As a mature applicant I have made the decision to reapply for University, to redirect my studies. Having achieved an Art and Design Foundation Degree and commenced study on the Fine Art Degree, both at Central St Martins, I have chosen to leave the Fine Art course and pursue a career in Computer Science. I am currently taking a Further Maths A Level and retaking Maths A Level modules, to achieve an overall grade which I know I am capable of attaining. The Maths grade which I originally achieved whilst studying at Sixth Form is not an accurate reflection of my capabilities, which I believe was lessened because I was because I was directing directing a disproportionate amount of time and effort towards Art.

Although the conversion from Art to Computer Science may seem unorthodox, I was a realistic painter and I used to think about my work with an analytical approach. This was part of the reason that I struggled with the creative project based set up in my Fine Art BA. Originally, my academic interest was always the maths and computer side of things and I have consistently worked to further my knowledge and understanding in my own time. Unfortunately, I did not make this decision to study Computer Science previously as before my A levels it was almost predetermined that I had a talent at painting in Art, I was awarded a bursary, and when studying for A2 I was accepted for Central St Martins. Of course, I felt at the time it was the route I had to go down.

I have always maintained a strong interest in computing from an early age when I got my first Java book for Christmas. I have been self motivated since then, reading, learning programming languages, studying Maths, and creating programs. This interest has stemmed from the fulfillment I get out of trying to understand why things work and the way they work. I have taken the time to teach myself Python, Java, and C++, learning Object Oriented programming and design patterns which is something that greatly influences my work.

I have recently written a 3D Ray Tracing Program in Free Pascal, which can intercept triangle meshes and uses point light sources to determine the colour values of pixels. I have written a graphical user interface that allows you to graphically design graphs for use with the A* shortest path algorithm. I have also written a Texas Holdem poker game in Python for myself and my friends which uses sockets to transfer information over the internet. I am currently working on a 3D engine in C++ that uses the OpenGL API.

Web development is another field that I have experience in, I have always studied and practiced this. I have developed a Photography/Art Portfolio website Content Management System using Ruby on Rails, which I have used to  make websites for  numerous freelance photographers/artists. I also enjoy working with the Django Web Framework, with it being in my favorite language, Python.

Although I have an intense drive to learn, I do take the time to socialise and take part in extra curricular activity. I have worked part time as a Waiter and most recently as a Receptionist at a leisure facility, which I enjoyed thoroughly as it tested my people skills and gave me a set of responsibilities. I am a keen sportsman and have represented my school at various sports. Another interest I have is in Theatre and the Arts, in Sixth form I played a lead character in the performance, Grease.

Studying a Computer Science Degree is something that I feel was inevitable due to my persistent hunger for knowledge in the field. I am looking forward with anticipation to the challenge of studying it at university.