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| This is a temporary place to edit a personal statement for JD's application to ic.ac.uk for a MSc in Advanced Computer Science. Please feel free to edit things as you feel neccessary. You may want to look at [http://www.davidpashley.com/resume.html my CV]. | This is a temporary place to edit a personal statement for JD's application to ic.ac.uk for a MSc in Advanced Computer Science. Please feel free to edit things as you feel neccessary. You may want to look at [[http://www.davidpashley.com/resume.html|my CV]]. |
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| I have had an interest in computing for many years; Since I got my Dragon 32 at the age of 8. particularly enjoying making the computer dance for me monkey. I enjoying applying my mind to the solving of problems, usually showing persistence in persuading something to work. I have been known to stay awake late getting something to work. I also particularly enjoy the satisfaction of a well 'shaped' piece of code or a 'neat' proof. This leads me to a specific interest in compilers and parsing areas of Computer Science.... Other subjects which appeal to me are complexity, finite automaton and regular expressions for similar reasons. | |
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| I undertook my B.Sc. at the University of Leeds as I was attracted by the theoretical nature of the course and the chance to develop my programming and mathematical skills. I enjoyed the Functional Programming and Graphics modules and was particularly successful at Compiler Design and Database Design although I feel perhaps this wasn't reflected in my final 2:1 classification. My final year project was designing and implementing a static source code checker for C++, for which I received a first . The M.Sc. at Imperial appeals to those interests, in particular the modules on Program Analysis and Advanced Issues in Object-oriented Programming. I want to do an MSc as the first step towards further academic study . I would like to acquire a qualification that reflected my ability better than my B.Sc. did and this could help me to progress into further research, possibly a PhD. I am now looking to for further challenges. In the Advanced Computer Science MSc I am looking to build on my final year project and learn more skills and gain more depth into program analysis and compilers. [You'll then need some summary of why you'd be one of the most suitable candidates for their course, what you can offer (terms of commitment, interest) and ] Since leaving academia, I have worked as a systems administrator for a small computer consultancy. This job has involved using a number of skills learnt from my undergraduate course. I have been required to do a fair amount of programming and analysis. The job has required me to develop my interpersonal skills as it involves a lot of communication with clients. It has also helped me to work to deadlines. While at Leeds I helped to develop a replacement Student database for the department during one summer holiday. [what makes you stand out from any other comsci grad?] Outside of paid or academic study I am usually working on some personal computer-related project. These include working for the Debian Linux distribution. I am currently applying to be a Debian developer. I maintain the irssi IRC client for Debian and help with the KDE packaging for Debian. This packaging work requires patience and persistence and can often involve working late into the night to fix bugs and other problems. I have therefore honed my skills in Linux administration and programming and I think this shows that I have a genuine interest in the course material. I enjoy the challenge and satisfaction gained from the different languages this has required me to learn, including, C, C++, shell scripting, Perl and Python. I have a broad range of extra-curricular interests including juggling and other circus skills. I also have an interest in law and local government. I am a parish councilor, which has helped me to develop teamwork skills. Over the last year I have had the opportunity to attend several technical conferences, including FOSDEM in Brussels and Debconf in Oslo. This provided a fantastic chance to meet up with like-minded people, exchange ideas and news, and start on new projects [?]. I am also a member of several local Linux user groups and have presented several talks to the groups which has allowed me to develop my public speaking skills. I am interested in the research pathway and would require funding. |
[uh, 4.2 now? ] [hint from Uni personal statement: try and cut down on use of the word 'I' ?] |
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| how many words? don't you think you should be at least attempting to draft this? when should it be done by? | I have a keen interest in compilers and languages, specifically parsing and program analysis. I am particularly interested in detecting security flaws and common programming errors like buffer overflows and memory leaks. Many aspects of the M.Sc. at Imperial appeal to these interests, especially the modules on Program Analysis and Advanced Issues in Object-Oriented Programming, along with complexity, finite automata and regular expressions. At Imperial, I would hope to build on work undertaken for my final year project to learn new skills and consolidate my understanding of program analysis and compilers. The MSc. could hopefully lead towards further academic study as I am currently considering a PhD on program analysis and static code checking. I would like to research techniques for developing automated tools for secure programming and producing more robust programs. |
