留学申请个人陈述

Mathspersonalstatement

Mathspersonalstatement

Mathspersonalstatement

ActuarialSciencepersonalstatement

Mathematicsandeconomypersonalstatement

MathematicsPersonalStatement

Mathematics/ActuarialSciencepersonalstatement

MathsandComputerSciencePersonalStatment

MathematicsPersonalStatement

Mathspersonalstatement

Mathematicallogicandconceptsunderliefunctionalityofpracticallyeveryprocessfromrocketsciencetothebudgetofahousehold.Itisthisdiversityofapplicationthatintriguesmeandmakesmewanttostudyitindepth.Ifeelitwillgivemelogisticandreasoningabilitiesthatarepivotalforvirtuallyallareasofstudy,consequentlygivingaverystrongbaseforawiderangeofcareers.Myinterestinmathematicsdatesbacktoprimaryschool-Ihaveenjoyedthechallengeeversince.ThroughoutmyO'levelsinPakistan,Ireceivedmeritcertificatesnotonlyformathbutforallothersciencesubjectsaswell.Ihavealwaysmarveledattheinterrelationbetweentheseandmath,andhavealwayssoughttoexploretheircommonunderlyingprinciples.

AnopportunitytodothatwaswhenIwasamongthe40topcandidatesselected,fromalloverPakistan,byBuraqPlanetarySocietytoparticipateinatenday'SpaceCamp'.HereIwasnotonlyexposedtowiderprospectsofknowledge,butwasgivenaninvaluableexperienceofinteractionwithlike-mindedpeople.Ialsogainedusefulcommunicationskillsandagreatconfidenceboost.

DuetoaclashinmytimetableduringO'Levels,IcouldnottakeAdditionalMathematicsatschool.Nevertheless,Idecidedtostudythecourseonmyowninitiative.Imanagedtograspthesyllabus'conceptsduringyear11andachieved96%onthepaper.Thiswasagreatsenseofachievementformeandencouragementtopursuemyinterestfurther.Havinghadnoformallessons,Idevelopedanindependent,self-reliantapproachtomathswhichIbelieveiscrucialforuniversitylevelstudy.AchievingthemaximumnumberofAgradeseverinmyschool's25yearhistory,IwasofferedafullscholarshipforA'Levels.However,IwasnotabletoavailitasImovedtotheUK.

Ihavealwaysbeenactiveinextracurricular.DuetomyimmenseinterestinsingingIhavealwaysbeenintheschoolchoirandparticipatedinmanycompetitionsandfestivalsincludingoneinwhichIperformedasoloforanaudienceof2000.Ialsoappearedinaweeklymusicalprogramforthreeyearsonnationaltelevision.Atschool,IwaselectedthehouseCaptainbytheentirestudentbody.Thisrequiredahighdegreeofleadershipaswellasorganisationalskillsandinvolvedanactiveroleinthestudentcouncil,whichmeantcoordinatingmajorsocialeventsandsportcompetitionswhereIwasresponsibleforpullingtogetherteamsformyhouse.Thisexperienceinvariablytaughtmetostrikeasensiblebalancebetweenacademicsandextracurricularactivities.

LastyearIcompletedaworkexperienceplacementinanengineeringfirm,Enotrac,thatmainlyinvolvedcomputerbasedinvestigationreports.Althoughtheworkitselfwasnotdirectlyrelatedtomyfield,itwasusefulingivingmeaninsighttoaprofessionalatmosphere.

I'mlookingforwardtoexperiencinguniversitylife-itwillnotonlygivemetheacademicgroundstogetintocareerslikeactuarialscience,researchandcommerce,butthesocialexperienceinitselfissomethingtolookforwardto.

Mathspersonalstatement

Theideaofproofhasalwaysheldarealfascinationforme.Theprocessofstartingfromasimplesetofaxiomsandderivingalmostanymathematicaltruth(puttingGodeltooneside)iswhattrulyseparatesMathematicsfromanyothersubject.Itistheclosestwecanevergettoabsolutetruth,andthereinliesitssheerbeautyandthereasonitistheonlysubjectforme.Ofcourse,it'salsoagooddealoffun.

