Stevenacademy
-
Story about Acceptance
Story about Acceptance
Suhwoo Goh
SAT1 : 2240
SAT2 : Math -800, Physics -800, Chemistry -780, US History -750
AP : Calculus BC -5, Physics -5, Physics C Mechanics -5 , Biology -5, Statistics -5
Weighted GPA(Final) : 103.1
While spending six years in international school in Korea and private high school in the States, I prepared for the college entrance to Korean universities. I wanted to major in industrial design, and therefore, studied to get accepted to KAIST, one of the best engineering school in Korea.
Since KAIST is specialized in science and engineering, it requires demanding qualifications. First, it requires scores in high range from standardized math exams. I felt difficult meeting those qualifications because I have spent my junior and senior year in a small private school in the States. My school only had few AP classes that are available, and students were only allowed to take a single AP class per year until senior year according to school policy. Furthermore, college application period in Korea and in the States were very different. KAIST accepts applications in December, but the AP scores are announced in May of the following year. Therefore, I decided to take SAT II tests, instead of AP tests, to get a high score in a short period of time. Steven Academy helped me adjust and manage my schedule for exams and college application. During summer vacation, before senior year, I learned the basics in Steven Academy, and after going back to the States, I continued preparing for exams by reviewing the basic concepts through online classes using video call. I learned strategies to solve different types of problems and reviewed my mistakes to improve further. I was able to get accepted to KAIST with the help from Steven Academy. The strategies and lessons I learned in Steven Academy was very detailed, so I achieved high scores in SAT II tests.
Although receiving good grades from standardized tests is very important, maintaining good GPA is an essential qualification to get accepted to universities. GPA is one of the principal indicators of students’ competence and demonstrates their diligence and dedication. GPA is not everything, but the importance of GPA is more stressed than that of AP or SAT II scores in college entrance.
From junior year, not only the amount of materials to study increases, but stress and burden while preparing for college entrance are extreme. While I was preparing for college application, I was very anxious and stressed. Every time I struggled, teachers in Steven Academy encouraged and supported me. I was able to finish the long journey of applying to universities with their help. Besides academic issues, Steven Academy did help and support me in many aspects, and I really appreciate their effort.