My interest in computing began with games, but it’s grown into something much more. I’ve been playing games on a computer since kindergarten, mostly simple ones like Angry Birds. Back then, I had no idea how these games were created; the computer was just for fun. It wasn’t until elementary school, when I stumbled upon Dancing Line by chance, that everything changed.
I came across countless fan-made levels online and thought, “If other players can create these, why can’t I?” So, I dove into tutorials. In 2019, I was a complete beginner, and it could take hours to find the right resource. Many creators showcased their custom levels, but few shared their source code. Eventually, I found a video that briefly explained the code, and it used Unity. I downloaded it, though I barely understood what was happening. All I could do was copy every line of code, word for word.
After a lot of trial and error, I got the line in-game to move and the collision system to work. It might sound simple now, but for me, it felt like a breakthrough. After that, I kept following tutorials, learning by copying, and slowly, the code started to make sense. My journey into programming began with copying, and from there, I started making things of my own.
Later, while downloading a Minecraft mod, I discovered GitHub and learned to use it. I continued making Dancing Line levels even after the game stopped updating, and by 2023, I was building my own indie rhythm game. Through these projects, I developed a solid set of programming skills.
Games have shaped 90% of my computing ability. But I’m just getting started. I’ll keep exploring this field because the excitement of making something work, now and in the future, remains my strongest motivation.
To me, a successful college experience is not defined by a transcript or a list of achievements. Grades show how well I manage what I already know. Success, in my mind, is about growth. University is a place where people from all over the world gather, united by shared aspirations. Engaging with these individuals and growing together is the key to success. Beyond that, true success also requires developing the mindset to apply knowledge effectively.
I want to keep questioning how things work and why they work the way they do. In middle school and high school, I taught myself programming by making games. It began as a hobby, but it has already become something that constantly challenges the way I think. When I transitioned from remaking games to creating original ones, I gradually realized how difficult it is to craft a truly compelling work. I need many fresh eyes to evaluate my creations. Of course, before that, I first needed to cultivate a distinctive way of thinking. I had to evolve from viewing problems solely through my own lens to solving them from multiple perspectives.
At Carnegie Mellon, I hope to keep building on that. I already experienced that during my time at NHSGA. The project-based classes, the mix of technology and creativity, and the chance to collaborate with students who are just as driven all represent the kind of learning I value most. I want to study computer science to develop technical skills and understand how every great idea becomes experiences that move people.
If, by the time I graduate, I have experience interacting with many people and a clearer way of thinking, that will be success for me.
I have never been the type to chase every idea that comes to mind. I like to test things first, to know what works and why. It sometimes slows me down, but at least it keeps me from giving up halfway. That’s how I build things that actually work.
If you search for rhythm-game proposals on Bilibili, you will find many pitch videos full of enthusiasm but little focus. Most projects fade within a year. Some never move beyond a few PowerPoint slides. When I first saw this, I asked whether the same thing could happen to me. If it did, how would I handle it, and what would I say to the people who trusted me to lead?
When I began developing Domain Echoing, I set out to build something creative yet practical. Before designing any mechanic, I studied dozens of rhythm games and analyzed what made each system interesting. I wanted innovation with purpose, not novelty for its own sake. I spent nearly two months creating a playable demo to see whether the concept was feasible. When it worked, relief quickly turned into momentum. I posted the video, attracted teammates, and we finished the game.
When I face a big decision, I always begin with validation. My head is full of concepts, some ambitious and some unrealistic. Progress comes from patience. This approach may take more time, yet it keeps me grounded. I would rather build carefully and finish what I begin than rush and end up with nothing.
That habit defines how I create and how I learn. It is also what I hope to bring to Carnegie Mellon, a community of builders and thinkers who value ideas that survive testing and become things that last.