IhavetriedtoextendmyMathsasmuchaspossiblebeyondtheclassroom,andwheneverIdosoIuncovereithersomecompletelynewandintriguingareaofMathematicsoraveryneattrickIhadn'tthoughtofinmorefamiliarterritory.OneexampleofthisismyattendanceatweeklylecturesgivenbythedepartmentofMathematicsatBristolUniversity,coveringtopicsfromtheMathematicsofjugglingtoquantummechanics,althoughsomeofmyfavouriteshavebeenthoseonthelessexotic"inequalities",whichtaughtmealotaboutthinkingaboutproblemscreatively.IalsoattendedasummerschoolrunbytheNationalAcademyofGiftedandTalentedYouthattheUniversityofDurham,whereIspenttwoweeksbeingintroducedtovariousapproachablefirstyearundergraduatetopicssuchasproofbyinduction,MarkovchainsandusingMaple.ThisexperiencenotonlyallowedmetodiscoverareasofMathematicsIwouldnototherwisehaveencountered,butalsogavemeasmalltasteofuniversitylife,astherewasalargenumberofuslivinginoneofthecolleges.IamalsoinvolvedintheUKMTmentoringscheme,wherebyeachmonthIamgivenasheetofquestionsinareasnottouchedonatAlevel,suchasgeometryandnumbertheory,givingmeagoodopportunitytoexplorenewmathematicalideasmyself,andgainamuchdeeperappreciationoftheinterconnectionswithinMathematicsandthecreationofproofs.Iamamemberoftheschool'sMathsteamandweareregularlysuccessfulincompetingagainstteamsfromotherschoolsinthearea.IalsoattendSTEPsessionsatlocalschoolswhenavailable,asIfindthequestionsmuchmoreinterestingthanthestandardAlevelones,andthinkingabouthowtosolvethemhasgreatlyimprovedmyrigourinapproachingproblems.

AmongthemathematicalbooksIhaveread,Ienjoyed"Godel,Escher,Bach",whichgivesagoodgroundinginaxiomaticreasoningandformalsystems,whilstatthesametimepointingouttheirmajorflaw.Ialsoliked"Toinfinityandbeyond"byEliMaor,whichdealswiththeconceptofinfinity,itsimplicationsanditsparadoxes,bothinMathsandelsewhere.

IparticularlyenjoythepuresideoftheAlevelsyllabus,especiallytrigonometryandcalculus,astheyinvolveacertaindegreeofproofandintroducenewconcepts.IbelievemyotheracademicsubjectsallcomplementMathematicsastheyareaboutfindingwaysofdescribingreality,beitthroughlanguageinFrenchorthroughequationsandmodelsinPhysicsandChemistry.IfindCriticalThinkingespeciallyrelevantasitisabouttheconstructionofsoundlogicalarguments,anartlyingattheheartofMathematicsinproof.IhaveacheivedanAgradeinallmodulesacrossallmysubjects.

Inmysparetime,Ipractisekickboxing,andhavecompetedinvariouslocalcompetitions.Asavolunteer,IaminvolvedinayearsevenMathsmentoringschemeandhelpatahomelessshelter.Ienjoytravelling,andwillbegoingtoNicaraguaforamonthaftermyAlevelstohelpinasmallvillage,explorethelocaljunglesandvolcanoesandpractisemySpanish.IlivedinFrancefromtheagesof9to12,andlearnttoadapttoanewlanguageandculture.

IverymuchlookforwardtoexploringthenewideasofUniversitylevelMathematics,andplayingafullpartinUniversitylife.

