Personal Statement:Politics, Philosophy and Economics PPE 10

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Politics, Philosophy and Economics PPE Personal Statement

The nature of an ideal society has intrigued me since I first became aware of the differences in quality of life and cultural values both locally and globally. In addition to these philosophical ideals, I am interested in how the political process can deliver economic and social policy to benefit society. This has led to my choice of degree course.

I was introduced to Plato when I translated passages of ‘Republic’ from Greek. The Socratic dialogues struck me as often counter-intuitive but always logical. Wolff’s ‘Introduction to Political Philosophy’ and ‘Think’ by Blackburn showed me contemporary alternatives. I recently read ‘The Spirit Level’ by Wilkinson and Pickett, which links an economic study of inequality with an epidemiologic study of health and happiness. I was surprised to find that quality of life is linked to how equally wealth is distributed in a country not how much wealth there is in total. I think this supports a political ideology of socialism for self-interest. My favourite part of AS economics was the discussion of issues like the over-consumption of demerit goods, so I enjoyed Steven Levitt’s ‘Freakonomics’ because he applied economic thinking to ethics and human behaviour rather than just econometrics. To find out more about social policy I read ‘Social Policy’ edited by J. Baldock. I appreciated the holistic approach that took small issues such as hospital parking fees from ethical theory through to practical application.

I aim to keep well informed about current affairs for Model United Nations (MUN). Preparing resolutions for debate has taught me that I can argue a topic more effectively by looking at issues from various perspectives. For example in Economics I studied the under provision of health and the economic cost of Aids; in Geography I analysed its geographic prevalence; in Biology its causes; and in Politics I questioned why political leaders failed to take action. My academic subjects have also developed my skills in written argument, scientific enquiry and evidence based analysis. Work experience with the Alliance Party over the summer combined these skills with geopolitical and statistical analysis to research the implications of proposed boundary and electoral reform.

I met Lord Hannay, a former UN Diplomat and author of ‘New World Disorder’, at an MUN conference. I had read his book so was keen to ask him about the balance between a UN that is powerful enough to avoid failures such as the Rwandan Genocide, but still weak enough to be tolerated by its member nations. Therefore I was excited to be privy to the workings of the UN when I represented Northern Ireland at a Global Young Leader’s Conference in New York. A common, liberal, well-educated background created a superficial similarity among the 350 international students, however deeper debate caused cultural differences to surface. Many students I met came from the Middle East so I was keen to discuss the parallels between the situation there and in Northern Ireland. The conference stimulated my interest in international affairs.

Other interests include music and computing. I play the violin, recently performing in the Irish premier of Howard Goodall’s Requiem. I ‘fiddle’ in an Irish traditional group, sing in Chapel Choir and enjoy piano at home. Balancing music with study has taught me time management. I have also taught myself computer programming; I recently designed a data driven website for the MUN and the homework diary currently in use at my school. These projects developed transferable skills. I am an elected member of School Council, Sixth Form Forum and Executive; serving on these requires diplomacy to negotiate between student idealism and staff pragmatism. As President of the MUN General Assembly I was responsible for organising a residential conference for 400 students and I run Junior Debating and MUN. Such challenges develop my organisational skills and ensure the opportunities I enjoyed are available to others.

Universities Applied to:

• Oxford (PPE) - Offer (AAA) Accepted
• Queens University Belfast (PPE) - Offer (ABBb) Insurance
• Warwick (PPE) - Offer (A*AA)
• Warwick (EPIS) - Offer (AAB)
• Bristol (Social Policy and Politics) - Rejection

Grades Achieved:

• Politics (A2) - A*
• Geography (A2) - A*
• Economics (A2) - A
• Biology (A2) - A

Comments

Exeter College interview and offer. I feel I should add some GCSE details to debunk myths, such as that straight A* at GCSE is necessary. I got 6A* grades and 5 As in GCSEs. No Maths beyond GCSE Additional, but perhaps other colleges do look for Maths.

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