I confidently affirm that I have remained true to my identity, to my passion, to
my interests, and to my goals in every situation. In my perspective, I’m different,
and I believe there is no ordinary passion, only great passion—a passion
embodied with emotion and determination. The personal and intellectual
experiences I've encountered have instilled in me a profound sense of passion
and self.
I had a pleasant upbringing, first by my mother and then by my father. My
childhood experiences were amazing, and I am deeply grateful to my mother for
her unwavering support and for buying me new books whenever I asked. I also
thank my father for taking on the role of a house dad. Living with him has been
my best experience because he allowed me to pursue my interests with no
interruptions. That’s the best thing about dads.
New and old experiences both shape us, but it is often the unusual ones that
lead to significant self-discovery and a deeper understanding of the world. These
moments of unique insight offer the truest descriptions of ourselves. And one
such experience for me was watching a documentary about Albert Einstein. This
moment was a catalyst, that sparked an intense curiosity in physics and
mathematics. Driven to investigate his explanation of general, theory of
relativity, I impulsively ordered "Gravitation and Cosmology by Steven
Weinberg”. As I eagerly turned the pages, I realized I had plunged into a sea of
theoretical physics, with concepts explained through intricate mathematics like
tensors. Though much of it was beyond my comprehension, the challenge only
deepened my fascination. This book, dense with higher mathematics, became a
symbol of my curiosity and my commitment to understanding the intricate
workings of the universe.
But the true sense of curiosity came not only from the book itself also from the
intricacies of physics—how it shapes our world and underlies the fabric of
everything around us.
I was definitely not going to step into Einstein's shoes to invent the next theory
of the universe; my high school was a big of a universe in a nutshell. It was there
that I seized every opportunity to pursue my interests. It was like an open space
Throughout my high school years, I was driven by a desire to achieve great
things in the areas I am most passionate about. My intellectual curiosity led me
to participate in the Junior Math Olympiad in 9th grade, where I faced tough
problems and didn’t advance. Undeterred, I prepared for the Pre-Regional
Mathematics Olympiad but still didn’t make it to the national level. I aimed for
the international stage, competing in chemistry, biology, and informatics
Olympiads as well. However, I realized that I lacked the mentorship and guidance
necessary to reach the international level. Despite my dedication and efforts, the
COVID-19 pandemic and constant school exams limited my progress, preventing
me from enrolling in rigorous math and Olympiad training programs.
My unwavering determination to win a medal in the Math Olympiad and other
Olympiads did not come to fruition. I didn't achieve top accolades or grades as I
had invested significant time in my Olympiad dream – a dream that still burns
brightly within me. Now, I'm aiming to conquer the Physics Cup, an online
international competition. Fueled by an insatiable curiosity and passion, I've
always been on the lookout for opportunities that resonate with my interests.
Despite my best efforts in my junior and senior years, my journey has been
about more than just accolades; it's about the relentless pursuit of knowledge
and the thrill of competition. I've always yearned to stand on an international
stage, to measure myself against the best, and to witness the world's brightest
minds competing alongside me.
I dedicated a year and a half of my junior and senior years to preparing for a
national quiz competition. This goal was very important to me and my school, as
my school hadn’t reached the semifinals in the past four years. With hard work
and a passion for technology and computer science, I studied diligently every
day. Making it to the semifinals was a proud moment for me. It was a significant
achievement, not just for myself but also for my school. My hard work was
fuelled by my love for my school and my desire to see its name echoed at the
top of the list.
The sense of belonging to my school community was a driving force and a source
of motivation. After a year of the COVID outbreak, returning to school felt like
coming home. This connection was forged through my close interactions with my
teachers. I would sit down with my chemistry, math, physics, and other teachers
for tutoring sessions, and in those moments, they felt less like teachers and
more like family members who had high hopes and expectations for me. This
support and sense of community were instrumental in my growth and
achievements.
I knew I had to reciprocate the love, confidence, and hope that everyone who
supported me had given. I did this by achieving an 8th rank in a class of over 80
students by the end of my senior year. This accomplishment was my way of
honoring their faith in me and proving that their support was well-placed.
Over the years, I've become more determined, curious, and passionate. I've
embraced challenges and continuously sought to learn something new. Most
importantly, I've come to deeply appreciate the value of people, especially my
teachers, who have significantly impacted my academics and personal growth.
This journey has shaped my best description.
if you’ve reached this far you might be needing a small pause before you
continue so I would like to encourage to take a small break from reading. Please
take a moment to watch the live show of the national quiz I mentioned earlier—
it's both fun and interesting. I know you have many essays to read, but I hope
you’ll love this and watch it for sure. Here is the link to the video:
https://www.facebook.com/142192322527929/posts/4738785482868567/?
mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6v
My intellectual curiosity is naturally drawn to the intricacies of mathematics and
computer science. I’m fascinated by how math, as the foundation of computer
algorithms, has pushed the boundaries of computer science research. This
synergy creates the captivating domain of theoretical computer science, where
cutting-edge algorithms are developed through mathematical principles. These
algorithms are instrumental in solving complex problems across various fields,
including science, engineering, economics, and finance. My coding experience,
honed during my junior and senior years, has been a significant part of this
journey. In my junior year, I developed two AI agents for our annual project
display competition, which earned my team and me the third prize. I am eager to
build on this foundation and take my skills to the next level.
The thought of algorithms addressing real-world challenges excites me,
highlighting their immense value. My innate love for problem-solving fuels my
desire to delve deeper into this field, exploring how theoretical computer science
can continue to innovate and impact our world. This natural fascination drives
my academic aspirations,making me eager to contribute to advancements in this
dynamic and impactful field by pursuing research.
I’m drawn to the intersection of algorithms and computer science because I find
problem-solving and mathematics inherently beautiful. What excites me even
more is the prospect of learning from Princeton's esteemed researchers and
faculty, who are leaders in this field. Their original and impactful work inspires
me, and I am eager to be mentored by such highly motivated scholars.
I hold a profound reverence for individuals and their transformative potential. To
me, scholars are not just individuals; they are the architects of change and the
creators of a better world. Their passion is not merely an emotion; it is a force
that can shape destinies and inspire generations. I believe that the passion of
one can ignite the passion of many, creating a domino effect of positive change
that reverberates through time. I am eager to experience this dynamic through
the PACT Programme.
My intellectual curiosity drives me to explore beyond my curriculum and to think
about how mathematicians and computer scientists collaborate to solve complex
problems. For instance, the concept of zero-knowledge proofs, an algorithm still
in its research stage, fascinates me with its potential to revolutionize digital
security. The vast and intricate dynamics of our world present endless
opportunities for innovation, and computer scientists, alongside mathematicians,
are at the forefront of this exploration.
I have no greater ambition than to pursue research in computer science, and I
am incredibly motivated to do so. Although I wish I had known about PACT
earlier, my curiosity has led me to discover it now. My interest and eagerness
have reached their peak, and I am determined to learn everything that PACT has
to offer and make the most of this opportunity.
Participating in the PACT program at Princeton will enable me to achieve my
goals and benefit immensely from the expertise and mentorship of Princeton’s
instructors and faculty members. This opportunity aligns perfectly with my
aspirations and passion for making a substantial impact through research and
innovation. Being part of community like Princton will not only be my source of
motivation but also will enable me to become the person I desire to become.