Undergraduate / "I am an introvert." - Stanford essay : Letter to roommate [2]

here's my draft of the stanford supplement essay. Please edit and any advice would be great. Be tough!

Question : Virtually all of Stanford's undergraduates live on campus. What would you want your freshman year roommate to know about you? Tell us something about you that will help your roommate-and us-know you better.

Answer :
I think that the first thing you should know about me is that I am an introvert. I enjoy spending time with myself and I am usually the guy standing on the side talking to his mate at a party than the guy busting his flashy moves on the dance floor. Because of this, I tend to be somewhat quiet, but I think this translates into me being a good listener. I prefer spending time with a small group of friends that I'm really close with rather than a mob of people I've met once, so while it may take some time for me to open up to you, I'm sure after some time we'll be best mates. Music and sports are big parts of my life. After a stressful day, nothing calms my nerves like getting completely immersed in my guitar and playing some tunes. Music allows me to express myself in ways that everyone can relate to and understand, and the freedom it grants me is incomparable to anything else. I also have a huge passion for tennis, and I know the game inside out. I enjoy the feeling of two people battling out on a court, in the same conditions, with the same weapons, and the only difference between the two is skill and determination, with finally one person getting the ball past the other. I'm generally laid back and would be a very easy person to live with. I'm sure there would be times when we'll just be relaxing and watching "Friends" after a tiring day of classes. I come from a multicultural country, and have been greatly exposed to the Malay, Chinese, Indian and Western cultures. Therefore, I'm accustomed to having friends from different ethnic backgrounds. As a result, I am sure that we will be able to learn and share from our cultures and differences, and I hope that in time, we will be not just roommates, but close friends.

Undergraduate / I find math amazing - UCAS mathematics personal statement [2]

Hey I'm posting a draft of my personal statement for the UK here. Please let me know what you think and how I can improve it. All criticism is welcome. Thanks

I want to study mathematics because the satisfaction I get from solving a complex problem is incomparable to anything else. The fact that maths is based on logic, reasoning and proof has always been the main attraction for me and this is why I would like to further my education in mathematics at the university level.

I find it amazing how maths is the basis for almost every other discipline in the world, including Physics and Economics. My strong foundation in maths, and given that I have a flair for the subject has made me appreciate the other subjects and allowed me to use my knowledge in maths and apply it to problems in those fields. I believe that I am an all-rounded mathematician but my favourite branch would have to be pure mathematics due to its strong emphasis on proof and problem solving using theories and mathematical structures. I have always had a strong appeal for mathematics and have since nurtured it by taking up Further mathematics in A levels. Although the work involved has been a huge jump from my high school maths, I relish the challenge and opportunity of expanding my learning horizons and increasing my knowledge in the subject area, and have so far enjoyed my Further maths experience.

I have further expanded my knowledge in the subject area by reading up, mostly on the internet, about mathematicians and their theories. The most compelling of all, however, would have to be the story of Srinivasa Ramanujan, of whom the novel "The Indian Clerk" is based on, the famous Indian mathematician from who, without any formal training in maths, helped solve some of the most difficult mathematical problems in his era. He is arguably one the most naturally gifted mathematicians the world has ever seen. He has truly been an inspiration to me and his story has definitely strengthened my passion for this discipline.

Ironically, I actually used to do quite badly in maths at a primary level and I was very frustrated by this. But one day my father sat me down and taught me everything I did not understand in school, and from that day on, a whole new world opened up to me, a world that suddenly made sense, and ultimately drove me to the point where in my final year of secondary school, I was the overall top student in Additional Mathematics.

Due to my strength in the subject, I was also chosen as the Maths Olympiad captain of my school house. The experience of leading the team and working together with my teammates has been invaluable to me and will surely benefit me in the future. In my free time, I enjoy playing sports as well as music. I have a strong passion for tennis and have played since I was very young. I was elected the school tennis captain last year and had the task of leading and training my teammates. I have also competed in several local competitions throughout the years. As for music, it has been a big part of my life and I enjoy playing the piano and the guitar. A few years ago, I formed a band with my friends and we have performed at several charity concerts as well as participated in talent competitions around the city.

Mathematics is definitely the most important aspect of my life and I would love to pursue a career in mathematics and in the future, apply that knowledge into fields such as actuarial science, statistics or finance. I hope to achieve this by first furthering my education in this seemingly boundless discipline at university, which would hopefully act as a stepping stone for me on my way to achieving my dream of becoming a successful mathematician.