Undergraduate / A dream of programmer; Carnegie Mellon - major & why CMU? [NEW]

Q: "Please submit a one-page, single-spaced essay that explains why you have chosen Carnegie Mellon and your particular major(s), department(s) or program(s). This essay should include the reasons why you've chosen the major(s), any goals or relevant work plans and any other information you would like us to know. If you are applying to more than one college or program, please mention each college or program you are applying to. Because our admission committees review applicants by college and programs, your essay can impact our final decision. Please do not exceed one page for this essay."

Although I didn't know it then, my dream was born when my uncle gave me "Starcraft" CD. A dream of programmer. Like most kids in that age, computer game had special meaning to me. However, Starcraft was more special than others. It allowed users to make their own "map", kind of geological and systemic settings for game. The fact that I can make something as I pleased attracted me greatly. I even spent far more time making map and testing it than playing games. Although I was about 10 years old then and I faced difficulty with English, I learned it by myself: trigger settings, geology settings, unit settings, force settings, etc. It inspired me a dream of becoming a programmer. On lunchtime in school, I used to make rough draft of map. I even organized a map making team to make more magnificent and detailed map.

However, Korean school curriculum did not include computer programming. Slowly, my dream faded away. Few years after, I was accepted in KSA, high school I attended. It was the day before my entrance. My father gave me an advice. "So, now you are about to become a high school student. Becoming high school student means it's time for you to think of your future. Only three years left to choose your major before going college. Leisurely think of your major. "Taste" every subject and find your real interest."

Following my father's advice, I tried to "taste" as much subject as I can, with new vision: "Does it fit on me?" I volunteered Research & Education program with chemistry and astronomy. I took various courses. In biology, evolutionary theory and biosphere contents were quite interesting. In earth science, oceanography and geology was terrible but astronomy was fascinating. However, it was computer science that grabbed all my attention.

Through C++, I can make my own program in my own way. It was really fascinating for me. Also, in NXT class, I made robot moving with motor, speaker, and various sensors such as light sensor and pressure sensor. I coded programs for it as I wish. I was able to make this robot run through black lines, bark when obstacle is in front, or play soccer with other robots. My buried dream came alive again. I absorbed into programming. Coding something that I want with C++ or MFC was really fascinating. This is an excerpt from my blog - "Final exam is over, but I have stayed awake this night too. I have fought with my schedule program for more than 10 hours. Finally I overcome this and it is 4 AM." I took various computer science classes. The more I learn, the more I can do. I attended computer science class full of expectations, guessing how I could use this to advance my program. I ardently volunteered for everything related to computer science: Korea Olympiad in Informatics, International Students Science Fair, graduation research, etc.

I heard about Carnegie Mellon University first when I was searching for university famous for computer science. As I had known Andrew Carnegie before, the name remained my brain clearer than others. I asked it about my counselor teacher and searched through internet. Then I came to know that various interesting researches and projects are offered to undergraduate students in Carnegie Mellon University. I think Carnegie Mellon University is the place where I can learn computer science in-depth with best students in the world. I am interested in game developing, ubiquitous computing, and humanoid developing. I heard nowadays computer engineering technology is developing following Demi-Moore's law. I know chasing this path will be very challenging. However, as I had carefully chosen this path and I'm sure of it, I won't fall behind others.

Thanks for reading.

There is no one near me who can read and correct my essay.

This is first time to show my essay to others.

Any advice will be valuable for me.