First they killed my father Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

First they killed my father - Essay Example The memoir named ‘first they killed my father’ presents to the reader the history of khamer rouge terror in Cambodia through the story of a little girl from Phnom Penh who expresses the story in dreams and nightmares. In the beginning of the story, loung belongs to a family of three sisters and three brothers and life seems to be in good shape. Their father works in a good government office and their family is wealthy. In the whole book, the writer uses the theme of dreams and nightmares to bring out the clear insight in the understanding of ‘the terrible descent the family makes during and after the revolution in Cambodia’. She explains the experiences of her life as a child with minimal exaggeration and hence brings out the picture of the situation perfectly. During this period, the government is overthrown, their life gets to a turning point and the family is forced to move to a camp where they live with food rations and fear. Loung begins expressing the situation by a dream about food on New Year’s Eve and imagines about the death of a teenager named keav and dreams about the coming back of her Pa. In her dream, she views herself sitting alone on a table that is filled with all the types of foods she desires but she says she is afraid that the Khmer soldiers will take her food away(Ung,2000). In this dream, she passes the knowledge that in this period, the issue of food shortage is rampant and she explains that there are many deaths due to starvation. This kind of information from the memoir takes the readers emotion making the source more effective since the knowledge is more memorable (Howell & Prevenier, 2011). The memoir is written from the first person perspective and she draws the reader’s attention by the way she d escribes the struggles and pains that her family is going through. Memoirs can therefore be a good source of historical information since the person describes situations that

