Undergraduate / I remember the day when my interest in computers began; PS Computer Science transfer [3]

I am transferring from a community college, but still need to apply. This is a 2-part essay, and should be around 1000 words total. I would love any advice. I'm terrible at these things...

Prompt #1
What is your intended major? Discuss how your interest in the subject developed and describe any experience you have had in the field - such as volunteer work, internships and employment, participation in student organizations and activities - and what you have gained from your involvement.

My intended major is Computer Science. I remember the exact day when my interest in computers really began. I never owned one growing up and never really thought much about them until high school. When I was 17, I was asked to write an essay explaining what I thought was the most important invention of the 20th century and why. After a lot of thought and research it seemed clear to me that the answer was the integrated circuit.

The invention of the microchip virtually created the modern-day computing world and allowed for the invention of thousands of other developments we now take for granted. While writing that essay, I began to think for the first time about how much of an impact computers actually have on all our lives today. Computers have become a nearly essential part of our lives, not just for fun but for information and technological advancement. From the physicist at the CERN project to the astronomers at NASA, computers are allowing humanity to gain new insights and discover new truths about ourselves and our world. Our reliance on computers will only grow with time, and computers will certainly shape our futures as well.

I have always enjoyed studying the mechanical workings of gadgets, and began playing around with computer parts when I was a teenager. I built my first working computer when I was 17 and still have it today. I taught myself basic computer repairs and offered my services whenever my friends or family members would have problems with their PC's. In this way, I learned a tremendous amount about computer hardware and trouble-shooting.

While the hardware aspect of computers was always interesting to me, I really decided I wanted to pursue a degree in Computer Science after I discovered software programming. I have taken classes in algorithm design, C, C++, and assembly language. The process of being able to start with an idea and create a functional, logical, and efficient computer program to solve real-life problems is incredibly satisfying o me. An example of this is a program I recently created that performs matrix multiplication so I could check my math homework without buying an expensive graphing calculator. This was a simple program, but very helpful. A deeper understanding of computer science and mathematics would allow me to solve more complex and challenging problems, which is ultimately my goal.

Along with computers, my other real interest is in mathematics. I am planning to transfer after I complete my A.S. in math because I feel a strong background in math will be a great help to me in my studies of computers. I feel my math courses have made me much more logical and able to think critically, but many of them have had specific topics that I know will be helpful in my pursuit of a computer science degree. In my first calculus classes I learned about limits and indeterminate forms, which is used for approximation methods in computing. In multivariable calculus I learned to apply math to three or more dimensions, as is used in computer modeling in applications such as video games. Differential equations also deal with approximation methods. Linear algebra helps computers to solve algebraic problems and is useful for extending concepts into n dimensions and transforming functions with matrices, very commonly used in computer applications. I've also had a course in finite math for which I studied binary math, Boolean algebra, and logic circuits.

I believe I am an ideal candidate for a Computer Science degree because of my strong passion for analytical problem-solving, logic, mathematics and computing.

Prompt #2

Tell us about a personal quality, talent, accomplishment, contribution or experience that is important to you. What about this quality or accomplishment makes you proud, and how does it relate to the person you are?

I believe my best quality is my perseverance. By that I mean my commitment, hard work, and endurance. These qualities have everything to do with my application to UC Davis because it has taken me a long time to get to this point.

I grew up in Davis, so I was submerged in the university culture all my life. My father was a lawyer and had worked for years as a professor, and my mother was also a college graduate. In our house, education was considered supremely important. The assumption that my sister and I would go to college was never even questioned. My parents had spent our entire lives saving money to allow us to do just that when the time came.

When I was 12, my mother was diagnosed with cancer. She had a large brain tumor, and all her doctors pronounced that she would be dead by the end of a year. This estimate turned out to be wildly inaccurate, as she survived until I was 19. Seven years of cancer treatments cost a small fortune, and even though my mother was insured, my sister's and my college funds were entirely wiped out to cover just the co-pays on years of chemotherapy, CAT scans, radiation, and in-home care.

When it became apparent that I would not have any savings upon graduation from high school, my plans were changed. I decided to go to community college for my first two years in order to save money. Up to and for some time after my mother's death, I found myself enrolling in classes at Sacramento City College and having to withdraw before completion. My classes at the community college were interrupted when her illness became serious and I was needed at home to care for her. My mother's subsequent death not only destroyed our finances, but it took a serious emotional toll on my father. He seemed to shut down, and became sick himself. I withdrew from school in order to work and physically care for my father, thus putting my education on hold for a second time. My father died two years later and I resumed my studies at the age of 22.

Attempting to attain a college education with no family and no resources is no easy feat. My progress has been slow as I have had to work continuously to support myself. Sometimes I found myself going to both work and school full time, and still having trouble making ends meet. Finding enough time and money to progress academically has been a constant battle, but I am extremely proud of myself for never giving up. I signed my transfer agreement last week and I feel as if I have finally reached a very substantial goal in my life. Finishing my degree at Davis has truly been an almost life-long ambition of mine, and, while it has been a long and difficult journey, I feel my experiences have instilled in me the qualities I will need to truly excel once I get there.