Please correct grammar and mechanics, etc. This needs to be flawless!

When I was a little girl, I would proudly march around the house informing everybody
that I was going to be a teacher so that I could help people. However, every
time I would tell this to my grandmother, she would laugh and tell me that I
was not going to be a teacher; I was going to be in the medical field. I was
only in middle school at the time but in retrospect, it was as if my
grandmother knew for what I was destined.

My grandmother sadly passed away in the summer of 2007. What started as a routine gallbladder
surgery turned into two more surgeries and ultimately her demise. I know that
each and every member of her medical team did everything in their abilities to
help my grandmother. During these moments, I thought maybe I would like to be a
member of this team; a team so passionate, caring, and intelligent that they
cared for another’s family member until her last breaths of life. It would be
an honor to be a part of such a group. But I did not always know that I
belonged among this team.

Starting in middle school, it was clear that I excelled in math and science courses, and
this trend continued into high school. Following high school, I attended the
University of BLANK as a biomedical engineering major. However, I soon
knew that engineering wasn’t where my heart lied. I realized that I did not want
to be the person behind the scenes building medical devices. I wanted to be the
one using those devices and interacting with the patients. Yet, I was not sure
that medical school was really the right fit for me as having a family of my
own within a few years was, and still is, important to me. That same year I
researched the Physician Assistant (PA) career and it sounded like the perfect
blend of autonomy and team work, as well as career and family life. It was
everything I wanted. In 2009, I transferred to BLANK College to try
majoring in Human Biology, with the next step being the PA program. I had never
felt more at home. I would wake up each morning excited to attend class,
knowing that I would gain knowledge that I would one day apply to my daily
life. I knew I was on the right path, and my grades reflected it, giving me the
confidence to continue.

Learning about the human body truly fascinates me. I’m excited to know that I may soon
have the opportunity to use my academic talents to make a difference in
someone’s life if given the honor of being a part of the PA program. Suddenly I see everything in my life as being
a stepping stone on the road to becoming a PA. Realizing biomedical engineering
was not for me set me on the correct path. Working in a nursing home on the
rehabilitation unit is no longer a way to make ends meet, but a way to gain
experience working with a healthcare team and thinking quickly in a stressful
environment. It is helping the patients to improve their quality of life as
well as bringing a smile to their face. I’ve gained valuable skills from this
part time job such as how to collaborate with nurses and other aides as well as
how to perform basic medical tasks such as checking vital signs and assisting
nurses with dressings. It has also helped me to begin practicing bedside manner
and patient interactions. My second part time job at Stride Rite is no longer
just selling shoes to little children anymore either. It is learning to make a
child feel comfortable and safe despite the stranger attempting to measure
their foot with a “scary” metal brannock, much like in a medical environment. These two part time jobs also provide a deeper
satisfaction when the patient or customer expresses how thorough they felt my
care was and how comfortable they felt with me. I want to feel that
satisfaction every day. Shadowing a Physician Assistant and excelling in school
as a full time student give me further support and reassurance to my decision of
becoming a Physician Assistant.

Everything in my life has slowly been preparing me for a career as a Physician Assistant in one way or another. I
was unsure of what I wanted right out of high school but I finally feel I am
right where I belong. This is such an incredible opportunity and I truly
believe that I am ready to take it on. I hope to use my talents and successes
to benefit others in a way that not just any professional can. I know I am
meant to serve others; I just need the education, training, and opportunity to
do so. I will put forth every effort to make sure I succeed as a Physician
Assistant if granted the tremendous opportunity.