Personal Statement
Program Applied¹: Computer Science

Epicurus once said, “The joy of poverty is the most beautiful thing in the world.” This has become a source of constant inspiration for me. Poverty is very real to me, so is the joy that is derived² from my being able to devote myself to the study and the research of computer science.

My father passed away when I was just 14 and, with this, my family was plunged³ into sudden poverty. In order to save money to allow my younger sister continue her education, I relinquished⁴ my expensive undergraduate education and chose to attend a junior college instead, majoring in computer application. For three years, I made extra academic efforts as I had to work part-time to alleviate⁵ my family’s financial burden. My GPA was ranked top five in my class, with particularly distinguished⁶ performance in mathematics. I was the sole junior college student who participated in the national contest in mathematical modeling for university students in 1996 and won the third prize in XX Province. Upon my graduation, I found employment with the Fuel Company of XX Province where I worked as its network engineer and chief manager. What was good about this job was that while it provided me with a stable income it allowed me to receive an on-the-job undergraduate education in computer science so that I ultimately fulfilled my aspiration⁷ of obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in computer science.

However, the Bachelor’s degree did not put an end to my academic pursuit. Realizing the importance and the necessity to constantly upgrade my professional knowledge in this age of rapid development in information technology, I found a graduate education in computer science would be vital for my further academic and career development. With due efforts in preparing for the entrance examination, I succeeded in enrolling⁸ in University of XX where I specialized⁹ in Computer Science and Application at the Faculty¹⁰ of Computer Science. Through my undergraduate and graduate programs, I have achieved the top third rankings in my overall GPA, laying a solid academic foundation through impressive performance in such core courses as Advanced Computer Network, Internet Technology, Multimedia¹¹ Network Communication, Computer Science’s Logic¹², Advanced Computer System Infrastructure¹³, and Computer Network Infrastructure. This academic foundation makes possible my determination to become a computer specialist in my future career.

While making conscious efforts in my coursework, I have paid even greater attention to the improvement of my R & D ability. In the WLAN project for the XX Mansion¹⁴, I collected extensive technical materials and made in-depth study of the WLAN technology. I independently designed the project plan that satisfied the particular needs of the client. In view of the inherent insecurity of WLAN, I proposed the security solution application to small-size business patterns. When evaluating the project, the relevant experts gave positive comments on my plan design, rating it as “technologically advanced, with reliable performance, and can provide guidance to the R & D work in relevant fields, and applicable to similar projects.”

In another two projects—the development of the Computer Information Management System for both the Dean’s Office and for School of Further Education of University of XX, I conducted comprehensive research concerning network security technology, in particular the firewall technology. By undertaking¹⁵ extensive testing against the Ddos attacks, I gathered a large amount of first-hand data. Based on my experiences in those two projects, I have published four research papers, including The Standards of Firewall Procurement¹⁶ and the Prospect¹⁷ of Firewall Technology, in the national core journals and university journals like Computer Application Research. All of them have been well received.

 Over the past few years, as a key project member, I have participated in, organized and implemented¹⁸ a total of 12 projects which involve financial software, MIS, network management system, e-commerce, industrial control and other fields. I have published a total of 10 research papers in a series of technical journals and my research achievements have captured the attention of the computer experts from the XX provincial¹⁹ academia. Last year I was invited to attend the 2002 International Symposium²⁰ on Picture and Graphics²¹ inXX City.

Currently, I have come to the final stage of my Master’s dissertation²² entitled Research on the WLAN Security Solution and its Realization²³. In this dissertation, I focus on the security mechanisms²⁵ of WLAN, proposing that VPN as a security solution can only be an alternative and that only the application of the true “point-to-point” mechanism²⁴ can maximize network security at reasonable costs. My dissertation has an overall theoretical framework, supplemented by detailed²⁶ plans and designs. In my repeated discussions with my supervisor²⁷ concerning my dissertation, he has given his full support of my propositions. He has given special praises on my ideas regarding the renovation²⁸ and development of the existing computer technology.

While perfecting my ability to carry out independent R & D projects, my past research experience has also enabled me to ferret out my own research interests for the future—Wireless Networking and Network Security. WLAN is one of the most important issues in the theoretical research and technical development of present-day computer science and its security mechanism is the key point. I have 4-year work experience as a network engineer and taught six courses on network and Internet technology. In my Master’s program I have concentrated on computer network and distributive system and my dissertation is on WLAN and its security mechanism. For each of those two concentrations, I have participated in two research projects, thus I have adequate practical experience. In my 10 research papers, 6 are concerned with those two major fields, which fully²⁹ testify to my theoretical buildup and my important research potential. All those constitute my important assets for more advanced academic pursuit, in which I expect to exploit them to the fullest possible extent.

I wish to apply for a Ph. D. program in computer science from your esteemed³⁰ university because your program satisfies my wish for a full development of my research interests. My past education and research experience has fully convinced me that, as home of the world’s modern computer science and technology, the United States is the ideal country that offers the advanced education and training that I am seeking. There, I will be exposed to the instructions of world famous scholars and experts whose academic ideas will significantly broaden my academic horizon. Equally important is that I can enjoy an inexhaustible variety of library resource. In conclusion, I deem myself fully qualified³¹ and well prepared for your Ph. D. program and it is my belief that your university is precisely³² the starting point of my new and rewarding academic journey.