Difference between revisions of "User:Bentheredonethat"

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Hello to whoever is actually reading this! I've decided to (attempt to) describe myself on this page, as opposed to just including the previous list of objective information about me.
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I've finally updated this page since graduation...whoo.
  
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First off, my name is Ben Passer, and I live in room 311 on 3rd West with Chris Spencer. I have a tendency to take frequent naps, so if you're looking for me, I will probably be in my room sleeping. This is an unfortunate result of staying up to unacceptable (but amusing) hours, justified by my reasonably late-starting schedule. Actually, now that I think about it, I would probably still be sleeping even if I didn't stay up, simply because I like sleep.
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When considering my perception of the Missouri Academy in retrospect, I am tempted to idealize my experiences, but I realize that this is neither accurate nor beneficial to anyone who may be browsing this to get a perception of what the Academy is like. So, let me put it another way -- the program provides a lot of opportunities, but there are plenty of sacrifices to go along with them. For me, these sacrifices were minimal, and my academic and social growth at the Academy far surpassed anything I can possibly conceive could have resulted from staying at my high school.  
  
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My perception of the Missouri Academy is a highly positive one, but if prompted with the right kind of statement, I will often go into rants about various idiocies contained in the program. This is an unfortunate consequence of my overly pessimistic tendencies.
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As a random side note, I highly encourage graduates to join the Missouri Academy Alumni and Friends Association as soon as possible. Seriously, just do it.
  
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As for my academic interests, these change greatly over time. Although I've almost always known mathematics or computer science would be my major, my considerations of other disciplines have fluctuated considerably. For example, before attending the Missouri Academy, I had a fairly strong interest in the physical sciences and only disgust for just about any field not significantly tied to mathematics. Now, I find myself more deeply interested in philosophy, linguistics, government, politics, and history, despite my inherent inability in some of those subjects, and the physical sciences seem appalling. In the end, however, mathematics is my true talent and interest, which I know will not change anytime soon.
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I will be attending the University of Missouri-Rolla (like every true Academy graduate does) starting in the fall of 2007 to complete a Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics, with a minor in computer science. I hope to go to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology for graduate study in mathematics (or any other school with a big name in the field, really) after three years, and I've recently wondered whether to have a theoretical or applied emphasis for research purposes, leading to possible careers as a professor or an employee of the National Security Agency. Previously, I was completely set on keeping my contributions in the field pure, but as a result of a positive summer research experience at UMR in computer science, I'm realizing that the applications aren't so bad after all, especially considering my project is essentially an exercise in applied math. Speaking of which, if you are (or are going to be) a first year at the Academy, make sure to take advantage of summer research opportunities. The Academy will pay for your room and board expenses (assuming that policy doesn't change), and you may even get a paid project.
  
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I will be attending the University of Missouri-Rolla this fall and majoring in Applied Mathematics. Yale and Stanford Universities both denied me, and Washington University put me on its wait-list. I hope to attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology for graduate study in Pure Mathematics (or any other school with a big name in the field, really) after three years.
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To all of the now second years out there, maybe I'll see some of you at UMR (scratch that, the Missouri University of Science and Technology, or MO S&T) soon.
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I tend to take a fairly challenging course load each semester, but I try not to overdo it. This term, I'm taking 20 credit hours (my previous terms were 15, 18, and 19). I was fortunate enough to take a graduate-level mathematics course this semester (Complex Analysis).
 
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Class Schedule:
 
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American Literature: 1865 to the Present (3 credits) w/ Dr. Shively MWF 11-12
 
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Complex Analysis (3 credits) w/ Dr. Sadek M 6.5-9.5
 
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Fundamentals of Classical Physics II and Laboratory (5 credits) w/ Dr. Richardson MWF 1-3
 
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Introduction to American Government and Politics (3 credits) w/ Mr. Smith TR 9.5-11
 
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Introduction to Philosophy (3 credits) w/ Dr. Field TR 11-12.5
 
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Logic of the Exact Sciences (3 credits) w/ Dr. Haile MWF 10-11
 

Revision as of 20:47, 20 June 2007

I've finally updated this page since graduation...whoo.

When considering my perception of the Missouri Academy in retrospect, I am tempted to idealize my experiences, but I realize that this is neither accurate nor beneficial to anyone who may be browsing this to get a perception of what the Academy is like. So, let me put it another way -- the program provides a lot of opportunities, but there are plenty of sacrifices to go along with them. For me, these sacrifices were minimal, and my academic and social growth at the Academy far surpassed anything I can possibly conceive could have resulted from staying at my high school.

As a random side note, I highly encourage graduates to join the Missouri Academy Alumni and Friends Association as soon as possible. Seriously, just do it.

I will be attending the University of Missouri-Rolla (like every true Academy graduate does) starting in the fall of 2007 to complete a Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics, with a minor in computer science. I hope to go to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology for graduate study in mathematics (or any other school with a big name in the field, really) after three years, and I've recently wondered whether to have a theoretical or applied emphasis for research purposes, leading to possible careers as a professor or an employee of the National Security Agency. Previously, I was completely set on keeping my contributions in the field pure, but as a result of a positive summer research experience at UMR in computer science, I'm realizing that the applications aren't so bad after all, especially considering my project is essentially an exercise in applied math. Speaking of which, if you are (or are going to be) a first year at the Academy, make sure to take advantage of summer research opportunities. The Academy will pay for your room and board expenses (assuming that policy doesn't change), and you may even get a paid project.

To all of the now second years out there, maybe I'll see some of you at UMR (scratch that, the Missouri University of Science and Technology, or MO S&T) soon.

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