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GuidanceNotesonEconomicsUniversityApplications
AdviceandinformationonbuildingastrongplatformforapplicationstotheUKandoverseasuniversities
GeoffRileyFRSACo-Founderoftutor2u
Spring2016Edition
Applying for Economics Courses at University – 2016 Guide www.tutor2u.net/economics
Page2 Formoreadvice,guidanceandsupportforallALevelEconomicsstudents,makefulluseofthetutor2uEconomicsresourcesandevents:EconomicsrevisionmaterialEconomicsrevisionguidesEconomicsrevisionvideosEconomicsrevisionworkshops…andfordailyresourcesandsupport,followthetutor2uEconomicsteamonTwitterGeoffRileytutor2uEconomics
Applying for Economics Courses at University – 2016 Guide www.tutor2u.net/economics
Page3Section1:UCAS–BuildingBlockstoChoosingaDegreeDataonuniversitycoursesincludingstudentfeedbackcanbeaccessedhere:http://unistats.direct.gov.uk/SelectionofEconomicsFaculties:Clickonthelinkstoaccesstheeconomicsfacultywebsites
Bath www.bath.ac.uk/economics/study/ug/
Birmingham www.economics.bham.ac.uk/index.shtml
Bristol www.bristol.ac.uk/efm/courses/undergraduate/
Cambridge www.econ.cam.ac.uk/andwww.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/economics
Durham www.dur.ac.uk/economics.finance/
Edinburgh www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/economics/
Exeter www.sobe.ex.ac.uk/undergraduate/
Lancaster www.lums.lancs.ac.uk/departments/economics/
Leeds http://lubswww.leeds.ac.uk/undergraduate/index.php?id=55
Leicester: www2.le.ac.uk/departments/economics
Liverpool www.liv.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/economics-bsc-hons/overview/
LondonSchoolofEconomics http://econ.lse.ac.uk/andhttp://econ.lse.ac.uk/study/ugpr.html
Manchester www.socialsciences.manchester.ac.uk/disciplines/economics/
Newcastle www.ncl.ac.uk/undergraduate/degrees/l100/#courseoverview
Nottingham www.nottingham.ac.uk/economics/index.aspx
Oxford www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate_courses/index.html
Queen’sUniversity(Belfast) www.qub.ac.uk/home/StudyatQueens/UndergraduateStudents/
RoyalHolloway(London) www.rhul.ac.uk/economics/prospectivestudents/home.aspx
Sheffield www.shef.ac.uk/economics
SOAS www.soas.ac.uk/economics/
Southampton www.southampton.ac.uk/economics
StAndrews www.st-andrews.ac.uk/economics/
Surrey www.surrey.ac.uk/economics/
Sussex www.sussex.ac.uk/economics/
UCL www.ucl.ac.uk/economics/undergraduate/prospective
Warwick www.warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/Economics/
York www.york.ac.uk/depts/econ/
SelectionofOverseasUniversities/Faculties
Columbia(NewYork) http://econ.columbia.edu/
Harvard(Economics) http://economics.harvard.edu/
Princeton(Economics) www.econ.princeton.edu/
Stanford(Economics) https://economics.stanford.edu/undergraduate
TrinityCollegeDublin(Ireland) www.tcd.ie/Economics/
Wharton(Economics) www.wharton.upenn.edu/
Yale(Economics) www.econ.yale.edu/
Applying for Economics Courses at University – 2016 Guide www.tutor2u.net/economics
Page4MoreUsefulLinks
• GuardianUniversityGuide(2016)www.guardian.co.uk/education/universityguide• OpenDays:www.opendays.com/• ThinkingSkillsAssessment:www.admissionstests.cambridgeassessment.org.uk/adt/• TimesUniversityGuide(2014)–www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/public/gug/
ChoosingDeferredEntry(GapYear)
• Ifyouareconsideringdeferredentry(i.e.2017)youMUSTcontacttheuniversitytochecktheyacceptdeferredapplicationsBEFOREsubmittingyourapplication–clearlythevastmajoritydo!
• YoumightbeastrongercandidatewithyourfinalA2/Pre-Uresultsknownsinceuniversitiesareoftenreluctantto‘block’toomanyplaceswithdeferredoffers.
• WhetheryougoforadeferredorpostA2application,youshouldhaveclearplansonwhatyouaregoingtodoandhowyouwillbekeepingupyouracademicskills.MostuniversitieswillexpecttoseesomethingconcreteandpositiveaboutGapyearplansonyourpersonalstatement.
SelectionMethodsusedbyUniversities:
1. UCASform2. AdditionalQuestionnaire(Cambridge)3. AdditionalorreplacementPersonalStatement(e.g.Durham)4. Aptitudetests(e.g.BMAT,HAT,PAT,MSAT,ELAT–scheduledforearlyNovember2015)5. Interview–manyOxbridgestudentsareallocatedtoadifferentcollegetotheoriginalapplication
SomeoftheKeySelectionCriteria
• GCSErecordincludingthenumberofgradeA*sandAs• ASresultsandmodulemarksfromindividualunits• PredictedgradesforA2&Pre-U• Schoolreference/includingindividualteacherreferencesforUSuniversities• Personalstatement(includinganextrastatementforsomeuniversitiese.g.atDurham)
ConditionalOffers
• Usuallybasedon3Alevel/pre-Usubjects• OccasionallybasedonUCASTariff:http://ucas.com/students/ucas_tariff/• Mightrequireparticulargradesinspecifiedsubjectsi.e.BBBisnotequivalenttoABC
UCASOffers-YourResponse
• Youcanacceptupto2offers• Firm:Theoneyouarecommittedtogoingtoifyoumakethegrades• Insurance:Theback-upincaseyoudon’tmakethegradesforthefirmchoice(thisshouldideallyhavea
lowergraderequirementbutthisisnotalwayspossible)• Decline:Offersyoudon’twanttoaccept• Youcannotselectbetweenfirm&insurance–youcommittogoingtothefirmoneifyoumakethegrades!
Applying for Economics Courses at University – 2016 Guide www.tutor2u.net/economics
Page5Section2:StudyingEconomics–CoursesandConditionalOffers
• Contacttheuniversitydepartmentconcernedforpreciseinformationbeforeapplying• Furtherdetailsarelikelytobegivenoutattheofficialuniversity/facultyopendays• ManyuniversitiesprefertraditionalAlevelssuchasFurtherMaths,Physics,HistoryandChemistry
Forcompetitivecourses,singlehonourseconomicswillrequireatleastoneA*atA2–probablyMaths.YouarestronglyadvisedtotakeFurtherMathsforCambridge,UCL,Warwick,LSEandOxfordEcon&Management
o Bath:Typicaloffer:A*AAMathematicsandEconomicsA2isrequiredatgradeAorabove–2016offerA*AAexcludingbothbusinessandeconomics(oneortheother),withanAinMaths
o Birmingham:Typicaloffer:AAA,GCSEMathematicsgradeAifnotofferedatASorA2level;AABforBusinessManagement,AABforPoliticsandEconomics
o Bristol:Typicaloffer:A*AAincludingAAAAinC1,C2,C3andC4(includingMathsandEconomics)
o EconandFinanceAAAoffer(AAinMathsC3/C4),EconwithStudyinContinentalEurope(4years)AAA.EconandPoliticsAAAincl:AinC3/C4Maths.EconandEconometrics:AAAwithAAinC3&C4
o BristolismorelikelytomakeyouanofferifyouarestudyingFurtherMathematicswithinthecontextoffourrecognizedA-levelsubjects.Somepuremathematics(mainlycalculus)isneededforecontheorywhichiscompulsoryinthefirstyear(1/6thofthefirstyearcourse).
