College Admission Essays

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Svati Singlab - 11-Year-Old Scientist - Duke University


While most of my friends were taking great interest in playing tag and kickball, I, as an 11-year-old child, needed something far more complicated to grasp my interests. My quest for knowledge seemed truly insatiable and I needed a unique avenue of learning. The idea of conducting professional medical research intrigued me; though I was only 11 years old, I was determined not to let my age hinder my extreme ambition and interest in higher level research. Thus, I picked up the phone book and began contacting labs in the East Carolina School of Medicine.


After a long stream of rejections and disappointment, I was finally acknowledged. The head of the Nuclear Cardiology Department recognized my genuine interest and scientific aptitude and invited me into his lab for an introduction of scientific principles and procedures. Though he was initially amused at the idea of such a young child conducting voluntary research in his laboratory, he presented me with various research options and I began a detailed study on the effects of elevated blood pressure on coronary heart disease.


I spent long hours in the lab searching through detailed medical histories and performing various tests on computerized images of the heart. After many months of tireless research, I finally came upon some astounding conclusions, and the findings of my research were published in the American Journal of Hypertension.


This publication marked a milestone in my life, a milestone with a clear message: a lesson that age should never be a hindrance in the way of goals and dreams.


After the conclusion of this study, I continued my research interests by initiating an experimental study in the Department of Biochemistry. The study dealt with the effects of drug abuse during pregnancy and fetal alcohol syndrome. After presentations at several science competitions, where it earned special commendation from the U.S. Army and U.S. Navy, I was convinced that there was nothing my dedication and optimism could not conquer.


Why This Essay Succeeded


For an outstanding accomplishment like Svati’s—conducting research at the age of 11—it makes sense that she would write an essay about it. Svati does a good job of explaining the challenges she faced to be able to conduct the research—convincing the academics that she was serious about the task and committing herself to working in the lab. But what separates Svati from other students who have worked in labs? The answer is: Results. Svati is able to point to her conclusions being published in a respected journal to prove that she was not just messing around with test tubes but was involved with serious research. When you are describing an accomplishment it always helps to be able to give examples of concrete achievements. You want to make sure that the admission officers know that you have made a meaningful contribution.


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