The JoongAng Student Reporters (JSR) program is proud to congratulate student editors Angela Kim and Sally Lee on their acceptance to Princeton University in Princeton, New Jersey. Angela and Sally have participated in JSR since their freshmen and sophomore years, respectively, and have a combined eight semesters of editorial experience between them.
When asked about JSR’s impact on her academics, Angela said the program helped her “maintain a strong work ethic which helped me keep my academic life very prioritized…, think more critically, diversify my views, and become more open-minded. As an editor, I became capable of showing stronger leadership and organizing skills.”
Sally responded, “JSR taught me so many skills that were incredibly applicable to my academics, namely time management and leadership. It also vastly improved my vocabulary and writing skills, and it gave me the opportunity to broaden my views on current events and perceive things from different perspectives.”
Angela, who was also a high school mentor at the Korea Daily’s 2013 Summer Leadership Camp, participated in the prestigious Summer Journalism program at Princeton during the summer of 2014. It was then that she “fell in love” with the school.
Sally, who participated as a mentor during the Korea Daily’s 2014 Leadership Camp, was drawn to Princeton because it offers “an intimate, amazing education with a great undergraduate focus.” Although Angela is fairly set on spending her next four years in New Jersey, Sally is still entertaining other options.
When asked about potential majors, Sally offered, “I’m undeclared, [and] hoping to develop a greater interest in the biological sciences.” She mentioned Princeton’s integrated science program, and its “absolutely brilliant” professors, as reasons she may choose the school.
When asked by JSR about her plans, Angela said, “I have decided to study Linguistics… After participating in JSR and studying a foreign language…, I have garnered interest in studying the development of human language… From there, I would like to branch out to either Cognitive Science or Broadcast Journalism.”
During interviews for this article, both students were kind enough to offer academic advice to others who hope to achieve similar successes.
According to Angela, “Never lose sight of your goals, no matter how outrageous they may be. Always thank your parents because they sacrifice so much for you… And also, do not procrastinate! As you progress throughout high school and the course load becomes more difficult, try your best to be organized and prioritized. Have an optimistic attitude and maintain your physical and mental health.”
Sally echoed these sentiments, telling JSR, “Perseverance is key. Even when things get difficult, you’ll find that as long as you put in enough effort, opportunities will open up to you.”
As these and other talented JSR veterans graduate and move on to college, the program is looking for new reporters to join the ranks. JSR is currently accepting applications from students in grades 9-12 for our Spring 2015 semester, which stretches from January until June. The program fee is $500 for new students and $350 for continuing students.
JSR is more than just a writing program. In addition to having their work published in the Korea Daily, student reporters benefit from a unique and challenging curriculum that emphasizes leadership, language, critical thinking, organization, and community involvement. These skills help students to not only achieve acceptance into elite universities like Princeton, but to thrive when they get there.
If you have any questions, please call (213) 368.2613 to speak to someone in either English or Korean. You may also email jstudentboard@gmail.com. Applications can be found online at http://www.jstudentboard.com/reporter/join-jsr and must be submitted by midnight on Monday December 29, 2014.