o 1480applicationsin2015foraround190places
o CityUniversity:Typicaloffer:Economics:AAB
o Cambridge:A-levelMathsisessentialforthoseapplyingforentry.VastmajorityofoffersforeconomicsatCambridgerequireA2gradesofA*AA(mayrequireinFurtherMaths),Human,SocialandPoliticalSciencesA*AA
o Cambridgeismovingtowardssubjectentryexamsfrom2017usingtheThinkingSkillsAssessmenttests.Foreconomicsthiswillinvolveatwo-hourpre-interviewwrittenassessment
o TheirTripossystemisflexible–e.g.youmightstudyLaworManagementStudiesin3rdyear
o Durham:TypicalL100Economicsoffer:A*AA.Or38IBpoints.EconomicsBA(Honours)andforBusinessEconomics;ForCombinedSocialSciences(Econ+Geography)typicalofferisA*AA,Business&Management:AAM2orD3AB;A*AAforEconomicswithFrench;A*AAforPPE(2015)
o YouwillneedanA*inMathsforEconomicsbutdon’tapplyforPPEifyouaredoingDoubleMathsastheythinkthisshowstoonarrowafocus.Durham’sPPEadvisorwantsyoutotake4A2subjects
o Ifyouaretaking3subjectstoA2,considerapplyingfortheCombinedSocialSciencesdegreethathasmoreplaces.YoucanstudythesamemodulesasthePPE!
o Edinburgh:Typicaloffer:AAAorBBB:SingleHonoursEconomics:Maths:MathsASorA-leveldesirable.IB:37pointsoverallandgrades666atHL.
o Exeter:Typicaloffer:EconomicsA*AA.SelectorspreferapplicantstooffergradeAMathematics.EconandPoliticsoffer:AAB;BusinessandManagement:AAA;Econ&Finance:AAA,Econ&Econometrics,AAA
o Lancaster:BScEconomics,typicalconditionalofferisAAB,conditionaloffermayacceptGeneralStudies.35pointsoverallwith16pointsfromthebest3HigherLevelsubjects
o Leeds:TypicalofferisAAAformostEconoptionsincludingManagement.YoumusthaveA/A*inGCSEMaths;AABforEconandMaths.EconandGermanoffer:AAAEconandBusinessABB,Econ&PoliticsAAB
o Leicester:Typicaloffer:BAEconomics:ABB
o Liverpool:Economics–AAAforentryin2016.IB:36pointsincluding6inHigherLevelMathematics.
Applying for Economics Courses at University – 2016 Guide www.tutor2u.net/economics
Page6o LondonSchoolofEconomics:FurtherMathsisamustforEconomicsL100,notnecessarytohave
studiedevensingleMathstoapplyforEconomicsandGovernment.LSEputHUGEemphasisontheUCASstatement.Recentoffers:GovernmentandEconAAA,EconomicsA*AAPhilosophy&Economics:AAA
o Loughborough:AAB/ABB(GeneralStudies,CriticalThinkingandCommunicationandCulturearenotnormallyaccepted).IB–34pointsminimum.
o Manchester:Typicaloffer:EconomicsAAB,DevelopmentEconomicsAAB;EconomicsandFinanceAAB,ManagementAAB,HistorywithEconomics:ABBEconomicsandBusinessABBIB35points.
o Newcastle:Typicaloffer:AAB:EconandBusinessABB,Econ&PoliticsAAB
o Nottingham:
o Economics:TypicalofferisA*AAandforthosetakingfourfullA2subjectsA*ABB
o Economics&HispanicStudies(4years)A*AA;ManagementStudies:AAA
o IndustrialeconomicsAABofferin2015
o Oxford(EconomicsandManagement):
o Typicaloffer:A*AAorD3.CandidatesrequiredtohaveMathematicstoA-level
o Workexperience&"extendedprojects"irrelevant-theyreadtheUCASStatementverycarefully
o TheOxfordTSAexamiscruciallyimportant.TheylookatyourpublicexamgradesandyourTSAscoreandyourschoolreference,andbyusing"regressionanalysis"theyproducean"algorithm",fromwhichtheygiveeachcandidateascore.Theyrankallcandidates.TSAisthemajorcomponent
o Oxford(PPE):Typicaloffer:AAA(includingMaths)(MathsandHistoryseenashelpfulbutnotessential)
o QueenMaryLondon:Typicaloffer:EconomicsL100:AAA
o RoyalHolloway:Typicaloffer:Economics:AAB;EconomicswithPolitics:ABB
o Sheffield:Typicaloffer:BSceconomics(L101)AABor35IBpoints
o SchoolofOrientalandAfricanStudies(SOAS):BScEconomics,typicalofferisAAA
o Southampton:Typicaloffer:AABincludingAlevelMathematics,4Alevelsubjects:AABBincludingMaths
o StAndrew’s:TypicalofferforsinglehonoursEconomicsisAAAB
o Surrey:Typicaloffer:AABUniversityofSurreyEconomics(withayearinindustry)
o UCL:Economics:A*AAinthefirstsitting,toincludegradeA*inMathematics(andAinEconomicsiftakingthissubject)TakingFurtherMathsatALevel(A2)neitheradvantagesnordisadvantagesstudents
o Warwick:Typicaloffer:A*AAB–ForL100EconomicsorL112EconomicsandIndustrialOrganization'youmustobtaingradeAinA2Maths.A*AAawhentaking3A2subjects.AAAoffergivenforPPEin2015.
o York:BScEconomics,typicalofferisAAB
LandEconomy(usuallyavailableatCambridge,UniversityofReading)• Twoprimarydisciplinesarelawandeconomics.Studentswithinterestsineconomicgeography,
environmentaleconomics,theeconomicsofrealestateandinenvironmentalandpropertylawwillbeattractedtoLandEconomy.www.landecon.cam.ac.uk/courses/undergradstudy/introduction.htm
• UniversityofCambridgeLandEconomyfacultyadmitsaround60undergraduatesperyear.NormalofferisA*AAatAlevel.Thereisnorequirementforapplicantstohavetakenanyparticularsubjects.
Applying for Economics Courses at University – 2016 Guide www.tutor2u.net/economics
Page7Section3:AdviceonStrengtheningyourUniversityApplication
• Formostadmissionstutors,theirmainfocusisyourintellectualandacademicpotential,commitment,curiosityandpassionforyourchosensubjectdisciplinescomparedwiththeotherstudentapplicantsinagivenyear
• Onetutorsaid:“welookforintellectualcuriosityandawide-rangingviewofthesubject,i.e.notjustfocusedontheUK.”Thisisgreatadvice!-Trytoshowawarenessoftherapidandimportantchangeshappeningintheworld!
