University of Tennessee Essay Questions
1. What kind of career in psychology would you like to follow, and in what setting?
I hope to pursue a psychology career that integrates both research and clinical practice. This would ideally take place within an academic health center. My master 's in counseling psychology practicum involved working with freshman and sophomore college students combatting substance abuse. During that time I was able to see just how integral and formative the transition to college is for young adults. While my role was to address drug and alcohol use, many of the conversations quickly turned to underlying issues involving relationships, anxiety and even trauma. I really enjoyed serving that population as well as …show more content…
I was born with a rare liver disease called glycogen storage disease, type 1A—a condition most general practitioners excitedly tell me they remember reading about once in a genetics class back in med school. In fact, it will affect only one in 100,000 people. I spent a good portion of my childhood in hospitals. New doctors and a revolving door of nurses substituted for my playmates. Tubes, needles and medicine took the place of toys and sleepovers. It’s events like that in a child’s life that shapes the adult he or she will ultimately become. Despite the negative aspects, I truly believe this disease shaped me into a smarter, stronger and certainly more empathetic person. From a young age, I saw firsthand how a strong support system dramatically affected my outlook and, ultimately, my choices. Unfortunately, I also saw how others were often not as fortunate. Since then, I made a promise to myself that no matter what career I chose, my work needed make a meaningful, positive impact in other peoples ' lives. For me to talk about my liver disease is so personal it is almost uncomfortable. I don 't define myself by it and neither does anyone in my life. In fact, only a few of my closest friends even know I have GSD at all. The reason I chose to highlight this unique part of me, however, is because it’s so closely linked to my love of psychology and my desire to work with people struggling with mental
1. What kind of career in psychology would you like to follow, and in what setting?
I hope to pursue a psychology career that integrates both research and clinical practice. This would ideally take place within an academic health center. My master 's in counseling psychology practicum involved working with freshman and sophomore college students combatting substance abuse. During that time I was able to see just how integral and formative the transition to college is for young adults. While my role was to address drug and alcohol use, many of the conversations quickly turned to underlying issues involving relationships, anxiety and even trauma. I really enjoyed serving that population as well as …show more content…
I was born with a rare liver disease called glycogen storage disease, type 1A—a condition most general practitioners excitedly tell me they remember reading about once in a genetics class back in med school. In fact, it will affect only one in 100,000 people. I spent a good portion of my childhood in hospitals. New doctors and a revolving door of nurses substituted for my playmates. Tubes, needles and medicine took the place of toys and sleepovers. It’s events like that in a child’s life that shapes the adult he or she will ultimately become. Despite the negative aspects, I truly believe this disease shaped me into a smarter, stronger and certainly more empathetic person. From a young age, I saw firsthand how a strong support system dramatically affected my outlook and, ultimately, my choices. Unfortunately, I also saw how others were often not as fortunate. Since then, I made a promise to myself that no matter what career I chose, my work needed make a meaningful, positive impact in other peoples ' lives. For me to talk about my liver disease is so personal it is almost uncomfortable. I don 't define myself by it and neither does anyone in my life. In fact, only a few of my closest friends even know I have GSD at all. The reason I chose to highlight this unique part of me, however, is because it’s so closely linked to my love of psychology and my desire to work with people struggling with mental