In this blog post, we present the original text of a personal statement submitted by an applicant to Kwangwoon University’s Department of Architectural Engineering, which has been edited and organized while preserving the original context and meaning.

Efforts Devoted to Academics and Learning Experiences

I will focus on my experience of studying science and humanities subjects in different ways. I was very interested in science subjects, so I solved many problems and achieved good grades. On the other hand, humanities subjects felt like homework, and my grades in language subjects, in particular, did not improve much because there were no clear-cut right answers. Therefore, I concluded that I should not study these two types of subjects in the same way. Since my interest in science subjects tended to lead me to become overly immersed in a single area, I maintained a balance by limiting the number of problems I solved each day. For example, I decided not to exceed 50 math and science problems combined per day, and I limited statistics to five problems a day to prevent excessive focus. On the other hand, since I felt I lacked practice in Korean and English, I judged that these subjects required more investment. I solved 15 problems in each subject daily and thoroughly reviewed my mistakes, taking time to deeply reflect on why I got them wrong. In this way, I have maintained a balance in my studies between these two very different types of subjects.

Extracurricular Activities: Experiences and Insights from the Choir Club

I joined the choir club to foster teamwork and enjoy singing. At first, I expected we’d just sing a few times in the music room, but the club was very active, so we frequently had to travel to external choir competitions every weekend. Although the process was sometimes tedious and tiring, participating in these competitions exposed me to various buildings and sparked my interest in architecture. Each building had a distinct appearance and purpose, shaped not only by its exterior but also by its interior design and function, and I became fascinated by discovering those differences and their meanings. Afterward, I subscribed to architecture-related news and magazines, immersing myself in the world of architecture. Not only did I come to enjoy the choir activities themselves, but as a result of my dedicated participation, I was recommended by my seniors to serve as club president, giving me the opportunity to test my leadership skills. Since choir is an activity that requires many people to work together to achieve results, it demanded communication and thoughtful consideration. During schedules that involved riding subways and buses together and even taking care of meals, it was crucial to look after my friends with care; in my sophomore year, in particular, looking after my juniors gave me an opportunity to reflect on how I was perceived by others. Now that I’ve handed the presidency over to a junior, I’m devoting myself to studying architecture while recalling the buildings I saw at those choir competitions.

Examples of Consideration, Sharing, Cooperation, and Conflict Management

Throughout my school life, I made a point of helping classmates who were struggling academically. I started from the belief that many students weren’t necessarily incapable of learning but simply weren’t studying effectively. Once, while talking with a high-achieving classmate, I observed their meticulous preparation methods and realized how I should approach my studies. After applying that method to my own studies, I began to make the most of every moment and study systematically, and I shared this approach with my peers. Since I did not attend cram schools or receive private tutoring, I deeply understood the importance of study methods. Based on my experience that putting these methods into practice is more important than spending money to change them, I offered my help. Although some friends were reluctant at first, my consistent support eventually earned their gratitude, and the process of studying together motivated us mutually, pushing me to work even harder. I learned that there are many ways in which working together enables us to be more diligent.

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

I was drawn to architecture because of the emotional impact that well-designed buildings have on people. Beautiful buildings created by human hands are awe-inspiring, and I had an intuition that I, too, could create something like that. In particular, I was impressed by the fact that Kwangwoon University’s buildings are renowned for their spacious grounds and designs that prioritize student convenience; captivated by that architectural spirit, I decided to enroll at Kwangwoon University. Once admitted, I will become a student who constantly practices and learns, guided by the belief that “every day should be lived differently.” I have heard that architecture is fundamentally based on repetitive practice and preparation for real-world applications, and I have high expectations for Kwangwoon University’s practice-oriented educational system. I will absorb knowledge like a sponge and engage actively, venturing out to observe and reflect on a variety of architectural structures. My ultimate goal is to travel both domestically and internationally to view and analyze numerous buildings, work diligently, and become an architect with my own unique style—one that is environmentally friendly, enhances people’s convenience, and fosters a healthy lifestyle.