SUPPLEMENTARY FORM

Application for Admission

Programme Applied: Biomedical Engineering – BSc(Hons)

Name: Della Inayah Martjandah

Please upload the completed Personal Statement via our eAdmission.

Personal Statement
"Get your nose out of that book, now!" is probably the phrase that defined these last few years of my
adolescent life. I lie in bed, listening to Hamilton's 'A 1000 Times' while I skim through the same
words mocking me back since the first time I read it. 'And he slowly loses his memories, today's,
then yesterday's, Then Dahlia'. This was one of the main characters who had a form of dementia
who I enjoyed reading. The severity of the situation was clear and so I later read that dementia
research in the the world only receives 25% of the funding cancer does, hence halting the discovery
of a cure to a potential hereditary disease. Knock! I jolted at the harsh sound that broke my train of
thoughts, I quickly sobered up and wiped my hot tears with my mickey napkin on my right. This is
the me I used to know three years ago, when I wanted to be a Psychiatrist and help people, and
their terrible diseases, but I don't want to just pick Economy, Literature, or Medicine. I wanted to
do everything, always greedy for more. I even taught myself from a young age to pick locks and
play Rubik’s cube. Confident, I was well on my way to become a jack of all trades. I went down
and underneath the staircase I can see my aunts gathering before each other. My legs felt like
noodles when I stood before my parents, "You're here Della," my father said softly, the lines in his
eyes showing obvious signs that time has kissed his porcelain skin well, I smiled back, knowing
the elephant in the room. "Grandma died," silence crashed the room, like waves of a tsunami that
striked a random old building, "it’s her dementia”, and “her stroke wasn't getting any better." And
there it was, the sound of something plucking my heart strings apart.Taking care of my grandparents
at home for the past four years of my life has taught me the importance of caring and sensitivity
when dealing with elderly people with a range of physical and mental issues. Seeing them everyday
showed me how valuable it is for them to have someone to talk to and further increased my interest
in working with people throughout my life. It also raised my awareness of the need for palliative
care, especially as we have an ageing population, which often gets sick by hereditary or a decrease
in old cell performance. My decision to study biomedical science is one which I came to after
much thought; it was neither a spontaneous decision nor a foregone conclusion.

Nevertheless, through some thorough, hard core googling and watching videos for the span of my high
school life, and further reading I have become increasingly sure that it is the right career for me. I
got many positive feedback about PolyU from many students who are currently studying at your
university. While doing my research for top-tier quality Uni’s I found that PolyU has World-Class
Facilities and an outstanding employment rate. By having a strong, scientific foundation and
making a direct contribution to people’s lives when they are at their most vulnerable is a profoundly
stimulating and fulfilling combination to me. I am inspired by great individuals who have left an
indelible mark on me and whose actions have shaped the world I live in today. Biotechnology is an
invaluable tool in understanding human and environmental behaviour, health, and ways things
destroy them. Crucially, it has helped me to understand my own identity and continues to shape my
perspective of the world. I hope to continue to be inspired by the world of biotechnology sciences.

I’ve seen first-hand that biomedical studies is neither glamorous nor easy. However, it provides
opportunities to make a difference that no other career can. I believe my strong academic record,
skill-set developed over the years and drive to practice medicine will allow me to become a
dedicated, intelligent and compassionate biomedical scientist. I would open a new portal to a cure
through bio medic. My ability to simply understand, both on a scientific and emotional level, has
driven me to it where fundamental scientific ideas can be applied to be in service of the public.