Adoloscence and substance abuse Essay Example for Free

Adoloscence and substance abuse Essay Adolescence is a critical period in human development. It is the period during which individuals undergo biological, psychological and social transformations, as they become adults. These transformations occur simultaneously and without conscious awareness by youth going through these changes. Any transformation an adolescent goes through may have an impact on the introduction and progression of teenage substance use. Substance abuse is drug abuse. Most substance abusers globally are the adolescents. This is because their developmental stage is vulnerable to anything. The brain development of an adolescent is not fully developed. A teenager may physically resemble an adult but still lack the brain maturation to think like one. To expect adolescents to make adult like decisions in regard to substance use is an unlikely expectation for most teenagers. Adolescence is defined as those behavioral changes that take place between childhood and maturity or adulthood. It is the changing period from childhood to adulthood. Adolescence is viewed as a time where biological, psychological and social transitions take place. It is the most critical stage of human development. During adolescence, different behavior patterns become more frequent (Cobb, 2006). These behavioral trends include risk- taking behaviors, conflicts between the adolescence peers and parents and greater social development. Every individual adapts to their behavior depending on how they were brought up, their social interactions and adult influences. The physical development of adolescence is known as puberty. It is the stage a person is able to reproduce (Cobb, 2006). Adolescence Physical development is all about the body changes. It involves genital growth, changes in body odor. Voice changes, growth of pubic hair, breast development and menstruation in female. The psychosocial development of adolescence is complicated. It involves hormones, love interests and intellectual pursuits. All this complicates adolescence development. In this development, stress, depression, lack of sleep, and anxiety are common among teenagers (Johnston et al, 2006). It is during this psychosocial development that adolescent teenagers are at risk of bad behavior. This development mostly involves intellectual pursuits and social interactions. Adolescents’ brains are usually not fully developed. This plays a major role in immature emotional and cognitive development. It is during adolescence that teenagers adapt easily to different behaviors. How bad and well the behavior is depended on how an individual was brought up and the social interactions. Many risky behaviors such as substance abuse start at the adolescent stage of human development. Adolescence is also a time when young individuals take risks that can have a long time effects on their health and well being. Substance abuse is the misuse of drugs. Most adolescents are prone to drugs and substance abuse. This is because the adolescent brains are not fully developed, and this plays a role in the decisions they make. Immature brain sections may place teenagers at prominent risk to the effects of drugs. Misuse of drugs or substance abuse is mostly associated with the adolescents. Globally, it is estimated through research that five billion people who abuse or use substances are the adolescent (Johnston et al, 2006). Adolescence is a period of significant personal development. It is in this adolescent stage that teenagers are let to make their own decisions. They choose their friends and how they want to live their life. It is during this stage that they can adapt easily to certain behaviors due to influences. It is said that adolescence is the time of testing and novelty seeking. Curiosity on drugs is one way that makes young people abuse substances. Millions of young people try an illicit drug at least once during their adolescent years. The most common substance abuse among adolescents is alcohol and tobacco. Most of the teenagers will have tried either of the two or both. It is estimated that twelve years is the average age of children to take their first alcoholic drink. Nearly 20 percent of twelve to twenty year old is considered to be binge drinkers (Cobb, 2006). Tobacco smoking is also prone to adolescents. Most smokers globally start at their teenage years hence become addicted. It is said that teens are more vulnerable to addiction and receptive to nicotine than are those who start to smoke as adults. Causes of adolescence substance use vary. Peer selection processes, peer influences and cognitive biases play a major role in adolescents substance use. Parental influences also play a role in adolescence substance use. How the adolescent is raised and how the parents behave with them is important to their development. The parent teenage relationship plays major roles in adolescent substance use. Substance abuse has its effects to an individual. Adolescents who use substances frequently are at risk for healthy problems. Alcohol, tobacco and other drugs have certain effects that can cause mental and heath problems. Substance abuse adolescents are at a high risk for various issues that may disrupt with their development. The physical, psychological and social effects of adolescent substance or drug abuse can have lasting consequences for the individual. This may interfere with a successful transition from adolescence to adulthood. On-going adolescent substance abuse can make an individual be at a greater risk for addiction in adulthood (Cobb, 2006). The physical consequences of adolescent substance abuse affect an individual physical development. Physical injuries and illnesses occur as a result of drug related accidents and overdoses. The psychological consequences of adolescent substance abuse affect an individual psychological development. Psychological development is all about the brain. The Misuse and overdose of substances leads to mental health problems. Alcohol is one substance that affects an individual psychological development (Cobb, 2006). Tobacco misuse can lead to illnesses such as lung cancer. Other problems may also arise due to tobacco smoking. These illnesses caused by substance abuse can also lead to death. Prolonged substance abuse can cause depression an anxiety, which can disrupt an adolescent ability to function and develop in a productive manner. There are also social consequences due to adolescent substance abuse. Adolescents who frequently abuse substances are more likely to have issues with their social development. Most of them tend to isolate themselves from family and friends. They are also more likely to have troubles with the law and law enforcers. Due to this, the adolescent substance abuser can bring problems within the family. Adolescence is a critical stage. Parents, teachers and any other adult should be role models for healthy behaviors. This is because adolescents adapt certain behavior from their peers and adults. Substance abuse affects adolescents mostly, and this can be avoided if the child to adolescent development is proper. Substance abuse causes major risks to adolescence development. Due to this, it is important for adolescents to be taught good behavior and be corrected when they wrong. Parents, teachers or other adults are people who should play major roles in teenagers’ life. They are a great influence in adolescents hence should be well role models. References Cobb, N. (2006). Adolescence. New York: McGraw-Hill. Johnston, L. D. , O’Malley, P. M. , Bachman, J. G. (2006). Monitoring the Future National Survey Results on Drug Use. New York: National Institute on Drug Abuse.

