USAPP Scholar, Elaine, starts college in the USA!

Several “I regret to inform you” and a few waitlists later, one yes was all that mattered. My journey has been nowhere near straight, and looking back, I’m amazed at how I kept pushing.

What started as a blurry dream of wanting to study abroad turned into a learning and evolving journey. One that tested my resilience, improved my interpersonal skills, and taught me that closed mouths truly don’t get fed.

The college application process pushed me out of my comfort zones. Cold-texting random people for help was scary, especially since I didn't know the kind of response I'd get. Some replies came back with genuine help, others never came back at all (oops).

Joining USAPP, I met Raydon, who connected me with other mentors. Being supported by mentors from institutions I wanted to join made the dream feel within reach. I found myself in a much better place in terms of getting advice, consistent follow-ups, and access to materials that helped me understand what was actually needed. Then came the tiresome essay rewriting. The mentors were incredibly supportive, even giving me feedback at odd hours like 2 or 3 a.m. (Yes, I was still up writing and rewriting essays. Just write your essays early enough.)

I’ve come to deeply appreciate the impact of community and access to information. Sometimes a vision alone isn’t enough; the right strategy and information are needed to bring it to life.

I’m super grateful for every person who sent kind and encouraging replies, those who helped review my essays, and even those who helped me ride the emotional rollercoaster along the way.