Standing Back Up

Finally, the Conclusions that I was able to draw from this invaluable Gates Cambridge Interview experience:

• It was a formative experience where I tried my best to convince the leaders in science and technology
• I am happy, and thanful to God, on being able to speak confidently amid their psychological pressure (they made me sit on the President's chair on the round table :-D), to generate answers (small pauses did not shatter my will power) and to address such eminent scholars authoritatively
• I gained valuable experience in being interviewed for the Gates Scholarship, which definitely prepares me for, God-willing, the future showdown with the Gates Committee
• I realized that the encouragement and morale-boost alone from the people who appreciate your value and praise your skills have the ability to prepare you for the greatest hurdles
• I met and befriended other brilliant successful young scholars in their respective fields, many of whom have already begun their Gates journey, to better appreciate the fact that everyone is a human, after all is said and done, with a desire to serve our kind
• I now appreciate that I am already a blessed being who has been awarded even this much honor of being interviewed by many successful people in science and technology
• Right before the interview, the fact that I could successfully convert my nervousness into the excitement for all that awaits me after I present the best of myself during the interview shattered my fears and raised my morale
• I should never let down an opportunity that comes my way because clearly an opportunity missed is an opportunity lost! As this anonymous quote goes: "Opportunities are never lost; someone will take the one you miss."
• I feel today that I am more humble now and ever motivated to achieve higher highs. I will conclude with my latest realization that Optimism makes you resilient against setbacks.

Momentous Interview

I would begin with the sad news that I did not get the Gates scholarship. But, God-willing, I am hopeful for the better luck next time! In any case, I am really thankful to you all for all your help, from correcting my essays and lending me your advice, to preparing me for the interview and encouraging me throughout the competition.

As I recall those 20~25 minutes of the Gates interview in Annapolis, MD, I write down below the questions that the panelists asked me and "How they tried to Rattle me!" :-D

1. First of all, can you tell me who is the "Captain Planet"? :) (I had begun my application essay with a reference to this 80's cartoon character, who was pictured as being the embodiment of ecological safeguard movement)

2. What was your role in assisting in the Installation of the Geothermal House Heating System in Boulder, CO?
3. Where did you last play Cricket and what do you play as in the game?
4. Talk about the 2005 earthquake disaster relief efforts, what role did you play in that? Based on that experience, do you have any insights into how can the Haiti relief efforts be efficiently carried out?
5. How do you plan to use your background research and educational experience in LiDAR technology to assist in predicting natural calamities such as the Haiti earthquake? (this question branched out of my interest in helping Haiti victims by advancing the earthquake prediction technology)
6. Your research experience in LiDAR technology is somewhat truncated in your application, I am interested in knowing about it more comprehensively, can you elaborate on that? What actually are the gravity waves?
7. You mention about encouraging sound ecological policy development, consider Mayor Bloomberg of NYC, sitting in front of you (pointing at a lady panelist :-)), asks you for an advice about adapting two measures, given his stimulus money, as a part of his environmental policy introduction, what would you recommend to him right now? Based on your knowledge as of today, what do you think needs improvement?
8. Why are you specifically interested in this course? Why is this program and Cambridge so special to you?
9. What extracurricular activities do you see yourself participating in at Cambridge? Have you explored Cricket opportunities offered by Cambridge?
10. We see that you have been actively involved in the student body, as a Student Senator, as Vice President and Founder, which leadership experience you think has most influenced your personality?
11. I see the name "University of Cambridge, UK" in your transcript, can you explain what does that refer to?