FocusingonyourUCASpersonalstatementYourUCASpersonalstatementshouldconveyagenuinecommitmenttoachosensubjectandmustdemonstratestrong,hardsupportingevidenceofhavingexploredwellbeyondthesyllabus,withatrackrecordofindependentstudy.Showthatyoucanexplorebeyondthebasictheory.EnrichmentandExtensionActivitiesinyourSubjects
o Independentreading
o Readarticlesfromaqualitynewspaperormagazineeveryday
o Developyourownpersonallearningnetworkusingblogsandtwitter
o Setupyourownblogorstudentmagazineandinviteotherstudentstocollaborate
o WatchTEDtalksandtalksfromtheRoyalSocietyofArtsandtheLondonSchoolofEconomics
o Readuponcriticalthinking/thinkingskills–considerbuyingabookonthistopreparefortheTSAtests
o Getinvolvedinschoolsocietiesandmakecontactwithspeakersaftertheirvisit–followthemonTwitterordrawonsomeoftheirmostrecentarticlesandbooks–thisisagreatwaytoimmerseyourselfinasubject
o EnteratleastoneexternalessaycompetitionssuchastheoneorganizedbytheRoyalEconomicSocietyorbyoneoftheOxbridgecollegesthatrunprizeessays–theseareanexcellentshowcaseforyourtalents
o Getinvolvedwithsummerschoolsthatgiveyoufreshinsightsintosubjectsyouwanttotakefurther.ChecktoseewhichUKandUSuniversitiesareorganizingsummerschoolsandapplyearly–theyfillupfast!
o Challengetheconventionalwisdomintheclassroom–questionwhatisbeingtaught,haveconfidencetotakeissuewithyourteachersandexploremanydifferentarguments–don’ttakeabackseat,don’tbepassive–itwillhelpyouininterviewsandinuniversityseminarsanditwillimproveyourself-confidence
o Exploreareasofthesubjectbeyondthesyllabussuchasgametheoryandbehaviouraleconomics
o Network-exploreopportunitiesforworkexperienceswithdifferentorganizationsandpeople-themorediversetheexperience–thebetter.Workingforalocalcharity,withanewspaperorbusinessstart-upismorevaluablethanshadowingboringpeopleinaninvestmentbankingofficeorafirmofaccountants!
o Travelandseektounderstandmoreaboutthesocial,economic,politicalandhistoricalbackgroundoftheplacesyouarevisiting.Readupaboutthem,perhapscontributingtoschool-basedmagazinesorotherstudentpublications.Blogaboutyourexperiencesandyourviews!Chancefavourstheconnectedmind!
o Attendoutsidelecturesandotherevents–lookforlecturesmadeavailabletothegeneralpublicatyourlocaluniversitiesoracademicorganizations:InLondonforexampleIrecommend:
o LSEPublicLectures:www2.lse.ac.uk/publicEvents/eventsHome.aspx(London)–videoavailable
o RSAEvents:www.thersa.org/events/our-events(London)-alwayslivestreamed
o RESEssaycompetition:2016-http://www.res.org.uk/view/essayEduTraining.html-recommended!
Applying for Economics Courses at University – 2016 Guide www.tutor2u.net/economics
Page8Section4:AdviceonWritingaPersonalStatement
• Statementsareacrucialpieceofevidencealongsideprojected/actualgradesandtheschoolreference• Only a few universities interview applicants; in these cases the Personal Statement is a candidate’s only
chanceofdisplayingpotentialtotheadmissionstutor.• Theymustbepersonalandtheymustconveygenuineenthusiasmforthesubject!• Someuniversitiesallow(andlike)substituteoradditionalpersonalstatements:
o Durhamsubstitutestatementallowedo CambridgeSAQadditionalstatementallowedo UCL‘ArtsandSciencesBSc’additionalstatementrequired
Firstparagraph• Whatsparkedyourinterest?-talkabouthowyoureachedyourdecisiontostudythissubject• Howhasitbeensustained?-HastakingittoAlevelconfirmedyouwanttotakeitevenfurther?• Bespecific-giveanexampleofsomethinginthecoursethat'sreallyfiredyourinterestandcuriosity
ParagraphTwo-YourAcademicandIntellectualCuriosity
• Books thatyouhaveread.Try to thinkaboutyour independent reading.Give the title, theauthor,abriefsynopsisandexplainwhatitwasaboutthatbookthatyouliked/seemedrelevanttoyouandyourcourse.Ifyoucan,trytogettotheheartofwhatthebookwasabout,ortakeissuewithit
• Thejournalsormagazinesorblogsyou'vereadorfollow.Whydoyoulikethatparticularjournal,andwhicharticlesinparticularhaveinterestedyou?Howhaveyoucarriedthisinterestforward?
• Ifyourefertosomethingyouhaveread,saywhatyouthinkofit,achancetoshowcriticalthought• The recent developments in your subject that has caught your eye. Have you studied developments in
behavioural economics? Or read different books on globalisation, the financial crisis or the future of theChineseeconomy?Findbooksthatyouwouldn’tnormallyseeontheshelvesofyourschoollibrary!
ParagraphThree-Relatedinterestinyoursubject(s)
• Whatitwasaboutthatworkexperienceorvoluntaryworkthat(specifically)interestedyou?• Anyacademiccompetitionsyou'veentered.Whatdidyoulearnfromtheprocess?• What extra courses, lectures, summer schools, and seminars have you attended?Who gave them?What
impressedyou?Whatdidyoutakefromthem?Paragraph4-ExtraCurricular-thesubliminalmessages
• Thesportsyoudoandthelevelyouhavereachedeitherasanindividualand/orasateam• Anyscholarshipsyouhave,andhowyouhavecontinuedtoexcelinthatarea• Yourorchestras,choirs,bands,societiesandsaywhyyoulikethem• Yourpositionsofresponsibilityoroccasionswhenyou'veledteams.Whatdidyoulearnfromit?• Whattakesupyourfreetime,andwhydoyougiveitsomuchspaceinyourlife?• Whyyouthinkthesequalitieswillmakeyouagoodundergraduate?• Someareasofyourlifethatshowyoucanworkunderpressure,todeadlines
TheImportanceofEntryProfilesOntheUCASwebsite,eachcourseateveryuniversityhasanEntryProfile,accessiblewhenyoueithersearchforacourseorsearchforauniversity.EntryprofilesgiveaclearstatementoftheessentialandpreferredsubjectsatA2and AS, as well as the grades and other requirements universities are looking for from applicants. As well asspecifying what grades are required, certain coursesmay specify required additional tests, skills, recommendedevidenceofrelevantworkexperienceandsoon.Itisessentialyoureadallofthisinformationclosely.
