IDENTIFYING THEMES, PART I: PERSONAL QUALITIES

The questions in this exercise ask about you. There are not right or wrong answers; only answers that give more or less
insight into who you are. Use these questions to learn about yourself and consider what your responses will teach others
about you. Answer these questions with as much information and detail as you can. The deeper your answers, the deeper
the understanding of who you are.
IN SCHOOL
Step 1: You must know who you are as a student. Answer the questions below in as much detail as possible to think
about the student side of who you are.
1. Think about everything that is part of school - classes, teachers, friends, activities, homework, learning, etc.
Doing research
a. What is your favorite part or parts- of school?__________________________________________________
? it allows me to gain more knowledge and new things. The more I do research, the better I become.
b. Why?___________________________________________________________________________________
Group work
c. What is your least favorite part of school?______________________________________________________
I prefer to work alone. Being alone, I can do work better and faster.
d. Why?___________________________________________________________________________________
2. My grades are (choose one):
Outstanding
Very good

Good

Not good

Terrible

International Relations Theory and Asia Pacific Politics

3. List the class, or classes, where you earned your highest grade(s):_______________________________________
Both are about politics and I enjoy learning it.
a. What do these classes have in common?________________________________________________________
I work hard, take it seriously. Plus, they are my favorite subjects.
b. Why did you do so well in these classes?_______________________________________________________
Computer Skills and Statistics
4. List the class, or classes, where you earned your lowest grade(s):_______________________________________
It involves math and calculation.
a. What do these classes have in common?________________________________________________________
Im not good at math
b. Why did you do poorly in these classes?________________________________________________________

5. Of all your grades, high or low, pick the one grade are you most proud of and tell the story that explains why.
Communication Skills class. I score 99.5 percent. So, I got it. I studies with the strictest professor in the school and was the only one who got A among 250 students
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Initially, I expected C grade. But I underestimate myself.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
6. Forget about your grades, describe your favorite class, including why it is/was your favorite.
American Foreign Policy Course. I always aspire to work in foreign policy field. That's why I like it.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
7. Academically, what motivates you?
Rate the following motivators in order of importance with 1 being most important
1 Getting good grades
3 Getting accepted at a good university
2 A love of learning
4 Exploring new ideas and material
8 Competing with friends and classmates
9 Living up to expectations
7 Discussing academic topics in depth
10 I dont need motivation, school is easy
Kill the time
6 Impressing teachers
11 Other___________________________
Its fun
5 Making parent(s) happy
12 Other___________________________
I love learning.
8. Look at your top 3 responses to question #7, what do they say about you as a student?______________________
I love challenges and like to constantly update myself.
___________________________________________________________________________________________

9. How would your teachers describe your performance in the classroom? Not your grades, but what kind of student
I like to ask questions and love debate. Plus, I like new and challenging things
you are._____________________________________________________________________________________
Yes
a. If you were a teacher, would you want a student like you in class?___________________________________
It is the best ways that students can challenge and improve themselves while learning something new.
b. Why or why not?__________________________________________________________________________
Alone
10. In class, do you prefer to work alone or as part of a group?____________________________________________
I
work
better
when
I
work
alone.
a. Why?___________________________________________________________________________________
b. When you work in a group, what role do you usually fill or what duties do you usually perform?
Member. I help my peers research the question and write about my part.
__________________________________________________________________________________________

11. Describe, in as much detail as possible, how you learn. Think about how quickly you learn, how much you study,
Usually, I learn by reading books and listening to professors talk.
what makes something stick in your mind, etc.______________________________________________________
Then, I note down or highlight what I think is important.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Ask professors and classmate to explain.
12. When you encounter a difficult topic in class, what do you do to learn it?_________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________

13. When, where, and how do you study? Describe the environment in which you like to study._________________
Usually, it is at night when there is little noise and the weather is warm.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
14. Which tools do you use to learn? Which people, resources, or methods help you the most?
Rate the following tools based on their importance with 1 being most important
4 Exploring topics on my own
2 Teachers
7 Homework
1 Text books
8 Parents or siblings
5 Classmates or other students
Google
9 Other__________________________
3 Practicing or learning by doing
Library

