I have always been fascinated by the vast jobs robots are able to perform, and by the way all

these cars
around us were designed. The problem is, my interest was not satisfied by revolving around the outer
appearance of these machines or by how well they achieved their functions, but was constantly
demanding to learn more about how they managed to do so, and what inner complexities I was not
allowed to meet closely made it capable of attracting my attention.

Engineering arrived like a wish granting spell, as it combines the two subjects I am very passionate about.
Majoring in engineering is going to give me the chance to further dive into the interesting findings of
physics and finally put the mathematical knowledge I gained during my A-levels into practical application.
Problem solving is one thing I will be facing during my studying years, and it is the thing I am willing to
encounter in order to both, help society, as well as myself. Challenges tempt me so much. I would risk it
and make my mind that I should get out nothing but a winner. That is another reason that makes me
ready to solve those problems I will face, and certainly, in the most creative ways.

In addition to that, a very important group of those who change the world are engineers. They get to fetch
for ways to control and prevent the pollution going on because a greener environment, free from
pollutants is what we are all looking forward to. They also create new medicines, explore and develop
new technologies. They can try out all the amazing things we thought would only exist in imagination,
from flying vehicles to undersea buildings. They are able to get a hold of these wonders and make them
the future's reality, and I would be very glad to join them in doing so.

After choosing to be one, I read various pieces of information about engineers that made it to the high
rank, success. Among the text I went through, I found Hedy Lamarr, who has affected today's availability
of Wi-Fi, Smartphones, and any other wireless technology possible. I honestly regard this as very
impressing, as almost all our reliance nowadays is on the result of her creation. Despite the fact that Hedy
had no degree in engineering, she had an idea for switching from a frequency to another in a matter of
split-second intervals, and putting it into application was enough to help us reach today's technologies.

In our time, though, I believe that an engineer is not going to prosper if he depends only on the
knowledge he graduates with. Every engineer needs to build certain skills including leadership, business
adeptness, management, and ease of communication.

Having English as my second language did not stop me from aiming to be a good user of it. I have been
attending an English speaking school for thirteen years, and sat for the IGCSE English as a Second
language exam achieving an A*. Moreover, I have been to English Summer Programs twice as a young
girl. I actually reckon my stay in The UK will help me get an even better language and accent. In fact, I
enjoy learning new languages, and being surrounded by international students from different parts around
the world might get me to learn more languages and improve the ones I already know little of. Not only
that, but mixing with students with different backgrounds and talents will be a step forward in being a
better participant during teamwork and a good boost to my confidence.

Apart from that, studying in The UK will free me, somehow. I will be more capable of organizing my time
without being held back by family obligations. It will bring about a more independent person out of me that
can work her way through life with a lot of her own effort.

Finally, I hope that a degree from your university is going to serve as the ultimate base to the journey I am
taking to achieve my dreams towards a successful engineering career.
Understanding and discovering how mechanical products work has always been an interest of mine.
When I was younger, I would spend hours building complex structures using Lego or K-Nex which is
where my passion for engineering began. At school, this passion for construction and engineering was
further enhanced by mathematics and physics. My enthusiasm for these subjects and their exciting
theories is what led me to pursue a degree in engineering. A Boeing 747 with a maximum take off weight
of around 400,000kg and to lift off the ground or finding out that the physics incorporated in a F1 car
means that it could generate enough down force to ride upside-down, amazes me. Today's advances in
technology means the products engineers will be able to achieve in the near future will be incredible.

In 2011 I carried out a week work experience at Rolls Royce, Inchinnan. I observed engineers carry out
their work as they processed the new internal fan blades for the Trent 1000 engine. I was shown how the
blades were processed and the precision involved. I was given the opportunity to apply some finishing
touches to these, where I had to file down the blade. I noticed that there were various sections within the
factory and that it was important that everyone worked as part of the team to meet the strict delivery
dates, something that I feel is strength of mine. The week here further increased my interest in aero
mechanical engineering and has confirmed that mechanical engineering is the ideal career path for me.

I am a Prefect on three committees within the school: Isobel Mair, Graduation and the Library. Isobel Mair
is a local school where specialist provision is given to children who require additional support. The pupils
visit our school and take part in physical education. In addition to this I helped out at the STEM Fair where
a selection of Scottish universities and businesses attended. This involved encouraging younger pupils to
develop a higher interest in engineering. Whilst showing them the various careers they could undertake in
this field.

At university I intend on joining one of the University Air Squadrons, this would help me to obtain my PPL
(Private Pilot's license). This would benefit me greatly in my ultimate future career as a pilot. After
university I intend on going to a flight school where I will be able obtain my ATPL (Airline Transport Pilots
License).

My involvement in football has helped me to develop skills in teamwork. As a team game it is important
that every one works together which is also important for engineers, as it allows the most effective
solutions to be found. I have also learned to play the piano up to grade 4, where I have achieved two
distinctions a merit and a pass. Playing the piano has helped me to improve my hand, feet and eye
coordination. I am a keen golfer and have been a member of Cathcart Castle Golf club for three years
where I play regularly.

I currently have a part time job at Asda. This helps develop my interpersonal skills as I work on the shop
floor also I have to interact with customers, which also helps further my confidence. I am also finding
about important things such as health and safety and working in a corporate culture.
In conclusion I feel I have the right desire and academic skills to complete a degree in mechanical
engineering. With both mathematical and problem solving throughout the course, achieving a degree in
mechanical engineering would give me the best possible chance to go and achieve my future career
goals.
The ability to apply what I have learnt in the classroom to the outside world is an aspect of physics and
maths that I particularly enjoy. An example of this was being able to calculate the coefficient of friction
between a book and a table, by knowing the weight and measuring the angle at which it started to move.
Then, using maths, we could model the situation and work out what would happen if the book was
heavier or if we changed the angle of the table. This means of practical applications of pure sciences is at
the heart of my interests in pursuing a degree in engineering. Maths has long been a subject that I have
enjoyed, particularly the logical approach to problems, applying various techniques to different situations.
Further maths has allowed me to develop my ability to tackle problems logically as well as further
improving my adeptness with numbers.

