Sample 2
During my preclinical education I knew my strengths were visually oriented, but it was not until my first clerkship that I considered radiology. When I was sent to the radiology department to find out the result of my patient’s CT scan, the attending radiologist asked me to review the CT with the clinical information. As if a light bulb turned on in my head, I made a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. My interest in radiology strengthened as I continued to visit the radiology department during each clinical clerkship. I was completely captured by the satisfaction of a visual approach to diagnostic puzzles. Radiology also satisfied my intellectual curiosity, my interest in technology, and my desire to be an effective member of the patient management team.
My decision to pursue a career in radiology was confirmed during my general radiology clerkship. From traditional plain films to MR technology, I enjoyed the breadth of imaging options available, and admired the skill required to interpret them. The radiologists I met impressed me with their wealth of knowledge across various medical disciplines and motivated me to learn. I liked the interaction with physicians of all specialties, the opportunity to encounter almost all the interesting cases in the hospital, and the challenge of being part of almost every patient management team.
My strong communication skills and my ability to put both patients and family members at ease will be assets as I use my skills to relieve pain and solve medical problems. The opportunity to offer patients relatively non-invasive alternatives for conditions that were once only surgically treatable appeals me. The prospect of using a combination of technology and hands-on treatment to treat patients with minimum of discomfort and inconvenience gives me great satisfaction.
I am looking for a residency program that excels in teaching and teamwork and will offer opportunities for clinical research. I want to learn the technical foundations of radiology through effective teaching and I also look forward to opportunities to solidify my learning through teaching.
Being an effective member of a strong team is important to me. I am eager to learn and, and to help patients. With my strong communication skills, my solid educational preparation, my visual acuity, and my willingness to work hard, I look forward to an opportunity to become a skilled radiologist.