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| I undertook my BSc. at the University of Leeds, attracted by the theoretical nature of the course and the chance to develop my programming and mathematical skills. Amongst others I enjoyed the Functional Programming and Graphics modules. I was particularly successful at Compiler Design which was applied to my final year project, designing and implementing a static source code checker for C++. I implemented a naive scheme to check for problems using python to test the code. When this proved inadaquate I researched techniques for correctly parsing C++, which would form the basis for any further work on the subject. While at Leeds I helped to develop a replacement student database for the department. I also helped to teach C++ programming and discrete mathematics to the lower years. Since graduating in 2001 my work as a systems administrator for a small computer consultancy has built on skills learnt during my undergraduate studies, where programming and systems analysis have been particularly vital. Close attention to deadlines has been important, as have communication skills when liasing with customers. In my spare time I am usually involved in computer-related projects, including working for the Debian Linux distribution where I currently maintain the irssi IRC client and help with KDE packaging. The work requires patience and persistence and I often take extra time to attend to details or fix bugs. I have learnt to program in a range of languages including C, C++, shell scripting, Perl and python and pick up new languages easily. I have used various different paradigms including procedural, OO, functional and declarative. Over the last year I have travelled to several technical conferences including FOSDEM in Brussels and Debconf in Oslo. This enabled me to meet up with like-minded people and exchange ideas and news. I am a membership of several local Linux user groups and have presented several talks, which has been valuable public speaking experience. To balance my computer-related work, I keep fit through juggling and badminton, relax with music and films, and take a lively interest in law and local government. I am a parish councillor, through which I have developed organizational and teamwork skills. I will require funding. |
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| More comments by GaneshSittampalam: | |
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Draft 3ish. Thought I'd have a go as I didn't see this the other night. Hope it will be of some use - let me know and get it done!! ;) ----- I have had an interest in computing for many years since I got my Dragon 32 at the age of 8 [expand to some kind of introduction] I undertook my BSc. at the University of Leeds as I was attracted by the theoretical nature of the course and the chance to develop my programming and mathematical skills. I enjoyed the Functional Programming and Graphics modules, and was particularly successful at Compiler Design and Database Design (although I feel perhaps my achievements were not reflected in my final 2:1 classification). My final year project was designing and implementing a static source code checker for C++, for which I received a first. While at Leeds I also helped to develop a replacement Student database for the department during one summer holiday [anything else that could show 'em how good you are?!] Since graduating in 2001 I have worked as a systems administrator for a small computer consultancy. This job has involved using a number of skills acquired during my undergraduate studies [such as...?]. I have been required to do a fair amount of programming and analysis [and...? this seems too short]. The job has required me to develop my communication skills as it involves a lot of time working with clients, and it has also helped me to work to deadlines. Outside of paid or academic study I am usually involved in computer-related projects, including working for the Debian Linux distribution. I maintain the irssi IRC client and help with the KDE packaging for Debian as I apply to become a Debian developer. This packaging work requires patience and persistence and can often involve dedication extra time to fix bugs and other problems. I have therefore honed my skills in Linux administration and programming and I think this shows that I have a genuine interest in the course material. I enjoy the challenge and satisfaction gained from learning the different languages required, including, C, C++, shell scripting, Perl and Python. I have a broad range of extra-curricular interests including juggling and other circus skills. I also have an interest in law and local government, and am a parish councilor, which has helped me to develop organizational and teamwork skills. Over the last year I have had the opportunity to attend several technical conferences, including FOSDEM in Brussels and Debconf in Oslo. This provided a fantastic chance to meet up with like-minded people, exchange ideas and news, and start on new projects [?]. I am also a member of several local Linux user groups and have presented several talks to the groups, strengthening my public speaking skills. Many aspects of the MSc. at Imperial appeal to the interests outlined, in particular the modules on Program Analysis and Advanced Issues in Object-oriented Programming, along with the areas of complexity, finite automaton and regular expressions. Through your course I am looking to build on work undertaken for final year project, to learn more skills [skills in what, or just generally?] and consolidate my knowledge of program analysis and compilers. I am interested in the research pathway, and I want to undertake an MSc. as the first step towards further academic study, possibly a PhD. I enjoy applying my mind to the solving of problems. I show persistence in making something work and I will always put in the time and effort required to obtain the best possible results. I take great satisfaction and pride in a well 'shaped' piece of code or a 'neat' proof as I have a specific interest in compilers and parsing areas of Computer Science. [You'll then need some final summary of why you'd be one of the most suitable candidates for their course, and anything else you could offer!] ----- |
Looks impressive now. I don't think you need to cut down the use of 'I', it's rather hard to avoid in a *personal* statement! Be consistent about your punctuation of MSc, PhD, BSc etc. Personally I just wouldn't punctuate them at all. "I am a membership" in the sentence about LUGs is wrong. "organizational" is normaly spelt with an 's' in British English (though I think it might be optional to use the 'z'). "python" should probably be capitalised. "functional" programming is also "declarative", so I would replace the use of "declarative" by something more specific (logic?). |
This is a temporary place to edit a personal statement for JD's application to ic.ac.uk for a MSc in Advanced Computer Science. Please feel free to edit things as you feel neccessary. You may want to look at my CV.