Applying for Economics Courses at University – 2016 Guide www.tutor2u.net/economics
Page9Section5:ASelectionofPastYears-PersonalStatements(AllSuccessful!)Statement1:Geography(Oxford)Geographershavearesponsibilitytothinkaboutthefutureinrelationtourbandevelopment.ThiswasthebasisofapresentationIdeliveredonthefailuresofurbanplanning.DuringinvestigativetripstoEastLondon,Igainedanawarenessofhowinformaleconomiesindeprivedareascanplayaroleinbolsteringregeneration.SudhirAlladiVenkatesh'sbook'TheUndergroundEconomyoftheUrbanPoor'illustrateshow,inChicago,theshadowmarketprovidesabackboneforurbanrenewal.Indeed,PaulKnox's'AtlasofCities'taughtmehowthesocialstructureofcitiesisintegraltotheirsuccess.Structureandfunctionshouldbeintegrated,encapsulatingafinebalancingactbetweensocialdiversityandcohesionaswellaseconomicprosperitywithinacity.Onecouldarguethatsuchstructureandfunctioninacityareindispensabletoasuccessfulholisticapproachtourbanplanning.Thisbalance,betweenstructureandform,maybechallengedbyacity'sroleasahubformigrants.Migrationisanotherareainwhichgeographershavetolookforwardandseeksolutionstoanoften-divisivetopic.Myresearchforaninternalessayprizeonmigrationandeconomicdevelopmentillustratedthevarietyofdifferentopinionssurroundingthistopicandtheimportanceofbeingabletoevaluatethepositionalityofthedifferentarguments.Inhisbook'Exodus',ProfessorPaulCollierarguesforahumancapitalquotasystemtobeintroducedonimmigrants.Althoughprovidingconvincingevidencethatdiasporacouldbeobviatedthroughtheuseofquotas,Ichallengedthisconclusion.GiventhepopularsupportinGermanyforvictimsofthecurrentSyrianmigrationcrisis,thereisanopportunityforadiasporatointegratewithoutsocialdisruption,somethingthatCollierbelievestobeimpossible.Gaininganunderstandingofhowgeographersanalysedatafordecision-makingmotivatedmetowritearesearchprojecttitled,'ToWhatExtenthastheUseofGISBecomeaWaytoExcludetheGlobalPoor?'Iassessedhowtechnologycanbeusedtogatherandanalysedatatooffersolutionsinareasrangingfromrainforestconservationtourbanplanning.Forexample,IinvestigatedtheuseofGISinKenyatoexaminelandusesbetween1987and2011.ThisdataallowedtheMinistryofEnvironmenttoidentifybushareasunderthreatfromenvironmentalchangesandhumansettlements,ultimatelyleadingtonewlegislationpreventingpermanentdamage.Duringmyresearch,IinterviewedMathengeMwehe,aresearcherattheGISResearchInstituteinNairobi.Ourconversationsreinforcedtheimportanceofconsideringhowdatacanbemisrepresentedbydifferentstakeholders,andmademealerttotheriskofmakingdecisionswithoutproperhumancontext,especially,inthiscase,giventhelackofdataonlowerincomecitizens.IhavefurtherexploredthisinterestinGISthroughitsincorporationintomystart-up,EdgeMobile.Edgehelpsskiresortsexplorehowtheirvisitorsinteractwiththeenvironmentaroundthem.Datacollectedfromtheapponskierperformanceenablestheanalysisofpatterns,helpingreachconclusionsastowhereinefficienciesandsafetyissuesmaylay;thisenhancedmyabilitytointerpretandanalysedata.Atschool,IrantheEntrepreneurshipSocietythatinvolvedhostingandleadingdiscussionswithCEOsofmajorfirmsaswellasinnovativestart-ups.IalsohadaseniorroleintheGeographySocietyandwashousecaptain.Overtwoyears,IhavementoredEnglishandmathsatlocalschoolsandgivenlecturesonenterpriseattheBrentSummerSchool,teachingmetheimportanceofclearcommunicationandsuccinctexplanation.Ienjoyskiing,sailing,toinstructorstandard,andthecamaraderieofhousematches.Forme,geographyisstrategicandfundamental,itnotonlyevaluatescriticalissuesfacingtheindividualandsocietybutalsoseekssolutionstothesebigproblems-therecanbelittlemorerewardingthanthat.
Applying for Economics Courses at University – 2016 Guide www.tutor2u.net/economics
Page10Statement 2: PPE (Oxford) WhenIwasfifteenyearsold,IhadtheprivilegeofbeingelectedDeputyYoungMayoroftheLondonBoroughofNewham.Engagingwiththeelectorate,seniorpoliticiansandmedia,Iexperiencedsomeofthelinksbetweeneconomics,politicsandphilosophy,energisingmydecisiontopursuethesubjectsacademically.Ienhancedmyabilitiesthroughself-study,readingTheTimes,TheEconomist,debatingandwritinganonlineblog.Thisinitiativehelpedmedowellatschool:youngestChiefEditoroftheschoolmagazine,highestachievingGCSEstudentintheboroughandaSixthFormScholarshipforstateschoolpupilstomyschool.WhilereadingHarforditdawnedonmethatthereisaneconomistineachofus.Iexploredtheideainmyarticle'sKOOLonomics'byexamininghowstudentsuseeconomicthinkingtomakerationaldecisionsinschoolsituations.However,inmyessay'TragedybehindtheSchoolGates'IinvestigatedtheparadoxinthePrisoner'sDilemmaofhowreasoncanbeself-destructiveanddiscussedmeasurestopromotecooperativebehaviour.In'King'sSpeech'(ahighlycommendedpieceforthe2011RESessaycompetition),IechoedMervynKing'sfearofarepeatofthefinancialcrisisandconsideredhowgovernmentresponsehasnotfullyaddressedissuessuchasbanksbeingtooimportanttofailanddeep-rootedglobalimbalances.IagreewithRajan'sanalysisthatserious'FaultLines'laynotineconomicsbutinpolitics.IenjoyrunningtheCollegeEconomicsSociety,organisingmeetings,interactingwiththeexpertsandlearningfromthem.Inmypaper'It'stheEconomy,Stupid'Iarguedthatpoliticiansmustaddresstheeconomicaspirationsofasocietytogetelected.However,inthecontextofthesovereigndebtcrisis,economicreformsarebeingunderminedbypolitics.InalectureontheArabSpringIattendedattheLSE,DrLisaAndersoncautionedagainstplacingtoomuchemphasisonthecausalrelationshipbetweenpovertyofthemassesandpoliticalunrest:ideologiesplayarole.Myessay'FearistheKey'(winner,CollegePoliticsprize)discussedhowconservatismisapositionalattitudedrivenbyfearofchangeratherthananideology.Ihavemetleadingpoliticians,visitedtheHousesofParliamentandwitnessedproceedingsoftheNewhamCouncil.IcomplementedmyexperiencesandstudiesbyreadingWoolf'sIntroductiontoPoliticalPhilosophy.IamaCommitteeMemberoftheCollegePoliticalSociety.Philosophyenablesustothinkcriticallyaboutsomeoflife'sdeepestquestionsandprovidestheeconomistandthepoliticianwithamoralcompass.Thisencouragedmetothinkandengageindiscussion.HavingreadWarburton'sIntroductiontoPhilosophy,Iattendedhisexhibition'PicturingPhilosophers'whichinspiredmetodesign'WalkwithPhilosophers',anewcoursefortheNewhamSummerSchool,whichItaughtinaSocraticstyle.DebateChamber'sPhilosophySummerSchoolandaHarvardonlinecourseonJusticeenhancedmythinking.Then,havingreadLibertyandEqualityeditedbyMachan,IamscheduledtotalkattheCollegesocietyonhowthetwocanbecompatibleyetcontradictorydependingontheirconception.MyotherinvolvementsandresponsibilitiesincludedpositionsasDeputyHeadBoy,SchoolCouncilChairandjazzbandmember.AtCollegeIrevivedtheDebatingSociety,hostedBerkshireSchoolsdebatingcompetitionandwasrankedinthetoptwelveatEnglandSchools2012DebatingTeamTrials.OutsideCollegeIhavetaughtdebatingatanOxbridgeSummerSchool,GCSEHistorylessonsandotherworkshops.
