In this blog post, I’ll outline my academic motivations and plans, explaining why I want to major in neuroscience.
Motivation for Pursuing This Field
When I was young, my favorite pastime was reading science magazines. To me, they were treasure troves filled with fascinating stories. Whenever I read them, I would imagine myself conducting research in those fields. While devouring these science magazines, I came across neuroscience—often described as the largest and most vast uncharted continent. The realization that my sense of self—along with my moods, emotions, memories, and forgetting—all reside within the brain thrilled me.
As my interest in neuroscience grew, I also read a book titled ‘The Mind Machine’ by Colin Blakemore. Although it was a book written some time ago, it was more than enough to spark my interest in brain research. Since then, I’ve resolved to study the brain and decided to enroll in a pre-medical program. I believe the brain is an especially fascinating field to approach with a spirit of inquiry, as it remains a realm that holds many secrets and awaits further exploration. I am prepared to devote myself to my studies so that I may discover clues that will be crucial for humanity’s future. To fully realize these aspirations, I am applying to ○○ University, one of South Korea’s leading institutions.
Academic Plan and Goals
First and foremost, I believe that focusing on my major is essential. Therefore, upon admission, I will devote all my efforts to building a solid foundation in my field of study. While focusing on this foundation, I will also expand my knowledge in psychology and biology. Since the brain is an organ that encompasses everything—including the human body and mind—I believe that studying other related fields will undoubtedly be of great help.
As I am also deeply interested in cognitive psychology and sociobiology, I intend to explore a wide range of disciplines with a focus on brain science. Furthermore, I will devote myself to studying English, which is now considered the foundation of all foundations. Since the ability to read original texts and communicate with researchers from other countries will be essential in the future, I aim to achieve a fairly high level of English proficiency.
Additionally, even amidst a busy academic schedule, I plan to engage in volunteer work whenever I have the opportunity. Since I view anything related to medicine as a way to save lives, I will lead a life where I put this into practice, even in small ways. I will strive to become an intellectual with a well-rounded character, not one who is solely focused on my own success and advancement.
Plans After Graduation
My goal is to become a professional researcher in neurophysiology. I believe that to become a researcher, I need to pursue graduate studies. Therefore, upon graduation, I plan to immediately enroll in graduate school to continue my studies. This is because I believe that, just as with any form of study, progress becomes smoother and gains momentum only when pursued consistently.
Although my knowledge of neurophysiology is still limited, I understand that it is related to the emotions we are aware of and feel. I believe that, up until now, other scientific fields have thoroughly explored and proven many aspects of social and religious domains. However, I expect that the future of neurophysiology will be able to scientifically illuminate the unknown realms that religion has traditionally filled. If that happens, I believe our understanding of humanity will expand far beyond what it is today. Given that this remains an unknown realm even in the 21st century, despite the tremendous advancements in science, brain science is clearly no easy field. However, I believe that if we devote ourselves to it with a spirit of inquiry, we will undoubtedly make a discovery that marks another milestone for humanity.
Although my knowledge of neurophysiology is still limited, I understand that it is related to the emotions we are aware of and feel. I believe that other scientific fields have already delved deeply into and proven many aspects of social and religious domains. However, I expect that the future of neurophysiology will be able to scientifically illuminate the unknown realms that religion has traditionally filled. If that happens, I believe our understanding of humanity will become far broader than it is today.
Given that this remains an unknown realm even in the 21st century, despite the tremendous advancements in science, it is clear that brain science is no easy field. However, I believe that if we devote ourselves to it with a spirit of inquiry, we will undoubtedly make a discovery that marks another milestone for humanity.
Self-Introduction
When I was young, my grandfather would often sit me on his lap and show me the books he was reading. He would say, “學而時習之，不亦樂乎?”—meaning, “Is there anything more joyful than learning and practicing?” Although I didn’t understand the Chinese characters at the time, his explanation must have stuck with me, because I, too, was a child who enjoyed studying. Thanks to that, I was always able to read as many books as I wanted. My parents knew I loved reading, so they readily bought me complete collections and other such books.
These days, there’s a general expectation that everyone should go to college and study, but I believe that the people who truly belong in academia are those who enjoy studying. In that sense, I consider myself someone who is naturally meant to conduct research, and someone for whom research is a good fit. As the saying goes, “There is no end to learning,” and conducting research requires the strength to endure an indefinite amount of time. I believe that strength comes from one’s own intellectual curiosity and spirit of inquiry. Because I am confident that I possess that strength, I believe I am qualified to take on the challenge of brain science—the most unknown realm, one that has yet to be fully unraveled.
