[dd1989]

* the subject(s) it was used to apply for - Geography + Planning

* the level (undergraduate/postgraduate/Masters/PhD etc.) Undergrad

* which unis it was used to apply to - Aberdeen, Dundee, Hull, Queen Mary Uni of London, Sheffield Hallam, Leeds Met.

* which unis offers were received from and what conditions those offers had - All were around the three C, 240 point mark. QMUL was 280 points if I recall.

* which uni, if any, you ended up going to - Aberdeen.

From an early age I have always had enthusiasm for Geography. For as long as I can recall, my parents and I have visited the different environments around us, ranging from the superb Northumberland coastline to the bustling city of Edinburgh. This exposure to such places has allowed me to develop a keen interest in the diverse world in which we live.

Geography is a subject area which enables me to combine not only skills learned in class, but skills also acquired from the wider world. A subject with great depth and focus, geography forms a fundamental part of us all; even through the simple tasks in life such as walking to school.

Human geography is of great personal appeal. I find the world around me intriguing, particularly when looking at how the population fights a constant battle with nature and faces the challenges of natural disasters. The interaction between people and the natural world is a vast area of study, and I have therefore decided to streamline my choices.

Planning has always grasped my attention; to see how the land is utilized and manipulated to fit our needs is exciting and combines many different skills. Combining a good understanding of ICT and cartography will enable me to fully comprehend this particular field.

The way in which our towns and cities are constantly changing through refurbishment, demolition and building is a dynamic topic I'm sure I will find captivating. I am very interested in how a project goes from the first stages of being planned to the final building of the structure. I am eager to carry out investigations using Geographical Information Systems; especially when applying the data to socio-economic problems in LEDCs.

As part of the AVCE ICT course, I was asked to project manage a web design project for a local business. From this I was able to acquire many skills, involving self-management and planning months ahead to ensure the project remained within the parameters set by the client.

Having completed the Duke of Edinburgh's award to Bronze level (I am presently working through Silver award) I have gained invaluable skills with regard to communication and leadership. These transferable skills have been helpful in other areas such as group discussions and other activities which involve cooperation and concentration.

During my spare time I enjoy taking photographs, including the local coastline which hosts a wide range of subjects to capture. I am also very interested in the use of IT, especially graphical software which I often use to create website layouts.

A degree in human geography with a combination of planning, would suit me perfectly. By completing a degree in this area, I can move forward and put myself in a strong position to move onto a career which I will be interested working in.

[nikegoddess]

History (V100 all courses), currently a fresher at Jesus College, Oxford.

Oxford-AAA incl. History (Firm)
UCL-AAA in my 3 pending A2 subjects
KCL-AAA incl. History
York-AAA incl. History
Nottingham- AAB incl. A in History (Insurance)

Personal Statement
It began with tales of gory mummies and eccentric monarchs, but my fascination with history has long endured the days of my “Horrible Histories” books. The impact of such a socially influential discipline throughout my own personal and academic life has fully convinced me of my desire to pursue history at degree level.

Growing up in London and living in cosmopolitan Hong Kong has exposed me to immense cultural diversity, broadening my appreciation of the international scope of history. However, this has also consequently left me struggling to identify with my Korean roots. Through the revelations of my heritage from reading about the Korean War and Japanese occupation, I have personally experienced history’s role as a vital emblem for one’s personal and national identity. Visiting Sachsenhausen concentration camp, an exemplary scar rendered on Germany by its tragic past, also confirmed my perception of history’s timeless importance in the wider world, and its vital role as the liaison between our present circumstances and past mistakes.

Being essentially a study of humanity, I believe history cannot be fully appreciated without developing a certain sense of empathy for the people living and recording the events of their time. This has influenced my choice of wider reading – for example, in studying Russia’s tumultuous past century of revolution and violence, Orlando Figes’ “A People’s Tragedy” has encouraged me to look beyond the basic conflicts of politics and ideology, and to analyze history from the wider public perspective. John Keegan’s “The Face of Battle” also employed this social approach by searching beyond the tactics and methods of military history to explore the human motive and experience behind the phenomenon of war itself.

Receiving the conflicting views on the Korean War from my British textbooks and the personal experiences of my grandparents also intrigued me about the nature of history itself – how endless speculation and opposing theories can rise from trying to explain just one single event in time. My other A-Levels complement the diversity of this interpretive discipline by equipping me with a wider, interdisciplinary approach to history. I treat Literature as a part of history itself, as its themes and content are often reflections of their contemporary eras. Studying Webster’s “Duchess of Malfi” has prompted me to read Lacey Baldwin-Smith’s “Treason in Tudor England”, which explained how Tudor education, attitudes and political machinations manifested themselves in the corrupt society depicted in the play. Interestingly, I have also found Biology to share much with History’s judicious approach to evidence appraisal in proving a hypothesis, showing the relevance of its transferable skills of critical analysis and evaluation to history.

I feel my extra commitments also justify my aptitude for this degree. Being yearbook editor has disciplined me for independent study as it demanded much responsibility, organization and time management, but competing for my school sports teams has also developed strong teamwork skills. In addition, Debating and Model United Nations has trained me to argue my opinions with oral and written fluency, while retaining an open mind to others’ views. In an age fixated with building for the future, the true meaning and value of history is often buried under Hollywood blockbusters and shallow cultural references. Pursuing this degree, I believe, will aid my eventual goal of using the professional media experience from interning at Oxford University Press and the South China Morning Post to promote history’s vital message to the wider world.

I hope this helps someone! Though I should probably have posted it before the Oxbridge app cycle was over...