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Biochemistry Personal Statement
Life is one of the most complex phenomena in the universe and questions such as 'how did life begin?' and 'what makes us human?' are perhaps as old as man itself. As my studies have advanced and the boundaries between the sciences have began to blur, the complexity of life, particularly on the molecular scale, has fascinated me; I find it incredible that I, a living and conscious being, consist mostly of just six common elements. As far as humans have come technologically, our technology pales in comparison to the work of nature. This complexity, however, has an underlying order and beauty that has really captivated me. My fascination in biochemistry stems from my study of biology and chemistry, both of which have long been the school subjects I have enjoyed the most. This interest spurred me to read around these subjects during my studies. Through reading books such as 'The Biochemistry of Life' by ... and 'The Selfish Gene' by Richard Dawkins, as well as articles in publications such as New Scientist, I have been able to more clearly discover what studying biochemistry entails and appreciate the breadth of biological disciplines with which it overlaps. This has reinforced my decision to study biochemistry, as it is a discipline of great importance to many biological disciplines that I have found to be of great interest through my extended reading, particularly genetics. This appeals to my all-round love of science, which inevitably led me study all three sciences to A2 Level. The rapidly advancing and cutting-edge nature of biochemistry means that it will present many moral and ethical implications in the future and these add to the excitement and relevance of the subject in today's world.
I jumped at the opportunity to attend a biochemistry taster day at Imperial College London during the summer of 2006. This proved to be a valuable experience, inspiring me as to where an education in biochemistry could lead and also giving me an insight into the practical work involved. My regular reading of New Scientist and Chemistry Review magazines has allowed me to appreciate science on a more global scale, outside of the classroom. This has also helped to increase my awareness of some of the pressing ethical issues that our scientific advancement will present us in the future. Regularly attending my sixth form's debating society allowed me to develop the communication skills required to discuss such issues. I have also gained essential life skills such as time management and gained independence through my part-time work, in both a local chemist and a bookshop.
My fascination in the world around me has not only fuelled my scientific curiosity, but also my interest in foreign languages and cultures, which I intend to explore as part of my gap year. I enjoy the fresh perspective that travelling and embracing a foreign culture can bring to life. I find it tremendously rewarding to be able to communicate with someone in their mother tongue, as I discovered when I had a French exchange student stay with me last year. This, coupled with my long established interest in Japanese culture, has prompted me to recently begin teaching myself Japanese. Learning such a different language is definitely a challenge, but one which I am enjoying and intend to continue in the future. I strongly believe that in our global society, the need for languages and an understanding of other cultures and customs is becoming increasingly important in life and in the workplace. I excitingly anticipate the vast array of opportunities that the experience of university will open up to me and I hope to explore these to build upon and expand my interests.
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