Biochemistry Personal Statement

The first aspect of Penn I noticed was the parking, or lack of it. It was an average Tuesday morning, yet the streets were lined with cars from end to end. Each person had their own position, their own niche in the vibrant ecosystem that encompassed Penn. I wanted to be a part of it. As someone interested in biochemistry at the College of Arts and Sciences, I see value in the multitude of research institutes that surround Penn. Each is an opportunity to connect what I learn in the classroom to cancer research, adaptations to disabilities and other fascinating projects. Penn’s ability to make serious undergraduate research a possibility separates it from many other prestigious colleges and universities. Groups such as PennScience allow undergraduates to share their findings with peers, a crucial first step for any impactful research. Having the chance to design an experiment with a team of students at the New Jersey Governor’s School in the Sciences led to late-night discussions concerning molecules and equations, but created a genuine interest that ignited my curiosity.

This requires that I take all the courses required by medical schools as an undergraduate but hardly limits my choices in the types of sciences I explore. While biochemistry is my main interest, the flexibility that Penn provides for its students would allow me to take a wider range of courses and ultimately have a deeper understanding of the natural world. This leads to the possibility of a double major, using what I learn from biochemistry to better grasp concepts from an area such as the biological basis of behavior, which also interests me. Taking advantage of the option to complete more than one major, or at least take courses under more than one discipline, would allow me to relate seemingly disparate ideas and to seek unconventional solutions as a