Additional
tutoring

Other__________________________
10
6
15. Look at your top 3 responses to question #14, what do they say about you as a student?_____________________
Im an independent person. I lead myself to learn.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Optimism and hard work
16. Academically, what are your strengths?___________________________________________________________
Stay positive keep up the hard work
a. How did you discover these strengths?_________________________________________________________
Believing things will be better tomorrow. But you must work hard.
b. How do you use them?_____________________________________________________________________
Punctuality
17. Academically, what are your weaknesses?_________________________________________________________
Yes
a. Have you been able to overcome them?________________________________________________________
By reminding myself that I would achieve more in academic life if I am punctual
b. If so, how?_______________________________________________________________________________

18. Describe your greatest academic achievement.______________________________________________________

Outstanding students and was included in Deans List.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Fail a computer course
19. Describe your greatest academic failure.___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________

20.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.

Fill in the blanks with your highest test scores and answer the question about each test.

SAT: Critical Reading____

Math____
Writing___
Have Not Taken___
My SAT score is
below my target
at my target
above my target

ACT: Composite ____

Have Not Taken___
My ACT score is
below my target
at my target
above my target

TOEFL: Listening___
Speaking___
Reading___
Writing___
Have Not Taken___
My TOEFL score is
below my target
at my target
above my target
IELTS: Listening___
Speaking___
Reading___
Writing___
Have Not Taken___

My IELTS score is
below my target
at my target
above my target

Step 2: Take a break. After your break, go back and read your answers to the questions above. As you are reading, try to
find themes within your answers. A theme is a common idea that is shared by different answers to different questions.
Themes can be anything and can be found anywhere, so look at your responses both broadly and closely to find elements
that they share.
Identify and describe at least three themes found in your responses.
I love learning _____________________
Theme 1:_______________________________________________________________________________________
2&7
In which questions did you see this theme?____________________________________________________________
I will do well academically speaking, no matter where.
How might this theme be important in your application process?___________________________________________
I work hard
Theme 2:_______________________________________________________________________________________
3 & 12
In which questions did you see this theme?____________________________________________________________
I will help me succeed in my academic life abroad.
How might this theme be important in your application process?___________________________________________

I am independent
Theme 3:_______________________________________________________________________________________
14, 15 & 17
In which questions did you see this theme?____________________________________________________________
I can deal with issues independently and effectively.
How might this theme be important in your application process?___________________________________________

OUT OF SCHOOL
Step 3: You must also know who you are as a person. Answer the questions below in as much detail as possible to think
about the non-student side of who you are.
1. Think about your typical weekday, beginning with when you finish classes, and your typical weekend.
Read books, listening to music, finish homework and watch movies.
a. What do you do?__________________________________________________________________________
Read books
b. Of all the things you do, which are your favorite things to do?______________________________________
Football
2. Outside of academics, what do you do the best?_____________________________________________________

Blogging
3. What is one thing you are passionate about?________________________________________________________
When my friends introduce me to blogging.
a. How did this passion begin?_________________________________________________________________
Start blog and post stuffs often.
b. How do you pursue this passion?_____________________________________________________________
Cooking
4. What are your non-academic talents?_____________________________________________________________
I learnt at early age I have a talent of cooking and learn things quickly.
a. How did you discover these talents?___________________________________________________________
I
sometimes
cook food for family dinner.
b. How do you use your talents?________________________________________________________________

5. Think about the environment where you are most comfortable outside of school.
Home. I feel good to be here. Its quite awesome
a. Describe the environment___________________________________________________________________
Lock myself in the room and study or enjoy myself.
b. Describe yourself in that environment__________________________________________________________
6. What is one group or team that you have been a part of outside of class? This could include sports, employment,
Study Club.
family, activities, etc. _________________________________________________________________________
Member
a. What was your role within the group?__________________________________________________________
Very much. I can discuss things I dont understand with my friend. And they are helpful.
b. Did you like or dislike being part of the team? Why?_____________________________________________
7. Think about your friends.
A helpful person.
a. How would your best friend describe you (if you dont know, ask a friend)?___________________________
Help explaining friends homework.
b. What is one thing your friends rely on you for?__________________________________________________
8. Think about your family.
A good child
a. How would your family describe you (if youre not sure, ask a family member)?_________________________
Take
care
of
my
grandma.
b. What is one thing your family relies on you for?___________________________________________________
Watch movies
9. How do you have fun?_________________________________________________________________________
Help prepare food for dinner.
10. What responsibilities do you have outside of school?_________________________________________________

