By Ann Kim, West High School, Grade 10
June 16, 2011
Even with the low 9.6% admission rate, Adrian Kimmok, a senior at West High School in Torrance, California, has been accepted to Yale University. His dedication and motivation, in combination with his optimistic views on life, have enabled him to succeed and stay focused throughout his high school years. Kimmok has successfully balanced academics and extracurricular activities alongside his social life, which includes a passion for philanthropy.
Adrian Kimmok’s acceptances to UCLA, UC Berkeley, Brown, Duke, and Yale are not surprising, considering his excellent academic and extracurricular activities. Throughout his high school years, Kimmok has worked hard to maintain high grades for strenuous classes. Moreover, he is currently president and vice president of six different clubs while partaking in outside organizations, demonstrating his strong leadership skills as well as his ability to effectively manage his time. Kimmok truthfully stated, “Academically, I struggled a few times during my sophomore and junior year. However, I did not have any significantly noteworthy struggles. Ultimately, I managed to get over times of disappointment. That’s the first thing anyone must do if they hope to make progressive steps forward in their lives.”
He also remembers to have fun while working hard. Since Kimmok is a popular and sociable person, he has little difficulty interacting with others. Kimmok emphasized that high school students should “enjoy their times as teens” and “at the same time, stay true to their goals.” He stated that he has been able to motivate himself by writing a list of his goals and accomplishments, which in return reminds him of his expectations and hopes.
Kimmok admitted one of his favorite achievements was winning the National Art Competition–the money-wise poster contest. He was given the opportunity to visit Washington D.C. and speak at the Jump$tart ceremony. Kimmok added “The whole experience was very memorable and humbling.” He mentioned he was able to meet innovative people through the event.
Even as a child, Adrian Kimmok stated that his aspirations were in regard to a humanitarian cause. He dreamed of being an architect to “help construct and design cheap yet sturdy homes to an impoverished population.”
Although his occupational interests have changed, his passion and heart for philanthropy are still evident in his actions and ideas. Kimmok, a West Coast Regional Coordinator for Americans for Informed Democracy, organizes campaigns concerning the efforts to shape a sustainable world. He is in clubs such as Model UN and Amnesty International, which focus on the world issues that are currently occurring and the effort to stop human rights violations around the world.
Kimmok said “I’ve always looked forward to college and the new frontiers that come with it–a new place, a new ‘home’, and new experiences. Yale is the perfect place to explore my career ambitions and make the transition from high school to the rest of my life.” He plans on graduating Yale with a degree in Economics and International studies, and move onto law school afterwards. Kimmok concluded that “At some point, [he] would also like to explore the various wonders of the world.”
