CrazyCrab
2017-03-21, 07:27 PM
Hi everyone,
After 5 long years, I've decided to reapply to uni - this time as a working individual, without any outside help. This means no mentors, no help of any kind, sadly. All I've got is internet and, this time, true passion for the subject. So, I've been hoping that perhaps some people can have a look at this and tell me what you think - it came out a bit melodramatic, but eh, it's all 100% from the heart. Maybe I should tone it down. Anyway, thanks in advance. :smallsmile:
When I left school in 2012, I was undecided. I was, and still am, enamoured with languages, so I figured that an International Communication course (English, French, German) could be a decent option, thinking of future career possibilities and a translator’s monthly salary. Sadly, despite being one of the best in my class, I realized that, being a creative spirit, translation is not my calling in life. I then took a break and picked up a job in London, hoping that a change in the environment and the new lifestyle will help me discover the one vocation that I will truly enjoy.
Now, after all these years, I am writing yet another Personal Statement – this time, hopefully, as a wiser and more mature prospective student. I have decided to ignore the societal stigma and apply for Game Design, something that I have always been good at and yet it never came to my mind when it came to choosing a path. While the snarky comments from fellow classmates and the eye-rolling of my parents dissuaded me back then, nowadays I feel like I am ready to turn my passion into my job.
As stereotypical as it may be, if I were to search my childhood notepads most of them would be filled with stitched together video game cut-outs and chains of numbers, die rolls and exotic locales. Given a Dungeons and Dragons starter set by my family, I managed to somehow wrap my head around all the rules at the ripe old age of ten years old and the game has not left me ever since. Back then, I even managed to convince my teacher at school to let me bring it for the board game day and I filled the primary school classroom with strange dice and knights, alongside Checkers and Snakes & Ladders. It may sound funny, but at that time, it simply felt like I was in the right place, at the right time.
When it comes to video games, I have always been interested in more than just whatever came in the sealed box. I am subscribed to several journalists and critics, as I enjoy both reviews and news. Whether it’s “Extra Credits’” breakdown of a game mechanic or a blog post about creating memorable character designs, I am always on the lookout for new content. As an indie game developer, I feel like they are very helpful when it comes to improving one’s craft. “The Game Maker's Apprentice” and “The Game Maker's Companion” will always have a special place on my shelf, as they taught me both the basics of programming and design.
In addition, I’ve always had a knack for learning new tools to improve my capabilities. Over the years, I’ve learned and perfected my photo-manipulation abilities and I feel confident in being able to go toe-to-toe with industry professionals, despite having received no formal training. I have also been dabbling in digital art, from pixel art to interface design and even cartography, as I have delved into many projects over the years. One of my proudest achievements was participating in the 2015 IGMC, where we were tasked with creating a game in a month, as I received both favourable reviews from the judges and the public.
Despite working a typical full-time retail supervision job, I have been a devoted member of the London Dungeons and Dragon Meetup, one of the city’s largest groups devoted to table top gaming. Over the years, I’ve risen from the position of an average member to being one of the major organizers of the event and the game that I run on a weekly basis is always full. In addition, I have been creating additional content for the game and publishing it online, to a moderate success. One of my recent pieces has even won a ‘Gold Bestseller’ award, for garnering almost five thousand copies sold. While I may not be an industry veteran yet, I feel like I have secured a solid foundation that will help me progress on an academic level.
My recent employers have taught me a lot about managing tasks, organizing teams and appreciating a job well done. And while I will be sad to leave, I am excited to turn the page once again and start a new chapter of my life.
Barely under the 4000 characters limit that UCAS requires, phew. Thoughts?
After 5 long years, I've decided to reapply to uni - this time as a working individual, without any outside help. This means no mentors, no help of any kind, sadly. All I've got is internet and, this time, true passion for the subject. So, I've been hoping that perhaps some people can have a look at this and tell me what you think - it came out a bit melodramatic, but eh, it's all 100% from the heart. Maybe I should tone it down. Anyway, thanks in advance. :smallsmile:
When I left school in 2012, I was undecided. I was, and still am, enamoured with languages, so I figured that an International Communication course (English, French, German) could be a decent option, thinking of future career possibilities and a translator’s monthly salary. Sadly, despite being one of the best in my class, I realized that, being a creative spirit, translation is not my calling in life. I then took a break and picked up a job in London, hoping that a change in the environment and the new lifestyle will help me discover the one vocation that I will truly enjoy.
Now, after all these years, I am writing yet another Personal Statement – this time, hopefully, as a wiser and more mature prospective student. I have decided to ignore the societal stigma and apply for Game Design, something that I have always been good at and yet it never came to my mind when it came to choosing a path. While the snarky comments from fellow classmates and the eye-rolling of my parents dissuaded me back then, nowadays I feel like I am ready to turn my passion into my job.
As stereotypical as it may be, if I were to search my childhood notepads most of them would be filled with stitched together video game cut-outs and chains of numbers, die rolls and exotic locales. Given a Dungeons and Dragons starter set by my family, I managed to somehow wrap my head around all the rules at the ripe old age of ten years old and the game has not left me ever since. Back then, I even managed to convince my teacher at school to let me bring it for the board game day and I filled the primary school classroom with strange dice and knights, alongside Checkers and Snakes & Ladders. It may sound funny, but at that time, it simply felt like I was in the right place, at the right time.
When it comes to video games, I have always been interested in more than just whatever came in the sealed box. I am subscribed to several journalists and critics, as I enjoy both reviews and news. Whether it’s “Extra Credits’” breakdown of a game mechanic or a blog post about creating memorable character designs, I am always on the lookout for new content. As an indie game developer, I feel like they are very helpful when it comes to improving one’s craft. “The Game Maker's Apprentice” and “The Game Maker's Companion” will always have a special place on my shelf, as they taught me both the basics of programming and design.
In addition, I’ve always had a knack for learning new tools to improve my capabilities. Over the years, I’ve learned and perfected my photo-manipulation abilities and I feel confident in being able to go toe-to-toe with industry professionals, despite having received no formal training. I have also been dabbling in digital art, from pixel art to interface design and even cartography, as I have delved into many projects over the years. One of my proudest achievements was participating in the 2015 IGMC, where we were tasked with creating a game in a month, as I received both favourable reviews from the judges and the public.
Despite working a typical full-time retail supervision job, I have been a devoted member of the London Dungeons and Dragon Meetup, one of the city’s largest groups devoted to table top gaming. Over the years, I’ve risen from the position of an average member to being one of the major organizers of the event and the game that I run on a weekly basis is always full. In addition, I have been creating additional content for the game and publishing it online, to a moderate success. One of my recent pieces has even won a ‘Gold Bestseller’ award, for garnering almost five thousand copies sold. While I may not be an industry veteran yet, I feel like I have secured a solid foundation that will help me progress on an academic level.
My recent employers have taught me a lot about managing tasks, organizing teams and appreciating a job well done. And while I will be sad to leave, I am excited to turn the page once again and start a new chapter of my life.
Barely under the 4000 characters limit that UCAS requires, phew. Thoughts?