IvolunteeredasaprimaryclassroomassistantandhadworkexperienceatFreshfieldslawfirm.IhavebeenselectedasaLondon2012YoungLeaderandhostcommunityeventsassociatedwiththeOlympicGames.Theseexperienceshavestrengthenedmyorganisationalskillsandabilitytoworktotightschedules.
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Page11Statement 3: Teacher Reference for a Top US University (Economics) IhavebeenteachingattwoofBritain’smostacademicschoolsforovertwentyfiveyearsand,inallofthattime,itisahardtothinkofastudentwhocanmatchtheintellectualengagement,urbanityandsheerpositivitythatStudentXbringstohismanyandvariedactivities.IrecommendStudentXtoyouinthestrongestpossibletermsandwithoutreservation.StudentXloveslaunchinghimselfintoanyopportunitiesthatflowhisway,heisnotsomeoneinclinedto sit back and let life drift by. At school he has long been among ourmost academically able students and hedeliversassignmentsoforiginality,insightandbalance.The breadth of his work is reflected in prizes awarded in subjects as diverse as Politics, Chinese, Maths andEconomics.InPolitics,hewashonouredforavibrantessayonsocialismintheUnitedStates;hisresearchonChinesesoftpowerearnedasecondplaceinourannualXanaduPrize.IhavebeenteachingStudentXEconomicsforthelasttwoyearsandIexpecttobeinformedandentertainedinequalmeasurewitheachsubmission!StudentXgetsintothehiddenwiringofasubject;hehasexceptionalability to leavethepublishedsyllabusbehindto findarelevantcasestudyorslightlycontrarianperspectivewithwhichtochallengetheconventionalwisdom.HiswrittenEnglishisadelight,ofpanacheandstandardonewouldexpectfromprofessionaljournalistswithmanyyearsofwritingundertheirbelt.Asophisticatedwrittenstyleis-inpart-theproductofcountlesshoursreadingarticlesandpapersfromForeignAffairs, the Economist, the Financial Times, Project Syndicate andBrookingsPapers.With some students,persuadingthemtoexplorearoundthesubjectisakintopullingteeth.NotsowithStudentX!Hehasastupendouscapacitytoreadacrossarangeofsubjectswithglobalrelations,economicsandpoliticshisparticularforte.Undoubtedly the biggest passion in Student X’s academic life here at school is his leadership of our debatingprogram.Hehascompetedatinternationallevelindebatingeventsandhasbeenafinalistatnumeroushigh-profilecompetitionsincludingschoolseventsorganisedbytheuniversitiesofCambridge,OxfordandDurham.StudentXisPresidentoftheschoolDebatingSociety-acommitmentthatrequireshimtoorganizeschoolteamsenteringlocal,regional and national events. From competingmostweekends at an elite level to nurturing and encouraging ouryoungeststudentstodiptheirtoesintotheexperienceofdebatingheadtoheadwitheachother,StudentXrelishestheworkthathisdebatingteamdoeachweek.Researching forcompetitions isacatalyst forbuildingexceptionalcontextualknowledge.AndthechallengeofdebateundoubtedlyhelpsStudentXtowriteandarguewithpassion,precisionandpurpose.Whenastudent finds theirelementgreat thingscanhappenand Iknowthis tobe true inStudentX’scase.Heisoneofthebestdebatersthatwehaveproducedoverrecentyears.Involvement with our wider community is also part of Student X’s DNA. He has been active in supporting localschools to startupdebating clubsandenters the local competitionsheorganizes.Hehasparticipated for severalyearsinourout-reachsupportprogramfortheelderly.Andhehasbeenanaccomplished,considerateandeffectivementortostudentsatalocalschool,helpingtobuildconfidenceinMathematicsandEnglish.Oneoftheexceptionalfeaturesoflifeatourschoolisthearrayofsocietiesrunbystudents.FewpeopleinmyexperiencehaveembracedthisaswellasStudentX!HeisanactivememberoftheEconomicsandEntrepreneurshipSocietiesandaco-Founderandeditorofanewinter-schooleconomicsmagazinedueforlaunchlateronthisautumn.Iregularlytakestudentstoenrichment talksat theRoyalSocietyofArtsandtheLondonSchoolofEconomicsandStudentXcanberelieduponasthefirststudenttoconfirmhisattendance!HehascompletedextensiveinternshipsintheofficeofSenatorMaxBaucusinWashingtonandalsoattheBeijingofficeoftheinsurancecompanyICBCwhereStudentXresearchedanddeliveredapaperanalysingpensionsystemsinEuropeandtheUnitedStates.Academictermsherearedrainingonallconcerned;itistoStudentX’screditthatheuseshisholidaytimetotravel,readandbewonderfullyproactiveinseekingeventsandcoursesthatcansatisfyhisintellectualcuriosity.Althoughnot a natural sportsman, Student X keeps himself fit by participating in competitions for his boarding house inswimming,squash,footballandtennis.Notably,hewasafoundingmemberoftheCollegeBaseballClub.StudentXisatruedelighttoteachandwillbeasuperbassettothecampusofanyofthetopuniversitiesintheworld!Isaythisasateacherwhohasseenhundredsofoutstandingstudentspassthroughmycareovertheyears-StudentXisrightuptherewiththebest!Heiscollegiate,ambitious,personable,articulateand,mostofall,ateamplayerofthehighestcalibre.There isgenuinedepthand insight inhisworkandStudentXhastheskillsandmotivationtogoaverylongwayindeed.
