My Dermatology Personal Statement

Like any new rotation, a little of excitement mixed with a touch of anxiety stimulated the butterflies in my stomach. Little did I know then my life was about to take a turn, right across the corner of that new specialty? Curiosity has always driven me towards new experiences; so naturally, I walked into class and sat in the front row. As we started discovering the normal anatomy of the skin, how to precisely describe skin lesions, I found myself being drawn into Dermatology day after day. It was definitely a new filed I was ready, and very thrilled to explore.
I discovered my passion for skin and its vast intriguing disorders, and quickly fell in love with this scholarly field, rich with knowledge and skill. The field of dermatology appealed to me for many reasons. I enjoyed the visual aspect of the discipline, the scrutinization and detailed description of physical diagnosis. Clearly outlining what I saw came to me naturally. I enjoyed the focus of the small, hands-on procedures. The relationship between doctor and patient; collaborative and often ongoing. The opportunity to work with several populations; the adult, pediatric, geriatric and oncologic patients. Dermatology also offers great opportunities for research, an aspect I
It gave me the advantage of indulging myself into the specialty, undertaking several electives and utilizing the different mandatory courses to my benefit. During my compulsory rotations, aware of my interest in Dermatology, my attendings directed most of their Dermatology cases my way. Diagnosing cases my peers found puzzling was a continuous challenge. The dermatological manifestations of systemic diseases such as Dermatomyositis, the rashes and viral exanthems of the ailing children, the PUPPS and Pemphigoid Gestationis of pregnancies, and many other cases I experienced during my on-calls all motivated me to work harder for what I truly want, Dermatology, my