Please tell us a little about yourself.
I don’t usually reveal my personal story to anybody, but this time is different. I would be happy if my writing can inspire those of you who feel anxious about college applications. I studied the middle school and IGCSE curriculum in BVIS for 2.5 years, and then the high school curriculum in St. Paul for 1.5 years. I wasn’t able to complete my Junior year due to personal circumstances, which made my academic journey somewhat unique. Both international schools equally had a profound impact on shaping my identity, but this time I would like to focus on St. Paul.
How has your experience been since you left St. Paul?
After returning to South Korea in January, the main problem I confronted was preparing for the AP exams in May while adapting to the new environment at a local Korean school. Thankfully, my new teacher and classmates understood that I was studying different stuff from theirs, and my school provided me extra time to prepare for AP exams rather than following the Korean curriculum. Even so, it remains one of my toughest memories: waking up at 6:30 AM, studying alone after school from 5PM to 11PM every day, without a single break, from March to May. During this period, I quit using social media entirely, which showed how much I “cared.”
What helped me the most in preparing for the AP exams was being connected with the St. Paul community. Before leaving Vietnam, I asked Mr. Gus not to delete my school Google account so I could continue to reach out to teachers and get access to invaluable resources in Google Classroom.
The AP classes at St. Paul were excellent in preparing for the exams, so I didn’t use any expensive online courses or private academies. Instead, I used school materials, a few YouTube videos, and free AP-specific websites.
What drew you to Yonsei and Korea University?
If you are a Korean student, especially one who follows a 3-year track as an overseas Korean, your dream university is either Yonsei or Korea. For me, applying to Yonsei and Korea University was an ambitious challenge, one I had dreamt of ever since I first arrived in Vietnam four years ago.
What excites you most about studying in Korea?
Since I spent most of my adolescence in Vietnam, I would love to engage more deeply with Korean students and culture. Although I haven’t yet decided which university to attend, both Korea and Yonsei University are awesome and I look forward to the opportunity to study at either of them.
Can you share a meaningful project or experience from school?
The most memorable project I took part in at St. Paul was serving as a translator in the Parents As Leaders (PAL) meetings with James. Together, we translated during monthly meetings for several months, where upcoming events and future agendas within the St. Paul were discussed. This experience not only strengthened my confidence in English and Korean skills, but also gave me time to think about how the school community could better support both students and parents. Other than that, Tet Festival and SPEAK also gave me unforgettable memories.
Choosing one meaningful experience from St. Paul was easy for me: Mr. Jesse’s AP Physics 1 and AP Statistics classes. He always engaged students to participate actively and helped us to fully comprehend the key concept in each unit. Most importantly, his classes are always fun and lively. I would even dare to recommend that students transfer to St. Paul just to study under him. In my view, he is the perfect embodiment of an ideal teacher.
How did you show Yonsei and Korea University that you were the right fit, or what made you stand out?
What made me unique in the university application process was the high school report with only three semesters. It seemed to make it harder to demonstrate my academic strengths, but it also meant that if I achieved more than other students who graduated within six semesters, I would stand out even more. Just like other applicants, I prepared for SAT, AP exams, TOEFL, extracurricular activities and voluntary work. But I was more diligent and hardworking, which allowed me to submit a competitive application compared to many international school graduates. I accomplished in two years what others typically achieved in three, and now I have six free months before entering university.
After returning to Korea, I continued to care deeply about academics and made sure my school record reflected my interests as if I were a true “nerd” in those fields.
What role did St. Paul play in helping you explore your strengths?
St. Paul has awesome teachers as well as admirable students. Being surrounded by hardworking peers pushed myself even more. I always watched how much they cared about school life and each class, and I wanted to become one of those students. Being part of such a great community helped me to be more ambitious.
Were there faculty, classes, or programs at St. Paul that shaped your path to top universities?
St. Paul has a great university program that allows students to explore universities around the world, including those in Korea. For example, when faculty members of Sungkyunkwan University visited St. Paul, it was the first time I seriously considered where I wanted to apply. We also have Mr. Gus, who also knows a lot about Korean universities. I hope everyone who is in doubt will have a conversation with him. He gives you certainty and determination to follow your goal.
How did St. Paul support your goals after you left school?
I was able to be in contact with my teachers and access AP resources for each unit. In addition, I personally asked Mr. Jesse and Mr. Ben for extra resources to prepare for the AP Chemistry and Statistics exams, and both of them provided everything I needed even after I had left school. I would like to give special thanks to both of them for their support.
What advice would you give to younger students who are just starting their educational journey?
There is no such “waste of time” actions. If you fail, you have an experience that will help you do better next time. If you succeed, it gives you pride and boosts your confidence for future challenges. And either way, after graduation, you will realize that your journey is full of happy memories.
Let me tell you one personal story. After taking the AP Biology exam this year, I cried the whole day since I didn’t know what #6 FRQ pedigree question said, writing down some random words. I thought my whole year and effort would go for nothing right after the exam. As the score got released, I still got a 5. So if you put your best effort as possible, the result you dreamt follows.
