Columbia erm program

Personal Statement Throughout my undergraduate studies in Applied Statistics and Cognitive Science, I have developed a strong interest in economics and business. I enjoyed the interdisciplinary modules, especially those that had an overlap with business and finance. Therefore, I actively took a series of business-related modules, which usefully complemented my main studies in Statistics. These modules built on my existing knowledge of quantitative analysis and introduced me to its practical role in areas such as business frameworks and supply chain management. In addition to Statistics, my major in Cognitive Science also had a strong connection with business strategies. For instance, I gained insights into a number of psychological theories frequently adopted by businesses to analyse consumer behaviour. It was also fascinating to learn, through case studies of actual companies and products, how psychological principles can be incorporated into strategic marketing and decision making. The strategic and analytical approach also inspired me to further explore a subject that studies the market and the most effective ways for businesses to respond to opportunities and challenges. Exposure to a range of business theories and practice has not only kindled my enthusiasm for the subject, but also naturally fostered my commercial awareness and business acumen. Moreover, I find it inspiring to approach business and finance from an analytical and pragmatic perspective from the start, as I particularly enjoy applying theories and quantitative methods to real-world scenarios. I wish to study MSc Economics and Strategy for Business at Imperial College Business School for several reasons. Firstly, I feel that the range of modules on this course as well as the core-advantage-application course structure will ensure a smooth transition from my undergraduate degree to the focused learning of economics and business. For example, modules such as Business Economics and Analytics for Applied Economics and Business will enable me to combine my existing data analytics skills with in-depth knowledge of business and economics. Also, modules such as Strategic Marketing and Corporate Strategy will help me develop a comprehensive understanding of how businesses operate and the strategies they employ to maximise performance and profit. I feel that I would benefit greatly from progressing through the three phases, especially having the opportunity to consolidate my knowledge and eventually apply it to real-world practice. Further, my education in the US introduced me to teaching styles and learning experience that were very different from those in my home country, which has made me appreciate the importance of developing an international perspective in my field of interest. For my master’s degree, I feel it is important to not only challenge myself academically in order to reach the next level, but also step outside my comfort zone and further my studies under a different system. As the higher education in UK is renowned for its rigour and excellence, I hope to continue my education at Imperial College London. This will allow me to further access diverse academic resources and interact with lecturers and fellow students from all over the world. My undergraduate degree has prepared me well for the demands of MSc Economics and Strategy for Business. Statistics has honed my mathematical skills, especially in calculus and linear algebra, whilst Cognitive Science helped me incorporate the knowledge of psychology and human cognition into data analysis and the application of business strategies. These will be useful for tackling the quantitative elements of the course and for developing an in-depth understanding of the principles behind business and economics theories and practice.