In this blog post, I will present a sample personal statement written for admission to the Department of Sociology at Korea University. Based on the original text, I have organized the content and refined the phrasing and flow.
Academic Efforts and Learning Experiences During High School
In my sophomore year of high school, I particularly enjoyed the elective course “Social Culture.” Similar to economics, a subject I loved, Social Culture placed a strong emphasis on data analysis. While theoretical learning was important, I found the process of solving problems particularly engaging. However, when I attempted actual College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) questions or past mock exam problems, I often struggled to interpret the data correctly. Even when I understood the passage and grasped the intent behind the question, I would sometimes select the wrong answer choice due to misjudgment.
To address this issue, I began creating a scrapbook notebook for the Social Studies and Culture course. This scrapbook notebook was an upgrade from my existing theory and concept notebooks; I realized that simply memorizing theory wasn’t enough to help with problem-solving, so I created a notebook that included relevant materials. For example, in the unit on social inequality and social class, I pasted relevant newspaper articles next to the pages where I had written down the theory. I collected articles analyzing differences in living standards, residential areas, and educational levels to practice interpreting data.
The method of integrating newspaper articles from the social section with the content of the Social Studies and Culture subject was a great help in solving problems. Since solving a large number of data interpretation questions did not necessarily improve my skills, I aimed to develop a keen eye for analyzing data by reviewing a wide range of real-world materials. Consequently, I also clipped articles on social groups, social organizations, social structure, and deviant behavior. For topics on diverse cultures, cultural change, and the characteristics of Korean culture, I edited and attached excerpts from magazines and encyclopedias. Regarding social welfare and welfare systems, I included brief summaries. Through these efforts, I cultivated the ability to analyze data effectively.
Meaningful Extracurricular Activities (Up to 3)
In my sophomore year of high school, my interest in social culture expanded into a broader interest in society as a whole, leading me to develop an academic interest in sociology. I decided to pursue a career in the social sciences, particularly sociology, and voluntarily organized a discussion group with friends who shared the same interest. We started with three members, but as participation grew, we eventually formed a team of six. Our group was an informal study group held in a school classroom, and one of its advantages was that we could operate autonomously without teacher supervision. We named our group the “Issue Discussion Club (Ito)” and met frequently.
In Ito, we mainly read books related to sociology and often selected discussion topics based on Anthony Giddens’ *Sociology in the Modern World*. As an introductory text to sociology, this book covered many everyday topics, which helped us set discussion topics. We summarized the content by chapter, passed the book around to read, and expanded our background knowledge. We also practiced deriving key points by comparing differences in how we expressed ideas.
The topics we covered included global efforts toward a sustainable society, sustainability from economic, social, and environmental perspectives, urbanization and globalization, and the global economic crisis centered on the Greek debt crisis. During debates, we agreed not to simply state our positions unconditionally but to present valid evidence through cross-examination. To gather evidence, we read reference books and searched for relevant articles; we also discussed the communication process, the importance of nonverbal communication, and the role of interaction and social norms.
Examples of Consideration, Sharing, Cooperation, and Conflict Management, and Lessons Learned
In my local area, there was a regional debate competition called the “All Together Debate League.”
I honed my skills through debate study groups with friends, and as a result, I decided to compete in an external debate league with confidence. The league was a competition that selected school representatives and spanned several months, requiring stamina and patience.
There were four friends who participated in the competition with me, and since the rules required teams of four, we were very careful about team composition from the start. The competition combined reading and debate, making self-directed learning and logical thinking crucial. During the debate, I strove to present logical arguments and use credible sources when refuting opposing views. The format was a CEDA-style pro-con debate, consisting of three rounds on three different topics.
Since the structure was such that the team with the most points won, I aimed to express my opinions independently and respond proactively during the opening statements and cross-examination. Because the order and timing of the pro-con cross-examination are very strict, I prepared thoroughly for that aspect. After advancing through the Round of 16 to the Quarterfinals, I refined my arguments further, which ultimately led to us finishing as runners-up.
Motivation for Applying to This Program and Preparation Process
While attending a private high school, I took an interest in various issues within the school. At my school, there were problems such as corruption in the school lunch program and the handling of school operating funds, and there were students who pointed these out. As a student myself, I engaged in activities to continuously investigate and monitor these issues to ensure the transparent management of school finances. Based on the results of my investigations, I would discuss any recommendations with fellow students, and if there was a need to raise awareness, I would publish articles in the school newspaper. These activities required both responsibility and courage.
Having had a strong sense of social responsibility toward organizations, communities, and local society since childhood, I decided to apply to the Department of Sociology. Specifically, after graduating, I aspire to work as a social affairs reporter. I believe that becoming a reporter and going out into the field is the most direct way to uncover and verify social issues firsthand. I want to play a role in analyzing problems, researching data, and collecting evidence with a journalistic spirit to inform the public. Therefore, I plan to steadily prepare to become a journalist starting from my college years.
I have worked diligently to gain admission to the Department of Sociology at Korea University. First, I studied the relevant course, Social Studies, diligently, focusing particularly on the Social and Cultural Studies module. Since the subject covered many topics that interested me, I was able to maintain good grades. Additionally, I collected data on social issues, organized my opinions and arguments, and debated them with friends; I also practiced debating techniques and have experience winning awards in external debate competitions. I believe these skills are strengths that make me a worthy candidate for admission to your university.
