In this blog post, I will focus on my motivation for choosing Computational Statistics, as well as my academic, research, and career plans.

Motivation for Choosing This Major (Reasons for Selecting the Major)

During my sophomore year of high school, my homeroom teacher advised me—as I was contemplating my future career path—that Computer Science and Statistics are fields with very broad interdisciplinary applications in society, offering a wide range of career opportunities. This advice sparked my interest in Computational Statistics. I understand that the Department of Computational Statistics is a cutting-edge academic discipline leading the way into the 21st century, offering integrated education and research in both computer science and statistics.
Computer science and statistics are essential academic fields in a knowledge-based society. The roles of computers and statistics in scientific research, analysis, and the interpretation of results across all fields are growing increasingly significant. It has become impossible to even imagine engineering or the natural sciences without information technology, and statistical knowledge is emerging as an essential discipline not only in the natural and social sciences but also in economics and business administration.
Given the highly creative and diverse nature of the Department of Computer Science and Statistics as an interdisciplinary field, I believe that anyone who aspires to lead the future will be able to realize their ambitions here. By enrolling at your university, I hope to gain in-depth knowledge of computer science and, building on that foundation, develop skills in large-scale data processing and analysis techniques in statistics.

Major Research (Areas of Interest and Research Plan)

First, I will strive to develop a comprehensive understanding of statistics and computer skills to cultivate rational thinking and creativity. To become an expert in computational statistics, I intend to focus diligently on my major coursework. During my freshman year, when it is easy to become complacent, I plan to prioritize language study.
In my sophomore year, I will study various statistical theories, including regression analysis for understanding phenomena and predicting the future; statistical quality control necessary for improving product quality; time series analysis for economic fluctuations and forecasting; multivariate statistical analysis for clearly elucidating complex phenomena; experimental design for planning experiments; and sampling theory. In my third year, I plan to obtain the Information Processing Engineer certification and the Oracle International Certified Professional certification. In my fourth year, I intend to thoroughly prepare for studying abroad—including English and the GRE—with the aspiration of studying at MIT in the United States and completing a Ph.D. program there.
Upon enrolling at your university, I will acquire a solid foundation in statistics and information processing. Building on this foundation, I aim to become a professional capable of performing statistical analysis and computational information processing using real-world data from various fields of society.

Plans After Completing My Master’s Degree

Computational statistics is an interdisciplinary applied field that provides research methods not only in pure theory but also across all methodologies in the natural and social sciences, playing a crucial role in the advancement of modern science. By majoring in computational statistics, I hope to work as a statistical expert at a financial institution.
I aspire to grow into an outstanding professional who can develop the various financial statistical models required in the field of financial analysis, study their characteristics, and thereby contribute to raising the standards of the financial industry. I aim to become a statistician capable of conducting in-depth research into statistical theory and correctly applying its methodologies. By pursuing more advanced studies at your university, I hope to contribute to enhancing the prestige not only of your institution but also of the Republic of Korea.

Personal Statement (Outlook on Life, Values)

My parents often said that when I was a child, nothing remained intact once it was in my hands—I would take apart absolutely anything I could get my hands on. Because of this, I grew up with a vague notion that I might one day work in a field related to electricity or machinery.
As if to prove this, I would often fix household appliances without much difficulty whenever they broke down. I believe my tendency to tackle new things without fear likely stems from these childhood experiences.
Working alongside my father, who is in the field of information systems development, I learned just how powerful statistics can be. My father told me that while individuals need to know a great deal of information to survive in this flood of data, it is even more important to know how to find the right information in the right place.
Influenced by my father, who majored in statistics, I came to believe that statistical thinking holds the key to determining whether vast amounts of data will become worthless and useless or serve as a useful tool for analysis and judgment.