Acid rain

Acid rain An introduction to the Acid rain Acid rain is a major problem for our health and even our existence. Human started poisoning the atmosphere with acid gases since 1730, at the height of the Industrial Revolution. Although, it was first recognized in 1872, approximately one hundred years after the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, when an English scientist, Robert Angus Smith (1817-1884), pointed out the problem. In 1962, the Swedish scientist Svante Oden brought the acid rain quandary to the attention of the press, instead of the less popular scientific journals. He compiled records from the 1950s indicating that acid rain came from air masses moving out of central and western Europe into Scandinavia. In 1984 it was reported that almost half of the trees in the famous black forest in Germany had been damaged by acid rain. In 1988 United nations agreed to reduce the emissions of these acids into the atmosphere. In 1990 changes to the Clean Air Act set rules to cut down the release of sulfur dioxide from power pl ants down to 10 million tonnes by January 1, 2000 The Meaning and Creation of Acid Rain Acid rain is a term that describes the fall of the quantity of acids, staying in the atmosphere. We can use the term â€Å"Acid deposition to be more specific. Acid deposition separates in two parts: wet and dry. Wet deposition refers to the acidic rain, fog, and snow. As the high-acidized water flows over and through the ground, affects badly most of the earths flora and fauna. The danger of this effect depends on many factors like the acidity of water, the capacity of the soil and the types of flora and fauna that depend on water. Dry deposition refers to the acidic gases and their particles. It is known, that most of these acidic gases falls from the atmosphere to the earth through this procession (dry deposition). After that, the wind blows these dangerous particles on trees, cars, buildings etc. Trees are also infected due to the rainstorms, because they absorb the water from the storm. When this fact happens the high-acidized water adds these acids to the acid rain, which makes it more acidic than the rain that already falls. Prevailing winds blow these chemical compounds, which cause both wet and dry deposition, across the lands (hundreds of miles). The most important and harmful compounds are sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) which are created mostly from electric power generation made through the burning of fossil fuels like coal. The acidity of acid rain is made through the following reactions of sulfur and nitrogen oxides with the oxygen from the atmosphere and the water from the rains S + O 2 → SO 2 SO 2 + O 3 → SO 3 + O 2 SO 3 + H 2 O → H 2 SO 4 SO 2 + H 2 O → H 2 SO 3 2NO 2 + H 2 O → 2HNO 3 + NO2 NO + O 2 → 2NO2 Natural effects Nature also harms herself. Acid gases, produced by emissions from fires, volcanic eruptions, bacterial decomposition and lightening, are released in the atmosphere, increasing the amounts of nitrogen oxide. The major biological source of sulfur containing compounds is Dimethyl sulfide. Gas Phase chemistry Sulfur Sulfur dioxide reacts with the hydroxyl radical. Then the product reacts with the oxygen from the atmosphere and creates sulphur trioxide. Sulfur trioxide, when water is present, reacts and produces sulphuric acid. (See reaction table No1) Now, sulphur dioxide, like carbon dioxide, reacts with water, when clouds are present, through the procession of Hydrolysis. It dissolves in water in a series of equilibrium reactions (See reaction table No2) SO2 + OH · → HOSO2 HOSO2 · + O2 → HO2 · + SO3 SO3 (g) + H2O (l) → H2SO4 (l) NO2 + OH · → HNO3 SO2 (g) + H2O SO2 ·H2O SO2 ·H2O H+ + HSO3− HSO3− H+ + SO32− Nitrogen Oxide Nitrogen oxide reacts with OH to form nitric acid NO2 + OH · → HNO3 Oxidation There is a large amount of reactions where sulfur is oxidized from S(IV) to S(VI) that leads to the formation of sulphuric acid. The most important oxidation reactions are with ozone, hydrogen peroxide and oxygen (reactions with oxygen are catalyzed by iron and manganese in the cloud droplets). Measure and effects To measure the acidity of acid rain, we use the pH scale. Pure water has a pH of 7.0. Normal rain has a pH of 5.5 due to the dissolve of carbon oxide into it. The most acidic rain was fell in USA in the year 2000. It had a ph of 4.3 This acidity affects every living thing on the planet. The following tasks explain exactly this affection: 1st Effect: On Plant life Roots of flowers and trees are destroyed, such as nutricients, which are very important for their lives. Useful microorganisms, which release nutrients from decaying organic material, are killed. Acid rain also damages the waxy layer of the plants, which makes the plant vulnerable to diseases. Plants that survive are weak and without the ability to survive through tough conditions such as a short dry period, a heavy rainfall or a strong wind. The reproduction is also affected. 2nd Effect: On soil The decrease of pH damages or kills some microbes, which produce important enzymes. These enzymes, after the damage of microbes, change shape and lose the ability to function. Also cation exchange creates a serious problem. The ions of some metals (magnesium, potassium, and other metals) are attached to the clay and humus particles in the soil. The attractive forces of positive metal ions to the negatively charged clay particles are strong enough to hold the metal ions in the soil despite the passage of water through the soil. Hydronium ions from acid rain mobilize toxins like aluminium and leach away nutrients like magnesium. 