Pa Personal Statement

My interest began at age 12, I was alarmed when I learned that my aunt was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. In my naïve thinking, losing a family member never even crossed my mind. And a mere 6 months after we were devastated with the news that she passed. I vividly remember thinking, how could it all happen so quickly? It seems like a few weeks ago our family was at her house enjoying her beloved, authentic Vietnamese cooking. As I reflect on my aunt's illness and experiences with medical professionals, I am confident in my desire to have a career in the medical field and my advancement toward becoming a physician assistant.

My aunt was the mother figure to her ten younger siblings after their mother's passing. I remember listening to my relatives as they were mourning and overheard that her life could have been saved if her symptoms were diagnosed correctly. At the time, it was unfathomable to me that her death could have been prevented if she was treated early. It was completely heartbreaking at that point in my life. I never stopped wondering about a different outcome if she took the available preventative measures. I then was determined to have a career in the healthcare field. I wanted to be involved to help others make the right decisions concerning their health.

Science and math were subjects I was particularly interested and thrived in, which further strengthened my pursuit of a career in healthcare. I enjoy working with other people and started volunteering since elementary school. I played piano at local nursing homes and loved seeing the smiling faces of the seniors. In high school, I volunteered for fundraisers at the nursing home, assisted at the Susan Komen Race for the Cure, and other events to help those in need. The opportunities helped me understand and enrich my experience by working with different people. At the University of Texas, I developed an interest in psychology as it has an emphasis in the behavioral aspect of