Having a family member with high blood pressure and many heart abnormalities, I grew up
2 surrounded by prescription drugs. It was when mental illness came into play that my interest
3 in pharmacology developed. How could the ingredients of one drug counteract the benefits of
4 another or in fact amplify them? Are all drugs beneficial? They are designed to treat illness
5 but a cancer patient may not want to continue with chemotherapy as prolonging life may come at
6 the expense of its quality. With so much to explore in the pharmaceutical industry, I am left
7 with an endless amount of interest.
8 A-Level science practicals proved to be a challenging yet rewarding part of the course and
9 synthesising aspirin in a school laboratory was a real achievement for me. Reading further
10 into the history of aspirin, I realised that its discovery resulted from countless years of
11 research and the knowledge of multiple scientists, all working together to test and finally
12 produce a drug that is still used over 100 years after its initial launch. This collaboration
13 as well as patience in order to produce such a simple compound fascinates me. This lead me to
14 subscribe to New Scientist Magazine and The Pharmacy Times, to keep myself updated with
15 current news.
16 Persevering to get a full understanding of a subject I find difficult is something I am keen
17 to do. In order to further my knowledge on IR spectroscopy, a topic I struggled with in AS
18 Chemistry, I took part in a workshop run by Oxford University students. I asked questions, a
19 quality I was commended for in Biology, hence attributing to being called Student of the Term.
20 I worked in a team in order to identify unknown compounds; a skill I used throughout my two
21 years of studying. I took part in the Senior Maths Challenge twice, which encouraged me to use
22 prior knowledge to solve unfamiliar types of problems.
23 Finding work experience in a hospital proved difficult due to patient confidentiality.
24 However, a recently retired leading Paediatric Oncologist at Great Ormond Street Hospital,
25 invited me to spend the day on the oncology ward. I saw first-hand how chemotherapy drugs are
26 administered to the patients individually. The potential to help people get better ignited my
27 enthusiasm for the subject as I want a career that brings hope and healing to individuals and
28 their families. I had the opportunity to listen to Dr Penelope Brock, the President of a
29 recently approved international drug trial. Her life-long work to produce a drug that can be
30 taken alongside chemotherapy to reduce the risk of hearing loss has inspired me. I am keen to
31 gain the knowledge to improve the drugs we already have, as well as introducing new ideas to
32 the medical world.
33 A key skill that I have gained from work experience is the ability to appropriately adapt my
34 behaviour in different environments. I spent a week working in an infant's school where I was
35 commended by the Head for my ability to be respected by the pupils as a teacher, whilst also
36 being approachable and 'fun'. I think this is a strong quality that will benefit me when
37 undergoing practical work. I completed a Pediatric First Aid Course where I learnt about the
38 effects certain chemicals have on the body. This peaked my interest in the development and
39 discovery of new drugs, with less harmful side effects.
40 I made the difficult decision to defer entering my A2 exams due to the stress of witnessing a
41 family member suffer from alcohol and drug addiction. My parent and school supported me as
42 this would allow me to achieve my potential. I am registered as an independent candidate at a
43 private exam centre and am working with tutors at home to self-study. I am determined to use
44 my experience with medication to expand my knowledge of the subject and explore the unknowns
45 in today's pharmacological world.