Personal Statement:Chemistry 8

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Chemistry Personal Statement

What inspires me most about chemistry is how hard it is to imagine how anything can be explained without the aid of a chemist. I believe this is really encapsulated by Luciano Caglioti: 'Chemistry is one of the broadest branches of science, if for no other reason than that, when we think about it, everything is chemistry.' It really is a central subject that supports most of biology and medicine and shapes many contemporary ideas from global warming to anti-cancer drugs.

Chemistry will, I believe, satisfy my zeal for learning and understanding, coupled with my thirst for a challenge and an opportunity to enter a world that fascinates me. Chemistry at 'AS' level was much more rewarding than any of my previous studies, as I was exposed to new and powerful techniques. It was fascinating to discover that many of the things I was exposed to before I studied quantum mechanics really owed their existence to the theory of quantum mechanics: from the idea of Bohr orbits, to the complexity and mystery of atoms. There was also a clear connection between many areas of chemistry of which I was previously unaware. These connections were expressed to me in 'Magic Molecules: How Drugs Work', a book that opened my eyes to areas of chemical research and the challenges that a chemist faces when delving in to the unknown. I realise that I have only skimmed the surface of many areas of chemistry and I look forward to the fascinating world that awaits me.

I find organic chemistry to be by far the most interesting. I have particularly enjoyed studying the reactions of carbonyls due to their versatility. More reactions of carbonyls are coming up later in the course and I am looking forward to tackling these new types of mechanisms and expanding my knowledge of synthesis. I also enjoyed many other aspects of this course, especially when I was introduced to Schrodinger's equation. At first it looked like Russian, but I soon found it to be quite elegant and enjoyed solving it. My interest is broad and varies throughout all three disciplines.

Throughout the year I have been self-studying maths modules due to timetable problems. I undertook this opportunity for self study and I believe my motivation and commitment are shown by achieving over 90%. I am particularly looking forward to mathematical techniques coming up in the further mathematics course that are directly applicable to chemistry. During my time at school, I was fortunate enough to win a mathematics scholarship and this has really developed my confidence and desire to perform. I have also had to self study 'AS' physics, though by doing so I was able to focus on areas that related to chemistry, such as quantum mechanics and particle physics, and found both really complemented my chemical studies. I will be taking the full 'A' level in one year. I have achieved over 90% in chemistry and obtained a grade A in all my modules and also achieved grade A's in my other subjects.

In my spare time I play cricket for the Second XI and cycle competitively. I race on the road, at Manchester Velodrome and in Belgium and will be returning to Flanders in 2009 to compete in a series of sportifs. I'm also involved in the Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award. Finding the balance between my extra-curricular activities with a study of 7 'AS' levels has ultimately helped to develop my time management and organisational skills throughout the sixth-form. My enjoyment of chemistry has also led me to read books of a more philosophical nature such as 'What is This Thing Called Science?'

I find chemistry enthralling and I am certainly looking forward to studying it exclusively at university. After speaking to chemistry lecturers and undergraduates at open days, my decision was consolidated and I eagerly await the breadth and depth that a chemistry degree has to offer.

Universities Applied to:

• Oxford - Firm offer

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