Mathematics degree personal statement example (2c) Cambridge offer, Durham rejection

Why do you want to study this course or subject?

I find mathematics hugely intriguing and enjoyable as I believe it is central to our ability to model our world, ideas and concepts. It enables us to develop and then communicate our abstract thoughts to others. It is a powerful universal tool that permeates in all directions, providing the basis upon which we are able to shape our world through science, engineering, music and the arts. I cannot therefore think of any other subject that I would want to study at university.

Music is important to me, providing opportunities to relax and express feelings and moods. I have realised that my taste in different music genres reflects my general willingness to explore ideas and tackle new challenges. When considering mathematics and music I warm to the quote by the 20th Century Mathematician, James Joseph Sylvester, "The mathematician thinks Music,-Music the dream, Mathematic the working life,-each to receive its consummation from the other." There is beauty in these words and thus an appreciation that the subject I love is far more than a set of rules that enables one to relate quantity. This view was reinforced when an art teacher explained that a desire to effectively depict the human figure pushed sculptors such as Leonardo Da Vinci and Polykleitos to turn to mathematics. Similarly, modern artists such as Georges Braque heavily incorporated cubism.

Beyond art I am convinced that the influence of mathematics within philosophy has added greatly to the advances in thinking and application; I believe that computing is the most obvious and wide ranging example of this. I marvel at how we try to handle the complexities of human reasoning using fuzzy logic and how argumentation theory impacts on the development of artificial intelligence. I am excited by and wish to be involved in these mathematical related developments.

How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for this course or subject?

Studying mathematics continues to be exceptionally enjoyable and the challenge of trying to solve questions posed in an unfamiliar way is very rewarding. My endeavour to explore more deeply into aspects of this A-level drove me to teach myself AS Further Mathematics in the few months leading up to the June examination and now I am self teaching A2 Mathematics. Studying the pure sciences demands that I grasp concepts and ideas and the application of mathematics enables me to attain both quantifiable and general solutions to problems. I continue to be intrigued at how scientists pull together observations, explanatory and supporting theories and devise suitable experiments to continually improve models, like Rutherford's postulation that atoms have a small positive centre. In all cases observation, reasoning and modelling have come together to good effect. I believe that by studying the sciences I am developing these same skills.

What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?

Whilst on work experience at UBS I was able to see how mathematics is used in banking, finance and economics. I was drawn to the fact that scientific models such as Brownian motion are used to model and thus predict the life of financial markets. I continue to be fascinated by how this abstract theory of randomness can be applied to different situations.

At school I am a Senior Prefect, Year 7 play worker, I lead my schools' 'bully buddy team' and previously co-directed a school musical. These responsibilities were initially very challenging because when resolving people problems I had to become more object in my overall approach. I am actively involved in my school's chapel choir and play the piano at grade seven. Working so closely with other senior pupils and staff is rewarding and I enjoy the comradeship that has developed in each case. Holding these positions of responsibility has greatly increased my self esteem.

To date I have been able to attain a good balance between pursuing my love for mathematics and developing my non-academic interests. I envisage revising this balance at university so that I can focus on developing my mathematical ability to the highest level possible.

Universities applied to:

• Cambridge - Emmanuel College
• Kings College London
• Nottingham University
• York University
• Durham University

Grades achieved:

• Mathematics - A*
• Further Mathematics - A
• Physics - B

How personal statements have changed?

The current personal statement format, with three 'scaffolding' questions, was introduced by Ucas in September 2025. This personal statement was submitted before then, using the old essay-style format. It has been carefully edited into the three-question format, with all of the original wording kept.

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