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Economics Personal Statement

My fascination with numbers began when I was very young. Number games, abacus and coins were some of my good childhood companions. Maths has always been my favourite and strongest subject, and I have achieved 100% in 3 modules so far. The scope which Maths covers challenges me, whilst algebra remains at the top of my interest and ability. The aspect I enjoy the most, is the feeling of satisfaction after solving a good problem. I grab every opportunity and am a volunteered maths mentor, where I help other students. I have taken part in various competitions, including the Mathematics Olympiad (Chinese and British) and have received several Golden Awards

Maths led me to discover my passion for the economics world. Soon though I realised that Economics dominates everything in a society

From Economics I have found answers to many childhood curiosities

Having spent years of my life in China, noting the economical change from communism to capitalism has made me even more curious and eager to find out other ways economics can affect lives. I keep up with current affairs, especially economical news. I have traced closely on the euro and the A-level course has given me a more balanced view from my pro-euro bias. My ultimate career goal is to become an economist and use economic concepts to make a difference to people's lives

I worked as an accountant/sales assistant of a firm, where I learnt lots about how economics affects businesses and how a business works from marketing, pricing, purchasing, stocking to successful selling. I have also been to insight programmes offered by Ernst & Young; I now work for Britannia Building Society as a Member Advisor, where my main duty involves handling cash, advising on financial products for appropriate members and some administration. Because all these jobs involve dealing with the public from a sales approach, my communications skills have also greatly improved

I have a much wider interest though - the reason I took 6 AS courses, which I actually enjoyed. I am passionate about computing and am engaged in several projects, including web designing, business system setting-up and database managing. I am a student executive board member on the new government funded project 'Making the Modern World' for the National Museum of Science

I like to read - in Chinese, English and French. I enjoy financial novels (which is very popular in China), biographies, classics, modern, etc. In order to keep my Chinese to a high level I self-study on Chinese high school syllabus. I taught myself to play piano, guitar and harmonica. I take out sports such as running, cycling and Kong Fu

These all require persistence. I also enjoy Latin American Dance and many other hobbies such as stamp and coin collecting, composition of music, team sports - the list is still growing. I try to use my hobbies to make difference in other people's lives - I have organised various shows including dance performances and concerts to raise money for charity

Having English as my second language means that I have good linguistic experiences and skills, and I am fluent at Chinese (Mandarin) and English with some French. I take time to explore all my interests and have a social life, hence time management has become a skill that I appreciate. This skill has helped me tremendously - during the last months of AS studies all my 6 subjects required coursework, projects or exam preparations; it was then I felt the pressure mostly but I have managed to finish all within deadlines and still carry out most of my normal activities

The Chinese background trained me to be hardworking, responsible, competitive and to cope well under pressure. When I came to Britain I hardly knew any English and I had to take Key Stage 3 exams within months - but I have achieved levels 7, 7, 8 in English, Science and Maths respectively - above the national average; whilst I settled into the English environment within weeks. Throughout my life I have taken on positions of responsibility - I was the class captain for 6 years in primary school, chairperson of student association in China, a school representative and in college I am the elected Student Union treasurer and a committee member. A quality that I am extremely proud to possess is independence. Having a career-centred family meant that I had to look after myself well from a very young age. Lots of self-studying experiences also made me able to think and work independently. It brought me pride and confidence in whatever I do.

Comments

This statement is too long for a UCAS application. --~kirsty~ 20:51, 6 August 2007 (BST)

You really don't want to state grades in your PS. And don't start off by describing in detail your love for a subject that isn't the one you're applying for!

The focus of this is also wrong. You should aim for around 70% on the course, and 30% on extra curriculars or other things. This is about 90% unnecessary waffle. Juno 23:30, 14 October 2007 (BST)

There are quite a few errors in grammar here - this implies that it has not been proof-read. 99p and a Flake 17:30, 23 January 2008 (BST)