In this blog post, I will naturally organize and present my motivation for majoring in neuroscience, my academic plan, my post-graduation goals, and my outlook on life.
Motivation for Pursuing This Field
The science magazines I’ve subscribed to since childhood had a profound influence on my career path. Through these magazines, I gained a glimpse into the world of science, where creative research is actively underway across various fields. Armed with cutting-edge technology and infinite possibilities, the world of science was more than enough to captivate me. Among these fields, I developed a particular interest in neuroscience. This is because, no matter how much science advances, the mysteries of the human brain remain difficult to unravel. Key areas surrounding the human brain—ranging from the problem of ontological awareness to the emotional system that governs mood and sentiment, the issue of instincts that trigger behavior, and the mechanisms of memory and forgetting—remain shrouded in mystery. I have resolved to take on the challenge of brain science, a field humanity has yet to conquer, and to achieve success in this endeavor. Having decided to study medicine to pursue brain research, I applied to your university’s pre-medical program without hesitation. I am confident that, with your university’s systematic and specialized curriculum and top-tier faculty, I can develop into a talent who will contribute to human history.
Academic Plan and Goals
If admitted to your university, I will diligently follow the curriculum and lay a solid foundation for future specialized research in the field of neuroscience. I believe that while medicine is a traditional discipline, it is also a cutting-edge field where technology is rapidly advancing. I intend to pursue broad and deep academic insights not only through fundamental medical knowledge but also by studying the latest research papers published in academic journals. To this end, I have devised the following academic plan. During my first and second years, I will focus on building a solid foundation to understand my major subjects. I believe it is essential to develop foreign language proficiency and computer skills during this period. I believe foreign language proficiency is fundamental for accurately understanding the concepts behind various medical terms.
However, I will not study foreign languages merely to comprehend written text. Languages inherently contain the sociocultural implications of the country in which they are spoken. My goal is to achieve a level of foreign language proficiency that allows me to gain insight into these sociocultural implications as well. This is because I hope to be able to understand the same research papers more deeply and accurately. Furthermore, given that most research and technological advancements today are realized through computers, I believe computer proficiency is not an option but a necessity. By my junior and senior years, I plan to select additional courses related to my field of interest to begin in-depth study. As I am interested in neuroscience, I expect to choose courses in cognitive psychology or evolutionary sociobiology.
Post-Graduation Plans
I recently read an article about an international research team, including Korean scientists, that successfully implanted electronic devices into the brains of mice to regulate their behavior and emotions. The experimental mice, which had the neurotransmitter dopamine artificially administered, moved toward bright areas—the opposite of typical mice that prefer dark environments. This was an astonishing result that proved the theory that emotions and behavior can be manipulated once we understand the roles of specific brain regions or neurotransmitters. I believe the potential for advancement and application in the field of neuroscience is limitless. Not only can neuropsychiatric disorders—including depression, which has traditionally been viewed as a “mental” issue—be treated through brain analysis, but I also believe treatments for dementia, for which there are currently no established therapies, can be developed. I hope to conduct specialized research in this field of neuroscience, which holds such immense potential, and produce research results that contribute to humanity.
Self-Introduction
“Is it not a joy to learn and practice what one has learned?” This was a phrase my grandfather used to repeat like a mantra when I was a child. It was only later that I realized it was a passage from the Analects of Confucius. While this sentence has various interpretations, I also came to understand that it fundamentally expresses the joy of learning and mastering knowledge.
Perhaps thanks to my grandfather’s constant repetition, I grew up as a child who loved studying—the very duty of a student. While many students go through a phase where they shy away from their studies due to the pressure and stress of achieving academic success, I have never experienced such a struggle. Although I have occasionally found the process of achieving academic success to be arduous when I struggled to grasp concepts, the act of studying and satisfying my intellectual curiosity has always brought me a sense of fulfillment. I believe that the perseverance and focus that have allowed me to devote myself to my studies with such consistency and diligence are my greatest strengths. Just as I have done until now, I will do my best to achieve my dreams with a passion for learning.
