In this blog post, I’ll summarize sample personal statements for applying to the Criminal Investigation major at Kwandong University, along with answers to each question.

Efforts and learning experiences related to academics during high school

“Let’s study more thoroughly and double-check our work.” Studying thoroughly was the most difficult thing for me. I didn’t dislike studying itself. I enjoyed the process of learning new concepts and being able to solve problems, so I liked both attending classes and taking exams. However, as I advanced through the grades, even when solving a single problem, the “thoroughness” required to avoid the various pitfalls hidden within it—or to work through those pitfalls—became increasingly important. Although I enjoyed studying, I wasn’t accustomed to meticulously organizing and memorizing solutions, so my grades gradually declined and my rate of incorrect answers increased. To overcome this, I set aside one hour a day for “meticulous study time” and resolved to delve deeply into the material rather than simply solving problems during that time. What I mainly did during that hour was review my incorrect answers. I pasted the problems into a sketchbook, wrote down the solution process, and in between, systematically organized the formulas used in the solutions and the key points for each unit, one by one. I placed particular importance on organizing by unit; I looked up the unit for each formula or concept used in a problem, summarized the key points, and made an effort to understand the context and reaffirm my grasp of the concepts. This allowed me to systematically organize the concepts from the units where I frequently made mistakes, and by understanding the context in which those concepts appeared, I was able to regain a grasp of the overall flow of the material. As I consistently reviewed my mistakes, I developed the habit of solving problems meticulously, as if I were organizing them, and I was able to solve problems in the language section—which I had previously found relatively difficult—by understanding the context, leading to an improvement in my grades. In this way, I regained my interest in studying and became increasingly immersed in it.

Extracurricular activities I valued and worked hard on during high school

Our school’s greatest pride is its library. With a larger scale and a more extensive collection of books than other high schools, its operational model is also unique. While libraries are typically run by librarians, we formed a “Library Self-Governance Council” among students and managed the library independently as a combination of club and administrative activities. Students decided which books to purchase and which to repair or discard, subject to final approval by the librarian. We were responsible for check-outs and returns, and we collaborated with friends to create book recommendation lists posted on the library bulletin board. I had known about the library’s reputation even before I enrolled, so I was eager to participate in library activities. I prepared for the admission interview, passed it, and began my work with the Library Self-Governance Council. I learned a great deal through this experience. First, I came to understand the hierarchy. Although it was a student-led activity, it was directly tied to school operations, so there was a system in place where upperclassmen supervised underclassmen, pointed out areas needing improvement, and provided guidance. We were reprimanded if we were careless with spelling or didn’t handle tasks meticulously, and it became a problem if we failed to follow greeting protocols or lending rules. At first, I thought these were excessive restrictions, but once I became a senior member myself, I realized there were practical reasons behind them—such as the fact that losing a single book results in a loss of 20,000 to 40,000 won, and that spelling errors in documents presented to the outside world affect the library’s credibility. The experience of learning that order is essential for establishing a system and ensuring work runs smoothly has become a great asset to me. Furthermore, serving as secretary gave me the opportunity to become more familiar with books. When reading books, leaving one-line reviews, and writing articles to introduce them to the public, I gained diverse knowledge and insights by reading and summarizing various books. In particular, encountering books on crime and psychology sparked a strong interest in a world I had never seen before, which led me to develop an interest in those fields.

Examples of Consideration, Sharing, Cooperation, and Conflict Management During School Life

A classmate who sat in the very back row of our classroom was a bit unique. He was three years older than the rest of us, and because he had attended a rather unusual institution in the past, most of my classmates were reluctant to get close to him. Even when classmates tried to befriend him, he would turn them down and choose to be alone. Rumors circulated that he had caused a major incident, spent time in a juvenile detention center, and had been released from school thanks to his parents’ influence. More than the story itself, I wondered why he was letting his life fall apart after seeing him fail to turn in his homework every day and get scolded by the teacher. So, I secretly approached our homeroom teacher and asked to be paired with him, and we’ve been partners ever since. At first, he was curt with me and would sometimes run away, but I didn’t give up. I talked to him every day, made sure he did his homework, and during exams, I’d hold him back and suggest we memorize things together, helping him study. After repeated attempts, the days we studied together increased, and he gradually opened up to me. Later, when I heard his story, I learned that he had been at another facility for two years due to an illness and, as a result, was reluctant to talk to people. Based on this, I created opportunities for him to get closer to other friends and to socialize with them. Through this experience, I learned that misunderstandings between people can build up in an instant, but they can also be resolved with just a single word. I realized that while people can hurt one another as they grow closer, they can also heal those wounds through the support of others. Since then, I’ve made a commitment to approach those around me with greater warmth.

Reasons for Applying, Academic Plans After Enrollment, and Future Career Plans

My reason for wanting to major in Criminal Investigation is not simply to catch criminals. Although I haven’t accumulated much life experience yet, I believe there are no completely evil people in this world. Everyone has their own story and their own reasons for wanting to change. I believe we should judge people after hearing those reasons, rather than jumping to conclusions based solely on outcomes or actions. Therefore, by majoring in Criminal Investigation, I hope to understand the background of cases rather than just their surface, and I am deeply committed to identifying and helping those who have the potential to change or who might be wrongfully punished. I want to study diligently so that I can help people with the potential to change and exonerate those who have been arrested despite being innocent. For these reasons, I hope to major in Criminal Investigation at Kwandong University. My ultimate dream is to become “a person for the people.” I want to instill hope that people can change even in a harsh society and contribute to making the world a more beautiful and warmer place. To this end, I am even considering pursuing a Ph.D., and I would like to take that first step at Kwandong University. I understand that Kwandong University has many professors who possess a solid foundation in criminal investigation studies as well as those currently active in the field. Here, I will build a strong foundation, study diligently, identify my area of expertise, and proceed to graduate school. I will pursue a path of growth as a professional by leveraging my major. Rather than fixating on prestigious universities or institutions abroad, I am committed to going wherever I need to be and learning and putting my knowledge into practice wherever I am meant to be. To this end, I will simplify my life and dedicate myself fully to my studies.