Personal Statement:Neuroscience 1

Why do you want to study this course or subject?

The embodiment of the brain's billions of neural cells can be likened to a complex star constellation, just as the mirroring of the embryonic brain's development to the evolution of computer software. Metaphors have been used to encapsulate both what we know and the near abyss of what is still to be answered about the brain. These images have not only inspired interest and assisted in our learning but they have fuelled the imagination; a fundamental requirement of any scientist.

It was, however, a very real allegory coined by Oliver Sacks that first appealed to me; a likening of any cognitive process to learning to perfect a new piece of music. The pianist with a vast repertoire of musical pieces can make innumerable connections between them and the new piece of music - thus speeding up the process of learning. The plastic nature of our neural networks allows practice to rework such links until a perfect performance can be given. After thirteen years of building my own repertoire of piano pieces, I can appreciate just how vital this ever-changing, ever-growing ‘scaffolding’ of memory is to our development. Yet despite an evolution that has led to this miraculous labyrinth of links between neurological cells, which bears a startling resemblance to that of the universe’s development, it is still possible to better our human brain.

One of my primary aims is to develop a more thorough understanding of the brain's evolution. Our brain exists as the product of billions of years of evolution; areas have developed that simply do not exist in other animals. To study the development of the brain between child and adult would certainly be one of my aims. The brain's growth in those early developmental years is a reflection of millions of years of evolution as Homo sapiens, and certainly holds a great deal of potential in uncovering the mysteries of the recently developed prefrontal cortex.

Another area of study that greatly interests me is our capacity to learn and retain information. I find the opportunity we have to improve our brain's plasticity daunting. A theory with great potential to better our recall is that of altering our subjective time; allowing more information to be processed in a given period. Often people with damage to the prefrontal cortex develop changes to the brain's internal clock, suggesting that the opportunities to harness this beneficially lie in this region. Another prospect I find particularly exciting is the use of stem cells to replace those lost through disease; a promise of a better quality of life for innumerable sufferers of neurodegenerative diseases. The evidence of a large hereditary influence with regard to the development of late-onset Alzheimer’s is of particular interest to me as members of my own family have suffered with the disease.

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

Until such leaps in progress can be harnessed to improve the capacity of our everyday learning and memory, efforts can be made to better our brain's functioning. As an element of my ongoing interest in the field, I participate in CogniFit programmes that encourage concentrated sessions of focused brain activity three times per week. The main goal of the program is to encourage neurogenesis as a result of the acetylcholine and dopamine released by the exercises. Undoubtedly, simply exposing our brain to a set of diverse cognitive activities over many years will delay the onset of memory decline.

I am fortunate to enjoy such a range of activities, including pursuing my aim to be fluent in Spanish, tackling new conditions as a keen windsurfer and learning new genres of piano music. I also help GCSE students in their Science, Spanish and English studies.

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

Finally, though I found the learning of A level subjects interesting and engaging I feel it is important to state that due to medical reasons that had an impact on my well-being (that are thankfully now resolved) it was difficult to concentrate fully throughout my A level studies. The results of January examinations will I believe reflect more accurately the grades I should have achieved.

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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