3rd Effect: On animals, humans, and aquatic life Humans depend on food (animals, fishes). Fishes on the lakes and the seas are poisoned or infected by aluminium and mercury, that is leached from soil and rocks. Soil and water have the ability to neutralize the acidity of the rain water. But as the acidity becomes stronger, the pH goes lower. pH 5.5- Plankton population begins to die pH 5.0 Fish population begins to die pH lower than 5.0- All the fishes have died This effect is called ‘Acid Shock† and prevents also the reproduction of the population. Animals, like all the living organisms, interdependent on each other. The habitants that depend on plants and fishes begin to extinct. Other animals that depend on the animals, who depend on fishes and plants, begin to extinct. The food chain is affected dangerously. 4th Effect: Corrosion of buildings and sculptures. The sulfur dioxide reacts with limestone and marble. This reaction creates a black crust on buildings and sculptures, composed by gypsum. Gypsum is composed by the reactance of calcite, water and sulfuric acid. It may be white, but in the crystals of the network of its composition, dirt and pollutant are trapped, so it looks black CaCO3 (s) + H2SO4 (aq) CaSO4 (aq) + CO2 (g) + H2O Acid rain also increases the oxidation rate of metals, especially copper and bronze One good result Researches have resulted that Acid rain restricts global warming by reducing methane emissions from wetland areas. This study also showed that sulfur in the acid deposition limits global warming by counteracting the natural production of methane gases by microbes in wetland areas. Heating these microbes increases the speed of producing more methane, which is mitigating by the sulphur pollution from the industries. This fact is happening because of the sulphur-eating bacteria, which are living in wetlands, and compete the methane-eating microbes. Experiments have shown, that releasing the sulphur deposits causes decrease of methane by 30%, due to the activation of sulphur-eating bacteria Acid rain: Problems and solutions An important solution is the remove of sulphur from the stack gases, made from coal-burning power plants of the industries. This will be able to be done with the use of FGD (flue gas desulfurization). This plan is commonly uses in the U.S.A and many other countries. An example of FGD is the wet scrambler. Wet scrambler is a reaction tower equipped with a fan that extracts hot smoke stack gases from a power plant into the tower. Lime or limestone in slurry form is also injected into the tower to mix with the stack gases and combine with the sulfur dioxide present. The calcium carbonate of the limestone produces pH-neutral calcium sulfate that is physically removed from the scrubber. That is, the scrubber turns sulfur pollution into industrial sulfates. In some areas, where he purity of calcium sulphate is high, the sulfates are sold to chemical companies as a gypsum. In other areas they are placed in landfill. However, the effets of acid rain can last for generations, due to the change of the pH level. Chemicals continue leaching in water, killing off all the living organisms and blocking the restore of life. Another solution refers to the trading of emissions. Industries can then install pollution control equipment, and sell portions of their emissions allowances they no longer need for their own operations. This plan saves the economy and decreases the capital cost for these equipments. The intention is to give operators economic incentives to install pollution controls. Prevention Step 1 · Reduce emissions from mining, smelting and generating electrical power. Consumers can help by using fewer mined resources and reducing electrical power usage, as well as campaigning for government regulation of emissions in their area. Step 2 · Reduce emissions produced by oil operations and oil-fueled transportation. Consumers can help reduce emissions produced by oil operations by buying less oil, buying from companies with higher emissions regulations and driving cars with lower emission rates. Step 3 · Reduce the amount of carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxides produced by reducing use of coal and wood burning as well as natural gas. Step 4 · Cut back on your use of products that produce chlorofluorocarbons, or CFCs. Air conditioning, refrigeration and many aerosol products use or contain CFCs. Reduce the use of air conditioning by using fans and use a single, energy efficient refrigerator per household. Conserve cooled air by not leaving doors open when the air conditioning is on and by not leaving the refrigerator open for extended periods of time. Step 5 · Reduce production of sulfur dioxide by conserving paper. Sulfur dioxide is produced in paper production, so read newspapers online rather than buying a newspaper everyday, use the front and back of paper and use recycled paper. Step 6 · Reduce the emissions produced by your car by car pooling, planning ahead to combine long trips, biking or walking for short trips and keeping your car well maintained to be sure nothing is leaking. Step 7 · Increase energy efficiency in your home by using fluorescent lights, turning lights off when not in use, shutting down utilities when youre on vacation, closing off vents to rooms that are not in use and operating large appliances like dishwashers, washers and driers only when full. Step 8 · Reduce your use of manufactured materials such as packaging and other disposable products and recycle as much as you can. Producing new materials and disposing of waste materials are responsible for a large number of the pollutants that cause acid rain.

