Below are some example responses to Howard University College of Medicine’s secondary.
Have you lived in communities which are medically underserved, or where the majority of the population is economically and/or educationally disadvantaged? (Please indicate, Yes or No and then explain/describe briefly in 250 words or less)
I grew up in Nepal, one of the least developed countries in the world. I was born in a rural village with a population of less than 1000. Because my village had no connecting roads, the closest hospital was a 6-hour walk away. We only had one school which offered education up to the 8th-grade level, and two small grocery stores. It was a 10-minute walk to the nearest drinking water tap and the village had no electricity until 5 years ago.
The lack of healthcare was apparent. So many women in my village were forced to endure the emotional toll of losing their baby during childbirth. Other women passed away due to poor postpartum care. Growing up, I watched my friends die from preventable diseases like the stomach flu.
Later on, we moved to another town in pursuit of higher education. This town contained only one hospital and had virtually no clinics with doctors. Furthermore, the go-to health centers in this town were actually pharmacies run by health assistants instead of doctors.
Have you worked (volunteer or paid employment) with medically underserved, economically disadvantaged and/or educationally disadvantaged populations? (Please indicate, Yes or No and then explain/describe briefly in 250 words or less)
Uneducated communities that lack healthcare can become dangerous places to live. In Nepal, this combination gave birth to risky traditions. One of the worst is the Chhaupadi, where girls during their period and immediately after childbirth are considered “impure” and are forced to stay in an isolated hut away from their home. Because of this, many women in my village have had to endure hypothermia, rape, animal attacks, and poor care after childbirth. When I got my period, I had to follow this tradition. My hut lacked a door, which left me vulnerable and extremely cold the entire night. This was honestly one of the most traumatic experiences of my life. The stories I had heard of girls being raped or sexually harassed turned into a reality for me.
After my family moved to a new town, I met many girls who went through similar hardships. We decided to form a group at school called “Women Rising”, where we participated in rallies and discussions about the issues of rape and sexual assault. Every other Saturday we visited rural villages where we talked about the issues of menstruation, Chhaupadi tradition, postpartum care, and treatment for diseases like the stomach flu. While compliant about most issues, most men and older generations were unwilling to change their views about Chhaupadi since it had been in practice for hundreds of generations. However, many women listened and some spoke up about their horrific experiences with Chhaupadi. We encouraged all the women to stand up for one another when faced with resistance. This was one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life. Though we may not have completely dismantled Chhaupadi, it was a start.
After residency, do you plan to practice medicine in an underserved or disadvantaged community? (Please indicate, Yes or No and then explain/describe briefly in 250 words or less)
Due to my upbringing, I know firsthand what it feels like not to have access to health care. I’m aware that there are other people currently going through a similar struggle that I went through growing up. By working as a primary physician in a suburban or rural area and focusing on serving minorities and underserved populations, I think I can play a role in addressing the health care gap that is present today.
Please provide below any additional information you believe is important in evaluating your application (e.g. additional coursework, problems with academic record; disadvantaged, etc.) (Please indicate, Yes or No and then explain/describe briefly in 250 words or less)
The first semester of my senior year was particularly challenging for me. During this semester, I took 19 credit hours, worked on two research projects, tutored students, worked part-time, was president of the Association of Students for Change, shadowed a pediatrician, and volunteered in a clinic. While it was tiring and difficult to balance these activities, I loved being a part of them and made sure I gave 100 percent. I realized that I am capable of doing so much more than I thought I could. I eventually finished the semester with a 4.0 GPA and was even more determined to pursue a career in medicine.
Every hardship I’ve encountered has paved my path towards a career in medicine. It’s also taught me to be resilient, hardworking, creative, empathetic, and compassionate, and it’s given me the strength to tackle new challenges. I plan to use these experiences to contribute to better and more diverse health care and advocate for minorities and underserved populations in the community.
Did COVID-19 Impact you preparing your AMCAS application for fall 2021? (i.e. volunteer/work experience, financially, course registration, MCAT testing, etc.) [Please respond Yes or No and then explain/describe briefly in 250 words or less, indicate N/A if not applicable]
Due to COVID-19, many of the doctors I reached out to for shadowing expressed concerns about the safety of their patients. Because of this, I asked to shadow patients virtually. While these virtual shadowings were helpful and informative, they did not allow me to observe direct physician-patient interactions.
Because of the pandemic, I was also unable to finish and publish my research, which saddens me the most. I actually left my job in 2019 in order to focus on my research more. I spent hours working on my research project under the guidance of my adviser, and my findings might have been able to greatly benefit pancreatic cancer treatment. This lack of fulfillment has further motivated me to pursue a career in medicine and engage in research in the future.