Physical Natural Sciences Model Personal Statement
This is a model personal statement of a successful Oxbridge Physical Natural Sciences applicant.
Chemistry as the “central science“ appeals to me due to its interdisciplinary reach, and fascinating areas of research: from organic chemistry to quantum mechanics and materials. Attending a chemistry masterclass at Cambridge University inspired me to explore the science further, where the lectures on NMR spectroscopy and levels of functional groups introduced me to a new style of teaching. I also enjoyed the practical work I undertook at a chemistry taster day at King’s College London, especially the opportunity to work in an undergraduate lab with more advanced equipment. We made oil of wintergreen through parallel synthesis, and the practical work helped me understand the mechanism of Fischer esterification. It also enabled me to appreciate the importance of applying Le Chatelier’s principle, to ensure esterfication, not hydrolysis, occurs.
In order to test my knowledge beyond the A Level syllabus, I sat the Cambridge Chemistry Challenge paper and achieved a gold award. I particularly enjoyed the problem solving aspect and was spurred on to further my scientific knowledge. Therefore I read “Periodic Tales” by Hugh Aldersey-Williams, which gave a background to the discovery of elements from oxygen to radium. Inspired to learn about modern discoveries relating to the elements, I read an article in New Scientist entitled “Modern day alchemy is putting the periodic table under pressure”. It mentioned the possibility of hydrogen acting as a superconductor at very high pressures, with the delocalized electrons passing through the proton lattice freely. This could be achieved within three years, and the prospect of new scientific discovery excites me greatly.
Studying physics A Level has encouraged me to consider the effects of the laws of physics on the study of chemistry. Analytical techniques such as NMR can only be understood with knowledge of magnetism and spin. To help my understanding of quantum mechanics, I read “In Search Of Schrodinger’s Cat” by John Gribbin. I enjoyed learning about the development of the model of the atom and the introduction the book gave to some more bizarre questions concerning particles time-travelling, and the multiverse. Materials science lies at the interface between chemistry and physics, which is what first drew me to the field at a residential course at Robinson College Cambridge. I learnt about nucleation and conducted experiments into the properties of solids, within a first year lecture and lab. Reading “Stuff Matters” by Mark Miodownik provided me with specific examples of materials I could only understand the workings of by applying my knowledge of the physical sciences, such as self-healing concrete and aerogels.
I have enjoyed spreading scientific knowledge of simpler topics. Helping at my school’s science fair, I ran a stall about shapes of molecules, which encouraged me to think about complex ideas in basic terms. It also consolidated my own knowledge of bond angles and functional groups. I also helped to run a maths and science outreach event in collaboration with Imperial College London, helping Year 6 students to run simple chemical tests to investigate “Martian soil”. I chose to study Latin to A Level as a highly logical subject, through which I could continue writing essays, thus developing communications skills- important for writing up scientific reports. I received the Latin prize for Year 12, and have taught Latin to primary school children for two hours a week for the past year, in a group of three students, planning and running the sessions ourselves. My organizational skills have been further developed through standing as an elected member of an Essex wide youth council for two years, in the role of researcher. I also enjoy sailing, attending both training and races. The physical sciences pose questions about reactions, materials and the universe itself. I look forward to being immersed in further study, and perhaps answering some of these questions myself.
