Qualification and Motivation in seeking Advanced Degree
QUALIFICATION
Even as a child, I have always been fascinated by everything related to science and technology. I
can still remember how I always asked questions about almost everything just to satisfy my
curiosity. This, I believed have helped me focus on what I really want in life.
I have always marveled at great breakthroughs of science and technology. My love for science
and technology paved the way for my dream to become a successful Systems & Information
Engineer. I enrolled at the University of Virginia (UVA), School of Engineering and Applied
Science with a fervent hope that I would be able to use all the knowledge that I will learn to help
society through my research, studies and professional contacts.
Despite having ADHD since childhood, I was not diagnosed and treated with medication to
control ADHD until the second half of my undergraduate studies at UVA. I have maintained a
GPA of 3.6 in my major of Systems & Information Engineering, and a GPA of 3.4 overall.
My GPA before and after my diagnosis and medication treatment for ADHD
GPA Number of Credits Average Rate of
Credits/Semester
Before ADHD diagnosis 3.07 58 11.6
After ADHD diagnosis 3.78 73 14.6
My GRE Score
Scaled Score Percentile
Quantitative Reasoning 162 83
Verbal Reasoning 155 67
My years at UVA have helped me appreciate the beauty of science and technology even more. It
made me realize that with proper education and research, we can really change the world for the
better. This made me more optimistic and hopeful that anything is possible if we only have the
desire and the right tools to put it to fruition.
MOTIVATION TO PURSUE ADVANCED DEGREE
The most essential factor is persistence the determination never to allow your energy or
enthusiasm to be dampened by the discouragement that must inevitably come.
~ James Whitcomb Riley
Six years ago, I was diagnosed with Friedreichs Ataxia (FA), a neuromuscular disorder with a
very low incidence rate of 1 in every 50,000 people in US. The condition causes symptoms
including loss of coordination in the arms and legs, fatigue, vision impairment, heart condition
and diabetes mellitus. Unfortunately, there is still no cure for FA, only symptom management.
Giving up seems to be the easier way out in any tight and difficult situation. However, this is not
my principle in life. In my heart, I truly believe that we should never be discouraged, no matter
how many problems and trials come our way. Moreover, I think that with hard work,
determination and persistence, anything is possible.
I have not let this debilitating and life-shortening disease affect how I live my life, and more
importantly, how I push myself to reach my dreams. My mind is set. I have not and will not let
my condition become a hindrance to achieve the dreams I have, especially when it comes to my
education and research career. I told myself that I would study harder to prove not just to the
people around me, but more importantly to myself, that the flame of determination cannot be put
out by an illness. With this fervor, I started to work on one dream at a time.
I have always been a firm believer that education is one of the most vital keys to success. This is
the main reason why I want to further my studies by pursuing an advance degree in Systems
Engineering. It is with great enthusiasm that I have come to realize that education should be a
continuous process. I believe that there is always something to learn. Education is one thing that
nobody can take away from me. It is something that I will carry all my life. The prospect of
pursuing an advanced degree in the field that I love would truly be a dream come true.
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