I've been asked this same question many times before and it has always been the hardest for me to answer. My enthusiasm for the sciences and mathematics didn't emerge in one crystallizing moment or epiphany, but rather evolved over time. Curiosity has always been a defining quality of mine, probably ever since I was a young boy watching "The Magic School Bus" and reading "ZooBooks". A general yearning for discovering new things, regardless of topics or delivery via books, television, or teacher, was the first step to spark my interest in science. Later as a middle school student, I became much more aware that I enjoyed and excelled in science and math more than any other subjects. Entering into my middle school's math and science accelerated program allowed me to further develop my interest in science as I took Honors Biology and spent my summer between 8th and 9th grade volunteering for Cornell’s Cooperative Extension conducting water sampling for effluent matter at local bays. It was also at this point that I started to give thought to what careers I may want to pursue, specifically in a scientific field. In my past three years of high school, I've taken great initiative to enrich my scientific experience and identify which fields directly interest me. I became a member and now president of my school's selective science research program, attended lectures at Stony Brook University and started ready Scientific News. Reading about Physics made me inquisitive about the unknown. In math I started a trail-blazing path by self-teaching Math B (does it have another name) during the summer between 9th and 10th grade which allowed me to go onto Pre-Calculus sophomore year. To prepare myself for my Intel Research project in Astrophysics I decided it would be beneficial to learn Applied Linear Algebra at Stony Brook University. To-date I have completed all possible math courses available at my school but will continue taking Calculus III with Application at Stony Brook University senior year. The more math I learned, the more math I want to continue to learn defining equations that one day can impact the world. My enthusiasm for science and mathematics has truly grown. As a result of all of the above steps in my life, I have become a student who excels extremely well in both science and mathematics, who has identified what specific field and career he intends to pursue, and one that has embraced every opportunity accessible to in order to experience and accomplish as much as possible in these fields. So in short, my curiosity, desire to learn, ambition, and developed talent were the main components to what has led me to my passion for science and mathematics. As I learned about Biology, Chemistry and Physics through course work and conducting my own research projects in these fields. I have come to the realization that my absolute main fascination is in Physics. Specifically, fields including Particle Physics and Astrophysics, along with also identifying that I much prefer theory over experimentation (the two main divides that separate all work in physics). My future plans include completing a double major in physics and computer science at a top-rated college by continuing to obtaining hands on real-world problem solving with leading innovators in science and technology. I then plan on attending graduate school to earn my masters and Ph.D. in physics, possibly focusing on astrophysical research. As a post-doc I will seek out "soft money" positions doing research at universities or national laboratories, until I can obtain a permanent position as either a professor at a university or full-time researcher at a national laboratory. With this career path I will be able to pursue any and all research goals I may hold and will be able to immerse myself in what has become an urge to tackle new problems conducting my own physical research.