In this blog post, I’ll explain why I want to study data mining in the Statistics Department and outline my specific academic and career plans.

Motivation for Enrollment

Ever since middle and high school, I’ve always looked forward to math and science classes the most. Because I experienced a sense of accomplishment when I finally solved math and science problems after pondering them late into the night, my academic performance in those subjects was higher than in any other.
With the idea of continuing to study my favorite subjects in college, I considered which department to apply to and looked at the curriculum of the university in question. As I reviewed related courses such as accounting analysis and financial time series analysis, I realized that statistics is a fascinating field for predicting the future. I found it incredibly fascinating to analyze results from vast amounts of data and, based on those findings, predict other outcomes and the future. Above all, when I realized this was a field where I could work while enjoying the mathematics I love, I applied to the Department of Statistics without hesitation.
In particular, the “7+1 curriculum”—which allows students to spend one semester of their eight-semester undergraduate program studying at a prestigious university abroad—was a decisive factor in my decision to apply. Once admitted, I intend to devote myself diligently to my studies to become a talented individual with a statistical mindset and outstanding statistical analysis skills.

Academic Plan and Goals

Upon entering the Department of Statistics, I first want to take my passion for mathematics—which I’ve loved since middle and high school—to the next level and study it in greater depth. To develop a statistical perspective during my undergraduate years, I plan to take a step-by-step approach to studying financial engineering, financial mathematics, and global economic trends.
Since accurate statistical analysis requires knowledge of broader trends in politics, economics, society, and culture, I will not neglect gathering information in these areas. I will also study foreign languages diligently so that I can confidently express myself not only in Korea but also on the global stage. After completing my undergraduate studies, I plan to pursue in-depth studies in data mining through graduate school and study abroad.

Post-Graduation Plans

After graduation, I hope to work as a data miner, utilizing various statistical techniques to identify relationships between pieces of information and derive meaning from them. I have heard that this university has a faculty actively conducting research in the field of data mining in Korea, approaching the subject from a statistical perspective.
Under their excellent guidance, I wish to conduct research that applies various statistical theories to data mining. The very idea of identifying patterns in accumulated data to predict the future is a fascinating and exciting field. I want to conduct diverse research to ensure that the complex algorithms developed in the field of data mining are transformed into practical technologies for everyday life, rather than remaining merely academic.

Self-Introduction

I consider perseverance—the determination to see things through to the end—to be of the utmost importance. This is because, no matter how excellent the process may be, there will be no result if one does not see it through to the end. One of the books I’ve enjoyed reading the most is ‘The Joy of Learning’, written by the famous Japanese mathematician Heisuke Hironaka.
I was fascinated by the story of his childhood—how he, who “prided himself” on being unintelligent, went on to win the Fields Medal, often referred to as the Nobel Prize of mathematics. Although he became famous after receiving numerous prestigious awards and is often described as exceptionally talented, he insists that he is neither particularly smart nor especially gifted. However, he is absolutely confident in his ability to persevere through hard work, and he credits this as the key to his success. His tenacity—his determination to see things through to the end to achieve his own goals—has given me strength, as I used to get easily discouraged by even minor setbacks.
Just as the passage states, “Wait patiently, and when the luck to seize an opportunity comes, the rest is perseverance. I make it my motto to put in twice as much time as others,” I, too, am preparing to persevere toward my goals without getting discouraged or frustrated by minor setbacks. I am striving to experience the joy of moving toward my goals and discovering hidden aspects of myself along the way.