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Page12Statement 4: Politics, Philosophy and Economics (Oxford)Itisourinherentlyselfishnaturethatdrivespolitics,philosophyandeconomics.Thisself-interestledtothesocialcontractandthecreationofcivilsociety;itshapesmarketsandunderpinsourhumanexistence,fromwhichstemsphilosophicalthought.HoweveritisourrationalfacultythatdefinesusashumanandthisplaysacrucialroleinPPE.Mypassionfordebate,curiosityandappetiteforlearninginatutorialsettingiswhatdrawsmetoOxford.Blackburn'sTruthsparkedmyinterestinphilosophy,promptingmetowriteanexternalessayontheeffectivenessoflanguagetoachieveknowledgeinthePlatonicsense.FollowinganalysisoftheepistemologyinTheRepublic,Iconcludedthepracticalityoflanguagemeansitcannotconveytruth.IexploredthedefinitionofknowledgeIfoundinTheaetetusinanessayentitled"IsKnowledgeJustifiedTrueBelief"lookingcloselyattheGettierproblem,andthenotionsofquietismandfoundationalism,arguingthatknowledgecannotbedefinedasasecondorderconcept.Camus'MythofSisyphuswasthemostchallengingbookIhaveread,butlookingatitalongsideTheOutsiderrevealedtometheabsurd,andItookinterestinhislineofreasoningforlivinglifetothefullinaworlddevoidofmeaning.Discussionatmyschool'sPhilosophySocietyhelpedmeformulatelogicallyvalidandreasonedarguments.Thisenabledmetocomefirstinmyschool'sTheologyexamandgainhighlycommendedforanessaycriticisingtheideaofinherentHumanRights,arguingasBenthamdidthatwecannotrelyonsuchaprioriipsedixitisms.MyREScompetitionessayonthemoralityofhighdrugpricescame2ndoutof2100entries.InitIechoedSandel'sfearoftheever-wideningscopeofcorruptingandundemocraticmarkets,analysingthepatentsystemandthesubsequentlackofaffordablelife-savingdrugs.RecentlyI'veenjoyedreadingtheworkofeconomistssuchasMazzucatoandHidalgo.Thelatter'suseofmathematicalmodelstoanalysethetopocraticnatureofeconomiesprovidedaconvincingargumentforgreaterconnectednessandmorediversenetworks.IattendedatalkbyHidalgoinOxfordoncomplexitytheorythatemphasisedtheholisticnatureofeconomics,andIwasinterestedinhismodelofeconomiesascomputerswhichdevelopbycrystallisingimaginationandgrowinginformation.InanotherexternalessayIcriticisedfootloosecapitalism,usingtheMarxistlanguageofexploitationtoarguefirmsshouldfacerestrictionswhenexpandingintothedevelopingworld.ThecentralroleofinstitutionswasrevealedtomeinWhyNationsFail,anddespitethearbitraryuseoftheundefinedlabelsofinclusiveandextractiveinstitutions,theargumentwasconvincing.AtanLSElectureIsawthattheEU'sfailinginstitutionswereonesourceofit'seconomicandpoliticaldifficulties.Democracyhasbeenararitythroughoutpoliticalhistory,andthecurrentwesternworldviewofitasaninnategoodissomethingIhavebeenkeentoquestion.WithemphasisontheMiddleEast,Ilookedatwhetherauthoritarianismcaneverbeacceptable,concludingthatitisnotintrinsicallyimmoralandcanbeeffective.AttendingatalkbyZacGoldsmithattheRSAtemperedmygrowingscepticismofdemocracy,andhavingreadRousseau'sSocialContractIreturnedtotheideathatparticipationbytheelectorateisfundamentalforprinciplesofequalityandfreedom.FollowingaweekwithmylocalLibDemMP,andhavingreadMendoza'sharshcritiqueofausterityIadaptedmyformerlypro-austerityview,recognisingtheneedforawellfundedwelfarestate.AtapoliticssummerschoolIexploredideassuchaspublicchoicetheory,equalityandutility-maximisingwealthdistributions,andaspartofmyschool'sMUNteamIhaveenjoyeddebatingglobalpoliticalissues.AsheadoftheEconomicsSocietyIinvitespeakerstoenthuseyoungeconomistsfromarangeofschools.Iamanacademicprefect,bagpiperandgrade8cellist.
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Page13Statement 5: Economics and Management (Oxford) ItisdifficulttothinkofamoreimportantandinterestingtimetostudyandunderstandEconomics.AsthecoalitiongovernmentembarksonthebiggestspendingcutssincethetimeofThatcherandtheworldlookssettoplungebackintorecessionthroughtheinstabilitywithintheEuroZone,onecannotignoretheimpactofeconomicpoliciesonallourlives.Thisiswhatdrawsmetothesubject.SincetakingupEconomicsatASlevel,mymaininteresthaslainwiththeevolutionofinnovationwhichisespeciallyapparentinthepastcentury."TheRationalOptimist"byMattRidleyisabookthataddressestheadaptabilityofthehumanracetoovercometheobstaclesof thepastandarguesforoptimismwhen lookingtothefutureashumaningenuityand innovationwillprovideabasis forcontinuedgrowthdespite issues like foodshortagesandstrainedresourcesupply.Todevelopmyunderstandingofthissubject, Iresearchedandwroteanessayfortheschool'sEconomicsprizeonthe importance of urbanization to provide the high density living that is required to spark innovation, boostproductivity, and ultimately fuel growth. I concluded from this research that urbanization is one of the mostimportant factors forcontinuedgrowthduetothe increasedcreativityandenterpriseexperienced inhighdensitylocations.Furthermore,itisbecomingincreasinglyimportantfromanenvironmentalstandpointinordertoreducethe futurecarbon footprintofdevelopingcountries suchasChinaand India. Iendedupwinning1stprize for thiscompetition,examinedbyProfessorPaulCollier.Forme,whatmakesthesubjectsofascinatingisitsdynamicnatureduetotheirrationalactionsanddecisionsoftheglobal populace. As a mathematician, I was fascinated to find that even this irrationality can be modeled andcalculatedthroughtheapplicationofGameTheorywhichhasbecomesomethinginwhichI'mespeciallyinterested."TheArtofStrategy"byDixitandNalebuffwasoneofthemostusefulbooksIreadinrelationtothissubjectasusetheofextensivecasestudiespracticallydemonstrates theprinciplesofGameTheory toeverydayhumandecisionmaking.Furthermore,LeonardMlodinow’s"TheDrunkardsWalk"gavemeaninsightintohowineffectivethehumanbrainisatunderstandingprobabilityandstatisticswhichcanexplainwhymanyoftheirrationalchoiceswemakearegovernedbytheviewthattheseinstinctsareinfactrational.InthisbookMlodinowshowsthroughthemanipulationof statistics that the chaos of randomness can be understood through awareness of the chance affecting ourdecisions.OverthesummerIspenttwoweeksworkingforCeresFundLtd.Ifoundtheworkrewardingasanexperiencewhichgavemean insight intohowcomplicated theworkingsof themarketare, reinforcingall that I have learntof theirrationality ofmost consumer choices. Furthermore, I worked for African Access Holdings (Pty) Ltd for 3weeks,beingsecondedtoagroupcompanyspecializingintravelandeventmanaging.Thiswasaparticularlyenlighteningexperienceasitmademeawareoftheimportanceofsuchdemandingmanagerialstructuresinlargercompanies.IalsomanagedashoponPortobelloHighStreetwhichwasinterestingtoexperiencefirst-handtheroleofeconomictheoryinpracticalsituations.At school, I amSecretaryof theAdvertisingSociety,on thecommitteeof theModelUnitedNations, the school’sPsychology Society and the Entrepreneurship Society aswell as being Secretary of themore informalMeditationSociety.Ienjoytheresponsibilityoforganizinghousegames,captainingmyhousefootballandcricketteamswhilealso representing the school in both sports. I am looking forward to the challenging nature of an Economics andManagementcourse,asitwillallowmetostudythetheorythatfascinatesmeintandemwiththepracticalsideofeconomics,whichissorelevanttoeverychoiceImake.
