Description of a Case on Physiology and Hypertension
Personal Statement—Writing from Your Interests
Because science writing is usually subject focused and because it frequently follows prescribed forms, the writer's
relationship to and excitement or passion about a topic often remain hidden. In this assignment, you will have the opportunity to put your personal connection to a topic in the foreground. The personal statement allows you the chance to express your excitement about a topic (preferably related to your field of study) and/or to reflect on why it is important to you (or should be important to others). Although you will need to demonstrate that you have some knowledge of the topic, the primary focus should be on you and your relationship to the topic or field. For example, you might describe a seminal event or experience that piqued your interest in the subject; you might describe how your relationship to a field has developed over time; or you might describe actions you have taken that would demonstrate your commitment to the topic. To give this assignment a practical focus, approach it as you would a personal statement for an application to an internship or a professional or graduate school in which you are asked to convey your enthusiasm and passion for a topic demonstrate your commitment to the field describe your goals in relation to the field, and reveal something about your character. If you plan to attend graduate or professional school (medical, dental, pharmacy, law, etc.) or apply to an internship, I encourage you to do some research on the kinds of prompts that show up on such applications and use this assignment as a first effort in preparing a personal statement you will actually use. If you are not looking for an internship or not planning to attend graduate school, use this assignment to prepare a writing sample, which employers sometimes request as part of application packages. (NOTE: A personal statement is not a cover letter.) Your purpose in this assignment is to convey your interest in and dedication to a field and to demonstrate your ability to express yourself clearly in writing. Your goal should not be to impress your readers with loads of information; instead, focus on conveying to your audience your passion about, or personal connection to, the topic, your interest in the field, while demonstrating important personal qualities (e.g., determination, dedication, curiosity) that might matter to the audience. At the same time, take this opportunity to find your voice as a writer. Your audience will be the person(s) who will receive and evaluate your essay. Before you begin writing, spend some time brainstorming about the values and expectations of those readers.
OBJECTIVES
Compose a brief, unified essay Write with purpose to a real audience Select content that advances your purpose and that accommodates your audience Organize the content logically within paragraphs and overall (chronologically, topically, etc.) Use transitions effectively Write clear sentences that are grammatically correct Write in a style appropriate for the context, purpose, and audience Use active verbs where possible Support claims with evidence (examples) Avoid clichés
Length: 2-3 pages maximum, double-spaced, 12 pt. Times
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Personal Statement
Miss Cathy was a great neighbor. She lived two blocks from our house, but still she felt like the closest neighbor we ever had in years. Even though she was in her later 70s, she looked agile and well able to do her common chores around the house. Cathy had been a single mother and had one son called Ian, a pilot, who moved into the city in his early twenties, to work for one of the major airlines. He was married and they would frequently visit his mother on the weekends. It was during one of the weekends that we met with their son, Mark. He was my age and he surprisingly loved soccer like I did. We became close friends, and every time they came to visit Miss Cathy, we would spend a lot of time playing in our backyard.
One unfortunate evening, my mum told me that something sad had happened to Miss Cathy and we were going to visit her at around seven in the evening. I couldn't imagine Miss Cathy sad, she was always jovial. I later leant that Mark's parents had both perished in a plane crash. They had left for the weekend, to celebrate their 15th anniversary when their plane crashed due to bad weather. Mark was to stay with his grandmother and attend our school. All was well until, three months later; Miss Cathy was diagnosed with Hypertension disease. It was so sad when she died in the month that followed.
The following semester, I was taking a physiology and a biology class. Previously, I had taken some two biology classes, wh...