College Admissions Essay

Please discuss your interest in science and mathematics. *

My fascination with science and mathematics began at a very young age. In elementary school, I was already taking accelerated math classes as well as participating in science quest, an after-school club. With science, I have the option to explore the unknown and satisfy my curiosity of the world around us. When I learned about the intricacies of the DNA double-helix model my freshman year, I was both shocked and inspired. How could four nucleotides code for all of life’s complexities? In the past half century, we have come so far with uncovering the genetic material behind life. Scientific advancements happen so quickly, and I realized that I too could make an amazing discovery that

The summer before my sophomore year, I took a lab-based course at Brown University called “Techniques in DNA-Based Biotechnology”. In this class, I learned how to run gel electrophoresis, grow cell cultures, carry out polymerase chain reactions, and clone my own genomic DNA. At the end of the class, I did a research project on gene therapy and Leber’s congenital amaurosis. This summer course fueled my interest in biomedical research. I hope that in my undergraduate years I can join a lab to carry out research projects.

In my junior year, the American Chemical Society New Haven Section presented me with the Outstanding Achievement Award. This award was for my performance in the Local Chemistry Olympiad competition in which I scored in the top ten in New Haven

Starting with the rigorous coursework, I will be able to take multidimensional calculus, mechanics, and accelerated general chemistry my first quarter at Northwestern. This opportunity to take accelerated mathematics and science classes will better prepare me for scientific research in my undergraduate years. Since I have taken these advanced courses, I will have a competitive edge over other students when applying for internships in labs. It is no surprise that students in the ISP program are able to participate in research their first year on campus. By having this ability to enter the lab environment my freshman year, I will have a longer time to complete my own research project as well as get published in Northwestern’s dedicated undergraduate research journal. Beyond the research opportunities and the rigorous coursework, ISP will allow me to develop strong connections between the sciences and mathematics. Because I am taking these advanced classes, I will gain a breadth of knowledge across multiple disciplines. Using this diverse knowledge, I can build connections between these subjects, which I can use to synthesize new and innovative solutions to scientific problems. Most importantly, ISP provides me with a tight-knit community on campus. By being a student in ISP, I will have special access to the ISP House where I can meet with other students to study and relax. Having