In this blog post, I’ll focus on my academic experiences, club activities, collaborative projects, and plans for after I enter college.
Academic Experiences and Reflections
During my freshman year of high school, I developed a strong interest in the science courses I was taking as part of the core curriculum. This interest was sparked by my participation in the school’s “Science Knowledge Golden Bell” competition. The competition was structured with class preliminaries and main rounds, culminating in a final round where representatives from each class competed against one another, which greatly boosted students’ motivation to learn.
The scope of the questions spanned all areas of the core science curriculum—including physics, chemistry, biology, and earth science—and the finals even included advanced-level questions. I had built a solid foundation of basic knowledge by regularly reading science-related books, and with the finals in mind, I previewed material I would not cover until my sophomore year. In particular, after hearing from upperclassmen that advanced biology questions might appear, I reviewed the Biology 1 curriculum first.
Before the competition, I memorized summary notes I had created myself and practiced with friends through question-and-answer sessions to hone my test-taking skills. I answered 50 questions correctly in the preliminary round and 30 in the semi-finals, earning me a spot as a class representative; along with one other student, I advanced to the finals on behalf of our class. In the finals, a total of ten representatives from different classes competed on 20 questions.
For each question, I carefully selected my answer by recalling the content from the advanced textbooks I had read beforehand, and ultimately, I was able to claim the championship. Through this experience, I developed the habit of preparing for exams systematically and learned that consistent study toward a goal leads to a sense of accomplishment.
Writing about Major School Activities and Reflections
I joined the biology research club because I was particularly interested in biology among the science subjects. At first, I considered a career as a life sciences teacher, but as I conducted experiments myself, my interest in research grew, leading me to consider a path as a scientist specializing in basic science. To this end, I decided to create an experimental portfolio and consistently plan, conduct, and document experiments.
The Biology Research Club provided access to laboratories and equipment, as well as experimental projects, sample plans, and report templates necessary for compiling the portfolio. Together with my club members, I decided to complete my portfolio by developing a step-by-step experimental plan. For the first stage, we conducted basic observation experiments; for the second, we performed dissection experiments; and finally, we planned to visit an external laboratory equipped with more specialized equipment.
For the first-stage experiment, we observed plant and animal cells and recorded their similarities and differences. For the plant cell observation, we used onion epidermis, and for the animal cell observation, we collected oral epithelium. For the onion epidermis, we cut a 0.5 cm section with a razor blade, peeled off the epidermis, stained it with acetic acid carmine, mounted it on filter paper, and observed the nucleus and cells under a microscope. We collected epithelial cells using a cotton swab, stained them with methylene blue, and observed them; during this process, we strictly adhered to the specified amounts of solution and proper use of tools to minimize experimental error.
For the second-stage experiment, I attempted a dissection. Wanting to gain experience with cephalopods instead of the usual frogs or insects, I chose a squid. Wearing gloves, I used tweezers and a scalpel to make an incision in the body, then observed the oral muscles, esophagus, stomach, liver, and gills. I took particular care not to rupture the squid’s ink sac, and when taking still photos proved difficult, I collaborated with friends to record videos as documentation. This experimental process helped me develop my dissection skills and ability for meticulous observation.
Through club activities, I was able to gain comprehensive experience ranging from the basics of experimentation to documentation and collaboration. The data, photos, and videos collected at each stage were organized into a portfolio, providing concrete support for my career preparation.
Examples of Consideration, Sharing, and Collaboration, and My Reflections
After preparing our portfolio through basic experiments in the research club, we decided to visit an external open laboratory to conduct more precise observations and capture high-resolution photos. Since an open laboratory was operating near our school, we were able to participate in an educational program utilizing state-of-the-art equipment. While coordinating schedules and preparing for the visit with my club members, I was reminded once again of the importance of collaboration.
There, we were able to hands-on experience expensive equipment such as phase-contrast microscopes. We participated in a meiosis observation program, dissecting and staining insect eggs that were already in culture to observe them under a microscope. Since the success rate for meiosis is low, we processed multiple samples simultaneously and selected only the successful ones for observation. The staining process we had learned at school was a great help, allowing us to quickly master the procedure.
Using a high-performance microscope connected to a computer, we were able to observe dividing somatic cells and capture screenshots to use as photos for our portfolios. During the experiment, we properly disposed of failed samples, and as we shared the successful results, consideration and the division of roles among team members developed naturally. As everyone learned how to use the equipment and recorded the results, our collaboration worked smoothly, and that experience made me realize the importance of teamwork.
Through this visit, I learned not only the value of cutting-edge equipment but also that meticulous preparation starting from basic experiments and a collaborative attitude with colleagues are essential for experimental success. Furthermore, I experienced the joy of achieving a common goal through safely handling failures and sharing success stories.
Efforts and Preparation Related to Motivation for Application and Career Plans
During high school, I changed my career path twice. Initially, I aimed to become a life sciences teacher, but as I conducted experiments myself, I became more drawn to the appeal of being a researcher. Therefore, to grow into a scientist conducting basic science research, I set my sights on a biology-related major and developed a particular interest in the field of microbiology and virology.
I set a specific goal of contributing to vaccine development through virus research. Since I believe that the core of vaccine research lies in identifying the causes of diseases and their transmission routes, I plan to focus my academic studies and research in college on characterizing pathogens and analyzing transmission routes. To this end, I aim to build a solid foundation of basic knowledge during my undergraduate studies, develop my experimental skills and data analysis abilities, and ultimately pursue graduate school.
The Virology Laboratory in the Department of Microbiology at Chungbuk National University participates in pharmaceutical research through industry-academia collaboration, and its focus on topics such as human cytomegalovirus and the Korean AIDS virus aligns with my desired research direction. In this laboratory, I hope to collaborate with professors and fellow researchers to build the basic scientific competencies necessary for vaccine research and become a researcher who makes a tangible contribution to public health and the prevention of infectious diseases.
The laboratory experience and portfolio I built during high school, along with my exposure to cutting-edge equipment through external laboratories, will serve as a practical foundation when I begin my research in college. Building on my undergraduate studies and research experience, I intend to further deepen my expertise through graduate school and ultimately grow into a researcher who contributes to virology research and vaccine development.
