Natural Sciences Personal Statement
I enjoy all of my A-level subjects, and I want to continue with as many as possible, so I am applying for Natural Sciences. I am eager to study in more depth the areas that I have found interesting, as well as to explore new topics. For me, Human Biology currently stands out as the most exciting field, as I can see at first hand its applications and effects, and constant developments mean there is always something new to learn. It is this dynamic side of science which I want to be involved in.
During a conference at Reading University, I saw how spectroscopy is used in an academic research setting, and then saw the application of the techniques at the research and development site of the pharmaceutical company, Eli Lilly. Of the three echniques we have studied, I find interpreting NMR spectra particularly interesting, as I have an analytical mind and enjoy the logical challenge. I find the connections between chemical, biological and ethical factors fascinating, links which were particularly apparent when researching treatments for Tourette's Syndrome for my Biology report. During a four day field trip to the Isle of Wight, I enjoyed collecting and identifying organisms on the shore and in ponds around the centre, and learning about how humans can help to protect the environment through conservation schemes.
Through my school I have attended a Senior Mathematics Challenge at Surrey University, and a lecture about complex numbers. I took part in an exchange trip with a specialist Mathematics college in Hungary, where we overcame the language barrier to complete a joint project. I have also attended taster courses on Mathematics and Philosophy at universities in London. During the Mathematics course, I found myself particularly interested by Manuel Breuning's lecture on Finite State Automata, as it was an area unlike any other that I have studied. The way that a simple machine can be extended to process complicated sequences reminds me of how a single nucleotide in a cell can be built up in order to form a whole gene, leading to the "output" of a protein. Links such as these, between the natural and the man-made world, will continue to propel scientific knowledge forward, and in my opinion, this is one of the reasons why today's scientists need a multi-disciplinary education.
I am currently reading The Ancestor's Tale by Richard Dawkins. The way that Dawkins writes about evolution brings it to life in a way that I have never seen before. Reading this coincided with debating evolution vs. creationism in Biology: an activity for which I felt much more prepared, and therefore more enthusiastic and involved.
Working part-time in a photo lab and as a hospital housekeeper has allowed me to see practical applications of chemistry, which has reinforced my interest in the subject. Balancing my extra-curricular activities with college work and raising money for a month-long expedition toChina next summer has taught me how to manage my time effectively, especially in the run up to deadlines for coursework submission or exams. In my free time I enjoy cooking, reading, and watching French films, particularly those by Luc Besson, whom I chose to speak about for my French oral topic. I love the way his films cross the divide between the independent "film noir", traditional of French cinema, and the Hollywood blockbusters. I also act as a volunteer with St John Ambulance. This has taught me not only the practical skills of First Aid, but also to be confident in my abilities and how to remain calm in a stressful or unfamiliar situation. I would love to continue this volunteer work, by joining an existing SJA LINKS division within the university, or to use my own experience to found one.
I am prepared for the challenge of studying a wide variety of sciences, and I am dedicated to this subject and am prepared to work hard to achieve my ambitions. I know that a degree in Natural Sciences will prepare me for many opportunities in the future.
Universities Applied to:
- Cambridge - AAA (Firm)
- Birmingham (with a year abroad) - ABB
- Nottingham - AAB
- UEA (with and without a year abroad) - AAA/ABB
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