"One of my heroes is my older cousin. Growing up, he was like my big brother, and he taught me how to be compassionate and caring in all I do. He is a phlebotomist and does a great job comforting his patients, particularly kids, during blood draws. I was lucky enough to shadow him in high school, and that drove me to a career in medicine. I hope to treat my patients with that same degree of compassion and validation as an Internal Medicine Resident with your program."

Describe a single person and explain why they are your hero. Only focus on one or two of their characteristics. Do not provide a laundry list of characteristics. These qualities should be attributes you find valuable that are critical to working as a physician (e.g., communication, teamwork, leadership, empathy, organization).

"I would say Elizabeth Blackwell, I recently read her biography. She was the first woman to receive a medical degree. It must have taken a lot of courage at a time when it was not accepted for women to be doctors."