Chemistry surprises me whenever I learn something new. The power of chemistry to interpret phenomena on molecular levels inspires me to discover more of it. Practical applications of chemistry such as anti-cancer drugs and perfumes also attract me. To ke

Chemistry surprises me whenever I learn something new. The power of chemistry to interpret phenomena on molecular levels inspires me to discover more of it. Practical applications of chemistry such as anti-cancer drugs and perfumes also attract me. To keep updated to the cutting-edge developments in chemistry, I subscribed Science Daily and Chemistry World by RSC. Both the explanatory ability and practicality of chemistry are reasons why I love chemistry.

My urges to learn more about chemistry have been strengthened by exploring why various chemical reactions occur and how electrons and orbitals play a part in formations of bonding. By far, I found organic chemistry to be the most interesting. I especially enjoyed learning stereoisomerism. Since my father is the vice-president of a pharmaceutical company and my mother is a pediatrician, we often discuss stories and news in the fields of chemistry and pharmacy. I still remember the tragic story of using thalidomide to prevent morning sickness for pregnant women but resulting in congenitally deformed babies for not separating (S)-thalidomide from the mixture. It motivated me to investigate more of how it reacts in human body to cause the deformation; after two months of research, I wrote a paper on the cause of thalidomide scandal. In my spare time, to broaden my knowledge on the application of organic chemistry in pharmaceutical industries, I read An Introduction to Medicinal Chemistry, and have been self-studying Organic Chemistry by Clayden, Greeves, Warren and Wothers.

Last summer I earned an opportunity to be part of a three-week project on drinking water in the Department of Chemistry at Nanjing University. I experienced modern techniques and apparatus such as the spectrophotometer and the high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The amazing power of HPLC to separate chemicals with very similar structures and detect components with minimal concentrations provoked my further interests in chemistry. Through this lab experience, I not only became more adept at data collecting and analyzing but also had a more thorough understanding of the empirical nature of chemistry. More importantly, I had the opportunity to work alongside several venerable chemistry professors and PhDs and gained insight into potential career paths and current areas of chemical research.

I take great pleasure in my current A-level courses: Further Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry. Learning math enables me to approach chemistry and physics concepts from a more analytic and quantitative perspective. It allows me to interpret other science subjects by using logical reasoning and mathematical models. Last term, I participated in the Hypatia Mathematics Contest held by University of Waterloo and achieved the Bronze Standard.

In school, I was both the class monitor and representative of my chemistry course. I assisted the teachers to organize class events such as parent-teacher meetings and coordinate the class. Being a class leader toughened me and taught me the importance of leadership and effective communication. Besides, helping my classmates with their academics as a peer tutor has made me more obliging and considerate because it required me to be patient and be able to transfer the knowledge to others in a more comprehensible way.

I have a variety of hobbies. I have been playing a Chinese traditional instrument, Guzheng, for seven years now and achieved the Level 10 Qualification in 2010. Last year, I joined a jazz dance club and performed at major events such as the graduation ceremony. I was then nominated as the club leader and led them for two months. Literature and English are my interests as well. I have been writing a science fiction novel, Mana-cle, in English, and volunteering in a national film subtitle translation group.

I am enthusiastic about learning and discovering more of chemistry and wish to devote my future to exploring and contributing to the field of chemistry.