My application essay

Ok, so I need some feedback. I'm going to post my essay for my PT application below. I would appreciate some feedback (be it grammar, content, whatever). Feel free to comment, tweet me, message me, call me, or whatever you want to get your feedback to me! Thanks for following everybody, I appreciate it!

Prompt:

• Which personal characteristics and motivating factors have led you to pursue the profession of physical therapy?

My response:

     Although I did not originally start out pursuing a career in physical therapy, my life experiences have eventually led me to this path. I have always considered myself a strong leader, and, through my leadership, I have become a very people-oriented person. Becoming a resident advisor for freshman students for three years during my undergraduate schooling has really helped me fine-tune these traits. I have grown to love working with people and helping them grow to become a better individual. This love for helping my residents experience growth certainly has helped my decision to pursue a career as a a physical therapist. Coupled with my personal characteristics, several experiences in the field have proved great motivating factors to pursue this career path.
    My first job shadowing experience was an incredibly positive one. I worked in a local orthopaedic physical therapy office. The staff was very good with their patients and very knowledgable of the field. The physical therapist made sure I understood each and every aspect of what she was doing. This first observation experience definitely led me to look further into this career.
    As a physical therapist, I hope to work with the special education community. I became aware of this specialized physical therapy during my volunteering with the Special Olympics Michigan State Summer Games. For two years, I got to work with the kids, and help them excel in their respective sports. The positive feedback I received from the children was incredible. I felt immediately connected with this type of work.Volunteering at this event was probably my biggest motivating factor in choosing physical therapy.
     After the summer games, I contacted the local special education center and set up a job shadowing opportunity. Observing in this setting has really fueled my passion for this career. I could not help but go home with a smile everyday when working with those children. Whether it was helping one of the students learn to walk or training a student to use a powered wheelchair, I felt an overwhelming sense of pride and joy in the work I had helped with that day. Having such a positive experience in physical therapy has only reinforced my belief that this is what I want to do the rest of my life.
    To me, physical therapy seems like an obvious fit. I have always been drawn toward the healthcare field, and physical therapy gives me the opportunity to experience that. The patient base that is seen by a physical therapist also fits my desire to experience long-term growth and build a personal relationship with my patients. I truly cannot wait to become a part of this field.

This is the completely unedited, unrevised version, so feel free to comment, I won't be offended! Also, the limit is 4500 characters, and I am currently sitting just under 3000!