Example 1 (4 Stars)

My romance with structures started a few years back when I first visited one of my father's construction sites with him. The essence of building something to me is not only about the construction, its about the power. Its about the extensive labor and massive machines at your discretion, i.e. with just one word, an entire town can be built, an entire city can be mapped down, an entire empire can be given birth. And with just one word, all can be demolished. It is the dictatorial behest and agility to turn simple electrical signals into pieces of rococo art and marvels. This control and this very power to be in control and empower your mind and your artistic sense, what chizzes my ambition and interest towards construction and civil engineering. Whenever I look at a structure, its facade never stimulates me. But what stimulates me, is the working and mechanism that governs the construction segment. I scrutinize the structure, paying particular attention to each individual part and analyze how a specific pillar or an arch augments to the overall beauty and stability of the building. Recently, I have worked closely with my father paying frequent visits various construction sites. Although my role has mainly been that of an observer, but I have still have been successful to gain a lot of skills including public speaking and labor management. These skills I presume are essential for any aspiring entrepreneur. The last two years have been very important for my personal development as I ventured into a lot of extracurricular activities both in and outside school. Expectations rose really when I was selected as the founding president of the schools science society S.A.W, Scientists At Work. I matched the expectations equally by organizing an inter-house science quiz. The competition gathered tremendous response and proved to be in fact the most successful inter-house event of the year. I was also a part of the management team for the Farewell, SICAS Debating Championship and various versatile school events. The experience really sharpened

my managerial skills and taught me the art of time management and the ability to cope with pressure. The Beconhouse Model United Nations held in Islamabad, was another highlight of my career. I had no prior experience of public speaking in contrast to the experienced delegates. I used to stammer at first, but a lot of practice and help from my team mates, enabled me to take part in the prestigious competition. Although, I did not win anything officially, but I was still able to win anything officially, but I won the confidence and the eagerness that had developed inside my later. I was a winner. I am currently enrolled in the delegation taking part at the LUMS Model United Nations scheduled to be held in November. During the summer of 2006, I went to Kashmir to visit the camps of the October 2005 earthquake victims. This short trip which spanned for just a few days was the most rewarding one, spiritually. I plan to use my expertise in designing and construction, after gaining a degree to help design buildings which are earthquake resistant. The prospect of studying in the UK excites me, as it would mean learning and more importantly, living in a multi-cultural atmosphere. UK boasts some of the top universities and top students in the world, and as the wise say, "To be the best, you have to beat the best.

Example 2
Modern life is almost wholly dependent on engineering. It is everywhere and it is always changing, and it is this in particular which attracts me to civil engineering. I hope that in this field I can combine my knowledge and skills in physics and maths, two subjects which particularly interest me, and also work in an area which is both diverse and exciting. I am attracted to the prospect of a job which enables me to shape the world around me for the future and make a difference to peoples lives. Whilst I anticipate a challenging and demanding career, I also expect it to be very rewarding, especially when I can see projects I have worked on being built from start

to completion.

I first encountered civil engineering during work experience with a local firm in October 2003. Whilst there, I was inspired by the opportunity to apply my existing skills to real-life problems, and as a result decided to participate in the Engineering Education Scheme. As part of a team of five, I worked closely with qualified engineers on a railway embankment stabilisation project, and relished the chance to become fully involved in an actual engineering problem from start to finish. I experienced project management and report writing and gained invaluable team-working, time-management and presentation skills, producing a report which was commended by a number of senior engineers. Following this I attended a Headstart course at Heriot Watt University, and also visited Fairfield Mabey, where I saw ongoing work on various bridges, both in the design office and on site. During the summer I was interviewed by Costain and subsequently offered a Building Awareness Sixth Form Scholarship for my academic achievements and keen interest in civil engineering.

In March 2004 I was one of thirty students selected to participate in a five-day maths and physics event at Oxford University, and this Easter I also attended a maths course at Leeds University. At both of these I enjoyed developing my problem-solving ability and adapting my knowledge to new and challenging situations beyond the scope of my schoolwork. At Leeds I found I was not attracted to the more theoretical approach of studying maths and preferred problems relating to real-life situations, particularly a lecture on the instability of Londons Millennium Bridge, and I hope that this is something I can continue to enjoy throughout my engineering career.

I am currently working towards my Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award, in which I particularly enjoy the challenge of planning and undertaking the expeditions, and the sense of achievement afterwards. As part of the award I have set-up and run my

schools first sixth form netball team, further utilising my team-working and organisational skills. I am working towards the European Computer Driving Licence in order to extend my IT skills, and I am also a Young Leader at a local Guide Unit, where I enjoy working with the girls and motivating them to acquire new skills. Last October I was one of twenty Guides and Scouts who participated in the 12th International Space Olympics in Moscow, achieving one of the highest non-Russian scores in the competitions history. This involved exams and a group presentation, and through research and preparation for these I was able to extend my knowledge of maths and physics into new, more advanced areas.

Through my experiences I am already beginning to appreciate the diversity which civil engineering will offer, and I hope to build on this by securing a work placement next summer as well as sponsorship for my degree. I have enjoyed my time at school and now look forward to the challenge of university and to a varied and exciting career in civil engineering.

