WRITING_Admissions Essay (Parsons School of Design, accepted) WRITING

Yun Woo Kim
Jul 22, 2017 · 3 min read

Architecture excites me because I am an avid artist. Drawing buildings is my most prominent hobby, one from which I find the most sole of comforts: nothing beats the satisfaction of completing a stunning piece of such intricate detail that I’ve put so much effort and time into. My heated passion for architecture also derives from my experiences as a third culture individual, where I was exposed to both diverse yet exquisite styles of Malaysian and Korean architecture. I realized that the dynamics of both Malaysian and Korean traditional architecture are influential to my knowledge of architecture, as two dissimilar styles of traditional Malay and postmodern Korean Architecture evokes distinct moods and perspectives, purely from its aesthetic and use of space. In knowing that architecture could alter how individuals perceive architecture as more than just a mere structure, it fascinated me because it defines our surroundings on an aesthetic level. Thus, I knew architecture was a way to express my creativity: to structurally inspire the world with designs of my own.

With my heated passion to learn and master the art of architecture, I know that the distinguished architecture program of the New School, Parsons School Of Design, will push me to my highest potential. The rigorous 4-year Bachelor of Fine Arts, Architectural design degree would prepare me with the skills, discipline, and knowledge to become a notable architect. I acknowledge the intensity of the program, but I feel confident enough to pursue it; I’ve prepared for Parsons’s rigor through working with peers at school and work experiences, learning to know how to effectively collaborate and discuss with one another based on our coursework designs — providing constructive criticism in hopes to improve and create the best possible outcome, and also by pulling all-nighters to finish design projects I was so engrossed in. Through past experiences in school, I learned that working as a team is essential in undertaking any large projects- it offers the chance to give and take ideas, hence broadening all of our knowledge of design. In addition, I’m excited to bring into the program my diverse scope of skills and experiences ranging from utilizing computer-aided design, graphic design, and drawing, which I feel could benefit me in my academic life at Parsons school of design.

Not being able to physically attend The New School, including the Parsons School Of Design, I couldn’t experience the true spirit of Parson’s architecture department. But that didn’t stop me from watching personal student-life vlogs by Parsons graduates, as well as the educational videos provided by the New School. Ultimately, I was inspired by The New School’s motivation to drive students to turn their abstract into reality and make things that change everything. Just through the flat screen of my computer, I observed the bustling of undergraduates and their impressive coursework laid out on top of one another. Though it looked messy and chaotic, I knew the workload represented the student’s hard work, but I saw the studio as a symbol of limitless creativity: endless, vivid and diversification. I sensed the dedication, felt a rush of comfort, and thought, I see myself here. From seeing the student’s vlogs as such, I was inspired, open minded and motivated to take on Architecture at Parsons as my next step in life. Ultimately, my life is an architectural Stoa: each column represents my experiences and heated passion, and together, they are leading me down the path to architecture at The New School.

    Yun Woo Kim

    Written by

    18 / Korean / Malaysia born and raised