In this blog post, I will summarize my academic experiences, club activities, collaborative projects, and plans for after college.
Academic Experiences and Reflections
During my freshman year of high school, I developed a strong interest in science, which was a required course. This interest was sparked by my participation in the school’s “Science Knowledge Golden Bell” competition. The competition was structured with class preliminaries and semifinals, culminating in a final round where representatives from each class competed against one another, which greatly boosted students’ motivation to learn.
The scope of the questions spanned all areas of the core science curriculum—physics, chemistry, biology, and earth science—and the finals even included advanced-level questions. I had built a foundation of basic knowledge by frequently reading science-related books, and with the finals in mind, I pre-studied material I would not learn until my sophomore year. In particular, after hearing from upperclassmen that advanced biology questions were likely to appear, I reviewed the Biology 1 curriculum first.
Before the competition, I memorized summary notes I had created myself and practiced with friends through Q&A sessions to hone my test-taking skills. I answered 50 questions correctly in the preliminary round and 30 in the main round, earning me a spot as a class representative. Along with one other student, I advanced to the finals as a representative of our class. In the finals, a total of ten representatives from different classes competed on 20 questions.
For each question, I carefully selected my answer by recalling the content from the advanced textbooks I had read beforehand, and ultimately, I was able to claim the championship. Through this experience, I developed the habit of preparing for exams systematically and learned that consistent study toward a goal leads to a sense of accomplishment.
Writing about major school activities and reflections
I joined the biology research club because I was particularly interested in biology among the science subjects. At first, I considered a career as a life science teacher, but as I conducted experiments myself, my interest in research grew, leading me to consider a path as a scientist researching basic science. To this end, I decided to create an experimental portfolio and consistently plan, conduct, and document experiments.
The Biology Research Club provided access to laboratories and equipment, as well as experimental projects, sample plans, and report templates necessary for creating the portfolio. I decided to complete my portfolio by developing a step-by-step experimental plan with my club members. For the first stage, we conducted basic observation experiments; for the second, we performed dissection experiments; and for the final stage, we planned to visit an external laboratory equipped with more specialized equipment.
For the first-stage experiment, we observed plant and animal cells and recorded their similarities and differences. For the plant cell observation, we used onion epidermis, and for the animal cell observation, we collected oral epithelium. For the onion epidermis, we cut a 0.5 cm piece with a razor blade, peeled off the epidermis, stained it with acetic acid carmine, and placed it on filter paper to observe the nucleus and cells under a microscope. We collected epithelial cells using a cotton swab, stained them with methylene blue, and observed them. During this process, we strictly adhered to the correct amounts of solution and proper tool usage to minimize experimental error.
For the second-stage experiment, I attempted dissection. Instead of the usual frogs or insects, I chose squid because I wanted to experience dissecting cephalopods. Wearing gloves, I used tweezers and a scalpel to make an incision in the body and observed the oral muscles, esophagus, stomach, liver, and gills. I took particular care not to rupture the squid’s ink sac, and when taking photos proved difficult, I collaborated with friends to record videos as documentation. This experimental process helped me develop my dissection skills and ability for careful observation.
Through club activities, I was able to gain comprehensive experience ranging from the basics of experimentation to documentation and collaboration. The data, photos, and videos collected at each stage were organized into a portfolio, providing concrete support for my career preparation.
Examples of Consideration, Sharing, and Collaboration, and My Reflections
After preparing our portfolio through basic experiments in the research group, we decided to visit an external open laboratory to conduct more precise observations and capture high-resolution photos. Since an open laboratory was operating near our school, we were able to participate in educational programs utilizing state-of-the-art equipment. While coordinating schedules and preparing for the visit with my club members, I was reminded once again of the importance of collaboration.
There, we were able to experience high-end equipment firsthand, such as a phase-contrast microscope. We participated in a meiosis observation program, dissecting and staining insect eggs that were already in culture to observe them under the microscope. Since the success rate for meiosis is low, we processed multiple samples simultaneously and selected only the successful ones for observation. The staining process I had learned at school was a great help, allowing me to quickly master the procedure.
Using high-performance microscopes connected to computers, we observed dividing somatic cells and captured screenshots to use as portfolio images. During the experiment, we properly disposed of failed samples, and as we shared the successful results, consideration and division of labor among team members occurred naturally. As everyone learned how to use the equipment and recorded the results, cooperation worked smoothly, and that experience made me realize the importance of teamwork.
Through this visit, I learned not only the value of cutting-edge equipment but also that meticulous preparation starting from basic experiments and a cooperative attitude toward colleagues are essential for experimental success. Furthermore, I experienced the joy of achieving a common goal through safely handling failures and sharing success stories.
Efforts and Preparation Related to Motivation for Application and Career Plans
During high school, I changed my career path twice. Initially, I aimed to become a life science teacher, but as I conducted experiments myself, I became more drawn to the appeal of being a researcher. Therefore, to grow into a scientist conducting basic science research, I set my sights on a biology-related major and developed a particular interest in the field of microbiology and virology.
I set a specific goal of contributing to vaccine development through virus research. Since I believe that identifying the causes and transmission routes of diseases is central to vaccine research, I plan to focus my academic studies and research in college on characterizing pathogens and analyzing transmission routes. To this end, I aim to build a solid foundation of basic knowledge during my undergraduate studies, develop experimental skills and data analysis capabilities, and ultimately pursue graduate school.
The Virology Laboratory in the Department of Microbiology at Chungbuk National University participates in pharmaceutical research through industry-academia collaboration. Its focus on topics such as human cytomegalovirus and the Korean AIDS virus aligns with the research direction I aspire to pursue. In this laboratory, I hope to collaborate with professors and fellow researchers to build the fundamental scientific capabilities necessary for vaccine research and become a researcher who makes a tangible contribution to public health and the prevention of infectious diseases.
The laboratory experience and portfolio I built during high school, along with my exposure to cutting-edge equipment through external laboratories, will serve as a practical foundation when I begin my research in college. Building on my undergraduate studies and research experience, I intend to deepen my expertise through graduate school and ultimately grow into a researcher who contributes to virology research and vaccine development.
