This blog post introduces how to effectively incorporate what you want to learn in Applied Statistics into your personal statement.
Academic Experience and Reflections
The sole reason I disliked studying was ‘memorization’. In high school, teachers who said, “Language is memorization,” and “math is ultimately memorization too.” I hated the idea that doing well in school meant I had to be good at memorization. No matter how much I memorized, I’d forget it quickly, and trying to remember it again felt like pouring water into a bottomless pit. This method didn’t suit me, and so I was always stressed about studying. Then I started seriously wondering, ‘Is there a way to study without memorizing?’ And in that process, I discovered my own learning method. It was ‘studying based on understanding’.
I lacked confidence in blindly memorizing theories, but I had interest and confidence in understanding the process and background behind how those theories were derived. So when studying, instead of just memorizing, I started focusing on core theories, figuring out how they came about, and following that flow to understand them. After changing my study method like this, math especially became fun. Rather than memorizing a single formula, once I understood why that formula worked that way, applying it to problems felt easier and more enjoyable. Solving math problems by applying theory and approaching them in different ways gave me the same kind of joy as solving a puzzle.
The language section was the same. Before, the passages felt vague, and I was always uncertain about finding the correct answer. But when I started approaching problems with ‘understanding’ at the center, the flow gradually became clear. Once I grasped the structure and context of the text, the correct answer became clear, and solving the problems became easier. This ‘understanding’ approach gradually reawakened the joy of studying.
From then on, I completely changed my study method. While most friends spent time solving many problems and organizing their wrong answers, I prioritized organizing the concepts first and striving to fully understand them. Even for basic concepts, I was curious about the theoretical background, so I sought out the original texts in foundational books or textbooks, striving to grasp the overall flow. Naturally, my pace was slow at first. However, concepts built steadily from the ground up weren’t easily forgotten, and over time, I could study faster and more accurately.
This study method naturally led to confidence. My fear of subjects like Korean, Math, and English, which require conceptual understanding, vanished, and I actually grew increasingly interested. As I steadily built my skills this way, my grades also approached my goals, and I was able to continue having positive experiences with learning.
Even now, I focus on a learning approach centered on organizing concepts and solving problems based on those concepts, rather than simply solving many problems. This understanding-centered study went beyond being merely a means to raise scores; it gave meaning to the act of ‘studying’ itself. Thanks to this, I came to accept studying not as ‘something I had to do reluctantly,’ but as ‘something I could do proactively,’ and this continues to be a great source of strength for me to this day.
Major School Activities and Reflections
Calligraphy Club: Bringing Peace of Mind!
Since entering high school, the activity I’ve invested the most time in outside of academics is undoubtedly the ‘Calligraphy Club’. My initial reason for joining was simple. I had several brushes lying around at home, so I thought I’d give it a try to make use of them. But once I started, I found the experience was much deeper than I expected, and I soon became captivated by the charm of calligraphy.
Our school’s art teacher specialized in Oriental painting, so I was able to learn the techniques of brush writing and handling ink systematically. Additionally, about once a month, we invited external instructors for lectures on various calligraphy topics and hands-on practice sessions. This activity, which blended mental cultivation with artistic expression beyond mere writing, became a great joy for me. Before I knew it, I found myself looking forward to club time as part of my daily routine.
The greatest thing I gained through the calligraphy club was ‘peace of mind’. Though I might appear calm and easygoing on the surface, the pressure I felt about my studies after becoming a high school student was by no means small. As the grades advanced, the academically gifted students began to stand out more, and I repeatedly faced frustration and disappointment when my grades wouldn’t improve easily no matter how hard I tried. My impatience disrupted my focus on studying, and my feelings of anxiety only grew larger. Amidst this, I too was wavering.
Yet, calligraphy club activities became a time of ‘rest’ and ‘recovery’ for me. Once a week, in a quiet space, I would silently grind ink, slowly add water to achieve the desired concentration, and move the brush across hanji paper. Through this process, I naturally regained my mental center. Those moments, where only myself, the ink, the brush, and the paper existed, were precious times that allowed me to organize and reflect on myself amidst the busy and chaotic daily life. The calmness and concentration I built through club activities naturally had a positive impact on my studies and became a source of strength that allowed me to move forward without wavering even during my exam preparation period.
Another meaningful experience through this activity was being able to participate in an exhibition and fundraising effort based on my artwork. We held a small exhibition utilizing a historic station building near our school and placed a modest donation box there. Visitors who felt uplifted by the artwork were encouraged to contribute 500 won with the message, “If seeing the artwork lifted your spirits, please put 500 won in here. We donated the collected funds to a nearby senior welfare center, which used the money for kimchi-making activities for elderly individuals living alone. When they hung a banner displaying our names as a token of gratitude, I felt an indescribable sense of pride and deep emotion.
