Becoming a physician has always been my vocational desire, and women's health has always intrigued me.  Thus, coming into medical school, a career in obstetrics and gynecology was my goal, a longstanding goal indeed.  My close friend even predicted it for my future six years ago in her high school valedictorian speech.  [ Do we really care what a HS valedictorian said in a speech?] However, throughout the first two years of medical school, I kept an open mind and was coaxed into considering other avenues, which unfortunately only lead to great confusion.  However, during the third year, at about 2:30am on the labor and delivery ward at Medical Center, I stepped back onto my golden road.  Through my fatigue, as I awaited my chance to help bring a new life into this world, the fog lifted, and I was sure.  Obstetrics and gynecology is my career desire!

Because I knew I would matriculate as a premedical student, I purposefully decided to attend X University in New City USA, which has a stellar reputation for guiding the most African American students to medical school admission.  At X, I got a strong start on the premedical road participating in the Biomedical Summer Program.  I continued to learn and improve myself by participating in the Alpha National Premedical Honor Society, Mu National Honor Society, Beta Beta Beta Biological Honor Society, and University Environmental Club. [How did any of these prepare the student for medical school, and more importantly, why are they important to a residency in Ob/Gyn?] In association with these organizations I volunteered at various events and attended numerous enrichment seminars.  During summer breaks, I expanded my knowledge of and experience in medicine. In the summer of 1997, I worked with Dr. Y, MD in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at State University in medical research. I actively participated in a medical laboratory, developing important technical skills in molecular biology. The summer of 1998, I participated in the State University Premedical Enrichment Program (PREP), which includes problem based learning development, career guidance, and clinical exposure.  All of these experiences during my undergraduate matriculation provided for me a solid foundation prior to medical school. [Again, you're not applying to medical school, we KNOW you should have had a solid foundation for med school! At least we hjope so! Tell us why this is important for Residency!]

Upon entering medical school, my primary goals were to do well academically so that I might become an excellent, knowledgeable physician, and to give back to those organizations that have been imperative in my career development.  I also wanted to continue my extra curricular commitments at church, as a leader in the young adult ministry, member of the gospel choir, and member of the praise dance team.  During the first year of medical school, I served as recording secretary for the Medical Association, and participated in the Other Medical Association.  During our free summer between first and second year, I took the opportunity to learn more about the connection between spirituality and medicine, and to act as a role model to high school students.  First, I participated in two weeks of clinical pastoral education at Medical Center through the Spiritual Care Department, interacting with patients from another perspective of their overall wellbeing.  Then, I served as a faculty advisor and operations coordinator with the National Forum on Medicine, an excellent introduction for high school students interested in medical careers. I served as a leader for this wonderful program, which was influential in my decision making when I was in high school.  As academic demands increased during the second year of medical school, I focussed my extracurricular activities, becoming a leader in the charter chapter of the Medical and Dental Association at State University and fulfilling my church commitments.  [Great! But again, please explain how these were helpful in your decision to pursue Ob/Gyn!] Towards the end of my second year, another opportunity for me to give back to another influential program during my premedical experience surfaced.  I served on the admissions committee for the 2001 University Premedical Enrichment Program.  Though time constraints changed during the third year of medical school, I continued to participate in church activities and the 2002 University PREP admissions committee.  Now, as a fourth year medical student, I look forward to giving back to University medical school by volunteering as a Doctoring 4 Fellow, helping to facilitate the Doctoring 2 experience with second year medical students.

A career in medicine is not simply an occupation.  It is a vocation, a means of service and support to others.  Through obstetrics and gynecology I will give of myself to serve to the best of my ability.  Upon completing residency, I plan to complete a public health fellowship in maternal and child health, then practice medicine while giving to the community.  Though medicine is a major commitment, I will also continue to make time for my other values, including spirituality, family and self.  A long, hard road lies ahead.  However, I have the strength and enthusiasm to endure.[ This last paragraph is very general. The student's residency choice of Ob/Gyn is only briefly alluded to twice during the entire PS, and we have a very poor sense of why this person really chose Ob/Gyn, their career interests and future goals]