What could the sorting of the books in a library and the challenge of finding the fastest route

home have in common? The answer is simple: both tasks could be solved easier with the help
of computer science. To me, this is the art of solving problems. The process of identifying and
analysing in order to pick out the best solution fascinates me. My passion for this subject
developed gradually, over the time of 4 years. As I learned about algorithms and the way they
come together to form an app, I came to realize that computer science is what I would like to
continue to study at university.
My main courses at high school are mathematics and informatics. I have studied algebra,
geometry and analysis. This mathematical background helped me develop a logical thinking,
which is very useful when it comes to understanding algorithms. The programming language I
am learning at high school is C++. I found it captivating, so I participated in the Informatics
Olympiad. I have competed in the first three years of high school and I managed to reach the
school, sector and city eliminatory stages. Partaking in this contest, I greatly widened my
knowledge regarding algorithms, time management and perseverance.
Currently, through my school, I have the opportunity of attending Oracle Academy courses. I
am studying the fundamentals of Java and the design and programming of databases with SQL.
Because these classes are taught in a self-paced manner, I am getting accustomed to respecting
deadlines. As a result of following the Oracle Academy lessons I am getting used to learning
different programming languages such as Java and SQL.
In August 2018, during my summer holiday I took part in an internship at Practicom, a logistics
and transport company. In this period, I had the opportunity to observe the manner of working
of the IT department. Alongside the team, I learned how an ERP and a TMS work, using the
Windsoft and Transics software. Observing the processes involved in a successful delivery, I
became interested in machine learning. By using self-learning algorithms, the company can
determine the fastest route based on previous transports. Through this experience I gained
valuable insight into how an IT department functions and I tremendously improved my
communication and team work skills.
In my free time, I participated as a volunteer at community service activities. Through PROEDUS
(Education and Sports Bucharest Centre for Children and Teenagers) I helped organise sports
competitions and educational events such as a handball game and a book festival, under the
patronage of Bucharest Municipality. My task at the handball game was to help the supporters
find their seats and rally them up during the game. At the book festival, my job was to read to
children and provide information about books.
Another volunteering project I took part in was the ASCHF-R (Physically Handicapped Children
Association-Romania), where my main focus was visiting families that host physically challenged
children and listen to the problems they face daily alongside a senior volunteer. Beside the
visits, I helped the organisation of fundraisers, Christmas theme parties and I spent time with
the children in parks. Needless to say, these volunteering activities enabled me to enhance my
empathy, interpersonal and problem-solving skills.
I strongly desire to follow the courses of your university in order to learn about computer
science in general, but I am also interested in more specific topics like machine learning. I
consider myself to be a great candidate for a computer science course because of my
experience with C++ and my analytical thinking. After finishing university, I would like to gain
experience in the field by working as a developer for a big corporation, my ultimate goal being
to lead a project regarding the implementation of intelligent robots in a home.