Personal Statement:Economics 3

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Economics Personal Statement

Since childhood, frequent visits to China have allowed me to see how even my small home village has developed into a large vibrant town. Observing how this economic growth has impacted virtually all aspects of Chinese life sparked my interest in economics. By continuing this onto A-level studies, I have been able to discover how theories in economics shape society and fundamentally define how choices are being made. Beginning to understand the nature of firms and markets has allowed me to explore various aspects of the economic reform in China, and how this has had a significant impact on the global market. This is why I would like to study economics further, to better my appreciation of the influence economic changes have on society.

Since beginning A-level, I have enjoyed reading the Financial Times and Economax regularly, allowing me to discover how economics is applied to important current issues and events. I have read further books such as 'A Very Short Introduction to Capitalism' by J.Fulcher. This has given me an insight into the beginnings of a capitalist free market in the UK and how society has developed around this market. I especially enjoyed Legrain's 'Open World:/ The Truth About Globalisation'. This offered a powerful argument in favour of globalisation covering issues such as migration, trade, the environment and technology. Also, through reading 'The Undercover Economist' by T.Harford and 'The Armchair Economist' by S.Landsburg, I am beginning to discover how economics relates to everyday decisions, enabling me to more fully develop my reasoning skills.

I have also been keen to learn about the subject first-hand. I was lucky to gain invaluable work experience at a private equity investment firm. This was inspiring as I hope that a degree in Economics would enable me to enter this type of career. During the summer of 2007, I had a taste of working in China, auditing for China Rightson Certified Public Accountancy and working at State Grid in the finance department. The experience of working in a country in transition to a market made me realise how far China will have to change if it is to successfully adopt the ethos of a true market economy. Currently I am part of a team competing in the Target Two Point Zero challenge, assuming the role of the MPC, which is improving my analysis skills of the macro economy.

Academically, I have been awarded form prizes for four consecutive years and a prestigious King Edward Scholarship, awarded to only two people per year, for my GCSE performance. In addition, I have been awarded merit awards in both Junior and Intermediate Maths Olympiads on three occasions, and a distinction in the Senior Maths Olympiad. As a member of the National Academy of Gifted and Talented Youth, I attended a summer residential further maths course which I thoroughly enjoyed.

As a member of the school's student council in lower years, I represented my form, communicating their ideas to the council. Now, as an elected prefect, I continue this task as well as contributing to the smooth running of the school. Attending my local Chinese school each week has allowed me to become fluent in the language and has developed my understanding of Chinese history and culture. I led a team in the Envision Charity Scheme, organising events to protect the local environment; and as project manager for my Education in Engineering Scheme project, I was awarded a Gold Crest award. Additionally, I have been a maths mentor for students in local primary schools and at school maths master-classes. I am a keen guitarist, regularly playing in guitar ensembles and I have represented school and house at rugby and chess, as well as competing for Warwickshire County Badminton at U16.

I am looking forward to developing my interest in globalisation as well as furthering my analytical skills as an economist. I also hope I can continue to pursue my outside interests, contributing to the life of the university.

Universities Applied to:

• Cambridge (Clare College) - AA
• LSE - AAA
• UCL - Unsuccessful
• Warwick - AABB
• Bristol - ABB

Accepted Cambridge and now studying at Clare College.

Grades Achieved:

Predicted AAAA.

Comments

General Comments:

Overall, this PS certainly has potential, but the good parts are not sold to the best of their ability. There is a bit too much on extra-curricular activities, which would help create more space if it was cut down. The applicant tries to fit too much in: quality is more important than quantity. If the applicant spoke more in-depth about one/two/three books/articles, it would be far better than only having space to list five. This would show real interest and engagement in the subject matter, and therefore impress the admissions tutors. The applicant may also benefit from reading their work aloud, to see how the sentences flow (particularly with commas).

Comments on the statement:

Since childhood, frequent visits to China have allowed me to see how even my small home village has developed into a large vibrant town. Observing how this economic growth has impacted virtually all aspects of Chinese life sparked my interest in economics. The applicant needs to expand here: What economic growth? Why did they find this interesting? By continuing this onto A-level studies, I have been able to discover how theories such as? in economics shape society and fundamentally define how choices are being made. How? Beginning to understand the nature of firms and markets has allowed me to explore various aspects of the economic reform in China, and how this has had a significant impact on the global market. This is why I would like to study economics further, to better my appreciation of the influence economic changes have on society. This opening would benefit from being cutting down (while simultaneously adding a bit more detail, even briefly) as it is on the long side.

