In this blog post, I will share a sample personal statement submitted to the Department of Statistics at Korea University.

Academic Efforts and Learning Experiences During High School

I learned a great deal by adhering to the principles of staying true to the textbook, paying close attention in class, and diligently maintaining a notebook of incorrect answers. Rather than relying on various workbooks, I focused my studies on the textbook and even memorized the study guides and chapter titles. Since my homeroom teacher mentioned that exams were based on the study guides and chapter objectives, I consistently studied by memorizing the objectives and table of contents to grasp the overall flow of the material. To solidify my foundational knowledge, I set aside time once a month to review the entire textbook.
During class, I took meticulous notes of everything the teacher said, and when I got home, I reviewed the points the teacher had highlighted. I used weekends for supplementary study and naturally began using a notebook to organize my wrong answers. In this notebook, I didn’t just list the problems; I also summarized the solution methods the teacher taught and the fundamental concepts they repeatedly emphasized. I developed the habit of reviewing these notes thoroughly before exams and then getting plenty of rest.
As a result, my grades, which had been stagnant, gradually improved. I learned that if you try to master advanced concepts without a solid foundation, your knowledge quickly fades away, but if your basics are strong, you can easily find connections when learning new things. That’s why I always tried to stay true to the fundamentals.

Extracurricular Activities I Found Meaningful: Environmental Activities

While mathematics was my primary interest, my second passion was the “environment.” I love animals and plants, so I was deeply interested in environmental issues and actively participated in campaigns that could be practiced in daily life. By reviewing environmental materials, I realized that simply sorting waste properly—distinguishing between burnable and non-burnable trash and categorizing recyclable items—can greatly contribute to environmental improvement. So, I volunteered for the school’s waste sorting initiative and carried out my duties responsibly for two years.
There were many times when I felt frustrated while sorting waste. Even when we emphasized the importance of sorting and teachers checked our work, people often didn’t follow the rules. I got angry when I had to re-sort trash that had been hidden or mixed together. Although it was time-consuming and messy, those experiences actually motivated me to work even harder. I planned and led campaigns with my friends, and with the cooperation of the newspaper and broadcasting clubs, we ran campaigns to reduce paper cup usage, promote waste separation, and prevent food waste, achieving some success. Through this process, I realized that small efforts can bring about big changes, and I resolved to consistently participate in good causes.
I also felt a sense of regret when I saw classmates throwing away items that were still usable during our waste separation activities. Since many items discarded simply because they were out of fashion were still usable, I collected them and held a bazaar in collaboration with the local women’s association. With the help of the mothers, we washed the clothes and bags, sorted them by condition, and sold them; many items found new owners, and some were donated. Seeing my friends’ attitudes toward waste change through this experience gave me a deep sense of satisfaction and fulfillment, and I resolved to continue participating in charitable giving.

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

In middle school, I was on good terms with my teachers, but when I entered high school, there was an atmosphere where everyone was so focused on studying that they were reluctant to take on volunteer work or class duties. So, I decided to take on the tasks my friends were avoiding and became the subject representative. While fulfilling this role, I approached it diligently without expecting rewards, and even after class, I would meticulously check with the teacher for any necessary information and write it on the blackboard so students could refer to it.
I made a special effort to communicate announcements as early as possible, especially during the performance assessment season. Since students are often pressed for time during these assessments, providing advance notice helps minimize confusion. Whenever revisions were needed, I immediately checked with the teacher and updated the information. Once the exam scope was announced, I posted it right away and printed extra copies to ensure no one missed it. Although it was a small role, my efforts to convey information quickly and accurately led our class to achieve the highest submission rate for performance assessments.
Through this experience, I realized that those who act quickly ultimately receive better evaluations. The habit of actively gathering information and communicating it promptly was helpful to my peers, and for me, it served as an opportunity to learn the value of responsibility and cooperation.

Reasons for Applying to This Program

I have always enjoyed mathematics and have a strong interest in social phenomena. Initially, I was drawn to majors in journalism or social and cultural studies, but I decided to apply for statistics because I believe it serves as the “foundation” for the various fields I wish to explore. I believe statistics is a discipline essential to businesses, consumers, and the public alike, as it goes beyond simple numerical calculations to serve as a tool for measuring and predicting diverse social and cultural phenomena. Therefore, I aim to major in statistics to build a solid foundation and become someone who can integrate and apply knowledge across various academic disciplines.

The Application Preparation Process and Cultivating Diligence

The quality I cultivated most while preparing to enter the Statistics Department was “diligence.” I believe that the experience of studying diligently while simultaneously engaging in various activities has made me a diligent person. Without neglecting my classes and studies, I frequently visited the faculty office to fulfill my duties as a subject representative, and I used my lunch breaks and cleaning periods to sort and dispose of trash. I also served as president of volunteer and club organizations, taking a central role in these activities and developing a strong sense of responsibility.
Through these experiences, I have learned the diligence to keep up in any situation and the composure to handle tasks calmly even when I have a heavy workload. Once I enter university, I intend to challenge myself with diverse experiences even more diligently and build a solid foundation in statistics.