11. Think about when you are happiest.

Seeing my grades
a. What makes you happy?______________________________________________________________________
A study tour to Vietnam with professors and friends.
b. Describe a great day that you have had recently.___________________________________________________
12. Think about when you are unhappy.
Bad grades.
a. What makes you sad or mad?__________________________________________________________________
Sleeping is the best way.
b. When you have a bad day, what do you do?_______________________________________________________
Have a huge house.
13. What is one non-academic goal you set for yourself?_________________________________________________
Not yet
a. Have you reached this goal? How?_____________________________________________________________
Doing academically well to win a scholarship aboard. I think I will make it.
b. If you have not reached this goal, how are you pursuing it?__________________________________________

14. Is there a character in a book, movie, play, television show, etc. that you identify with someone that reminds
Gandalf the Grey in Lord of the Ring Movies
you of yourself? Who is it?_____________________________________________________________________
He is knowledgeable and very brave. Im fearless.
a. How/why do you identify with that character?_____________________________________________________
Gandalf the grey for being so smart.
b. Is there a character that you aspire to be? Who is it?________________________________________________

15. Think about your most prized possession.

Friends
a. What is it?_________________________________________________________________________________
It makes life meaningful.
b. Why is it so special to you?___________________________________________________________________
sociable
16. What are your personal (non-academic) strengths?___________________________________________________
I
hate
group
work
but I am very sociable.
a. How did you discover your strengths?___________________________________________________________
To connect and befriend people.
b. How do you use these strengths?_______________________________________________________________
Bad tempered
17. What are your personal (non-academic) weaknesses?_________________________________________________
Easily lose my temper.
a. How did you discover these weaknesses?________________________________________________________
Do meditation course.
b. How have you addressed your personal weaknesses?_______________________________________________
Win AIESEC business plan competition
18. Describe your greatest achievement outside of the classroom.__________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Usually lose in sports.
19. Describe your greatest failure outside of the classroom._______________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Friendship. It makes life worthwhile.
20. In your opinion, what are the most important things in life and why?____________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________

Step 4: Take a break. After your break, go back and read your answers to the questions above. As you are reading, try to
find themes within your answers. A theme is a common idea that is shared by different answers to different questions.
Themes can be anything and can be found anywhere, so look at your responses both broadly and closely to find elements
that they share.
Identify and describe at least three themes found in your responses.
I am a lifelong leaner
Theme 1:_______________________________________________________________________________________
Question 1 ( In school) & Question 2 ( Out of School)
In which questions did you see this theme?____________________________________________________________
Learning is key to college success.
How might this theme be important in your application process?___________________________________________
Im self-dependent
Theme 2:_______________________________________________________________________________________
Question 1 (In School) & Question 5. ( out of school)
In which questions did you see this theme?____________________________________________________________
I can deal with challenges by myself Im strong.
How might this theme be important in your application process?___________________________________________
Im optimistic
Theme 3:_______________________________________________________________________________________
Question 16 (In school ) & Question 13 ( out of school).
In which questions did you see this theme?____________________________________________________________
Optimism helps better achieve better.
How might this theme be important in your application process?___________________________________________

Step 5: Review the In School themes you identified in Step 2 and the Out of School themes you identified in Step 4.
Do these themes have anything in common? Can you identify any themes that are shared by both the in school you and
the out of school you? Identify and describe any shared themes.
If there is a theme I share, it is that Im a lifelong learner. I take study seriously and is willing to
work hard to achieve it. Education means a
lot to me. And it is not just about grade. It is as much as about learning. One can learn anywhere, anytime as long as one appreciates education and its
value.