But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully.

~1 timothy 1: 8-9

As a pupil in school, I was rebellious, and my rebellious nature got me into a lot of trouble. I often found myself in difficult situations with teachers for constantly voicing out honest opinions. There was this particular teacher whom I thought was picking on me most of the time. I was not the only pupil. It amazed me that some people were able to use their positions of authority, and of power to justify their actions whether or not it was right or wrong. It was then that I realized how important fairness is to innocent people. I want to study law because I can serve the people and also because I enjoy debates and arguments. I want to help people because I believe everyone has a purpose in life and this is mine. Coming from a La Sallian Brothers school, I believe that in life, we should help the lost, last and the least. And I strongly believe that I could help these people with my knowledge of the law.

I wish to study in the United Kingdom because the law programme is challenging in the sense that it is very condensed and focused. I also believe that since Malaysian law is based on English law, it will be advantageous for me to pursue a higher education there. I love the idea of studying in the United Kingdom and relish the thought of soaking up the culture and its rich history too. I wish to excel as a lawyer in the future and I believe that the best way to achieve my goal is to enter a university in the United Kingdom. I believe that exposure to different cultures will enrich my understanding of people and teach me about different social backgrounds and their respective values. I also believe that life away from home will greatly discipline me and this character will better prepare me for life in legal practice.

As a student of A-Level History, Math and Economics, I believe that I am well prepared to study law. I enjoy history; the immense pleasure and knowledge I derive from understanding historical processes has impacted my views on justice. From studying the Russian Revolution, I learnt that the ideas of Karl Marx inspired a group of people who went on to change the course of history but in the process violated human rights and because of that, millions of people suffered. In the name of creating a more equal society, great injustice was done to the people. Math has taught me the value of objectivity and of following logical processes to solve problems. I believe that it is important that the application of the law should maintain a degree of objectivity and logic in decision making. Economics has increased my understanding of the modern world and how economic forces powerfully influence the actions of people and governments. A sound legal framework will minimize the negative externalities of the workings of an economy, for example on the environment.

I have spoken to lawyers who are currently fighting for the rights of the native people in Malaysia and I am very keen to do the same. From my conversations with them, I have a clear picture of what it will be like to study law in the United Kingdom and how law is practiced in real life. My high school is situated just hundred metres from the courthouse. I once went to the courthouse as a mini field trip with my classmates. A short experience, but a memorable one nonetheless.

As testament to my desire to serve the people, I have been to places to help the less fortunate. In recent years, I have been to Battambang, in Cambodia and New Delhi, in India to work with the underprivileged children of the slums. I am a leader of the 'ReachProject', a group of volunteers responsible for teaching and educating underprivileged children. I am currently leading and working with them to help poor children in Penang. We offer them free Math and English classes. My time on this project has taught me how fortunate I am and I wish to give back to society one day. Overall, these experiences have consolidated my desire to involve myself in humanitarian issues.

I also enjoy playing the piano, photography and sports like floorball and football. Through music, I have learned that discipline and commitment can produce works of immense beauty. I have completed the Grade 8 level for the ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal School of Music) music course and reached the Grade 5 level for the Yamaha School of Music programme. Besides that, I am captain of my school's football team and represent the State of Penang in floorball as a member of the state team. I am also proud to have completed a half marathon in the year 2010, apart from many other running events. I recently won first prize for a national level photography competition as its youngest contestant. I was also the youngest ever elected patrol leader for my high school Scouts troop throughout its 159 years of rich history. To some, all these are merely achievements, but to me, all these have taught me that I can overcome hardship and hurdles if we tell ourselves in the words of President Barack Obama, "Yes we can".

Am I prepared to study law? Yes, I believe I am. I am a fast learner. Another of my traits is that I am able to connect with people from diverse social backgrounds. My work with the underprivileged children bears testament to this. I am adventurous and I am willing to venture by myself to foreign lands whose languages I do not speak. To some, these are setbacks, to me, another hurdle to overcome if you truly believe in what you want to do in life and what needs to be done to reach that goal. I know that studying law is not easy because it is full of pressure. It takes courage and I have it, because in the words of Ernest Hemingway, "courage is grace under pressure".