In this blog post, I have organized the original text of a personal statement submitted for admission to the Department of Law at Kwandong University’s College of Police and Law. I have neatly summarized the applicant’s academic efforts, campus activities, examples of consideration and generosity, motivation for applying, and plans after admission.
Efforts Devoted to Academics and Learning Experiences
As the saying goes, “Studying is a matter of sitting down and doing it,” I believe there is no shortcut to success in academics. While environments such as private tutoring or cram schools can be helpful, I firmly believe that ultimately, it is those who persevere and study consistently over a long period who achieve results. Therefore, I prioritized managing my study time above all else. I created a meticulous schedule and adhered to it strictly, and I kept a diary to reflect on whether I had spent my day diligently. I created my study plan by first calculating all the time I actually had available for studying and then allocating my daily study load within that timeframe. I believed that a plan based on simply aiming to do a lot was difficult to stick to and would only lead to feelings of self-doubt. I noted the available time for the day in my notebook, taking into account class schedules (such as self-study and PE) and my personal condition, and set priorities based on that. I made monthly study plans because I took mock exams every month to identify my weaknesses. Based on the results of the mock exams, I adjusted my study direction and, following that direction, set daily plans to focus on the necessary material. In the evenings, I wrote a diary to review that day’s study content and assess my diligence, and I adjusted my plans based on the time I could secure the next day. Through this process, I realized that by securing available time in advance and setting a plan, I wouldn’t waste that time when it actually came time to study. I came to truly understand why it’s necessary to make a plan and why it’s important to stick to it.
School Activities (Up to 3 meaningful activities)
“Once a Year, ‘Throw-Away Day’” Our school holds a “Throw-Away Day” event on the last day of school, where everyone cleans out their classrooms. The process involves discarding items used over the past year that are no longer needed and setting aside items suitable for passing on to younger students to be donated. Students wash and organize usable items—such as workbooks, notebooks, gym uniforms, and small school uniforms—and place them in the “Pass It On” corner. Underclassmen take whatever they need, and items that can’t be used are disposed of in the recycling bins. As a result, the classrooms become cleaner, and the burden of cleaning is reduced. Above all, I appreciated how organizing my belongings helped me lighten my own load and gave me the mental space to start anew. I felt that sense of liberation especially when moving from my sophomore to my senior year, and that experience made me reflect anew on the importance of closure. “Hunger Simulation: Inspiring New Perspectives” Another meaningful activity was the “hunger simulation.” Since I often skip breakfast and dinner anyway, the experience initially felt like no big deal. However, once I decided not to eat anything all day, even snacks I usually didn’t eat or vending machine coffee became desperately appealing. In that moment, I finally realized the value of food and began to imagine the suffering of people who endure constant hunger. I hadn’t been very interested in hunger issues before, but after the experience, I started donating to Good Neighbors and resolved to maintain a consistent interest in social issues.
Examples of Practicing Consideration, Sharing, and Cooperation
“Let’s show consideration to others just as we have received it.” The week before midterms, I contracted norovirus and was hospitalized with gastroenteritis. If my class president hadn’t helped me back then, my grades and studies would have suffered greatly. Although I wasn’t particularly close with the class president, he visited my hospital room every day to organize my notes and class materials, highlight key points for the exam, and explain anything I didn’t understand. Thanks to him, I was able to catch up with the class after recovering, and my grades actually improved. Because I received such great care at that time, I wanted to give back just as much as I had received. When I became class president in my senior year and a classmate fell ill, I put into practice the kindness I had received two years earlier. I organized and delivered class notes and lecture materials to a friend who was hospitalized after undergoing surgery due to a traffic accident, and I informed him of the exam scope. Through that process, I realized that helping others is both a demanding and rewarding task. The sense of responsibility that came with looking after others made me more dedicated to my studies, and I felt joy seeing that friend grasp the material. I realized that both giving and receiving help are equally important.
Motivation for Application and Academic/Career Plans After Admission
“I want to be a source of hope for the poor as a legal professional.” I aspire to become a legal professional. I aim to obtain qualifications such as a lawyer or labor attorney and grow into a legal professional who assists organizations and individuals. The reason is that I want to be a source of hope for the poor. When people are in difficult economic circumstances, they inevitably become cut off from education and information, and they are easily disadvantaged because they do not know their rights or the legal procedures. My family has experienced this as well; my parents once suffered significant financial losses in their business due to a lack of legal knowledge. Witnessing that incident made me realize the true meaning of the saying “knowledge is power,” and I resolved to help people in similar situations. “I will study diligently and broaden my perspective on the world.” I have set two goals for my time in college. First is diligent study. I have heard that in the legal field, there are many dedicated students, and if I do not make consistent efforts, I will easily fall behind. I will study hard to earn scholarships, ensuring I do not fall behind and that I become a source of pride for my parents. Second is broadening my perspective on the world. I will read the newspaper daily to stay informed about current events and frequently visit the library to expand my knowledge through reading. Through communication with others and volunteer work, I hope to gain a firsthand understanding of how society functions. With an even more open mind than I had in high school, I aim to accumulate a wide range of experiences and become a legal professional with a generous spirit.
