My enthusiasm for the University of Pennsylvania (Penn) can be reflected in President Amy Gutmann’s Penn 2020 Compact address, “We must better integrate knowledge from different disciplines and professional perspectives in our research and teaching.” At Penn, I want to study computer science and statistics, and their connections with social and behavioral sciences, and healthcare. Subsequently, I hope to pursue graduate studies and a career as a data scientist and software engineer, drawing from across these disciplines to tackle the most pressing societal issues.
While I have many interests, I desire first and foremost a strong foundation in computer science and statistics to be able to develop technology-led solutions. Penn’s outstanding
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Facebook, eBay) to connect people, mobilize societies and improve human life. Only at Penn, can I pursue this interest through the Networked & Social Systems Engineering (NETS) program, learning from experts like Professor Michael Kearns and taking unique courses like Networked Life.
Beyond coursework, I plan to get involved with research—a hallmark of a Penn education. Penn’s Warren Center for Network & Data Sciences provides me with unparalleled opportunities to engage in research in my areas of interest—research that is truly interdisciplinary, fusing computer science with statistics, economics, and sociology. I have corresponded with professors Damon Centola and Victor Preciado and would be excited to join their research teams to investigate the impact of networks on collective problem solving, health behaviors, shaping public opinion, and even fighting
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Penn’s new Perry World House offers a great opportunity to engage on issues of global concern such as global warming or the implications of technology on society. There, I can pursue the World House Student Fellows Program and meet like-minded students and professionals who will challenge my understanding of the world and help me to expand my own perspectives. As an Indian-American, I am also drawn to Penn’s Center for Advanced Study of India and Department of South Asian Studies. USC’s Asian studies program focuses on China, Korea, and Japan, and doesn’t offer much by way of Indian studies. Through these programs, I hope to advance my knowledge of the political, social and economic realities, and together with my peers find ways to make a