Personal Statement
Wang Pu
My interest in science and technology dates back to my years in high school, where I excelled in
physics, chemistry, biology, and math. I still remember how excited I was when I was observing
the microstructure of different objects with my optical microscope as a gift from my father. It
came to me as a big surprise that the nasal mucus was composed by large amounts of dead cells
instead of secretion. At that time the research of nanostructure was just emerging. After reading
some materials about the nanostructure of the hydrophobic surface of lotus leaves, I used my
microscope to observe the surface of lotus leaf but only found nothing else than cell arrays. The
curiosity for nanoscience always accompanied me. So it seemed rather reasonable that I was
shocked when I knew the power of scanning tunneling microscope (STM) and atomic force
microscope (AFM) etc. in the laboratory of my university.
Studying the courses is a process of exploration, in which I recognize my interest and explore my
talents. At the very beginning, faced with so many complex concepts in physics, I was a little
confused. However, I tried hard to understand the physics images of different courses and to find
the internal relationship between different courses. I formed my own perspective on physics and
tried to solve problems in different ways. In my junior year, I found that it was becoming much
easier for me to grasp the core of new courses and I had excellent performances at these courses.
With deep comprehension of the physics images, I scored 94 in Quantum Mechanics. Instead of
regarding grade points as everything, I attached more importance to the training of critical
thinking and independent thinking.
It seemed only logical that I pursue a career to be a scientist or an engineer. In my freshman year, I
decided to enter the General Physics Experiment Laboratory of our school to do some basic
research work. Endowed by the National College Students’ Creativity Training Program, I did
some research on the analysis of nonlinear disturbances in the experiment of elliptically polarized
light. I acquainted the experiment quickly and found that nonlinear disturbances of transmitted
light intensity mainly generated from the Glan-Taylor prism analyzer. Then I did experiments
from many aspects to study the disturbance factors’ effect. When most literature focused on the
effects of incident angle on the periodic disturbance, I noticed that it also had significant
influences on the inequality of adjacent peaks of the transmitted intensity curve of Glan-Taylor
prism. And the already-built model could be used to explain this phenomenon very well. I was
exciting about my finding because I had a new discovery. My first paper was on this topic and it
had been published this year. However, I also met some problems in this experiment. I was the
first to find that the distance between the laser and the analyzer had influences on inequality of
adjacent peaks of the transmitted intensity curve. I tried to build new models and used wave optics
instead of geometrical optics to explain it. I also contacted those experts in this field and discussed
with them. After reading books on laser optics and polarization books, I had a more
comprehensive understanding of this field. Though I failed to give an accurate theoretical
explanation, I treasured this experience very much because it made me realize the importance of
intuition and preciseness for a researcher.
In my junior year, I had developed a special interest in the field of nanotechnology. In order to
know more about this field and develop my abilities, I joined the Nano Chemistry Research Center
of Peking University to do some research work. Our group specialized in the research of
topological insulators and I paid great passion to the literature investigation in this field. I believed
that my physics background played an important role in our group and communication with
students of different academic backgrounds benefited me a lot. As a beginner, I spent some time
on learning how to operate different kinds of apparatuses such as STM etc. and the methods of
CVD and MBE. With a better understanding of this field, I planed to work further on the research
of nanomaterials.
With firm determination to be a scientist or engineer, I intend to start work on my Ph.D. in the
realm of material science and engineering after I earn my bachelor’s degree. That’s why I choose
to apply to XXX University for further study. I would like to experience different concepts on both
life and study here. Besides the strong faculty involved in extensive research in the area of
nanomaterials and research facilities have strengthened my resolve to study at XXX University.
I bring along a strong grasp of fundamentals in physics, an aptitude for teaching and team work, a
zest for challenges and an enthusiastic desire to learn all I can. I would like to take with me, in
addition to knowledge of physics, a network of strong and lasting relationships with my teachers
and fellow-students. I hope that my background and qualifications are found suitable for a Ph.D.
in material science and engineering at XXX University.