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.