11111Since childhood, I've been fascinated with the idea that taking one pill could have a profound, positive effect on a person's well-being. What I came to understand over time is that patience, compassion and understanding for others' mental and physical pain are, in addition to the proper use of medication for its highest good, relevant parts of a pharmacist's role in life. When at a crossroads in college, I recognized that choosing a Bachelor of Arts in psychology would best help me on the journey to realizing my goal of becoming a pharmacist. By making the Deans Honor list, I was able to both honor my interest of disease-mental disorders (schizophrenia, depression and anxieties) and the vast study of medications people need to relieve these disorders-while simultaneously holding on to the humane side of the pharmaceutical profession. How I'll be interacting with my patients depends mostly on being able to understand them. Therefore, not only have I fulfilled the necessary science prerequisites to succeed in graduate pharmacology studies at USC, but because of my specific studies and people experiences I've become a much more focused, energetic and caring person as well.

11111The core of my passion for the healing properties of pharmaceuticals was first piqued as I served as a volunteer counselor at Cedar Sinai Medical Center's Teen Line. Just as a pharmacist can be a trusted, amicable advisor and compassionate guide for patients who are coping with serious challenges, I was the first point of contact for young adults in serious trouble. Issues I helped others cope with included rape, suicide, and drug and alcohol abuse. Listening and learning about individuals' situations made me more curious about the physiological effects of drugs and why and how people can become dependent on those effects. That constant human contact and exchange of communication is what helped me to build effective, lasting relationships with patients when I later decided to work at a private retail pharmacy while attending college.

11111Continuing my pursuit in understanding how one's health could improve so dramatically with monitored medication led me to my current position as Pharmacy Clerk, Century City Medical Plaza Pharmacy. It's here that I learned the precision of being a pharmacist: OTC and prescription medicines (purposes and side effects); exacting apportions; line-item insurance coverages; giving and getting correct information between medical providers and my employer; pinpointing patients' needs (including translating Farsi and Spanish); and managing fulfillments with 100% accuracy.

11111Additionally, other involvements have contributed to the unfolding of my path to becoming a pharmacist. In my post as Secretary of the UCLA Pre-Pharmacy Society, I've come to know the many pharmacists I recruited during my tenure as lead for panelist events. The Society team decided to adopt some of my ideas, including educational sessions entitled "Pill of The Month." As a U.C.L.A. research assistant in the study of social dominance theory, my data from interviewing 80 participants gained me credit with an APA-style paper.

11111Another successful relationship where I've established trust and consistency with my peers, and accumulated more knowledge and guidance about the field of managed care pharmacy is my ongoing contributions to the Pre-Pharmacy Managed Care Program (PMCP) outreach program. Serving as a liaison between PMCP and the UCLA Pre-Pharmacy Society means knowing how to ask the right questions and present the features and benefits of this USC-based program to sign more members and be a "mentor in the moment."

11111Altogether, the influence of pharmaceuticals is astute and my ongoing attraction to it is self-evident. The human body is a mass of chemical reactions, all working together as a healthy whole. I know that, when a person takes a drug to help cure an ailment, she may not be aware of exactly what the drug is doing within the body. I'm curious to know the causation of illnesses and just how a drug does what it does. The science and practice of the mechanisms and metabolisms of drugs is thrilling to me; it's a field that blends the best of biochemistry and the humanities.

11111My diligence of working with the public's intimate pharmacology, exploring the various settings in which pharmacy is practiced, working jointly with physicians, nurses, health insurance providers and other professionals in the day-to-day throes of my chosen field is the only next step for me.

11111This future pharmacist is learned, experienced, eager and familiar with your school and its excellent pharmacy program to walk right in and pursue her pharmacy training with vigor, diligence and absolute success.