Empowerly

Student profile

Describe your academic and career goals in the broad field of engineering (including computer science, industrial distribution, and engineering technology). What and/or who has influenced you either inside or outside the classroom that contributed to these goals? It is important to spend time addressing this question as it will be considered as part of engineering review process. (Max 3000 characters)

I grew up in [city] where computer science and technology companies dominate the world. My parents often work on their laptops to build the latest software systems.  In middle school, when someone asked, “What do you want to be in future?” I answered, “Anything, as long as it involves touching a computer.”

However, mechanical robots fascinated me. I loved to build do-it-yourself robots and watch them move. Later when I attended a residential school in India, there were no opportunities to continue developing my robots, so I started a Robotics Club.  

Initially, I created a basic curriculum focusing on simple do-it-yourself robots. Later, I found a sponsor – Elenco Electronics, a US based company, who supplied Robotic Kits for my initiative. I developed a structured curriculum that taught basic to advanced level electronic circuits and robotics for students from 7th to 11th grades. After months, I had accomplished my goal; 50+ students participated in the club with a self-sustaining curriculum.

My contributions went beyond simply creating the club. I created a new culture within my school— a culture of entrepreneurship and taking initiative that could inspire other students to create their own clubs and share their passions.

I moved on to building robots that take soft instructions from humans. I pursued online courses to learn Arduino, C# and Python programming. I signed up for Informatics Practices, a college elective that my high school offered.  Then, I interned at [company name], a Holosuit R&D startup focusing on changing the way people learn and interact in real and virtual worlds.

I moved my hands in front of the Kinect sensor hoping to see the humanoid robot replicate my actions. For the hundredth time, nothing happened. Undeterred, I discovered an unwanted code block that prevented the robot from understanding the Kinect’s input. Upon removal, the robot waved its arms, as I waved mine. That moment was the highlight of my internship.

It thrilled me to land at an intersection where I could use my Math and Physics skills, along with my programming skills to control my robot. I estimated the body joint angles and mapped them with servo motor goal positions of the humanoid robot. I imagined using this interdisciplinary approach to create a traffic police robot.

Texas A&M’s Undergraduate Research Scholars (URS) program interests me as I want to further my intern research by adding finger tracking using Holosuit gloves to help people with hearing disabilities. I’d like to publish my research in URS Capstone collection in the OAKTrust Repository.

Through my experience at [company name], I not only furthered my knowledge in Computer Science, but also brainstormed ideas on how to apply this technology in areas where real life problems can be solved. I am excited about how computer science will continue to change our world. Now, whenever someone asks me what I want to do with my future the answer is, “Nothing but computers.”

Tell a story from your life, describing an experience that either demonstrates your character or helped to shape it.

 “Did you see Rooney’s goal where he nutmegged Courtois?  Manchester United ragged Chelsea in yesterday’s match,” noted one of my new classmates as I walked into my dorm at [name of high school] in Coimbatore, India. In my desperate desire to socialize, I asked, “Any Warriors fans in here?” I got blank faces, shrugs, and one guy burst into laughter. This led to a chain reaction of ridicule from a larger group. They didn’t understand a word I said because of my accent.  And since I didn’t speak Hindi, a language most of my classmates spoke, I didn’t understand them.

Later in the dining hall I tried my luck again, making my accent sound more Indian. “Wasn’t the dosa tasty?” I said to another student. “Eh man, the sambar is too much sweet bro. But the chutney is good na,” he replied with a string of jumbled, grammatically incorrect, incomprehensible responses in English. I did my mental auto-correct and tried to interpret all the sentences I heard for the next few days.

I had difficulty settling in at my new school. The other new students adjusted as though they had been here for ages. I didn’t want to lose my accent, diversify my interests or alter the way I thought just so that I could fit in. I missed my family and even basic things like my diet changed, as the food at the school was strictly vegetarian.

A few weeks into the school year, a classmate of mine, the one who was arguing about football on the first day, came to me and said, “Did you hear, James is moving to the Cavaliers.” That huge trade shocked me, but I was even more surprised that my classmate knew what was happening in the NBA. He then told me in correct English, “I remember that the first day when you walked in, you asked about the Warriors, so I decided to check on them. I wanted you to get settled, so I realized that if we could come to a common ground, we all could understand each other better.”

His gesture moved me. He lived in a world he was comfortable with, but he took the initiative to learn more about my world. He reached out to me and made me feel included.  His gesture was so kind and it helped me realize that I needed to extend myself and be part of his world and my school.

Gradually I started to change. I began to speak my mother-tongue, Tamil, with some of the students. I started watching soccer with my classmates and played field hockey. I began to appreciate the beauty and serenity of the campus which is located just outside a lush forest. I began to learn much more about the Hindu religion and Indian culture. We celebrated holidays in the school and I participated in cultural programs by talking about the traditions and stories behind them.

Having grown up in northern California, I had never expected to spend 5 years at a boarding school in India. My world had been more confined then; I interacted with people just like me and I was comfortable in my family setting. I had everything I wanted and never had to stretch to my limits.

After a rocky start, I settled in smoothly. Once I realized that I need to grow, change and adapt to my new community and school, I had a beautiful experience; although it contrasted to the way I grew up. I am grateful to have had this opportunity. By interacting with new people, learning a new language, playing a new sport, adapting to a new culture, adjusting to a new system of education, and exploring a new country, I have developed as a person. This has prepared me for my college experience.

Why have you chosen to apply to Texas A&M University?

Texas A&M’s strong computer science program combined with undergraduate research scholar program will enable me to further my intern research project under the mentorship of faculty and publish it in OAKTrust Repository. With more than 1000 student organizations and many club sports, I look forward to getting involved in student activities. I would like to be part of the Student Government Association (SGA) and as an avid Tennis player, join Club Tennis.

Why have you chosen your academic major(s)?

When I was young, I enjoy building do-it-yourself robots and watch them move. I pursued online courses in programming to enable autonomous tasks in robots. I found a niche within the field that excited me: Computer Science. I signed up for Informatic Practices, a college elective offered at my high school. Later my intern experience at [company name]  has solidified my interest in Computer Science when I programmed a Kinect device to replicate my body movement in a humanoid robot.

Briefly describe any educational plans you have beyond earning your Bachelor's degree.

After earning my bachelor’s degree, I will pursue a top notch graduate program that focuses on advanced computing. I am interested in studying artificial intelligence and robotics to  change the way people learn and interact in the real and virtual worlds. Graduate school  will also enable me to pursue research opportunities by working with scholars in these areas.

What are some of your life goals and objectives?

My immediate goal is to attain sufficient knowledge in advance computing by pursuing research oriented undergrad and graduate programs. I want to use my education to advance the Robotic and VR platforms and build solutions to treat people with social anxieties, serious mental disorders and certain phobias. My residential school experience in India taught me the values of self-care and service and how to step out of my comfort zone. These values are key drivers for my personal innovation and discovery and will remain a constant in my life.

Hobbies/Interests: Please list your hobbies or special interests.

I enjoy engaging debates on topic of importance with my friends and family, reading fiction stories, and snorkeling. As school Tennis Captain, I won the district U18 men’s championship league. I represented my school as a key delegate in Model United Nations. I have a special interest in building robots. I founded a Robotics club, the first  student initiated club in my school and created self-sustaining curriculum and learning materials.