A week or two ago, I got a very interesting invitation from my guidance counselor at school. It was a creme-colored envelope with a golden seal on back that said experientia docet around the bottom with a medical staff in the center. It came from 2020 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C.
Now, to the point. I was invited to participate in the National Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine this summer. Apparently, this is a rather prestigious event (from what I have gathered; correct me anywhere if I am wrong). They have the leading experts in the field gathered, along with the top medical universities and companies for a ten-day hands-on seminar for advanced youth interested in medicine.
However, the cost is $1,900. Now, this does not deter me. I am more than willing to go fundraise my heart out to go to this thing, and I intend to do that to the best of my abilities. Problem: I received the letter on April 7, and all funds are due May 7. That is hardly enough time to contact and meet with enough groups to receive sufficient funding. And I do not want to go into debt for this, however much I want to attend.
What should I do?
[Edited] I am applying for a scholarship / financial aid to try to offset the cost a little bit. To do this, I must (among other things) write two essays:
1. Briefly describe which activities you participate in (extracurricular, personal, or academic) has had the most meaning to you and why.
2. Choose one of the following three: - Discuss a leader or forerunner in the field of medicine who has inspired my interest to pursue a career in medicine. - Discuss the area of specialization in medical research/medicine that most interests you and why. - Discuss a breakthrough in medicine or medical practice that has encouraged your interest in medicine.
Do you know what type of thing they look for in these essays? I was considering doing the third one using the human genome project.
[ April 11, 2004, 12:39 PM: Message edited by: HRE ]
Posted by HRE (Member # 6263) on :
Seriously...does anyone know what they would want to see in the essays?
Posted by Suneun (Member # 3247) on :
I guess the only advice I have is this... They want to see that you love the topic, and they want to see that by attending, you're going to love the topic even more. Try and show them you view it as an opportunity to further your interest, either through special topics or the people you'd be able to meet.
Try to be very specific on exactly what piqued your interest in the human genome project, for example. Was it the technique used? The vastness of the project? The collaboration (hah)? Do you know of a particular way the project data has influenced medicine or science so far?
I don't claim to have the answers for what they're looking for. But I have been reasonably successful in fellowship applications.
Posted by HRE (Member # 6263) on :
Thanks. I wrote the first essay on my participation in a Youth Leadership Day (twice). For the genome one, I'll probably talk about new avenues in science unthought of before, using the HGP as an example.
I guess I'll talk about how I hope to learn about other new ideas and research at the Forum.