That was the first time I truly realized how a very small act of kindness could have such a powerful impact on helping someone. This experience naturally sparked my interest in volunteer work, leading me to ponder, “What can I do?” and turn my attention to various societal issues. What began as a simple club activity expanded into a perspective that made me reflect on both myself and society – one of the most valuable lessons of my high school years.
Examples of Consideration, Sharing, and Cooperation and Reflections
Our school has a special program run by students themselves to reduce academic disparities. It’s called the ‘Best Buddy’ program, a kind of talent donation system where students help others based on their strengths while simultaneously receiving support to address their own weaknesses. Students who wish to participate submit an application listing their main subjects and weak subjects. Based on this, they are matched with a friend who can help fill their gaps. The process of connecting students who can mutually benefit each other is arranged directly by the teachers, which builds a high level of trust.
Through this program, I met a friend who was good at English but struggled with math, and that friend, conversely, received help from me, who was strong in math. We filled each other’s gaps and continued studying together as a team throughout the entire year. We didn’t click perfectly from the start. In fact, our learning styles were almost complete opposites. I preferred understanding-based learning, while my friend valued repetitive memorization. Because our approaches differed, our opinions often clashed in the beginning, making cooperation difficult.
Fortunately, I have a relatively calm temperament, so I made the effort to understand his approach first. I listened to his ideas fully, and when he suggested his preferred learning method, I tried to accept it with an open mind rather than rejecting it outright. Our relationship gradually softened thanks to that effort – striving to understand and respect each other’s methods rather than judging who was right or wrong. My friend also began to gradually empathize with my approach, and before we knew it, we had become each other’s most reliable study partners, understanding and respecting each other’s strengths.
From then on, we complemented each other’s weak subjects and grew together. Experiencing our grades improve through our own efforts, without tutoring or outside help, made me realize for the first time just how powerful ‘studying together’ can be. Through this experience with my friend, I learned that cooperation isn’t just about giving and receiving help; true relationships are built through the process of understanding and adjusting to each other’s differences. I came to understand that true cooperation begins when you set aside your pride, take a step back, and have the grace to see the other person.
The ‘Best Buddy’ program was a precious opportunity that went beyond a simple study helper system, allowing me to directly experience the values of consideration, sharing, and cooperation. And the friend who walked this path with me will remain in my heart for a long time, not just as a study buddy, but as the most grateful friend who grew together with me throughout the year.
Efforts and Preparation Related to Motivation for Application and Career Plans
I aspire to become someone who can read the currents of society and the times. This journey begins with accurately understanding myself. I know what I do well: it is ‘understanding’. I tend to handle situations relatively calmly. No matter how busy or complex the circumstances, I possess the ability to calmly analyze and accept the causes and consequences of problems. For example, when studying mathematics, I focused less on simply memorizing formulas and more on grasping the process by which the theory was derived. At the time, few friends studied that way; I learned mathematics deeply by understanding it in my own way.
Understanding people is also one of my strengths. When problems arise, I tend to first look for the cause within myself, which allows me to navigate interpersonal relationships smoothly and without conflict. Believing that there is no one who cannot be understood, I approach people with an open mind and have always communicated effectively with friends. I believe this capacity for understanding and my rational way of thinking align well with the field of statistics. Indeed, I have achieved strong results not only in mathematics but also in economics and social studies, finding interest in grasping principles and analyzing structures. Based on these experiences and capabilities, I chose the field of ‘Applied Statistics’ and naturally aspire to enter the Applied Statistics Department at ○○ University. I wish to enroll in this department to grow into an analyst and consultant who can interpret the trends of society and the times.
To achieve this goal, my current primary focus is achieving the grades necessary for admission to ○○ University. I am diligently studying, steadily refining my own learning methods, and each day’s study feels like a step forward toward my objective. Simultaneously, another area where I am pouring my energy is ‘reading newspapers’. It’s no exaggeration to say that newspapers are almost my entire window to the world right now. Since I started reading them seriously, I’ve come to truly grasp how rapidly economic and social issues change and what structures operate within those currents. So, I read three different newspapers every day, scraping important articles, and steadily building the fundamental literacy and background knowledge I’ll need after entering university.
Though dedicating about 40 minutes each morning to reading the paper is by no means easy, that time feels almost like attending university itself, making it rather enjoyable. And so, day after day, I cultivate my eye for reading society, prepare for the future, and quietly walk my path.
