<p>Seven-year-old (name withheld) didn't know a thing about engineering. He did, however, know was that his pre-modeled Lego set was boring and that he wanted to make it more fun and more creative. So he would spend hours sitting at his table trying to recreate that amazing robot that was on the back of the box. Trial and error, trial and error it was really the only way to do it. Nothing gave young (name withheld) more satisfaction than figuring out how to make a complex Lego creation with his own knowledge and skills.</p>
<pre><code>Looking back on it now, I realize that even as a child the idea of taking something and finding ways to improve it was something I naturally did. Whether it was figuring out those Lego sets or learning out how to write BASIC program code, understanding how things work and why they work has always fascinated me. This is the core reason why I have such a close affinity with the sciences; they give me a deeper comprehension of the way the world around me functions, from the minuscule atom to the unfathomably large universe. However, I am by nature a very practical person, so theoretical science doesn't entice me as much as applications of the material. Laboratory experiments have always been my favorite part of high school science they give me a chance to see the material in real life, to touch the DNA I just extracted from an onion, to watch the precipitation of mercury from solution. This is one of the main reasons I am more suited for engineering, as opposed to a traditional science major - engineering ties the abstract concepts of theoretical science to real life.
The engineering field that particularly peaks my interest is neurotechnology. Though we sometimes take the idea for granted, just the concept of modern technology being advanced enough to interact directly with the human mind is, well, mind-boggling to me. Though it is a field that has only recently gained prominence, the development of more accurate nanobiosensors and brain-imaging technologies is accelerating the advancement of neurotechnology. There is no doubt that it will be at the forefront of science and engineering in the near future. The possibilities are endless curing mental diseases such as Alzheimer's, augmenting human reflexes, creating new ways to interact with technology but none of this is possible without experienced and educated engineers. By studying biomedical engineering in undergraduate school, I want to lay the foundation for graduate study and research in neurotechnology.
One of the main reasons I am eager to attend Cornell University is due to the large emphasis placed on nanoscale research. With such a vast array of advanced equipment and labs, including the Cornell Nanoscale Science and Technology Facility and the Nanobiotechnology Center, aspiring engineers like me, with an interest that lies in the world beyond what we can see, will find their homes at Cornell. In particular, the projects being undertaken at the NBTC fascinate me, especially the development of biomolecular devices using nanofabrication techniques. These are the kinds of technologies that will bolster the advancement of neurotechnology, by allowing more rapid analysis of the brain and how it interacts with the rest of the body. During my undergraduate years, I hope to take advantage of the extraordinary opportunities offered to me at Cornell, and actively participate in research in order to both advance my knowledge of nanobiotechnology, and obtain the skills to embark on my own research projects later in life.
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<p>Please critique. And yes, I am aware of the risk of posting this visibly online.</p>