This is the actual personal statement that I turned in to the University of California in my application. It basically describes my intended major in the field of computer science. This website is proof of my devotion.
I pick up the phone. My friend Wesley calls me to request 4 Thran Dynamo cards for his latest Magic: the Gathering trading card game deck. I give suggestions for his new deck and discuss some game strategies with him. I reply assuring him that I will put those cards on my website’s wishlist and start searching for them by Friday. Wesley is one of my best clients. Like all my clients, I help them the as much as I can.
This website idea started during my senior year of high school. I signed up for a computer science class thinking that it may be useful for my future. I was confident that I would gain a substantial amount of knowledge. My teacher, Mr. Shen, was willing to assist me in my efforts.
In the last two months of the class, Mr. Shen introduced us to a web page editor. This was completely new to me. My first assignment was to make a website. I went through the instruction book and started creating a website and thought it was quite intriguing. Five lessons later, Mr. Shen wanted me to make my own personal webpage. That was when the real fun began.
First, I had to figure out what I wanted to put on my personal webpage. I knew I had to introduce myself, but I did not want to display a biography like other people. Then it occurred to me: I could sell items to other people. Prior to this, I often went to the eBay website to buy Magic cards and I thought perhaps I could create a website to sell my cards on a private level. In addition, my mother had a lot of goods from China she wanted to sell. I wondered who would buy these Chinese artifacts? Where would I find a market? The answer was right in front to my computer screen.
This is how I got the idea for my website (www.oocities.org/influence82). I have three goals for this website: 1. to sell things and make money; 2. to help people get what they want; and 3. to express myself to the network called the World Wide Web. Thus, I desire to major in the field of computer science so that I could expand my skills in programming. Earning a bachelor’s degree at the University of California, Berkley, will lead me one step closer to achieving my dream as a web page designer.
Creating the webpage is the least of my worries. The required dedication that supplements the site is difficult. I know that websites tend to get dull after a while if they do not get updated. In order to attract visitors, I need to update the website regularly. Personally, I would want to see new pages if I were to visit a site repeatedly. Thus, I made a public commitment to post one new page every week for a year. I thought of it as a fun challenge to motivate myself. It is a lot of work, but I do not mind. Even when I am busy with other work, I still manage to upload new pages, for I am a man of my word.
There is also a cyber-community that that originated from my website. First, I refer people to the site. Then, they communicate to me what they are interested in. After that, I communicate back. There is ongoing communication between the visitors, buyers, and sellers. When we get to the point of transaction, I feel very accomplished. I enjoy making people happy by helping them. The money does not pay very well (if at all), but the experience I gain is priceless. The opportunity to attend and successfully complete my degree in computer science at UCB will provide me with the necessary skills to enhance my professional career.
Now if you will excuse me, I have to add 4 Thran Dynamo cards to the wishlist for Wesley, for I must meet my Friday deadline.