Mathspersonalstatement

Mathematicscan,attimes,bethesinglemostfrustratingsubjectIhaveeverstudied,yetIloveit.Theeuphoriaofcompletingaparticularlyhardpuzzle,orthesuddenrealisationofaparticulartopicclickingintoplace,makesthechallengeandthehardworkallthemoreworthwhile.Studyingbothmathsandfurthermathsat'A'levelhasbeenthemostenjoyableandrewardingpartofmyacademiccareer,andthelogicandreasoningrequiredforthesubjectkeepsmeinterested.Bystudyingmathematicstodegreestandard,IhopetofindandanswermanynewquestionsImighthave.Inparticular,Iamlookingforwardtoexploringmoreinthefieldofpuremaths.Mysuccessandfascinationinmathematicshasgivenmeastrongfoundationtoapproachadegreewithboththeconfidenceandenthusiasmneededtosucceed.ByenteringmyselfforthemathematicsAEA,IhopetoexpanduponthemathematicalknowledgeIhavealreadylearnt,byfurtherdevelopingtheskillstoapplythemtodemandingandcomplexquestions.Besidesthepossiblerewardofanotherqualification,theprospectofgaininggreaterunderstanding,alongsidebettertechniquesofapplicationinmaths,willbeafantasticopportunity.

TohelpsupportmystudiesIworkasacustomerassistantinaretailstore.Partsofmydutiesinvolvecontactwithmembersofthepublicandthishashelpedmeenhancebothmycommunicationandproblemsolvingskills.Bymanagingabusyscheduleofstudying,workandateenagesociallife,Ihaveacquiredtimemanagementskillsthatwillproveinvaluabletomeduringmydegree.Someofmymostfulfillingandrewardingexperiencesinrecentyearsincludebeingamemberofthecastintwodramaproductionsatmysecondaryschool.Holdingcriticalanddemandingroles,whileunderpressuretoperforminfrontofanaudience,hashelpedmedevelopmyconfidencegreatlyandIlookforwardtocontinuingsuchactivitiesatuniversity.ThroughoutmyGCSEyears,Iwasalibraryassistantatschoolwheremydutiesincludedtheissuingandreturningofbooksandworkingwiththerestofthelibrarystafftoensurethegeneralday-to-dayrunningoftheservice.Theexperienceofworkingwithinthelibrarystructure,alongwithotherassistants,helpedmeimprovethewayIworkwithinateam,andhelpshapemeintoamorematureindividual.Morerecently,whilststudyingformyA-levels,Ihavechosentospendanumberofmyfreeperiodshelpingwithsomeoftheyoungeryears'mathsclasses.Thecommunicationandlanguageskills,developedfromaidingstudentswithavarietyofabilities,havehelpedaugmentmyalreadykeensocialandcommunicationskills,whilsthelpingstrugglingstudentshastaughtmebothpatienceandthatpositiveresultscanbegainedwithenoughperseverance.

Althoughtakingabreaknowduetoasportinginjury,Iamalsoakeenmartialartist.Ifindthatmaintainingphysicalfitnesshelpsgeneralwellbeingandconcentration,whichhashadapositiveimpactonmystudies.Havingstudiedkickboxingfortwoandahalfyearstothestandardofredbelt,whilstcasuallyexploringtheKoreanmartialartofTae-Kwon-Do,Ihaverealisedafascinatinginsightintotheversatilityandstrengthsofthehumanphysique.Ihopetocompeteintheringonanationalleveloneday.Martialartsareseenasawayoflife,theyarecertainlyabigpartofmine.

Itisbecauseofmypassionforthesubject,andtheskillslearntfromhelpingothersthatmakesmebelieveIwillmakeasuccessfulmathematician.Whereknowledgeandlogicarenecessarypartstobeingsuccessfulinmaths,itismydriveandpassionthatwillhelpmetolearnit,alongsidemycommunicationandlanguageskillsthatwillhelpmeusetheknowledgeinreal-lifesituations.

Cateringforthefutureisoneofthemostbeneficialpractisesofeverydaylife,andwithoutforeseeingwhatliabilitiesmaylayahead,itisdifficulttoproposeaplanofactionintheeventofsuchcircumstances.ThereforeIfinditintriguingthatMathematicscanbeputtopracticaluse,sothatwecandevelopalogicalconsiderationoffinancialprospectsandaimtoeliminatemonetaryriskbyreducingunfavourableoutcomes,hencemydesiretounderstandandacquiretheskillsofanactuaryviaadegreeinactuarialscience.