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Page14Statement 6: Economics at Cambridge IfirstbecameawareoftheimportanceofEconomicswhenIrepresentedIraqataModelUnitedNationsconferenceinEdinburgh.Idebatedissuesrangingfromtheproblemofaiddependencetotheeconomicimpactofterrorism,andwonthe“BestDelegate”awardintheEconomicsCommittee.Sincethen,IhaveextendedmyknowledgeofdifferentareasofEconomicsbyreadingtheFinancialTimesandTheEconomist,andbyattendingopenlecturesattheLSEandRSA.Inmygapyear,IamworkingasaneconomicresearchassistantfortheInternationalGrowthCentre(attheinvitationofProfessorTimBesley)inateamplanningtomeasureprivatereturnstoeducation,withtheexcitingpossibilityofundertakingfieldworkinIndia.MyinterestinGameTheoryasamethodforunderstandingstrategicdecision-makingencouragedmetoread‘TheArtofStrategy’byDixitandNalebuff.IamintriguedbyhowempiricalevidenceseemstorefutetheassumptionsofRationalChoiceTheory,leadingustoquestionhowrationalweareandhowusefultheassumptionofself-interestis,giventhestrongsocial,culturalandmoralinfluencespromotingaltruism.GameTheoryalsoappealstomebecauseitprovidesanopportunitytousemyaptitudeforMathematicstoanalyseeconomicproblems.Iamworkingthrough‘MathematicsforEconomicsandBusiness’byIanJacques,andhaveenjoyedapplyingcalculustoproblemssuchasthoseencounteredinconstrainedoptimization.IameagertodevelopmyMathematicalskillsandtheirapplicationtoEconomicsatUniversity.Recentturmoilintheglobaleconomyledmetoread'AnimalSpirits'byAkerlofandShiller,whichintroducedmetotheintriguingmannerinwhichpsychologyaffectstheperformanceofthemacroeconomy.InmyessayfortheRESYoungEconomistoftheYearCompetition,entitled"AreEconomicRecessionsInevitable?”Iarguedthattherewasconvincingevidencetosuggestthatunderlyingpsychologicalfactors,ratherthanpolicyfailures,causethebusinesscycle.Sincethen,Ihavebeguntoexplorerivaltheoriesofbusinesscycles,includingKeynesian,MonetaristandAustrianideas.AmartyaSen’s‘DevelopmentasFreedom’sparkedmyinterestintheroleofeconomicandsociallibertiestoincreasetheadvancementofpoorcountries,viathemarketmechanism.However,Ifoundthatmuchdebatesurroundingdevelopmentisconcernedwiththetimeframeinwhichtransitionstowardsmarket-basedeconomiesoccur,ratherthansimplyevaluatingthebenefitsoffreemarkets.Thedevelopmentofsocialcapitalappearstobeachallengingbutessentialpartofthisprocess.Mybeliefthatitisnecessarytoadoptabottom-upapproachtoimprovinglivingstandardsofcitizensindevelopingcountrieswasreinforcedbyreading‘TheWhiteMan’sBurden’byWilliamEasterly.Myinterestinmicrofinancecamefromreconcilingthisapproachtodevelopmentwiththeimprovementofeconomicfreedomsandmyentryformyschool’sEconomicsessayprizefocusedontherecentgrowthinmicrofinancetofundsmallIndianbusinesses.Iconcludedthatregulationofmicrofinancelendingshouldbeincreasedtoensurethatcreditbubblesdonotgrow,burstandcausehavoc,astheyhavedoneinthedevelopedworld.Inmyview,educationisthebestremedyavailabletoimprovegloballivingstandards.ThroughmountaineeringexpeditionstotheHimalayasandtheAndes,Ihaveraised$12000tohelpeducateorphangirlsfromtheMasaaitribeinTanzania.IwillbeteachinginTanzaniaforthreemonthsfromnextApril.Asthesecretaryofmyschool’sEconomicsSociety,Isoughtoutinspiringspeakersfromvariedacademicandbusinessbackgroundstoenthusebuddingeconomistsfromseverallocalschools.Thisexperiencehashelpedtodevelopmyorganisationalandtimemanagementskills.Iamkeentomakethemostoftheopportunitiesthatauniversityeducationcanoffer,andhopeonedaytopursueacareerinacademia.
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Page15Statement 7: PPE at Oxford Everyissueinphilosophyandpoliticaleconomyhingesuponhumannature.Machiavelli'sThePrince,forinstance,expressesamanifestoofgovernanceatonelevel,yethasanunderlyingpessimisticviewofmankind.SuchmistrustisevidenttoalesserdegreeinBurke'sideathatinterconnectedinstitutions,notindividuals,makeupsociety'sbedrock.IalignwithAugustine,whoseviewaccountsfororiginalsin,whilstexplainingman'scapacityforbothmalevolenceandbenevolence.ResearchforaschoolessayonAugustineimpressedonmethatmuchscholasticanalysismightbeunderpinnedandconstrainedbyone'sintrinsicmake-up.TheFinancialTimesandTheTodayProgrammeonRadio4ismydailyreminderthat,asconfirmedinLewis'BigShort,ourfinancialsystemisflawed.Klein'sTheShockDoctrinehasledmetoconsidertherelationshipbetweentheriseofneo-liberalismandalackofregulationthatmayhavecausedthe2008crash.IwitnessedthisresidualfragilityofthemarketsatfirsthandwhilstworkingforSecurisInvestmentManagementin2012.InexploringBritain'slabouredrecoveryfromthecrash,IstudiedtherolethatQEcanplayinMonetaryPolicy.Iargued,inahighlycommendedpiecefortheRESessaycompetition,thatQEwasbothnecessaryandeffectiveinthecontextoftheUK'snegativeoutputgap.Atamacrolevel,networkeconomicsgivesQEanaddeddimension,accountingforitsprofoundeffectsuponemergingmarketslikeBrazil.Itsapplicationatamicrolevel,whencombinedwithgametheory,encouragedmetoinvestigatehowcriminalgroupsactinareallifePrisoner'sDilemma.Iconcludedthatthemafiaandauthoritiesconstantlychangethefactorsandpay-offsofthegametoencourageanddiscouragecooperationrespectively.AsaConservativePartymember,IamprovokedbyThatcherism'slegacy.AlthoughIdisagreewithitscentralideaof'bigbanglocalism,'Jenkins'ThatcherandSonsofferedafascinatingtakeonherpolicyandmarkedinfluenceuponsuccessors.IhadtheopportunitytodebatemyviewsataPoliticssummerschoolinLondon.Duringthistime,IchallengedmyopiniononParliament'seffectiveuni-cameralism.Inoneessay,IadvocatedLordsreformduetoitsunelectednature.TimespentintheWestminstervillagethissummerhaspromptedmetoreconsiderthisinthecontextofcoalitiongovernment.DrawingontheworkofBogdanorandMcLean,Inowquestionthestabilityofacoalitionthatlacksafirmideologicalbasis.Cable'srecentblisteringcriticismofhisTorycounterpartsisanexampleofthis.FromThePhilosopher'sToolkit(Baggini&Fosl),IsensethatagreatbenefitofthestudyofPhilosophyistrainingintheartoflogicalargument.Incompetingformyschool'sPhilosophyprize(highlycommended)IreadWilliams'Morality.Althoughdiffusework,itmademepondertheroleofmoralityandwhetheritisaprioriasaconcept,orasocialcontractadoptedforpragmaticpurposes.Inacontemporarycontext,hisdefusedsubjectivismandmysubscriptiontonaturallawmeansInowadvocatebothcondemnationofandinterventionintotheSyrianregime.Thisyear,Iamsecretaryofmyschool'sEconomics,AmnestyandCatholicSocieties,aswellasbeingonthecommitteeofthePoliticalandEntrepreneurshipSocieties.IhaveinvitedandhostedseveralspeakerssuchasSirMartinBroughtonandAndrewMitchellMP.IhavealsoorganisedapaneleventontheFinancialCrashfeaturingHa-JoonChangandPaulOrmerod,twoeconomistswhorecognisetheimportanceofnetworksineconomicsandarepreparedtochallengeorthodoxthought.Outsideofacademia,Iamcaptainofmyschool'schessteam.Asaqualifiedfootballcoach,IhavemanagedaschoolXItoanunbeatenseasonandreceivednationalawardsfromISFA.
