Additional Personal Statement

Ben Mills

Studying Natural Sciences appeals to me because of my interest in and my aptitude for a wide range of scientific disciplines. I would like to experience a range of subjects before specialising. I’m attracted by the thinking and understanding required in the study of science. I relish the challenges and the opportunities for discovery.

What’s especially important to me in the course is to gain a broad knowledge base and context in science, instead of ceasing to study all but one subject after A-level. I’m excited by the prospect of working alongside cutting-edge researchers and being a part of a scientific community.

I love science because I can use it to answer the questions that intrigue me. I enjoy studying and experimenting in science because of the questions and debates that crop up. My curiosity drives me to work hard.

It’s a part of my personality that I start doing things for fun which then stimulate my thinking and I eventually incorporate them into my understanding of the world. I used to play with Lego all the time. I couldn’t put it down! My spatial thought and problem solving developed from building spaceships with plastic bricks. That interest in how things work and what I can do with ideas has always been part of me. Wanting to know why the universe works, and what that knowledge can be used for, will always motivate me.

I’ve watched science on TV: Horizon, Rough Science and Scrapheap Challenge since I was young. I read New Scientist most weeks and I was inspired by the books Genome by Matt Ridley, The Universe In A Nutshell by Steven Hawking, and Six Easy Pieces by Richard Feynman. These kinds of things really encourage me to explore science. My ambition is to make my own discoveries in science and use my distinctive thought processes to understand things differently.

I like to disagree, argue, debate and sometimes protest. King’s seems to a college where I can prosper because of the diversity of people there. I feel it will be a great place to contribute my energy, imagination and enthusiasm to the University. I will flourish in an environment where there are many people who are inspired by their subjects. I’d love to share my other interests, such as film, music, languages, travel and mountaineering.

I look forward to playing an active role in the student body and organising events. I like putting ideas into practice. I’m inspired by other people’s ambitions and I enjoy working together to achieve a goal. Most of all I’m looking for an enjoyable challenge and an opportunity to make strong friendships.

Cambridge appeals to me thanks to its supervision system and collegiate structure. I learn best when I’m discussing an idea with others so I feel supervisions are suited to my learning style. The fact that all the students are organised into colleges means making friends is easier because of the smaller, more sociable groups of people. In a departmental system, you would find most of your friends were studying your subject. I much prefer to have a diversity of friends. I think it makes you a much more rounded person.

In short, I believe and hope that I would do very well at Cambridge. King’s College appeals to me for its broad spectrum of students and support for ambition. Natural Sciences is a course I will get on with well since it reflects my natural interests. I have plenty to offer the University academically and recreationally.