Personal Essay: Growing Up In A Christian Science Home

Growing up in a Christian Science household meant that I did not have checkups with the doctor, immunizations, or take medication. Growing up in a Christian Science household meant no medical care, for almost any reason, for anyone in my family. One of the most distinct memories I have from childhood is of my mother breaking her arm while swatting a fly. Every day for the next two years my mother’s health visibly declined. She grew weaker and thinner until she was unable to walk; she was little more than skin and bones except for her arm, which remained swollen due to the untreated breakage. It wasn’t until several years after she died that I learned that the cause of my mother’s illness was breast cancer which, left untreated, was the inevitable cause of her death. Growing up in a Christian Science household means that I have a unique appreciation for the impact disease can have on an individual and their family.
Before entering college as an undergraduate I always knew I would pursue a discipline related to math and science. I
I began spending much of my free time reading up on the latest advancements in medical research. The subject matter engendered a level of excitement that I did not experience in the work related to my current career. My enthusiasm for the material, in combination with the experiences from my upbringing, prompted me to enroll in undergraduate biology and chemistry courses. These studies led me to the realization that I wanted to pursue a career that would allow me to combine my commitment to science with my desire to make an impact in the field of medicine. I have decided to move forward with applying for a master’s degree in cell and molecular biology at San Diego State University (SDSU) in order to facilitate a career change to medical