Medical School Personal Statement
I looked at this teenage boy -- slouching, defiant, tense and trying his best to ignore me -- and I saw myself, 15 years ago. I used to be such an adolescent, a first-generation English speaker with little future before him. Unlike the young man I was seeing now, however, I was able to master English relatively early on and excel in academics. Looking back at the resolution in the young man's face who I was supposed to be tutoring, all of my own resolve solidified and I renewed my commitment to help him -- despite his best efforts to the contrary.
Jonier was the teenager I had the pleasure of working with for three years during my tenure at Big Brothers and Big Sisters of America. Like me, he suffered from the fact that English was not his native language, and...
I realized that his
language barrier was largely the cause for all of his behavioral, social and scholastic issues, and realized that it would take someone with a firm commitment to helping others to keep him from becoming another casualty of poor socio-economic conditions without a father and a single mother who worked long hours. During the duration of my tenure in the program I resolved to become that positive male role model for him, and to help him to help himself.
Working with Jonier for three years helped me to realize my purpose in life -- to assist others and to give them the sort of chance that circumstances in life had taken away from them. As I spent time with him each week, taking him out to eat, poring over his
homework and school assignments,
teaching him how to drive, I found myself wanting to help others as well. I believe that the principle way I can do so…
