Seunghyun Cheon
PharmD Candidate, Class of 2029
St. John's University
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As an immigrant student who came to the United States in 2020, I take challenges with patience and seek growth opportunities, using the diverse cultural landscape and educational avenues to pursue my dreams and contribute meaningfully to society. Since the age of 14, I have aspired to become a chemist. However, with maturity, I realized the importance of refining this dream into specific fields such as medical, physical, or organic chemistry. Although my mom urged me to become a medical doctor, I recognized that the direct involvement with chemistry labs, which I love, might be limited. Therefore, I found a compromise by choosing to pursue a career as a doctor of pharmacy, fulfilling both my own dream and my parents' aspirations. My vision for pharmacy practice is to provide personalized patient care, work closely with other healthcare professionals, and offer expanded services to improve medication therapy and community health. My goal is to work in a nursing home as a trained pharmacist. To achieve this, I will constantly gain relevant experience, and continuously improve my knowledge and skills in geriatric care and medication management. Being a pharmacist has always been important to me because I feel naturally inclined towards it, and no other job can replace it. Chemistry was the only class that wasn't boring for me, and I am enthusiastic about reading prescriptions, administering shots, and dispensing medications. I embody several positive qualities, including adaptability, empathy, creativity, and resilience.
The goal(s) I have for myself during the next 1-5 year(s) are as follows
- Being able to maintain a GPA of 3.7 or higher
- Being able to live dependently
- Making lots of friends at St. John's pharmacy
- Being able to have a stable career in local pharmacy
- Pursuing a law degree
- Being satisfied with my life
- Being able to guide and teach pre-pharmacists from St. Johns
- Starting a pharmacy business targeting Korean patients
- Being able to train recently licensed pharmacists
College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Expected May 2029
Pharmacy (Six-year Pharm.D) Major
Pharm D Candidate, 2029
Graduated June 2023
High School Diploma
Sponsoring Organization: Young Writer USA/Jericho High School
Date offered: March 2021
I was lucky to be awarded a title of “Young Writer” for poetry competition held in Jericho High School.
Sponsoring Organization: St. John's University
Date offered: December 01, 2022
Description: $128,000 in combined four-year merit scholarships, awards, and grants ($32,000 per year for up to four years of continuous undergraduate study).
June 2017 – Oct 2018
Organization: Kah Lak Mangrove Tree Rehabilitation team/Fairview International School
In Phuket, I assisted in planting many mangrove trees with Kah Lak Mangrove Tree Rehabilitation team.
In Indonesia, I helped plant rice and water the rice field with the residents of Padang.
April 2018 – Oct 2019
Organizations: Alpha Omega orphanage/Hilla School/Chrese Village
At Alpha Omega orphanage in Indonesia, I held various activities for the children, including food distribution for the disabled, book-reading sessions, and general cleaning of the facilities. I even hosted fundraisers in Korea and Malaysia for orphans in need.
At Hilla School in Malaysia, I taught foundational academics, such as English & Math, to orphans and refugee students. I brought fun scientific experiments like baking soda volcanoes to show to the students.
At Chrese Village in Cambodia, I helped in building bathrooms for the orphans. I tutored English, and I also personally donated to the Cambodian orphanage.
Ansan, South Korea
Co-Author June 2018 – Present
Title: “A cosmetic composition for alleviating skin irritation comprising Dictamnus Dasycarpus Root, Schizonepeta Tenuifolia, Cnidium Monnieri Fruit, Phaseolus Radiatus Seed, Paeonia Suffruiticosa Root, Sophora Flavescens Root, Rheum Palmatum Root and Kochia Scoparia Fruit extracts as an active ingredient
After studying the neural pathway of inflammation, I tested natural compounds with Western Blot for NF-kB and discovered Phaseolus Radiatus Seed, Rheum Palmatum Root that alleviate inflammation.
2. Why did you personally choose Pharmacy as your major?
Even before I came to the United States and acquired enough English skills, I always achieved good grades in chemistry and enjoyed the subject. Chemistry and every other science subjects were courses that excelled in my student life. Meanwhile, I was bad at English courses, and to this day, I don’t feel confident with my English skills. However, I eventually immigrated to the United States with amateur English skills and enrolled in Jericho Public High School. Luckily, my first chemistry teacher was very skilled and professional, making me fall even more into chemistry. My STEM grades were ranked at the top among International students in school, and my grades remained nearly flawless even when compared to American peers at my school. At that moment, I realized I was more a science person than a liberal arts, making me abandon my childhood dream of becoming a lawyer and choose the path of a pharmacist. “If you like chemistry, why don’t you become an MD Doctor?” my average Asian mom asked. My response was simple and clear, “I want to work with medicine, not with patients.”
3. Why did you choose to study pharmacy here at St. John’s University?
My first impression of St. John’s was not positive. When you search “St. John’s rank” on Google, tells you that the school is ranked at #166 out of 443 National Universities. I was going to ignore this school until my relatives and friends convinced me. They told me that St. John’s has the best 6-year pharmacy program in New York and is close to many Chinese restaurants, which I love.
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