Master in Finance Admissions Essays - Essay Example

A (13) and ment of your research degree proposal, or reason for wanting to undertake the MAX CHARACTERS - 1648 (WITH SPACES) During my undergraduate studies, I have worked on various research projects and found out that all efforts and resources spent in conducting research on product development are worthwhile only if they benefit the society. I have often been confronted with the question of commercial viability of a process. I was also faced with the question of whether to use an equipment like a reactor at higher purchase price or to use a smaller one at significantly lower prices but with higher operating costs. By building small and allowing for expansion, the company foregoes the economies of scale. This calls for polished analytical skills. I seek to undertake further studies at Cambridge to improve my technical & analytical skills. I have taken up advanced level courses in financial economics at IIT Bombay and management of technology at University of Cambridge. However, I strongly felt the need to have a deeper understanding of mathematics as well to understand the analytical processes decision making. I took up advanced level math courses like stochastic processes at undergraduate level (IIT Bombay) and numerical methods for solving differential equations, and optimization at the postgraduate level (University of Cambridge). In the Department of Corporate Research at Unilever, I grasped how research projects are chosen and financed based on the customer preferences. I also understood the importance of saving time & money while doing research. During my research assistantship at IIT Bombay, I worked on the optimization of chemical processes involved in the death of cancer cells triggered by intravenous delivery current platinum-based drugs. A (14) Additional information in support of your application: MAX CHARACTERS - 824 (WITH SPACES) At IIT Bombay (IITB), I was exposed to various technological & social issues. My internships and studies at Unilever, University of Oklahoma, IITB, and the University of Cambridge, provided me opportunities to interact with people from diverse cultures. This immensely broadened my vision and knowledge base and enabled me to incorporate different perspectives and viewpoints. I have always been fascinated to work in interdisciplinary work environments, like the one at Unilever, because it draws in combined knowledge of experts from various fields, thus giving valuable experience of collaborating with various teams. I believe that MPhil in Finance offers an opportunity to combine finance and economics with mathematics, and help me develop a strong background for a career integrating chemical engineering and finance. A (15) Career goals and future aspirations Please give an outline of your future career plans and intentions and explain how your proposed studies in Cambridge will help you achieve these aims. MAX CHARACTERS - 1442 (WITH SPACES) I plan to work in a field that would integrate chemical engineering and finance, and help promote industry growth in high-technology-related areas. The lectures by experts at IIT Bombay, especially by Dr Muhammad Yunus have helped me become aware about the issues that often affect the society. I have been motivated to do something for solving the problem of malnutrition and growing environmental pollution in developing countries, like my own, by helping develop investment instruments to hedge against risks. This would facilitate the growth of new industries using funds drawn from international capital markets. This includes manufacturing of nutritional foods with longer shelf lives, at lowest possible costs, and making the foods available at affordable prices, while manufacturing those products using energy-efficient and cost effective technologies. I would also like to help improve the standard of living of the people in general, by developing financial services (loans, savings models, capital transfers and insurance) to reach micro-entrepreneurs and low-income households. It is my firm belief that the MPhil in Finance course at the University of Cambridge would provide me with the tools & desired platform to establish my career. I am confident that the University of Cambridge, as a renowned institution, will offer me a unique opportunity to fulfill my professional commitment and develop personally as an individual. B(6) Personal statement In not more than 500 words, please describe how your interests and achievements, both academic and extra-curricular, demonstrate a capacity for leadership and a commitment to improving the lives of others. Candidates who wish to be considered for awards offered by the Cambridge Trusts MUST complete this section. Please note that this information is NOT considered as part of your application for admission to the course. I belong to a middle class family in Thane, India, a vibrant city with a blend of traditional & modern culture, due to its location close to Mumbai, the commercial capital of India, as well as to rural areas in the valleys of ancient Sahayadris. I have always wanted to solve real-life problems, due to perhaps, strong curiosity & inquisitiveness within myself. I always work to find the solution to a particular problem with independent thinking, disciplined focus & sincere effort. Some of my interests and achievements include a team effort in studying chemical kinetics of deoxygenation reaction of methy stearate at the University of Oklahoma. My job was to ensure running of the reaction & analyze the reaction mixture at various time intervals in order to measure reaction parameters, like rate constants & activation energies. At IIT Bombay (IITB), I attended the lectures of influential captains of industry, Nobel Laureates & distinguished experts in various fields which provided me an exposure to various technological & social issues. At the University of Oklahoma, I worked on a project funded by the US DOE, aimed to produce biodiesel. My team studied chemical kinetics of deoxygenation reaction of methyl stearate. My job was to run the reaction & analyze the reaction mixture at various time intervals in order to measure reaction parameters, like rate constants & activation energies. The products involved were so many, as a result, the team was not able to find consistent rates. I dedicated myself to finding a solution to that problem. I figured out that the problem was with the analysis of gas chromatograph data. I worked in the lab for 14 hours a day, without taking off on weekends, saving as much time as possible, and organizing my work to strike a balance between doing experiments, taking readings & analyzing the data, in order to correct the problem. Finally, the values of rate constants and activation energies, measured by different methods matched perfectly. I was further able to identify parallel reaction paths with the help of these values, which was a milestone achievement on my part, as we could figure out further strategies for maximizing the yield of the key product. Also at IITB, I took up a project aimed at inventing effective tools for the diagnosis of certain types of cancer tumors. In future, I feel like doing something substantial to solve the problems of malnutrition and growing environmental pollution in developing countries, like my own. My internships at Unilever and the University of Oklahoma, and the work at IITB, gave me opportunities to interact with people from diverse cultures as part of a team. This immensely broadened my vision and knowledge base & enabled me to incorporate different perspectives & viewpoints while learning the team spirit. Read More