Georgetown University Scholarship Essay

The Georgetown University School of Medicine is one of my top programs because of its alignment with my goals. The diverse tracks, scholarly activities, and extracurricular opportunities provide me an excellent opportunity to become a well-rounded physician while working towards my personal goals. As a prospective primary care physician, I am specifically attracted to Georgetown’s commitment to providing patient-centered care. I am also excited about the opportunity to train in the Washington D.C. area. The potential complexity of each case would allow me to begin honing my craft early in the education process.

Additionally, I am drawn to the school’s commitment to research and innovation. A dream of mine is to conduct research on affordable
treatment methods for the underserved. I will never forget the day I watched a 60 Minutes segment on the GMO “golden rice” that provides a cheap source of Vitamin A to developing Asian countries. I thought it was the coolest thing ever, and knew I wanted to be a part of something similar. Georgetown’s Independent Scholarly Activity would provide me with the opportunity to work towards my dream.

Georgetown’s curriculum would also better prepare me for my goals in teaching and education.
My experiences at James Irwin Charter High School helped me recognize my natural abilities as a teacher as well as the joy that comes with supporting the success of others. Therefore, I plan to couple my ability to teach with my aspirations in medicine. As a physician, I will make education the hallmark of patient care. I will help my patients feel as confident about their health as my students do about acing my exams. My goals in education extend beyond patient-doctor interactions. I aspire to teach in a clinical setting and prepare medical students for successful careers. The University’s Medical Education Research Scholar Track would allow me to pursue my passion for teaching while preparing me to achieve my goals in and out of the examination room.

Georgetown’s well-rounded curriculum and commitment to a generalist physician will give me both the tools and flexibility necessary to practice in not only 2021, but 2050 and beyond. The 21st century has brought with it the earliest stages of healthcare reform. Those matriculating in 2017 will be practicing well into the calendar’s half-century mark and should be prepared for the systemic changes to
come.

One specific aspect about the future of medicine I believe Georgetown will better prepare me for is also my most pressing concern in medicine. That is, that the healthcare industry is moving in a direction that sacrifices quality for efficiency and profit. Studies indicate physicians’ time spent with patients has steadily decreased. As a result, nearly eighty-percent of illnesses billed to health insurance providers are preventable. If providers had more time in the examination room they could appropriately educate patients on lifestyle changes that could prevent future complications. Georgetown’s emphasis on the whole person will prepare me for a career of patient-based care in a system that so desperately needs it.

In summary, the Georgetown University School of Medicine is a great fit for my aspirations in medicine. The school’s extensive opportunities will better prepare me for a career of service as a primary care physician, and will offer a means for me to conduct research and master the art of teaching. Further, Georgetown’s commitment to a generalist physician will give me the tools necessary to excel in the ever-changing climate of healthcare.