Stevenacademy
-
ACADEMY STUDENT TESTIMONIAL
합격수기 section
Miuee Jeong
Nationality: Korea, Graduated from: Hong Kong International School (HKIS), Years studied overseas: Shanghai(2-4th grade), Hong Kong(5-12th grade)
SAT: 1580, SATII: MII 800/Chemistry 800/Physics 790, AP Taken: Chemistry, BC Calculus, Chinese, Physics 1, US G&P, Com G&P (All 5s)
Research Internship at Hong Kong University: Seatree (Cosmetic Chain) Sales Associate, Media Responsibility & Human RIghts Center (Intern), Assisted film crew for documentary production, Math private tutor
Other achievements:
Bausch & Lomb Honorary Science Award, High school Mathematical Contest in Modeling (National Finalist), Scholastic Art & Writing Competition (Regional Sliver/Gold Key, National Silver Medal),
Chemistry Olympiad (Nationals Qualifier), Chem 13 News Exam (Top 5%), Avogadro Exam (Top 5%)
Self-introduction: Hello everyone, my name is Miuee Jeong. I am a HKIS student living in Hong Kong.
What are the major factors of your acceptance in U Penn Jerome Fisher program? Chemistry was my favorite subject, so while I was thinking of studying chemistry as a major, I was very lucky to be selected as an intern in Hong Kong University chemistry lab. My experiences in the chemistry lab at Hong Kong University and in UPenn M&TSI that I participated in summer before 12th grade are the main reasons of choosing material engineering as a major. Fundraising activities for school’s community service also led me to gain interest in economics and marketing. Therefore, I applied to M&T where I can study both topics. I believe that good GPA, high SAT/AP scores, and experience at M&TSI are the reasons for my acceptance.
Awards: I received a Baush & Lombe Science Honorary Award and Scholarship that HKIS gives to only one student. I also performed well in the Chemistry Olympiad. Most of my grades were all A, and my SAT, AP scores were relatively high.
Memory in Steven Academy: I took AP Chemistry and AP Calculus classes during summer to preview major concepts before I actually take those classes at school. This way, it was much more easier for me to study during the semester, and I focused more on other studies or activities. Additionally, I took the SENT class during summer in Steven Academy, and my experience of analyzing and discussing with classmates after reading many books and news articles was very helpful in my English classes at school.
About the test: AP scores are very important, but I think that GPA is even more important. For me, it was hard for me to receive an A in AP classes at school than receiving a score of 5 in AP exams. Although many friends got 4 or 5 in AP, but received a lower GPA. I do not recommend students to take AP classes at school if you are aiming for high GPA. Taking AP classes is unnecessary, and high scores in AP exams are not enough to compensate your low GPA. I recommend that getting high GPA is important than any other things.
Essay: I tried to demonstrate my qualities and values through different application essays that every school requires. For example, in my Common app application essay, I wrote about my talents, hobbies, and goals. Meanwhile, in additional essays that asked me to write about my leadership, I focused my essay more on my personality. I do not think essays have to be too much complicated or something big. After reading my friends' essays, the essays that impressed me was about specific moments in life. Writing about something big might be meaningless. Explaining and expressing about yourself in detail is very crucial.
Interview: The interview that I took with a M&T graduate in a coffee shop only took 20 minutes. The interview took place in a relaxing environment, and the graduate interviewer talked a lot about the school in a students’ perspective. It was a good chance for me to know about the school and to realize why I wanted to go to this school. The interviewer was surprised that I knew a lot about Penn’s educational programs and academic environments.