SENIORS: PLEASE COMPLETE FOR LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION.

GIVE A COPY TO EACH INDIVIDUAL THAT

YOU ARE REQUESTING TO WRITE A LETTER.

SENIOR QUESTIONNAIRE
NAME: Yoon-Se Kim DATE: May 19, 2017

To assist the recommender in representing you as accurately as possible in the letter, please read and respond
to the statements and questions below. The care and thought you give in addressing these prompts may
reiterate what the recommender already knows about you or may help them discover something previously
unobserved. In any event, take nothing for granted.
1. Explain the qualities that you feel you possess which might easily go unnoticed by others.
I feel as if my

I believe my hard work goes unnoticed by others. I invest a lot of my time trying to do my best my best
but because a lot of my work in the background, many do not know many projects were done by me. For
example, I update our taekwondo gyms events daily, maintain our website, do our inventory checks, etc. At
school, when we are doing group projects I am usually the one writing out outlines and giving my team
members specific tasks but at the end, if one of my team members do not push through I am the one to fix the
mistakes. I believe that to many, I seem very undetermined but i am the opposite. I always get my work done,
even if it means pulling an all nighter or missing a day of taekwondo training.

2. Complete the following statement as clearly and directly as you can: I am especially proud of the
following achievement.

I feel especially proud of competing in two international championships in one year. As a taekwondo
athlete, it is not easy for an athlete to qualify in high level championships in their first attempts. I am proud
that I was able to make my way up to become an international competitor with my hardwork and effort.
Although I was not able to win gold in both tournaments I still felt proud that I competed with the best of the
best in the world and I was the youngest competitor in both tournaments but was still able to make my way
up to the semi-final stage for both.

3. Mention any factors that have come up during your high school career which you feel have put you at
a disadvantage.
 I have felt the most at a disadvantage throughout my sophomore year when my grandmother was ill
and both my parents were out the country. Having only my father out of the country meant I was in charge of
our Taekwondo gym but having both parents out of the country meant I was not only required to balance
school and taekwondo but also housework as well. Although my sister was home to assist me as well as play
the role of my guardian, she was also working all day. I still remember waking up to go to school, coming home
to finish housework, go to taekwondo, and then staying past midnight finishing my school work as well as
studying more any upcoming test and quizzes.

4. Do you feel you present grades are a fair representation of your academic ability? If not, discuss.

I do not feel as my grade are a fair representation of my academic abilities. I also finish my school
assignments on time as well as participate in class. Although I am the blame for poor test taking abilities, I am
more than often times let down that my hard work is not being shown in my grades.

5. What goals have you set for yourself and what are you presently doing to achieve them?

My goal this year is to finish strong academically but I also plan to qualify for internationals again this
year. After a major injury to my hip last spring, I took a 6 month rest until my injury was healed and because of
this I was not able to compete last year summer and fall. I train Monday through Saturday as well as run an
average of 15 miles a week. I am persistent with this regime as well as managing my school work at the same
time.

6. What activities have you pursued and to what extend? Mention any offices you have held and awards
won. Tell what you gained from this experience.

I am involved in a club called Model UN. In my first year I was able to win an award at our biggest
conference, Michigan State University Model UN conference (MSUMUN). I am also the current Vice President
for the Troy Athens Model UN Team of 2017-2018. Throughout my years in Model UN, although it is nice to
win an award, this club is important because it allows social problems to be discussed as well as intelligent
minds to gather to search for solutions. Joining this club has allowed to be more open about social issues and
has made me for open to the world.

7. In what community activities have you participated?

 I am part of NHS as well as Project Lead, which are school clubs that allow me to pay back to the
community through opening opportunities for me to volunteer. I have volunteered from Senior Bingo to
making blankets for lower-class citizens who cannot afford jackets and blankets in the winter. I also assist
senior citizens with using a computer at my church every Saturday.

