This blog post outlines the activities to include in an automotive engineering academic plan to boost acceptance chances, along with writing strategies and practical tips to simultaneously demonstrate major suitability and research potential.
Writing About Academic Experiences and Reflections
Studying is ultimately for myself
I believed that passion for studying meant sitting at my desk and spending time there was both a student’s duty and a demonstration of that passion. So, even when I had a cold or stomachache, I showed my determination by insisting on sitting at my desk to study. However, as my health weakened, I failed to take proper care of myself. Focusing solely on studying eventually took a toll on my body. My immunity dropped, my stamina plummeted, and the time I could sit and concentrate decreased significantly, leading to a drop in study efficiency. That’s when my teacher told me, ‘Since studying is also for your own sake, take care of your health first.’ Upon deep reflection, I realized that while studying is for my dreams and future, doing it at the expense of my health contradicts that very purpose. So, I focused first on recovering my health. Then, while consistently maintaining my health, I devised study methods to enhance efficiency. The reason I pushed myself too hard was a lack of efficiency and flexibility in my approach to studying. I believed that the only solution was to sit at my desk for long hours, no matter what. However, I realized that if I studied with high efficiency relative to the time spent, I could carve out time to take care of my health and achieve both health and good grades. So, I began setting time plans for a month, a week, and a day. I set monthly goals based on my weakest subjects, along with weekly and daily study volumes. Instead of rote memorization, I analyzed test results to identify frequently missed areas, then focused my textbook and reference study on those specific sections. By planning and executing this approach, I managed to digest large study volumes in short periods. The result was improved grades without harming my health. I never forgot that studying is ultimately for myself, and I learned that the answer lies not in blind effort, but in finding the highest efficiency.
Major School Activities and Reflections
Creative Mathematics Exploration Club Activities
I have been active in the Creative Mathematics Exploration Club. Our club approaches mathematics not merely as a subject for grades, but as a means to delve into advanced mathematical concepts. We research, ponder, and discuss not only mathematics itself but also the engineering disciplines built upon it. We engage in diverse exploratory activities where mathematics is applied, such as interpreting mathematics through shapes, developing spatial awareness to enhance critical thinking and creativity, building robots, and programming. In my first year, I focused on continuing to study mathematical principles and advanced topics while participating in discussions. In my second year, I concentrated on deepening my study in my intended field and participating in related activities and competitions. Notably, during my second year, I gained attention through a presentation on research into eco-friendly vehicles that reduce exhaust emissions. We analyzed the principles and development of eco-friendly vehicles capable of reducing harmful emissions by up to 90% compared to conventional cars, along with their potential economic and social impacts post-development. This analysis was presented within the club and gained wider attention after being shared extensively on social media. Of course, it might seem rudimentary to university majors or experts, but for me as a high school student, researching eco-friendly cars using the mathematical and engineering logic available to me was a tremendously rewarding and proud achievement.
Research on Revitalizing Local Rivers
A local river flows near our school. However, as this river became polluted, it began emitting a terrible odor. The smell even reached inside the school, making a solution urgently needed. To address this, the school created the ‘Local River Revitalization Program’ to gather students’ ideas and work together to find a solution. I believed the pollution stemmed from people thoughtlessly discarding trash. So, I came up with a promotional idea to raise awareness and encourage local residents to join in cleaning up the river. I decided to leverage SNS for this. Through SNS, we filmed and posted videos showing the extent of the river’s pollution. We gained people’s empathy with the slogan, ‘People are the key to saving our local river.’ We continued posting videos about the river, including footage exposing littering, and promoted the river cleanup campaign. First, we planned a volunteer program within our school to clean the local river. We filmed ourselves cleaning the river and then posted that footage on SNS to promote the effort. This led to comments like, “If students are doing it, adults can’t just stand by,” and naturally, many people contacted us wanting to participate in the program. It took time, but by raising awareness among local residents and posting videos encouraging them to clean the local river themselves, we got people involved. As a result, the unpleasant smell emanating from the river also disappeared.
Cases of Consideration, Sharing, and Cooperation and Reflections
Helping a Math Dropout
Among my friends, there was one who found math particularly difficult and had completely given up on it. However, I felt a desire for them to try hard rather than abandon math altogether. So I talked with him, helping him reflect on why he disliked math and why he found it hard, so he could understand it himself. I listened to his struggles, helped him identify the root cause, and encouraged him not to give up on math. He had been good at math earlier, but as the principles became harder, his study method—solving problems without understanding the principles—became counterproductive to his grades. So I suggested to my friend that if they were going to give up on math grades anyway, instead of just solving problems blindly, why not study and memorize the foundational math textbook? My friend decided, ‘Since my math grades aren’t good anyway, they can’t get any worse, so let’s try studying the foundational math textbook.’ I shared the study plan I had created with my friend, helping him set up his own math study plan. We studied together, and I explained the parts he found difficult. Studying together and encouraging each other led to my friend maintaining longer study sessions. Typically, when he studied math, he couldn’t sustain his focus—he’d study for 10 minutes and then take a 10-minute break. However, by focusing on filling in the gaps in their knowledge and studying together, their study sessions gradually extended from 10 to 20 minutes, and then from 20 minutes to an hour. Furthermore, as my friend studied the fundamental principles of math and applied them to solve problems, they began to find math interesting. They started asking me more questions, and I made sure to explain things clearly without hurting their pride.
Teaching a friend, especially, could be a touchy subject for the learner’s pride. But my friend understood I was genuinely trying to help, and I too sincerely hoped he wouldn’t give up on math. This mutual consideration allowed us to study together effectively.
Efforts and Preparation Related to Motivation and Career Plans
The Path to Becoming an Eco-Friendly Car Researcher
My dream is to become an eco-friendly vehicle researcher. I applied because I believe your university’s eco-friendly vehicle major will be extremely helpful in achieving this goal, which is also considered a promising future career. As a researcher developing vehicles that operate with excellent energy efficiency and minimal or zero pollution, I hope to contribute to our nation’s society and economy. Particularly, air pollution issues are becoming increasingly severe not only in our country but worldwide, making research to reduce air pollution emissions essential. I want to fulfill my responsibilities diligently, ensuring my research contributes to reducing environmental pollution while also maximizing human convenience through automotive research. To become a researcher worthy of global attention, I must first acquire specialized knowledge in machinery and automotive engineering within your university’s eco-friendly automotive major. I will cultivate engineering technical acumen and problem-solving skills, building the capability to create the best eco-friendly vehicles—ones that capture the world’s focus. I will dedicate myself to my major studies to build the foundational knowledge needed to develop commercially viable eco-friendly automotive systems, starting with the fundamental principles of how automobiles move. Furthermore, I aim to pursue graduate studies to deepen my expertise and excel in completing my major coursework. Additionally, I will actively participate in educational programs and external activities offered on campus, striving to achieve outstanding results and become a standout talent within the department who brings honor to your university. I will become a smart talent who maximizes the education provided by your esteemed institution. I will achieve outstanding major grades and shine as a researcher in eco-friendly automobiles through various activities. I will strive to become a researcher in eco-friendly automobiles who captures the world’s attention.
