Ophthalmologist Personal Statement

Every decision I make is to fulfil passion, contribute positively to my community, and better my life. After graduating from a Nigerian university in 2007 with a degree in Doctor of Optometry (O.D), I had plans to continue to medical school so as to pursue my passion as an ophthalmologist after being qualified as a medical doctor. However, I decided to take time off and start a family. This decision wasn’t an easy one since I knew it meant putting my aspirations on hold. In any case, I knew that one day I was going to go back to school. My passion to become an ophthalmologist developed while I was a little child. I grew up to see a blind grandfather. My mother explained to me based on the questions I asked about my grandpa’s condition
I got exposed to methods and clinical medical practices. Due to experiences in life, some things that come my way, I don’t take as mere coincidence. One incidence I will not be fast to forget because I see it as a confirmation to my passion was the day I was the only one on duty. On this very day, a patient walked into our clinic with pains and in desperate need of help. On examining this patient, I discovered that this patient had a corneal laceration. Immediately, I felt goose pimples all over me because I knew that is something that is beyond my scope of training as an optometrist. I felt empty, with a deep sense of emotional dissatisfaction of wanting to help but lacking the knowledge and capability to help. I tried all I could to reach out to the ophthalmologist, but to no avail. So, with my knowledge and training on the management of minor ocular injuries, I applied an antimicrobial cream to the lacerated eye. Afterwards, I patched the eye and scheduled the patient to see the ophthalmologist the following day. That day, on leaving the hospital, I remembered grandfather’s situation and that quickly drew me back to my passion. Though, a very unpleasant scenario, however, I believe my experience with this very patient confirmed my belief that in future, I would be a doctor who eventually will specialize in
The truth is, I have come to realize that there is never going to be a perfect time. I have accomplished everything I set out to accomplish back in 2007. Having been out of school for so long, I reasonably knew that going back to school for a medical program would not be a piece of cake. On relocating to the USA, I decided to re-freshen my knowledge of basic science. So, I enrolled in a reputable community college. I am also proud to report that my grades are significantly better than they were years back as you can see for yourselves when you compare both transcripts. This is a reflection of how hard I am willing to work for something I