Hello, I am currently trying to apply to some research programs for biology. Im considering becoming a scientist and getting a PhD. For my essay it is safe to talk about how I love math or is that to risky if I am applying to programs focusing on biology. The approach I wanted to take was how math was the first subject I loved (in middle school) but how I later grew to love biology as I studied it in highschool, and how being a scientist encompasses what I love about both subjects (math: problem solving and critical thinking, biology: learning about the world around me) and how they merge (taking what you already know to figure out the unknown). Is this too corny? should I just stick to talking about biology? I’m confused as to what they look for in these essays since there isn’t much room to add any sort of personality, but I don’t want to essay to be too generic.
First, are you a high school student or a college student?
No one cares what you did in middle school or what “awakening” you experienced. You might be able to use that as hook to hang the essay’s opening on, but not beyond that.
There are plenty of uses of mathematics in biology so the topic isn’t risky at all. In fact there is a whole sub-discipline called [Mathematical & theotretical Biology](Mathematical and theoretical biology - Wikipedia). And then there is [Biostatistics]( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biostatistics), another mathematical discipline used to explore biological/medical topics. (See:)
When you write your essay, focus on the present–what you’re interested in now. Give some examples of projects or research topics where bio & math overlap that you find interesting (NOTE: this will require some research on your part), but don’t spend your entire essay talking someone else’s work. These essays are mostly sales pitches–you’re trying to convince the reader that they should pick you, not someone else. Focus on what special skills or experience you have and how you could potentially contribute to a research project. (Higher level math/science classes that you’ve taken. Hands on laboratory experience. Programming or software experience. Mathematical or statistical modeling. If you’re still in high school, focus on your ability to follow directions accurately, be a team player, quickness in picking up new concepts & skills, willingness to learn and start at the bottom, good critical judgement, etc. )
One highly personal example of the overlap between math & biology–
D2 (math & neuroscience double major) was an [Amgen Scholar](http://www.amgenscholars.com). She did a research project that used various mathematical modeling techniques to study the growth patterns of gliomas and how they responded to different treatment protocols. The ultimate goal was to develop a model that could be used to help neuro-oncologists decide the optimal treatments for patients. She was also a [NIH Summer Scholar](https://www.training.nih.gov/programs/sip) who parleyed her hands on experience in fMRI and her expertise with specific proprietary software to get hired on project developing neural-mechanical interfaces for amputees. (Brainwave driven prostheses.) Post college/pre med school, she spent 2 years working as part of an interdisciplinary BME/neuropsychiatric research group that was trying to develop new brain imaging techniques (think MRI/PET)–lots of math used to interpolate raw digital signals into visible images–and to develop a database of brain imaging that could potentially be used to identify organic psychiatric disorders without relying on subjective diagnosis. D2’s had a friend & classmate (another math + cognitive science double major) who went on to earn his PhD in [Neural Engineering](Neural engineering - Wikipedia)
Like REUs? I might mention it as an interest, but I would not make it the focus.
Thank you for your input, and yes I am a sophomoric in college. I just wanted to know if it would be good to use as an opener not as the bulk of the essay but i think i will just find another way to open the essay. Thank you again! @WayOutWestMom @intparent