In this blog post, I’ll present a sample personal statement written for admission to the Department of Sociology at Korea University. Based on the original text, I’ve summarized the preparation process and refined the phrasing and flow.
Academic Efforts and Learning Experiences During High School
In my sophomore year of high school, I particularly enjoyed “Socioculture,” an elective course. Similar to economics—a subject I loved—Socioculture placed a strong emphasis on data analysis; while theoretical learning was important, I found the process of solving problems especially fascinating. However, when I attempted actual College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) questions or past mock exam problems, I often struggled to interpret the data correctly. Even when I understood the passage and grasped the intent behind the question, I would sometimes choose the wrong answer due to a misjudgment.
To address this issue, I began creating a “scrap notebook” for the Social Studies and Culture course. This scrap notebook was an upgrade from my existing theory and concept notebooks; since simply memorizing theory wasn’t enough to help with problem-solving, I included relevant materials alongside my notes. For example, in the unit on social inequality and social class, I pasted relevant newspaper articles next to my theory notes. I collected articles analyzing differences in living standards, residential areas, and educational levels to practice interpreting data.
The method of integrating articles from the newspaper’s society section with the content of the Social Studies and Culture course was a great help in solving problems. Since skills in data interpretation questions don’t improve simply by solving a large number of problems, I tried to develop my ability to analyze data by reviewing a wide range of real-world materials. Consequently, I also clipped articles on social groups, social organizations, social structure, and deviant behavior, and for topics related to diverse cultures, cultural change, and the characteristics of Korean culture, I edited and attached excerpts from magazines and encyclopedias. Regarding social welfare and welfare systems, I sometimes included brief summaries; through these efforts, I developed a keen eye for analyzing data.
Meaningful Extracurricular Activities (up to 3)
During my sophomore year of high school, my interest in social culture expanded into a broader interest in society as a whole, leading me to develop an academic interest in sociology. I decided to pursue a career in the social sciences, particularly sociology, and voluntarily organized a discussion group with friends who shared the same interests. We started with just three members, but the number of participants gradually grew until we formed a team of six. Our group was an informal study group held in a school classroom, and one of its advantages was that we could operate autonomously without teacher supervision. We named our group the “Issue Discussion Club (ITO)” and met frequently.
In Ito, we mainly read books related to sociology and often selected discussion topics based on Anthony Giddens’ ‘Contemporary Sociology’. As an introductory sociology text that covers many everyday topics, this book was helpful in setting our discussion topics. We summarized the content by chapter, passed the book around to read, and expanded our background knowledge. We also practiced deriving key points by comparing the differences in how we each expressed ideas.
The topics we covered included global efforts toward a sustainable society, sustainability from economic, social, and environmental perspectives, urbanization and globalization, and the global economic crisis centered on the Greek debt crisis. During debates, we agreed not to simply state our positions unconditionally but to present valid evidence through cross-examination. To gather evidence, we read reference books and searched for and read relevant articles; we also discussed the communication process, the importance of nonverbal communication, and the role of interaction and social norms.
Examples of Compassion, Sharing, Cooperation, and Conflict Management, and What I Learned
In my community, there was a local debate competition called the “Everyone’s Debate League.”
I honed my skills through debate study groups with friends, and as a result, I decided to compete in an external debate league with confidence. The league was a competition that selected school representatives and spanned several months, requiring stamina and patience.
There were four of us who participated in the competition, and since the rules required teams to consist of four members, we were very careful when forming our team. The competition combined reading and debate, so self-directed learning and logical thinking were crucial. When presenting my arguments, I made sure to demonstrate logical reasoning, and when refuting opponents’ points, I strove to use credible sources. The format was a CEDA-style pro-con debate, consisting of three rounds on three different topics.
Since the team with the most points won, we made a point of proactively presenting our opinions and responding actively during the opening statements and cross-examination. Because the order and time limits for the pro-con cross-examination were very strict, we prepared thoroughly for that part. After advancing through the round of 16 to the quarterfinals, we refined our arguments further, which ultimately led us to finish as runners-up.
Motivation for Applying to This Program and Preparation Process
While attending a private high school, I took an interest in various issues within the school. At my school, there were scandals involving school meal funds and problems with the handling of school operating expenses, and some students spoke out against them. As a student myself, I engaged in activities to continuously investigate and monitor these issues to ensure the transparent management of school finances. Based on the results of my investigations, I would discuss any recommendations with fellow students, and if there was a need to raise awareness, I would publish articles in the school newspaper. These activities required both responsibility and courage.
Having had a strong sense of social awareness regarding organizations, communities, and local society since childhood, I decided to apply to the Department of Sociology. Specifically, after graduating with a degree in sociology, I intend to work as a social affairs reporter. I believe that becoming a reporter and going out into the field is the most direct way to dig into and verify social issues firsthand. I want to play a role in analyzing problems, researching data, and collecting evidence with a journalist’s spirit to inform the public. Therefore, I plan to steadily prepare to become a journalist starting from my college years.
I have worked diligently to gain admission to the Department of Sociology at Korea University. First, I studied the relevant course, “Social Studies,” diligently, focusing particularly on the “Sociocultural Studies” module. Since the subject covered many topics that interested me, I was able to maintain good grades. Additionally, I collected data on social issues, organized my opinions and arguments, and debated them with friends; I also practiced debate techniques and even won awards in external debate competitions. I believe these skills are strengths that qualify me for admission to your university.