MyappreciationofMathshasslowlymaturedovertheyearsandmyAatIGCSElevelgavemeenoughself-confidencetotakeonthechallengeofA-levelMathematics.Intermsofmyintendeddegree,mymostusefulappliedmoduleisStatistics,asIhaveseenitsimportanceandregularusageinActuarialScienceandbecauseIamfascinatedathowconvenientitcanbetohandleandprocessfiguressothattheymaybemanipulatedtoproduceafeasiblemathematicmodel.

AsActuarialSciencerequiresasoundcombinationofmathematicsandabusinessbackground,IdecidedtotakeASlevelEconomicstothusimprovemyanalyticalapproachtobusinessandfamiliarisemyselfwiththetechniquesinvolved.ThisprocesswasaidedbytakingASCriticalThinkingwhichhasnotonlydevelopedmyproblemsolvingskillsunderextremetimelimits,butalsomypowersofinterpretationwhenevaluatingmoreextensivedocuments.

Istronglybelievethatanactuaryisapersonofsolidjudgementandorganisationalskillsandthatitisimportanttobeabletoapplythesetechniquesinallareas;bothacademicandextracurricular,togainversatility.

Inviewofthat,IhaveworkedhardtoobtaintitlesthatconveyauthorityandreliabilitysuchasHouseandSchoolPrefect.Intheformer,IhavethemaindutytosortoutteamsforHousecompetitionsandinthelatteritisessentialthatIcommunicate

academicandsocialdisciplinewiththeyoungerstudentsoftheschoolandbeofassistancetotheteachersinanywaypossibleaswellasperformingregulardutiesalongsidefellowPrefects.IhaverepresentedmyHouseonnumerousoccasionsoverthelast7years,participatinginsportssuchascricket,rugby,volleyball,swimmingandathleticsandItrytogivemybestandrelishthecompetitioninvolved.

Insidemyschool,IamalsoamemberoftheDukeofEdinburghInternationalAwardscheme,successfullyachievingthebronzeandsilverawards;IamcurrentlypursuingthegoldwhichIhopetofinishbeforemytimeatSt.Andrewsends.TheseawardsareparticularlyhelpfulatconstantlychallengingmyphysicalandmentaldedicationandIhopethispracticecanhelpmecoordinatemycommitmentwhenitcomestotimesofperseveranceasanactuary,encouragingmetobuildupconsistencyinallmyapproachessothatIcanhavethecourageoffacingthereallifeconsequencesofmyactions.

Outsideofschool,Ihavespentmanyhoursofmyfreetimeduringthelastyearcompletingmycommunityservice:IusesomeofmySundayafternoonsattendingalocalorphanageinwhichmyselfandafewfriendshelpoutinanyway,includingentertainingthechildrenbyorganisingandplayingfootballmatches.Otherthanbeingintheschoolvolleyballteam,Ialsoamamemberofaprivatevolleyballteamthatentersvariouscompetitionsthroughoutthecourseoftheyearandthishasimprovedmyabilitytoactasa"teamplayer".

IhavechosentostudyinUKforitsteachingreputationandinthehopethatitwillbuildeffectivelyonmyBritish-styleeducationhereinMalawi;thecontrastbetweenanupbringinginthe3rdworldandlifeasastudentinthe1stwillhopefullyinspiremetomaketheverybestofthisopportunity.ItrustthatinduetimeIwillhavedevelopedthenecessaryskillsandexperiencetohavewhatittakestotacklethecoursebutasfarasconfidencegoes,Iampassionateaboutmycareerchoice.

InMathematicsthereisnogood,noevil,notomorrow,noyesterday,noreality.IhavealwaysbeenattractedtoMathematicsbytheunquestionablesymmetrythatsurroundsuseverythingbeingbasedonmeansofgeometry.Iamtrulyconvincedthatthesolutionofadifficultproblemisasimportantastheknowledgeandthestrengthwegaininfindingit.

