In this blog post, we’ll summarize a sample personal statement written by an applicant to Kwangwoon University’s Department of Information and Communication Engineering, focusing on academic efforts and learning experiences, campus activities, examples of consideration for others, motivation for applying, and academic and career plans.

Academic Efforts and Learning Experiences

While in high school, I studied science inquiry courses diligently and particularly enjoyed physics. Although physics was a subject with few takers and a high level of difficulty—which many of my friends tended to avoid—I confidently chose the subject I loved and prepared for the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT). Since there were only about 5,000 students taking Physics II, it was not easy to achieve a top grade; therefore, I integrated Physics I and II to thoroughly master the theory from the ground up and build a solid foundation. Rather than simply following the curriculum by grade level, I studied by deepening my understanding of each unit. For example, when studying “Force and Energy” in Physics II, I first reviewed the relevant foundational units from Physics I and then connected them to the advanced concepts to ensure a comprehensive understanding. When studying “Waves and Light,” I also expanded my understanding by referring to the “Sound and Light” content from Physics I. When solving problems, I did not tackle Physics I and Physics II questions separately; instead, I identified and solved related questions together, training myself to apply a single theory to various situations. Through this method, I was able to build a deep understanding of specific physics theories and units without being constrained by subject boundaries.

Extracurricular Activities: Focused on the Game Development Club

During high school, I was very interested in computer science and programming, so I was active in the game development club. I taught myself programming languages such as C++ for game development and was able to continue my learning with the help of my seniors and juniors in the club. The game I designed and developed was a puzzle game where players control a character; I designed animal characters as graphics and named the game after one of them. For the graphics, I used DirectX instead of standard design software to create three-dimensional and visually striking effects; although this was time-consuming, I focused on achieving the highest possible quality. Additionally, with the goal of mobile programming, I built a server designed to be compatible with PC games, enabling network battles between PCs, between PDAs, and between PDAs and PCs. While I referenced existing club programs for cross-device compatibility, the process of connecting different devices proved more challenging than expected. During this time, I drew inspiration from a classmate’s work to solve problems, and I learned creativity through the process of observing and incorporating others’ ideas. After completing the game, I designed a P2P program for PDAs that included file-sharing and streaming features, developed a P2P protocol suited for embedded environments, and devised a method to improve download speeds by minimizing traffic during the file download process. Through these experiences, I was able to enhance not only my game development skills but also my ability to design communication and network-related systems.

Examples of Consideration, Sharing, and Collaboration: On-Campus Computer Repair Activities

I was already familiar with computer maintenance and repair, so I frequently fixed the old PCs in the club room, which earned me recognition within the club. The school’s computers had low specifications and outdated software, leading to frequent problems; since there were many users, equipment failures often disrupted club activities. To prevent this, I proactively learned computer troubleshooting skills and worked as part of a “Troubleshooting Team” with club members who shared similar interests. As word of our capabilities spread, we were frequently called upon by the faculty office and the multimedia room to resolve issues. We prepared boot disks and performed basic recovery procedures—such as virus removal, formatting, and disk cleanup—while also teaching users how to manage their systems independently when problems arose. Working as a team, we divided roles and collaborated. I primarily handled virus issues, while another friend took care of boot problems and yet another managed storage capacity and external device connections; we operated as a single unit whenever problems arose. Through this process, I was able to significantly improve my own troubleshooting and problem-solving skills by encountering a variety of cases—going beyond simply helping others.

Reasons for Applying and Academic/Career Plans After Enrollment

I applied to the Department of Information and Communication Engineering at Kwangwoon University because I have maintained a consistent interest in computers and communications since high school, and I dream of becoming a researcher who drives innovation in cutting-edge technology fields, particularly wireless communication systems. Since the communications field is highly technology-intensive and changes rapidly, I believe the ability to continuously acquire and apply new knowledge is crucial. Just as my friends and family have nicknamed me an “early adopter” and a “problem-solver,” I have cultivated an attitude of quickly mastering new technologies and solving problems. After entering university, I wish to devote myself to my studies and research in a laboratory focused on mobile and wireless communication systems and communication methods. After building a solid foundation in basic theory and practical skills during my undergraduate studies, I plan to pursue a master’s degree to conduct in-depth research on cutting-edge technologies such as software-defined wireless communications and cognitive radio. In the long term, my goal is to become a leading researcher in telecommunications technology who contributes to improving the performance of wireless communication systems and developing new communication methods, thereby driving technological innovation in both industry and academia.