Personal Statement:Mathematics and Economics

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Mathematics and Economics Personal Statement

The elegance and ingenuity of Mathematics has fascinated me from a young age, stemming from a series of masterclasses in year eight, which sparked an interest that has grown over time. The sense of satisfaction from solving a demanding mathematical problem coupled with the opportunity to explore topics in further depth has made studying the subject at A-level both rewarding and enjoyable, and has cemented my desire to study Mathematics at university. As my passion grew, I attended a Mathematics day which demonstrated some of its many applications in the real world, and one area that piqued my interest was economics. I found myself inspired by the way the logic and critical thinking of models and equations can be used to tackle so many problems in society and explain numerous changes in the modern world. To study Mathematics and Economics at university would allow me to apply the mathematical methods I have enjoyed learning to real life problems, and to explore areas of economics I have not yet touched upon.

My enjoyment from A-level Mathematics has stimulated me to pursue the subject in my own time. Last year I participated in an enrichment day at Bristol University which introduced Maclaurin Series and set a number of problems which we tackled independently, and I relished the challenge of new approaches and ideas. Bringing mathematics back to first principles and showing the integrity of theorems through proofs is my favourite aspect of the subject as it requires lateral thinking and creativity. I also attended a series of lectures on a range of topics from the golden ratio to the use of mathematics in coding, and the sheer flexibility of mathematics demonstrated has motivated me to learn more about its many applications. My interest in economics has also developed through extra-curricular activities as economics is not offered at my school. I recently finished reading 'The Undercover Economist' which I enjoyed as it showed how the fundamental ideas of economics are used in everyday life. The chapter on price discrimination particularly appealed to me as not only does it offer an explanation as to why there is so much discrepancy between the prices of near identical products, but also shows how each person's decision affects the overall pricing strategy of a business. Through reading articles in the Financial Times and the Economist, I have developed my knowledge of current events in the financial world. As the sole candidate for the Mechanics 3 unit in my year group, I have spent the last summer self teaching Mechanics 2 and I greatly enjoyed the experience. The opportunity to purse the subject through self-motivation created a stimulating environment in which I could develop my mathematical potential. This method of learning through independent study, combined with the ability of orally communicating and analyzing my methods developed through the small class size of my Further Mathematics lessons is one that I relish and will allow me to thrive in supervisions and tutorials offered at university.

Over the past year I have been involved in Young Enterprise, achieving a distinction in the exam. As financial director I enjoyed seeing microeconomics operating in the real world, and it heightened my interest in economics. I also participated in the Duke of Edinburgh Silver Award and a Leadership course, which both presented a challenging environment I savoured, as I thrive under pressure. In my spare time I enjoy ballet and piano, achieving grade 7 in both, demonstrating my ability to balance commitment to extra-curricular activities and schoolwork.

The ability to use Mathematics and Economics to influence the world we live in is something that inspires and motivates me, and I relish the opportunity to purse my interest through studying at a higher level. The prospect of pursuing these two subjects is one that I eagerly anticipate and I look forwards to meeting the challenge of university.

Universities Applied to:

• Cambridge (Mathematics) - Offer (A*A*A*S1) Firm
• London School of Economics (Mathematics and Economics) - Offer (A*AA) Insurance
• Durham (Natural Sciences) - Offer (AAA) Declined
• Warwick (Mathematics and Economics) - Offer (A*AA1/A*A*A2) Declined
• York (Mathematics and Economics) - Offer (AAB) Declined

Grades Achieved:

• Mathematics (A2) - A*
• Further Mathematics (A2) - A*
• Biology (A2) - A*
• Geography (A2) - A
• Mandarin Chinese (AS) - A

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