Good Personal Statement About Tell US What You'd Like To Major In At Cornell, And Why Or How Your Past Academic

Academic challenges must be met with an open mind while remaining grounded in intense discipline and focus. Three and a half years ago I came to the United States hardly speaking any English. I enrolled in my local high school in New York City where I was exposed to many people of diverse backgrounds. Initially, school was very difficult. The difficulty of making friends in a new language is only exceeded by the struggle to learn chemistry in a new tongue. Despite this handicap, through dedication and perseverance I managed to learn a new language and prepare myself for future academic success.
When I first arrived in America, I did not speak any English and my coursework standardized test-scores, such as the SATs, suffered. However, by 2012 I managed to perfect my language skills and graduated high school able to attend Brooklyn College in New York City. 3 years ago my English skills were lacking and I was worried I would not be accepted into college. 2 years ago, I was nervous I would not be able to successfully succeed in college. Through hard work and discipline, I persevered and managed to maintain an excellent academic record. I am a hard worker and incredibly disciplined and the right environment, specifically Cornell’s computer science program, can push me to be the best that I can be.
As a small infant I enjoyed playing with puzzles and computers and the associated technologies made for the ultimate puzzle. My father is an Oracle SOA developer and early on I always enjoyed playing with computers and testing their capabilities. My parents had computers in the home from before I was born, and their nature as furniture, garbage, and treasure troves of entertainment or data, made them amenable to my natural youthful inquiry. I knew that I wanted to contribute to the field of Information Technology, but I was never certain in which area. The uptick in reported cases of cyber-security breaches, from the Target data theft to the Edward Snowden case, piqued my interest in studying network security. Computer security represents an evolving puzzle with new tricks and steps constantly being learned by the conman and law enforcement. Indeed, the puzzles I received as childhood gifts built an appreciation for the analytical methodology I use when solving problems in computing that are presented to me.
As one of the top 5 schools in computer science, Cornell University is the perfect place for me to challenge myself academically and to achieve both my short- term and long – term goals in the field, which include research, and the applications of my skills for the benefit of society by improving cyber security. Attending Cornell would allow me to delve into the interesting research conducted by Prof. Andrew Myers in Jif and various ongoing projects that may change the face of computing. Collaboration with the impressive faculty and the astute student body will foster my creativity in the field.
In sum, I am a driven student and professional and excelled in all obstacles that have been presented to me. Attending Cornell’s computer science program is the perfect challenge for me and will push me harder to obtain my future goals. I will bring to Cornell an excitement for learning and an open mind ready to absorb new material.