I have an insatiable appetite for understanding the world about me; I want to know why things are the way they are and why things work the way they do. Logical argument and rigorous proof engage and inspire me in equal measure.
Studying mathematics, chemistry and IT at A level has provided me with a solid foundation in technology and physical science. Mathematics has been a subject I have always enjoyed right from my first days at school. I relish the intellectual challenge it provides and derive huge satisfaction from applying mathematical techniques to solve seemingly intractable problems. Studying the physical sciences has helped explain aspects of the world that surrounds me, but I want to understand so much more. Everything intrigues me: from how an aircraft flies to how a drug molecule works. Such interest probably stems from time spent as a child watching and questioning my grandfather who worked as an engineer with motor-sport as his hobby. Understanding how a car engine worked undoubtedly proved the genesis for my interest in machines and the generation and utilisation of all forms of energy.
Computing and computers occupy a central place in my life. I built my first computer over two years ago for a friend and soon went on to build a very high specification machine of my own. At home I have set up a part-wireless network, comprising three machines: two personal computers and one server. At the end of Year 12 I spent a week on a work shadowing placement in the IS department of a science-based company. This was a very worthwhile experience and demonstrated the vital part computing now plays in modern scientific research. During the week I was also shown how a computer network is organised to support all aspects of a business, including, in this case, scientific work, customer and supplier bases, and internal communication and administration. I was particularly impressed by the advantages a sophisticated intranet provides.
Sport occupies much of my remaining time. At school I participate in a number of sports, including rugby, football, tennis, athletics and trampolining. At each year stage I have represented the school at rugby and athletics and have gone on to play representative rugby for Cambridgeshire and Essex schools at U15 and U16 levels. Being district sports champion at discus for two consecutive years represent the high points of my school athletics career. Outside school, I have been a member of the youth section at Bishops Stortford Rugby Club for four consecutive seasons. However, this year I have made the transition into men’s rugby by joining the rugby club of my home town, Saffron Walden. I am currently playing regularly in the second fifteen. Tennis is another sport I play outside school and this I do during summer months at a local club.
As well as taking part myself, I am always keen to help others develop their sporting talents. I have helped out in school by coaching rugby and trampolining at Lower School sports clubs. Helping younger people develop their skills has been a very rewarding experience and one that has also helped me with my understanding of the sports I enjoy. To improve as a coach I have pursued and achieved a sports leadership award (BST Level 1 Award). For this I had to plan detailed training sessions in various sports and lead teams of pupils over a number of lessons. The experience has taught me some of the techniques employed in the coaching of both individual and team sports, and it has also improved my communication and interpersonal skills significantly.
My career aim at this point is to marry the skills I have and those I hope to gain in mathematics with my deep-seated interest in computers and their applications. Before that, however, I am looking forward to the challenge of further study and to taking full advantage of the many other opportunities offered at university.
