Chemistry Model Personal Statement
This is a model personal statement of a successful Oxbridge Chemistry applicant.
In February 2019, I attended the AAAS conference in Washington to find out about the way science interacts with global issues. While I was there, I was struck by the breadth of knowledge presented by the attendees. Some researchers described how analytical techniques such as mass spectrometry could be used to identify the microbiome of our ancestors, while others debated with politicians about their findings on microplastic pollution to influence policies being made in Europe. My interest in the variety of applications of Chemistry to everyday life was kindled by this multitude of topics.
To find out more, I attended lectures in London. I was fascinated by the speakers talking about the cutting edge research in their fields. One of the talks I enjoyed the most was on mercury, and to learn more about its unexpected presence in our daily lives, I read John Emsley’s “The Elements of Murder” and Deborah Blum’s “The Poisoner’s Handbook.” Inspired, I gave a presentation in our school’s weekly Chemistry extension sessions, where I discussed mercury’s presence in the atmosphere, its detrimental effect on the nervous system, and the use of chelating agents as antidotes.
I went on to present a research poster on mercury at a science conference held at a nearby school. In this, I talked to other students about mercury’s medicinal nature and instances of murder using mercury, allowing me to develop my presentation and communication skills.
Talking to students from different schools about their work also made me feel part of a wider scientific community, and I believe that this gave me an idea of the way researchers would display their findings in larger conferences.
During the summer, I attended a three-day Chemistry course at QMUL, in which I carried out three-hour lab practicals, such as the synthesis of a silicone polymer and an antacid titration. I quickly became accustomed to applying techniques and concepts I had learnt in previous labs and identifying the correct equipment to use. This made me more efficient when working, and I honed my analytical skills determining which method was the best for the situation. In addition, I attended three-hour university-style lectures on topics such as spectroscopy and the theory behind IR and NMR. This was then applied to both spectrometry questions and experiments later in the day. This has taught me how to focus and concentrate on the material taught for long periods of time, a skill which has improved my learning abilities and mental endurance.
I went on to do a week of work experience in QMUL’s postgraduate labs, where I shadowed a PhD student and had the opportunity to carry out experiments where I extracted caffeine from tea, coffee and Red Bull. The purpose was to verify the caffeine content in beverages against that stated on the label. I used dichloromethane to extract the caffeine and then determined its purity before and after recrystallization, using NMR, IR, UV-Vis spectrometry, and the melting point. I found that the yield closely matched the published level of caffeine. I greatly enjoyed this real life research, as it showed me what it’s
like to work in a lab, and I gained skills in a variety of analytical techniques and machines. My thinking skills were also developed by reflecting on whether the data collected made sense. The results from these experiments are being written up in a report for submission for a Silver Crest award.
Outside of academic activities, I play the cello weekly in the Symphony orchestra, and sing in the school’s Choral society and in Sennocke consort, giving concerts regularly. I also took part in CCF, which enabled me to develop leadership skills as well as resilience, and I train with the school in swimming twice a week. As well as musical and sporting activities, I have mentored a year 11 student for her Russian GCSE, an experience I found rewarding as I enjoyed seeing her improve, and I have volunteered at a Russian school to teach young children Russian.