Beneficial Animal Testing Essay -- Science Ethics Scientific Research

Beneficial Animal Testing Animal testing has always been plagued with controversy on its ethical issues by animal activist groups and supportive scientists. Is it morally just to experiment and sacrifice laboratory animals on behalf of human research? Dr. Gina Solomon MD wrote her article regarding the benefits of animal testing to protect the human race and all other species. Her article â€Å"The Lesser Evil† shows the beneficial and positive aspects of animal experimentation. She approves the notion for animal testing but requests greater regulation and gentler methods of testing when scientifically possible. Dr. Solomon’s article was published in the Earth Island Journal, Autumn 2002, v17, i3, pg 47. Dr. Gina Solomon MD works for the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). She is a senior scientist and physician of the Health and Environment program. Dr. Solomon’s article is trustworthy and credible because she is a licensed practitioner of medicine and a chief scientist. She relies on personal experience and scientific data to justify the use of animal testing. She works for a reputable nonprofit organization whose opinions are valued for the protection of human life. Dr. Solomon focuses her article toward those who are undecided or opposed to animal testing. She hopes to persuade her audience of the scientific human advantage gained by animal experimentation. Animal experimentation is essential for the protection from harmful chemicals and pesticides for all living creatures on Earth. The animal research allows scientist to better recognize and distinguish poisonous materials for humans and wildlife. Animal activist agencies, such as PETA (People for the E thical Treatment of Animals), ar... ...a huge uncontrolled chemical experiment,† (Solomon, pg 47). I enjoyed Dr. Solomon’s article because she justifies her argument very thoroughly. She uses personal experience and factual information to support her opinions on animal testing. I found her article to be informative as well as persuasive. Her trustworthy personality shines through her article from her personal beliefs and convictions. She acknowledges the need for animal experimentation but does not appreciate the waste of any animal life. She used scientific research to explain the necessity to discover the dangerous chemical side effects endangering all life forms. The byproducts of Dr. Solomon’s article will be a better understanding for animal testing. People will accept testing on animals to be an essential part of human and wildlife protection from toxic chemicals and pesticides.

My Understanding of Parents-Children Relationship Essay

During the past twenty years of my life, I was always regarding my parents as extraordinary and authoritative models of my life. I adored them so much as if everything they had done was not only right but also great. As for my parents, they paid much attention to setting a good example for me since I was a little girl. The situation lasts and I have never thought of any possible changes in the relationship between my parents and me. However, after reading the passage Predictable Crises of Adulthood written by Gail Sheehy, my old understanding of parents-children relationship is replaced by a totally new one —- nothing remains unchanged forever and the parents-children relationship is no exception. Actually, there are changes in my relationship although I did not detect them before reading the passage. As I mentioned above, my parents were regarded as the models of my life and this impression was established firmly from my early childhood, influencing me greatly during the past years. In my eyes, they were so preeminent that they could have everything done well. In fact, they were intent on setting an example to me by building up such kind of holy and authoritative image in my mind. However, as I was growing up, I gradually found that my parents were not the God. It was impossible for them to control everything in life and sometimes they were confronted with difficulties. In the recent years, with the broadening of my horizons, I gain my own beliefs, some of which are quite differently from that of my parents. I find that they are no long as holy and remote as they used to be. Now my parents and I am sharing a more equal relationship. On the one hand, they respect my opinions, treating me as an adult. On the other hand, I would like to consult with them whenever I am confronted with difficulties. Therefore, the relationship between my parents and me has changed. They are no long holy and authoritative, but amiable and friendly. They are more like my friends rather than parents. In the next decade when I become a mother, my relationship with parents will be likely to get into a new stage. My parents are such good models of my life that I firmly believe that they are excellent and extraordinary parents. As a result, it is quite possible for me to develop similar parenting pattern. Also, my parents will certainly offer me suggestions whenever I am confused. The role of my parents in the  relationship changes again. At this stage, they will become my model in terms of parenting. At the last stage of their life, parents may become too old to take good care of themselves. Thus, special care for them will be needed, which will wholly shift the relationship between my parents and me. There exists an interesting phenomenon: the senior tend to become more childlike when they are getting older and older, while their children, who are at the best stage in their life, become the reliance of their parents. Thus, the roles of my parents and I will exchange as the process of life. I, in return, will take care of my old parents just as they took care of me years ago. The relationship will go to the opposite side of the one in the earlier stage of life. Except for the love between parents and children, nothing remains unchanged forever. The relationship between parents and children changes as the stage of life processes. These changes are inevitable, just as the life cycle goes on. We should accept the changes positively and face them bravely. Only by adopting the right relationship at the right stage can one lives a better life with the relationship between parents and children.

