Personal Statement: Role of Badminton and Dancing in My Life

Bachelor of Architectural Science

Why do you wish to study this program? What influenced your decision to apply to this program? (max. 4000 characters)

A pencil, eraser or maybe a sharpener now and then, these were the essential tools that followed me as a kid while I envisioned and drew my ideal dream house. Therefore, it was inevitable that I would pursue my future career in design. However, it was only until some recent experiences that I narrowed my choice down to becoming an architect. My application for your university comes from my longing to learn at one of the best universities in the field of architecture. It additionally follows from my profound enthusiasm for artistry and my valuation for design and my yearning desire to be among the individuals who make the changing skylines that structure our cities.

Art has always been my true passion, and every form of art had me captivated ever since I was a young child. Furthermore, since childhood, I have been attracted to the distinctive identity of building styles. For example, just by looking at my school, I can depict the tales of the people, the time it was made, and the way a particular society functions. From my perspective, a school or building is a projection of much more than bricks and wood. It is a capsule in which people live, work, educate, and socialize. It is also a way for us to show how to organize and live our lives.

A visit to Los Angeles a few years ago lead me to discover Richard Meier’s work. It was his stylistic approach that inspired me to study architecture: permanence, solidity, simplicity, warmth, and craftsmanship. I am interested in the designing of the Getty Center and how it highlights both nature and culture, creating a synchronistic, and as an organic whole. Structures like this can be so iconic and meaningful and can stick in the mind of anyone for a lifetime.

During spring break of 2019, I attended a dance workshop at Disneyland in Los Angeles. There, I met a girl named Grace. She was three years older than me, and studies ‘Architectural Studies’ at Ryerson University. She told me so many great things about Toronto and Ryerson. After numerous conversations with Grace, there was no doubt I want to study here in the future. When she showed me pictures of Toronto, I was fascinated by the city’s bend of Georgian and modern architecture — hoping that one day I can experience the beauty of the buildings myself.

A combination of practical craft and historical theory means studying architecture is the perfect blend of arts and science. I will be able to link geopolitics with the design and purpose of historic buildings and explain how context might change the construction of a building. I’ll also be able to calculate angles, pump out equations and analyze sketches. At Ryerson, students are constantly creating and producing things. Sketches, drawings, models, renderings, 3-D computer drawings, paintings, collages, photographs, portfolios, resumes, good ideas and the list goes on. Ryerson will allow me to use that passion for creating.

Based on the knowledge that I gained through my current studies, I made an informed decision on the course that I would like to apply, namely architectural studies. This course will give me a great insight into the technical side of design, and provide me with the theoretical, functional, and business skills that an architect will need. I have researched carefully all the routes and courses that would lead to my ideal career, and I have concluded that your university offers the content, facilities and qualifications that would fit my needs and aspirations. I believe that studying architectural studies at Ryerson University will open many doors for me later in life. I know that I would genuinely enjoy the course and find that your program will endow me with desirable knowledge, practice and skills that will help me seek my career in architecture.

Are there factors that you believe are essential/pertinent to the consideration of your application, especially in our review of your academic performance at the secondary and/or post-secondary level? If yes, please explain.

I am disciplined in my approach, and I am not afraid to take initiative. I have been preparing myself through classes and lessons. I have chosen physics, chemistry, AP calculus, AP art studio, geography, and drafting and design. In the pursuit of enhancing my drafting skills using industry-standard software, I have completed two levels of AutoCAD and 3DSMAX drafting courses in my high school. Outside my academic studies, I have weekly badminton and dance lessons and attend figure drawing classes regularly to refine my perceptive awareness of human anatomy. Additionally, I have found a teaching assistant intern opportunity at Young Guns Studio, where I teach students how to draw and learn to manage a business.

Badminton was the sport that kept me motivated through grades six to nine. These were the years I realized I had no set direction in life and felt as though I was always being dragged down. By chance, I heard about badminton from one of my friends and decided to try it out. I fell in love with the sport, and soon after, I joined the team at school. Badminton requires strategy, teamwork, skill, and focus. The four-hour practices during the weekend helped me de-stress from school and taught me how to stay mentally healthy.

Joining badminton in high school let me experience training and improving alongside different teammates, as well as the joys and sorrows of winning and losing with them. I learned to adapt to each teammate and compensate for each other’s weaknesses. Each week, I would dedicate my Fridays and Sundays for training. Each year, I would commit extra hours to compete for my school’s team from April to May. I would always have two games and two practices a week to balance school, dance, and in my senior year, an intern job.

I have danced for most of my life. I grew up as a Chinese dancer, one that dances one to three days of the week. Being so young at the time, I did not know what I was doing or why I was always at the studio. I used to go to the dance studio right after school and had classes in the evening. It was only recently when I realized how spending so much time in the dance studio had taught me many of the skills I have today. Dance taught me time management, perseverance, teamwork, overcoming fears, and passion.

Dancing three times a week, playing badminton, managing school full time, and having a social life at the same time wasn’t always easy growing up, but I can thank dance for the superb managing skills I have now. Along with badminton, I learned how to work with a team, and learning with these people is crucial to one’s success — working with various people has taught me how to adapt to different personalities.

