to work in her lab, I reacted with both elation and anxiety. Although I love to study genetics and development, I was not mentally prepared to handle the unexpected in a professional, university-level laboratory. Images of old and obsessed scientists washing a thousand test tubes and boiling deadly chemicals ran through my head. In addition, the idea of working with fruit flies did not sound extremely enticing. After weeks, I finally conquered my fear of failure. When I met her, Dr. Barbara Taylor defied all of my expectations. Her entertaining talk on fruit fly genetics and the possible applications to human sexuality immediately grabbed my attention. After eight weeks of working in her lab, I learned more than I could ever dream of about Drosophila melanogaster. From staining tissues using antibodies to observing courtship rituals, these little flies taught me a valuable lesson—do not doubt that the result of scientific studies can change the world.

An education at the University of Oregon, especially the Honors College, will provide me a more substantial insight into the opportunities related to biomedical research. The Honors College, with close faculty and student interactions and the senior thesis requirement, can give me more exposure to different scientific fields. It will definitely open many doors for me to achieve my educational and career goals. I may pursue a M.D./Ph.D. dual degree so I can continue doing scientific research in a university. This will allow me both interaction with patients and communication with the larger scientific community.

I have always been an optimistic and curious individual. I am not afraid of failure and curious to confront and overcome it. Although I have encountered numerous problems in the laboratory, I constantly strive to perfect my skills. I understand that teamwork and cooperation are essential to success. By helping others on this journey, I help myself improve. Even unconscious of this phenomenon, I am transitioning from me-to-we thinking.