Sunyoung Park
PharmD Candidate, Class of 2030
St. John's University
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One Prescription
at a time.
As Michael Jackson once sang, “Heal the world. Make it a better place…” That’s exactly what I want to do. Illness is more than just its physical symptoms—it affects the mind just as much. I want to be part of both the physical healing process and the mental support that patients need.
Having battled severe eczema since I was two, I know firsthand how much patients suffer. The constant itching and raw, flared skin were hard. But the real struggle was in my mind. It tore me down, and I questioned whether life was worth living. If eczema could make me feel this hopeless, I can only imagine the thousands of other diseases that would take a mental toll on millions of people.
As a pharmacist, I want patients to know they’re not alone. I want to be the person I once needed—someone who reminds them that they matter. With support, I could have fought off those dark thoughts more easily. I don’t just want to help patients—I want to change their lives. I dream of creating medications and creams that act as their armor and shield, offering relief and hope. My goal is to develop innovative treatments, especially for skin conditions, and make a real impact.
5 years ago, I started Dupixent. It gave me a new life. Before it, I couldn’t stand to look in the mirror—the face staring back felt like a monsters. I dreaded people’s stares and judgment. I resented sunny days, laughter, and happiness, wondering why everyone else got to smile while I suffered. There was no “bright side”—only darkness.
Now, knowing there are others still lost in that darkness, I want to fight alongside them and help create a life worth living.
The goal(s) I have for myself during the next 1-5 year(s) are as follows
- Have an internship at a pharma company
- Successfully graduate PharmD program at SJU
- Successfully network and gain lifelong friends and acquaintances
- Confidently know which field of pharmacy I want to work in
The goal(s) I have for myself during the next 5-10 year(s) are as follows
- Stable career as pharmacist
- Love what I do
- Positively impact patients’ lives
- Be happy
- Pay off student debt
- Live independently
- Send parents on a nice vacation and give them a monthly allowance
- Attend church retreats and maintain close relationship with God
- Make lots of new friends whom I can fully trust
- Meet a partner and potentially get married
The goal(s) I have for myself during the next 15 years are as follows
- Work at a pharma company in a high position- stable career
- Never have a boring day at work
- Potentially learn about acupuncture and physical therapy
- Teach others to love pharmacy
- Having a healthy balance between work and family
- Loving what I do and still having a strong passion for it
- Having a family- 3 kids???
- Creating innovative medication/cream and changing lives
- Potentially having my own brand of skincare
- Being financially stable
Major: Pharmacy (Six-year Pharm.D)
College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Expected May 2030
Pharm D Candidate, 2025
Presidential Scholarship ($1,000)
Advanced Regents Diploma
National Honor Society
Seal of Biliteracy
- Developed course curriculum, lesson plans and supplemental materials to support student success.
- Designed and administered assessments to evaluate student progress and comprehension.
- Utilized various teaching methods, including technology and other interactive activities to enhance the learning experience.
Role: Barista and Cashier
- Prepare and serve a variety of hot and cold beverages, including coffee, tea, and specialty drinks
- Take customer orders and accurately input them into the cash register
- Operate espresso machines and other equipment to make beverages according to established recipes and quality standards
- Ensure cleanliness and organization of the coffee bar area, including restocking supplies and cleaning equipment
- Provide excellent customer service by greeting customers, answering questions, and resolving any issues or complaints
- Handle cash transactions, including receiving payments, giving change, and processing credit card transactions
- Maintain knowledge of menu items, ingredients, and allergen information to assist customers with their orders
- Follow all food safety and sanitation guidelines to ensure the safety of customers and staff
- Assist with food preparation tasks as needed, such as assembling sandwiches or pastries
Criteria: students must demonstrate excellence in scholarship, service, leadership, and character, and typically need a minimum GPA of 3.0
Spring 2024
Fall 2024
GPA: 3.5
Criteria: undergraduate students who constitute approximately the top 20 percent of their class at the end of every semester.
- Completing coursework in English and/or a world language with an average of 85% or better
- Completing a Home Language Arts Program with an average of 85% or better
- Earning a set score on an approved assessment in English and/or a world language;
- Demonstrating successful completion of coursework from a nation outside the U.S.
