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Scientia Ac Labore
Alumni
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
Lora, ICS Class of 2022
Pharmacy, University College London
What was your favorite subject in high school and why?
Chemistry was my favourite subject as it answers questions that we cannot address with our bare eyes alone by analyzing and observing things at a molecular level.
What is your current profession/or major and how did your ICS education prepare you for it?
Pharmacy is my current major, and high school subjects such as AP Bio and AP Chem really helped me build a foundation knowledge to understand complex courses such as Organic Chemistry which build on top of general bio and chem.
What are your future goals and how do you plan to achieve them?
My future goal is to get a license to become a pharmacist. However, I am still not sure what sort of pharmacist I am going to become, because there are diverse occupational options... such as clinical, hospital, community, and industry.
What is a memorable experience you had while attending ICS?
After school, I remember when we all formed groups to work on our Calculus homework. The questions were always challenging, but it was memorable because we learned together.
If you have one, tell us a funny story from your time at ICS.
Hmm...I always enjoyed Mr. Baker's random jokes during the middle of the lecture, and, of course, Mr. Wolcott's stories of the past :)
What advice would you give to current ICS students?
Don't procrastinate! I noticed in uni that much of the coursework has lenient deadlines. But don't rest on those lenient deadlines. Be warned: They expect high-quality work from you, meaning you should start your coursework as soon as it's released. Do it EVERYDAY, and don't leave it to the very end.
Yoonsoo, ICS Class of 2022
Music Industry, Drexel University
What was your favorite subject in high school and why?
AP Microeconomics and AP Macroeconomics... it was interesting to analyze graphs, calculate profits and costs, and apply those concepts to the real world.
What is your current profession/or major and how did your ICS education prepare you for it?
Music Industry Program (MIP). At the beginning of my first year, the experiences I had from ICS gave me a glimpse of the university courses. I think I struggled less than others and knew how to manage my time. I was responsible for many papers, essays, research, and projects at ICS. Frankly, these were the things that always exhausted me. They even annoyed me sometimes. Looking back, however, I have realized they were the basis that allowed me to study enjoyably in the US. It was worth it. Without those assignments, I would not feel as confident as I do now.
What are your future goals and how do you plan to achieve them?
My current goal is to experience as much as I can. I am studying the music industry, and this field is much bigger than I expected. Although it will be challenging, I will pour myself into any field of music and learn and enjoy it, because now is the chance to build something valuable for my future career.
What is a memorable experience you had while attending ICS?
Until I began studying and living in the US, I didn't recognize the greatness of Korean food. I don't need any more burgers or pizza! I need something hot, spicy, and stewed. I am craving an ICS lunch made by the great ICS chef. Ah, the memories...
If you have one, tell us a funny story from your time at ICS.
Once, I was about to go to Coin-Noraebang (Karaoke) with my friends, but I still had some homework to do. There is a short bridge between ICS and the karaoke spot. While we were crossing the bridge, I saw Mr. Collins behind us. I could feel him glaring. I ignored him and kept walking... "Hey, Yoonsoo!" I was frozen. It was impossible to take a single step. Yes, I got caught, and I knew what I should do next: go back and do the homework. The End.
What advice would you give to current ICS students?
Eat well. Sleep well. Study well. Hangout sometimes.
Is there anything else you would like to share?
Start taking care of your health now. It is not too late. You will learn its importance soon.
Jeonghyun, ICS Class of 2019
Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University
What was your favorite subject in high school and why?
I probably loved chemistry and biology the most. The reason is that I always loved learning about how life works, and those two subjects allowed me to delve deeper into concepts that sparked my passion.
What is your current profession/or major and how did your ICS education prepare you for it?
I am currently studying Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. During my time at ICS the rigorous coursework served to really prepare me for what I would face in college, as well as gave me a foundation in the subjects I would end up learning later.
What are your future goals and how do you plan to achieve them?
My current future goals are to delve further into cancer research. I plan on continuing my work in the lab.
What is a memorable experience you had while attending ICS?
One memorable experience I had in ICS would definitely be the times when all of the students would rush to the nearby restaurants during AP prep to get something to eat quickly. On top of that, I also from time to time think about the times I had the chance to help other students learn the subjects I had already taken. Being a TA was fun.
What advice would you give to current ICS students?
Don't be afraid to ask for help. Wherever you are there are always people around you that will help with whatever difficulty you are having (both academically and personally). The only thing you need to do is ask.
Jinhan, ICS Class of 2021
Business Management, Skagit Valley College
What was your favorite subject in high school and why?
History, because I loved to learn history.
What is your current profession/or major and how did your ICS education prepare you for it?
Business Management - it seems like I already completed it!
What are your future goals and how do you plan to achieve them?
I want to work in an international company, but I need to graduate first.
What is a memorable experience you had while attending ICS?
I think graduation was my most memorable experience.
What advice would you give to current ICS students?
Just study well.
Tae Hwan, ICS Class of 2022
Materials Science, University of Oxford
What was your favorite subject in high school and why?
Calculus. I began to appreciate mathematics and the STEM fields through this subject.
What is your current profession/or major and how did your ICS education prepare you for it?
Major: Materials Science. My enthusiasm for the maths and sciences began at ICS, and my high school education further cultivated my eagerness to learn in these fields. As materials science is an applied science, the drive to learn beyond the norm is perhaps the most valuable trait a student could develop.
What are your future goals and how do you plan to achieve them?
Technical Director of Scuderia Ferrari. There are too many variables and challenges on the path to becoming an F1 engineer to enumerate, but some things are certain: be the very best and they will recognise you. I believe if I exercise due diligence, it's something I can manage.
What is a memorable experience you had while attending ICS?
The first and last Mathwrite competition in which I participated.
What advice would you give to current ICS students?
Don’t worry about it.
Joon, ICS Class of 2022
Data Science and Statistics, University of California - San Diego
What was your favorite subject in high school and why?
Besides physics/mathematics-related classes, I enjoyed those that involved thoughtful discussions, such as AP English Literature and AP World History. Listening to different interpretations of certain books or events from other students was always an intriguing experience for me.
What is your current profession/or major and how did your ICS education prepare you for it?
I am currently double majoring in data science and statistics. Absolutely, high school education provided me with a mathematical basis for college courses. Further than that, the experience of working on collaborative projects such as Capstone Research or those of AP Statistics class helped me prepare to work with different individuals in college.
What are your future goals and how do you plan to achieve them?
As a first-year, my short-term goal is to join a laboratory in my college and participate in research on artificial intelligence. After understanding the full research process, I plan to write at least one research paper with satisfying quality before I graduate. In the longer view, I want to work in a company with passionate co-workers who would motivate my growth.
What is a memorable experience you had while attending ICS?
One of my most memorable experiences in ICS was the Capstone Research program. It was my first time developing a personal idea from scratch, and I got stunning pleasure after producing a meaningful result. Moreover, proposing the entire process in front of many audiences and getting their approval motivated me to work on personal projects or project teams in college.
What advice would you give to current ICS students?
Don't waste your time finding the reasons "not to do." As you do it, you will start to enjoy it.