In this blog post, based on the original personal statement of a student applying to the Department of Business Information Systems at Korea University, I have organized the student’s academic experiences, campus activities, examples of empathy and conflict resolution, as well as their motivation for applying and preparation process, while refining the sentence flow and grammar.
Academic Efforts and Learning Experiences During High School
I set a clear career path when I enrolled at e-Business High School. Since I had aimed to start a venture company since middle school, I enrolled in this specialized high school to achieve that dream, and in the main curriculum, I learned the entire process of business management, including e-commerce, accounting, and marketing. I focused my studies on two main areas. One was the technical aspect—ensuring I had no gaps in my proficiency with English and information technology—and the other was cultivating entrepreneurial skills, which are the essence of business management. While I was fascinated by business activities from the perspective of “efficient resource management,” I was still in the process of learning the methodologies for how to manage resources efficiently. Therefore, I strove to clearly understand the purpose of accounting, the significance of marketing, and the implications of digital media in commerce. When it came to entrepreneurship, I believed the most important factors were why I was starting a business with this particular idea and what I hoped to gain through running the business.
In terms of technical skills, I was able to build a solid foundation solely through my school courses. Since my university required the E-Commerce Operations Specialist certification, I began studying for it in my freshman year and also earned several computer certifications at the same time. During my sophomore year, building on my basic office automation and Excel skills, I studied for the Computerized Accounting Certification and the Internet Information Management Certification. Since these two certifications involved a large volume of material and challenging topics, I formed a study group with friends. Additionally, I studied separately for related certifications to improve my English and presentation skills. Ultimately, I executed an academic plan that allowed me to earn certifications in various fields, all of which were directly linked to business management skills.
On-Campus Activities I Found Meaningful and Dedicated Myself To
With the goal of founding an internet venture, I methodically prepared for entrepreneurship. I believed that to become a future entrepreneur, I needed to understand competition and competitiveness; my competitors were not only my classmates but also students studying business across the country. In particular, I saw myself competing against classmates who had set their career paths early on and those gaining experience through economics competitions and club activities.
I determined that I needed my own competitive edge to stay ahead in this competition, and I defined that as a strong commitment to my career path and expertise in practical business management. While some friends dreaming of starting a business focus first on studying technology and then conceptualizing business ideas based on that technology, I placed a high value on the competitiveness of a professional manager whose primary goal is business management. I believed that in today’s world, there is often a greater demand for the management skills of professional managers within companies than for those of technologists.
Therefore, I resolved to become a professional manager capable of demonstrating sound management skills regardless of the company I joined, and I prepared for a startup competition to develop the necessary practical skills and understanding of corporate management. I submitted a business idea and a personal statement to participate in the “Become a CEO Startup Competition” for vocational high school students, focusing my personal statement on my competitive edge and my determination to pursue my career path. I believed this would determine the success potential of my business idea.
The specific business idea was a new type of online marketplace I had been conceptualizing for some time. I aimed to address the shortcomings of current online grocery store operations—such as price increases and a decline in freshness during distribution, as well as the use of lower-quality ingredients to keep prices down. I envisioned a “Healing Mall” that goes beyond the mere pursuit of profit to consider society and its members. As a brand that heals customers’ hearts, the Healing Mall does not aim solely to sell products but also seeks to improve lifestyle habits. This strategy involves offering “slow food” and “slow fashion,” combining dishes made with seasonal ingredients and healthy recipes to provide customers with the opportunity to transform their lifestyles on their own. As I prepared for the startup competition, I was able to gradually flesh out this idea.
Examples of Consideration, Sharing, Collaboration, and Conflict Management
Our senior year of high school was a busy time for everyone. Many of my friends were working toward different goals—preparing for startups, job hunting, or college admissions—yet we still had to complete our classes together. Our presentation class group consisted of classmates with diverse circumstances and objectives. Even amidst our hectic exam schedules, we made time to hold group meetings and collaborate on our assignments.
The assignment was to compile the ideas we had been brainstorming and create a business plan, but the process of reaching a consensus was not easy. Some classmates insisted on their own ideas, while others advocated for completely new concepts. Disagreements kept arising, and time was running out. Realizing that tensions were rising and stress was building among the group members, I stepped forward with the mindset of taking the lead. I persuaded them that it would be better to cooperate for each other’s sake now, rather than letting the conflict go unresolved and risk failing the assignment and not graduating.
Specifically, we selected the idea that received the most votes from among those previously proposed by majority rule, and gathered and incorporated suggestions for improvements to further develop that concept. I emphasized that this was the time to focus on efficiency and our goals rather than reacting emotionally to one another. The final project we completed was praised for its efficiency, and I felt a sense of fulfillment for having resolved the conflict.
Reasons for Applying and Preparation Process
I applied to the Department of Business Information Systems at Korea University through the school principal’s recommendation track. Due to enrollment limits under the Regional Outstanding Talent Program, the school selected students based on objective criteria. Since I had a clear career plan during high school, I managed my school grades meticulously while simultaneously preparing for the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT). To maintain my academic performance, I diligently completed assignments and actively participated in specialized course practicals. For my college entrance exam preparation, I studied the curriculum during self-study periods and used online lectures to catch up on any missed material, ensuring I met the required grade standards. As a result, I was included in the list of recommended candidates and was able to apply to my desired department.
My motivation for applying to the Department of Business Information Systems stems from my goal of becoming a professional manager—a dream I’ve held since middle school. I was particularly interested in e-commerce and anticipated a rise in startups operating in the digital space; as this is a field associated with venture companies, I conducted extensive research and studied diligently. Although I lacked specialized technical skills, I believed that ideas could emerge from everyday life, so I conceived an online store offering innovative products that transform customers’ lifestyles and even participated in a startup competition.
What I learned through this process is that the goal of becoming a professional manager cannot be achieved through expertise in a single field alone. Simply excelling in business administration does not guarantee success in running a company; one must also possess a well-rounded set of skills, including the ability to generate ideas, manage profits, and apply competencies in accounting, marketing, and information technology. Therefore, I worked to fill these gaps by obtaining several IT-related certifications and made the most of my high school years.
