My Application to University, Personal Statement Example

I belong to the generation that has mostly grown up with computers and the internet. Like Americans, people in Hong Kong have always been at the forefront in adopting modern technologies. Fortunately, my parents realized quite early due to their professional backgrounds that computer technologies will transform almost all aspects of our personal and professional lives, thus, they encouraged me to learn about computers even before I started my first grade. Not surprisingly, I had greater-than-average proficiency in computers as compared to my classmates upon entering high school and my IT teacher made me one of the monitors and developers of class website from 1^st to 5^th grades.

By 6^th grade I had built an online chat room and was earning about HK$3,000 or US$385 per month. In early 2007, I participated in 2008 Beijing Olympics Official Website competition and became an IT manager of maid services company in summer 2008, right after graduation from high school. As an IT manager at maid services company, my responsibilities included maintaining maid info database and interacting with customers to provide them best match on the basis of their specific needs. At the same time, I also joined an English language school where I studied for a year before coming to the U.S. to attend Diablo Valley College (DVC). At DVC, I have joined International Student Club as well as Bits n Bytes Club. At Bits n Bytes club, I have learnt a lot through interaction with other members and sharing ideas on programming, web development, and games development.

I am fascinated by computer science because computing technologies are even changing fields that have almost remained unchanged over centuries such as education. For the first time, one can see the impending demise of chalk and blackboard-based instruction system. Similarly, we have made unbelievable inroads in other fields such as neuroscience because it is possible to scan brains and study their functioning in real time. Similarly, games have historically been criticized as distractions but now games are being seen as valuable educational tools because they make the learning productive and fun at the same time and keep the students engaged.

I am also interested in pursuing a career in computer science because I have fascination with the future and a career in computer science will help me contribute towards making future technologies a reality. Anyone who regularly follows news constantly comes across ideas that suddenly don’t seem that far-fetched because computing advancements continue to exceed our expectations. We are already experimenting with self-driven cars and soon physicians will be able to monitor their patients round the clock through microchips residing within the patients’ body.

One of the things I love about computer science is that there are always opportunities to learn more which makes the field interesting. The opportunity to learn new languages and create entirely new products keeps one excited about the possibilities. A computer scientist also has an advantage that he can readily convert his ideas into products or a business and do that cheaply. One only needs to look at social networking companies like Facebook and Groupon whose founders didn’t only have good ideas but also the skills to put the idea into action.

My work experience as an IT administrator during high school as well as at maid services company has also helped me learn valuable customer services skills. I have also learnt how computer science can be used to meet specific needs or solve particular problems. My background and passion will go a long way towards ensuring that I continue to reinvent myself by learning new programming languages as well as experimenting with new ideas I come across. My education at XXX University will provide me with strong foundation as a computer scientist and teach me how to systematically attack problems or fulfill unmet needs. In addition, I will also have several opportunities to interact with fellow students as well as organizations that are part of the university’s strong professional network.

The personal quality I like most in myself is my inquisitive nature. This may be why I do not only look forward to expanding my knowledge in computer science but also read on a variety of subjects including science, history, business, culture, psychology, and arts. I enjoy meeting people especially those from different backgrounds than me because they often challenge me to think about things I had never considered before or give me new perspectives. They help me identify my own personal biases and prejudices and improve my quality of thinking and reasoning. Even though I plan to pursue a career in computer science, reading on other subjects expand my thinking horizon and even give me new ideas as to how computer scientists can or are already improving the world. For example, social networking websites such as Facebook and Twitter increased political activism in countries with previously dictator regimes including Egypt and Tunisia. Similarly, American companies are providing innovative solutions to poor customers in developing countries such as mobile banking in India which has only been made possible due to advancements in mobile computing. When I read stories like this, they often motivate me to think of possible ways in which computing technologies can tackle some other unmet needs in developing or even developed countries as well.

My inquisitive nature is also the reason I have future plans to visit several countries because being in America and meeting people from other countries has further increased my curiosity. I have learnt that listening to people and experiencing their culture first hand also prepares you well for the real world because workplaces continue to become more diverse and strong cross-cultural skills help one develop leadership skills. When I ask people questions about their culture, they often feel good that I am taking interest in their culture and it helps build goodwill and trust. As a leader, cross-cultural skills will help me ensure cooperation from diverse group of subordinates.

My inquisitive nature has played a huge role in shaping who I am today. First of all, it has helped me adopt the attitude that every life experience and every person can teach us something which motivates me to try new things even if they have little probability of success. When I came to America, I settled quickly and didn’t feel as homesick as many other students because I was excited to learn new things in a new country. When my friends ask me about some new activity, I rarely refuse and I have discovered many interests in this way including my love for ping pong.

Due to my inquisitive nature, I am always looking for ways to increase my knowledge and this will be an asset in the real world. Globalization has increased competition in the labor market, thus, one of the ways to make oneself stand from others is through greater knowledge and skills that are difficult to copy or are available in scarce quantity in labor market. I will also be a valuable employee of any organization I work for because I embrace change and see it as an opportunity to expand skills instead of feeling threatened by it.