Janai Gaston      
As I approach post-baccalaureate education, I constantly reflect on how my undergraduate experiences revealed to me many unknown characteristics about myself. Throughout college, there were many hardships and depressing moments, but those weak periods made me the stronger person I am today. It forced me to step out of my comfort zone and become a consistent hard worker and a passionate leader which are characteristics that will enhance my success in the medical profession.. Medical school will continue to build my character and prepare me to enter into the medical profession.
During my freshman year, my father was forced to retire due to his brain damage. Although his profession as a pediatrician was very time consuming and stressful, it was his passion. As a result, my dad who had been this lively exciting character, became depressed and no longer himself. I was heartbroken, but my father told me “no matter what goes on in our family, we want to see you succeed in life, and be better than any of us were.” This created a sense of urgency to succeed, as there was no other option for me. I began to intensely study for classes to ensure myself that I was ready for every curve ball thrown my way. As I pushed myself to the limit I began to connect dots. Simple things, such as a five membered ring being a carbohydrate, this amazed me; totally different classes such as organic chemistry and biomolecules come together to create a bigger picture. The realization about this content sparked a passion for my major and drove me to study more! My entire mindset about school was changed. I am determined to be a hard worker and be passionate about my studies, just like my father. I have characteristics that I can bring to medical school, that will enhance my studies, build character, and prepare me for the path that lies ahead to my desired medical specialty
Even though I have a passion for biology, dancing is a way I relieve stress. Dancing keeps my body in shape, as it requires calisthenics, running, and building of stamina. It turns those who can endure the pain into top-notch athletes, learners, and hard workers. Exercising has taught me a lot about health and how a person’s everyday routine effects their lifestyle in the long run. In medical school one has to be able to balance their studies as well as interactions with other people and extra curriculum activities, which promotes diversity within themselves. Diversity is essential as a healthcare provider to give patients the proper care. This is why dancing helps me prepare for medical school as it helps me balance my priorities in life. 
I took dancing seriously and was enthusiastic about it, and that projected to others. This is why my coaches sought me out to be a part of the leadership team for my dance group Scarlet Lace (a part of the Winston Salem State University marching band).. At this time, I was no longer only a dancer, I was responsible for other people and for the team to be on one accord. These responsibilities taught me to become a passionate leader.  Being a leader challenged me, because I could no longer think about myself; I had to make decisions that were best for the group. Upholding a position in leadership helped me learn the best ways to interact with people. These traits helped me prepare for the hard work and effort it takes to be granted access into medical school.
Consequently, even though my family has not always had the best luck, it made me a stronger individual. I have developed a passion for my work, which has made me a hard worker. While being a hard worker got me the position as a leader on my dance line, it can also help me in the medical world and furthermore in medical school.