Pennsylvania state university admission essay

Activities

When I was a sophomore in high school, I was vice president of the Korean Club, an organization which sought to bring together Korean students, as well as educate others in Korean culture. The club was created in 2009 by myself and my friend, who acted as the president. While participating and running this club, I organized several activities to introduce Korean culture to the rest of my school and community. I taught basic Korean expressions and the Korean alphabet to my classmates and teachers. What’s more, I served my fellow classmates traditional Korean foods, like Kim-Chi and Topokki. The club proved very popular with the students of my school, in no small part due to the enjoyable activities we provided, and the welcoming atmosphere I and my fellow members tried to cultivate. In my time at the club, I found many exciting relationships, and I had a lot of fun participating and organizing activities there. Throughout the school, interest in Korean culture was successfully expanded among the non-Korean members of the student body; I was glad to share my love for Korea with the people I had come to know well in high school.

Participating in the Korean Club provided me with a sense of brotherhood and community in my school. Being one of but a few Koreans in a primarily American school, it was nice to have that feeling of home while still finding ways to incorporate it into the overall school culture. The building of relationships was paramount to me – I wanted to bridge cultural gaps between Americans and Koreans at my school, and further understanding of each other’s cultures. The activities I helped organize as part of the Korean Club were a big part of making that happen. I was glad to have the best of both worlds – sharing my native culture with those who are familiar with it, while at the same time showing my American friends and classmates what it was like to be Korean. It was this participation in this club that made me feel good to provide intercultural activities to my community.

In addition to my work with intercultural studies, another particular interest of mine is art. In my works, I typically use pencil, acrylics and other materials to bring bold, vivid colors and shapes to the canvas. One of the most rewarding things for me is to be able to sit down, look into my imagination or the world around me, and convey it in a two dimensional image. It is something I carry a great passion for, and it is the best way to convey my emotions, both about myself and my environment. I absolutely love what creating and exploring does for me, and it is my hope that the paintings and sketches I make can have some kind of positive effect on others as well. With drawing and painting, I learn more about how to look at the world, and find new ways to look at it.

OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY

1.
Of all of my different interests, I would have to say the thing I am most proud of is my art. In my works, I typically use pencil, acrylics and other materials to bring bold, vivid colors and shapes to the canvas. One of the most rewarding things for me is to be able to sit down, look into my imagination or the world around me, and convey it in a two dimensional image. It is something I carry a great passion for, and it is the best way to convey my emotions, both about myself and my environment.
2. Given my intercultural experience, I feel I would be a very good fit for Ohio State University’s philosophy of diversity in its community. Being from South Korea, and living there most of my life until very recently, I have a great deal of knowledge regarding this unique and vibrant culture. I would consider it a great honor to offer this information and knowledge about my culture to those who would be interested, furthering the collective understanding of those who attend the university. In addition to that, I would consider myself very open to learning about both American culture and the traditions of other international students.

I have many high hopes for my college experience, which I am confident Ohio State University can fulfill for me. In addition to the aforementioned cultural experience and volunteer perspective, I would like to have the experience of a larger, more prominent university. Having a college experience of the caliber displayed at your university would help me gain a greater perspective on American culture and education. I feel the campus would expose me to a greater number of unique, diverse and knowledgeable individuals, all of whom could teach me many new things. What’s more, the quality of the education one receives at Ohio State University is something I am very excited to experience and dedicate myself to.

In conclusion, there are many things I wish to contribute to the community of Ohio State University, and a great deal I can learn from it. My presence could greatly benefit the school’s emphasis on diversity and intercultural studies, and my volunteer work has given me fresh perspective on many unique issues, including environmentalism and religion. With this in mind, I would love to become part of the unique family of students who attend this university.

First choice major: Political Science

Because I come from such a different culture, I feel as though I can make unique observations about international politics and apply them to my sense of activism. Engaging in political science permits me to learn more about my world and apply that knowledge to different cultural contexts.

Second choice major: Business/Marketing

Ever since I was a child, I have known poverty. As a result, I understand the value of money, and how best to advertise to make the most of what you have. With that in mind, I would love to gain expertise in the world of business, and figure out new ways to bring products and services to the world.

List your top five activities or awards by their order of importance to you, with the most important activity first. For each one, explain what you did in the activity. Describe the activity, your function, accomplishments, position held, and leadership demonstrated. Volunteer activities may be included. Do not duplicate entries found in any other section. Do not include in this section: employment, sports, or summer activities, since that information is requested elsewhere.

1. Korean Club

Created the Korean Club with my friend.

Taught basic Korean expressions and Korean alphabet to students and teachers.
While participating and running this club, I organized several activities to introduce Korean culture to the rest of my school and community. I taught basic Korean expressions and the Korean alphabet to my classmates and teachers. What’s more, I served my fellow classmates traditional Korean foods.
2. Math League

Alternate scorer for Massachusetts Math League (MML).

In the Massachusetts Math League, I was an alternate scorer; as a result, I gained unique insight into the ways in which groups came together and exercised knowledge. My responsibilities were to tally scores and track team progress as they progressed through each round.
3. Christian Outreach

Serving 20 hours of community service each year by serving food for homeless.

During my time with Christian Outreach, I helped to organize and implement food drives. I worked in soup kitchens, and often counseled homeless on life and family matters. Spending time with the homeless and providing community service provided me with skills in patience, compassion and allocation of limited resources.
4. Vocal Ensemble

Baritone singer; performed in many Catholic Masses, Christmas Show, Spring Show, and Bethany Health Care Center

In 2009 and 2010, I was a baritone member of the vocal ensemble, performing in choruses and solos for a variety of concerts both private and public. The Vocal Ensemble was also a regular part of the Catholic church presence in my area, as we would perform nearly every Mass.
5. Multicultural Club

Celebrating cultural identity and discovering more about the traditions and cultures of the world.

Like the Korean Club, my responsibility was to advertise and market efforts and initiatives started by the Multicultural Club. I would often provide Korean-themed food and cultural items to contribute to multicultural activities, and would organize meetings and presentations to various classes.

#1
Please describe your most significant activities (e. g., academic or leadership enrichment, volunteer programs, work) in each of the past three summers. Do not duplicate entries in other sections. Cite the length of time spent in each activity. Describe personal accomplishments, leadership roles, selectivity, and what benefits you received in each activity. You may include more than one significant activity per summer. (Maximum of 300 characters)

Summer Prior to 2010

-Wrapping Christmas Gifts
I helped to wrap Christmas gifts for children from poor families. Everyone knows how important it is to receive these gifts on Christmas, and it is very sad that some parents cannot afford them. So I think that this work brought a lot of smiles to children’s faces, and I am very proud of it.

Summer Prior to 2011

-Multiple Sclerosis Walks

I performed ten hours of community service in my summer vacation by participating in a walkathon for victims of multiple sclerosis. I am very passionate about helping others and raising money for treatment; as a result, I managed to walk around thirty to fifty miles throughout the summer vacation.

Summer Prior to 2012

-Nursing Home

Every year in school, I performed two hours of community service by going on walks with the elderly in nursing homes. I feel very strongly about sacrificing time and energy to those who have worked hard for you, and I respect my elders dearly. I considered it an honor to spend time with them.

#2
If you have experienced any special circumstances that may have affected your academic achievement, please provide details to enable appropriate consideration. (Maximum of 300 characters)

We did not have much as a family, since my parents were very poor; as such, I was not afforded the chance to have the highest quality education. Throughout my childhood, I had to work hard to contribute to the family, and so my grades may reflect that division between work and school.