Example 3 (5 Stars)
My choice to study Civil Engineering was the result of mature reflection. I'm aware that the decisions I make at this age will surely determine my life. The direction of my studies will certainly bond my future and I decided that this commitment should contain things I love, and make me feel useful in society. My future education and profession should encompass what Im really interested in and give me joy and satisfaction. When you outline your course on things you like, your commitments give meaning to your life and make everyday routine more interesting and productive. Id like to incorporate these thoughts in the projects Ill deliver as a Civil Engineer, projects that will harmonize the natural with the built environment and produce an attractive result. Maths and physics were my strong points since the beginning of my education. My

interest in maths was also increased by my father who is a mathematician. Thanks to his help and promotion, I took part in several mathematical competitions. I managed to participate in the National Mathematical Olympiad three times (top 30 for my age in Greece) and I am confident that this year I will become a medalist. I have also attended preparation classes for the National Mathematical Olympiad, organized by renowned professors from the University of Crete. In physics I fed my curiosity by studying extracurricular books. MIT Open courseware lectures in maths and physics were also a way to deepen my knowledge. However, how these could be combined when confronted with real-life situations, Ive learned from a family friend, a Civil Engineer by profession. He played a catalytic role in the way I conceive myself in the future, in my thoughts and knowledge of the job of a Civil Engineer. He instilled in my mind the love for the capability to structure space without harming the environment. He took me to construction sites and introduced me to the poetic side of the profession. With him I learned that you can elicit from nature the shape you want to create and the material youll use, that the constructional technique must become art, that the building and urban planning have to cover contemporary needs, that Aristotle considered the town to be a physical event, creation of man, a physical need, like family. I live on an island that on account of its rapid touristic growth broke off its relations with the countryside and the natural environment. The re-establishment of the environmental balance is no longer in natures hands, but in the hands of human intervention. I consider utmost justification of my objective the capability to form the environment that will cover human needs, which will give symmetry, security and stability to space and man. Alongside my studies and work, I want to be present in the foundation of new relations, new perceptions, new buildings. I have played basketball in a club for over 10 years and have won several regional championships. I learned that the results youre seeking require planning and teamwork. Studying in your university is to accede into a team that has the vision and knowledge required to give society a better landscape. Being bilingual, I have the advantage of learning languages easily; I can speak Greek, German, English and Spanish at a high level and basic French. I also learned to adapt to situations, a virtue

many people do not posses. I also play the guitar and believe that learning to play a musical instrument is one of the most rewarding experiences in life, as it teaches you discipline and patience, but also gives you the chance to communicate with your emotions. My distinctions in maths and sports, my performance at school, my ability to learn languages, my time management skills and above all my determination to study what I aspire to and learn from the best, will hopefully be seriously taken into account in your decision of accepting me to your University.

Example 4 (5 Stars)
The Three Gorges Dam, the 2335m concrete wonder holding back 39.3 cu km of water, powering 9 provinces and 2 cities, slows down the rotation of the earth by 0.06 microseconds. It is testament to the awesome potential of Civil Engineering to reshape the environment, push the boundaries of physical possibilities while making a real impact by solving practical problems and ultimately, engineer awe-inspiring contributions. My interest in Civil Engineering was prompted at a young age when I had the opportunity to visit six of the tallest buildings in the world including the Petronas Twin Towers, the Empire State Building and the Taipei 101. Each of these are monuments to humanity's progress. I am attracted by the prospect of being able to translate abstract ideas into physical reality, and of using science to realise innovative solutions. I seek the opportunity to combine my creativity and interest in Physics to create. I want to make a lasting difference and leave behind a legacy. This interest led me to do a work attachment with an engineering firm in Malaysia. There I observed the construction of a bituminous road over swampy land. It required problem-solving skills and tenacity as the project was obstructed by the tropical weather. For two stimulating weeks, I shadowed the civil engineers. I saw how they solved problems and dealt with building regulations, the need for planning, design and accurate measurement. I saw how good leadership, communication and teamwork skills were required. I saw the bond and appreciation of how important

their work is. During this time, I also visited a factory which supplied tempered glass to the firm for their other projects. I was fascinated by the process and was impressed by how engineers across different fields often work together to achieve the same objectives. Importantly, I believe my skills and interests provide a strong foundation for a career in Civil Engineering. Besides my keen undertaking of Maths, Chemistry and Physics, other facets of my character continue to develop. In school, I gained leadership, teamwork and organisational skills: I was the Director of Community Service of the Interact Club (a volunteer and charitable club), Vice President of the Malaysian Society in college, President of the Moral Club (where I organised projects to help the environment), and a committee member of the Eco Club. My involvement in these community and environment centred societies stems from my desire to make change - this same desire underpins my interest in Civil Engineering. The skills I gained led to me being appointed as a Prefect and member of the Student Council - roles which allow me to raise issues concerning the student body and improve my college. My proactive nature compels me towards these roles and will similarly compel me to be proactively involved in my prospective university and career. With regard to extracurricular activities, I have always been active: I successfully participated in numerous intra and inter school athletic competitions. I was commended by the Sports Master and was invited to be a member of the Athletics Club. I am also passionate about football and I enjoy playing as a team. Competition and sport have taught me to persevere in the face of adversity and to challenge myself. Outside of sport, I have also directed two stage performances for National Day competitions and won both. I enjoy a creative outlet which the stage provides, and which I believe Civil Engineering will also provide. For these reasons, I believe I have the materials necessary to succeed in Civil Engineering. Therefore to build the road upon which I shall traverse to success and the tower which I shall use to climb to new heights, I welcome the opportunity for the support and foundation that a university education in the UK can provide.