In this blog post, I present a sample personal statement that summarizes my academic efforts, school activities, and experiences demonstrating consideration and cooperation during high school, along with my motivation for applying to Korea University’s Department of Political Science and International Relations and my preparation process.
Academic Efforts and Learning Experiences
Sticking to a plan naturally gives you “strength.” If I could start every morning with a fresh mindset, my life as a college applicant would be enjoyable. However, in reality, I couldn’t start anew every day. Often, my day was already packed just with the schedule I had set for myself, and there were frequent times when I could only sleep for one or two hours due to assignments from teachers or overlapping exam periods. During those times, I often lacked the energy to study, felt sleepy, and didn’t want to do any more.
Nevertheless, sticking to my study plan often gave me strength. I developed a routine of studying English in the morning, Korean at lunchtime, and math and social studies in the evening. When I got home, I reviewed what I’d studied that day and maintained the habit of solving past exam questions, focusing on English grammar and vocabulary. Although I didn’t feel it was very effective during my freshman year, by my sophomore year, I clearly felt that these habits were giving me strength. No matter how tired or sleepy I was, I found myself naturally sitting down to study when the set time came, and I gained a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment from this daily, consistent routine. Through this, I gained a vague but real understanding of the importance of sticking to a plan and the power of habits.
So, when making plans, I made sure not to overburden myself and left plenty of wiggle room to account for unforeseen circumstances. I disciplined myself with the resolve that I wouldn’t sleep unless I stuck to my plan, and even if I miscalculated the day’s workload, I tried my best to see the plan through to the end. I’ve consistently carried out my plans, striving not to put off today’s tasks.
Meaningful School Activities and What I Learned
Let’s move forward while looking not only ahead but also to the sides—Starting Volunteer Work. When I entered high school, I made a promise with my mother. It was a promise not to grow up overly focused on achievements but to be mindful of those around me, so we agreed I would do volunteer work once every two weeks. At first, it felt like a waste of time and was a burden; I also felt uncomfortable during exam periods, as if my study time was being taken away. However, believing that promises must be kept, I joined a volunteer club and participated in volunteer activities every two weeks without fail, even during exam periods.
Through volunteer work, I witnessed various realities I had never seen before. I was particularly shocked when I visited a shantytown. I had heard that some homes used coal briquettes, but I hadn’t anticipated the conditions or the state of the houses there at all. Frail elderly people were living in cramped homes where they couldn’t even stretch their legs, surrounded by an environment covered in trash and dust. The fact that there was almost no one to care for them broke my heart, and I naturally felt a sense of gratitude.
I became grateful for being young and having parents who care for me, as well as for the things I take for granted in my daily life. It felt as though I were sinning against them if I complained about what I had, and the realization that nothing can be taken for granted motivated me to devote even more energy to volunteer work. I resolved to become someone who, even when busy and tired, looks out for those around me and does what I can to help.
Through my work on the school newspaper, I also gained a new perspective on the world. I acquired knowledge in ways different from what I learned in books, and by conducting my own research and interviews, I learned about the lives of those around me and how they manage their daily routines. In particular, while interviewing teachers, I came to understand the hardships they face, and I took on the role of conveying my observations honestly and without embellishment through my articles.
Examples of Consideration, Sharing, Cooperation, and Conflict Management
Mediating between classmates and teachers as class president. When I became class president in my second year, I became close with many classmates and discovered for the first time just how exciting it was to step forward, gather opinions, and speak as a representative at meetings. The joy I felt when I achieved what I wanted was immense, so I carried out my role as class president with great passion.
The task I focused on most as class president was resolving misunderstandings between teachers and students. There were many loud students in our class; while some teachers enjoyed the lively atmosphere, others found it overwhelming. In particular, there was a conflict with our homeroom teacher: she responded strictly in an attempt to restore order, while the students felt hurt, claiming she was strict only with us. The conflict escalated following the sports festival.
I stepped in as a mediator and worked to resolve the feelings on both sides. First, I persuaded my classmates that, as students, we needed to explain the situation and apologize. Together, we wrote a letter honestly explaining why we had acted that way and acknowledging that it was immature behavior. After we delivered the letter, the teacher’s anger subsided, and she said, “You all were so loud that I had no choice but to scold you as representatives.” My friends apologized wholeheartedly, and this incident served as an opportunity to restore harmony between the class and the teacher. Through this experience, I learned the importance of sincere communication.
Reasons for Applying and Preparation Process
I applied because both political science and international relations are fields that require an understanding of “people.” I never dreamed I would end up majoring in Political Science and International Relations. I used to think that the department was only for those aspiring to become politicians, and politicians seemed like extraordinary people to me. However, through my work on the newspaper staff, volunteer activities, and personal study, I came to realize that the field of Political Science and International Relations has a broad spectrum, and I understood that, above all, one must understand people to excel in politics and diplomacy. I applied because I wanted to study a field that teaches us to understand people and how to recruit and manage them, as well as one that explores ways to foster harmony in international relations.
What I prepared for the Department of Political Science and International Relations at Korea University was, first, diligent study. While studying isn’t everything, I believed that three years of consistent learning was an important measure of my diligence. I strove to prove my diligence by studying even when I was tired, and I worked hard to maintain my grades. Second, I engaged in dedicated extracurricular activities. Through consistent volunteer work, I fostered personal growth, and by writing articles for the school newspaper, I cultivated my reading, writing, and spirit of inquiry. The process of continuously delving into a single article taught me the effort required to obtain the information I sought.