The Question says:
Supplementary Personal Statement - Describe your academic interests and reasons for applying. Include details of work experience you consider relevant to your proposed study, careers objectives and relevant non-academic achievements. Expand on a separate sheet if required.
The Notes also have this to say: Use this space to tell us why you are interested in the subject for which you have applied. Describe your academic interests and reasons for applying to Imperial College. Selectors place particular importance on the personal statement.
- PhD:
ooh that looks scary when written down
- Computers:
okay need to mention a few things here
- Compilers, source code checking, clint
- debian
- general interest? tinkering? list programming etc.
- many programming languages mentioned in CV
- -done any fixing for local people? -degree? dissertation?
- jobs:
- Cranfield - skills?
- Leeds Uni Summer programming job, teaching lower years. shows good communication and an understanding of your subject.
- PGL - skills? relevance???
- Parish council, law, music: juggling?
- Skills: Parish council - skills?
- Juggling, photography - skills? badminton, music - relevant? if so - variety? anything else?
- Skills: Parish council - skills?
[uh, 4.2 now? ] [hint from Uni personal statement: try and cut down on use of the word 'I' ?]
I have a keen interest in compilers and languages, specifically parsing and program analysis. I am particularly interested in detecting security flaws and common programming errors like buffer overflows and memory leaks. Many aspects of the M.Sc. at Imperial appeal to these interests, especially the modules on Program Analysis and Advanced Issues in Object-Oriented Programming, along with complexity, finite automata and regular expressions. At Imperial, I would hope to build on work undertaken for my final year project to learn new skills and consolidate my understanding of program analysis and compilers. The MSc. could hopefully lead towards further academic study as I am currently considering a PhD on program analysis and static code checking. I would like to research techniques for developing automated tools for secure programming and producing more robust programs.
I undertook my BSc. at the University of Leeds, attracted by the theoretical nature of the course and the chance to develop my programming and mathematical skills. Amongst others I enjoyed the Functional Programming and Graphics modules. I was particularly successful at Compiler Design which was applied to my final year project, designing and implementing a static source code checker for C++. I implemented a naive scheme to check for problems using python to test the code. When this proved inadaquate I researched techniques for correctly parsing C++, which would form the basis for any further work on the subject. While at Leeds I helped to develop a replacement student database for the department. I also helped to teach C++ programming and discrete mathematics to the lower years.
Since graduating in 2001 my work as a systems administrator for a small computer consultancy has built on skills learnt during my undergraduate studies, where programming and systems analysis have been particularly vital. Close attention to deadlines has been important, as have communication skills when liasing with customers.
In my spare time I am usually involved in computer-related projects, including working for the Debian Linux distribution where I currently maintain the irssi IRC client and help with KDE packaging. The work requires patience and persistence and I often take extra time to attend to details or fix bugs. I have learnt to program in a range of languages including C, C++, shell scripting, Perl and python and pick up new languages easily. I have used various different paradigms including procedural, OO, functional and declarative. Over the last year I have travelled to several technical conferences including FOSDEM in Brussels and Debconf in Oslo. This enabled me to meet up with like-minded people and exchange ideas and news. I am a membership of several local Linux user groups and have presented several talks, which has been valuable public speaking experience.
To balance my computer-related work, I keep fit through juggling and badminton, relax with music and films, and take a lively interest in law and local government. I am a parish councillor, through which I have developed organizational and teamwork skills.
I will require funding.
More comments by GaneshSittampalam:
Looks impressive now. I don't think you need to cut down the use of 'I', it's rather hard to avoid in a *personal* statement! Be consistent about your punctuation of MSc, PhD, BSc etc. Personally I just wouldn't punctuate them at all. "I am a membership" in the sentence about LUGs is wrong. "organizational" is normaly spelt with an 's' in British English (though I think it might be optional to use the 'z'). "python" should probably be capitalised. "functional" programming is also "declarative", so I would replace the use of "declarative" by something more specific (logic?).