Since beginning A-level, I have enjoyed reading the “Financial Times” and “Economax” publication names need to be in quotes regularly, allowing me to discover how economics is applied to important current issues and events. This needs expanding on, to explain why the applicant found it interesting, such as a particular article (from each). I have read further books this suggests the previous items were books, but they were magazines/newspaper. Better to rephrase that such as 'A Very Short Introduction to Capitalism' by J. Fulcher. Added space. This has given me an insight into the beginnings of a capitalist free market in the UK and how society has developed around this market. The admissions tutors will know what he said, so the applicant needs to instead focus on why it is interesting, what they think about it and how it relates to other things they’ve read/studied/researched. I especially enjoyed Legrain's 'Open World:/ Avoid typos like this The Truth About Globalisation'. This offered a powerful argument in favour of globalisation covering issues such as migration, trade, the environment and technology. Again, the applicant needs to mention their thoughts on what they’ve read. Also, through reading 'The Undercover Economist' by T. Harford added space and 'The Armchair Economist' by S. Landsburg, and here I am beginning to discover how economics relates to everyday decisions, enabling me to more fully develop my reasoning skills. These two books are extremely common to mention in PSs – the previous ones would be far better to include and devote more space to, by removing these.

I have also been keen to learn about the subject first-hand. Not necessary I was lucky to gain invaluable work experience at a private equity investment firm. This was inspiring as I hope that a degree in economics would enable me to enter this type of career. This requires expanding on, to show (real! Not tenuous) links to economics. However, it isn’t necessary to mention that this is the sort of job they want to do – getting on (and therefore interest in) the degree is far more important to admissions tutors. During the summer of 2007, I had a taste of working in China, auditing for China Rightson Certified Public Accountancy and working at State Grid in the finance department. The experience of working in a country in transition to a market made me realise how far China will have to change if it is to successfully adopt the ethos of a true market economy. This needs to say why the applicant likes it, and why/how it developed their interest in economics.

Currently I am part of a team competing in the Target Two Point Zero challenge, assuming the role of the MPC, which is improving my analysis skills of the macro economy. A very broad statement about Target 2.0; the applicant needs to be more specific in describing/explaining the ways it has developed their interest in macroeconomics.

Academically, I have been awarded form prizes for four consecutive years and a prestigious King Edward Scholarship, awarded to only two people per year, for my GCSE performance. This should be mentioned by the referee, not in the PS - its considered bad taste to discuss grades and academic achievement in here. In addition, I have been awarded merit awards in both Junior and Intermediate Maths Olympiads on three occasions, and a distinction in the Senior Maths Olympiad. The applicant needs to mention the link between maths and economics, and why they like it. As a member of the National Academy of Gifted and Talented Youth, I attended a summer residential further maths course which I thoroughly enjoyed. If there is too much to mention, the referee can mention things like this in their reference. It doesn’t add anything to the PS at present; the other stuff is more relevant.

As a member of the school's student council in lower years, I represented my form, communicating their ideas to the council. Now, as an elected prefect, I continue this task as well as contributing to the smooth running of the school. Attending my local Chinese school each week has allowed me to become fluent in the language and has developed my understanding of Chinese history and culture. I led a team in the Envision Charity Scheme, organising events to protect the local environment; and as project manager for my Education in Engineering Scheme project, I was awarded a Gold Crest award. Additionally, I have been a maths mentor for students in local primary schools and at school maths master-classes. I am a keen guitarist, regularly playing in guitar ensembles and I have represented school and house at rugby and chess, as well as competing for Warwickshire County Badminton at U16.

This is all fine, but including the bit above about school awards and work experience, it is far too long. Applicants place too much emphasis on their ECs when in reality they should only take up a small part of the application (no more than 30%, so around 1 paragraph or 3 to 4 sentences) rather than providing their life history with every last thing they have ever done. The focus of the PS needs to be on why they like economics then a teeny bit about their life beyond this – here they need to work out the most important bits then delete the rest.

I am looking forward to developing my interest in globalisation as well as furthering my analytical skills as an economist. The applicant needs to expand here and explain why. I also hope I can continue to pursue my outside interests, contributing to the life of the university. Talking about ‘contributing to the life of the university’ is not necessary for UK admissions – the tutors are far more interested in their academic potential/interest. Instead of this, the applicant should briefly sum up why they are a good candidate for the course.