I would visit my father’s dental clinic every Friday after school as I was growing up in Korea. I often went to see my aunt and uncle, who also ran a dental clinic. I feel as if the practice of dentistry is in my blood, part of my heritage. I feel most privileged to have grown up in a family of professionals dedicated to delivering compassionate care, and I am thankful that they taught me to treasure the idea of making the most important, daily contributions to improving the lives of others, especially helping them to have greater confidence and self-esteem. Thus, I seek to carry on the family tradition here in Canada, where we have lived for the last 12 years, and contribute to our community.
For over a decade, I have maintained a conceptual continuity in my academic, professional, and volunteer activities, all geared to the lifelong investigation of Biomedical Engineering and the practice of Dentistry with a humanitarian emphasis. I have made great strides in developing my manual dexterity, analytical thinking skills, and empathy, coupled with my compassion for others. Earning my DDS will enable me to realize my lifelong dream of serving our community.
I see myself as developing a solid academic foundation for a lifetime of research and contribution to innovation in Dentistry. I seek to combine cutting-edge research with the study and implementation of philanthropic initiatives. I hope to open a Dental clinic that specializes in providing care to members of immigrant and minority communities and to help them to finance their care as well as educate them about the importance of preventative measures and community awareness of the importance of dental hygiene. I feel that my own immigrant experiences have made me especially sensitive to the unique needs of immigrant and minority families and neighborhoods. It is also my intention always to maintain an active research regimen in collaboration with other Dentistry and Public Health professionals, and to serve as a role model to other Asians—especially Koreans—inspiring them to lifetimes of cutting-edge contribution to their communities.
I feel strongly that my education thus far in the field of Biomedical Engineering serves as a particularly effective foundation for Dental School and also an excellent basis for ongoing study, reflection, and development concerning the myriad ways in which technology can continue to enhance the practice of Dentistry. As a Biomedical device designer with XXXX Research, I have spent years further developing my perceptual abilities through 3D visualization and computer-aided design. My dedication to Biomedical research also earned me the opportunity to spend two consecutive summers in South Korea conducting stem cell research work with Drs. XXXX and XXXX at XXXX Kids Rehabilitation. This helped to enhance my research acumen and lab skills further and to provide me with invaluable insights into the many ways in which our healthcare systems are advancing through the scientific application of technology.
My diligence and very high level of motivation are reflected by my graduation on the Engineering Honors List. Of particular importance were the upper-level courses in regenerative medicine and cellular bioengineering that I completed in my last year of undergraduate study, as well as advanced courses in chemistry and research into the chemical properties of the polymer. I was especially pleased to be awarded an A+ on my undergraduate thesis concerning the effects of continuous positive airway pressure on human physiology and exercise performance. In April of 2010, I enrolled in the Masters of Applied Sciences Program at the Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering at the University of XXXX. I am currently learning how to design and engineer synthetic protein biosensors using principles of protein engineering to better detect and image signaling events in living cells. I expect to graduate and receive my Master's degree in August of 2011.
Especially salient among my many preparatory experiences for Dental School has been my work as a volunteer at XXXX Hospital’s ER. I so much appreciate the direct patient contact and the exposure to multidisciplinary medical teams. Volunteering with the Konnect project, facilitated by the Korean Canadian Scholarship Foundation, has helped to enhance my leadership skills. Conducting a two-day retreat for high school students, I worked with 17 other volunteer leaders as career coaches, assisting the students to embrace and appreciate their cultural identity and to set high professional and academic standards for themselves.
I have spent countless hours shadowing Dentists. Dr. XXXX, who works as the Chief Dentist at my uncle’s practice, has helped me to more fully understand and appreciate the practical as well as the human side of Dentistry. I especially appreciate the way that his sympathetic nature and dedication to his field serve to enhance patient satisfaction. Dr. XXXX exposed me to an incredible array of dental procedures, including fillings, rubber dams, orthodontics, and cosmetic procedures, leaving me thrilled at how something as simple as a crown can dramatically improve patients’ lives.
I most keenly look forward to joining your Dentistry program. No other field could ever offer me the same level of personal or professional satisfaction, or serve as a more effective vehicle for my lifelong contribution to the sustainable development of our community.