Neuroscience Personal Statement Essay

Neuroscience has been a really fascinating field for me throughout my undergraduate career. My coursework in both the neuroscience and human biology fields, such as psychology, synaptic transmission, and anatomy and physiology, have increased my passion for research and strengthened my knowledge of advanced sciences. Taking classes and attending seminars at Michigan State University with Dr. Galligan, Dr. Symonds, and other research professors opened my eyes to the endless possibilities in the field of neuroscience. In addition, I gained great interest in the study of the human body and the nervous system while shadowing a neurologist and a neurosurgeon this past year. I was able to see how important the brain and spinal cord are and how it
affects the rest of the body if they don’t work properly.
Understanding how a healthy nervous system works to produce emotions, behaviors, and thoughts as well as how it regulates important body functions can help to analyze complications that can lead to diseases or disorders of the nervous system. My curiosity and hunger for more knowledge increased after witnessing the most up to date medical and neuro-technology, the passion each doctor had towards helping the patient, and the effort each physician provided towards completing their tasks in a fast-paced environment.
Shadowing neurologists, gaining a firsthand perspective on medicine, as well as studying under neuroscience professors has helped me form a vision of who and what I want to be in the future. I hope to attain this goal through developing my knowledge about the profession and personal skills. Some of the characteristics I possess are my passion, interest, and dedication to putting forth my best effort in all activities I pursue. My long-term goal is being able to give back to my community through a profession in health care. My confidence and ardent dedication can be seen through weekly volunteer work at Beaumont,
McLaren, and Sparrow Hospitals where I worked with the elderly and patients with Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and other neurological diseases. In addition to commitment, other strong values I have include, but are not limited to, good communication skills, honesty, and resilience. Communication is a key aspect of medicine and is important in the delivery of high-quality health care, whether it is between doctors or with patients. Being a strong and vocal member of two great medical associations on campus, I have been able to set up and participate in multiple events which build upon the values of teamwork and communication, such as participating at the Origami Brain Center in East Lansing and preparing meals at the Ronald McDonald House associated with Sparrow Hospital. Possessing these skills makes me a better candidate for the program. Success is attained by many as a result of staying in a comfort zone. However, I find myself intrigued by the satisfaction of facing and overcoming challenges. Each year I strive to accomplish more, while maintaining excellence in academic standing. Time-management and prioritization are skills that have forced me to define myself through the continued exercise of my abilities. I juggle the balance of academics and extracurricular activities with grace, commitment, stamina, and success. After completing my graduate education, I plan on attending medical school and specializing in neurology.
The health care field is continuously evolving with new medical research at a fast pace, and this program will help me to navigate developments in the field. The program will provide an opportunity to think critically, work with others, and communicate effectively, all important skills necessary for success in medical school. This graduate education is a perfect fit with my increasing passion and hunger to continuously learn more while applying this knowledge in real-life. In addition, the Neuroscience Graduate program will help me connect with others that I otherwise may never have crossed paths with, from professors to advisors to fellow colleagues. The topics covered in this program will provide me with the tools necessary to understand the most common neurological issues facing our society today. The program also helps raise social and ethical issues while discussing questions about personality and responsibility. The last few years have seen a dramatic increase in our understanding of brain function, neurodegenerative diseases, diseases with aging populations, and mental illnesses. The graduate program will provide me with an understanding of the clinical expression and underlying pathogenesis of common neurological conditions such as strokes, brain tumors, diabetic neuropathy, Schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s. Overall, the skills and connections I gain
through the graduate program will help me become a successful neurologist academically, morally, and socially.