In this blog post, we’ll break down a sample personal statement submitted to the Department of Media and Literature at Kwandong University by question and present an edited version with refined flow and phrasing.

Efforts Devoted to Academics and Learning Experiences During High School

While studying for the Korean Language Section B of the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT), I believed that literature was the most important subject. In the CSAT Korean Language section, literature questions were difficult to solve by simply reading the text; they required the ability to interpret works theoretically, as well as an understanding of the works’ background and the authors. In contrast, grammar and non-literary reading comprehension questions were relatively easy to solve by analyzing and interpreting the given problems. Therefore, I invested more study time in literature questions—which require precise appreciation and comprehension—rather than those testing logical problem-solving skills.
To study literature properly, it was first and foremost important to be familiar with a wide variety of works. I purchased and utilized a workbook titled “260 Korean Literature Questions,” which included modern poetry, modern novels, classical poetry, and classical novels. While many people around me would simply repeat the same problems and move on to the next workbook, I chose each book carefully from the start and studied by thoroughly dissecting the works within it one by one.
For example, if Hwang Ji-woo’s “Even Birds Leave This World” and Kim Ji-ha’s “With a Burning Thirst” were both featured as passages in the modern poetry section, I would first examine why the two works were grouped together. This allowed me to identify the common theme of democracy and understand the historical context in which the two poets were active. This approach to studying literature—meticulously examining the works presented in the basic workbook—was extremely helpful in understanding the meaning of the works, the intent behind the exam questions, and the characteristics of the authors. Thanks to this, even when other works by an author I had already studied appeared on the exam, I was able to solve the problems without panicking.

School Activities (Up to 3 activities you valued and worked hard on at school)

In high school, I was active in the classroom beautification club, and as the club president, I led “environmental” activities focused primarily on caring for plants in our classrooms and the school flower beds. While some might think the beautification club is simply an organization for decorating and cleaning classrooms, I placed greater importance on using plants to create a pleasant environment for my classmates to study and spend their time in.
Caring for potted plants in the classroom may seem trivial, but having plants provides a calming visual effect, and placing a watering can nearby encourages passing classmates to water them occasionally, fostering a sense of shared responsibility. I mainly chose to plant herbs and succulents that had a pleasant scent and grew quickly, and I found it rewarding to see my classmates take an interest as they watched the plants grow rapidly.
In addition to the classroom plants, I also tended to the school garden. The garden was located between the school building and the playground, and each class planted and cared for their own seeds; our class mainly grew tomatoes. Since tomatoes are high-maintenance plants, I would go down to the garden during every break to tend to them. Thanks to the careful, rotating care provided by my fellow janitorial staff and me, the tomatoes in our garden grew the most beautifully. Through the process of responsibly tending to the classroom and the garden, I learned a sense of responsibility and community, and I realized that even small actions can have a positive impact on those around me.

Examples of Consideration, Sharing, Cooperation, and Conflict Management, and What I Learned

During my freshman year of high school, our class produced a monthly class newsletter. At first, following our homeroom teacher’s recommendation, we simply wrote news items on a single sheet of A4 paper and posted them—but as we had more topics to cover, the newsletter grew in size and eventually took on the format of a proper newspaper. We appointed a publisher and an editor to divide up the responsibilities.
Since I enjoyed writing, I applied to be the editor-in-chief. After being elected by a class vote, I was tasked with collecting and organizing the articles written by my classmates and typing them up neatly. Sometimes we published letters from our homeroom teacher, as well as letters of confession, comfort, or gratitude exchanged among classmates. Reading these heartwarming letters firsthand was a deeply moving experience.
As editor-in-chief, I also wrote the newsletter’s foreword. To write it well, I paid close attention to events within our class, seeking out and sharing positive stories. Through the foreword, I was able to praise my classmates and create opportunities to grow closer to them. Producing the class newsletter greatly helped our class develop a sense of belonging by showing consideration for one another and sharing joy.

Motivation for Application, Dreams, and Academic and Career Plans After Enrollment

I have dreamed of becoming a “writer” since middle school. This is because I love writing and enjoy coming up with creative ideas based on various themes. In particular, I wanted to showcase my creativity and planning skills as a broadcast writer, and upon entering high school, I set my sights specifically on becoming a radio writer. I believe radio retains a “nostalgia for the analog era” due to the emotional quality of a medium conveyed through voice, and it remains a beloved medium precisely because of this unique characteristic.
I aspire to work as a writer who crafts scripts and manages programs for radio. To achieve this dream, I applied to the Department of Media and Literature at Kangdong University. While many of my friends are applying to departments such as Korean Literature or Cultural Content, I determined that the Department of Media and Literature—with its interdisciplinary nature that combines literary expertise with practical media skills—is best suited for developing my capabilities as a writer.
Once admitted, I plan to diligently complete my major coursework while actively participating in external training programs, relevant part-time jobs, on-campus extracurricular activities, and internships to build practical skills. In particular, my goal for my college years is to grow as a radio writer by completing an internship with the planning team of a terrestrial radio station, where I can learn practical skills and apply the theories I’ve learned in school to real-world situations.