Example NCSSM Essays

Sifting through thousands of transactions, balancing books, and running payroll, I find myself simultaneously engrossed in and captivated by numbers. At heart, I'm an optimizer: my path from cashier to behind the scenes helper at SkyZone Trampoline Park by the age of 15 was defined by the ability to identify and solve business problems through trends and patterns in the data.

I recognized mathematics everywhere I looked. Our overall profit could be modeled with a simple quadratic, taking a derivative to find the optimal pricing. Our forecasting could be modeled through the extrapolation of a line of best fit. Our inventory and accounts receivable could be modeled with none other than sinusoidal functions. Otherwise rudimentary mathematics propelled positive growth for the business, despite operating in recessionary periods.

However, to my surprise, quantitative modeling applied beyond my career. Outside the classroom, I was elected to be the Vice President of my Investment Club. There, too, quantitative modeling was found everywhere I looked. I found myself digging into spreadsheets and the mathematics behind basic valuation techniques, such as a discounted cash flow or calculation of the sharpe ratio. I found comfort within my model, having mapped out worst-case, medium-case, and best-case scenarios for potential investments on our $600K portfolio simulator. Modeling, time after time, proves to be an invaluable tool for both security and growth.

Quantitative modeling is now the fundamental lens through which I view the world. At NCSSM, I hope to dive head-first into the world of quantitative modeling, whether that's through conducting research through the Mentorship program or simply taking more advanced coursework such as Cryptography or Mathematical Modeling. I want to learn about more advanced models in the 21st century, through a combination of computer science, mathematics, and interdisciplinary studies.

Day in and day out, I encounter problems that are more easily explained and solved through a combination of the core disciplines, particularly mathematics. However, as I attend Durham School of the Arts, I find myself searching for something more out of my academic experience. At its core, my desire to attend NCSSM is driven by my affinity to take on a greater challenge and deep-dive into the interdisciplinary. As someone whose eventual goal is to become a quantitative researcher or data scientist, NCSSM is the perfect space to further explore and develop my passion into the world of computational mathematics and statistics.

Among the several interdisciplinary options available to students, the one that stands out to me is Research Computational Sciences. While I currently use basic tools like Excel and MATLAB to solve elementary-level problems, I am ready to take my education and practice of quantitative modeling to the next level through coursework such as Cryptography and Machine Learning. I hope to write my own proposal to explore a topic of true interest to me, such as emerging financial markets, and participating in summer research within the Triangle. The REX program would be a fantastic opportunity to introduce myself to research, while my eventual goal is to conduct Research in Mathematics under mentor Dan Teague.

Beyond academics, the ability to transform theoretical knowledge into practical reality stands out. Having closely followed the admissions blog, I learned of the spaces like the FabLab, where I can create physical and 3-D printed versions of the models created through my research and coursework. The unique spaces that occupy NCSSM, combined with the increased engagement around embedded extracurricular opportunities create the perfect environment for me to be not only a thinker, but also a maker and doer.

Transitioning into high school, I was the stereotypical misfit: 145 pounds too heavy, a transcript filled with C's and D's, and struggling to make friends. Despite "return to normal," following the pandemic, I felt as far away from normal as humanly possible.

On a take your kid to work day, I struck up a conversation with a then-stranger who worked with my dad, named Kevin, who is now objectively one of the most influential people in my life. From our conversation, I learned of his nonprofit, TriangleBikeWorks, meant to increase access to cycling for underrepresented youth within the Triangle. Never in my wildest dreams would I imagine joining a biking organization; how would I even fit into a place like that?

Somehow, I found a home in that organization. The summer of '21 was filled with rigorous training that concluded in my first cross country bike tour. We biked from Carrboro, NC all the way to St Augustine, FL, over 13 days. Every day, Kevin pushed me to do even better than the last. We ended up biking ~ 70 miles per day, for 11 days. It took everything in me to not give up. Upon returning, I was a new person both physically and mentally. 10 pounds lighter, it felt as though weight had been lifted off my shoulders, literally. The transformation sparked, and ignited me to approach every part of my life with the same intensity as my cross-country bike ride. I found myself with a promotion at SkyZone Trampoline Park, a new position on the leadership team of the investment club, and the sound of the piano for 2+ hours a day. Within the classroom, my transformation culminated with a #1 rank spot among my class, only after hours of studying.

