Prompt: Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What to who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

 

I was in elementary school when my grandmother succumbed to a brain aneurysm. At the time I had a limited understanding of the complex machine that is the human body, so I could not process the full extent of what had happened to her. Nonetheless, my curiosity peaked, and I suddenly had a million questions about the human body and its inner workings. This tragic event had stemmed a new eagerness in me to explore the wonders of how and why our bodies function the way they do. The human body is an intricate and complex machine that is beautifully designed to perform to perfection, with its many pieces and parts functioning interactively and flawlessly. Who wouldn’t want to ponder the limits and capabilities of this fascinating work of art?

 

    The detailed and precise nature of the body never fails to fascinate me. In the past few years I have expanded my knowledge and curiosity by taking science courses and studying research papers. While I am hugely interested in learning more about how our bodies function, I am equally interested in learning about the apparent limitations of the human body and its inability to function under certain circumstances. For example, I wonder why our bodies do not replace a dead tooth or reconstruct a torn ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) in the knee. The more I have expanded my horizon, the more my curiosity has grown into a passion. An answer to one question has led to an entire set of new questions, which has intrigued me even more! I began wondering about turning my passion into a career, and after careful consideration, I concluded that I want to study medicine.

 

    Over the summer I visited many colleges, but the most memorable one was Yale. Yale initially drew my attention because of its top ranked medical school, but I was captivated by the beauty of the campus with European castles and plush grounds, residential college system, student body, and massive centrally located cathedral library. I additionally loved the fact that medical school professors taught undergraduate courses, providing invaluable research and learning opportunities for undergraduate students.

 

    While there are a multitude of unique qualities that attract me to Yale, the deciding moment occurred when we were in the middle of Old Campus. As the tour guide explained the timeless tradition of rubbing the foot of Theodore Dwight Woolsey’s statue for good luck, I stared in amazement at the difference between the worn-down statue and its shiny left foot. As I walked up to the statue and partook in the tradition myself, I instantly felt a sense of belonging. I knew right then and there that Yale was the place for me.