Computer Science with Mathematics

Author: Paul Vidal

Applied in: Winter 2013

University Offers: Imperial College

Discovering Mathematics and later the laws of Physics, observing the forces and interactions between objects and writing complex algorithms are just some of the elements of the academic world I want to live in. As a consequence, I chose the scientific section for the French Baccalaureate with Further Mathematics as an option to develop my expertise and my creativity in complex problem solving. I am now applying to a computer science course at a leading UK university as I would like to take those skills overtime to a research level.

Mathematics has always been a source of pleasure. I discovered during my school years that solving more and more complex problems in a broader range of fields was an exciting challenge. I represented the “French Lycee” several times in the “Kangourou des Mathematiques”, the French national mathematic and logic competition, finishing 38th out of 19,000 in 2011. Over the last two years, I particularly enjoyed building algorithms generating solutions through iteration. I was then able to transition to programing after a summer camp at Stanford University where I ended up creating an interactive battle game using the development tool “Xcode/C++”. As a result, I became more curious, resilient, resourceful and overall more logical and methodical which I strongly believe will be key to my future success.

I have come to realise that one of my passions is to build and create. Three years ago, I had the chance to meet the CEO of a New York software company called “Squarespace” that provides tools to build Internet websites. He shared his experiences as a teenager with me and later as a software developer. This triggered my curiosity and I ended up developing a sports news website on his platform. This experience confronted me with coding for the first time. Two years later, I exploited this knowledge to present my school project through a neatly designed web interface. Most recently, I completed a two-week internship at the “Squarespace” headquarters in New York, where I gained first-hand knowledge of marketing, business development, data center operations and software programing, an experience that reinforced my motivation to study computer science. In addition, I took part last summer in a two-week course at Imperial College with Exscitec, where I studied Advanced Engineering and Maths. The session of the engineering week, in which I learned to use coding to solve mathematical problems, intensified the passion I have for both Mathematics and Programming. Working as a team on multiple projects (wind turbine, tennis simulation based on probabilities) was the most exciting part of the course.

In terms of other extra-curricular interests, I joined the French Scouts six years ago where I respectively assumed the roles of managing the budget of the group and later becoming a responsible leader of one section of the troop. We raised money for charities and we took part in volunteer projects such as the protection of the environment in Marseille through fire prevention and fire fighters’ alerts. These roles have taught me to be responsible, maintain the cohesiveness of a group and make important decisions. I am also fond of sport. I qualified four times for the London Mini Marathon for my borough and have played rugby for the last four years, both of which have helped me to develop perseverance. Playing as team has also made me learn that great things can be achieved with the support of others.

To develop my skills in computing and mathematics at a top-ranking university would be incredibly rewarding for me. I want to join a multi-cultural community, taking a very active part in university life through sports and various associations, but above all cannot wait to embrace a computer science career.

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