At NCSSM, beyond resilience, I will bring the ability to say "yes" to opportunities that come my way even when --- especially when --- they make me uncomfortable. I will approach every course and opportunity, from mathematics to interdisciplinary research, with the same mindset I had over the summer that changed my life.

1: Extracurricular, community service and volunteer activities (both in-school and out-of-school)

Pianist; 2014 to present

• 8+ years of lessons from a professional pianist at Kerry Henry Piano Studios and 3+ years of Piano Lab elective at Durham School of the Arts

• Rigorous practice schedule with over 2 hours every day

• Currently studying 2 pieces of professional caliber

• Performed during High School Keyboard Day at UNC Greensboro

• Selected out of over 100 piano students at my school to perform with NC All-State Honors Orchestra in Winston Salem.

Lobbying Member, Enough is Enough; 2021-2022

• Student run, non-profit organization, with about 15 members

• Organized activities and communications to lobby politicians for legislation changes and to raise money over 500$ for small businesses around Durham.

2:Leadership positions and activities:

Team Lead, Assistant Manager, SkyZone Trampoline Park; 2021 to present

• Lead and provided coaching to over 35 team members to ensure that they succeed in meeting individual performance goals as well as career growth

• Performed daily managerial tasks, such as opening and closing the facility, resolving guest service complaints, filing incident reports, and assisting with facility maintenance.

• Managed payroll percentages and budget to support the Operations Manager in scheduling and payroll processing responsibilities.

• Identified new ways to engage and be relevant in our community by creating a minimum of 5 videos/week and sharing them on social media platforms such as Tik Tok, Instagram and Facebook.

• Established and maintained a master calendar to include all marketing events, promotions and special events for the park.

Vice President, Finance and Investment Club; 2022 to present

• Explain different topics such as financial modeling, investment funds, and retirement plans to fellow students.

• Currently, we are pitching and modeling long/short equity investments into B2B SaaS businesses and e-commerce-based businesses using valuation techniques such as Discounted Cash Flow, comparable companies, and multiples analysis

Captain and Volunteer, Cross Country and Mountain Bicycling; 2021 to present

• Avid member and volunteer at Triangle Bike Works, a local non-profit organization helping youth overcome challenges, achieve audacious fitness goals, and discover their true selves.

• Completed two cross country bicycle tours, totaling over 1400 miles, and crossing more than 7 state borders

• Received scholarship grant to participate in the 2022 Mountain Bike program at my school. The grant covers Bike, support gear and competition fees.

3: Other interests, talents and hobbies:

Music Theory

• In addition to learning Piano, I've studied violin for 3 years in my school's orchestra, participating in orchestral competitions and performances each year. I recognized the intersection between the fundamentals of the two instruments through music theory. I enjoy diving deep into the physics of notes.

Reading

• I am a voracious reader of fantasy novels. My favorites include series by Will Wight, like the Unsouled series. Reading this alternate genre of novels has enabled me to recognize even more niches of literature. East Asian and European mythology driven novels have allowed me to explore different cultures, all while using my own imagination and interpretation.

4:Please list your activities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics from 7th grade through the current term:

Vice President, Finance and Investment Club; 2022 to present

• Explain different topics such as financial modeling, investment funds, and retirement plans to fellow students.

• Currently, we are pitching and modeling long/short equity investments into B2B SaaS businesses and e-commerce-based businesses using valuation techniques such as Discounted Cash Flow, comparable companies, and multiples analysis

Securities and investment Virtual Course

• I enjoy reading about US and International financial markets in my free time. I decided to teach myself from a 20-week virtual course from a curriculum that covers quantitative finance, trading, technical analysis, balance sheet reading and other core financial topics. I expect to complete this by summer 2023.

Global Summer Analyst Internship Offer

• I have a global summer analyst internship offer at a financial services firm in Summer of 2023 to get hands-on experience with financial markets including trading of stock, commodity, derivatives and other financial instruments.

Self-Taught Advanced Mathematics Coursework

• I wanted to learn math beyond what was in the classroom. I am on my second math course taken outside of school, having taken Math II after my 8th grade year in the summer, and now taking Calculus currently through Khan Academy.