In this blog post, I’ll present a sample personal statement written for admission to the Department of Computer Software Engineering at Kumoh National Institute of Technology. It details my academic efforts during high school, school activities, examples of acts of consideration, my motivation for applying to the department, and my career plans.
Academic Efforts and Learning Experiences During High School
The subject I found particularly challenging compared to others was mathematics. However, I decided that if I wanted to pursue a degree in a computer-related field, I needed to change my mindset about finding math difficult. So, the first step I took was to organize the material from my basic math textbook. I concluded that the reason I struggled with math was because I got stuck on difficult problems, and the reason I got stuck was that I hadn’t properly solidified the fundamental principles of mathematics. So, rather than blindly solving a large number of difficult problems, I focused on first properly understanding and mastering the fundamental principles. I organized these principles by comparing my textbook with a reference book known as “The Classic of Mathematics,” and after summarizing the principles for each chapter, I developed my problem-solving skills by working through problems on my own—starting with the easy ones and progressing to the difficult ones.
At first, I had my doubts. I was anxious that not doing advanced study like everyone else—given my lack of a solid foundation—might cause me to fall behind, but I trusted my choice and studied consistently, believing that only by building a strong foundation could I eventually solve difficult problems. As one month, then two, and eventually a year passed, the frequency of my mistakes decreased, and my grades improved so significantly that the comments from my friends telling me, “Don’t go through all that trouble for nothing,” became completely irrelevant. It was the moment when my approach—focusing on filling in the gaps rather than comparing myself to others and trying to keep up—truly paid off.
While organizing basic concepts to improve my math grades, I learned that what matters most in any subject isn’t “solving a lot of difficult problems,” but “how well you understand the fundamentals and how you approach them.” As a result of striving to study based on the fundamentals—not only in math but in other subjects as well—my grades improved, and I plan to continue my studies with a focus on the fundamentals moving forward.
Meaningful Extracurricular Activities
To give concrete form to my dream of software development, I joined the programming club. In the club, I studied the C programming language and engaged in both basic and advanced learning to create programs alongside friends who shared my interests, with a strong emphasis on hands-on practice. I built a solid foundation during my freshman year, and by my sophomore year, my skills had improved to the point where I could teach underclassmen. Through these activities, I came to realize how deeply computer-related technologies have permeated our lives and that programming can become a fundamental part of daily life; this further solidified my goal of creating convenient software that enhances the quality of people’s lives.
While participating in the school’s invention contest, I developed a simple app to test my programming skills. After brainstorming ideas that would be practical for my friends and me, I came up with the idea of a grade-level notification app. I designed it to allow users to check information—such as key schedules by grade, messages from teachers, and school competitions—and receive notifications. Since I had to balance this with studying for my school exams, I cut back on sleep to develop it, but I stayed focused on the idea that it would be helpful to many people and managed to finish it. I completed it one day before the submission deadline and received high marks from the judges for its feasibility and relevance to the school, winning the Grand Prize.
The app was well-received for its practicality, achieved through a simple and clean design rather than the use of complex technology. In my club, I shared my app development process, which sparked interest among my peers. Subsequently, I was able to steadily improve my development skills by collaborating with others on app projects and teaching the development process to underclassmen. Through this experience, I realized that learning computer software is not just about theory but is truly complete when combined with hands-on implementation.
Examples of Consideration, Sharing, Collaboration, and Conflict Management
In the club, I was assigned the role of teaching underclassmen because of my proficiency in C and my experience in app development. Although I felt a bit shy at first, I took on the responsibility and tried my best to pass on what I knew to them. I began by explaining programming theory step by step, and answering their questions gave me an opportunity to review the material myself. The desire to teach the underclassmen actually boosted my own motivation to learn.
When teaching, I made a conscious effort to maintain an attitude of studying together as partners rather than adopting a condescending stance. In addition to theory, I shared the development process of the “Notification App”—which I had developed myself and won an award for at a campus competition—and we discussed ideas for improvement together. I believe that teaching goes beyond mere transmission of information; it becomes true collaboration and sharing when accompanied by consideration. I approached my juniors with the mindset that just because they didn’t know something yet didn’t mean they were lacking—they simply hadn’t learned it yet—and that I was there to help simply because I knew it first. This led to mutual growth among my juniors and friends alike.
Reasons for Choosing My Major and Academic/Career Plans After Enrollment
I applied to the Department of Computer Software Engineering because I wanted to become someone who makes people’s lives more convenient and comfortable through programming. I’ve been skilled with computers since I was young, so it was natural for me to dream of becoming a software developer. As I witnessed the advancements in smartphone technology, my interest expanded to mobile software development, and this dream became increasingly concrete through my participation in a high school programming club. By balancing theoretical studies with hands-on app development, I was able to assess my abilities; even while juggling my school grades and extracurricular activities, I continued to build my programming skills through private tutoring and self-study.
When an app I actually created was recognized by my school for its practical potential, I felt a great sense of fulfillment, which solidified my confidence in my career path. After enrolling in the Department of Computer Software Engineering at Kumoh National Institute of Technology, I plan to gain extensive project experience that can be applied in real-world settings, rather than limiting myself to theory alone. Specifically, I intend to participate in on-campus research and team projects to design and implement user-friendly software, and after graduation, I aim to grow into a commercial software developer who enhances the quality of people’s lives. I will strive to become a developer who constantly researches and puts new ideas into practice to create a more convenient and prosperous life for others.