WhyMathematics-Economicsatuniversitylevelabroad?ThetoprankingofyouruniversityandthehighlevelofthecoursecanoffermethestrongacademicbackgroundIneed,theclear-cutnatureofthesubjects,andtheenvironmentinwhichprecisepropositionscanleadtoelegantarguments,tofar-reachingconsequencesincludingsurprisingapplications.

IdevelopedmystrengthinproblemsolvingandIenlargedmycomprehensioninmathsconceptsbytrainingmymathsskillsonthebasisofastrictdailyschedule,bysubmittingsolutionsformathsreviewsandbyattendingmathscompetitions.Duetomyconstantworkanddedication,in5yearsIattended28mathcompetitions,Igot28diplomasandIwasawarded26prizes.TheopportunityofworkingintheNationalOlympicselectionlotwasagreatexperienceforme,asIhadthechanceofworkingwiththebestMathsteachersinmycountry.TheMathematics-Informaticsprofileattendedatmyhighschoolenablesmetoeasilytacklemathematicalchallengesandcopewiththehighlevelacademiccurriculumofferedbyyou.

Mathematicssurroundsus.BeinginterestedandtotallyfascinatedaboutMathematicsIenlargedmybackgroundbyreadingbooksbasedontheroleofmathsinnature.Ihavefoundoutthatnumbersexplainthemysteriesoflifeincludingcosmology,fractalsandeventhehumanevolution;theGoldenNumberbeingpresentinelements,objects,eventsinconnectionwitheverythingaround.

"Mathematicsmaybedefinedastheeconomyofcounting"asErnestMachsays.Mathematicalmodelsdoverywellineconomics.IwouldliketofollowEconomicstogetherwithMathematicsforthepracticaluseofitasIamconvincedthatfinancialcriseseffectscouldbediminishedorevenavoidedifmorecompetentspecialistsworkedinthisfield.

Iamcertainthatmathsconstitutesanendlessresearchfield("Youcouldnotsteptwiceintothesameriver;forotherwatersareeverflowingontoyou"-Heraclites),astherecanalwaysbefoundnewinnovativesolutionsfortheexistingproblems.Ioncereceivedaspecialprizeforthemostingenioussolutionataregionalcontest,beingtheonlyparticipantthatproposedadifferentsolutionformtheoneproposedbytheorganizers.

ThevoluntaryworkperformedwithintheEuropeanYouthParliamentandtheModelUnitedNationssessionsattendedenlargedmyhorizon.AspartofthecommitteeinchargewithGenderEquality,mydesiretoaffirmmyselfinMaths-afieldwheremenareconsideredbetter-becameevenstronger.Thefour-yearactivityperformedinmyhighschool'sdramaclubandtheregulargymnasticsclassestakenhelpmedevelopmyimagination,mycreativitypotentialandstrengthenmyself-control.

TheambitionIpossesaddedtotheinternationalreputationforyourexcellenceinMathematicsamplifiedbythehigh-levelmathematicalskillsacquiredatyouruniversityandmultipliedbythesquarerootofmydesiretofollowMathematicsequalsanoutstandingvisitingcardformeinthefutureandmyaimtosucceedforwardinMathematics,Quoderatdemonstrandum.

Formathematicalproofisattheheartofmathematicsitselfandwithoutitwewouldfacewaveafterwaveofcontradiction,facinganendlessspiralofargumentsastothevalidityofeachproposition.Still,itisthefactthatproofprovidesameanstomakenewdiscoveries,newdevelopmentsornewconnections,suchastherelationshipforgedbetweenellipticcurvesandnumbertheorythroughWile'sproofofFermat'sLastTheorem(TamingtheInfinite,IanStewart,2008),whichmakeitsoimportant.

Toknowthatyourcontributionswillbeforeveretchedintothefabricofmathematicsissomethingthatcannotbeunderstated.Unlikeadisputeorargumentwhichseeksameanstoanend,mathematicalproofseekstomoveforward.Theproofalsoprovidesarigorousaxiomaticjustificationastowhyresultsworkthewaytheydo.

