Having fully appreciated the hardware side of computing at A level and GCSE, I developed a deep enthusiasm and curiosity for computer hardware. My choice of A-level IT project takes the form of a single-board computer, coupled with tools and exploits to test device and network vulnerabilities. This ties into another passion for ethical hacking and programming, which are hobbies in my free time. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why violent video games should not be banned”? Get an original essay I dabbled in industry-level programming through freelance projects and programming books such as Modern C++ Design by Andrei Alexandrescu, my most proficient language being C++. An unintended benefit of learning C++ that became apparent was the ability to use it for robotics. I explored my interest in electronics at the start of grade 12, where I had the opportunity to participate in the VEX Robotics (In the Zone) elective. As a lead engineer/programmer, I really enjoyed the experience of building a robot and competing with a group. Initially, we built a barebones robot with a basic 4-bar lift and an arm for pushing moving goals. As we competed more, we gained practical experience and feedback from experts such as judges. Therefore, we went through the versions until we developed a roller jack for moving goals and a 4-bar inverted riser. With our latest iteration, I finished developing a standalone feature that allowed us to earn additional points. Our dedication as a team showed after winning the regional championships, allowing us to head to the national championships. I received an accidental push into electrical engineering when I visited a website called EEWeb, whose front page coincidentally contained an article about self-parking cars in 1933 – which led me to browse the site. I eventually came across some captivating articles on electromagnetism and electronics used to process information and transmit energy, which led me to give a lecture at the Physics and Engineering Society of our school on “wireless electricity”. My interest in computer hardware and its functionalities was consolidated through carrying out research for the construction of my PC, where I learned how to use logic gates to create an ALU; in addition to memory for storing inputs and results of operations via the Internet. Outside of school, I am a very avid participant in combat sports, engaging in Judo and Muay Thai as it provides a sense of freedom and achievement through competition. Through this, I have improved my self-discipline, courage and commitment to succeed. I regularly attend my local toastmasters to develop my public speaking and social skills. These skills are essential in engineering because of the amount of group work that occurs, especially in projects; in addition to the presentations that will have to be made. I think one of the most important ways I've developed my skills has been through puzzle-based video games (such as Portal), where initially problems are seen as insurmountable; However, by breaking down the problem and thinking logically about the environment, you can usually determine what needs to be done next. This led me to develop a lot of patience, which I noticed 2019.