Please accept this letter as part of my application to the Radiation Oncology Program at _________. _________ has a solid academic and research program and state-of-the-art treatment facilities. Your program would provide an excellent opportunity to continue my training. Please, find that my professional and academic experiences provide me with the qualifications and skills necessary to excel in a demanding residency program in Radiation Oncology.
Through my academic experiences, I have developed a strong interest and firm commitment to scientific research and possess an in-depth knowledge of medicine, physics, and biophysics. I have completed a Master of Science degree (Physics) from _______ and a Bachelor of Science First Class Honours Degree in Physics from ________. I have been awarded several academic awards, including the NSERC- PGS-A Scholarship in support of my M.Sc. research. As well, I am the first author of two publications in scientific journals.
While attending medical school, I continued to work with _________, reporting directly to the president, as a Project Manager and Research Physicist. _______ is a highly focused, a science-based engineering firm whose business is creating intelligent, active acoustic systems for various specialized applications. These applications encompass processing containerless materials in microgravity conditions and high-precision profiling benthic seabed and artificial objects. In conjunction with completing my Master of Science experimental research thesis at ________, I was employed as a biophysics consultant at ___________, a biotechnology company based in _______, where I was directly involved in proof of concept studies investigating the use of ozone as a sterilizing agent for human blood and blood products. While attending graduate and undergraduate programs at ________ and _________, I have held the positions of Teacher Assistant and Laboratory Instructor and been a member of several societies. From these experiences, I have developed vital research and problem-solving skills. These experiences have allowed me to develop excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
My initial interest in Radiation Oncology as a career choice stems from my exposure during my graduate degree at _________. As part of my Master of Science degree, I completed two courses in Radiation Biophysics at the graduate level. At _________, I worked under the supervision of Dr. ________whose research interests include hyperthermia and heat shock, heat shock proteins, membrane, and protein biophysics. Specific research projects included the study of the mechanism of protection and repair of thermolabile proteins in response to heat and other stresses. Temperatures in the range used for cancer therapy were employed.
I have chosen Radiation Oncology as a career choice because 1) I see this particular area of medicine as an opportunity to combine my background in medicine and physics, 2) it is a specialty with significant research potential and opportunity, and 3) the specialty has a unique patient population, who is rewarding to work with and play an active role in their treatment, 4) the specialty combines an attractive combination of technical skills in medical procedures and radiation planning/therapy with patient interaction in the out-patient clinic setting.
I have a strong interest in Radiation Oncology; I have completed a three-week elective at _________ in Radiation Oncology, working with Dr. ________. During this period, I had the opportunity to work with seven members of the Radiation Oncology staff, gaining broad exposure to the treatment of common tumor sites. In addition, I gained further exposure during my clerkship. I completed a one-month rotation in the Hematology Service as part of my Internal Medicine rotation.
My future career goals include clinical practice with a significant research component.
I have considerable interests and hobbies outside of medicine. These include a wide variety of outdoor activities, including hiking and snowshoeing. I am the proud owner of a demanding 4-year-old Siberian Husky. I enjoy playing ice hockey with friends and colleagues regularly. I have also played in a senior (under 35) recreational hockey league for the past four years. In the past, I have played ice hockey at the level of AAA little person and Junior B. I enjoy mountain biking as well as staying fit with weight lighting. I have a passion for reading and book collecting.
My friends and colleagues would describe me as having a quiet, calm personality with a relaxed style.
As my experience demonstrates, I am a hard-working, intelligent, and energetic individual with the ability to take the initiative with new projects, to work constructively with others, and to handle multiple demanding tasks. I would make a positive contribution to the residency program while working to maintain its high level of achievement.
