Jake will be majoring in Material Science, a decision he made because he wasn’t sure which subject he was best at or most passionate about. Rather than choosing just one, he chose a field that allows him to experience different kinds of science, so he can find his path through hands-on exploration in university. His dream is to create a material that could replace cement or concrete. He said, “We had the Bronze Age, the Iron Age, and now maybe the Silicon Age. In the future, I want to make my own material. Maybe we will call it the Daewook material or Jake material.”
He also shared how deeply he cares about climate change. He wants to develop something that helps address global issues because each year the world feels hotter and more at risk. His goal is not just about a good university or high salary but about finding his purpose and proving to himself that effort truly matters.
He openly admitted that he struggled in 10th grade. He only took one AP and didn’t get a full GPA because of a B+ in English. From the second semester of that year onward, he decided to change. “I just studied extremely hard,” he said. “Even on New Year’s, my birthday, and Christmas, when everyone else was relaxing with friends or family, I sat in my chair and studied because I had a goal.” In 11th grade, he took seven APs. In 12th grade, even more. He said this process helped him understand how to commit fully. “Once I decide to do something, I pour in all my effort until I achieve it. If I fail, I never regret it.
He doesn’t believe in making excuses. “There’s always someone else out there in a worse condition than me who still achieves what I want. That means there’s no excuse for me. Not about the test being hard or the academy not being good enough. No excuse at all.”
What stood out was how much he values the people around him. He wanted to thank Ms. Yen, who made the document process smooth and even enjoyable. While others stressed over paperwork, she was always kind, understanding, and efficient. Mr. Gus helped guide him through the college application process with care. He also gave thanks to Mr. Jesse who inspired him, and ” I don’t feel any distance from the teachers and students,”he shared. He recognized Mr. Kevin, Mr. La Roi, Ms. Shannon, and Ms. Drapkin for their support throughout his academic journey.
And he especially wants to give a shout-out to his best friend Han Min. They studied together at their previous school and transferred to St. Paul at the same time in 10th grade. In 11th grade, when Jake asked how many APs Hanmin was taking, he said ten or even more. “He just said, ‘We can do it. Just try.’ He made everything look easy. Other people say it’s impossible, but he just does it like it’s normal. That gave me confidence.”
Jake said Hanmin became one of the biggest motivations in his life. “If he hadn’t been with me at St. Paul, I don’t think I would’ve taken that many APs or even gotten into KAIST. After I read my acceptance letter, I told him that 70 percent of this is because of you. Maybe 30 percent is because of me, the teachers, and my parents. I’m just thankful to him every time.” Even in 12th grade, Hanmin’s work ethic continued to push him forward. “He inspired me to study harder and believe in myself. He was a huge part of this journey.”
Jake doesn’t see getting into KAIST or SNU as the final destination. “It’s just one step. High school was where I learned how to put real effort into something meaningful. Getting into a university is not a finish line. It’s just a certificate that shows I tried my best.”