Alongside developing my interests in the subject through a better understanding of the processes
involved, taking Physics has also given me the opportunity to better my skills in researching and
analysing data. I have enjoyed the experimental aspects where I have been able to carry out and devise
experiments that demonstrate or make use of the processes that we have been learning about.

My main interests in engineering lie with mechanical engineering, stemming from my enthusiasm for cars
and an absolute passion for motorsport. This passion prompted me to take up go-karting as a hobby and
provides me with an opportunity to understand the complexity involved in modern machines. Even with
something as simple as a go-kart, very slight changes, such as a few degrees of toe in or minimal
changes to the gear ratios, can have very significant effects on lap times and the handling of the vehicle.
Another appreciation that I have gained from Karting as well as reading motorsport literature, is that
handling of the vehicle is as important as engine power and I believe this idea is relevant in many aspects
of engineering where many factors have to be considered.

Another interesting aspect that is present throughout the field of engineering is the intense competition
that demands radical thinking and new concepts from engineers in order to stay on top, whether it be to
increase efficiency in industry or to make a car go faster! A fantastic example of this was developed as a
result of Professor Malcolm Smith from Cambridge University drawing parallels between suspension
systems and electrical circuitry. On realising that suspension systems had no equivalent to a capacitor,
he set about developing one. From this concept the ‘J-damper’ was created for Mclaren and it is now
used throughout the F1 Grid. This true ‘outside of the box’ thinking fascinates me.

I am currently working on an Extended Project Qualification and I have chosen Kinetic Energy Recovery
Systems to be the subject of my project. So far, I have enjoyed carrying out the project on my own and
have carried out extensive research including being in contact with the head of design for regenerative
system at Williams F1, to act as an expert on the subject.

Last Summer I spent several weeks carrying out work experience, wherein I developed various skills. I
spent a few weeks in various departments at a BMW dealership, particularly enjoying my time in the
workshop, where I worked with mechanics to diagnose and fix faults on customers’ vehicles. There I
developed team working skills as well as learning a great deal about the vehicles and their systems. I also
took the opportunity to develop my communication skills by conversing with customers as they waited to
be attended to.

Apart from karting, outside of college, I also practice Tae-Kwon-Do. After several years I have achieved
1st degree black belt and apart from being a way to keep fit, I really enjoy it, have met many people and
have used the lessons in discipline to help me succeed in other areas
The art of engineering is applying scientific theories to design. The fundamental principles that are
applied to products and structures are paramount and by studying engineering I am hoping to learn how
engineers use these principles and then integrate them into designs. A design that has inspired me is the
Falkirk wheel boat lift as it shows how solutions to engineering problems can be imaginative and iconic.

Engineering will allow me to see how principles are applied to design. This was highlighted in a lecture I
attended on the mechanics of roller coasters. I was fascinated to learn about some of the design
constraints which were applied to balance speed with safety. For example if a bend is too tight then
excessive g-force would cause participants to blackout. I then applied the idea of using maths in order to
ensure the safety of Formula 1 drivers. I used this to assist in preparing and delivering of a number of
workshops run at my school for local primary school children, one of which involved the design of Formula
1 cars and calculating the speed at which they can be safely driven and the chance of them crashing.

Attending a Headstart course at Swansea University showed me how the theory that is learnt in the
lecture theatres can be easily transferred to a practical application in the labs. A particular highlight was
the civil engineering task where we designed and built an inflatable structure with a team. This is an area
of engineering that I am looking forward to studying as there were many different solutions suggested to
solve the same problem. This course was a useful experience as it allowed me to see the different
teaching styles at university by attending lectures and doing lab work. I found this enjoyable because of
its hands on nature.

I have already started to further my knowledge by reading "How Things Work: The Physics of Everyday
Life" by Louis A. Bloomfield, and I have enjoyed learning the basic theory behind wings creating lift by
creating a difference in pressure. I am very much looking forward to studying this area in greater detail. I
have also read "Invention by Design: How Engineers Get from Thought to Thing" by Henry Petroski which
has shown me that to an engineer, every design can be improved upon and it is this potential to improve
and progress things via engineering which strongly appeals to me.

Outside the classroom I have taken part in the UKMT individual maths challenges where I have achieved
3 gold awards, twice scoring highest in my year. This resulted in me representing my school in a team
maths challenge. Additionally I have attended events run by the Gifted and Talented Program including a
week long summer school and lectures to help further my maths knowledge.

My main hobby is mountain biking and I have been riding regularly for 4 years. During this time I have
had to carry out a lot of maintenance on my bike which has led to my interest in how they work and all the
aspects of bike development. For example carbon fibre is replacing aluminum as the material of choice
for most components due to its ability to improve strength while reducing weight. This interest has led me
to taking a course on advanced mountain bike maintenance in November.

I have taken part in many activities that have helped to build my teamwork, leadership and time
management skills. I finished the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award where strong teamwork is essential in
order to succeed, especially at the expedition. I have also represented my year on the school council
where I had to demonstrate good time management and organisation skills which I used when I helped to
organize an event to help other schools improve their councils. I have played cricket for my school and
local team which has taught me to cope well with pressure.

I believe that I have the academic ability, interest and personal attributes that are well suited to studying
engineering at university and to pursue a career in this field.