A Solid Educational Launchpad by Ethan

A Solid Educational Launchpad by Ethan - December 2015 Scholarship Essay

As far back as I can remember, my interests have been centered by the burning question: How does it work? It was this question that led to my passion in engineering, the fuse that was initially sparked by my exposure to the Duke TIP Summer Studies program. In the 7th grade, I was invited by Duke TIP to sit for the SAT, and qualified for their Center Summer Studies program. That summer I traveled to Davidson University for the opportunity to attend Duke TIP's Engineering Problem Solving course. This first classroom introduction to the very concepts that had for so long intrigued me only served to push me further into my love of engineering. Over the next few summers, I attended other enrichment courses at Vanderbilt University, one of which focused on the amazing field of nanotechnology in engineering. By the end of my freshman year in high school, my mind was fully set on engineering as my future, with the field of mechanical engineering and its subsets as my goal.

During my sophomore year I applied to the Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science (TAMS), and was thrilled to be accepted. Having attended previews of the program, it held quite an appeal for me, and aligned extremely well with my interests. My time spent at TAMS has specifically honed my interests to the aerospace engineering field, and helped me to realize that passion. The intensive university-based curriculum has brought me closer to my goals, preparing me not only to confidently enter into the rigors of a top university aerospace engineering degree plan, but ultimately to a career that allows me to challenge myself and truly enjoy my work. TAMS has provided an inspiration and challenging pathway toward my passion for engineering that far exceeds what was available through my previous high school. It has served as a springboard to launch my interest and understanding of the subjects that engage me – fueling my passion for engineering, and for school itself.

I have no doubt that my TAMS experience has prepared me for my educational future, and for the career in engineering that I want for myself. Specifically, my elevated mathematics classes through linear algebra and multivariable calculus are helping me to hone my focus on the technical intricacies of the college coursework, toward a strong understanding and creative application of those concepts. I am confident that the hard work I am putting in today will serve me well in my engineering degree plan, and beyond. Outside of the rigorous curriculum, the work ethic required to survive TAMS' highly competitive system has trained me to thrive and excel in a university environment – a demanding setting for which my former school district would likely have left me far less prepared. As I move on to college, not only will my time spent at TAMS have equipped me for the independence of college life, but the advanced course work will enable me to more quickly use my classroom time to test the inner workings of fluid dynamics and engineering computation. I am eager to take on the more advanced courses that will without question further stimulate my interests, and solidify the foundation for my career as an aerospace engineer.

It sounds cliché, but in ten years’ time I expect to be applying my knowledge and training to make a difference, to positively impact – to streamline – our interactions with the world around us. In part toward that goal, I plan to participate in a study abroad program while in college, where I can broaden my engineering education, and my life experience, in an intriguing international location. My mother had an opportunity to study in Europe while she attended college, a decision she fondly remembers and has strongly encouraged. Having satisfied much of the core curriculum required for my engineering degree while at TAMS, I hope to have more flexibility to devote to a study abroad program than might otherwise have been possible.

My time at TAMS has in so many ways opened doorways toward my goals of completing an engaging aerospace engineering degree, and thereafter a fulfilling career in that field, to an extent that simply did not seem possible just eighteen months ago. I am thrilled, and truly blessed, by my experiences; and as my lifelong quest to conquer the inner workings of our world continues, I am thankful for the opportunities that I have worked so hard for.