8. Explain your personal contribution to the high school community.

I contribute to the school by supporting small fundraisers or events the school runs for use during the
school year but I feel as if I contribute to the school by participating a lot during Charity Week. As a student of
Athens High School I am proud that we have such amazing contributions during our annual Charity Week and
although I am not part of Student Council, I try my best to donate my money through participating and help
teachers raise money.

9. What are your hobbies?

My hobbies include going to the gym, discovering new music, singing, dancing, and composing. I also
enjoy traveling and learning about new cultures.

10. Describe any independent study or special programs/projects in which you have engaged (science,
drama, music serious extra work in a subject.)

I am a Taekwondo athlete. I have started since I was 2 and a half and have never taken a break for
more than 6 months. I teach as well as train for major championships. I have been to several international
championships as well as have a gold medal streak at ATU National Championships since I started the World
Champion Division (8 Years Old).

11. Describe any work experience you have had - paid or unpaid. Describe your responsibilities, dates of
employment, average hours per week, etc.

My family owns a Taekwondo Gym in Troy. As the Taekwondo Masters daughter, I go out almost every
day, Monday to Saturday, and assist my father with training the students during competition season as well as
prepare students for evaluations and even evaluate them during Belt Testings. Towards the middle of 7th
grade, my father decided to invest in another Taekwondo gym in Illinois. My work experience has started
then. After seeing my responsibility and capability of teaching Taekwondo classes by myself I have been left
with the responsibility of teaching Taekwondo classes for numerous times. Such times include: two months at
the end of 8th grade, 4 months in my sophomore year and 1 month my junior year.

12. Describe your summer experiences and what you gained from them:
a. After freshman year:
The summer after my freshman year I really invested my time into taekwondo. Since I was attending
more tournaments I was able to meet important people with great power in the taekwondo society. I felt
greatly that summer for gaining connections with great athletes.

b. After sophomore year:

This summer was the start of my slump. I was greatly injured with a herniated disc and underwent
physical therapy my whole summer. This summer made me realize the importance of keeping my body safe
and it is possible to overwork ones body. Being prohibited from doing Taekwondo, i also studied for my
standardized test all summer. This summer also made me realize how close I am to being a college.

13. Who are two Athens teachers to whom your counselor might go for further reference?

My 10th grade Honors English teacher Ms. Sulleyman as well as my 11th grade AP Economics teacher
Mr. Irla.

14. Where will you apply/have you applied to college?

I plan on applying to the University of Michigan as well as Michigan State University. If possible, I would
also like to apply to the University of California, Berkeley and Kelly School of Business.

15. What is your intended major?

International Business/trade/commerce and Communications

16. How did you become interested in this major?

Growing up as a Korean-American has made me interested in different cultures. Being able to work
and travel has always been something I feel is important for me. Going into international business and
communications can allow me to work while traveling as well as interact with other people.

17. What are your intended career plans?

I plan to achieve my MBA and get a job as soon as possible when I graduate.

18. Rate yourself on the following assessment:

Unable to
Superior Good Average Poor
Comment
Course Selection X
Academic Preparation X
Academic Motivation X
Creativity X
Reaction to Setbacks X
Leadership X
Sense of Humor X
Emotional Maturity X
Self-Discipline X
Self-Confidence X
Character X
Extracurricular X
Involvement
Overall Assessment X

19. List activities (grades 9-12) from Athens and other organizations. Include part-time employment.

Activity 9th grade 10th grade 11th grade 12th grade

Troy Athens Model UN x x
Math Club x x x
Diversity Club x x x
BuildOn x
Project Lead x
Book Club x
KUMC Hope College x x x
KUMC Korean School x x x

20. List awards (grades 9-12) from Athens and other organizations.

Activity 9th grade 10th grade 11th grade 12th grade

Honors Award x x x
Presidential Volunteer Award x x
Presidential Fitness Award x
Presidential Champion Award x
National Honor Society x
Outstanding Athlete Award x x
Excellence in Junior Leadership Award x