It'sbecauseofmyneedtounderstandwhymathematicsisthewayitisthatIattendedthe'MakingMathsatManchester'ConferenceinJuly2009.ThisgavemetheopportunitytodiscoverthingssuchasHaga'sTheoremthroughmathematicalinvestigation.IdidthiswhilstworkingalongsidefellowmathematiciansfromschoolsandcollegesacrosstheUKinauniversityenvironment.Thishelpedconfirmmyambitiontostudymathematicsatdegreelevel.

Ihavereadavarietyofmathematicalbooks,includingtheaforementioned'TamingtheInfinite'.Thisalsoincludes'LetterstoaYoungMathematician','50MathematicalIdeasYouReallyNeedToKnow'and'Flatland:ARomanceofManyDimensions'.Ihaveastrongpreferencefor'50MathematicalIdeasYouReallyNeedToKnow'becauseitreallyopenedmyeyestowhatmathematicshastooffer.

AtschoolIwasinvolvedintherunningoftheShortigraph,theschoolnewspaper,whenIwasinyear11.ThisinvolvedmanydifferentskillsduringmytimeasEditorinChief.MyleadershipskillsweresignificantlyimprovedasIensuredeveryoneknew

whattheyweredoing.Perseverancehelpedmesecurethesuccessofthenewspaper.OurabilitytoworkasateammadesureShortigraphactivitieswerewellcoordinated.

OneofmycurrentinterestsistheLiverpoolSchoolParliament.Itisalargegroupofstudentswhocometogethertodiscussissuesthataffectyoungpeople.Thisrolerequiresmetomanagemytimeeffectivelyandcommunicateclearly,inordertojugglemyschoolworkandrepresenttheinterestsofyoungpeople.IattendvariousLiverpoolSchoolParliamenteventsoutsideschoolhoursaswellaspursuingotherinterestssuchasreading,gaming,computing,watchingfilms,makingmusicvideosandsocialising.OneofthereasonswhyIwishtogotouniversityistoexpandtheseinterestsandgainagreatersenseofindependenceindoingso.

IfeeluniversitylifewillgivemetheopportunitytofullyexploremanyoftheideasIhaveonlytouchedthesurfaceof.Topicssuchasprobability,series,calculusandcomplexnumbershavebeenintroducedtomethroughmyA-levelstudiesandbooksthatIhaveread.Developingtheseareas,combinedwiththechallenging,interestingandrewardingqualitiesthatinvestigativemathematicspossesses,willmakeitanexperiencetolookforwardto.

Thankyouforconsideringmyapplication.

Mathematics/ActuarialSciencepersonalstatement

Mathematicsisnotjustameresubjectbutauniversallanguage.ItsplethoraofGreeksymbolsinterlacedwithnumbersmakesitseemlikeaclandestinecode,whichhastobedeciphered.Thisaside,IbelievetherealmagicofMathematicsliesnotwithitsmethodofexecution,butitsdefinitesolutionsfoundedonirrefutableproofs,notignoringtheseeminglyendlessarrayofapplications.

HavingstudiedPhysicsmyawarenessoftheseapplicationshasincreasedsubstantially.Forinstance,thelawslaiddownbyNewtonianMechanicsareseentogoverntheeverydayworldandaredifficultnottowitness.InComputing,IhaveexploredthelogicalarmofMathematicsputintopractice:FiniteStatemachines,Booleanequationsandtheprogramminglanguagesthemselves.EvenChemistrylikemyothersubjectsechoesthehallmarksofMaths.ThroughreadingDuSautoy's“FindingMoonshine”IdiscoveredthatChemistry,thestudyofmolecularinteraction,utilisesMathematicsintheformofsymmetry.Overall,itneverceasestoamazemehowMathematicsseemstobeeverywhereatonce,eveninplacesyouexpectnottofindit.

