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Personal Statement:Natural Sciences 9TSR Wiki > University > Applying to University > Personal Statement Library > Natural Sciences 9
Natural Sciences Personal StatementMy interest in science was sparked when I opened my first copy of the New Scientist magazine in September 2004, and I was instantly captivated by articles and discoveries from across the whole spectrum of science, I am still subscribed now. As I grew up I found that I enjoyed scientific subjects the most. This led me to take all three core sciences at AS level as I was reluctant to drop one because I thought they were all important. I enjoyed learning in depth about hydrocarbons and how the structure of chain and position of functional groups determine the properties of a molecule. I have been fascinated by the sheer variety of different carbon based molecules, from simple alkanes, all the way to proteins and enzymes, and how they are all combinations of just a few types of atoms. I was pleased when I found about the Natural Sciences course as it will allow me to study a variety of areas of science at university level while still going into serious depth. To this end I want to take a fourth year as this will allow me to undertake a research project. I think the most interesting developments in science occur at the interfaces between disciplines, and Natural Sciences caters for this. Fields such as biochemistry, neuroscience and nanotechnology have all developed from the joining of many disciplines. I think that Natural Sciences will give me the broad base of knowledge and strong analytic skills I will need for a scientific career. One of the most enjoyable aspects of science at school is problem solving, and I relish the challenge of taking on a difficult problem and taking it on to its conclusion. This year I have been taking part in my school's maths mentoring group, in which I and other students work through difficult problems together, this has really helped me to learn to communicate my ideas to other people and to incorporate their understanding to achieve success. Mentoring also involves helping students in lower years with their problems. Often in my lessons I will end up in a discussion about a (sometimes outlandish) idea; be it about a carbon-carbon quadruple bond, drilling a tunnel through the earth, and I, my classmates and the teacher will try and resolve the problem. At the moment I am reading "Made to measure: New materials for the 21st Century" by Philip Ball and I find its descriptions of materials used in modern technology fascinating, especially the parts concerning the limitations of the materials and how they can be pushed back. I found my knowledge of polar bonding from AS chemistry helped me understand the mechanism of piezoelectricity. Throughout secondary school I have participated in the UK Intermediate and Senior Maths Challenges and I achieved a gold certificate on many occasions progressing to the British Mathematical Olympiad in 2008,2009 and 2010. I also took the maths Advanced Extension Award in addition to my AS levels and this year I was made a maths honour student. These examples show that I have the solid mathematical grounding I will need for scientific study. In 2009 I took part in the British Biology Olympiad and achieved a gold certificate. My desire to be challenged was one of the reasons I chose to take 4 AS and one A2 in the Lower Sixth. In particular I was pleased by my 100% average in maths A2. I have a large capacity for perseverance and this is demonstrated by my enjoyment of long distance running, I run 5 times a week, rain or shine, up to a distance of half-marathon. I also have taught myself to play the piano from books and sheet music, and at the moment my favourite piece to play is Debussy's Claire de Lune. Earlier this year I participated in the South West Schools bouldering competition as a member of my school team and we came first. I am looking forward to studying Natural Sciences and I'm excited to think that one day I may be involved in the research that will extend the limits of knowledge.
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CommentsGeneral Comments:A large part of my rejection from Cambridge was due to my low UMS marks at AS and the lack of an outstanding interview to make up for that. To any potential Oxbridge applicants reading this I recommend trying as hard as you can to impress with high UMS, rather than waiting till A2 to bag the A* with as little effort as possible. Some relevant work experience would've definitely helped as well. Comments on the statement: |
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