I currently manage full-time high school, a part-time intern job, as well as long term extracurricular activities. My activities outside of school have developed practical communication skills. I cooperated with teammates and co-workers on a day to day basis, which includes speaking, listening, and providing excellent advice at all times. These skills will help me in my career in architecture, as it will require me to have excellent communication skills to work effectively with clients. Through work, I have demonstrated that I can participate and communicate well in a group, as well as accomplishing goals through dedication and hard work. Being able to manage both high school, athletics, and work, I feel it has helped me to organize my schedule, helping me to meet deadlines and earn good grades.

Bachelor of Engineering – Industrial Engineering

Why do you wish to study this program? What influenced your decision to apply to this program? (max. 4000 characters)

I was interested in engineering from an early age. since the age of five, I helped my father install the main domestic drainages. I have developed my interest and understanding of the field since then, and I would like to study engineering. My application for your university comes from my longing to learn at one of the best universities in the field of engineering. It additionally follows from my profound enthusiasm for engineering and my valuation for design. This greatly impelled me to undertake an engineering career. In turn, at an early age, the motivation and originality of innovation manifestly arose in me.

Like most engineers, I’ve always been fascinated by the processes that operate behind the various objects that we use in our daily lives. Physics and math were always the topics I find most intriguing at school. While art has always been my true passion, and every form of art had me captivated ever since I was a young child.

At school, I just loved visualizing 3-D objects and turning them into 2-D drawings. I didn’t realize this was part of engineering at the time, but later, when I began the take senior science courses, I started to understand. Figuring out how things would fit together was always interesting to me and was especially satisfying when it all came together at the end.

The art of engineering brings ideas of science to the product. The fundamental principles applied to products and structures are paramount, and by studying engineering, I hope to learn how these principles are used by engineers and then integrate them into designs.

I am interested in sustainable engineering design and would like to pursue a career in this field. For example, I am particularly interested in sustainable building practises, using renewable energy sources within new buildings to minimize the environmental impact of such developments.

Based on the knowledge that I gained through my current studies, I made an informed decision on the course that I would like to apply, namely Industrial Engineering. This course will give me a great insight into the technical side of design, and provide me with the theoretical, functional, and business skills that an engineer will need. I have researched carefully all the routes and courses that would lead to my ideal career, and I have concluded that your university offers the content, facilities and qualifications that would fit my needs and aspirations. I believe that studying Industrial Engineering at Ryerson University will open many doors for me later in life. I know that I would genuinely enjoy the course and find that your program will endow me with desirable knowledge, practice and skills that will help me seek my career in engineering.

Are there factors that you believe are essential/pertinent to the consideration of your application, especially in our review of your academic performance at the secondary and/or post-secondary level? If yes, please explain.

I am disciplined in my approach, and I am not afraid to take initiative. I have been preparing myself through classes and lessons. I have chosen physics, chemistry, AP calculus, AP art studio, geography, and drafting and design. In the pursuit of enhancing my drafting skills using industry-standard software, I have completed two levels of AutoCAD and 3DSMAX drafting courses in my high school. Outside my academic studies, I have weekly badminton and dance lessons and attend figure drawing classes regularly to refine my perceptive awareness of human anatomy. Additionally, I have found a teaching assistant intern opportunity at Young Guns Studio, where I teach students how to draw and learn to manage a business.

Badminton was the sport that kept me motivated through grades six to nine. These were the years I realized I had no set direction in life and felt as though I was always being dragged down. By chance, I heard about badminton from one of my friends and decided to try it out. I fell in love with the sport, and soon after, I joined the team at school. Badminton requires strategy, teamwork, skill, and focus. The four-hour practices during the weekend helped me de-stress from school and taught me how to stay mentally healthy.

Joining badminton in high school let me experience training and improving alongside different teammates, as well as the joys and sorrows of winning and losing with them. I learned to adapt to each teammate and compensate for each other’s weaknesses. Each week, I would dedicate my Fridays and Sundays for training. Each year, I would commit extra hours to compete for my school’s team from April to May. I would always have two games and two practices a week to balance school, dance, and in my senior year, an intern job.

I have danced for most of my life. I grew up as a Chinese dancer, one that dances one to three days of the week. Being so young at the time, I did not know what I was doing or why I was always at the studio. I used to go to the dance studio right after school and had classes in the evening. It was only recently when I realized how spending so much time in the dance studio had taught me many of the skills I have today. Dance taught me time management, perseverance, teamwork, overcoming fears, and passion.

Dancing three times a week, playing badminton, managing school full time, and having a social life at the same time wasn’t always easy growing up, but I can thank dance for the superb managing skills I have now. Along with badminton, I learned how to work with a team, and learning with these people is crucial to one’s success — working with various people has taught me how to adapt to different personalities.

I currently manage full-time high school, a part-time intern job, as well as long term extracurricular activities. My activities outside of school have developed practical communication skills. I cooperated with teammates and co-workers on a day to day basis, which includes speaking, listening, and providing excellent advice at all times. These skills will help me in my career in architecture, as it will require me to have excellent communication skills to work effectively with clients. Through work, I have demonstrated that I can participate and communicate well in a group, as well as accomplishing goals through dedication and hard work. Being able to manage both high school, athletics, and work, I feel it has helped me to organize my schedule, helping me to meet deadlines and earn good grades.