New Purpose

I have a new purpose for this blog - to document my journey through the medical school application process.

I thought the name "The Round, Red Puzzle" still fit because putting together all the pieces of applying to medical school is like a puzzle in itself, and seemingly never-ending (like a circle).

As, many of you know, being a doctor is what I have felt called to be for many years. I was always interested in medicine, but I knew for sure that I was supposed to become a doctor when my Aunt Andi became sick with a very rare type of cancer. I believe that it began in her liver, but it spread, consuming all her organs. This was when I was in the sixth grade.

Two years later, a friend of mine from church, Rebecca Sneeden passed away at the age of 12 from Cistic Fibrosis. I once again felt God calling me to the medical profession. I could not imagine the pain that Rebecca's father, brother, and twin sister, Edie were going through. I wanted to do everything I could to one day help others from feeling the same pain.

In my 22 years, I have been to my fair share of funerals for people I love, and I greatly miss each and every one of them. However, I have learned so much from each of these people, and I know that have helped to shape the doctor I will become.

I have changed a lot since the sixth grade, but my desire and calling has never changed. Don't get me wrong. There have been times, especially in the last four years, when I have questioned myself and God. I wanted to be sure that I was doing this because God wanted me to. I wanted to be sure I was following his plan for my life and that I had not just decided to become a doctor because... and become stuck in a rut. I also wanted to be positive that I was doing this for me, God, and the people I would help, and NOT for my friends and family who I had always told I was going to become a doctor. In other words, I didn't want to be a doctor just so that I wouldn't disappointed everyone else, especially if it wasn't the life God had planned for me.

Well, now I am a senior at NC State, ready to graduate on May 10 and beginning my medical school application process. If all goes well, I will be beginning medical school in Fall of 2009. Location, yet to be decided!

I have updated most of my online portfolio for the NC State Health Professions Review Committee, and have sent out requests for Letters of Recommendation. This is an odd feeling for me. I am extremely excited that this time has come, but it still feels surreal. Tomorrow and Wednesday, I am meeting with two professors who will be writing recommendations for me to talk to them a little more about my goals and help them to know me better so they can write awesome letters.