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Page16Statement 8: Engineering, Oxford Theopportunitytomakeanimpactonpeople'slivesthroughengineeringexcitesme.WorkingwithGlaxoSmithKlineforninemonthsaspartoftheEngineeringEducationSchemeprovidedanopportunitytotackleacustomerprotectionissuethatGSKhadbeengrapplingwithforfiveyears,namelyinconsistentsealingontheirtoothpasteboxes.Ourteam,throughaprocessoftriallingandrefining,builtsevenexperimentalrigsandconductedresearchontheproductionlinesatGSK'sfactoryinMaidenhead.Thepivotalmomentcamewhenwerealisedtheneedtomotoriseoursetup,enablingustogeneratemorereliabledata.ThisledtoanewunderstandingoftherippingmechanismgeneratinganinsightthatGSKhadneverconsidered.Ourindustrialisedripmeasurementsystem,supportedbyasixty-pageanalysisreport,waspresentedtoseniorengineersandearnedaCRESTGoldAwardaswellasselectionastheinauguralGoldLevelIndustrialCadets.Ifoundcollaboratingwithandleadingtheteamarewardingexperience.Theprojectmademeacutelyawareoftheimportanceofanoptimum,cost-effectiveengineeringsolutionbroadeningmyexperiencebeyondthetheoretical,idealsolutionsfoundinroutineschoolwork.Thechancetodeliveramoreambitiousprojectinmyfinalyearatuniversityparticularlyinterestsme.Thissummer,Icompletedan8000-worddissertationfortheschoolscienceprizeonthefutureofcommercialairtravel.Aswellasmechanicalandaerospaceengineering,Iwasintroducedtoinformationengineering,focusingondronesandautonomousplanes.Infuture,Iwouldliketoresearchnewsenseandavoidsystemsandtheirapplicationsinreducingthe50percentofaccidentsthatresultfrompiloterror.ReadingJ.E.Gordon's"TheNewScienceofStrongMaterials"demonstratedtometherelianceofengineers'creationsonmaterials,whichremainsassignificantnowinengineeringaswhenGordonwaswritingin1968.Lastspring,IwroteanessayanddeliveredapresentationanalysinglinksbetweenthepropertiesofGrapheneanditspossiblefutureuses.Iwasstruckbythesubsequentunearthingofothertwo-dimensionalcrystals,suchasBoronNitride.Thisprojectplacedsecondinmyschool'sYear12Physicsprize.Inanotherextendedresearchproject,Iexaminedtheimplementationofsmartmaterialsintransport,includingmorphingbodiesusingpiezoceramics,multifunctionalcomposites,damagedetectionsystemsandevenself-healingstructures.IcarriedoutinterviewswithengineersattheNationalCompositesCentreandAirbus.Iwouldliketodevelopmyenthusiasmforaerothermalengineeringinmyfourthyearatuniversity.Oneofmypassionsisthecoordinationoftheschool'sstudent-runsocietiessystem,whichinvolvesover200meetingsperyear.Akeyachievementhasbeentowelcomenearlyfortylocalschoolstotheseevents.IinvitedProfessorGrahamRichards,formerHeadofChemistryatOxford,tospeakattheinauguralmeetingoftheScientificandEntrepreneurshipSocietiesandIwasexcitedbyhisdiscussionofthecollaborationbetweenEngineeringandChemistrystudentsinthefoundationofnewscientificbusinesses.IchairtheEconomicsSocietyandthisautumn,launchedandeditedaglobal,interschooleconomicsmagazine.Ihavealsoorganisedourschool'scharitablesocietyfortwoyears,whichhasraised90,000poundsfornumerouscharitiesthroughannualeventsinvolvingadinner,auctionandlecture.Ihaveworkedforthreesummersinanicecreamshop.Oneofthemostintriguingchallengeshasbeenmaintainingthemachineryusedfortheproductionandstorageoficecream.Thissummer,IrecruitedandranateamthatwrotecontentforaneweducationalappcalledSmartUp.Wecreateinteractivegamesthatteachusersaboutentrepreneurship.Asamemberofmyschool's2ndVIII,IrowedatHenley,wonthe2014NationalChampionshipsandwillbecompetinginternationallythisyearintheUSA.
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Page17Section6:RecommendedReadingforEconomics/Management/PPEThisisaselectionofbooksforenrichmentandextensionreading(February2016edition)
1. 23ThingsTheyDon'tTellYouAboutCapitalism(Ha-JoonChang)
2. ArtofStrategy(DixitandNalebuff)–especiallygoodforGameTheoryexamplesandanalysis
3. ConsolationsofEconomics:HowWeWillAllBenefitfromtheNewWorldOrder(GerardLyons)
4. Drunkard’sWalk(LeonardMlodinow)–brillianthistoryofMathsandlotsofrelevantapplications
5. GDP:ABriefbutAffectionateHistory(ProfessorDianeCoyle)
6. Inequality–asuperbbookononeofthedefiningissuesoftheage(ABAtkinson)
7. Misbehaving:TheMakingofBehaviouralEconomics(RichardThaler)
8. PhishingforPhools:TheEconomicsofManipulationandDeception(GeorgeAkerlofandRobertShiller)
9. PoorEconomics:RethinkingWaystoFightGlobalPoverty(Banerjee&Duflo)
10. PositiveLinking–NetworksandNudges(PaulOrmerod)–goodintrotonetworkeconomics
11. RiskSavvy-Howtomakegooddecisions(GerdGigerenzer)–theworldofheuristics
12. TenGreatEconomists(PhilipThornton)–biographicalbackground,wellwortharead
13. TheBox-HowtheShippingContainerMadetheWorldSmallerandtheWorldEconomyBigger,(Levinson)
14. TheEuro:HowaCommonCurrencyThreatenstheFutureofEurope(JosephStiglitz)
15. TheEverythingStore:JeffBezosandtheAgeofAmazon(BradStone)
16. TheGreatDivide(ProfessorJosephStiglitz)
17. TheGreatEscape(ProfessorAngusDeaton)
18. TheIdeaofJustice(AmartyaSen)
19. ThePlunderedPlanet:HowtoReconcileProsperitywithNature:(ProfessorPaulCollier)
20. ThinkingFastandThinkingSlow:(ProfessorDanielKahneman)
21. WhatMoneyCan'tBuy:TheMoralLimitsofMarkets(ProfessorMichaelSandel)
22. WhoGetsWhat-AndWhy:UnderstandtheChoicesYouHave,ImprovetheChoicesYouMake(AlRoth)
23. WhyInformationGrows:TheEvolutionofOrder,fromAtomstoEconomies(CesarHidalgo)
24. WhyNationsFail:OriginsofPower,ProsperityandPoverty(DaronAcemoglu&JamesRobinson)
25. WorldlyPhilosophers:Lives,Times,andIdeasofGreatEconomicThinkers(RobertHeilbroner)
ReadinglistlastupdatedSunday,February07,2016
OtherSuggestedResourcesTheEnlightenmentEconomicsblogwrittenbyDianeCoyleisexcellentforkeepinguptospeedwiththeflowofneweconomicsbooksthatarebeingpublishedatthemoment:www.enlightenmenteconomics.com/blog/SuperbregulararticlesavailablefromtheProjectSyndicatewebsite:www.project-syndicate.org/IpostregularuniversityandeconomicssubjectadviceonmyTwitterfeed:@tutor2ugeoffYouarewelcometocontactmeonanyaspectoftheUCAS/UnitedStatesapplicationprocess.