In this blog post, I present an example of a personal statement that summarizes my academic efforts, school activities, and experiences in caring for others and collaborating during high school, as well as my motivation for applying to the Department of Political Science and International Relations at Korea University and my preparation process.
Academic Efforts and Learning Experiences
Sticking to a plan naturally builds “strength.” If I could start each morning with a fresh mindset, my life as a college applicant would be enjoyable. However, in reality, I couldn’t start anew every day. Often, my day was already packed just with the schedule I had set for myself, and sometimes, due to teachers’ assignments or overlapping exam periods, I frequently got only one or two hours of sleep. During those times, I often lacked the energy to study, felt sleepy, and didn’t want to do any more.
Even so, sticking to my study plan often gave me strength. I developed a routine of studying English in the morning, Korean at lunchtime, and math and social studies in the evening. When I got home, I reviewed what I had studied that day and maintained the habit of solving past exam questions, focusing on English grammar and vocabulary. Although I didn’t feel it was very effective during my first year, by my second year, I clearly felt that these habits were giving me strength. No matter how tired or sleepy I was, I found myself naturally picking up my studies when the set time came, and I gained a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment from this daily, consistent routine. Through this, I gained a vague but clear understanding of the importance of sticking to a plan and the power of habits.
So, when making a plan, I made sure not to overburden myself and set a generous schedule to account for unforeseen circumstances. I disciplined myself with the resolve that I wouldn’t sleep unless I stuck to my plan, and even if I miscalculated the day’s workload, I tried my best to see the plan through to the end. I have consistently carried out my plans, striving not to put off today’s tasks until later.
Meaningful School Activities and My Reflections
Let’s move forward while looking not only ahead but also to the side — Starting Volunteer Work. When I entered high school, I made a promise with my mother. It was a promise not to grow up overly focused on achievements but to look around me, so we agreed to do volunteer work once every two weeks. At first, it felt like a waste of time and was a burden; during exam periods, I felt inconvenienced as if my study time was being taken away. However, believing that promises must be kept, I joined a volunteer club and participated in volunteer activities every two weeks without fail, even during exam periods.
Through volunteer work, I witnessed various realities I had never seen before. I was particularly shocked when I visited a shantytown. I had heard that some homes used coal briquettes, but I had never imagined the actual conditions or the state of the houses there. Frail elderly people were living in cramped homes where they couldn’t even stretch their legs, surrounded by an environment covered in trash and dust. The fact that there was almost no one to care for them broke my heart, and I naturally felt a sense of gratitude.
I became grateful for being young and having parents who care for me, as well as for the things I take for granted in my daily life. Complaining about what I have felt like a sin against them, and the realization that nothing is a given motivated me to devote even more energy to volunteer work. I resolved to become someone who looks out for those around me and does what I can, even when I’m busy or tired.
Through my work with the school newspaper, I also gained a new perspective on the world. I acquired knowledge in ways different from what I learned in books, and by conducting my own research and interviews, I learned about the lives of the people around me and how they manage their daily routines. In particular, while interviewing teachers, I came to understand the hardships they face, and I played a role in conveying my observations honestly through my articles.
Examples of Consideration, Sharing, Cooperation, and Conflict Management
Mediating between classmates and teachers as class president. When I became class president in my second year, I became close with many classmates and discovered for the first time how exciting it was to step forward, gather opinions, and speak as a representative at meetings. The joy of achieving what I wanted was immense, so I carried out my duties as class president with great passion.
The task I put the most effort into as class president was resolving misunderstandings between teachers and students. While some teachers enjoyed the lively atmosphere created by the many loud-voiced students in our class, others found it overwhelming. There was a particular conflict with our homeroom teacher; she responded strictly in an attempt to calm things down, but the students felt hurt, claiming she was only strict with us. The conflict escalated following the sports festival.
I stepped in as a mediator and worked to resolve the feelings on both sides. First, I persuaded my classmates that, as students, we needed to explain the situation and apologize. Together, we wrote a letter honestly explaining why we acted that way and acknowledging that it was immature behavior. After we conveyed this, the teacher’s anger subsided, and she said, “You all were so loud that I had no choice but to scold you as representatives.” My friends apologized wholeheartedly, and this incident helped restore harmony between the class and the teacher. Through this experience, I learned the importance of sincere communication.
Reasons for Applying and Preparation Process
I applied because both politics and diplomacy are fields that require an understanding of “people.” I never dreamed I would end up majoring in Political Science and Diplomacy. I used to think that the department was only for those aspiring to become politicians, and politicians seemed like extraordinary people to me. However, through my work on the school newspaper, volunteer activities, and personal study, I realized that the field of Political Science and Diplomacy is broad, and I came to understand that, above all, one must understand people to excel in politics and diplomacy. I applied because I wanted to study a discipline that teaches how to understand people and how to recruit and manage them, as well as one that explores ways to foster harmony in international relations.
What I prepared for the Department of Political Science and International Relations at Korea University was, first, diligent study. While studying isn’t everything, I believed that three years of consistent learning was an important measure of my diligence. I strove to prove my diligence by studying even when I was tired, and I worked hard to maintain my grades. Second, I engaged in dedicated extracurricular activities. Through consistent volunteer work, I fostered personal growth, and by writing articles for the school newspaper, I cultivated a love of reading, writing, and an inquisitive spirit. The process of continuously delving into a single article taught me the effort required to obtain the information I sought.
