For my twelfth birthday, my father had given me a techno-thriller novel, Digital Fortress written by Dan Brown. For me, the most enticing and compelling part of the novel wasn't the underlying clandestine mystery, but rather the introduction to the world of cryptography, hacking, algorithms, and cybersecurity. As I progressed through the novel, the character of sharp and proactive National Security Agency cryptographer Susan Fletcher became my inspiration. I read the novel several times, feeling an adrenaline rush every time. The novel influenced my interest in computer science as a career path, pushing me to try my hand at puzzles, anagrams, and problem solving. My natural aptitude for these skills gradually transformed into a predisposition for programming and a love for coding. I can imagine a rewarding career in IT, in line with my skills and passion. My undergraduate university curriculum provided me with comprehensive knowledge of the range of computer science disciplines, such as data structures, algorithm analysis and design, data mining, artificial intelligence, computer networks, and computer architecture. These courses in turn inspired me to pursue interdisciplinary graduate studies with research. I feel a natural inclination towards courses related to database systems, artificial intelligence and machine learning. To assimilate knowledge on different topics I attended workshops ranging from Ethical Hacking to Haptic Robotics. The projects I undertook as an undergraduate helped me better understand algorithm analysis and gain proficiency in programming languages ​​such as C, C++, Java, Linux, SQL. To apply my skills and engage in hands-on research, I did…halfway through…graduate study. I find the graduate program at USC to be in harmony with my professional inclination towards machine learning and data mining. Being equally good at other areas of computer science, completing a master's degree here will allow me to keep track of important developments in those areas. My interactions with distinguished faculty and colleagues and exchange of ideas on an international platform will help me achieve my maximum potential. I am completely aware of the dedication and hard work required in a graduate program. A strong belief in my knowledge and abilities will help me succeed in my course and research work. I hope not only to be part of your stimulating academic environment, but also to learn a lot at every stage of my graduate study and to make notable contributions to the USC Department of Computer Science.