Afterparticipatinginastockexchangecompetition,Iwasfascinatedtolearnmathematicalmodelsareusedinforecastingsomethingasvolatileandstochasticasthestockmarket.Infact,tofindoutmore,IattendedthePriceWaterhouseCooperBusinessInsightDay.There,IwasinformedabouttheconsultancyroleActuariesplayincorporatefirmsusingtheirabilityofMathematicsasatooltoassessfinancialrisks,andasaresult,IstartedtoconsiderseriouslyacareerasanActuary.Thesameemployabilityskillsthatwereconstantlystressedbymyschool,IsawfirsthandatmyworkshadowingplacementinacompanymanagedbyViridianGroupPlc,whereIobservedthemostimportantofthesetobecommunication,especiallytheabilityofaprofessional,suchasanengineer,toconveydifficulttechnicalknowledgetonon-specialistcustomers.

ActivitiesinschoolhavehelpedmetoworktowardstheseprofessionalskillsandfurtherenjoyMathematics.Forexample,beingtheFinancialDirectorofaYoungEnterprisecompanygavemeavaluableinsightintorunningabusinessandmadememoreconfidentinexpressingmyideaswithclarity.Afterbeingselectedbyinterview,IalsohadalargeinputasateammemberintheEngineeringEducationScheme,wherewewereassignedaprojectinwhichwehadtoanalyseandsolveareal-lifeproblemencounteredbyafirm.OuragreedprojectinvolvedthedesignofaSix-WayUndergroundDistributionBoard(UDB)liftingdevice,andbycarefullyconsideringfactorssuchaswhichhandlelengthwouldgivetherequiredtorque,whichstructureprovidedthemostequaldistributionofforces,weforesawtheeventualfabricationofaprototype.Thiswasfollowedbyourdeliveryofoneformalandmanyinformalpresentations,whichaftereachmemberreceivedaGoldCREST(CreativityinScienceandTechnology)Award.Conveniently,theschemealsotiedinwithmyDukeofEdinburgh'sGoldAwardwhichIamcurrentlypursuingandhopetocompletewhenIleaveMethodistCollege.TheAward'sphysicalandmentalhurdleshavebeendemandingandrequireunyieldingdeterminationtostriveforgoals,apracticewhichIstillhopetoemployasafutureActuary.

Havingbeenarowerforthreeyearsandnowcurrentlypursuingamartialart,theimportanceofdedicationisnotanewconceptforme.EventhoughMathscanbeextremelydifficultandattimesevenimpossible,Iwishtogiveitmyutmostdedication;itisaneverexpandingsubjectinwhichmyenjoymentwillneverceasetodiminish.

MathsandComputerSciencePersonalStatment

IbelievethatMathematicsisakeypartoflife.Beingambitiousandwillingtofacechallenges,askingquestionsandexploringproblemswithoutquiteknowinghowthesolutionwillemergearethekeytomyinterestinMathematics.MystudiesinMathematicsandFurtherMathematicsatAlevelhavestrengthenedmyinterestinthissubjectandhaveshownmeacompletenewworldofMathematics.Inparticular,Ihaveenjoyedstudyingnetworksandcalculus.ItwasexcitingtofindthatMathematicaltechniquescouldbeusedtosolvereallifeproblemssuchasdifferentialequationsthatcanbesolvedtodesignastonishingbuildings.

InadditiontoretainingastronginterestinMathematics,myfascinationforcomputershasalsogrown.CreatingawebsiteaspartofmyI.C.TcourseworkallowedmetouseprogrammingIanguagesuchas'HTML'tomakeanefficientwebsite.Itwaseasytouseandquiteinterestingtofindoutthatprogramminglanguageisanalgorithmdesignedforcomputerstocarrytasksquickly.MydecisiontoapplyforthejointcoursewasconfirmedafterIattendedtwosummerschools.AfterattendinganumberoflecturesIunderstoodwhatcomputerscienceconsistsofanditsimportanceinourfastdeveIopingworId.Ifoundthatthereisa“seaofknowIedge”tobediscovered,andbystudyingajointhonoursatdegreelevelinsuchcloselyrelatedsubjects,asMathematicsandComputerSciencewillgivemeabroadrangeofskillsandexpertisewhichIcouldusetosolvemultifacetedproblemsinthe