- Completing and presenting a Culminating Project in English and/or a world language that demonstrates the required level of proficiency in all three modes of communication (Interpretive, Interpersonal, and Presentational).
Received: May 2019
Criteria: Demonstrate outstanding academic achievement, typically indicated by a high GPA (3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale), high scores on standardized tests, and/or recommendations from teachers or staff
- Designed creative posts to promote various events such as Dance Camp
- Persistently posted after events to recapitulate and check-in with followers
- Collaborated with different brands (Ex. Yaaastea)
- Established open and professional relationships with team members to achieve quick resolutions for various issues.
- Evaluated staff performance and provided coaching to address inefficiencies.
- Generated reports detailing findings and recommendations.
- Educated staff on organizational mission and goals to help employees achieve success.
- Picked up choreography moves easily and incorporated changes in choreography or new moves by staying flexible.
- Performed in South Korea, Canada, Japan, and European street performances.
- 2024 IYF World Camp (South Korea)- performed for over 20,000 people.
- 2025 New Year's Festival (Canada)- performed for over 3,000 people
2500+ hours served
Hiking this trail strengthened much more than just my body—it strengthened my mind. It taught me that I'm capable of doing far more than I thought. My mind told me to stop and that I couldn't go any further more than a million times. Despite that, when I took one more step, and then just one more after that, I was able to finish the hike in around six hours.
Through this hike, I realized that my biggest enemy was myself. I reflected on times when I was challenged and gave up right away, even though I would have been more than capable of accomplishing it. My mind constantly pushes my body to stay comfortable and avoid challenges.
This hike altered the way I think. When I was certain—200% sure—that I couldn't take another step, I found myself taking that step. When I face challenges and setbacks, I always refer back to this hike. Yes, when standing at the bottom and looking up at the problem, you may feel discouraged and want to give up before even starting. However, when you keep going regardless of what the voices in your head tell you, you can achieve marvelous things.
I chose pharmacy because I wanted to help others the way pharmacists helped me. Being a patient myself, I suffered from severe eczema. Simply, there was no light at the end of the tunnel. It was an endless black hole that had no finish. However, starting Dupixent in 2019, my life has taken a dramatic 180-degree turn. I now enjoy sunlight and the smell of flowers. I've not only changed on the outside, but on the inside. I was mentally struggling badly to the point I decided that it'd be better to end my life. I could barely move due to the cuts and scratches, and I couldn't bear to look at my reflection. If eczema affects people that bad, I can't imagine the millions of other diseases that people are suffering from. I want to be the change in their lives and help find the light at the end of the tunnel.
I chose St. John's University because it has a NO-FRILLS curriculum. In being here, I don't see my time being wasted. This path is like a supercharged engine on an Autobahn. Whereas other paths have twists and turns in every corner to decelerate me.
The outbreak of hopelessness starts with medicine. I want to meet people at the counter as soon as possible. Professorship, peer-to-peer learning, and access to dynamic clubs and mentorships will superpower me to the finish line. The contagion of hopelessness is too urgent to not go with St. John's.
In all things whether it be your job, relationships, teams, and more, COMMUNICATION is KEY! Oftentimes, I expected people to take a hint and know why I was upset or feeling a certain type of way. But especially through my dance team, I realized that is not the case. You have to speak everything so that the best decision can be made. The biggest lesson I learned was that everyone thinks differently. Although it may seem obvious, I didn't know that. I would get frustrated when people didn't know where I was coming from and I would wonder how you could possibly not think the way I do. But after many head butts, I realized that everyone is different. That is a huge lesson that would help me in future teamworks and relationships.
The phrase, "Just keep swimming," didn't come from anywhere. Although only three words, this phrase provides a sense of motivation and comfort. In the Pharma field, I am aware there are going to be many setbacks and failures. But just as Dory didn't stop even after facing storms and scary predators, and found Nemo, I believe that even though I face all sorts of problems, if I keep trying, I'll eventually reach my goal.
One of the hardest things for people is doing something that they don't want to do but must be done. It's not easy to persevere through those tasks. But, you can't only do what you like in life. That's where discipline comes in. If discipline drives you, you will be able to complete tasks in a constant matter.
How do you plan on utilizing your strengths to help you accomplish your goals?
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