“Of course it was impossible to connect the dots looking forward when I was in college. But it was very, very clear looking backwards ten years later. Again, you can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards.” When I watched the video of Steve Jobs’Commencement Address at Stanford University for the first time, I failed to acquire an exact understanding of the figurative meaning of the dots in our lives, but now, four years later, when I look back, a map of dots with lines connecting them gradually, and yet clearly, appears in my mind - and the next dot is named “Graduate Study in Social and Administrative Sciences in Pharmacy at University of Wisconsin - Madison.”
　　The first dot is about my grandma’s choice of treatment of her liver cancer. I still remember when she was dying,tears sliding down her wrinkled cheeks, she murmured “I should have chosen conservative treatment to die peacefully in bed …I should have…” That unforgettable memory still lingers on my mind and keeps me reflecting on methods of guiding patients to make better decisions, and evaluating the health related quality of life. Therefore, I determined to minor in Pharmacy, to explore the pharmaceutical field further - and this led precisely to the second dot on my journey.
　　In the second year of my college life, I began my minor courses in Pharmacy - a fantastic world of science, and gradually I have acquired a thorough knowledge of Pharmacy. Based on the study of Pharmacology, I started to learn Pharmacotherapy by myself, and progressively got to know the corresponding medication therapies to treat and prevent each kind of diseases, and realized the importance of safe, appropriate and economical drug therapy for achieving outcomes that improve a patient’s quality of life. During this exploring, I encountered another subject -Social and Administrative Sciences in Pharmacy.
　　Later on, a lecture called “Comparison Study of Education in Social and Administrative Sciences in Pharmacy in China and USA” solidified my interest in this discipline. With the guidance of the lecturer, Professor HU, and through searching information about this area, I formulated a clear vision of the purpose of research in this discipline - to improve the use of pharmaceutical products and services, foster the delivery of pharmaceutical care, and shape the health system appropriately, through applying interdisciplinary theories. Exultantly, my undiscovered passion for this field was ignited. Considering my personality, life experience and social conscience, I have no doubt that Social and Administrative Sciences in Pharmacy is the right prospective research area for me. I resolve to pursue my graduate study in this area in the United States - this is the third and one of the most crucial dots on the route of my adventurous voyage.
　　Ever since I made my decision, I have prepared my graduate study in the United States dot by dot. I managed to develop my interest in this discipline without weakening my performance of my major English, and participation in variou activities. I ranked first in the overall performance of my major and minor in Pharmacy, and won the National Scholarship. With regards to activities and volunteer works, student leader forums, English club and summer social practice activities cultivated my strong leadership and organization skills; additionally, debate and speech competitions, and volunteer experience developed my communication and presentation skills, which are my assets that will largely benefit my future study and career development, as well as the graduate program in which I will get enrolled.
　　At the same time, Pharmacoeconomics course and related literature have broadened my insight into Social and Administrative Sciences in Pharmacy. Throughout the process, I developed considerable literature retrieval skills and sharp abilities to grasp new concepts and knowledge quickly. Also, through involving in the Open Experiment in the Enzyme Engineering Laboratory, I learned to be an excellent coordinator, building a bridge between teachers and other research teammates. From March this year, I have taken an active part in the research project on Comparison Study of Chinese GMP 2010 and GMP 1998. During this research I sharpened my analytical abilities, critical thinking skills, as well as built strong team spirit. I will assist the research advisor Professor HU to deliver a series of lectures in our university and pharmaceutical companies. During my colorful college life, I have made a substantial number of presentations at class, department and school levels. And as one of the best students, I have participated in study method seminars for many times to instruct freshmen and sophomores in learning and researching. Therefore, I have the confidence to say that I will be qualified for teaching or research assistantship in my graduate study.Because of the aforementioned skills and knowledge I gained, this month I am participating in the research project the Pharmacoeconomic Evaluation of Diabetes in China, which will pave the way for my graduate research.
　　The further I explored in this area, the more clearly I realized the dire need for talents specialized in Social and Administrative Sciences in Pharmacy - I hope to become one of them, to be in a marketing leadership position in order to push Chinese pharmaceutical enterprises to become global players - this will certainly be a dot on my life expedition.
　　In order to achieve this professional goal, an advanced degree is indispensible, and the Ph.D. program in Social and Administrative Sciences in Pharmacy at University of Wisconsin - Madison is an excellent fit for me. Via a Ph.D. program, I plan to focus my research and study on Pharmacy Marketing, especially on consumer behavior, and pharmacy goods and services promotion. Research on various areas of the faculty in your department is extremely attractive to me, especially Professor Kreling’s research. His research, Now You See It. Now You Don't: Fair Balance and Adequate Provision in Advertisements for Drugs Before and After the Switch From Prescription to Over-the-Counter, which studies the differences in advertising of drugs that have been switched from prescription to OTC from a unique perspective, makes me realize the strong impact of both prescription and OTC drugs advertising on consumers’ decisions. Another article of Professor Kreling, Do Seniors Get The Medicines Prescribed For Them? Evidence From The 1996-1999 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey, exposes me to the problems of medicine use in the increasing elderly population, an important and growing problem the world over, which I want to explore further during my graduate study.
　　Other Courses offered by your program, will also hone my skills. For instance, Pharmaceutical Marketing and Policy will definitely give me more training on the applications of marketing and policy theories and principles to pharmacy, which will be fundamental for my future research on pharmacy goods and services promotion and marketing during my graduate research and prospective career life. Additionally, courses like Methods of Research and Analysis, will equip me with advanced methods of designing and conducting research, as well as statistic and analytic skills, which will fully prepare me for conducting marketing research on my future career path.
　　In the commencement address, Jobs said that we have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in our future, and thus it will give us the confidence to follow our heart, even when it leads us off the well-worn path. In retrospect, I am surprised to find the dots do connect down the road, and, in this process, I’ve accumulated valuable knowledge and experiences that I can apply into my future study and research. In terms of future, I firmly believe graduate study at University of Wisconsin - Madison will be the next requisite dot on my pursuit of what I love to do. I sincerely hope that I can begin a social, professional and academic relationship with you; one that is sure to be mutually beneficial.