Use SOAP to Edit Your Medical Residency Statement

Use SOAP to Edit Your Medical Residency Statement Getting into the medical residency program of choice is based upon a bit of luck, a match with the program, and your personal statement. Lets take a look at some mistakes and typical areas of weakness in the many personal statements Ive edited. While these examples and themes came from applicants to medical residency programs, the same challenges and advice apply to other graduate-level programs as well.Applicants at this level have already accomplished a great deal with their careers and in their lives. The challenge is usually not to find what to write about, but rather how to retain focus, organize and convey the personality of the applicant. Lets go thru some themes which highlight typical mistakes and patterns which need to be converted to expected forms of polite, academic and professional writing.Well do a little bit of wordplay on the SOAP note familiar to physicians.S: Simple detailsIve seen both extremes in the writing of my customers. On the one hand some applicants write with very colloquial and informal English which needs to be polished up. On the other hand, others write very extended and lengthy sentences which need simplification. Neither is particularly appropriate for these application statements. Reviewers are looking thru hundreds of statements and they like to read organized and clearly constructed sentences. Simple sentences are good, but they should also provide useful and compelling details.For example, one could write something like After completing my second-year residency at General One Hospital I did a fellowship in pediatrics where I realized I loved working with children. Split this sentence in two, and be more specific with the second half, for example, I completed my second year at General One Hospital. During my pediatric fellowship there my extensive exposure to terminally ill pediatric oncology patients heightened my awareness of treating both the patient and working with their extended families. This second sentence does thr ee things, it demonstrates your medical vocabulary, conveys your personality, and describes in detail your exposure to this specialty.O: OrganizeTheres a typical chronological theme in most statements. This may or may not be appropriate. Depending on your experiences, focus most of your text on describing recent and pertinent information related to the specialty that you are interested in. Ive seen statements that spend two or three paragraphs on describing pre-medical school awards and interest, family background, and specific details on the names of each fellowship or hospital one has worked in. Its not usually necessary to list each organization that youve studied or worked in, that information is provided elsewhere in your application packet. Its also not usually going to add much to provide early history information, youve already made it to medical school, and everyone assumes youre competent!Therefore, when you organize your personal statement, I recommend you write up an out line of supporting experiences which demonstrate your interest in a specialty. The best personal statements Ive read do this very well. For example, the applicant will use one paragraph to write about a medical encounter that was a salient moment in the target specialty. Theyll then spend another paragraph describing further research or observership experiences related to that field. Importantly they will also then write a few sentences on what the target program has to offer. For example, Im particularly interested in the strong research program in this residency. I plan to continue in academic research and further my research in renal disease.A: AddAlthough brevity is key to any good writing, I have found that most applicants write loose sentences. In some ways, this is just a transfer of conversational language down onto paper. This, however, lacks the hallmark of good writing. Schools are looking for applicants that can convey an idea clearly, with detail and brevity. Take for e xample the previous sentence I wrote, it has a very simple structure with three points separated by commas at the end. This structure helps the sentence to convey a great deal of information in an expected format that makes it easy to read. Use this format to add punch to your sentences. You dont want to do this in every sentence but use it at least once or twice in the statement. For example, I have a passion for emergency medicine, I have found it challenges my memory and knowledge, it is exhilarating, and the outcomes are immediate. Another example, I came to the U.S. expecting a great deal and I found my training here state-of-the-art, challenging, and satisfying. Simple, one-two-three.P: PersonalResidency programs are usually not extremely large groups, therefore programs are looking for diversity and personalities that will complement and work well with others in the program. Most applicants do not spend a lot of time describing themselves. This is okay, as its not a dating co ntest, but do take the time to describe your passions, motivations, and experiences in the target specialty as you describe your experiences. For example, Ive seen excellent sentences such as The approach to patient care was holistic and there was an emphasis on psychosocial history. I felt these factors made family practice exciting, versatile and challenging. Another example, I have been impressed by the vast array of clinical presentations and management options for cardiac diseases. I was fascinated by observing how a cardiologist can diagnose many valvular and other cardiac conditions using only a stethoscope.So there you have it, a quick personal statement SOAP note. Use the ideas presented here as your own checklist when reviewing your statement. Are my sentences simple and clear while also providing useful details about my experiences? Is my statement organized, does it lead the reader to conclude that I am an excellent candidate for this program based on my experiences and motivations? Did I add descriptive words, medical terminology, and experiences that demonstrate my mastery of the subject? And finally, is the statement personal? Does it show why I will invest so much time in this specialty?As I mentioned at the beginning of this article, most applicants at this level are already very accomplished in their professional and personal lives. Taking the time to edit, and finding a good editor to work together on this will provide you with the best possible opportunities and also let a little luck work her magic. Continued success to everyone!