In this blog post, I’ll summarize my academic experiences and school activities during high school, examples of consideration and cooperation, as well as my motivation for applying and my career plans.
Academic Experiences and Reflections
Ever since I was young, I’ve been very curious about science—which advances human life—and I often sought out and read related books and information. Among these, chemistry—which is closely tied to daily life—was of particular interest to me, and it was the subject I found most engaging in school. However, in the early years of high school, I struggled to adjust because I felt pressured by the environment of living in a dormitory far from home and having to study on my own.
Nevertheless, I remained steadfast in my resolve to build a solid foundation, and I began seeking out chemistry-related books to organize terminology and concepts. As I encountered various types of problems, I naturally developed problem-solving strategies, and the terms and concepts that had initially felt unfamiliar gradually became second nature. As a result, my grades improved, and my skills grew to the point where my friends would ask for my help when they struggled with chemistry problems.
Wanting to answer my friends’ questions accurately, I studied even more deeply, and by enjoying the subject I loved, I also built my confidence. My interest in and confidence in chemistry had a positive impact on my overall academic performance and became the driving force that propelled me toward a deeper level of understanding.
Participating in the science competition held at my school during my sophomore year was both a major challenge and a great opportunity for me. I began preparing for this competition with the goal of testing my knowledge in chemistry. To prepare for the essay-type questions, I thoroughly reviewed the material using my chemistry textbook and even wrote my own definitions of key terms. By using online resources and books to answer my questions, I was able to resolve my doubts and discover new knowledge I hadn’t previously encountered.
On the day of the competition, the questions covered topics such as molecular weight calculations and terminology from Chemistry I—all of which aligned with what I had studied on my own. I completed my answers with a sense of pride and achieved an excellent score. This experience confirmed that hard work pays off and demonstrated the effectiveness of self-directed learning.
Major School Activities and Reflections
Driven by my interest and passion for chemistry, I was active in the school’s chemistry club for three years. Seeing that many students found chemistry difficult and boring, I proposed the idea of running an experiential booth to make the subject more approachable. Together with my club members, we brainstormed the experiments to be conducted at the booth and how to run it, and we divided up the roles.
For the experiment I was in charge of, I practiced the process repeatedly with a sense of responsibility to master it, and I extensively researched relevant materials to clearly explain the underlying principles. As a result, the hands-on booth was a success on the very first day, attracting the interest of many classmates and receiving positive feedback. Due to the continued positive response, we ran the booth again; through this process, I realized that introducing a concept requires thorough understanding and preparation.
Designing and conducting the experiments myself sparked a deeper interest in chemical engineering. In particular, while performing various compound synthesis experiments, I developed a concrete dream of becoming a chemical engineer who enriches people’s lives. Driven by this interest, I also actively participated in science mentor-mentee activities. During my freshman year, I worked with two friends on an experiment exploring cooling temperatures and the properties of glacial water, using glaciers and glacial water as our theme. However, the experiment did not go as planned, and I was disappointed that we were unable to present our findings at the science fair that year.
Although that initial failure was a major disappointment, a year later my chemistry teacher encouraged me to repeat the experiment, and I decided to take on the challenge again. I hesitated due to my academic workload and anxiety about failing, but my attachment to the project and the time we had spent together motivated me to continue the research. I recruited a junior from my club to form a team, and we put in a great deal of effort—repeating the experiments on weekends and during breaks, and even purchasing supplies out of our own pockets.
As a result, we obtained satisfactory experimental results, submitted our report, and passed the initial document review. After practicing our presentation all night and arriving at school early in the morning to rehearse with my junior, we were able to deliver a presentation we had no regrets about in front of the entire student body on the day of the academic festival. Through this activity, I learned that if I don’t give up and persevere with determination until the very end, I can achieve meaningful results, and it remains one of the most meaningful experiences of my high school years.
Writing About an Example of Consideration, Sharing, and Cooperation, and My Reflections
At the school festival held every April, our class prepared a play and faced conflicts during the role-assignment process. Everyone wanted the lead role or a major part, and although I also wanted that role, I chose to give it up to a classmate for the sake of team harmony rather than my personal ambition. As a result, on the day of the festival, our class worked together to successfully complete the performance and received a great response.
Through this experience, I learned that the stage shines brighter not only because of the lead actor but also because of those who help them stand out. I realized firsthand how compromise and consideration can enhance the overall quality of a performance, and I came to understand the importance of prioritizing the team’s goals.
In my second year, a friend and I voluntarily took on the responsibility of caring for the potted plants. This task involved many tedious chores—such as watering the plants whenever we had a moment and fetching water from a distance—so it was a role that many classmates avoided. However, I couldn’t bear to leave the dying plants unattended, so my friend and I took care of them together. Watching the sprouts emerge, I truly felt that consistent effort bears fruit.
During cleaning time, I would tidy up my assigned area and then help my classmates with theirs; later, when I had to clean a particularly difficult area, the friends I had helped earlier returned the favor, fostering a relationship of mutual support. I realized that small acts of consideration and cooperation can create great synergy, and I resolved to become someone who practices compromise and consideration.
There was also an instance when I experienced a clash of opinions while participating as part of a team in the “Mathematical Structure Building Contest,” held as part of the 3rd-grade Math Week event. During the preparation process, when a conflict deepened as my friend and I presented differing arguments, I took a step back to listen carefully to my friend’s opinion and the reasons behind it. Afterward, I calmly explained my own perspective, and we worked to reconcile our positions; ultimately, we were able to complete a final structure that incorporated the best elements of both ideas.
Through this process, I learned how important it is to listen to others’ opinions, compromise when necessary, and work toward a compromise. I came to understand firsthand that, even in conflict situations, the effort to understand each other’s perspectives leads to a reasonable resolution.
Efforts and Preparation Related to Motivation for Application and Career Plans
My experience conducting various chemical reaction experiments while serving in both mentor and mentee roles during a high school mentoring program was the decisive factor in my choice of major. I found great enjoyment in handling chemical compounds directly and discovering new results through experimentation, and I was drawn to the practicality and importance of chemical engineering, which deals with compounds frequently used in our daily lives.
With the goal of majoring in Chemical Engineering, I actively participated in science research activities at my high school. During my sophomore year, I participated in a science competition, where I conducted research on the reactions and properties of organic compounds and wrote a research paper. In the process, I investigated and analyzed compounds I had never worked with before, dedicating myself day and night to conducting in-depth research.
I sought advice directly from my chemistry teacher regarding the equipment and procedures needed for the experiments, gaining valuable tips along the way. Whenever I encountered shortcomings, I identified areas for improvement through trial and error and worked to refine my approach. By enhancing the quality of my work through online research, I won a joint second-place award in the competition, which reaffirmed the importance of hard work.
Building on the consistent interest and hands-on laboratory experience I demonstrated in high school, I will approach my university studies with diligence and steadily develop my capabilities as a researcher. Drawing on my deep curiosity, perseverance, and collaborative skills, I will strive toward my goal of becoming a professional researcher.
