guidance notes on economics university applications · guidance notes on economics university...

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.